tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15780695676092429722024-03-13T22:31:23.407+10:00Africanaussieafricanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comBlogger524125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-14477548280321819482023-01-21T11:41:00.000+10:002023-01-21T11:41:16.305+10:00Up-cycling fabrics<p> <span style="font-family: georgia;"> In our hot and humid climate, jeans are not big movers in our op shop. We had a $1 a pair sale rack, and still have full racks..... so I decided to make up a few different bags to see if we can somehow save these items from landfill.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Re-fashioning those items into something useful. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynAzrmWO0Yc-cY5eQE7A5p3FsR17jg-w7mI5gzWUDG4R3GxGk8Nh2aRmVdu88q948YkJ2fUDpuIreHd20di_-7kO3jJQvZvJmj3HI13regLl-GJCtnhTdORbVbWDf3QOltsCRK9uX9i0jbw0xQ2oKM_s7KLICxrCrKhqe7U44KDKBzEEhzGHKTLy4qQ/s4080/20230101_141900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynAzrmWO0Yc-cY5eQE7A5p3FsR17jg-w7mI5gzWUDG4R3GxGk8Nh2aRmVdu88q948YkJ2fUDpuIreHd20di_-7kO3jJQvZvJmj3HI13regLl-GJCtnhTdORbVbWDf3QOltsCRK9uX9i0jbw0xQ2oKM_s7KLICxrCrKhqe7U44KDKBzEEhzGHKTLy4qQ/w480-h640/20230101_141900.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I made a few variations just to try out the market and sold this one on the first day they were put out! Each one is individual, depending on what fabric I have available.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I tend to lay things out, and then just play around a bit. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Here I am laying out all the options before I start sewing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndHE_yTO4kyz8rvbFYk1SpIGeAhK_Orb5QUkmHn50uef7WlGIR8PhB9pFvKirPAFlE5vmcaoPT_poWvzScX1Rli6bjGDcKSKHwgWGhkGRBXQvKWM-ByMMQU-AZGo-motn6L_1pNh_K3ilksyKvhfSWI4ZKbM5USc1SqMxoXWhbg0K011E5ADubI7ECQ/s4080/20230105_063748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndHE_yTO4kyz8rvbFYk1SpIGeAhK_Orb5QUkmHn50uef7WlGIR8PhB9pFvKirPAFlE5vmcaoPT_poWvzScX1Rli6bjGDcKSKHwgWGhkGRBXQvKWM-ByMMQU-AZGo-motn6L_1pNh_K3ilksyKvhfSWI4ZKbM5USc1SqMxoXWhbg0K011E5ADubI7ECQ/w480-h640/20230105_063748.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> I have joined a facebook group which is so inspirational and supportive. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/UpCycledClothCollective">Up-Cycled Cloth Collective | Facebook</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So often, it is just a case of seeing what is there, and then using it in the best way possible. I was excited to find this tote bag, which was perfect as the lining of a bag for a teenager. this was also snapped up quickly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZgilOAoT7476zR5oBbovoLKfwDfODfW8BldMc9QHOj2AdRXX0q_VIoPt6iGM1AUtevOSoQsH6gf-QQVLyMY7zyFTbzMnRDp6D3-by4cR__OdnrgxkIgt2UoYkwaSaGfNrNM9HkMTzwNC41SDlAfDrQx9kbcwEotNpo9dJZOJpUrMTrfBlagBQz39eQ/s4080/20230119_152821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZgilOAoT7476zR5oBbovoLKfwDfODfW8BldMc9QHOj2AdRXX0q_VIoPt6iGM1AUtevOSoQsH6gf-QQVLyMY7zyFTbzMnRDp6D3-by4cR__OdnrgxkIgt2UoYkwaSaGfNrNM9HkMTzwNC41SDlAfDrQx9kbcwEotNpo9dJZOJpUrMTrfBlagBQz39eQ/w480-h640/20230119_152821.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The bags were hung up at the op shop and hopefully this will continue to be a good venture, to keep clothing from landfill and to value-add our products.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT81lhzKpE7__ebw_08ziAR2wbvEHureoM2ZJ1Gkm2cgaJ_iy8Z-GoxP9oIR7xyOBMIbIIUHMZR3t2TywRY1xchhomgKCZMqAdcTB_1DhUlWcJYDD8wSNlUAyYC0BlUxUz5TXp-pJOcGyiXLkIM72r5N3p0a7FhiRMSLGW1qb6pmk-vrou3I_gOuBPw/s3722/20230120_084312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2163" data-original-width="3722" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT81lhzKpE7__ebw_08ziAR2wbvEHureoM2ZJ1Gkm2cgaJ_iy8Z-GoxP9oIR7xyOBMIbIIUHMZR3t2TywRY1xchhomgKCZMqAdcTB_1DhUlWcJYDD8wSNlUAyYC0BlUxUz5TXp-pJOcGyiXLkIM72r5N3p0a7FhiRMSLGW1qb6pmk-vrou3I_gOuBPw/w640-h372/20230120_084312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Do you make items from clothing that would have been thrown into the trash bin? It gives me such a feeling of satisfaction, and I am so glad to be doing my little bit. I look at it in the whole scheme of things when I see on the news about piles and piles of garments thrown away and know what I am doing is just a drop in the ocean. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I just know that I am doing my little bit here and there. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> One step at a time.</span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-14235947710741806672023-01-15T14:58:00.000+10:002023-01-15T14:58:14.057+10:00Slow stitching and creative mending<p> I purchased another class from Craft school of oz! I was inspired after doing a couple of free classes learning Shashiko stitching and decided to venture more into this meditative method of stitching. I have been re-purposing unsold garments to sell in the op shop instead of sending them to landfill. This made a white ripped pair of shorts into a more interesting piece before I turned it into a bag. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-fcU8iY4ob4_opB7R5GFiEvBcl95HPrzCHvQqYiavx5Vx6V1MImNU_B6qrWUL4sSWM9a9wmh-6OesTfaLY2_7w0BN0y3wvgRD01dZa3Qyz_8TqME2jBaC1aOhjIWpJ-oWyNmHRlcDh6IRqMDUFleRnjfBJMzaXGOKM3oHTNd2A_7oL0XfMVf1NUSaQ/s4080/20230102_092153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3-fcU8iY4ob4_opB7R5GFiEvBcl95HPrzCHvQqYiavx5Vx6V1MImNU_B6qrWUL4sSWM9a9wmh-6OesTfaLY2_7w0BN0y3wvgRD01dZa3Qyz_8TqME2jBaC1aOhjIWpJ-oWyNmHRlcDh6IRqMDUFleRnjfBJMzaXGOKM3oHTNd2A_7oL0XfMVf1NUSaQ/w480-h640/20230102_092153.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrrlGYuZw2MCjj5sG7WNRZqrx-IXK0M822H5Hh0LMRXKCcMrSoKNqj5Y9S8oaO811jF6inuC-64ZYeljsn6XVRE5AWZaAvqbbjF-4MCBay3IfBk0339sb2FaZZpu7qM78BCkyglLv5Iimc2rLemXtRNV8LKGAv-9k4wokDPUc2yQrVjkdjrw8c1iBeA/s4080/20230102_101241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrrlGYuZw2MCjj5sG7WNRZqrx-IXK0M822H5Hh0LMRXKCcMrSoKNqj5Y9S8oaO811jF6inuC-64ZYeljsn6XVRE5AWZaAvqbbjF-4MCBay3IfBk0339sb2FaZZpu7qM78BCkyglLv5Iimc2rLemXtRNV8LKGAv-9k4wokDPUc2yQrVjkdjrw8c1iBeA/w480-h640/20230102_101241.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For Christmas I enjoyed making some little needle cases, it really is quite meditative to sew random little stitches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAeyR5TXNWDqyysGw4usLQUTBHXlm5twtLfNc2CJfy37r3rv4ThDmvGw1ZsuELin-5kwYJgBpKXp99SF-pYOfGCdoBxHH5iCOyimGkp6LaApebf3fDg5nie2fgJbOa6U3sb96nKeP_qy_g3WQgQKNqjkOR1yZHsovOmR8Rj3A9lP-rQ1AsJBSN4YZcA/s4128/20221109_201036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicAeyR5TXNWDqyysGw4usLQUTBHXlm5twtLfNc2CJfy37r3rv4ThDmvGw1ZsuELin-5kwYJgBpKXp99SF-pYOfGCdoBxHH5iCOyimGkp6LaApebf3fDg5nie2fgJbOa6U3sb96nKeP_qy_g3WQgQKNqjkOR1yZHsovOmR8Rj3A9lP-rQ1AsJBSN4YZcA/w480-h640/20221109_201036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I tend to look at descriptions of crafts, and then run with them and make them my own. I love the idea of sashiko stitching, but some of it seems quite rigid. I have been playing around with a few samples, and then thought that would be an ideal way to personalize some of the phone bags I have been thinking of making. I didnt have a washable marker, so marked out a sort of grid with my tailors chalk. Luckily this fabric had lines as well. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNU9v4wVI9cY6_uKaysmoqg-YIAnWnACbE3AAWsdZ7RlzDbfHMygdQKSDTz89KqQtMIMOjXltOXETEzi90DgOa341uEBQGDY78v7Jj6u6XpHwGVtXIqA9NaE7y8zGq1hYBqkwPjJPOj2URSc_TqBjbzswbjWzoEzJxwCtVb4n_L0GIuO2fbzxXlk1Mw/s4080/20230115_114537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNU9v4wVI9cY6_uKaysmoqg-YIAnWnACbE3AAWsdZ7RlzDbfHMygdQKSDTz89KqQtMIMOjXltOXETEzi90DgOa341uEBQGDY78v7Jj6u6XpHwGVtXIqA9NaE7y8zGq1hYBqkwPjJPOj2URSc_TqBjbzswbjWzoEzJxwCtVb4n_L0GIuO2fbzxXlk1Mw/w480-h640/20230115_114537.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A friend had given me some lovely sari silk, so these are going to look very pretty with that as a liner. I am now toying with the idea of stitching a yolk to make a silk dress or top. I am really enjoying making lots of different projects and learning different techniques.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Do you stick with the same craft, or tend to veer off in other directions as I do?</div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-15727568049657275072023-01-09T09:29:00.000+10:002023-01-09T09:29:21.982+10:00Walking the Camino<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Walking the Camino</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Oh dear, it is ages since I posted here, and I have lots to catch up on. On the first leg of my round the world trip that started in May, I got to do something I have always dreamed of doing. I walked the Camino with my daughter and her husband. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since we cannot bring scallop shells back into Australia, my daughter printed our scallop shells on her 3 D printer!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEga5LEMJyKwEXXHSjX67CAquC-ptOE4BAj-LpEUwsZ9LOM29qPRhJYy-IYy51H6rPHPHWKAfR1bY_fBsA-I0ukXiNAFRHwP9DEaLua80kc7UxTLXoFOf0wL2sL_F7jjwIC_zBoFCjVOXITAkUw5zr67-oMgJlmHd5h1julg1f3jdGX8IRKVKB5Tlw8Q/s4128/20220512_163008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEga5LEMJyKwEXXHSjX67CAquC-ptOE4BAj-LpEUwsZ9LOM29qPRhJYy-IYy51H6rPHPHWKAfR1bY_fBsA-I0ukXiNAFRHwP9DEaLua80kc7UxTLXoFOf0wL2sL_F7jjwIC_zBoFCjVOXITAkUw5zr67-oMgJlmHd5h1julg1f3jdGX8IRKVKB5Tlw8Q/w480-h640/20220512_163008.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVkg2SkLfTVGfIMJUzVIRsgwkGnAuNRsL6p91YSrHqJtUOPYuWAs3AoBmlqkYdbnHum__BPfMG2-YYt4ueRBPTL7G1GYAj6RItDzq6DrAuVpbBnjrLTliL69ztjXEFlY1gG-XUTpLZTvrvdFBzIpWXnXXWSKp4-_TUsFoUKNHvPKVVTADp5nOU91XZg/s4128/20220521_152729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVkg2SkLfTVGfIMJUzVIRsgwkGnAuNRsL6p91YSrHqJtUOPYuWAs3AoBmlqkYdbnHum__BPfMG2-YYt4ueRBPTL7G1GYAj6RItDzq6DrAuVpbBnjrLTliL69ztjXEFlY1gG-XUTpLZTvrvdFBzIpWXnXXWSKp4-_TUsFoUKNHvPKVVTADp5nOU91XZg/w640-h480/20220521_152729.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After trying on multiple pairs of shoes, in the end I purchased my favourite kind, Orthoheel, that I often buy from the pharmacy. I packed silicone sleeves for my hammer toes, and soft woolen roving, to add extra cushioning. We bought special socks that have a ribbed area around the instep, packed and re-packed, and weighed our backpacks. I took two sets of thin lycra capri pants, one long pair, and two short sleeved tops, plus one long sleeved one. Socks and undies, 3 sets, one small microfiber towel, and a small bar of shampoo/soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. This was what daily foot preparation looked like.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd5uPL1BT0XXGExYNRMMShjzORt943mSwRfIC41CHSIPREDMiVdxzm2lu_nx-FpP1eBtx4IRgH2aGNTz12c6P0nP-sPRN15XuVYyfvqVfLlxLSld38aYLauyeKV_xkYJnYtywzGM2QyZ5bzaXo-hEnDCk9C3rsiqRoMnPGIRbyTlg3l-HzjfWq1aZPA/s4128/20220518_075002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUd5uPL1BT0XXGExYNRMMShjzORt943mSwRfIC41CHSIPREDMiVdxzm2lu_nx-FpP1eBtx4IRgH2aGNTz12c6P0nP-sPRN15XuVYyfvqVfLlxLSld38aYLauyeKV_xkYJnYtywzGM2QyZ5bzaXo-hEnDCk9C3rsiqRoMnPGIRbyTlg3l-HzjfWq1aZPA/w640-h480/20220518_075002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Excited and a little nervous, we set out for the airport. We flew out from Europort, an airport that intersects 3 countries. Parked the car in Germany, had a croissant in France, and walked into Switzerland! We flew into Santiago airport and then caught a bus to Sarria, which is just over 100km from Santiago, it was pouring with rain, so we donned our yellow ponchos, and set off on our pilgrimage. Our first steps were very pretty, and we were excited to at last call ourselves pilgrims, and learn to greet other pilgrims with "Buen Camino"!, </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pq6WD75n3OJAapdrWk9btKzTgN8Pkqm93yM2E-dgp2eMFJiovZl_wnLyUneCprUcf7Q6kQsiE39Tbms8QD6b4l23SoMMMroozR23a3GHakSrBve6L3iERgLFQhiSZ3fmNuWZ2Bk4VoVda9pXZ3j6XA55JffSREVJ1gQIlSloXzVgTdnSk6-DpZv-mg/s4128/20220515_072022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pq6WD75n3OJAapdrWk9btKzTgN8Pkqm93yM2E-dgp2eMFJiovZl_wnLyUneCprUcf7Q6kQsiE39Tbms8QD6b4l23SoMMMroozR23a3GHakSrBve6L3iERgLFQhiSZ3fmNuWZ2Bk4VoVda9pXZ3j6XA55JffSREVJ1gQIlSloXzVgTdnSk6-DpZv-mg/w480-h640/20220515_072022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Day 1. As we had arrived in the afternoon, we walked just 4km to our first Alberge, which is a hostel. This was great, because we got to chat to other pilgrims, a lot of them having been on the road for many days or weeks. That night we experienced our first pilgrims' meal, sitting on the verandah overlooking the beautiful countryside. Normally 10 Euros, it is great deal, and includes a starter, main and a desert. The following morning, we left at 6.30 am because everyone was up and moving around, but soon found a lovely old couple (in their 80's!) who had the most beautiful garden and a buffet, for a donation. She told me I was very blessed to be walking the camino with my daughter, and I agreed. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was a small section of their garden.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-onA46OWGpERN5KLOT-uI4fwFqpvKSvvB077sg8OMICZxxbZe_2zZI7pV2q-lToYe7IArUZfcXnrSYrtb-vCF1p16Jo5rRXAMrtUGn7BL2N9ST87_-uNBGCKhH_7E9-Gqj2KFcAknVIjSlTuJbLTF2teX8vcZz9N8skZjA6_7v3DegVIOR2RehfY6w/s4128/20220515_101241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-onA46OWGpERN5KLOT-uI4fwFqpvKSvvB077sg8OMICZxxbZe_2zZI7pV2q-lToYe7IArUZfcXnrSYrtb-vCF1p16Jo5rRXAMrtUGn7BL2N9ST87_-uNBGCKhH_7E9-Gqj2KFcAknVIjSlTuJbLTF2teX8vcZz9N8skZjA6_7v3DegVIOR2RehfY6w/w480-h640/20220515_101241.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The first church we found was just big enough for the three of us, so special! The one we were headed to was to be very different. We actually found a lot of the churches along the way were locked, which was a bit sad.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL47VJtsWOp9OLHCbZWKV9YwqUrMWgvsIbctLKva0xCV4h1C5mGsBJA7yyumZbng2V_paLnJPqqGHqxkfw7UZIzkKGys9EdPtYd4O0XAPfADku0MZPpksWA_nv6KS_jZX28wzIpm7JLBKsHGqXD_We4cLN1YjUdMuhU5ht0-MJ4jcV6iNfZbBzKe-Y1A/s4128/20220515_083344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL47VJtsWOp9OLHCbZWKV9YwqUrMWgvsIbctLKva0xCV4h1C5mGsBJA7yyumZbng2V_paLnJPqqGHqxkfw7UZIzkKGys9EdPtYd4O0XAPfADku0MZPpksWA_nv6KS_jZX28wzIpm7JLBKsHGqXD_We4cLN1YjUdMuhU5ht0-MJ4jcV6iNfZbBzKe-Y1A/w480-h640/20220515_083344.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Day 2. 18.5km later we stopped for the night at Portomarin, it was quite chilly but there were cuddly woolen blankets, and Susan woke me at 7am from a deep comfy sleep! I set out that day thinking of and praying for people who sleep rough, and don’t have the benefit of a nice warm blanket. I did not have any pressing issues that I wanted answers for, and so would just <o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">set out walking, and soon found that there would be something I could meditate on during that days walk. Once we got moving that fresh morning air was very invigorating.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-HvBrtGFw848wMkGoHMpDOvPJZm4qgL8Ozdy5MEMUvbLbFfg76QdDiGhmmc8fvqx-fBJ1eAfAvTlkMPH2YYpyMahk-RYFRYyhLhsw-JZ00WlUfLJIfoGvIk8rabQAFntxGFVC0WZDIxYU5GZY09xo6gALQPCS-igmEwDzPtWzC1t_TAXwFcx1Lx-RA/s4128/20220515_072402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-HvBrtGFw848wMkGoHMpDOvPJZm4qgL8Ozdy5MEMUvbLbFfg76QdDiGhmmc8fvqx-fBJ1eAfAvTlkMPH2YYpyMahk-RYFRYyhLhsw-JZ00WlUfLJIfoGvIk8rabQAFntxGFVC0WZDIxYU5GZY09xo6gALQPCS-igmEwDzPtWzC1t_TAXwFcx1Lx-RA/w640-h480/20220515_072402.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Day 3. The next morning started with a big long hill, drizzly weather, and wearing our yellow ponchos, I just put one foot in front of the other and eventually reached the top. 17long km later we reached Ligonde. There we stayed at a mission, run by the agape group from America. There was a communal meal, and games, and talking about what the Camino meant to everyone, which was nice. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhRvDgBc02KcH_aNhs2JSWfuMxnHCdTBi1qxR9u7NRO1IjKsqv2KRP4lt95lOZkg0ViU-uvX1fVgGi9B1-P9mWKRKbVuOcOfDifnTQ_eh78OjJXkQUw5RP6xPgT9j-C2jpZbCU-jJlZPTpZ-q-6Qud6k-mGfO9MhpYsRA6wr2ngwpXkkW4G16zCop_w/s4128/20220516_160245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhRvDgBc02KcH_aNhs2JSWfuMxnHCdTBi1qxR9u7NRO1IjKsqv2KRP4lt95lOZkg0ViU-uvX1fVgGi9B1-P9mWKRKbVuOcOfDifnTQ_eh78OjJXkQUw5RP6xPgT9j-C2jpZbCU-jJlZPTpZ-q-6Qud6k-mGfO9MhpYsRA6wr2ngwpXkkW4G16zCop_w/w640-h480/20220516_160245.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This lady was selling her home made cheese from her front window!