Nourish
February was the month of lots of smoothies and salads, perfect for the very hot weather we were having (and continue to have). The salads were made up of cherry tomatoes that had self seeded, lots of cucumbers from our garden to start with and later from Mum's garden. There was also oodles of capsicums and as always zucchini. The chooks had slowed down with egg production with all the heat, but in the last week they have started to lay a little more regularly.
Prepare
February saw lots of tomatoes and capsicums ripening all at once. Far too much for us to eat fresh. I have never really been much good at preserving our harvest, but was determined to do so this time. The tomatoes I turned into a roasted tomato soup which then went into the freezer for when (if) the weather cools down. I also had my first attempt at making a tomato based pasta sauce that also had garlic and onions from Mum's garden. That was a real hit, tasted so good and will definitely be making that again. I also have a tomato chutney recipe put aside for next summer's tomato harvest. The zucchini weren't left out either they were grated and also cubed and put into the freezer for using throughout the year.
Reduce
Once school had started back in early February I started de-cluttering. At this stage I have done all but one kitchen cupboard, they have all been cleaned out, things no longer used have been donated to the local op shop and they are all nicely organised. Not sure how long that will last, but it is good at the moment. The most difficult cupboard was the pantry and that one is already slightly unorganised. Hoping to put that one back in order again sometime over the weekend. I also got stuck into the teens bedrooms. Wow, what a job that was. One bedroom is almost finished the other one is about three quarters done. Quite a lot of stuff was donated from both rooms.
Green
I am stuck on this one, really not sure what to enter for this category. Will have to have a bit more of a think about this for next month.
Grow
As I said earlier we have had plenty of tomatoes, capsicums, cucumbers and early corn. At the moment I am waiting patiently for the beans to start flowering, I was probably a little late getting them in the ground. Once they were in though, they took off at a rate of knots. We are really looking forward to hopefully lots of young tender beans to eat.
One vegetable that has been producing really well this summer is kale. I have only ever grown kale in the winter months previously. Back at the start of summer Mum saw some kale seedlings in the hardware store so bought them and kindly split the punnet with me. Mum's were all eaten virtually overnight, but mine although a little slow to start, eventually took off and has been very prolific all summer. It is a different variety than what we usually grow, but it has been a most welcome addition to our summer vegetable garden.
Create
I have nothing to show for this category for February, but I am excitedly waiting for my parcel to arrive from Bendigo Woollen Mills. I have ordered some 100% cotton as I have decided that this year will be the year I learn to knit. I figured knitting some dishcloths would be a fairly easy project to start with. I am itching to get started so I hope my package arrives soon!
Discover
I have recently discovered Open2study a great online resource. I have only had a bit of a look around at this stage but will be on there shortly enrolling for a course. There are so many to choose from. As well I have been enjoying books from the library on gardening and on health. I also recently purchased a book on artisan breads. Hoping to have a go at making some bread over the weekend. Will talk about that one more next month.
Enhance
Hmm not sure what to put for this one. I guess helping my frail elderly neighbour with meals, errands and daily living tasks would fit the bill. After falling heavily and being on the kitchen floor all night last month and sustaining a very nasty injury to her arm. Life is a bit grim for her at the moment, so I guess by helping where I can I am enhancing her life. It is very sad that family can't/won't help...
Enjoy
With eldest teen turning 17 last Saturday, I have been enjoying all the little snatches of time we have together between her long days at school and the long bus ride home, her part-time weekend job and her social life. Being on her L's and soon to be on her P's I fear I will see very little of her. I am trying to make the most of each moment as I am already thinking ahead to next year once she has graduated year 12 and will hopefully be following her dream of the career path she is hoping to be accepted into. All that means is that she will have to leave home and move to the city. Something I dread. I just wish their childhood didn't have to go so quickly. Sometimes I wish we could halt time. On the other hand that is life learning to adjust to changes and embracing all that comes with those changes.
Well there is my first month complete. Looking forward to thinking, learning, growing, creating and much more for the following month. Time to go and look at what everyone else has been doing for the month.
Your kale looks beautiful. I haven't tried growing it before - this year will be a first for me. Good luck with the changes that are coming with your growing daughter. It seems like that will be a long time away for me, but with one starting high school next year, its closer than I think.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting :) I love seeing the kale growing out in the garden and I love being able to bring it inside for smoothies and to also include it in any meal we are eating. It really is a fantastic vegetable to grow! Changes are definitely on the way. I found once they started high school, the weeks, months and years literally flew by. The scary thing is I can still remember being 17 and that feeling of independence for the first time. It seems like not so long ago, but in reality it was. It is such a different world out there now too.
