Wednesday 22 January 2014

Wonderful Way with Water.......


Have you ever wondered about the quality of your tap water.....while Australia has some of the best quality water in the world (so I've been told)....they still add chlorine and flouride to our water supply.....this along with whatever else finds its way into reservoirs is being consumed by people every day.......I spend a lot of time and effort avoiding the use of chemicals, pesticides and pollutants......water quality is an important thing to be aware of...we drink a lot of it.....I have had a reverse osmosis water filter installed in my kitchen....the water quality is so good......doesn't taste like anything....which is how it should be....no smell either....tastes great......I think they are  a great investment for your health.
Undersink unit comprises water filters and the holding tank.....stays pretty cool under there...!!

The tap is installed on the kitchen sink........no more water in plastic bottles for me....
I fill my own eco container and take it with me....
 Having my own ready supply of filtered water removes the need to buy bottled/cask water saving the planet and saving my pocket.....just need to remember to take my refillable bottle with me...

Monday 20 January 2014

It's the Little Things.....

I really think it is the little things that we do in life that make it so more enjoyable.....my youngest daughter has a busy life which includes nightshift work and we love to catch up over brunch at Cafe's in the hills...it is such a simple thing but so nice......

























Took the time on the weekend (now that the weather has settled down) to plant some fruit trees.......The girls helped clear up the ground so that I could plant the Avocado tree....not sure how this will go but have been told by experts that there should be no problem......hopefully in a few years will have some avo's....yum..
  
The girls got very busy preparing the garden bed for the Avocado tree.....



Plenty of mulch and a bit of protection....apparently the experts (Pete the Permie)
tells me you need to protect the roots from nosy chooks scratching around.....
Hopefully one day I will have avocado's......YUM


Also planted a couple of apple trees....this is a blenheim orange....apparently
perfect for growing in our area....should see lovely apples in May...not sure what year !!
This apple tree is an Arkane...should produce apples in February...once again...
could be a bit of a wait....but how exciting when we do get an apple !!!
Also planted a Damson Plum tree....perfect for jam making.....this should bear fruit in
the next 12 months I have been told...hhhmmmm will wait and see... love plum jam !!
It is such a buzz for me to plant these fruit trees and see what happens....the thought of being able to pick apples, avocado, plums, apricots, lemons and figs from my own yard is something that I really would love....it has been a dream that may come to fruition....see how they go...simple things but loads of pleasure.

How much fun can you get from a bag of your own potatoes....you wouldn't believe me !!
I just love, love, love picking vegies from the garden....our ancestors had it right...you should grow anything you can, with whatever space you have....still in discussion with my man about digging up the front lawn...he's not that keen on me planting edibles in the yard....we may compromise and I will plant flowers that I can cut and bring into the house....love flowers....I think I am a simple soul at heart...

Thursday 16 January 2014

Heat Waves and Eco Guilt ......

Wow...summer has hit us with a bang......the heatwave this week has been exhausting....I have read blogs were those who care as much as I do about the environment haven't used their air cons because of the electricity usage....made me rethink my committment to the planet....bit of a conundrum really...I have used our evaportive cooling every day without a thought to the environmental impact....I'm feeling a little guilty but have had to weight it up ....family members stayed with us as they didn't have cooling at their home....is this a justification....my only solution to this dilema is get the solar panels on the roof as soon as possible....that way the power I use will be renewable and not increasing my carbon footprint....these type of issues will always be cause to reconsider what we do and how it impacts everything around us....I have also used plenty of water in the vegie gardens....cooled off the chooks with a quick hose....I don't have water tanks in place as yet...they are also on the list....weighing up water usage and sustainability of plants and animals......more food for thought...,..I have a serious case of Eco Guilt......am I practicing what I preach......am I green when it suits me....I have nothing but admiration for those who are so committed they don't use their air con when the temperature is over 40 deg.....the rest of us should still continue to do everything that they can....install solar and water tanks....that is my project for this year.
Pumpkins have survived the heatwave so far....a couple of pumpkins on it..


Tomatoes have had a big growth spurt during the heat....managed to keep them alive...

Zucchinis and beetroot all going well...beetroot needs to be picked and bottled...maybe
when the weather cools down next week.
Hopefully we have all survived the heat and risk of bushfire....the planet is warming and we can expect more episodes like this in the future....we all need to do our bit..I think every bit , no matter how small, if it contributes to the health  of the planet , is important....do what you can.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

Beautiful Day....Simple Things.....

First success with broccoli.....didn't think there was anything left after the pests had been at it
but found these lovely heads today......will be delicious with tonight's chicken kiev....


Potatoes are available each day now from the garden.....and these two beetroots had popped
themselves out of the soil.....time to take them inside and eat them.
A beautiful summer's day today....not before time....was beginning to think we wouldn't see much sunshine this year.....spent some time outside in the vegie patch....it all looks good......a few baby pumpkins on the vine....tomatoes have a lot of flowers......and the zucchini's are popping up also....birds have nicked most of my blueberries....need to do more than just cover with bird netting...cheeky things have eaten them regardless of the net....A lovely day for reflection and thinking of other ways to keep life simple and help the environment....a friend is trying to organise a deal with a solar power company to get a better price if a group of us put in solar panels.....would love to get this up and going....Been out turning over the compost....one of the bins looks like it is almost ready...Have two empty vegie beds...just need to decide what to plant in them...not sure what is good to plant in January....will have to do a bit of research....It's a fabulous time of year....so much I plan to do...just hope procrastination doesn't get in my way......!!


Daisy still with the remnants of last nights spaghetti bolognaise on her chin........oh dear !!


Daphne managed to somehow clean her own chin (almost)....not much eveidence there....
Managed to fit in a walk with the dogs this afternoon....part of the get fit campaign .....they loved it but they looked a bit shabby I have to say....time for a bath I think....!!  Remember to keep your pet's cool and watered in the warmer weather....I filled the bird bath in the front garden today....have seen a few little birds flitting around in it....they must have been thirsty....not much water around here.

Wednesday 1 January 2014

The Have's and The Have Nots..............

The Christmas lunch aftermath.......quite a clean up required when the vistors left..
As always Christmas was quite an eye opener.....we have new neighbours who are renting the house next door...a lovely lady and her three children...all with disabilities...not a lot of money to go around...lots of unpaid bills and not much left over to spend at Christmas....was very happy to send them a couple of things for the kids and lots of christmas cheer........The same day we attended a function in the evening where money was no object....waiters handing around expensive champagne and exotic canapes...heritage listed home in an exclusive suburb of Melbourne....excess everywhere I turned.....it really highlighted to me the different lifestyle of the Have's and Havenots'........happily we are somewhere in the middle....enough to go around ...plenty of love to share with family and friends...Christmas Day was spent outdoors eating good food and celebrating the time we have to spend together....wouldn't have it any other way .

Portrait I have painted of a friend who recently celebrated his 60th birthday...gave it as a gift to him
...first time I have ever given a painting as a gift.....hope they like it.
Yesterday's offering from the garden....leeks, rhubarb., lettuce and the first of the potatoes..
....as always the girls provided eggs...
Mum celebrated her 81st birthday on New Years Day....my gorgeous G Baby complete
with superman costume helped with the candles........memories to treasure !!
Wishing everyone a wonderful New Year....hopefully the promise of fantastic things to come ....I love the beginning of the new year and am definitely a maker of resolutions....this year is all about health, wellbeing and hopefully trying to get fit.....good health is a precious gift.....treasure it.