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60KCa_A_5eQxU-_JUBqA8J5TX2_d_MShpyWQiqu2BPiGnZskdq3De3oj16hUOU7MkBwLjSylYtVpsN7WlKmA6Ak-CU44-b7sGbWZvdsY_xtI1F-zm9VxVGv8ywpX0jq9ayimugTvndox7_LAygLILm38mVfvusMAUDSmLqR7Vc8NM9I2MH3NWyKwJNQ/s4128/20220516_135032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60KCa_A_5eQxU-_JUBqA8J5TX2_d_MShpyWQiqu2BPiGnZskdq3De3oj16hUOU7MkBwLjSylYtVpsN7WlKmA6Ak-CU44-b7sGbWZvdsY_xtI1F-zm9VxVGv8ywpX0jq9ayimugTvndox7_LAygLILm38mVfvusMAUDSmLqR7Vc8NM9I2MH3NWyKwJNQ/w480-h640/20220516_135032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The entire communities are involved with the thousands of pilgrims that wander through their villages. This barn has a shop selling painted scallop shells and other souvenirs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLcgYjB-CCZbP_wdn7P_lPOWmH7BVaK5Td_WbE71KdNLY5QrkdXG0pBiiL2ufpzND0wjM3tei_avQ24KEFrGF_-uh5dCzaG4_z4vc4f_iroEjIQljR9ORFtrhL9ZffYcwV7hMEQrHgv_ZN-9cHWRyqgFOVjjYUlVb5xgs9ReC-gdpg3qc-SENmxS-8A/s4128/20220515_111043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLcgYjB-CCZbP_wdn7P_lPOWmH7BVaK5Td_WbE71KdNLY5QrkdXG0pBiiL2ufpzND0wjM3tei_avQ24KEFrGF_-uh5dCzaG4_z4vc4f_iroEjIQljR9ORFtrhL9ZffYcwV7hMEQrHgv_ZN-9cHWRyqgFOVjjYUlVb5xgs9ReC-gdpg3qc-SENmxS-8A/w640-h480/20220515_111043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is also fresh water on tap to fill your water bottles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfX9dM7GuPFHMz8gCoD7mJTILdBifsIOXLEgIXyeeijVbSsmVNR9o87rCaCDMF3VA2IP56H5dMF33Sk7cEjtH96XcOZCyeJyJs9cVfJ4kOdt8vHFEjmI5KyqhpqpeqGLj5FDKekMYh1rfHU1oKavZDJza_YsLsPhDCO9BhlQeLTlDZwAe7frK0GIZ-A/s4128/20220519_133154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfX9dM7GuPFHMz8gCoD7mJTILdBifsIOXLEgIXyeeijVbSsmVNR9o87rCaCDMF3VA2IP56H5dMF33Sk7cEjtH96XcOZCyeJyJs9cVfJ4kOdt8vHFEjmI5KyqhpqpeqGLj5FDKekMYh1rfHU1oKavZDJza_YsLsPhDCO9BhlQeLTlDZwAe7frK0GIZ-A/w480-h640/20220519_133154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"> Day 4. The following day we walked 25km, just about all of it in the rain. Everything was soaked when we arrived and checked in, but luckily we had the whole dorm to ourselves, and everything was hung out to dry, as much as it could overnight. This cold and dreary stop was where I discovered spanish hot chocolate and churros. Oh my! the hot chocolate was rich and thick and was either scooped up with churros, a type of doughnut, or eaten with a spoon. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ySjRFqKRq8YNgmh9ByxUlKb3sDIk_iku3SYL1F4VKb2vVn6m14ZWSHLNmZs5MsDGyfQVwCm6QROjHcviZHspSUuDufKDJ0oUsGXJzB0AFmcN8FJD5ZKA9gyGaXtkY7R41YFeS7NFX72ZTUF3oFbHlNbw4njrsmM2Fpf7QVWPBJWwOdZQQolC3e0gyA/s4128/20220521_094850.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ySjRFqKRq8YNgmh9ByxUlKb3sDIk_iku3SYL1F4VKb2vVn6m14ZWSHLNmZs5MsDGyfQVwCm6QROjHcviZHspSUuDufKDJ0oUsGXJzB0AFmcN8FJD5ZKA9gyGaXtkY7R41YFeS7NFX72ZTUF3oFbHlNbw4njrsmM2Fpf7QVWPBJWwOdZQQolC3e0gyA/w480-h640/20220521_094850.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I loved these rustic gates, and their wonkiness reminded me of what was the "rule" on the Camino. everyone's walk is different, and personal. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is your Pilgimage - there is no right or wrong way to walk the Camino.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Your Camino" - your way, is a saying that you often hear repeated. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIw-qVQC2SpdGt8K3-ZahKs0raAFlBKMyElt8USqQF7Md-6UxWOeXbBbdMAx2CzOtXnmt-eht8BBMiJWLRczBt7G8ZRPg3hymuk87aJcFCfXL7ZYrDUBdVTTSw35vm0o1J3arzoFNfNS-2zZ-KFhrfPVURDpc5C5isdxnGoy71M3600YZgAP_s7XLHw/s4128/20220515_080909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIw-qVQC2SpdGt8K3-ZahKs0raAFlBKMyElt8USqQF7Md-6UxWOeXbBbdMAx2CzOtXnmt-eht8BBMiJWLRczBt7G8ZRPg3hymuk87aJcFCfXL7ZYrDUBdVTTSw35vm0o1J3arzoFNfNS-2zZ-KFhrfPVURDpc5C5isdxnGoy71M3600YZgAP_s7XLHw/w480-h640/20220515_080909.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I also loved the stone walls, overgrown with so many different plants, flowers and ferns....I loved walking with walls on either side - in effect, being hugged by nature. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDg17jxP77NZYFRNDDZvGMKgiMQ46_vO0KDHnDKNs6HY65MLsQd1RB8JnOP3DQ279A1iiVTAykkGZTrtFzgCp4I2DNZcL7A_SbEeyy9BBA46opxl7DUvFtwP5WYHFI26RZVLx7cVCp8PDHKDLqsimSWCxtayAzUaNi9tdrMDR2Pf2LaxMKpFddN0WyQ/s4128/20220519_112612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDg17jxP77NZYFRNDDZvGMKgiMQ46_vO0KDHnDKNs6HY65MLsQd1RB8JnOP3DQ279A1iiVTAykkGZTrtFzgCp4I2DNZcL7A_SbEeyy9BBA46opxl7DUvFtwP5WYHFI26RZVLx7cVCp8PDHKDLqsimSWCxtayAzUaNi9tdrMDR2Pf2LaxMKpFddN0WyQ/w640-h480/20220519_112612.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Day 5. The next day we walked 23km, in a steady drizzle and some of the paths were very muddy. My reflection that I wrote down for this day says. “Life is a bit like todays walk. Intense beauty, interspersed with pain, and fatigue, mired in mud, but following the path leads to respite and welcome sustenance. Happy to arrive in Lavacolla where we had a huge room with an ensuite, and we sent all our clothes off to the laundry. It came back clean, dry and folded. We were happy pilgrims! </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEyXJjYUKmo8Cik0iId0Ph20KIZBbQSB_dHPt3I8R9F3Ps13NoKPOviy5j5YzQdnznLrOv5jTg5yu2fDKeN3gJnOHmNSHPw4J0caC8_HytDjmz-OVO1mdLd6iYvFTE8x62BrfTpMFK6KARc8UsRzUxbZrguDWrZ4Do3eIYvoc4SQsU7f5CW2hw6mGxQ/s4128/20220514_140426.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEyXJjYUKmo8Cik0iId0Ph20KIZBbQSB_dHPt3I8R9F3Ps13NoKPOviy5j5YzQdnznLrOv5jTg5yu2fDKeN3gJnOHmNSHPw4J0caC8_HytDjmz-OVO1mdLd6iYvFTE8x62BrfTpMFK6KARc8UsRzUxbZrguDWrZ4Do3eIYvoc4SQsU7f5CW2hw6mGxQ/s320/20220514_140426.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Kale is grown as a perennial crop, and the leaves are stripped from the bottom as the plant grows higher. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFbioLOYmcEeIgaifsxBx6we4FqhseSANfxugFU5Z3wGxV7EWh2Nf-ACydP6g78gWenmDcqU9KpRou7qrxTJ4yQ4_3W63Zy5dGwSMTw-5zMgNGsIKTVdAmo9JDbxaXLfhriL27WIujt4uKHOtvxiY1G7cwdYMQNy1mze13E2Buds8Tcxr4DNmoXMB6g/s4128/20220515_115325.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFbioLOYmcEeIgaifsxBx6we4FqhseSANfxugFU5Z3wGxV7EWh2Nf-ACydP6g78gWenmDcqU9KpRou7qrxTJ4yQ4_3W63Zy5dGwSMTw-5zMgNGsIKTVdAmo9JDbxaXLfhriL27WIujt4uKHOtvxiY1G7cwdYMQNy1mze13E2Buds8Tcxr4DNmoXMB6g/s320/20220515_115325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There are always arrows to show the way of St James, the Camino.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2b4pRYaCbSWqYsm5koaMmMjBcXmwJHqI4jcB6htNMfJJOAuFUpkYtyUIhWRki1jAZt8dY4T662yHYdmG2vHVF0L3mUca8aCHdOc1tdspuyyOzIgcmySkUp5ja2MeF1I3IEuTOikEj4LF8Q72b3hJhyyNDlI1HFVh-go64Qi_YCRKHJA1ffyBktKtPw/s4128/20220517_092950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2b4pRYaCbSWqYsm5koaMmMjBcXmwJHqI4jcB6htNMfJJOAuFUpkYtyUIhWRki1jAZt8dY4T662yHYdmG2vHVF0L3mUca8aCHdOc1tdspuyyOzIgcmySkUp5ja2MeF1I3IEuTOikEj4LF8Q72b3hJhyyNDlI1HFVh-go64Qi_YCRKHJA1ffyBktKtPw/s320/20220517_092950.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjomX_vMr4oXQ-JTVtmQQIabYH57LAn0LXO80IJVc2AvjnlujG49czBkshfek7ZwVX3GOHWpyI6WQ8GnPzbZh_EcP6TaU1eCbSugQvim0UA6-66wfKx-rxSrLepewsE-rfqPjMp0PESBalfgQm7eDxYcgzM3fqSvU8CH1GgxtAKwR-7Nb0phnRFNNNA/s4128/20220521_150058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjomX_vMr4oXQ-JTVtmQQIabYH57LAn0LXO80IJVc2AvjnlujG49czBkshfek7ZwVX3GOHWpyI6WQ8GnPzbZh_EcP6TaU1eCbSugQvim0UA6-66wfKx-rxSrLepewsE-rfqPjMp0PESBalfgQm7eDxYcgzM3fqSvU8CH1GgxtAKwR-7Nb0phnRFNNNA/w480-h640/20220521_150058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Day 6. The following day we just walked 10.9km arriving into the City of Santiago at 9am! We got our certificates, and then went into the pilgrims mass at noon. Sometimes they swing that botafumerio that is hanging above the altar. It is filled with incense and was important to clear the air once the filthy pilgrims flooded in! We didn't really need it since we had just showered, but it would have been a wonderful experience to see.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">We stayed in the seminary up on top of the hill and explored the city for 2 days, and then we flew back to our car and drove to France. </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqPAuHTMQq-VGb_xOH5cLBVZyFTpNRa6rwmFtRDWt84KfJSlTICw6Lv_mGx6RtDcBINEvR82RgLh5mbc3l6rBv93pIg9Ls-cOVLbA3fEgnRGnuj4ORRCIfbo9sKgvWPxXYLknt_v0yreafm_qV40bUVBe1UgD6-ihEBruHbZ_WZyfUy8WgiU-51hCaQ/s4128/20220521_104641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqPAuHTMQq-VGb_xOH5cLBVZyFTpNRa6rwmFtRDWt84KfJSlTICw6Lv_mGx6RtDcBINEvR82RgLh5mbc3l6rBv93pIg9Ls-cOVLbA3fEgnRGnuj4ORRCIfbo9sKgvWPxXYLknt_v0yreafm_qV40bUVBe1UgD6-ihEBruHbZ_WZyfUy8WgiU-51hCaQ/w480-h640/20220521_104641.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have finished my Camino, and it will always now be a part of my soul! </div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></p><p><br /></p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-9904728402836421842022-03-23T07:23:00.001+10:002022-03-23T07:23:26.321+10:00The fairies and the fishes<p> I have been busy planning for my trip overseas, making the garden as maintenance free as possible. At first I thought I would take the fish and plants out of the pond, but in actual fact it seems more work. The main things that takes up my time, is removing leaves that have fallen in the pond, and dealing with too much rain which causes a lot of slime to grow. I have rigged the umbrella to be a little higher and hopefully it stays in place all the time. I took out most of the fish to give to my stepson, but then noticed lots of little ones growing, so I obviously didn't remove them all! lol!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0_pCzPdpwUnyrK-Bm9cC0MHPjOJWBnN4fAqJH7qLQsySti-9Vq2K-2VsFT9Az9cw5aaQD0FI-JOdzAAISa4e_0Evv0uSy7HPodus1bkpc1WW6_I2HZqx-SjDb0F4L7hiTUOz0D5CjC5TlPEDJHMuRPNV7Titx4nirSy0g1NPFttBFK4xSm01ag7X7A/s4128/pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0_pCzPdpwUnyrK-Bm9cC0MHPjOJWBnN4fAqJH7qLQsySti-9Vq2K-2VsFT9Az9cw5aaQD0FI-JOdzAAISa4e_0Evv0uSy7HPodus1bkpc1WW6_I2HZqx-SjDb0F4L7hiTUOz0D5CjC5TlPEDJHMuRPNV7Titx4nirSy0g1NPFttBFK4xSm01ag7X7A/w480-h640/pond.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>We had a huge amount of rain and wind lately, and my arch came crashing down, so that area has had to be re-configured. I have moved most of my orchids there, and they get a little more filtered light than they did on the fence.. A facebook group called orchid growing for dummies has been very helpful, so hopefully I get a few more flowers. </p><p>One of the orchids I have found hard to manage is the ladyslipper orchid vine, and I have been continually digging it up and removing it. I realized that I would need to be quite vigilant and the garden where the vine had been was too deep and inaccessible, so I cleared out an area to provide access. Before I knew it, I had created a fairy glen!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpOinAFbDqPD17g8N8NA2z6tfXKAA-INTOo6SGK_Mqq98aw6pNK5N9bKcZ5O4DMSIc-F_IVOBGz9YHdsCy3Rc-J6sBuevaZGrIv7xNq9e9fp5vB2Dr9AeLKeDmbFdAHCwOJYur8f4P0QWfGe6M2slfqqvE1FV-ZdUbV7Y12HueaXGIWlOZKeotbWeAA/s4128/20220322_152646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpOinAFbDqPD17g8N8NA2z6tfXKAA-INTOo6SGK_Mqq98aw6pNK5N9bKcZ5O4DMSIc-F_IVOBGz9YHdsCy3Rc-J6sBuevaZGrIv7xNq9e9fp5vB2Dr9AeLKeDmbFdAHCwOJYur8f4P0QWfGe6M2slfqqvE1FV-ZdUbV7Y12HueaXGIWlOZKeotbWeAA/w640-h480/20220322_152646.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>I will get some solar operated fairy lights to hang around the candelabra, and either fill the area around the birdbath with stones or mulch. I am thinking mulch, because I do have a lot of stones in my garden. I am hoping the orchids will be happy hanging here on the fences.</p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-32806936090445908012022-01-25T13:18:00.003+10:002022-01-25T13:18:35.399+10:00Worm cafe<p> I am so blessed to have a hubby who supports all my crazy hobbies. and we set out over the weekend to spend our Christmas gift card on a worm farm. It was a combined gift, but of course I made the choice and it was gardening related.! As most of you know I am a huge fan of my tumbler, but it is getting on in age, and suddenly didn't turn very easily anymore. Hubby drilled a couple of holes and the trusty tie wraps came out. What on earth did we do before tie wraps were invented? </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEGUGuh3ZuZqqSE3Ks8yQ3I_USdYkxR3yOEJEPfiamkw-gvMG20E-hUEsqBqHQY_gZ6mN04lAJKoXH8o7PtI-JXgcEqm0EGOXBidIxiR1x_kZtzPrDVz90X8PMren7nHK5Z9AVOJxN0RAwgKtyG1SjxO5MuFRn8Yqga2_3ZsjRltONA3bEMBkybIPq1Q=s4128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEGUGuh3ZuZqqSE3Ks8yQ3I_USdYkxR3yOEJEPfiamkw-gvMG20E-hUEsqBqHQY_gZ6mN04lAJKoXH8o7PtI-JXgcEqm0EGOXBidIxiR1x_kZtzPrDVz90X8PMren7nHK5Z9AVOJxN0RAwgKtyG1SjxO5MuFRn8Yqga2_3ZsjRltONA3bEMBkybIPq1Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>I realized I should keep the tumbler as light as possible. My daughter in law said that they partly compost veggie peeling and kitchen waste in their tumbler and then finish it off in the worm bin. What a great idea I thought.... so the idea of a worm farm was born. I settled on the worm cafe as I like the flat edge design, and for now it is under the eaves right next to the tumbler. What a great design - nothing is thrown out - even the cardboard packaging is used to line the base bin.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFA_VjguF2H1e3ltAxdhN1qYki9boek0psM0fH4AbKQIypV7Rccu1nfzfg-e7negxCen35AwchGEAUXx16fONNV4INFlFgzh-x2w-k7GcGss_SM7SalMeE6jUvZ3vqE6Cf2Ju9AWQETxnaccGHYKhLb7rvT6ZiZWZdJRN6GHqhPcPrTIJehqC6JoAF7A=s4128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFA_VjguF2H1e3ltAxdhN1qYki9boek0psM0fH4AbKQIypV7Rccu1nfzfg-e7negxCen35AwchGEAUXx16fONNV4INFlFgzh-x2w-k7GcGss_SM7SalMeE6jUvZ3vqE6Cf2Ju9AWQETxnaccGHYKhLb7rvT6ZiZWZdJRN6GHqhPcPrTIJehqC6JoAF7A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Then a brick of coir is soaked and added... now, since I have lots of worms in my tumbler ever since I started the inground compost worm bins I didn't purchase more worms, so went digging in my tumbler, to find none!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO8qK5NV_n-6HZ-lTU1e8rPfZ4BRfGQJCU5S7XpSt4jm2UzMvkPOT2zgZhDSM2nSECXt6EsPvFgRY9kLwxSKD6IJwOO9hGsO_5N7TdJLHxsWOITXUtcTyEJ9J3qSiAHZSyvqxuchbBruiBa-G0NNaEOdQ3mg_IvKpdlxdvx9D0Ou_NfSa2JSZiDTnNTg=s4128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjO8qK5NV_n-6HZ-lTU1e8rPfZ4BRfGQJCU5S7XpSt4jm2UzMvkPOT2zgZhDSM2nSECXt6EsPvFgRY9kLwxSKD6IJwOO9hGsO_5N7TdJLHxsWOITXUtcTyEJ9J3qSiAHZSyvqxuchbBruiBa-G0NNaEOdQ3mg_IvKpdlxdvx9D0Ou_NfSa2JSZiDTnNTg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Not sure what is going on, but supposedly everything gets eaten up overnight, and then the worms disappear. So I loaded the compost up with lots of yummy peels, and will hopefully be able to harvest a whole load of wriggly worms in the morning! I made sure not to turn it, because one turn of the tumbler, and everything mixes up and disappears from sight.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNX3Z0f24zfyeADSchiLKEl1m6N7QSHaBvEGHWQbXSgI8yXUFznrLPo_gMEDT7QeJumUN61MEfwSmejPHP5bI7PLH5Xfcuo6phxtMrLUssVA8sxkodHkv-AeUbj50Dc1nJXVLvSk6VO25HXozLyPdSV3TQOuaAtCA6OqFsBEjtiZzxW2f7P8Wc6eIuwQ=s4128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNX3Z0f24zfyeADSchiLKEl1m6N7QSHaBvEGHWQbXSgI8yXUFznrLPo_gMEDT7QeJumUN61MEfwSmejPHP5bI7PLH5Xfcuo6phxtMrLUssVA8sxkodHkv-AeUbj50Dc1nJXVLvSk6VO25HXozLyPdSV3TQOuaAtCA6OqFsBEjtiZzxW2f7P8Wc6eIuwQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>Do you do worm farming? What tips do you have? </p><p><br /></p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-64503549461075264792022-01-15T09:31:00.002+10:002022-01-15T09:31:42.370+10:00Coiled baskets, my new hobby<p> I have been interested in making baskets for along time, and last year I purchased an online class on making baskets from the garden. I found it really messy and required a lot of space to collect all the bits and pieces so really did not pursue it after the initial spurt of creativity. The same school offered a course on coiled baskets which I had been greatly admiring, so I bought that course as a Christmas present to myself! It is run by the same lady as the baskets from the garden - Ruth, who I found very easy to follow. It is super easy to go back and check the instructions.</p><p><a href="https://courses.craftschooloz.com/p/textile-coiled-baskets" target="_blank">craft school of oz</a><br /></p><p>Oh my! am I hooked! This was the first basket I created. I made a little lid in what I considered an African design - like a rondavel, which is a "round house" This was t shirt material wrapped around string and sewn with crochet cotton.