Humble Permaculture Beginnings ......

 Early development stages of starting a permaculture garden in our small back yard....we started in February by pulling out old steps and re-using on the other side... and adding retaining walls to get the actual structure right ... removed the lawns by mulching and set up 4 additional raised garden beds on the top section of the yard.....planted mature fruit trees...added two pear, an apricot and an orange tree to join the two lemon, mandarin, lime, loquat, plum, fig and 3 apple trees.....fenced off a large section around the chook pen and had new gates put up in place of the old farm gate at the back.



The old steps and concrete gone

new retaining walls and plantings



This was the big mess from February when we had the additional retaining wall built

I'm pretty happy with what we have achieved in 3 months to get from the picture above to the vegie gardens we have now... my man and I put in a lot of hours moving 20 cubic metres of garden mulch over the top of cardboard (I kept the boxes from when we moved in) to get rid of the back-lawn.  We removed the clothes line and installed a wall-mounted unit alongside the garage/utility area to free up more gardening space.

Three months later we now have four additional metal raised garden beds and things are taking off.

I have planted passionfruit vines and kiwi fruit vines along the fences as I need to try and create a more temperate climate in the yard as it was very hot during summer with little protection for the vegie gardens...hopefully the fruit trees will also take off and provide a bit of shade in the afternoon.

A herb spiral planted out with chamomile and various flower bulbs
also can just see one of the 3 new smaller raised garden beds waiting to be filled.



 The three water tanks were already here when we moved in and they water the garden and flush the toilets inside...It really connects you to the garden when you can keep tabs on your water usage and you love to hear the rain fall and fill up your tanks !!. 

Potatoes look like they are going well...loads of broccoli already and cauliflower coming along,
rhubarb, brussel sprouts and silver beet down the end bed and artichokes at the back near the citrus trees.
 

The herb garden seems happy in this spot along the wall ...the big plant this end is Chia...see how it goes.

There's carrots, beetroot, cabbage,  garlic, kale, snow peas, sugar snaps, lettuce
spinach, broad beans, capsicums and chilli . 

 There is still such a long way to go and so much to learn....the compost bins and the worm farm are slowly creating the much needed goodies to put back in to the soil...the beehive should be here in a month or two....we hope to put in a little water feature to encourage native birds and beneficial insects..I'm trying to create a food forest in the back yard and hopefully be almost self sufficient for fruit and vegies.  It's a couple of years away but I'm really enjoying the journey. 

If anyone has any good tips please share them.....I'm still a beginner.

There Goes April.....!

The months are really flying by....there was so much I wanted to achieve in April but I haven't managed to quite get there.  I have joined the local Permaculture group...a lovely bunch of like minded people that meet once a month for discussion, food sharing and seed swaps.  I took along broccoli, eggs and capsicum and bought home a bag of quinces....tried my hand at making quince paste but didn't cook it quite long enough so didn't get the right texture...tastes great as stewed quinces with fruit and yoghurt for breakfast!

Lots to learn about permaculture....would love to put into practice in my backyard.

I took part in a yoga retreat for six days in Bali....Travelled to the village of Ubud in the mountains...absolutely amazing part of Bali...healthy eating and yoga twice a day...a very inspiring and spiritual experience which I hope to bring into practice at home.  While Bali would not be a place I would normally choose to visit, the Balinese people are warm, gracious and very spiritual.

The beautiful vintage bungalow that I stayed in at the Sharing Bali retreat

I had intended to do the volcano climb which was part of the retreat package....I made the sad realisation that I am not as fit as I would like to be....I didn't make the climb but did enjoy the spectacular scenery.  Better get on to a fitness regimen I think.

The view of the volcano from the hot springs.

 Everywhere you look in Bali there are religious offerings made...in doorways...homes...restaurants ....you name it...they are a simple thing that really highlights the spiritual belief of the Balinese people.  along with the incense... I loved them.

The offering and blessing that was placed at my front door each morning.

 The retreat was amazing....Sharing Bali is a beautiful secluded sanctuary in the small village of Singaprang.  Outdoor bathrooms and vintage bungalows....fabulous yoga space...healthy food, no grains, red meat or dairy... a great detox.

