Each week the weather is warmer and each week I try to do more in the garden because I know that come November, I won't want to be outside. It's peaceful here. We hear trees rustling in the wind, there is sometimes a faint buzz of traffic in the distance, birds twitter, the chooks squark and occasionally a gate will open and close. That's it. That's an accurate summary of the sounds in our back yard. So with a minimum of sound, it's easy to focus on what I'm doing, think about how I can improve what's before my eyes and, most importantly, relax and feel secure in my home. Feeling relaxed and safe is a good feeling and the foundation of most things that happen here.
Summer memories is being grown in a large pot. It opens out to be a large cabbage-type pale rose.
Lemons growing in the chook run. These will be picked soon and juiced for cordials later in the year.
We've kept a variety of heirloom chickens for over 20 years. This one is a Light Sussex.
The trees at the back are part of the remnant rainforest that used to cover this land. Now they line the creek that flows down to the ocean, emerging at Pumicestone Passage.
We reduced the size of our vegetable garden two years ago and now grow what I can where I find a space. Here we have foxgloves in a pot, cos lettuce and an Italian tomato.
This is an easy place to love and I never stop feeling grateful that we came here and put down roots all those years ago. But I'm also aware that all over the world, things are not peaceful or relaxed. Wherever you are, whether your world is peaceful or not, I send warm and loving wishes to you and hope that you remain safe. Things will improve but no one knows when that will happen. In the meantime, we all have to hold on to our values, stay close to our homes and keep using the internet to remain connected to our tribe.
What are you doing over the weekend?
<>💙*💚*💙<>
The reversal of gentrification': how Covid-19 could remake Australia's citiesBirds are keeping me sane in lockdown. When this is over, we must do more to protect themRaspberry meringue sponge
Don't Do This With Your Canned GoodsBefore & After: Two Students Renovated a 1975 Van to Live, Travel, and Study In