tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61529788046156039372024-02-19T19:48:34.162+11:00naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.comBlogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-58825064400734943682010-07-31T08:11:00.005+10:002010-07-31T12:34:18.063+10:00Life Struggles and Zumba<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rSpBv0RSsFqY_rlXoAfBRbHS74HLTQhJRU0j7WS_TIhI6dBp6RPmn0z1J-BKS3KkUSnp_29d_x6tTr4nrR0OVWelIxXFUO6XIlj-SaWY-5sJJEUHrBLJlrxesLBjqYmlY6q966F7w-Q/s1600/jumping-for-joy-angels-laurie-parker.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 420px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499828684284401298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rSpBv0RSsFqY_rlXoAfBRbHS74HLTQhJRU0j7WS_TIhI6dBp6RPmn0z1J-BKS3KkUSnp_29d_x6tTr4nrR0OVWelIxXFUO6XIlj-SaWY-5sJJEUHrBLJlrxesLBjqYmlY6q966F7w-Q/s320/jumping-for-joy-angels-laurie-parker.jpg" /></a>About two months ago, I thought I must get back on my blogging horse. Unfortunately, life seems to always get in the way. I find it difficult to get "me time" these days and when I do take a moment, I'm usually exhausted.<br /><div></div><br /><div>However, a couple of friends are trying to get me out and about a bit more, so I can get back a bit of my own space and time. Thank you!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>Last Thursday night, three chubby middle-aged women went to their first Zumba class. The result - hilarious! We were all somewhat unco-ordinated and found it hard to keep up with our teacher who was probably half our age and fed on jumping beans. But we had lots of fun and hopefully we'll all get a bit fitter.</div><div></div><br /><div>So, I'll be trying to get back to the blog and hope to see many of you again soon.</div><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-46721278562527568552010-06-01T20:06:00.003+10:002010-06-01T20:17:38.829+10:00Now That's Frugal Living ....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LeHzkqBH4uDThIcgqXoUwsdmTFjjBVwP7Pc4W_B6Rs2XBUVzvprfDr48Q2i5_kM1AKmfYxydX3HbRDIbHIN-BGfc4bbaBGQtTH2JndK-HbEqr28JQoltHA0a7YfO5aWs2y_ygNRcs4o/s1600/Old_Woman_Reading.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 247px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477746841993659282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LeHzkqBH4uDThIcgqXoUwsdmTFjjBVwP7Pc4W_B6Rs2XBUVzvprfDr48Q2i5_kM1AKmfYxydX3HbRDIbHIN-BGfc4bbaBGQtTH2JndK-HbEqr28JQoltHA0a7YfO5aWs2y_ygNRcs4o/s320/Old_Woman_Reading.jpg" /></a>Just had to share this joke with you all ...<br /><br /><div><br />MAMA AND HER BIBLE</div><div><br />Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and they prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city. </div><div><br />The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama." </div><div><br />The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house." </div><div><br />The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her." </div><div><br />The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it." The other brothers were truly impressed. </div><div><br />After the holidays their mother sent out her thank you notes. </div><div><br />She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway." </div><div><br />"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home. I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks." </div><div><br />"Michael, you gave me an expensive theatre with Dolby sound. It could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same." </div><div><br />"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you." </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Still laughing....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-22093366768524289652010-05-30T21:44:00.004+10:002010-05-30T21:55:48.912+10:00Coming out of Hibernation<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTguWFdB2IuW2vFvuvQzZ3lU_Qbddekv3kYMLfBEvI_5eY7AUelyYd6oDpHZI-B90xTPEGHfGrCH2nJ-tzpusMrx2iYiKFIzG3B-11N21ArAn1dyA6UzF91wld09eWQKXVHloFb_AR7A/s1600/hibernation-bear.