The en-suite that came with the bungalow....quite an experience outdoor toilet and shower.

 I flew in from Bali the morning of my baby girl's 30th birthday party....We had a great celebration at a local hall...which she had organised and did a fantastic job.....helped by her sister who made her famous macarons and decorated the birthday cake...Can't believe my baby is all grown up..

Me and my baby girl.....all grown up.

 While I was away I managed to catch up on some reading.....The Harp in The South is an oldie but a goodie....was recommended by my writing teacher to help with the novel I am trying to write....I really enjoyed this one.  It is part of a trilogy by Ruth Park so I am keen to read the other two.

 

 

 My lovely first born...as I'm choosing to call her, as apposed to my baby girl.....suggested The Diving Bell and the Butterfly as a good read for the plane journey....it is the remarkable story of Jean Dominique Bauby who is struck down with locked-in syndrome and only able to communicate by blinking his left eye.  Amazingly he manages to compose this memoir...I loved it.

 

So that was some of my April.....do have lots happening in the garden which I will hopefully post soon ....May has arrived and bought with her some wet and chilly days this week....no doubt preparing us for the winter that will be here before we know it.  Enjoy the last few weeks of Autumn.

Catching Up on March...

It's been a busy month...I've picked the last of the summer crops from the garden and cleared all the vegie beds and have started to replant with cooler weather crops...will post some pictures of the backyard later....we've done such a lot of work and it's almost finished now...yay.

the last of the summer vegies from the garden...

 I made my hot cross buns for Easter as usual ....however these ones look like they came from the Zombie apocalypse...don't know what went wrong with the crosses on top...very dodgy looking!  We ate them on Good Friday morning and put some in the freezer for later....maybe.

My sad looking hot cross buns....not sure what happened.

Went to an evening with the CWA girls on chooks and ducks....lots of good information but this little guy stole the show ...very cute and friendly.  Would love to have a couple of Indian Runner Ducks but not sure if I have the space....food for thought though.

If I could have ducks ...I'd go for an Indian Runner

Since moving to Drouin we are trying to get out and about visiting the country towns in and around Gippsland.....we took a quick afternoon trip to Walhalla...only 83km from us....WOW.....the road into the town is 11km of very sharp turns and hairpin corners .... and the only way in and out....but the historical gold mining township more than compensates for the journey....it is fabulous....we plan to go again and do an overnight stay as there is an old historical cemetery...(don't think I've ever mentioned how much I love old cemeteries)...which I would absolutely love to visit and read the headstones.

The town is full of beautiful old cottages from the 1870's .... Just gorgeous

 

I just love the details on old character homes......my dream home would be just like this.

The stores are all original and still very functional for the tourists who flock here.

The older I get the more I realise that time is fleeting....you need to look out for amazing moments in every day....my man and I experienced such a moment eating our lunch at a lovely café in Walhalla when a kilted clad chap managed to get himself high up the mountainside and sent the haunting sound of his bagpipes resounding throughout the town...it was something very special.

A lone piper playing on an outcrop in Walhalla....amazing.

 Easter has been and gone and the first month of Autumn is just about done....the weather has turned a bit cool after our very late burst of summer heat.  I do however love the change of seasons don't you.

A Day of Mixed Emotions....

It's been two years today since my beautiful friend Heather passed away.  It's always going to be a difficult day for us as it's also my grandson's birthday.  It's a mixed day for me, so happy for my Gboy's 5th birthday and still heartbroken for Rich and the family as we all miss her desperately.  Life does go on  when we lose loved ones...I will always remember her beautiful smiling face. 

 She was an amazing woman.

In happier times before she became ill.

To lighten my day I took the girls to the groomers....they certainly cheered me up no end when I picked them up all gorgeous and decked out in bandanas  !! 



Daphne actually looks like she's smiling ..



Daisy looks like a puppy...love the ears





I've lit a candle for Heather and spent a lot of time today thinking about her.