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6mXxRkD4ewViJrkVGqCjMugwOsuZ8jDVVigU3LH-YQyk8wUWbMmoY1E1yoS3eSinWxntz-j2xmaSS8-KSVvDggNsyVqaBlqc3dE2PV2a_-5kwRZFWgT2kdaOCVZijFBs8u7VxvS7lxhy9Y6IWt5cXv-mwr8OyCKgTXr3ncjx8dPB1MXQMdinHspa8-A=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6mXxRkD4ewViJrkVGqCjMugwOsuZ8jDVVigU3LH-YQyk8wUWbMmoY1E1yoS3eSinWxntz-j2xmaSS8-KSVvDggNsyVqaBlqc3dE2PV2a_-5kwRZFWgT2kdaOCVZijFBs8u7VxvS7lxhy9Y6IWt5cXv-mwr8OyCKgTXr3ncjx8dPB1MXQMdinHspa8-A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw6jtAB2v1-9QzIbx85wxIxBJtExZ5zgLHPqKYGZ4x-HACHUXq3t91vpyyJ8ZXAqKoOR4iURzcWVrl3vLCK2Wu1X5CPsUAcvW9iMLmUYWXoFUjkYX3gLBOC7kIy3QFbg2HQiLZsm8trJbxnjec-oyRxpFwA3AmY-OCLKNAiqRFlFgfqukpPaYLuw06Ag=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiw6jtAB2v1-9QzIbx85wxIxBJtExZ5zgLHPqKYGZ4x-HACHUXq3t91vpyyJ8ZXAqKoOR4iURzcWVrl3vLCK2Wu1X5CPsUAcvW9iMLmUYWXoFUjkYX3gLBOC7kIy3QFbg2HQiLZsm8trJbxnjec-oyRxpFwA3AmY-OCLKNAiqRFlFgfqukpPaYLuw06Ag=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>From then on, there was no stopping me. as you know I am very keen to recycle materials instead of sending them to landfill and this is a perfect way of doing that. At one stage I made necklaces out of t shirt material, and I still use that for tying up plants etc. I have quite a collection of cut up t shirts and I keep them in a little footstool right next to the couch. Perfect for picking my project up and working on it, and then packing away easily when I want to take a break. I organized the fabric into colour themes, since my daughter is always telling me to use a colour wheel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikWteNx3-aE3BJeLrB7L5nUkk7R4Vb72BUuElM1e8fYHEEsiVmexkznJI-sxEu0tm7SR-s05KUy66foMlAOP2TpEj2YbQ0zy-XE-pAreoX3Sx62E0ajo7H3iO4rDH0i9uzt1zllt6NmsAOpDsWxBgA1Ji1HQUdZaYV8ML3sSd9qVBVn85De53vSxJC3A=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikWteNx3-aE3BJeLrB7L5nUkk7R4Vb72BUuElM1e8fYHEEsiVmexkznJI-sxEu0tm7SR-s05KUy66foMlAOP2TpEj2YbQ0zy-XE-pAreoX3Sx62E0ajo7H3iO4rDH0i9uzt1zllt6NmsAOpDsWxBgA1Ji1HQUdZaYV8ML3sSd9qVBVn85De53vSxJC3A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>The first one used rope as the center core, and I decided I wanted to use recyclable materials so used four strands of t shirt material as the core for this one. I used some pretty wool for the stitching. All kinds of materials being used up! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1CMODNJ_PQDGcK4L36W9bkUsuTVQ2epq1NcMXLgff9Y87FpECQEpsFzXSaW2zhDNW6XYYpoLs47zA9bBosub_mw7XuqR_MyFXpbmy4KwpZWuZKnXgLd_av0zW4w8hTKXpSaadpm1lAEPV3NggAHtobNR6d5Tgj3huPBpR4BOse1b1Q56210sZ3EEM-A=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1CMODNJ_PQDGcK4L36W9bkUsuTVQ2epq1NcMXLgff9Y87FpECQEpsFzXSaW2zhDNW6XYYpoLs47zA9bBosub_mw7XuqR_MyFXpbmy4KwpZWuZKnXgLd_av0zW4w8hTKXpSaadpm1lAEPV3NggAHtobNR6d5Tgj3huPBpR4BOse1b1Q56210sZ3EEM-A=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7gIsF7jPp1NoF_rZJW_-NjoE-ORCNG5J3x6KFc3z9xyrmQ2gL8O3rpcwyeoGdmJJRv2RyWam2n79t9Sfd9n3306grrxkcSIaNzzQH-ja-whzUUkeCAusuTgfSamB7wv37s7qa4nBuQ8EdHgNikhc9hUafHM1yeOHg3swIZnl8Su7S-z_qywlRoGxVsA=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7gIsF7jPp1NoF_rZJW_-NjoE-ORCNG5J3x6KFc3z9xyrmQ2gL8O3rpcwyeoGdmJJRv2RyWam2n79t9Sfd9n3306grrxkcSIaNzzQH-ja-whzUUkeCAusuTgfSamB7wv37s7qa4nBuQ8EdHgNikhc9hUafHM1yeOHg3swIZnl8Su7S-z_qywlRoGxVsA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The class showcased a round mat made with denim, and here I used the jean seams as the core, which turned out a bit lumpy. The colour variations come from using the right and wrong side of the denim. I used crochet cotton for the stitching. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRgeT1Pk-IzL3wFMNkkf5h3ZIsJSKMRnmiG2u046P5ztFH54xhUVpbmwbEkBv4zqEx3p82q1dV_Qnp79fFbtyS6rNpmHYRUi8E4msgrgbKcoS-xino1ADQ_Duo7nIrH6DbcXXfwLqb8Z4-xQCl-3D52uYalJhny_Fn40Bzmbbih6vYQENE7I-u5pD_XA=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRgeT1Pk-IzL3wFMNkkf5h3ZIsJSKMRnmiG2u046P5ztFH54xhUVpbmwbEkBv4zqEx3p82q1dV_Qnp79fFbtyS6rNpmHYRUi8E4msgrgbKcoS-xino1ADQ_Duo7nIrH6DbcXXfwLqb8Z4-xQCl-3D52uYalJhny_Fn40Bzmbbih6vYQENE7I-u5pD_XA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next I wanted to try some silk, as I had some scarves that I had painted that of course I never wore. I think they work better as baskets.! the silk was a little slippery to work with. The little yellow one has the silk folded over the core (T shirt material again). The blue one Was a scarf that portrayed the beach extending out to the ocean and it really seems to work well here. I was thinking of maybe sewing a shell onto the top for a handle. This time I twisted the silk around the core, which does leave exposed cut edges </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7Ona5rkeQrlvlV2lRTnS8IwpzFKwJZUaJrhHQeP6zdO3SN93ujkaMIVbFruy3zPX56U9LWOMomJBrLMbAqqgt1z5MA5p_ORI3fPU_5OudpJgTNJwt2vEWMP-Dgkw8JAE2wdWO3ZFk3C8d1Iwm3mgvbJy1SHNGNL8yAkh3RSfoetCCkwca3r7WQCMUgw=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7Ona5rkeQrlvlV2lRTnS8IwpzFKwJZUaJrhHQeP6zdO3SN93ujkaMIVbFruy3zPX56U9LWOMomJBrLMbAqqgt1z5MA5p_ORI3fPU_5OudpJgTNJwt2vEWMP-Dgkw8JAE2wdWO3ZFk3C8d1Iwm3mgvbJy1SHNGNL8yAkh3RSfoetCCkwca3r7WQCMUgw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQa1_NfEjhDnY8N7os_l2cuZI_9San-FoyoVfomrVnx1a_tNtzVD3JnbYqThT-Wwbsyoe2soaAWNgSsklcM2WQNuSUNKpQAcJv9us-Cu7OJm08Buq30m-oyX4oXJjuIEz39GX2BzrKQ4tgsB0hYFgNjPev7flS-qHPhxTJdTA_gbsOzYclu5gYZQ0yTg=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQa1_NfEjhDnY8N7os_l2cuZI_9San-FoyoVfomrVnx1a_tNtzVD3JnbYqThT-Wwbsyoe2soaAWNgSsklcM2WQNuSUNKpQAcJv9us-Cu7OJm08Buq30m-oyX4oXJjuIEz39GX2BzrKQ4tgsB0hYFgNjPev7flS-qHPhxTJdTA_gbsOzYclu5gYZQ0yTg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzBJHRhcnyvAZeyp5tE38CaI8mh-AZ4V26KkbujHLjH60ee2z6BQfgwYNTYsnU4dyvAWLH21u1AlVCs431lapd-Zj930zpXTCR_UfgX3sODFSqFDhoMUl8meevMnqfmJ57IawlguyHNC5XaePVL5XY8_2baQ-ZOG2vVY1o1F60GA_QzsdLRSY6GGvdRw=s4128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgzBJHRhcnyvAZeyp5tE38CaI8mh-AZ4V26KkbujHLjH60ee2z6BQfgwYNTYsnU4dyvAWLH21u1AlVCs431lapd-Zj930zpXTCR_UfgX3sODFSqFDhoMUl8meevMnqfmJ57IawlguyHNC5XaePVL5XY8_2baQ-ZOG2vVY1o1F60GA_QzsdLRSY6GGvdRw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, I wonder what to do with my little collection of baskets, and when I asked the grandchildren, the girls all said they wanted a pink one! I might have to make a few more of these.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTtkb7QeLxQ08YGyUKfVtr1qbCnYfSlZMfFxsh8BcXb7cocFFsviY5ZvIsGo5N8RCq0IYPpZJvQNly8i8EMhyfzDLRv90Rkh2SsI8muSvmfCjZnIDOEG_h5aHv9LHutIXGfjVbW5AmN2-Slaf-mM5zg5QyOfTtk7dxZomGLq42Ft58mtAt1abwu_49RA=s4128" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTtkb7QeLxQ08YGyUKfVtr1qbCnYfSlZMfFxsh8BcXb7cocFFsviY5ZvIsGo5N8RCq0IYPpZJvQNly8i8EMhyfzDLRv90Rkh2SsI8muSvmfCjZnIDOEG_h5aHv9LHutIXGfjVbW5AmN2-Slaf-mM5zg5QyOfTtk7dxZomGLq42Ft58mtAt1abwu_49RA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spoke to my sister in law and she said that during the pandemic she has been knitting stuffed animals - she has a whole family residing on her couch. Oh dear, are we all going to drown in our own crafts? Tell me, do you find since you also have more time at home are you creating more? What do you do with your creations? </div><br /><p><br /></p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-85636342376945534062021-12-06T10:37:00.000+10:002021-12-06T10:37:07.894+10:00It is December already!<p> Looking back I seem to now be posting once a month instead of once or twice a week. Maybe this is my new normal. In fact I told my daughter in Germany that since the garden is established there doesn't seem to be as much to write about as when I was designing and building up the garden. She promptly decided to fix that! She has signed me up to a 6 month seed delivery! How blessed I am!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAja0OuUQdDEPw6jeni7dCe77q-bRDjUW1P-y5IAaANKg2NEkpUr2G8BL_e7XpUtHkUAg41mBA1e4NmO4AtJ-S5FcBCPCB7W5TtBeK0M8lHUpPIeIhHyic1NFdOSR3xIEJ4HUYlf7gTQRN/s4128/20211201_164000.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAja0OuUQdDEPw6jeni7dCe77q-bRDjUW1P-y5IAaANKg2NEkpUr2G8BL_e7XpUtHkUAg41mBA1e4NmO4AtJ-S5FcBCPCB7W5TtBeK0M8lHUpPIeIhHyic1NFdOSR3xIEJ4HUYlf7gTQRN/w480-h640/20211201_164000.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>How lovely that they include her note. I received my first package and that is a fairly good choice of seeds for this time of year, although the cucumber might just get downy mildew. I only planted half the seeds.... hedging my bets. You never know with the wet season. </p><p>I already had some basil growing along the edge of the new long raised beds, so planted out the basil all along the edge. I think it is the same kind - Mammoth basil. Lots of pesto in my future if they all come up. I was speaking to my daughter and saying that I only plant one seed per hole, why plant two just to pull up one? I like to think every one of my seeds will come up, are you the same? I see some tiny little shoots already after three days, so that is positive!</p><p>The other plants in the bed are new guinea bean - a real wet season staple.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z3Nx_bE_OdzezeXDge4uBC8Jr9V9o_tvpWlbLCGTA1FSfXpX7JnJjJmPABklCX6ThH4Dvg-erMPfYrtpM0LjqMHq2HVKTuGyLiazolGZIQNZMWHLi2I1T__vXoiwvzSIivwtyOat97Oo/s4128/20211203_165021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6z3Nx_bE_OdzezeXDge4uBC8Jr9V9o_tvpWlbLCGTA1FSfXpX7JnJjJmPABklCX6ThH4Dvg-erMPfYrtpM0LjqMHq2HVKTuGyLiazolGZIQNZMWHLi2I1T__vXoiwvzSIivwtyOat97Oo/w480-h640/20211203_165021.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>In other news, my asparagus is sending out lovely long shoots of tender tasty lusciousness, but only one every couple of days.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLge9NHwKd90DVbVHcqg7fng6eLpyWAp-I_7BNTGXKQA8CgRka2gS-a3ptjiQ0wgT6KFtjQIbvLMxtfyhEbm3qPngppHsQu9Uf9S6T45sS0tbXO-KbsR5EySdIZSueij3flWrp9k-ur9Fe/s4128/20211206_102838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLge9NHwKd90DVbVHcqg7fng6eLpyWAp-I_7BNTGXKQA8CgRka2gS-a3ptjiQ0wgT6KFtjQIbvLMxtfyhEbm3qPngppHsQu9Uf9S6T45sS0tbXO-KbsR5EySdIZSueij3flWrp9k-ur9Fe/s320/20211206_102838.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>I started some Christmas baking. Gingerbread men, and my moms crunchies as they can be frozen. A few decorations have been put out, but it is so hot that I cannot keep the chocolates in the advent calendar, so they have to stay in the fridge. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3MeYtRpK4FY6ZdWJQMqvJXgpmxz-R6yirK8HfOADdhSgXB5bKZ29FUkv_RNtVpn03QJJLaVVY15UcZFUPLt_BmS6OxcdJd_WWibvLxeEStKgEYmoqvmKfN0YR9-OjdNVhP1SWG9l71dK/s4128/20211205_132714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3MeYtRpK4FY6ZdWJQMqvJXgpmxz-R6yirK8HfOADdhSgXB5bKZ29FUkv_RNtVpn03QJJLaVVY15UcZFUPLt_BmS6OxcdJd_WWibvLxeEStKgEYmoqvmKfN0YR9-OjdNVhP1SWG9l71dK/w480-h640/20211205_132714.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i8w848e1W81soO3HVEvN1rWCpcJrVZUMhvJENpwy_KqIyQGP5HSlOIRsnubHUCy8cet6BxV8639bDFuIixkjy3JMbdvYrt9tzA9l6dqfmTRT8ZP40jsnLeP_rIDCsZubpTp042xs3I44/s4128/20211130_074422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5i8w848e1W81soO3HVEvN1rWCpcJrVZUMhvJENpwy_KqIyQGP5HSlOIRsnubHUCy8cet6BxV8639bDFuIixkjy3JMbdvYrt9tzA9l6dqfmTRT8ZP40jsnLeP_rIDCsZubpTp042xs3I44/w640-h480/20211130_074422.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTt55ICc0H9A6m0hNUMr2lFhQla71ayccSmF7iEd5pQcIzZter4x_xY72uU46wjJSJm3vq3Lj11m5rt4LNbTD4NKgcvhr70tJMxL0Mq9EaQLS4SDml9Pjm92gabV5FDo6H5kRRLfn1vtI/s4128/20211130_074453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTt55ICc0H9A6m0hNUMr2lFhQla71ayccSmF7iEd5pQcIzZter4x_xY72uU46wjJSJm3vq3Lj11m5rt4LNbTD4NKgcvhr70tJMxL0Mq9EaQLS4SDml9Pjm92gabV5FDo6H5kRRLfn1vtI/w480-h640/20211130_074453.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I wish you, all my dear patient readers a very Merry Christmas!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-38281590207125839002021-11-22T16:04:00.000+10:002021-11-22T16:04:07.414+10:00Blue tea<p> Last Christmas my grandchildren gave me a collection of little vials of loose leaf herbal teas, in a little calico bag. One of my favorites was blue bliss, a mix of butterfly pea, lemongrass and blue cornflowers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4sfTLa4jb-Hi6p8Kx4nIytUq6I258kAHH_SXNUGUcPEeiHmkqGUaEaILsCvv1f7qNUr7V9UVH19lMRZhyU8HODsHN0e40QaiD_BGXxrf0k5svv5nHKAwMw_lgzjzWkoMaq5oNVZy0f18/s4128/20211122_154154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4sfTLa4jb-Hi6p8Kx4nIytUq6I258kAHH_SXNUGUcPEeiHmkqGUaEaILsCvv1f7qNUr7V9UVH19lMRZhyU8HODsHN0e40QaiD_BGXxrf0k5svv5nHKAwMw_lgzjzWkoMaq5oNVZy0f18/w480-h640/20211122_154154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was pretty excited to see butterfly pea seeds for sale at the local open gardens we had a couple of months ago. I popped them into the new raised beds when I took out the eggplant that had reached the end of their growing season. They took off, and pretty soon I had these amazing bright blue flowers growing up the trellis. So exciting!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9rsiMNarx5wjiQb7SXCHt19FKTCihGWM-8SYuCHCs6vzVeDVXjWchMNRhZYYVWtczC-zpGxJyVtVhdnbi5QjslhjiBGbuiWmZlPmgX21IH9nvuyc2oc4vk4JqETvgOJ-uzbkEPVBPUoA/s4128/20211120_173505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9rsiMNarx5wjiQb7SXCHt19FKTCihGWM-8SYuCHCs6vzVeDVXjWchMNRhZYYVWtczC-zpGxJyVtVhdnbi5QjslhjiBGbuiWmZlPmgX21IH9nvuyc2oc4vk4JqETvgOJ-uzbkEPVBPUoA/w480-h640/20211120_173505.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had made some cupcakes using my vegan chocolate cake recipe in some pretty little cupcake holders. I thought I had posted the recipe here on my blog, but see I have not, so I have been remiss as I think you will love it as much as I do (and everyone else that I cook it for). I will post that recipe in the next couple of days, so watch out for it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1qTnOs8s_nbvLL4vzi4YSSzR-g2631QkZ1orJl1c_LXiwy-qgj9WXNPB48MJMiaLjTq1vdN-HV0eBYoq-anm_-Wt9b6u3UB2n0yAtRaSYw4dVPVOvsCIXSjLoS_x5CUi1o99GY21qUvy/s4128/20211120_174114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1qTnOs8s_nbvLL4vzi4YSSzR-g2631QkZ1orJl1c_LXiwy-qgj9WXNPB48MJMiaLjTq1vdN-HV0eBYoq-anm_-Wt9b6u3UB2n0yAtRaSYw4dVPVOvsCIXSjLoS_x5CUi1o99GY21qUvy/w640-h480/20211120_174114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>During the year I had purchased a lemon myrtle plant, so I picked off a few dried flowers off the vine, added a few leaves of lemon myrtle to my infuser, grabbed a cupcake and then settled down in my favourite chair next to the pond.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDHlCfbdbpV-oJG27wqT1hxxdmAWNF27hjU-XTGwbjPcwylg5wuH6ny64YhgW5UudvK-NVsMYlF6-ohvdHWFNIqy_i98azZZM61lafrtdftKU8zOPHXBuFhfStBLnWJnZl6_Q11-6vw9u/s4128/20211120_173554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDHlCfbdbpV-oJG27wqT1hxxdmAWNF27hjU-XTGwbjPcwylg5wuH6ny64YhgW5UudvK-NVsMYlF6-ohvdHWFNIqy_i98azZZM61lafrtdftKU8zOPHXBuFhfStBLnWJnZl6_Q11-6vw9u/w480-h640/20211120_173554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Now that is what I consider a perfect afternoon tea!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYG8nD7Sj-NBPhTUzh3cYDFJPyNeFToSg9GSyufd6fjKgJxf2JPK1q-ED2kYz8gzqho6qF4071M0cmaTh3vV6r5driMCARRvOEqppvCC5X4pqxdCmxrYv29zgMVGndtuZgcGk-Gi2vvtx/s4128/20211120_173344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYG8nD7Sj-NBPhTUzh3cYDFJPyNeFToSg9GSyufd6fjKgJxf2JPK1q-ED2kYz8gzqho6qF4071M0cmaTh3vV6r5driMCARRvOEqppvCC5X4pqxdCmxrYv29zgMVGndtuZgcGk-Gi2vvtx/w480-h640/20211120_173344.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>What is your favourite tea? do you grow it in your garden? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-46343406425341520782021-10-16T12:29:00.000+10:002021-10-16T12:29:23.753+10:00one tonne of 220mm gravel<p> Over time the gravel in my paths sinks down, and as I pull up weeds, the earth comes up, and it all begins to look a litle untidy and of course allows more weeds to grow. I ordered a tonne of gravel to be delivered, and of course it has kept me very busy spreading out a thin layer everywhere it is needed. It looks different, but it is the same rock just, very ,very dusty.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfYDENRKtrF5iLeDhVKPGqueZW6nakOnm3nSGyx1v0H5fkL5shbg3mMbKNzVhWYyroFx9B-Ek54Z8AOJ7ua0_BMNtLGsGAZfXN9Yk3rDh0ox1KqB8riVmk6Y_jeNDsmvLGaJ7-bZpKaf9/s4128/20211001_163736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfYDENRKtrF5iLeDhVKPGqueZW6nakOnm3nSGyx1v0H5fkL5shbg3mMbKNzVhWYyroFx9B-Ek54Z8AOJ7ua0_BMNtLGsGAZfXN9Yk3rDh0ox1KqB8riVmk6Y_jeNDsmvLGaJ7-bZpKaf9/w480-h640/20211001_163736.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We also decided to open up the front a bit and include the carport as part of the garden. It really is wasted as a carport because most vistors park out front in the visitors parking. I dug up a few big plants (they have been there for 15 years!) and others just wouldnt budge so they got a reprieve. I poured boiling water over one, and then will just continue to cut back any growing shoots and see how we go. It has been so hot and dry, so have had to continually water to establish the new plants. I planted a Rose of sharon that I grew from a slip. Such a pretty bush, with pale pink, darker pink and white flowers. Luckily I now have a wheelbarrow! purchased from the same yard sale as I got the pond! this opened up the whole area. and then I had to level it all out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe-VC8tdIqwBlyIRuX6gsvc_zq9phb9hwSx5PZyK28Q2at2en-oj-vYm42vrhzwhF-pkYyKFIR0IHqcBup7NOCAL26Fi57QVVZj_unJVt2kcXhIZ1UeCqK-8P1Q9Rpqudv2o4oIpRF50Z/s4128/20211007_105657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBe-VC8tdIqwBlyIRuX6gsvc_zq9phb9hwSx5PZyK28Q2at2en-oj-vYm42vrhzwhF-pkYyKFIR0IHqcBup7NOCAL26Fi57QVVZj_unJVt2kcXhIZ1UeCqK-8P1Q9Rpqudv2o4oIpRF50Z/w640-h480/20211007_105657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Once it was edged with bricks and the stones layed it looked as though it was always meant to be!