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477030276202878050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTguWFdB2IuW2vFvuvQzZ3lU_Qbddekv3kYMLfBEvI_5eY7AUelyYd6oDpHZI-B90xTPEGHfGrCH2nJ-tzpusMrx2iYiKFIzG3B-11N21ArAn1dyA6UzF91wld09eWQKXVHloFb_AR7A/s320/hibernation-bear.jpg" /></a>Been silent for just a little too long, mainly because life has just become so very busy...<br /><br />In the past year, both of my partner's children have moved in with us, which has meant an incredible increase in the amount of housework, as well as my continual juggle with both work and study.<br /><br />But in all the busy-ness, I've left part of me behind, so am starting to make a concerted effort to regain it.<br /><br />Dixiebelle arranged a lovely outing for some of us yesterday, so we got face to face and had a lovely chat about sharing some of our skills. This, and interesting conversations with the crone and a fellow student recently, have helped to pull me out of my hibernation and I'll get back to blogging real soon.<br /><br />Just an exam tomorrow and three more assignments and I'll be done for the semester ...<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-47901799596356373142009-11-05T20:13:00.010+11:002009-11-05T20:47:44.884+11:00Of Things LeguminousOut in the garden last weekend, I took a few snaps of our current leguminous crops.<br /><br />The Golden Podded Peas are indeed golden. They are quite tasty when young and can be eaten whole like snow peas. As they get older, however, they tend to get a bit starchy and so I'll be leaving these to dry. The flowers are a lovely purple colour, so they are a very pretty pea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx3uvqkkdC7BCr6DaRvrmrhTO3AYPOP2yprmC2wFcPo2CK5lyhq682AcDiEFrV-v2SuW8wzrfPtbCfVWSZ3sqtYkoCpE_s1k-UvAuqXfrzhKbAgLL-O4Pi_bTC3WQwzwerDbn_M48GRA/s1600-h/golden+podded+peas.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 446px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 470px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400545815138245618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipx3uvqkkdC7BCr6DaRvrmrhTO3AYPOP2yprmC2wFcPo2CK5lyhq682AcDiEFrV-v2SuW8wzrfPtbCfVWSZ3sqtYkoCpE_s1k-UvAuqXfrzhKbAgLL-O4Pi_bTC3WQwzwerDbn_M48GRA/s320/golden+podded+peas.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The chick peas are flowering ..... <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZJqEvTf0Uyp9UtxPgS2Ga0iMjHQlCF6db9fopIGTIHGYsyQGjcVvDJZAMJgGsCvtG0ombi4kUJ7ktSxN0XVoT7L9uwFsoH_TKJt3qkos3qAzDEvv68V-1SzHVfno_qOXIxqh_yG0Dc4/s1600-h/chick+pea+flowers.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 448px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400545802013333346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZJqEvTf0Uyp9UtxPgS2Ga0iMjHQlCF6db9fopIGTIHGYsyQGjcVvDJZAMJgGsCvtG0ombi4kUJ7ktSxN0XVoT7L9uwFsoH_TKJt3qkos3qAzDEvv68V-1SzHVfno_qOXIxqh_yG0Dc4/s320/chick+pea+flowers.JPG" /></a><br /><br />And the first few pods are appearing ...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0blAwiKxe1onXoQvo8Prr9yGi6PnQe7tDmpZVQySBJVlcV28g1SLlBVE4S9IgtoiUJmDx763x6gbGEJ3OWHbqWFbt3VtPm_SMuAc_yZnyqQI6CBpFUstQrveTp9BqFQfh2WjE7x8Ee4/s1600-h/Chick+pea+pods.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 449px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 420px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400545807386701346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0blAwiKxe1onXoQvo8Prr9yGi6PnQe7tDmpZVQySBJVlcV28g1SLlBVE4S9IgtoiUJmDx763x6gbGEJ3OWHbqWFbt3VtPm_SMuAc_yZnyqQI6CBpFUstQrveTp9BqFQfh2WjE7x8Ee4/s320/Chick+pea+pods.JPG" /></a><br /><br />The broad beans, looking luscious, just before they were strip picked and cleared to make room for some new veges.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXu9qf0uY-GTJUFbKVxFydALiQ3Yj28AuqR3w5nZj2GFfI2aIppdG1LW8M92IyccNORDXL_JHFY7n5hVR1HD_swgeGHxrV2lvP_Jd7Q57ditluupKKbePYpD2j5BHijNRa3a0iptEngs/s1600-h/broad+beans.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 448px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400545793199199794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXu9qf0uY-GTJUFbKVxFydALiQ3Yj28AuqR3w5nZj2GFfI2aIppdG1LW8M92IyccNORDXL_JHFY7n5hVR1HD_swgeGHxrV2lvP_Jd7Q57ditluupKKbePYpD2j5BHijNRa3a0iptEngs/s320/broad+beans.