Lessons from disease

Constructive mess

I've been on hiatus with some construction projects. They always seem to take longer than I imagine. I haven't been oblivious to what's happening in the world right now though. Because it's impacted us in some significant ways. The kids are now at home, for the foreseeable future. Not because I believe in the social distancing strategy - I'll share my thoughts about why, soon. Rather, it conserves our resources to use this opportunity to keep them home. Serving the same goal I guess.

Making nests

Pest duty

This little wren was cleaning up my Kitchen Garden, back when I had the netting on. Many small birds pass through, for a curious inspection. Pity they don't eat grasshoppers! I don't get any caterpillars though. These little guys clean them up, before they get big and fat. They can feed their babies from my Kitchen garden, any time. But this post really isn't about my property. It's about a different venture.

How-to Hugelkultur

The subtropical jungle, returns

Perhaps I should say, how NOT to Hugelkulture instead? As these are the lessons I've learned about Hugelkulture in arid climates. Right now, it doesn't seem very arid, since the two-year drought has finally broken. Receiving another 17 mm yesterday. This is wonderful news of course, as it's allowed me to return to planting fruit trees again. But in so doing, I reassessed some areas I used Hugelkultur in. The past two years of drought, taught me a lot about their application.

Kitchen garden expands

Late summer, 2020

Happy to report, another 23 mm came through the rainwater gauge, in the past 24 hours. Great news for food production. But my journey in this department, has taken a few twists and turns. Like starting my Kitchen Garden in the middle of 2018. It enabled food production in containers, by economising water. With the added advantage of being close to the kitchen. Almost 2 years later, I'm totally in love with this area. So always looking for ways to expand it, and make more resilient!

Back in the swing

Yucca, in flower

In the past three days, we've received 36 mm of rain. Which is the most we've experienced on consecutive days, in around two years. Not counting the rain we received late 2019 and early 2020. Which can only mean one thing. Phenomenal growth in the garden! As my husband wrangles equipment to tackle the lawn, I'm suddenly faced with my old routine with pruning shears. Ready to chop and drop all that material, I've literally been waiting years to grow.

Catching up

Stella's frangipani (a departed friend, whose cutting we cherish)

Hello new year! 2020. I didn't mean to be away this long, but life kind of happened. Like recovering from Christmas, then a stomach bug which took me and our youngest out, for a bit. In early January I pulled my trapezius muscle, from my neck all the way down to my shoulder blade. Typing was not an option. I'm much better now though, and both kids are at school for another year. So like our pink frangipani, life is just blooming along.

Simple season

Christmas is called the silly season, for a reason. But I'd much rather take it easy though. Which is why I prefer simple Christmas decorations in the house. One of my favourite nooks, has an arrangement of plants, wooden ornaments and a super easy light to install. I purchased a set of LED fairy lights, at OMGosh, for just under $7. They're powered by batteries, so I don't have to worry about positioning them near a power socket. And my clear glass, flower vase, was perfect to house them.