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOPY33dJy-_B0gYqdBSUDC3vYFsbzEiH29O_31PIyEs25hKeRnZGI9_cAgXXsDXd7UMOCx-s5GhNbiOz-0wvggtJ8WTfbMTAof7c9s3qNWgf5GQwjuNoUQc2276jHN-bPH53ExcCdSYjp/s4128/20211016_122433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOPY33dJy-_B0gYqdBSUDC3vYFsbzEiH29O_31PIyEs25hKeRnZGI9_cAgXXsDXd7UMOCx-s5GhNbiOz-0wvggtJ8WTfbMTAof7c9s3qNWgf5GQwjuNoUQc2276jHN-bPH53ExcCdSYjp/w640-h480/20211016_122433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>All the pots are scattered around the area, and I think they enjoy more sunshine than tucked along the fence. Fruit salad alley has taken on a different form. Now you can leisurely wander into the garden which slowly reveals itself , defenitely an improvement on the curb appeal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cLilEhNMyzVkNJy01IGYxj-_ZlGMeU1KdNvQ93AHobHelc4nP0vHk-FRRXwk5l8IWdG7r0jn7a5DfOmafSoOyXuxenG7ihDBN3DS-mJBZU2-Vm9AHIesQp7J0Gq3gQxeYif6Vz9Y546k/s4128/20211014_155305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cLilEhNMyzVkNJy01IGYxj-_ZlGMeU1KdNvQ93AHobHelc4nP0vHk-FRRXwk5l8IWdG7r0jn7a5DfOmafSoOyXuxenG7ihDBN3DS-mJBZU2-Vm9AHIesQp7J0Gq3gQxeYif6Vz9Y546k/w640-h480/20211014_155305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The next job is to remove all the plants that had grown up along the fence line behind the pots. </p><p>I dont think I will be ordering any more rock deliveries for a while.</p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-84820285578994168992021-09-30T16:12:00.005+10:002021-09-30T16:12:30.038+10:00I added a pond and water fountain to our garden!<p> I have been helping my stepson and family move into their new house. Lots of work, but luckily they have a bit of overlap where they can live in the old house, and then do all the upgrades they want to in the new house. Lot of cleaning and painting, but the thing I have been enjoying the most is of course the garden! They have a pond,a nd I have never had anything to do with water features. One day driving home I noticed my neighbour getting ready for his garage sale, and washing out his little pond. I nipped over to ask if he was selling the pond, and he was, so I bought it on the spot! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVKin137t000-y7-BMBS6kFunesrxeMRyM04hgHGTOie5gQSDRhRYusHwC7h0Utp1QIzwTl-M4_6I4r6mrHMpVBC5xshHxVgEFER7_rrJmg9oyyglry5YgWkuY1ZN7PlFSk2B63MShPGe/s4128/20210922_173750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVKin137t000-y7-BMBS6kFunesrxeMRyM04hgHGTOie5gQSDRhRYusHwC7h0Utp1QIzwTl-M4_6I4r6mrHMpVBC5xshHxVgEFER7_rrJmg9oyyglry5YgWkuY1ZN7PlFSk2B63MShPGe/w480-h640/20210922_173750.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />It is a two part fibreglass system, and in his garden had the top part resting on the lower pond. Once I separated them out, and put the waterfall section on a stand it seemed so much bigger. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEZT5xRj-tWU0BN4KFuWWRgUk2YT1wMBEz1JRXvHOMGj90VRLnbwiXfOvy_C3s2a3TwcXfIQ-dlgIZr4LylngBD4H2rN9NXZd65ZT1TpldUaKtuE2t7px9LnWJ48o6UstN3oi8oWHX6Ay/s4128/20210923_083509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEZT5xRj-tWU0BN4KFuWWRgUk2YT1wMBEz1JRXvHOMGj90VRLnbwiXfOvy_C3s2a3TwcXfIQ-dlgIZr4LylngBD4H2rN9NXZd65ZT1TpldUaKtuE2t7px9LnWJ48o6UstN3oi8oWHX6Ay/w640-h480/20210923_083509.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Projects always look worse before they start to look better, dont they? I originally had this shrub as a green wall, but had to cut most of it away. It will start to fill in again pretty quickly.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJlf6bROantObPKXPxFPFnev7jS3_Fab8KJ32OzVeBTae1Xxre88BkM-NXB3jE7165HxHebsrHQI-0MQ39ZCJxHpXtUnGrCvoEc2xj0m71hx9N7vQt_k1PRasYwjzZ2MyAeTmEfm00uDM/s4128/20210923_102442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJlf6bROantObPKXPxFPFnev7jS3_Fab8KJ32OzVeBTae1Xxre88BkM-NXB3jE7165HxHebsrHQI-0MQ39ZCJxHpXtUnGrCvoEc2xj0m71hx9N7vQt_k1PRasYwjzZ2MyAeTmEfm00uDM/w480-h640/20210923_102442.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I filled it with pretty little blue iridescent pebbles (which came with the pond! ) I placed my brahmi plant in the top section, and it has never looked happier. The peace lilly sits in its pot on top of the pump, and then I have some duckweed floating around on top. . I do want some more plants , and would love water lillies, but not sure if the pond is too shallow. I hear different points of view. They will find their own height, or they need at least three feet of water! after 24 hours to allow the water to settle I added the fish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrJ8SIqgfVaU23nlHYu0dhqCO0CCma32ZfdVcyyLMTaHI_BGxzEo8fB_0EYGFlXwcLUSDW7fkTlG9_jIPz3zrqK0S4A_YlRUHgtoXaGjheCtmTq8m_OGneLoS7RZNCiIAH-73JIf0x_YL/s4128/20210924_071557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrJ8SIqgfVaU23nlHYu0dhqCO0CCma32ZfdVcyyLMTaHI_BGxzEo8fB_0EYGFlXwcLUSDW7fkTlG9_jIPz3zrqK0S4A_YlRUHgtoXaGjheCtmTq8m_OGneLoS7RZNCiIAH-73JIf0x_YL/w480-h640/20210924_071557.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>They are just guppies, but some have lovely colours, and as I feed them twice a day I feel they are getting to know me. They will come and eat out of my hand if I hold a piece of fish food in my fingers. This is a whole new project for me so if anyone has any advice please share your thoughts. In the meantime we are enjoying happy hour every evening alongside the sound of tinkling water. So lovely. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oReapP8gfygVflWQiPU6gOHH5FoYrCZ_q9Mecbvec50ij9W5pwFmj95Xwialj630hjTBqeTZGpzQdEdPWVuZ3UOVuNu7YH13CGKoJGO0Ifn1sabQKZ0AZZ9rjdAawm9XyRJAj80ZeMNp/s4128/20210930_160852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oReapP8gfygVflWQiPU6gOHH5FoYrCZ_q9Mecbvec50ij9W5pwFmj95Xwialj630hjTBqeTZGpzQdEdPWVuZ3UOVuNu7YH13CGKoJGO0Ifn1sabQKZ0AZZ9rjdAawm9XyRJAj80ZeMNp/w480-h640/20210930_160852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-38025957550779492112021-08-24T13:43:00.000+10:002021-08-24T13:43:12.966+10:00New plants always get me out into the garden<p>I spent a few days with a friend of mine last week. Having a break and doing "girl stuff" like yoga on the deck, coffee and beach walks in the afternoon. How lovely, I really need to do more of that in my retirement! I came away with a few different plants and an extra basket that she didnt want.</p><p>Over the weekend we had an open garden event and I had been so inspired visiting other peoples gardens, and picked up a few seeds. Seeds from my area are always the best, as they have become acclimatised. I popped a few into some pots and have been taking good care of them. I also planted out some Thai pink egg tomatoes a while back, and every seed has come up! Defenitely enough to share around., I am just letting them get a big bigger.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ZoHRU1n5PxjBzB-BsgXxbrQ9Bbt9XbnZJQU7AE-8gn7xsQm4IYcT4-pH8LtaDFM0TXixoTGu1gQ1iM490Kftiqp7ny9B3F5oWiEU2hnSkrfmGb9Z2ccmjhZ_BHU8ZGFuTny3YbauVCj/s4128/20210824_123045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0ZoHRU1n5PxjBzB-BsgXxbrQ9Bbt9XbnZJQU7AE-8gn7xsQm4IYcT4-pH8LtaDFM0TXixoTGu1gQ1iM490Kftiqp7ny9B3F5oWiEU2hnSkrfmGb9Z2ccmjhZ_BHU8ZGFuTny3YbauVCj/w640-h480/20210824_123045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the open gardens I fell in love with coleus once again, so was pleased to get some cuttings from my friend. I planted them out in the little bed next to the gate. Probably the sunniest spot in my garden. I re-did the edging, but need to get some more gravel in to top up the bare spots, otherwise it is just a haven for weeds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iQu_tIdMVxklL1nAn12Fjy4SaAVxwLwbGXCZ0RIiDiiVBveUUjw1XxIdzWXTjDLmFrPPdWBgpPICok1OYFqB-X4JrCQZCdhbNxnU2_FUVNj0-DIc0dwuiTnpfsP5hG1G44bscPHVitl2/s4128/20210824_123234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iQu_tIdMVxklL1nAn12Fjy4SaAVxwLwbGXCZ0RIiDiiVBveUUjw1XxIdzWXTjDLmFrPPdWBgpPICok1OYFqB-X4JrCQZCdhbNxnU2_FUVNj0-DIc0dwuiTnpfsP5hG1G44bscPHVitl2/w640-h480/20210824_123234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Working out in the back under the lychee tree is always a pleasure. We have been </div>cutting back some branches every week to allow more light to filter through and hopefully then will not have to get professionals in to trim back the tree at huge expense.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpyQfsSQf8IVer3afaN8wBMYwDJZg42lZ-KedRO5Jjt-2KRpS2vb4_CCrdzjoVjLgFxIRXPRG-BV0_Xw3m334XMneBSqnYCGca-2rIiMdiK9rkF2mU758DMVWHLl6kuAgzOVR5fEtWstn/s4128/20210824_122823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpyQfsSQf8IVer3afaN8wBMYwDJZg42lZ-KedRO5Jjt-2KRpS2vb4_CCrdzjoVjLgFxIRXPRG-BV0_Xw3m334XMneBSqnYCGca-2rIiMdiK9rkF2mU758DMVWHLl6kuAgzOVR5fEtWstn/w640-h480/20210824_122823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>I planted a birds nest fern and a hoya in the new hanging basket, it looks pretty - I do love hanging baskets, it makes people look up into the lovely branches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2cYtKxaJ9PCVuhFuOAVjVo16SPErPgjoAvL39CHSPgvO_TquUCXxoISWzGyoMhJZznaDeUKlaQUeff9VcZdjqPFrVnt_6HBskroKLAZMaPqSTuYezegzKhBVldN9p7L5fcXMI1D7FXRu/s4128/20210824_122953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2cYtKxaJ9PCVuhFuOAVjVo16SPErPgjoAvL39CHSPgvO_TquUCXxoISWzGyoMhJZznaDeUKlaQUeff9VcZdjqPFrVnt_6HBskroKLAZMaPqSTuYezegzKhBVldN9p7L5fcXMI1D7FXRu/w640-h480/20210824_122953.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once the leaves were mulched up and added to the compost, it was time to hang out in the swing and just watch the plants grow! Have you been busy in your garden? </div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-87950660209896605942021-08-05T10:02:00.002+10:002021-08-05T10:02:20.669+10:00Veggies are flourishing<p> At the start of our growing season I seem to struggle with the veggie garden, and then suddenly notice that things start going better. At the same time though, the bandicoots always seem to find a way in. So finding and repairing holes in the fences is a daily occurance lately. Our fences are old, so they push against the fence, and burrow under it until they create access. I then fill in the hole and screw a piece of wood against the fence, or place a heavy rock against it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6DVy0u3Z4t25vZ6CLBo_t8kt79TnyT9F-YuvDs_NEfCLRp74G4F3CSpK9VFWpVBBAiRTlHu_yIbYAx6oFhPtMAJ-uOPLYnz2_CUsv-7NrCdpWha5tDZpP-N4h1xjS7keiP2ctLJczwWw/s4128/20210805_092941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_6DVy0u3Z4t25vZ6CLBo_t8kt79TnyT9F-YuvDs_NEfCLRp74G4F3CSpK9VFWpVBBAiRTlHu_yIbYAx6oFhPtMAJ-uOPLYnz2_CUsv-7NrCdpWha5tDZpP-N4h1xjS7keiP2ctLJczwWw/w640-h480/20210805_092941.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0GK59nV8VzGydnhf5sd2UtQuiMK5fF_vcc8TjRJf-qkdkQQ-tU5hHJE3nOFEOwGPzGgX-10v31UW3HKJmVbMd_catH6wg3E0LD5yW-MS1ai_37bgQ1x2VDQLHh4NUHDzYk4x3Da2mCM9/s4128/20210805_092956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0GK59nV8VzGydnhf5sd2UtQuiMK5fF_vcc8TjRJf-qkdkQQ-tU5hHJE3nOFEOwGPzGgX-10v31UW3HKJmVbMd_catH6wg3E0LD5yW-MS1ai_37bgQ1x2VDQLHh4NUHDzYk4x3Da2mCM9/w640-h480/20210805_092956.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It is heartbreaking to go out every morning and find my new little seedlings dug up....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZssXTL4wQeJ1Rnq-tJeHTvcxTQwSsGbbWH7frd81QCJssjWjniJq8IUb4ZmAC9ccVAYGXCI3y7dZB0w3TJw933NTeBct4JV3U5MfxSIJVU5SlGWtm-97QYPWby_0xs0Bbi2ppRQ-Txn39/s4128/20210805_093805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZssXTL4wQeJ1Rnq-tJeHTvcxTQwSsGbbWH7frd81QCJssjWjniJq8IUb4ZmAC9ccVAYGXCI3y7dZB0w3TJw933NTeBct4JV3U5MfxSIJVU5SlGWtm-97QYPWby_0xs0Bbi2ppRQ-Txn39/w480-h640/20210805_093805.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The raised beds are just high enough that they cannot get in, so at the moment it is just the herb spiral and I think I need to create some sort of bandicoot fence around that.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have been harvesting these eggplant - a few every day. They grow in little bunches.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4jH6dmRbDQWJz8Q_szTXrSN-WDPKnf5z5fImk9kA-xr2NG_siEXtEXMikCo8qDHW8KATajiOUzsbt4ISKbXJIl0wrt5UvjKMd_LKAFpUJSDg8g5VW5hY2EWYlTH8qh0ZN3fiXkqrfqOc/s4128/20210729_085811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4jH6dmRbDQWJz8Q_szTXrSN-WDPKnf5z5fImk9kA-xr2NG_siEXtEXMikCo8qDHW8KATajiOUzsbt4ISKbXJIl0wrt5UvjKMd_LKAFpUJSDg8g5VW5hY2EWYlTH8qh0ZN3fiXkqrfqOc/w480-h640/20210729_085811.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The other produce I harvested was my pumpkin. the vine has started flowering again in two different areas, so far only male flowers, but I am keeping my eye out to see if I can get another one pollinated. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I was amazed at how intense the colour was when I opened it, so had roast pumpkin with dinner, kept some for soup and I roasted the seeds as well.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix63z4vj0D1vw9WJrT8UjzS21ERAylQYoo9k0Q391l076_3M9DNQUL1pzkfp3IKmsNBRAN6ljLCjqAIBBY4UwwRrFQKeyokVQyCrAdqGJ6ZmxSZ2cBeyy_9nmAp_ev6OW5GOqY6czWNxOy/s4128/20210729_154810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix63z4vj0D1vw9WJrT8UjzS21ERAylQYoo9k0Q391l076_3M9DNQUL1pzkfp3IKmsNBRAN6ljLCjqAIBBY4UwwRrFQKeyokVQyCrAdqGJ6ZmxSZ2cBeyy_9nmAp_ev6OW5GOqY6czWNxOy/w480-h640/20210729_154810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>I have quite a nice assortment of mixed greens for a daily salad for lunch too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq28LNV9XhgZVyEo8CcOtfIHo2WpBOZ0vsPAeBtcTruhwX2zaKL1_UCno4BPmAqrDYyE6HK-LG7023h91BtcX-5C8Pv9p9lbL0WRz5r8de_w3oyUCwbU33FVF8pOWQeI7OXn_huy9i5aU/s4128/20210805_095454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeq28LNV9XhgZVyEo8CcOtfIHo2WpBOZ0vsPAeBtcTruhwX2zaKL1_UCno4BPmAqrDYyE6HK-LG7023h91BtcX-5C8Pv9p9lbL0WRz5r8de_w3oyUCwbU33FVF8pOWQeI7OXn_huy9i5aU/w640-h480/20210805_095454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I hope your garden is flourishing as well.! <br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-57906758631460888782021-07-17T16:06:00.000+10:002021-07-17T16:06:03.355+10:00Kokedama<p> </p><div class="edit-post-visual-editor__post-title-wrapper" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px;"><div class="wp-block editor-post-title editor-post-title__block is-selected" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2em auto 28px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><textarea class="editor-post-title__input" id="post-title-0" rows="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: transparent; border-radius: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "lnum"; font-size: 84px; font-variant-numeric: lining-nums; font-weight: 800; height: 231px; letter-spacing: -0.0415625em; line-height: 1.13889; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 19px; resize: none; text-align: center; transition: border 0.1s ease-out 0s, box-shadow 0.1s linear 0s; width: 1000px; word-break: keep-all;"></textarea></div></div><div class="block-editor-block-list__layout is-root-container" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><p aria-label="Empty block; start writing or type forward slash to choose a block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="64f785ba-94af-4188-9753-8a7fefcd0d1c" data-empty="true" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-64f785ba-94af-4188-9753-8a7fefcd0d1c" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><span contenteditable="false" data-rich-text-placeholder="Type / to choose a block" style="box-sizing: inherit; opacity: 1; pointer-events: none; user-select: none;"></span></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="3794f9a6-55c1-43ed-884c-28d32dced5b0" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-3794f9a6-55c1-43ed-884c-28d32dced5b0" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">A couple of weeks ago we had an amazing crafternoon, and learned to make kokedama! As expected, the very next week a few of us got together to make more! A wonderfully addictive craft - have you tried it?</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="d288de52-600d-4b27-9891-5ce41484e494" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-d288de52-600d-4b27-9891-5ce41484e494" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200801_154329.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/20200801_154329.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="41249b77-391a-42f4-ab27-0465d53bed09" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-41249b77-391a-42f4-ab27-0465d53bed09" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> We used a recipe of 7 parts peat moss to 3 parts bonzai soil with enough water to hold it all together. I would suggest making a small one to begin with, we had a choice of mini mondo grass or jade plant. I chose the jade plant for mine. </p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="22030579-baa2-41de-a74f-1c36316d9a17" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-22030579-baa2-41de-a74f-1c36316d9a17" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> First of all prepare a small bowl with a piece of stocking stretched over the top, with the toe intact or knotted at the bottom. Line with spagnum moss which has been soaked in water. Make a little palm sized ball of the potting mixture, and then break it exactly in half, that is one way to check if you have the right texture. Insert the plant and continue to massage the ball so that the root is well contained. Pop into the spagnum lined pot and pull the stocking up and around. Add more moss if needed, and then tie the stocking off close to the plant so that the moss is sealed inside. It is ok if a little pokes out of the top.