DeleteRoasted tomato soup sounds yummy. And yes, I'm with you on the kids. They do grow up too quickly. While we want to see them grow into capable adults, it's sad when they move into their own worlds and we see less of them.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, yes the soup is really yummy (had to try just a bit). I know at the moment I am questioning myself if I have done enough for my children to be capable adults, the thought of them leaving home and moving to the city is so scary. Unfortunately where we live in a tiny country town, there are very limited job opportunities for anyone let alone the young ones starting out, and they all mostly end up moving to the city. It just seems so far away and they seem far too young. But I know they are keen to start the rest of their lives after finally finishing school.
DeleteHi Sharon, it's lovely to have you linking in. :) Your produce and garden is looking fantastic! We haven't had kale in what seems the longest time, yours looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteA really beautiful thing your are doing for your neighbour, too. She is so lucky to have you close by. I notice that you work in aged care? I am coming to the end of my cert III in aged care (online study) and starting to organise work placement. A bit daunting but feeling really good about it too. Any advice greatly appreciated.
Wishing you a wonderful month! :)
Hi Christine, thank you for your lovely comments and it was really nice being able to join in with your link up :). The thought of being without kale in the garden is not a good one, I love using it in everything, and it is so good for you!
DeleteI really wasn't sure about what to put for the enhance category, and wasn't sure about writing what I did, but sadly that is the way things are. As for aged care good luck with finishing off your cert 111. My job position has changed somewhat since this time last year, as I was really struggling with lots of pain due to my shoulder problems and other joint problems. I am only doing transport jobs now, which I enjoy, and as we live a long way from Dr's and specialists, I can sometimes do long trips taking our elderly clients for appointments or treatment. One piece of advice I was given is to not become too attached to your clients. Much much easier said than done. Just the fact that we work in aged care, means that we care and want to help. It is a job that a lot of people wouldn't even consider doing. It can be very sad at times, but on the other hand it is also wonderful knowing that what we are doing is very much appreciated and that by what we are doing is also helping some lovely people to stay more independent and be able to stay in their own homes a little longer. And that means the world to them.
Sharon, your blog is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLast month we sent our daughter to a faraway city to study, and it was tough but seeing her spread her wings has been wonderful. So even though it is a daunting painful process for the mom, it's also really rewarding. No matter how long we have with them it never feels like enough, and there will always be something more we wish we had taught them.
Thank you Cath for your lovely comment. Yes, I think what you have written is very true that we always wish we could have more time with them and could teach them more. But I think we have to trust in the fact that they will not only survive but thrive out on their own. Wishing good luck for your daughter as she continues to spread her wings :)
DeleteIt's great that you've started doing the monthly link-in, I love doing it, even though I'm a bit slack about it! I lost all my early-summer planted kale to the dreaded green caterpillars, and have just planted some more. Your post reminds me how much I've been missing it.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for stopping by! Hopefully I will be able to keep up each month, as I tend to get slack with blogging, as I think I have nothing that would be of interest to anyone. Trying to change that and get into of a rhythm of regular posts. I hope the green caterpillars leave your new plantings of kale alone! It's not fair when the pesky bugs get more out of our gardens than we do!
DeleteHi Sharon, your garden produce looks so similar to mine from January. What a lovely month you have had, nice to have you linking up!
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for stopping by! It was great to join in with the link up, but I realise I have much to learn, and much more to achieve both inside and out in the garden. Looking forward to some cooler weather hopefully sooner rather than later, and starting the winter veg off by seed.
DeleteThis looks great Sharon. I understand what you mean about your 17 year old. My eldest is 16. He is hoping to work locally for a couple of years beginning at the end of next year and then wants to spread his wings. He also got his L's in Dec last year. I don't want either of my boys to move away, but I left home at 17 to go to Uni. I also tell them both to follow their dreams, but it is hard letting go. xxoo
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! I know I remember what I was doing at 17 and how grown-up I felt, but now that my daughter is 17 it just seems too soon and too scary. I think because the world has changed so much in those years, or maybe we hear about all the bad stuff so much more now than we did back then. It is so true that they need to follow their dreams and I tell both of them regularly that's what they need to do. I wish I had listened to my own advice! But yes it definitely is hard letting go :(
DeleteYou have a lovely blog and I too started joining in here as a way of holding myself a little more accountable, and now it seems like a good way to inventory the things I have been able to get done and remember the good times that might get glossed over. I know the feeling about the kids but we are now expecting our first grandchild and I must say this is easier than the kids!! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Kathy and thank you for your lovely comment. Congratulations on expecting your first grandchild! I am hoping this does work for holding me more accountable as I really do want to continue to strive to be more greener and frugal and creative, and there are so many inspirational people out there who are doing just that :) They are a good example!