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Legumes are such a good food for us. Just as they prepare the soil to support good growth, so do they help cleanse and prepare our bodies for good health.<br /><br />Beans are the same shape as our lymph nodes, spleens and kidneys and they help keep these healthy.<br /><br />Beans love to grow in amongst corn. Beans and corn together provide all the amino acids we need - that is, they are a perfect protein.<br /><br />Alfalfa is also a legume and it is a fantastic lymphatic cleanser and body alkaliser.<br /><br />All of these are good reasons to include legumes in your diet, but they are also very yummy and children just love to pick and munch them. Enjoy!<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-81526635007057073172009-11-02T19:30:00.006+11:002009-11-03T18:45:31.031+11:00Busy and Exciting Times<p>I can't believe it's over two weeks since I posted anything. Have been busy with assignments, work, the garden - just the usual. We've got about three and a half weeks to go now and study will be over for another year, so hopefully I'll have a bit more time.<br /><br />But there have been a few exciting happenings and a bit of progress in the garden while I've been silent ...<br /><br />The large bed in the front garden has been completely renovated, with weeds removed and new plants inserted, its also been fed and mulched, and an arch has appeared to train roses on one side and a jasmine and gelsemium on the other. This bed is about 12 or so square metres and it was rather neglected, so it was quite a job.<br /><br />I've managed to find the time to make some more mint jelly and start a batch of elderflower champagne ... recipes coming soon.</p><br /><p>We've started dismantling one of the raised garden beds in preparation for conversion to a wicking bed. This particular bed has a slight problem with couch grass, so we've been sieving all the soil. Ugh!</p><br /><p>A couple of weeks ago, I was awarded a prize for "Excellence in herbal medicine" where I study. I was surprised, but very happy, especially since it came with a voucher for some herbal extracts from my favourite herbal company. :)</p><br /><p>And best of all, on Saturday we picked up a new nucleus colony and so now we have two hives in the garden. The new bees seem to be settling in well. And next year we can probably split the older hive, so we'll have a total of three hives. Haven't harvested any honey yet; just letting the hives get stronger for now.<br /><br />Now I'm off to have a look at what you've all been up to ....</p><br /><p>love and light<br />naturewitch<br /></p>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-17870738721662801582009-10-15T19:24:00.005+11:002009-10-15T20:02:41.190+11:00Hugh, Chickens and Mint JellyI've become a bit of a fan lately of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the <a href="http://www.rivercottage.net/">River Cottage</a>. The ABC has been showing the <em>River Cottage Spring</em> series and starting next week will show <em>River Cottage Autumn</em>. Top viewing, if you have the time on a Wednesday evening ...<br /><br />Today I ordered the cookbook, which apparently has been around for some time; I'm just a bit slow catching on to some of these things ...<br /><br />Last night, they had a session on the difference between organic, free range chickens and massed produced chickens. A British professor has been conducting research into their nutrient value.<br /><br />Here's some chicken factoids:<br /><br /><ul><li>Compared to the chicken available to consumers 50 years ago, today's mass produced chicken has more fat and is no longer the lean option many people think it is - 12.9% fat comes to mind, but I didn't write it down, so I could have it wrong.