 It's time for a glass of wine and a silent wish that she was still here to share it.

Spending Time .......

Celebrated my birthday this week ...... not that I'm counting them any more....had a lovely day and finished up out to dinner with the family and best friends at a local hotel....had the best seat in the house next to my Gboy who started prep this year......they grow so fast !!



my birthday last year - he's 3

Me and my main man this week - he's 4





Time slips away from us so fast and we should spend every minute wisely. Enjoy everyday!

Getting our Greek on .....

Our monthly lunch was delightfully hosted by J&M on Sunday and the general theme was all things Greek !!  There were all the usual suspects...Lamb, eggplants and yoghurt topped off with garlic.

Entrée from the Big K and Robbie...Eggplant dish..YUM.. (everything grown in their garden!)

The hosts served fried haloumi and watermelon salad...............who knew !!

Also pasta rice and roasted cherry tomato salad......delicious.

J & A bought along a side of lemon potatoes greek style.....very tasty !!

J & M also served up special lamb dish with a fabulous feta and chilli garnish.

Have to say I feel I let the side down......very stressful week and I was supposed to bring Greek dessert.....what can I say...I stopped at the bakery on the way down and bought a lovely mars bar cheesecake....I'm sure they have mars bars in Greece????  No photo included, it's in the Hall of Shame ..... Never mind, next time I'll do better.



Back Yard Update....

We have well and truly begun work in the yard ..... removing the old concrete and wooden steps was the first job....followed by the guys with the bob cat cutting out the areas for the new retaining walls..  The yard is pretty steep and we are moving the steps to a position where they are not in the way of the new garden beds.  I am trying to create a permaculture garden which also includes trying to reuse as much as possible of the old  material we are taking down.

These steps were really an eyesore and very impractical....glad to see them go

 We have repurposed part of the wooden steps and are using the other timbers to make more garden beds.

We are burying this lot under layers of dirt ... easier than removing it completely.

The digger had to manoeuvre around some newly planted fruit trees...

 

Holes ready for the retaining wall....what a mess at all that red dirt

No sooner were the holes dug and ready to go... the rain set in.....lots and lots of sticky red mud.. caked onto everything ... the dogs feet in particular !!

Dirty paw prints on the bed...

Lots of floor mopping and  a change of bed linen today !!

Dying By Degrees........

My elderly father is in hospital again ........ it's been an ongoing struggle for him over the last five years.....every day he edges further and further away from the father I knew... as his mind deteriorates and his memory fades...his loss of mobility and endless list of health issues from end stage emphysema, heart failure, daily self catheterisation and massive inoperable inguinal hernia...the list goes on....strangers now shower him as we try hard to keep him at home with my elderly mum trying to care for him....he is at times a very difficult and angry man.  His dependence on others for the simplest of tasks and what he sees as the loss of his dignity is heartbreaking....at only 46 kg now he is half the man he used to be. ... It's difficult to deal with him at times as he strikes out at those closest to him....At times I question is it love or empathy that keeps me continually running back and forward to take care of him and I guess it's a mixture of both, but on the hardest days when he is at his worst I think it is out of duty and honour to him as my father that makes me keep going back.  I hope the current generation will retain the same respect for their parents as we all head into our supposedly golden years.

Happier times...me and dad at his 80th birthday , 6 years ago....

The First of Many......

I've had my first volunteering experience with the CWA......Australia Day found me up at 5:30am for a 6am start at the local church...helping serve up free breakfast to 60 or so lucky souls...sponsored by the local council, Anglican Church, Rotary and the CWA.....following the breakfast I also served free tea and coffee at the Australia Day festival in the local civic park from 5:30pm until 7:30....these old country girls really know how to look after the locals......I loved it !!

A few of the CWA ladies taking a quick break with a well earned cuppa..

Some attendees singing along with the band to Advance Australia Fair..

It really warms the heart to help out among the community...I was so glad to be a part of this lovely group of committed country women...there's so much I can learn from them all...kindness and generosity of spirit just for starters.

Those Darn Apron Strings .....