</p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="b2d31c1a-f99d-4695-b21a-5469f8dc7d42" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-b2d31c1a-f99d-4695-b21a-5469f8dc7d42" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Now you start with wrapping the string around your little kokedama! Firstly tie around the plant from top to bottom at an angle, then begin to weave the longer end around on the right hand side of the original tie, and coming up on the left hand side, crossing over to the right and up again on the left. Continue in this way until the entire ball is covered with string or until you are happy with the result. </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="c644f9ba-3dba-40fb-8f47-efc03e0389f8" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-c644f9ba-3dba-40fb-8f47-efc03e0389f8" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200811_093133.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/20200811_093133.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="d9fd08f6-17ef-432d-8191-2bcbaffe0bcf" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-d9fd08f6-17ef-432d-8191-2bcbaffe0bcf" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Here I used crochet cotton, which is much thinner, but you have more colour options and I think it looks better when wet. This is a little carnivorous plant that likes to be fairly wet. I have kept it in a bowl of rocks, so that it is not standing in water, but the water in the rocks creates a little moist microclimate.</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="e360971c-2a12-49fc-aca3-9d1862267808" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-e360971c-2a12-49fc-aca3-9d1862267808" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200811_075113.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/20200811_075113.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="dc12f807-b660-4e32-802e-09419651ed3b" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-dc12f807-b660-4e32-802e-09419651ed3b" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">In the end I made quite a few, one little one I hung above my garden mural, because my macrame had rotted away and the poor plant was just dangling by a string.. Three others I placed onto a tray of stones. They just require dunking in water once a week. I am not crazy about the way the string deteriorates over time, so here I just put one layer of the crochet cotton on top.</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="72e9c0d9-b9ab-4413-b3a7-ad2b0e5c0f3c" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-72e9c0d9-b9ab-4413-b3a7-ad2b0e5c0f3c" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200814_154007.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/20200814_154007.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="4db891b8-6eaa-4a00-9d97-d674e5886a74" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-4db891b8-6eaa-4a00-9d97-d674e5886a74" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">I try not to use peat moss as it is unsustainable, and here in the tropics coconut coir is my first choice. I used one part each of coir and potting mix, and then a quarter part each of perlite and clay. I will monitor them all and let you know how they each turn out. Let me know if you have made kokedama (or if you have never even heard of them!) and if you want to make them now after seeing how cute they are!</p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-68095953232686711782021-07-03T08:09:00.007+10:002021-07-03T08:09:51.463+10:00Aerated Compost Tea<p> I am harvesting a few cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and lots of greens from the garden, which is good. we have rain just about every day so I dont have to remember to water!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnzhPayzpIU78JjYx0hsvZiOURsHfJwNWLve62ukZVXAz6r53jTdn_E287aOvs6ak25VKqUAKZaNynjB3tvox31-WvbF8yvxNOkVmvxNlDTjY4lkZS5hDLtyDYU-1gJKW7cm4dLsRzVGn/s4128/20210622_115607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnzhPayzpIU78JjYx0hsvZiOURsHfJwNWLve62ukZVXAz6r53jTdn_E287aOvs6ak25VKqUAKZaNynjB3tvox31-WvbF8yvxNOkVmvxNlDTjY4lkZS5hDLtyDYU-1gJKW7cm4dLsRzVGn/w480-h640/20210622_115607.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>I made up a few flower posies and bags of greens to share with friends, I so love to share what I have in the garden.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb2FsHIXCAnBhF5TCLcn3ja0OWmVII56glzQFjmA-bGL18Z4IrJ-c3fOzgth9sybHMJcsR1yInIY9UoAnrT2twlSz7iwzWnerJE9kRJuCUivY2Qc0CHFu_OibCXbucnZErLByU1XdX3Ah/s4128/20210618_075543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb2FsHIXCAnBhF5TCLcn3ja0OWmVII56glzQFjmA-bGL18Z4IrJ-c3fOzgth9sybHMJcsR1yInIY9UoAnrT2twlSz7iwzWnerJE9kRJuCUivY2Qc0CHFu_OibCXbucnZErLByU1XdX3Ah/w480-h640/20210618_075543.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="edit-post-visual-editor__post-title-wrapper" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px;"><div class="wp-block editor-post-title editor-post-title__block is-selected" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2em auto 28px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><textarea class="editor-post-title__input" id="post-title-0" rows="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: transparent; border-radius: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "lnum"; font-size: 84px; font-variant-numeric: lining-nums; font-weight: 800; height: 231px; letter-spacing: -0.0415625em; line-height: 1.13889; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 19px; resize: none; text-align: center; transition: border 0.1s ease-out 0s, box-shadow 0.1s linear 0s; width: 1000px; word-break: keep-all;"></textarea></div></div><div class="block-editor-block-list__layout is-root-container" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="2fa79180-dc43-491f-8e17-557fb8d547c0" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-2fa79180-dc43-491f-8e17-557fb8d547c0" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><span style="background-color: white;">Most of my gardening endeavors start with amending the soil. Even though I have a small garden I compost as much as possible, in as many ways as possible. My tumbling compost bin is my favourite, since everything is contained and vermin cannot get in, and also tumbling keeps everything nicely mixed. Recently I heard about aerated compost tea. <a href="http://www.carryoncomposting.com/441149730" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0073aa; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;">http://www.carryoncomposting.com/441149730</a></span></p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="a1774489-8d3c-49e0-9820-da213b3bd083" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-a1774489-8d3c-49e0-9820-da213b3bd083" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="background-color: white; border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is aerated-compost-tea.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/aerated-compost-tea.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="f28aa5db-99a7-4021-b3d1-b5510d23f29f" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-f28aa5db-99a7-4021-b3d1-b5510d23f29f" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><span style="background-color: white;">I filled a sand bag with compost and tied the top closed, then placed it into a plastic storage bin. This was the biggest container that I had handy, and it made a fair amount of liquid. I topped the plastic container with water that had been standing for a couple of hours to make sure any chlorine evaporated, since I only have town water. I then added about a half a cup of molasses, as this adds food for the microbes. </span></p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="b3fb405a-cc95-4c3e-8381-c9434d276b58" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-b3fb405a-cc95-4c3e-8381-c9434d276b58" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="background-color: white; border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is molasses.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/06/molasses.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="59c9c4b0-8a70-4f97-aa82-628534332fbf" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-59c9c4b0-8a70-4f97-aa82-628534332fbf" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><span style="background-color: white;">Then I inserted a little aquarium pump, and left it running. It is supposed to run continuously for about 24 hours. but the pump was getting hot, so I turned it off over night.</span></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="0c848d07-b307-4ced-b67f-99e55b847cfe" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-0c848d07-b307-4ced-b67f-99e55b847cfe" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><span style="background-color: white;">After two days I picked up the (heavy) bag and dumped that out into the standing compost bin. Then I could scoop out the lovely liquid with the watering can and water my veggies. It didn't smell bad at all - the molasses scent was still quite strong. I am so happy with the way my veggie garden is performing so figured it deserved a reward.</span></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="551a4c9f-7eb8-4a9a-ade1-72524517df75" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-551a4c9f-7eb8-4a9a-ade1-72524517df75" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><span style="background-color: white;">Has anyone else activated their compost tea? </span></p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-29710756370206629192021-06-21T14:16:00.017+10:002021-06-21T14:26:40.134+10:00Growing from seed<p> </p><div class="edit-post-visual-editor__post-title-wrapper" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px;"><div class="wp-block editor-post-title editor-post-title__block is-selected" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2em auto 28px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><textarea class="editor-post-title__input" id="post-title-0" rows="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: transparent; border-radius: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "lnum"; font-size: 84px; font-variant-numeric: lining-nums; font-weight: 800; height: 231px; letter-spacing: -0.0415625em; line-height: 1.13889; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 19px; resize: none; text-align: center; transition: border 0.1s ease-out 0s, box-shadow 0.1s linear 0s; width: 1000px; word-break: keep-all;"></textarea></div></div><div class="block-editor-block-list__layout is-root-container" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="24126b27-6028-45ad-82c0-79e3d3699428" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-24126b27-6028-45ad-82c0-79e3d3699428" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Here in tropical North Queensland I am so happy with my raised beds to grow my vegetables this year. I grow from seed so didnt want to miss the beginning of the growing season. Of course we never really know when the wet season is going to end, but most people rely on April or May being the time when one can plant out seedlings. I started early, but wanted to stagger my plantings, so started off a few each weekend The greenhouse where I start the seeds is semi shaded, and I am made sure to water every day. </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="97c49d90-12f5-4c71-9f44-498f95bc1e2f" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-97c49d90-12f5-4c71-9f44-498f95bc1e2f" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1933.33px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.6667px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 24b03-20190307_062103.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/24b03-20190307_062103.jpg?w=225" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="c0ac0503-03d2-466d-bbab-bbbe80f04778" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-c0ac0503-03d2-466d-bbab-bbbe80f04778" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">The greenhouse was a great buy, and I have had the first one for about three years. I recently purchased a new one and then took the plastic off this one and added shadecloth so that is a place teenage seedlings go, where they have a little more freedom and exposure the wind and the rain, but not the hot sun. </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="ac51ed74-d08e-4d02-9b3a-168acb6a3d23" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-ac51ed74-d08e-4d02-9b3a-168acb6a3d23" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200321_162423.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200321_162423.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="04a91add-d23f-44f9-91fa-ad9ce4b37bfc" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-04a91add-d23f-44f9-91fa-ad9ce4b37bfc" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">I mostly order all my seeds from <a aria-label=" (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0073aa; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;" target="_blank">https://www.theseedcollection.com.au/</a> - below is the list of seeds I recently received. They have a bit of a backlog at the moment because everyone has now decided to grow vegetables. This is not a bad thing! Their seeds are heirloom, open pollinated non hybrid and non GMO, plus their prices are great. Even if you only grow microgreens or sprouts, you will be eating fresh food in no time at all.</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="0e2e054e-021b-4063-9d03-73084392ef61" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-0e2e054e-021b-4063-9d03-73084392ef61" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200319_085725-1.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_085725-1.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="ffdd533d-4f3b-460e-8fa1-ffcf53a9bf13" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-ffdd533d-4f3b-460e-8fa1-ffcf53a9bf13" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> Even though I live in a hot climate and dont need it for the warmth, my greenhouse is perfect for keeping my seedlings all together and away from bugs and too much sun. I use seed raising mix that you buy in a block and then it expands when you add water. It is mostly coir based. I had an old yogurt container that I cut up into strips and they are working perfectly for labels! re-use :) My neighbour had this interesting system that she picked up at a thrift store - underneath the pots is a piece of felt that wicks up moisture. This means the growing seedlings have access to moisture but have to pull it up through the seedling mix by wicking it themselves, thus less chance of getting over watered. </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="8c1b300c-0619-443d-82c0-f9cbebaf3338" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-8c1b300c-0619-443d-82c0-f9cbebaf3338" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200319_120537.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_120537.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="877f046a-0a10-43de-9b29-3b7529a60fb1" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-877f046a-0a10-43de-9b29-3b7529a60fb1" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Other seeds were planted in assorted containers and are all tucked up cosily in the greenhouse.</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="c741bdbd-7a91-4c1d-a6f6-d3cce2912671" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-c741bdbd-7a91-4c1d-a6f6-d3cce2912671" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200323_113042.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200323_113042.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="8bc3ca63-74f9-4853-87fe-721775f337e0" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-8bc3ca63-74f9-4853-87fe-721775f337e0" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Some seeds were planted straight into the raised beds, I do this with greens like tatsoi and bokchoy as I start picking them small as microgreens as they grow, and this thins them out at the same time. I spread a little of the seed raising mix down, and then scatter the seeds evenly. Press down firmly - you just want to connect the seeds to the mix, not bury them too deeply. Then lay a piece of cotton fabric, or shade cloth over the top and water in well. This makes sure the seeds stay moist and protected, and forces the roots down deeper. </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="657f8387-d69a-4caf-9e26-84d3ffa1b833" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-657f8387-d69a-4caf-9e26-84d3ffa1b833" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1933.33px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.6667px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200315_164037.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200315_164037.jpg?w=750" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="ea93d285-b814-4099-94f5-fa6561bc6122" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-ea93d285-b814-4099-94f5-fa6561bc6122" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> Keep moist and after a couple of days you will see the little plants starting to push the cloth up. Slowly remove the cloth, making sure you don't pull the plants out of the ground and you will find all your happy little seedlings reaching up towards the light! </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="ac308ead-08fd-4bc0-bad0-e16067e09d5b" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-ac308ead-08fd-4bc0-bad0-e16067e09d5b" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1939.79px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7557px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 20200319_070037.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/20200319_070037.jpg?w=750" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><figcaption aria-label="Image caption text" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable rich-text" role="textbox" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.65); font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 5px; min-width: 1px; text-align: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tatsoi seedlings</figcaption><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="439ab79f-d854-4a15-aad4-557fae5e6f85" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-439ab79f-d854-4a15-aad4-557fae5e6f85" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">I will be going through a series of gardening posts within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned and sign up to be notified of new posts. Watch out for posts on making your own seed tape, composting and feeding your soil, growing microgreens and making wicking beds. I will slowly add posts in different categories - In the kitchen - and in the home. Right now though we all need to be planting our victory beds!</p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-45621120489238453972021-06-13T10:47:00.000+10:002021-06-13T10:47:28.771+10:00Botanical Fabric Dyeing<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Most