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Chicken used to be considered a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids - essential for good brain function, lowering high-density cholesterol, reducing inflammation, etc, etc. Modern mass-produced chicken has very little Omega 3. In addition to the added fat, it seems modern mass-produced chicken is not at all good for our arteries.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>Corn-fed chicken did not fair much better than the mass-produced stuff, but it did have slightly more Omega 3, although this was accompanied by extra fat.</li></ul><br /><ul><li>The supermarket purchased organic, free range chicken tested had more than 10 times the Omega 3 fats, was leaner, older and had more flavour. </li></ul><br /><p>So, if you weren't eating organic, free range chicken before reading this, you might like to reconsider. Yes, it's more expensive, but what price the health of your family?</p><br /><p>So, to the mint jelly ..... </p><br /><p>We had a minor culinary crisis in our house the other day when we realised that we were out of mint jelly. I mean totally out, not even a bottle in the cupboard, a most unusual event in our household. So, my darling man went to the shop and bought some.</p><br /><p>I have not eaten shop-bought mint jelly since I don't remember when. I have obviously been very spoilt. The shop bought stuff was not only coloured green, it tasted disgusting - something akin to a bad tube of toothpaste. Ugh!!!! Can't wait for the mint to be big enough to pick. Mint jelly making is definitely on my culinary horizon in the near future.</p><br /><br /><p>love and light<br />naturewitch</p>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-40462484851497818942009-10-12T17:15:00.005+11:002009-10-12T17:27:04.505+11:00Passionfruit Butter Recipe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CpImBN9UtLnCA6KxenTPlvs-Fi-LMs-sJORfkWKuhiH97PsLnGtulraBA57dEN7HiWjw2xMyNBS6g59J1wS7EI_NiBvXegHULO6Vj4JC4EiiKT_b4h4JaFumk1QBmmLpM-pmufXuhNs/s1600-h/Passionfruit+Butter.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391595162355695058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CpImBN9UtLnCA6KxenTPlvs-Fi-LMs-sJORfkWKuhiH97PsLnGtulraBA57dEN7HiWjw2xMyNBS6g59J1wS7EI_NiBvXegHULO6Vj4JC4EiiKT_b4h4JaFumk1QBmmLpM-pmufXuhNs/s320/Passionfruit+Butter.JPG" /></a><br />This one's for Sage...<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#663366;">Passionfruit Butter<br /></span></strong>Juice of 8 oranges<br />Juice of 3 lemons<br />Passionfruit pulp - 340g<br />6 cups sugar (about 1.5kg)<br />12 eggs<br />350g butter<br /><br /><p></p><p></p><br /><br />Put it all in a small boiler with a heavy base. Heat while stirring until it simmers and thickens. If it's not thick enough, you can add 1 tablespoon of cornflour that has been dissolved in a little water.<br /><br />Pour into sterilised jars and seal. Keep in the fridge for up to 6 months. Makes about 6 x 500g jars.<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-3624958524196511052009-10-07T08:57:00.007+11:002009-10-07T09:15:56.075+11:00Natural Woman Network and Rad Pads<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxWw-llGDzcGCXnE9Q2wbKtGC5SFb4g_o1nGxU4THLRtx7zeHQ9g3enOdpXQ2dJDAHl58cGH2-rtBezTcuoZsJ0mia-QzVrekp_giAT7qbStO5y62v-_zChpC30D63t8Wc8uZLGlRCyw/s1600-h/nwnlogo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389612381086286162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxWw-llGDzcGCXnE9Q2wbKtGC5SFb4g_o1nGxU4THLRtx7zeHQ9g3enOdpXQ2dJDAHl58cGH2-rtBezTcuoZsJ0mia-QzVrekp_giAT7qbStO5y62v-_zChpC30D63t8Wc8uZLGlRCyw/s320/nwnlogo.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A friend of mine has recently become the Canberra facilitator for the Natural Woman Network (<a href="http://www.naturalwomannetwork.com.au/">http://www.naturalwomannetwork.com.au/</a>). One of the roles of the Natural Woman Network is to provide a vehicle for the spread of information about women’s and family health and sustainable living. </div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc4fXMgNDpEYd2vFB-YpXvfw1OPkFHRn9s2XnEXNdfreICsQ11Z1tOPaAsWgHwvaO4R4qkQ0NSG9mXqU8yzXD3RGXy3NwTz9y8p75E1bTOqJWfGd_rdU0aRb3UtqaayHLHuHlWyQBSTo/s1600-h/Kit-1-T-copy.