Is it ever to late to have an epiphany about your relationship with your children??....Recently I have realised that I still try to control  advise my adult daughters occasionally.......always unintentionally ....but now finally understand how frustrating this must be for them.   They are grown women and I need to let them make their own decisions regardless of what I think...and stop voicing my own opinions on how they do things....my comments are always efforts to help them and protect them....but it really is time to cut the apron strings and let my beautiful girls live their lives without mum's two cents worth giving them grief....let them work things out in their own way and stop trying to protect them (from whatever it is I am trying to protect them from?).....It's time to realise that perhaps mum doesn't always know best....even though she thinks she does.

Letting go is never easy....but it feels good to finally recognise it .

More Than Just Tea & Scones......

Yesterday I joined the local Country Women's Association....they were just fabulous....admittedly I am a decade or three younger than the majority of members...but what an amazing bunch of elderly ladies they are....so motivated, focused and welcoming... I was a little disconcerted when one of the gorgeous septuagenarians sat down at the piano and belted out a verse of the national anthem and they all sang along....this apparently happens at the beginning of each meeting...but I'm sure I'll get into the swing of things....... .I'm really excited to be joining the group.  Have already put my hand up to volunteer on Australia Day at a memorial breakfast at the local church hall....6am start !!...these old country gals really do an amazing job...fingers crossed I wont let the team down...hope I can keep up with them....seriously...they are very enthusiastic and committed and what they lack in physicality they more than make up for in endurance !  I'm also hoping to gather a few delicious recipe's ...... the afternoon tea yesterday had the most amazing slices...watch this space .

The insignia for the CWS....a great bunch of ladies.

Spent this morning in the vegie garden and am slowly getting a bit of variety growing out there....the beetroots have started coming up, my first cucumber, early snow peas and silverbeet....I need to find  a good recipe to use the silverbeet as I'm not really a big fan...but have made a commitment that we eat everything that we grow. 

The garden is finally starting to show some results

Currently reading the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner...All the light we cannot see....the author is definitely an incredibly gifted writer and the story is fabulous...but the continual flipping back between time periods and characters made it a less enjoyable read for me...would still recommend this as a great book and well worth the effort.

2015 Pulitzer Prize winner...always a controversy over the winning novel.

It's going to be stinking hot here again tomorrow....41c and then some in other areas....this is the hottest summer I can remember for quite a long time.....hurry up and grow trees in my yard !

Keeping it Simple......

I had a quick burst of zucchini's which now unfortunately seem to have halted...I think it's the weather...very hot and very windy days are not the friend of many of the vegies in the garden.....did manage to make a vegie lasagne using up the four zucchini's I had managed to grow...had a mixed "left over" vegie layer, pumpkin, tomato and zucchini and a spinach and ricotta layer...topped off with cheese sauce.... washed down with a glass of sav blanc....not too shabby !

 

Last night's vegie lasagne....wasn't brave enough to make my own lasagne sheets just yet !

All the vegies are good for you....not so sure about all that lovely  melted cheese though.

The old charmer over the back fence is back from his Queensland holiday and popped his head over when I was out feeding the feathered girls......he had a couple of ears of corn he had grown so I swapped him for a capsicum from my garden.....he also bought over  a pile of silverbeet that went to seed while he was away which he tossed to the chooks....we talked tomatoes and cucumbers before he  headed back home....my tomatoes are a bit lacklustre.....there are tomatoes but the plants are still very small....hhmmmmm....I am blaming the weather again !!...although old Les tells me it's because I'm not planting basil next to them and using magnetics like he is.......maybe next year.


Tomato and chilli from my garden....swapped the neighbours corn cobs  for one of my capsicums.

 Today was also bath the dogs day......they hate the bath and it is quite the struggle....I think I get more water on me and the laundry than I get on them....final result is two lovely white fluffy girls....impossible to get a picture of them together....they won't sit still long enough....they are a pair of characters and nothing alike in personality...one easy going and one very highly strung...I have a favourite...I know ...it's wrong....but they don't know so it's ok....I love them both.

Daisy always smiling...

Daphne  nervous as always....