people that grew up in the sixties would have explored the world of tie
die.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our tie dye t shirts proclaimed to
the world that we were a new generation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Peace
and Love!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately,
that dye was not very environmentally friendly and so I started researching the
world of botanical dyeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fabric choice:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It
turns out that fabric is either cellulose (plant based) or animal based.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cotton and linen come from plants, and silk and
wool come from an animal – the silk worm, or wool of an animal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Animal fabric accepts dye much easier, and so
does not need to be scoured, just washed gently. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scouring</span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
order to open the fibres to ready the cloth for dyeing, it has to be scoured,
which means the fabric needs to be boiled in a mixture of washing soda and soap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFI0LvzDEcfdhvSnRrFaVE6X54LjPyux8OjLWSiHBQCG2wTNCNOxkbCtUcyGT0HYj1JEzXj2G282yvUBrR-Bgpn3r4-h3tg2ezcTv3Ek2GgDY0zTY2LbgRBhOK50TnJm79WxEBtDkzI7J/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFI0LvzDEcfdhvSnRrFaVE6X54LjPyux8OjLWSiHBQCG2wTNCNOxkbCtUcyGT0HYj1JEzXj2G282yvUBrR-Bgpn3r4-h3tg2ezcTv3Ek2GgDY0zTY2LbgRBhOK50TnJm79WxEBtDkzI7J/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use a large pot, preferably stainless steel,
and only do as much fabric as will allow movement. In my large pot I scoured 5
dishcloths, 5 tote bags and one cushion cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I half filled the pot with water, then added 2 Tablespoons of grated sunlight
soap, and 2 Tablespoons of washing soda. Once that was dissolved, I added in
the fabric, topping up the water, so that the fabric could move freely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using a wooden spoon to stir, I brought it
to the boil, and then simmered for 2 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> As you can see the water will become quite yellow, as this removes any impurities.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qnhg4tNVqTpArNMB7KXJjdMrr-Azh7hjYN-jGyNW2AU38m0h9aKMu0CTa7VDJU7nsY9sXAKYIzsSemDaa0rGMcBlO3M9NS1lzzxUwj6hivGI1Lf91rnqhSlsIwESs_UVTGWEfytJ3Nyi/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Qnhg4tNVqTpArNMB7KXJjdMrr-Azh7hjYN-jGyNW2AU38m0h9aKMu0CTa7VDJU7nsY9sXAKYIzsSemDaa0rGMcBlO3M9NS1lzzxUwj6hivGI1Lf91rnqhSlsIwESs_UVTGWEfytJ3Nyi/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Then I removed the fabric and put it into the washing machine for a
quick rinse. At this stage you can move </span><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">onto the next step, or put
the fabric aside until you are ready to dye.<br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mordant</span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
next step concerned me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mordant is
required to open up the fabric to receive the dye, most instructions use a
product called alum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warnings alarmed me
that if you use a pot for this step, you should not use your pot for food
preparation!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whoa!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warning bells ringing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One option, which is not considered a
mordant, but does the same job, and opens up the fabric so that the dye will
bind to the fibres, is to soak the fabric in soy milk for a day. Of course, I
went that route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I live in the tropics
I kept it in the fridge for a full 24 hours, and then rinsed the fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can dry the fabric at this stage or use
it straight away in the dye pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dye extraction</span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I
decided to use natural products to dye with, and funnily enough the kind of
products that you would think would be best do not actually create a long
lasting dye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turmeric, beetroot
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other hand, onion skins and
avocado pits and shells came with good recommendations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to use those for my
crafternoons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They needed to be soaked
overnight and then simmered for at least 2 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need at least an equal amount of dye
material as dry weight fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine was
twice the weight of dye material to fabric, just to be safe. I simmered both
pots for a good hour, and then left to cool before straining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plant material and used dye can be
composted – I love the circular methods of doing things…..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs_QHp62bKu4krd1r1Q84y9stSZzOO0GixxNygrfUKlRegkuChK5XHnubnPx8tWdgE0lzsV6I1uPRif_ONhQRW0ZkkcVl-E7lXOiU8UWctOKtqOIv8AprXUFRLkLPsOeU2E03gptO368e/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIs_QHp62bKu4krd1r1Q84y9stSZzOO0GixxNygrfUKlRegkuChK5XHnubnPx8tWdgE0lzsV6I1uPRif_ONhQRW0ZkkcVl-E7lXOiU8UWctOKtqOIv8AprXUFRLkLPsOeU2E03gptO368e/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dyeing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
everyone arrived, they each chose two items, and then folded, tied and experimented
with rubber bands, string, popsicle sticks etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonR40Nw1QMGNrTRDV6dncK9kKdecXxlbUgoKtkaorXZ9eb8olxM7H1SyxcO-nYw3DeMOWP7pUH8-7f6QNadZmOdfJaCXgCetoz0SeAbwQQhi-4ixHxejya37j86s-nNcY3nYSKWmMCXtx/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonR40Nw1QMGNrTRDV6dncK9kKdecXxlbUgoKtkaorXZ9eb8olxM7H1SyxcO-nYw3DeMOWP7pUH8-7f6QNadZmOdfJaCXgCetoz0SeAbwQQhi-4ixHxejya37j86s-nNcY3nYSKWmMCXtx/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Everyone chose which dye pot they wanted
their item to go into, and then we sat and had afternoon tea while we
waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Afternoon tea:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I had
seen a TV show featuring a little country town where lonely older people had
got together and donated all their lovely old tea cups and teapots to the
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every fortnight volunteers would
serve afternoon tea to the “oldies”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
loved that idea and decided to use their scone recipe, with a few tweaks of my
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scones with jam and cream are
always a winner in my book!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SCONES<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 egg<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>1 cup milk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">¾ cup
Greek yoghurt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 tsp
vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">60g
chilled butter, grated<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">500g
plain flour<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 1/2
Tablespoons baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Preheat
oven to 180*C.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whisk
wet ingredients in a bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl, and
gently rub in butter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Add
wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix lightly into a ball<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Transfer
to flour dusted chopping board, and pat into a rectangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cut into 12 squares, and place onto a baking
tray, fairly close together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bake
for 15 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serve
with jam and cream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The big reveal</span></u><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After
we finished our tea I picked up the dyed items with tongs and placed them onto
an old piece of cardboard. As they cooled down, we began to unwrap our
treasures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be rinsed at this
stage, or dried and then ironed before rinsing as I find that sets more dye
into into the fabric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at them
drying in the shade!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Success!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoBV_AJUwXdeTKZu0gIDCKt6D3bTG8HWJm5wRaA3sUzVytHzXBIY3TFAd8sgXYGt6rFO4SsaQEn7QYjDnf6SBZzKFfsLqYJzosUB-AQZqmyFBAMGufS2IUgt6HWdj2t120kEiryH2YhL5/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="622" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAoBV_AJUwXdeTKZu0gIDCKt6D3bTG8HWJm5wRaA3sUzVytHzXBIY3TFAd8sgXYGt6rFO4SsaQEn7QYjDnf6SBZzKFfsLqYJzosUB-AQZqmyFBAMGufS2IUgt6HWdj2t120kEiryH2YhL5/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">From the left, calico dishcloth and silk scarf dyed in onion skin dye. A selecti on of silk scarves dyed in avocado skin dye. To the right is a calico dishcloth dyed in avocado skin dye.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSpYTaT2ofaoVhvwY7Bk34QqqrOVrBJv-bqt6lW5krgTWBW7b5uPxrjvmcfIHQnTKlOCLMQPpkPGm08m8ndfv3QV20YU7kpHUL8rxaL4KLX_JmRX-LulxzZL2da_igb3Ktg5QpQo_k6_7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSpYTaT2ofaoVhvwY7Bk34QqqrOVrBJv-bqt6lW5krgTWBW7b5uPxrjvmcfIHQnTKlOCLMQPpkPGm08m8ndfv3QV20YU7kpHUL8rxaL4KLX_JmRX-LulxzZL2da_igb3Ktg5QpQo_k6_7/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />Onion skin and avocado calico dishcloths.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy8pz7-lJat24l2NshwOsTdmnKSZfj9uMVbzDTO4mH6HFsMXj6EaeJf-YI4HDxMBaB46saRMXM32yeBkmjVxdqEf9lcJN3IM97msnMaZ4v135REbdPbQqj8RP9qx5N1frVh4zN7aT5PzY/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy8pz7-lJat24l2NshwOsTdmnKSZfj9uMVbzDTO4mH6HFsMXj6EaeJf-YI4HDxMBaB46saRMXM32yeBkmjVxdqEf9lcJN3IM97msnMaZ4v135REbdPbQqj8RP9qx5N1frVh4zN7aT5PzY/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>These were dyed in a selection of leaves from the beach, mostly Eucalyptus.</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p>Have you used natural botanical dyes before?</o:p></span></p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-12008723220347066912021-06-01T13:32:00.054+10:002021-06-03T07:28:33.597+10:00Living room changes, and a giveaway!<p> For a while now I have been wanting to liven up the living room. We recently purchased new furniture, but I was looking for a bigger change, and somehow thought that I wanted to incorporate the garden more into the room. Here you can see the garden through all three sliding glass doors in the room, but I wanted to bring that inside as well. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9wigh_LlQf7xMx4e1L4xWXfIHTiawo5eHnja8qvS5wbF7uKH3FI1jbzKk4i3m9ctGrFnXR-XFwiFTld8J3qGML1cLom_V_iCbaE6VBhMxgXmuSDixr7j90ss5lph636EJBHBnEa5YYD0/s4128/20210528_135503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9wigh_LlQf7xMx4e1L4xWXfIHTiawo5eHnja8qvS5wbF7uKH3FI1jbzKk4i3m9ctGrFnXR-XFwiFTld8J3qGML1cLom_V_iCbaE6VBhMxgXmuSDixr7j90ss5lph636EJBHBnEa5YYD0/w640-h480/20210528_135503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I began to bring more plants inside, but then what to do about the artwork? I received an e-mail a couple of weeks ago that seemed to be the answer to my searching.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Photowall, a Swedish company, contacted me and asked if I would like to try out one of their products. I had been mulling over wallpaper or canvas prints, so to say I was super excited was putting it mildly. In the end I decided on a canvas print to install behind the couch. I thought committing to wallpaper was something I might regret, although looking at their gallery I was very temped. Our combined living/ dining room is rather small and I think a whole wall might be overpowering and make it seem smaller. Look on the link below and see what an awesome selection they have. (This is a link specific to me so that you can get the discount applied and they will see it has come from me)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.photowall.com/int?utm_source=gillianvance2021&utm_medium=influencers" target="_blank">photowall</a> </div><p>In anticpation, I started washing the walls and curtains, so that I could start fresh. I have always had an African theme and want to incorporate a nature theme. The walls are a pale yellow, and curtains are a pale grey, and the furniture a deeper grey. Obviously green is a colour I am going to include by default. In the end I decided on a forest canvas print, and thought I would order one that would look like a window behind the couch so it seemed like a window out to the forest. The other wall that needed some artwork was on the wall above the TV. The shipping was amazingly fast - 12 days later the box arrived via DHL. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_ujqYRk4K2fw_Mj3raVTAADPJe-ZcFtU-Y1kEwZLyhMjy1LKNov3CEmYcjvxD73nI35MjkZ9M-6PkEb7Dw0W1Jz1Zm1ouU_uYvySWJ6OcyRnPR9Uxks4JBh0poaO0zTXeRYv3_73IUOp/s3876/20210527_125154.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3876" data-original-width="2907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_ujqYRk4K2fw_Mj3raVTAADPJe-ZcFtU-Y1kEwZLyhMjy1LKNov3CEmYcjvxD73nI35MjkZ9M-6PkEb7Dw0W1Jz1Zm1ouU_uYvySWJ6OcyRnPR9Uxks4JBh0poaO0zTXeRYv3_73IUOp/w480-h640/20210527_125154.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I opened the box on my large outdoor table and laid it out per instructions. The quality was immediately apparent, everything slotted in so perfectly. The brackets that hold the frame in place are very solid, and I loved the easy to use screws, instead of searching for a screwdriver or alan key.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtmRkyC2dtEs5zq5gY5IWW6dKU_ICQti7B6pPik59BLWAEUmwmD_m-fIfVQ1-yE1DKK5Tyc5yXxFFmmzlldFDMIrWRJkXPGV9-KJA1M-Rdahvng3OBp6hCRAuxyF5T5aOb-w4XX9AAawt/s4128/20210527_095826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtmRkyC2dtEs5zq5gY5IWW6dKU_ICQti7B6pPik59BLWAEUmwmD_m-fIfVQ1-yE1DKK5Tyc5yXxFFmmzlldFDMIrWRJkXPGV9-KJA1M-Rdahvng3OBp6hCRAuxyF5T5aOb-w4XX9AAawt/s320/20210527_095826.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-pAqeZp2wAwHraM1m6JisBG84v_sOOw1LuhA-ChyIdI4TPSfNyMo5WgjWLnvL7knUKljRsL1GqDUSGpH7KpeyfWMV1BvqJEWB5L49zzugyAGkPwXG0L3O3fEWb3ktE01h40GhaExG4fi/s4128/20210527_102147.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-pAqeZp2wAwHraM1m6JisBG84v_sOOw1LuhA-ChyIdI4TPSfNyMo5WgjWLnvL7knUKljRsL1GqDUSGpH7KpeyfWMV1BvqJEWB5L49zzugyAGkPwXG0L3O3fEWb3ktE01h40GhaExG4fi/s320/20210527_102147.jpg" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>Then the big reveal! I first placed it on the original hangers from the prints that had been there before, although I was thinking it would have to be lower to have the full effect. Oh dear! I had not really thought about how big that wall was. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nIvYYwBKjNYTr1r7Asa04DQyfESGYxxPgE2xixu4nm-ppu2EkVTICZ9K6-0lHQfp4JoLsYoUItEfWau05Cyg3ZddKxGkkym4FS7ULzcP9NCK2hyphenhyphenPJNo5SbQKHrVMl0V0WJ9F-lgQte-2/s4128/20210527_102536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8nIvYYwBKjNYTr1r7Asa04DQyfESGYxxPgE2xixu4nm-ppu2EkVTICZ9K6-0lHQfp4JoLsYoUItEfWau05Cyg3ZddKxGkkym4FS7ULzcP9NCK2hyphenhyphenPJNo5SbQKHrVMl0V0WJ9F-lgQte-2/w640-h480/20210527_102536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then I tried it on the alternative wall - bingo! I love the way it pulls in the plants that I have incorporated into that area. It really is more of a feature wall since everyone sitting in the living room looks straight at it. Something lovely to look at instead of the TV! I couldnt be happier. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1PysuAnp_gGlyFB_BDvO3pcbDlRp3vc92Q-q5Rn9yO-qC2QPvKRboFDrioM0kMDi3FxDq_rAyHw4mrfiYqA52SmelNaWB1zrPBtKQ1qa8yHRzq2WAVPlWbuN0d06nvsHpLeQfy1J21Yj/s4128/20210528_071049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1PysuAnp_gGlyFB_BDvO3pcbDlRp3vc92Q-q5Rn9yO-qC2QPvKRboFDrioM0kMDi3FxDq_rAyHw4mrfiYqA52SmelNaWB1zrPBtKQ1qa8yHRzq2WAVPlWbuN0d06nvsHpLeQfy1J21Yj/w640-h480/20210528_071049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I really do love my African Batiks that I purchased in a market in Tanzania, so was happy to re-install them above the couch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Photowall has generously offered a discount for any of my readers who order from May 28th through August 1st.. Use code africanaussie2021 for a 25% discount for any product on their website.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Hop in quick because an offer like this does not come around every day. There is a huge variety of items on offer, and they will even make products from your own photos! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have an area that needs an upgrade? Let me know what you order, I would love to see your big reveal!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-2068325819441126272021-05-20T07:39:00.000+10:002021-05-20T07:39:51.345+10:00Beeswax wraps<p> </p><div class="edit-post-visual-editor__post-title-wrapper" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px;"><div class="wp-block editor-post-title editor-post-title__block is-selected" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 2em auto 28px; max-width: 1000px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><textarea class="editor-post-title__input" id="post-title-0" rows="1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-color: transparent; border-radius: 0px; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: "lnum"; font-size: 84px; font-variant-numeric: lining-nums; font-weight: 800; height: 136px; letter-spacing: -0.0415625em; line-height: 1.13889; margin: 0px; outline: transparent solid 1px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 19px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 19px; resize: none; text-align: center; transition: border 0.1s ease-out 0s, box-shadow 0.1s linear 0s; width: 1000px; word-break: keep-all;"></textarea></div></div><div class="block-editor-block-list__layout is-root-container" style="background-color: #a6bc5e; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "Inter var", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; outline: 0px; position: relative;"><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="07d2a14a-a8f2-48cb-bd21-98f9b777d022" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-07d2a14a-a8f2-48cb-bd21-98f9b777d022" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">I have been making and using beeswax wraps for about a year now. Reducing plastic in our lives is so important. Plastic never goes away, and it is really worrying to think about that fact. Micro-beads of plastic are showing up in the fish we eat, and the only way we can stop this occurring is to STOP USING PLASTIC. One way is to use beeswax wraps instead of cling-wrap. Choose pretty 100% cotton fabric, and cut it into the sizes you desire. You can pink the edges, or sew with a three point zig zag as I do.</p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="c7cf322f-f352-4893-a3a6-abb4765460b4" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-c7cf322f-f352-4893-a3a6-abb4765460b4" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is beeswax-wraps.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/beeswax-wraps.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="02a8dbe1-50ff-4063-bfbe-3f34526d019a" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-02a8dbe1-50ff-4063-bfbe-3f34526d019a" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is beeswax-wraps-1.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/beeswax-wraps-1.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="d7311eef-b6a2-4b0e-a29f-b1e279b9a526" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-d7311eef-b6a2-4b0e-a29f-b1e279b9a526" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"> I buy my beeswax locally from a dear friend who sells honey, and I love the fact that it is a little bit rustic, and even sometimes has the odd little bits of unknown objects in it! I used to grate it but find it is easier to take a large knife and just shave pieces off it. If you get natural beeswax like this, then I would suggest you select fabric that does not have a lot of white background, as the wax tends to yellow it. You can buy beeswax pellets that are white from echo warehouse. <a href="https://ecowarehouse.com.au/products/beeswax100purerefinedpelletsper100g?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pRYGNQC3Hp9Y5Dts21Xjm7v2qaPo8cshFI4IPhgkTqNMhCiq3aqAXkaAmO9EALw_wcB" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0073aa; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;" target="_blank">https://ecowarehouse.com.au/products/beeswax100purerefinedpelletsper100g?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2PP1BRCiARIsAEqv-pRYGNQC3Hp9Y5Dts21Xjm7v2qaPo8cshFI4IPhgkTqNMhCiq3aqAXkaAmO9EALw_wcB</a></p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="06d63605-2ca4-4aae-9dde-f9e2d70b986c" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-06d63605-2ca4-4aae-9dde-f9e2d70b986c" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">The other product you are going to need is pine rosin, this is used to create the tackiness. You need twice as much beeswax by weight as pine rosin. </p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="62b0a1ae-5bab-4df4-9084-8016e19e8eac" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-62b0a1ae-5bab-4df4-9084-8016e19e8eac" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0"><a href="https://ecowarehouse.com.au/products/colophonypinerosinpineresinper100g?_pos=1&_sid=9dc273c15&_ss=r" rel="noreferrer noopener" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #0073aa; outline: 0px; transition: none 0s ease 0s;" target="_blank">https://ecowarehouse.com.au/products/colophonypinerosinpineresinper100g?_pos=1&_sid=9dc273c15&_ss=r</a></p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="881c4841-18d0-4ee3-ae5e-e6c8a7d43ffa" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-881c4841-18d0-4ee3-ae5e-e6c8a7d43ffa" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is beeswax-wraps-2.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/beeswax-wraps-2.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="a06eb14c-e206-4b08-9273-e9b4642df01d" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-a06eb14c-e206-4b08-9273-e9b4642df01d" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">These need to be placed into a double boiler, or a bowl on top of a pot containing water. The water should not touch the bottom of the bowl, but make sure you have enough water that the pot does not boil dry. Add jojoba oil or coconut oil, this keeps the wraps a little more pliable. </p><figure aria-label="Block: Image" class="wp-block size-large block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-image" data-block="68d1c02e-77f7-4d93-89a9-f669c0eb9e99" data-title="Image" data-type="core/image" id="block-68d1c02e-77f7-4d93-89a9-f669c0eb9e99" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 30px auto; max-width: 610px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;" tabindex="0"><div class="components-resizable-box__container" style="border-radius: inherit; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; flex-shrink: 0; height: auto; max-height: 1936.49px; max-width: 1450px; min-height: 26.7102px; min-width: 20px; outline: 0px; position: relative; user-select: auto; width: auto;"><img alt="This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is beeswax-wraps-3.jpg" src="https://africanaussiegoesgreen.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/beeswax-wraps-3.jpg?w=766" style="border-radius: inherit; border: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: block; height: inherit; max-width: 100%; width: inherit;" /><div style="box-sizing: inherit; outline: 0px;"></div></div><div class="components-drop-zone" style="border-radius: inherit; border: 2px solid var(--wp-admin-theme-color); box-sizing: inherit; inset: 0px; opacity: 0; outline: 0px; position: absolute; transition: opacity 0.3s ease 0s, background-color 0.3s ease 0s, visibility 0s ease 0.3s; visibility: hidden; z-index: 40;"></div></figure><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="50820998-d80b-4979-aed4-33f0ca52644e" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-50820998-d80b-4979-aed4-33f0ca52644e" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">Once the mixture has completely dissolved ( the pine rosin takes much longer than the beeswax) you need to paint the mixture onto the prepared fabric. I put the fabric on a baking tray covered with wax wrap, for larger wraps the material can be doubled over. Then I pop the tray into the oven, set on low or 100*C for a few minutes. Take it out, and check that all the fabric is evenly coated. When well coated, lift the wrap up and gently wave it around until it starts to dry. the wrap can then be place on another sheet of wax wrap to harden and dry. </p><p aria-label="Paragraph block" aria-multiline="true" class="block-editor-rich-text__editable wp-block block-editor-block-list__block wp-block-paragraph rich-text" data-block="1e8e0e73-4ae0-4f89-a26a-3497dceab67d" data-empty="false" data-title="Paragraph" data-type="core/paragraph" id="block-1e8e0e73-4ae0-4f89-a26a-3497dceab67d" role="group" style="box-sizing: inherit; font-family: NonBreakingSpaceOverride, "Hoefler Text", Garamond, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: revert; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.476; margin-bottom: revert; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: revert; max-width: 610px; min-width: 1px; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0">You have just completed your first beeswax wrap. </p></div>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-75349929802311006602021-05-13T08:23:00.006+10:002021-05-13T08:23:00.208+10:00Mulch - how important is it in the garden?<p>Living in the tropics, I find that the soil must be covered at all times, either with plants or mulch. </p><p>The pine bark mulch at our local supermarket was on special, so I rushed in to get 14 bags. I tend to switch what type of mulch I use in the garden over time. Last year I used hay mulch, and the time before it was peanut husks. Of course, all the time I also have lots of leaves falling from my lychee tree. I do pick up a lot of those leaves for the compost, but plenty lie under tree slowly forming leaf mold. They can draw nitrogen from the soil as they break down, but I find a sprinkle of home made compost on the leaves every now and then seems to fix that problem. The first area I added the mulch was the little bed right outside the bedroom window. I had weeded that bed the day before, and removed the mondo grass edging as it was getting too invasive.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HZ9yjk7kl0fLeH3Mg5m_wqnf2gPmmqLdiEtRaOPXvJezbs9431bh-XR1ibBBwY96UZ0Q7UHKZrHWKHip5smt3Cs-cOtFSj84iI3h2g0Gg_DvaGWxxcfCvI6cy2211rtD5n9a-DcjwWR6/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HZ9yjk7kl0fLeH3Mg5m_wqnf2gPmmqLdiEtRaOPXvJezbs9431bh-XR1ibBBwY96UZ0Q7UHKZrHWKHip5smt3Cs-cOtFSj84iI3h2g0Gg_DvaGWxxcfCvI6cy2211rtD5n9a-DcjwWR6/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I think the ground orchids will grow well in that area now. Those are pink and purple, and I just noticed how much red there is in that area. Next I moved onto the area under the lychee tree and near the gate. The fern forest I have now named it. I like to name areas of my garden, and this used to be fan palm corner, until the fan palms got too big, and I had to chop their heads off! I now have a selection of tree ferns growing there and have added my orchids to the fence, and also hung some on the fan palm trunk. The pots of rex begonias form the edging.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss1azniPbNCD3x-wwQ0bY9GjPLxC13XF-KxmIFXo8o3iGPzbs6E2AdMocoxoT6LD6FnU3G8Zt6FJ9U3Gdy7vcNp7xzhrLkZd4bZ-c1-zC3yGDmKaEWHl7aUarWdjM9SOwla20oMOsBDpA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1024" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss1azniPbNCD3x-wwQ0bY9GjPLxC13XF-KxmIFXo8o3iGPzbs6E2AdMocoxoT6LD6FnU3G8Zt6FJ9U3Gdy7vcNp7xzhrLkZd4bZ-c1-zC3yGDmKaEWHl7aUarWdjM9SOwla20oMOsBDpA/w640-h422/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">On the other side of the big gate is the entrance, and I tidied up that area, moving the desert roses over next to the pathway, while I work on that bed, but might keep them like that, as I do love the flow of the path. </span></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn6956_y4bPnFNIBpc4Bon1LJ7CAyBia-w_vpZ4YxsB90XpNUZSLtKYr9XKLrpzKKdaCWO0eG6cC0sVh8cVXgqu5AYLSIIWWwk4XVnTkjQsejMO-zYvWmdTU5XA8PRrKr5DGqNGBTG7RD/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1024" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJn6956_y4bPnFNIBpc4Bon1LJ7CAyBia-w_vpZ4YxsB90XpNUZSLtKYr9XKLrpzKKdaCWO0eG6cC0sVh8cVXgqu5AYLSIIWWwk4XVnTkjQsejMO-zYvWmdTU5XA8PRrKr5DGqNGBTG7RD/w640-h460/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>The other area out the front needed lots of weeding, so hopefully the mulch stops the weeds growing up again.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8USOshtv9cu3ahlCKA7L-vUQPIKLBRnN_jB-8WNqlrA_abiARot5SL6wRB1G-dPwUkkiMSI7b4udTd9L5hAqIs2Jpw9D2sj9N8Pop5jEA6DWi2jQAWmHnmdIs10sFpl6rKDWsph4Q3Yc5/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1024" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8USOshtv9cu3ahlCKA7L-vUQPIKLBRnN_jB-8WNqlrA_abiARot5SL6wRB1G-dPwUkkiMSI7b4udTd9L5hAqIs2Jpw9D2sj9N8Pop5jEA6DWi2jQAWmHnmdIs10sFpl6rKDWsph4Q3Yc5/w640-h454/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>I still have half the bags left, but will add compost to the pots in fruit salad alley before I mulch them. The area where the lady slipper orchid resides will be a big job cutting back and weeding. It is just starting to flower, and I have been vigilant this year in keeping it contained to one area. (I think!!!, you never know where it will pop up next!)</p><p>Do you tend to stick to the same colour grouping in areas?</p><p>What mulch do you mostly use, or do you chop and change like I do?</p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-56190046296471417692021-05-11T09:33:00.000+10:002021-05-11T09:33:16.375+10:00My happy place<p> Just over a year ago I published a post here on this blog that announced I was moving to wordpress. I had lost my job, the pandemic was big news, and I was feeling quite vulnerable. I thought I would monetize my blog, and change to wordpress. I gave it a bit of a try, but never really thought of that blog as "home" After about 6 months I just stopped blogging. I ventured into other avenues, and then eventually this year I officially retired. </p><p>Life changes always make me re-think every aspect of my life. I needed to assess where my happy places were. One of them was writing this blog, so I am hoping I will slowly gather back the old readers and maybe add a few more along the way. Turns out I didnt need that fancy monetized blog, I just needed a place to share my gardening, crafting, cooking ..... whatever struck my fancy, and blogging ticks all the boxes, so I am back! 😊😊</p><p>One of our favourite things to do is to walk on the beach every afternoon, and that has not stopped. Sometimes now though I can go for a sunrise walk!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MdnAhuy1ZNElzsVwvD0HQByfm6d3gfChz91mC7gbcp1ksSq0-mN6wtYUkrgdwNkXUWemMGJv5D8H6Uq5Apr1N9uJ9VooXYDozSFr6gfj2VjmZtR7xzvSk78WIyXLxa6piGB8PW5f752b/s4672/20210429_064313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="4672" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MdnAhuy1ZNElzsVwvD0HQByfm6d3gfChz91mC7gbcp1ksSq0-mN6wtYUkrgdwNkXUWemMGJv5D8H6Uq5Apr1N9uJ9VooXYDozSFr6gfj2VjmZtR7xzvSk78WIyXLxa6piGB8PW5f752b/w640-h220/20210429_064313.