DeleteHi Sharon, lovely post. Your Kale is amazing - I grew some for the first time last year but it looked nothing like yours - I'm very envious!!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't childhood race by - mine are still young - 9 and 5 but I still wish I could slow things down a bit!!
I hope you enjoy knitting. Have you signed up to ravelry? I find youtube very helpful at times too!
Have a great march.
Hi Emma, thank you for your lovely comment. I am so surprised how well the kale has done in our hot summer. So excited that it looks like I may be able to grow it year round! 9 and 5 is a great age, enjoy every moment, because before you know it the teenage years are here, and it really does go in a blink!
DeleteI haven't signed up for ravelry yet, but will do. Yes youtube is very helpful, I have been on there looking at some knitting tutorials so I am ready to start :)
Hoping your March is a good one too.
What beautiful photos! Our eldest finished school last year and I am thankful he is working here in our city.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, thank you for your kind comment :) You are so lucky having your eldest close by, that would make a huge difference. Coming over to your blog now to have a look. have a great March!
Deleteoh oh oh, I'm just a teeny bit envious of all your lovely tomatoes and capsicums!! Roasted tomato soup is such a delicious and decadent way to use them up, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI do so understand about how hard it is to let our children go and do their own stuff far away. It really isn't easy suddenly standing back and letting them be adults with adult decisions to make. I've watched and worried as four of mine have made the break and thankfully it does get easier with each child! My only gripe now is that just when they are getting older and more interesting, they leave!!
Hi Evi and thank you. Yes roasted tomato soup is definitely a delicious way to use up the tomatoes, I am really looking forward to eating it in the winter. It certainly is hard standing back and letting them make decisions for themselves and this is only the very beginning for us :).
DeleteWow you've been busy! Sounds like a super productive garden you have there, the photos are gorgeous! Your decluttering also seems to be progressing impressively quickly...
ReplyDeleteIf you're looking into online courses, I can recommend Coursera. Totally free, really accessible and good quality.
I'm glad you're having a go at knitting - it's so relaxing and such good fun, and there are some great youtube videos now (because I don't know how anyone could possibly get it from a book - it's such a three-dimensional thing...) I can't wait to see your first creation. If you're interested, I have one of the first things I ever knitted (aged about 8) lying around somewhere...
Hi Nickie and thank you for your lovely comments. I wish the decluttering was going a little faster, but I will get there in the end!
DeleteI have never heard of Coursera before but will go and have a look shortly, thanks for letting me know about it.
I love seeing other people's knitting and would love to have a look. Yes I agree I think youtube is definitely the way to go as you say it is three-dimensional and they talk you through every step. I still can't wait to get started but as yet my cotton hasn't arrived :( Hoping it won't be too much longer!!
Your garden is very productive, your kale looks amazing! I have never thought of grating courgette (zucchini) before freezing it, we always have loads and I never know what to do with it all. I take it that works?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your knitting!
Thank you for your kind words. If I didn't grate or cube the zucchini for the freezer we would be over-run with them and not know what to do with them all. It works a treat. Depending on what I am using them in, sometimes I pull them out early enough to completely defrost other times throw them in the pot still frozen.
DeleteWhen you have done the knitted dishcloths try face washers as well! I have a friend who crotchets (rather than knits) them for me and they are wonderful - I cant knit or crochet and are looking forward to seeing how you go on your knitting journey. Your garden is fabulous and that kale is ammmmmazzzing! Great to have you joining in! - Kara xx
ReplyDeleteHi Kara, sorry it has taken me sooo long to reply! I had actually thought of giving face washers a go as well, as I imagine they would be so much nicer than store bought. The kale was definitely a happy trial!! It produced so much for us during the summer months, and is now almost finished. The good news is the usual kale that we grow in winter is just about ready to go into the garden, so we won't be without it for long :)
Delete