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Yesterday when I walked at midday (gosh, it is awesome to be able to walk at different times, when my schedule is my own!) I noticed how clean and clear the beach is. I dont know if people are using less plastic, but there was nothing on the beach other than one little piece of glass which I removed. Awesome, pristine and so soul inspiring!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVWrAhZHhiKVVRb_rEN6M4wHbKtZvQLuBj5NgSevS-49yHHceysJcBUlDpfNdVKfIW0RM04qxUd2-qbOU7NJqlzOVhe-fRAfMxPYQQOucVtf9i5DkX6PF3azQmDirzjXHH6iH6pRYvLIc/s4128/20210510_120840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVWrAhZHhiKVVRb_rEN6M4wHbKtZvQLuBj5NgSevS-49yHHceysJcBUlDpfNdVKfIW0RM04qxUd2-qbOU7NJqlzOVhe-fRAfMxPYQQOucVtf9i5DkX6PF3azQmDirzjXHH6iH6pRYvLIc/w640-h480/20210510_120840.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>It is just the start of our cooler season, in the tropics you cannot really call it winter, but this is the season when we grow most of our vegetables. I added some nice new raised beds against the fence this year and filled them using the lasagne method, slowly building up some good soil. I think the garden is now looking so much neater and tidier, and wow, it looks as though the plants are loving it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa5gyFCdR75ixwAXjGrrMKl4IfsxR1R6v5IeOFfSF7c69C-X4BvR2nw29wQU8YGwDNGszzrRxdH185vXeas3UWkU3Mz2dbM0OXpiyajyPTYkCT8NZM5EDkbzfQWS8rdTkEyifAcyLkKBa/s4128/20210429_090108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGa5gyFCdR75ixwAXjGrrMKl4IfsxR1R6v5IeOFfSF7c69C-X4BvR2nw29wQU8YGwDNGszzrRxdH185vXeas3UWkU3Mz2dbM0OXpiyajyPTYkCT8NZM5EDkbzfQWS8rdTkEyifAcyLkKBa/w480-h640/20210429_090108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I have also been holding regular crafternoons, and realise that being able to create useful items, mostly fitting into either reduce, re-use or recycle categories makes me feel fulfilled. Sharing those ideas with you enables me to keep a record and maybe inspire others. (There might even be a book on crafternoons one day - save this space!) This last crafternoons was basket weaving, and I will write a post on that soon. It is amazing how many people come to crafternoons saying that they doubt their ability to create something. They all leave with something they have been proud to create, and a greater sense of their own self worth. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3n9WFZta-YFUIGI6f-5WAFDl3lV8GNK3qlF8o0JxzAMUXpzNoktJHibYbUB1ND7KHbs6ON5u_At4MvsGSV10bh9buidLEhRazymwlAz1vK_ueM3Fv2J5Kel_VzhMxfbxoqoE-bKzyjLr/s4128/20210509_091552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3n9WFZta-YFUIGI6f-5WAFDl3lV8GNK3qlF8o0JxzAMUXpzNoktJHibYbUB1ND7KHbs6ON5u_At4MvsGSV10bh9buidLEhRazymwlAz1vK_ueM3Fv2J5Kel_VzhMxfbxoqoE-bKzyjLr/w480-h640/20210509_091552.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>It also has to be said that my happy place is also in the kitchen, creating healthy meals. Making up a meal plan and shopping list for the week so that I know in advance what I will cook. Even more exciting is when I can pick something out of the garden for dinner. At the moment it is just rocket and herbs, but there is nothing that beats going out into the garden with my harvesting basket that I made, to pick a few greens for my salad! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz9-EKB7Ba7Qagqajbx4_zaKlq9-eO6PJXI0mVxdE3Z6O7eUSq0flHtBlIgy9iU4y4-LGbesz3Bd6sIf84ndrG9-yCIzDcsvT1g9sr_Sani5z0I7Z0Uie00-yp3rArXazVC_n9JXAs2cl/s4128/20210511_092119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="3096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihz9-EKB7Ba7Qagqajbx4_zaKlq9-eO6PJXI0mVxdE3Z6O7eUSq0flHtBlIgy9iU4y4-LGbesz3Bd6sIf84ndrG9-yCIzDcsvT1g9sr_Sani5z0I7Z0Uie00-yp3rArXazVC_n9JXAs2cl/w480-h640/20210511_092119.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>I do hope that you all have lots of happy places, do you want to share yours in the comments?</p>africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-7597482370326091062020-01-14T14:59:00.000+10:002020-04-08T12:25:38.708+10:00The wet season in the tropics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After a bit of a dry spell in November and December, the wet season seems to have arrived in the Wet tropics. 100-200mls of rain every day means the ground is wet most of the time. Hoses are wrapped up, and nature waters the plants. Bugs love this weather, some plants love it, some do not.<br />
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I moved my orchids away from the back fence where I think they were in too much shade. I love them like a green wall on either side of my mural. They are easier to monitor and two of them are getting ready to flower.! One branch on the yellow one has opened up! I have always been a "set and forget" type of orchid grower so am surprised and delighted when they flower.<br />
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The area where the lady slipper orchid vine had rather taken over was cut back and the flowers are certainly enjoying a bit more sunshine.</div>
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The wet season is not for the faint-hearted, and only the most robust veggies grow at this time of year. I planted out a few more asparagus plants into what has now become the perennial bed. Peppercorn at the back, that I keep on having to trim back, Sweet leaf, and then asparagus in the front. I still have a few asparagus gr.own from seed, about 2 years old, and want to keep the most robust. I was not sure whether to keep them in pots, or to plant them all out in the bed, and then remove the weaker plants. I wont be harvesting them for at least another year, and right now they need to be re-potted.<br />
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I am dedicating one bed to ginger, and it is doing well. In the back of this bed I planted a few cow peas, which are supposed to be great as a green manure crop, so will need to be cut back every now and then, when they will release nitrogen into the soil. The worry about the wet season is that all this rain washes the nutrients out of the soil, so compost and live plants will keep back a certain amount.<br />
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I have a few luffa in the boxes alongside the fence - I love growing them and giving away little shower kits with home made luffa. Maybe this is the year I will try to make my own soap!<br />
The other bed at the back has long green beans, a volunteer pumpkin, and a volunteer eggplant. I have started a few seedlings in the greenhouse, purple basil and thai eggplant.<br />
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We had a program at the supermarket where you could win little boxes with seeds, but of course this was while I was away. I thought it was a great idea, instead of the little plastic toys that soon went into landfill. I managed to get hold of some of the little boxes and have started them up in my little greenhouse. We will see how they do.<br />
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I cut back a bit of overgrowth and since there were a few flowers attached I put them into a vase, outside the front door as there is no room inside!<br />
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The sexy pink lady is still one of my favourite heleconias.<br />
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I hope you are enjoying your garden in this new year!<br />
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africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-73082513808939826512019-12-04T14:19:00.001+10:002020-04-08T11:49:10.536+10:00Making mango chutney with a glut of tropical fruit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Along with the extreme heat comes tropical fruit season! The roads are just littered with fallen mangoes and the smell is quite heady!!! The shops sell the stringless bowen mangoes but most people use the stringy mangoes for chutney. You know, the ones that have strings that stick between your teeth as you suck the juicy flesh off the pit. :) A real summer treat, especially when they are ice cold!<br />
My friend gave me a huge bag of green mangoes, and I have made two batches of chutney, and then have lots of little containers of mango slices in the freezer. Whizzed up with greek yoghurt, this makes the Indian drink Mango Lassi. Oh yummmm.<br />
I researched my recipes and decided on a carribean mango chutney, adapted from a book I picked up at the markets. Here is my version of the recipe:<br />
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8 under ripe mangoes, peeled and chopped<br />
1Tbs salt<br />
250g mixed fried fruit<br />
2 Tbs chili flakes, or to taste<br />
375g raw sugar<br />
750ml malt vinegar<br />
60g grated fresh ginger root<br />
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Mix the salt into the diced mangoes and leave to sit for 2 hours. Do not drain, and add remaining ingredients. Bring to the boil stirring until sugar is dissolved, and then turn down to a simmer. Simmer, stirring occasionally until thick. The mangoes should be tender but there should still be recognizable chunks. spoon into hot sterilized jars, and seal immediately.<br />
I gave most of the first batch away so decided I better make another batch! It is so good with curries, and also on a cheese and chutney sandwich.<br />
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Another friend just dropped off a big bag of lychees, which we will just eat straight out of the bag, and some will go into my kombucha.<br />
We are having such tremendously hot dry days and the best thing is to get out and enjoy some of the lovely shady walks on offer. I love to walk along the shore-front through these curtain fig trees.<br />
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Or on the shady beach in the late afternoon!</div>
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What are you doing to keep cool?</div>
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africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-78512799046828605872019-11-27T14:44:00.000+10:002019-11-27T14:44:26.312+10:00Sourdough Adventures!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I came back from overseas, one of my friends gave me an old sourdough starter. Old is good when it comes to sourdough, and this one had been handed around for at least 10 years. I had heard and read about sourdough over the years, but when I started to make the first loaf I did feel a little out of my depth. As I started to knead it I added more flour until the dough began to feel more like a regular dough. I baked that loaf in my cast iron pan with the lid. The taste was good and sour, it had a nice crust, but it was heavy.<br />
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Last week I got a book out of the library called "sourdough" by Yoke Mardewi, and now this is a baker who knows her dough! It is an amazing book that goes into great detail on every step of the way, and each recipe is so detailed, leaving nothing to chance. I often make pita bread and have it ready in the freezer for a fast meal, so that was the first recipe I chose. Then I decided to make hot cross buns <span style="text-align: left;"> mainly because I really don't like the idea of throwing away excess starter. I used half of the hot cross bun recipe to make a loaf of fruit bread. - that was cooked in a separate loaf pan, and by the time I took this photo I had shared </span>the rest of the buns with my neighbours.</div>
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It was a whole day, starting with the night before to feed my starter! I flipped back and forth from the kitchen to my other chores, continually checking the clock and my recipes. I was really very impressed with both recipes, and have a few more earmarked for next weeks baking day. I see that Yoke has a website <a href="https://wildsourdough.com.au/" target="_blank">wildsourdough</a> So I will be keeping that in my feed for more ideas and help.</div>
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Have you tried sourdough?</div>
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africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-89740329720871333862019-11-11T17:38:00.000+10:002019-11-11T17:38:16.145+10:00Bunches of carrots!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been MIA for a while now, a lot has been happening. I suddenly found myself unemployed because of the company downsizing. I am 18 month off of official retirement age, so am taking things slowly as I look for some part time work. The first thing I did was to go overseas and spend a month with each of my daughters, one in Europe and one in the US. Dear hubby stayed home and held down the fort. He did a wonderful job and when I arrived home I found a bumper crop of carrots in the veggie patch just waiting to be harvested. they are called red cored chantenay, and I will definitely grow them again - I love the short stubby shape. Considering I have just been in France, the name also sounds a little exotic!<br />
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My veggie patch did really well, with flowers intermingled with the veggies. The only pests are the little green grasshoppers. Surprisingly my kale did very well, and i am still enjoying it, even though the weather has turned hot and humid and here I thought it would only grow in cold weather!<br />
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I wanted to do something special with my home grown organic carrots, and so I made ginger carrot ferment. Ohmigosh it is very tasty. I had it with some lamb curry. Of course I also made some carrot cake!<br />
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As I mentioned before the weather is very hot at the moment, and the garden definitely needs mulch. Once before I had purchased hay mulch which is much cheaper and coarser than sugar can mulch, and lasts longer. I also believe in using something different occasionally as I think they all add different values to the soil. <br />
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I used three bales, and that did the entire garden!</div>
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I hope the fires die down soon, it must be horrific to be in those areas, My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. </div>
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africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1578069567609242972.post-62629637771143347582019-05-27T14:31:00.000+10:002019-05-27T14:31:36.151+10:00Meal prep - lots of beans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This Sunday when I did my meal prep it was all about beans. I had seen a recipe for a black bean burger on <a href="https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-grillable-veggie-burgers/?fbclid=IwAR3BteaGJd6ATdQXVOgjaZpFGRf7K4vZfhUWVESI73Yjg2C6iRT5-Lp9zzc" target="_blank">minimalist baker</a> - love her recipes :) I used ground almonds instead of the walnuts, and added two eggs, and left out the sugar and barbeque sauce. I processed the mixture in the food processor , and they held together very well. As you can see the mixture was still a little chunky.<br />
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I cooked them in a skillet, and popped them straight into the freezer for lunches or dinners during the week.<br />
I also had boiled a big pot of chickpeas, so made some green pea curried hummus. Something different to your normal hummus for sure! Grated ginger, lime peel and juice, green curry paste and tahini were added along with the chickpeas and green peas. <br />
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Next was falafel, and our local supermarket puts out a monthly magazine. I regularly try their recipes. I often find regular falafel a bit dry, and loved the cauliflower addition. This recipe is definitely a keeper. <a href="https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/cauliflower-falafel-salad-bowl-recipe/3cbg3dtf" target="_blank">cauliflower falafel.</a> I sauteed them a bit first, and then finished them off in the oven. I doubled the recipe and froze them in packs of five which will be perfect to add to a salad for my lunch as I did today. The sauce I used was a tahini sauce I made last week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfsqjdmSo2PhwlyKjxTiTcrXFcl41Xebi783Su_7FPWFR1MlwMmdY9zYDKg7hilqFQ7cZXDMWG1WR6tKxAJ-fCAptpSJhTJgmrLF7Ub0dTDvyrqm-AK-UHS7ynz0_XKvRlO2V_bs6NqAS/s1600/20190527_125314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfsqjdmSo2PhwlyKjxTiTcrXFcl41Xebi783Su_7FPWFR1MlwMmdY9zYDKg7hilqFQ7cZXDMWG1WR6tKxAJ-fCAptpSJhTJgmrLF7Ub0dTDvyrqm-AK-UHS7ynz0_XKvRlO2V_bs6NqAS/s640/20190527_125314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I also ended up with about a cup of extra chickpeas which are frozen. I soak my beans until they begin to sprout, changing the water often as this makes them much more digestible.<br />
A few batches of muffins, one for church and one to keep for the munchies, and now I am all set for a couple of weeks. I mostly do a big batch of cooking on the weekend, but then don't eat them all up during that week, so end up with lots of variety of goodies to add to salads or roast veggies during the week.<br />
Do you cook just for the following week, or to fill up the freezer? </div>
africanaussiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.com9