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389612386342932450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPc4fXMgNDpEYd2vFB-YpXvfw1OPkFHRn9s2XnEXNdfreICsQ11Z1tOPaAsWgHwvaO4R4qkQ0NSG9mXqU8yzXD3RGXy3NwTz9y8p75E1bTOqJWfGd_rdU0aRb3UtqaayHLHuHlWyQBSTo/s320/Kit-1-T-copy.jpg" /></a>One of the products the Natural Woman Network promotes is Rad Pads, which are reusable cloth menstrual pads. Here is a link to the website <a href="http://www.radpads.com.au/">http://www.radpads.com.au/</a>.<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>For those of you in Canberra, Cathy will be at the next Tuggeranong Homestead Markets on Sunday 11 October (9am – 2pm) with a stock of Rad Pads for sale, along with other information about the Natural Woman Network. She will also have samples of the Rasasara ayurvedic skin foods. </div><div></div><br /><div>You can also arrange to have a gathering at your place where Cathy can bring samples of Rad Pads and show you the Rasasara skin foods and Chi cleaning cloths. If you are interested, contact Cathy on <a href="mailto:cathy@emailme.com.au">cathy@emailme.com.au</a>.</div><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-51279730563522223232009-10-04T12:51:00.006+11:002009-10-04T20:03:16.738+11:00Buying Local and Loving ItOne of the benefits of buying local produce is that you're never quite sure beforehand about what might happen in your kitchen that week. It keeps things from being routine and boring and surely that's a good thing!<br /><br />Yesterday morning, my darling man and I went to the local Farmer's Markets, which set off a chain of culinary events ....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB3uahMLh1ST9Kzo36_9beRdbeb9g4P8LZP6WX00FapzEGl9U2wFR64s5yNG1QsYtv-W7BucMTFVN_ZXEjfOiulk8xqfZ8JeqQcv14Nt99G78vz8_X4LuVRmh27SHp62k_90ly02UKY4/s1600-h/Strawberry+JAm.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388664166131592930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZB3uahMLh1ST9Kzo36_9beRdbeb9g4P8LZP6WX00FapzEGl9U2wFR64s5yNG1QsYtv-W7BucMTFVN_ZXEjfOiulk8xqfZ8JeqQcv14Nt99G78vz8_X4LuVRmh27SHp62k_90ly02UKY4/s320/Strawberry+JAm.JPG" /></a>Finding some beautiful strawberries at good prices not only meant fresh strawbs to eat (yum!), but four pots of strawberry jam, which should last us several months.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH24TGfl8Nzjf_b-glCdvQcOw76lf9mV2yBtgvgAPNVrE7k4NVsOJMqjPL4jALtbDNHBRqGrVOFCZUXMA0W8iUVaK4N7rWAQ3s0jRs9HBEQoFfT0a7BB9RjAhsRB-y5ey9RduKtoai1c/s1600-h/Passionfruit+Butter.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388664156762793874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWH24TGfl8Nzjf_b-glCdvQcOw76lf9mV2yBtgvgAPNVrE7k4NVsOJMqjPL4jALtbDNHBRqGrVOFCZUXMA0W8iUVaK4N7rWAQ3s0jRs9HBEQoFfT0a7BB9RjAhsRB-y5ey9RduKtoai1c/s320/Passionfruit+Butter.JPG" /></a>Purchasing fresh, sweet, juicy oranges gave rise to me juicing the old ones and cooking up six pots of passionfruit butter, something nearly-teen-boy loves on hot oat cakes. The recipe also used a dozen fresh local hens' eggs.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRVpHTl8-Bd4YsurAqkOzK2qC-IFIW7wVxwwbfy21wIqrDlkTwqohSV6IdK-mLSBQehWtTUzIY7i8CViQKTSipcqn6dRE2Ujmm1R2WZs4QS6_3BVeHHfjkcxaZEiCZzLYkCkdF88471I/s1600-h/IMG_6588.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388664190172672162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRVpHTl8-Bd4YsurAqkOzK2qC-IFIW7wVxwwbfy21wIqrDlkTwqohSV6IdK-mLSBQehWtTUzIY7i8CViQKTSipcqn6dRE2Ujmm1R2WZs4QS6_3BVeHHfjkcxaZEiCZzLYkCkdF88471I/s320/IMG_6588.JPG" /></a>Duck eggs reminded me of the moist coconut cake that a neighbour used to make from my brother's spare duck eggs when we were teenagers, so of course, that had to be made as well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIzHM7JL3QtkKBy-4X4rpGaCl8dXrBYNTUxK3aitxHV3SgNDYb-MsZmgItFhtdMTizzZwzVipwbtc6tKb57-7Il3qWR9m91VeLZdwGWWIM0URkkM_SFcwlik3pomFRNsvwyLUjRUvWXA/s1600-h/IMG_6593.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388664179938142674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIzHM7JL3QtkKBy-4X4rpGaCl8dXrBYNTUxK3aitxHV3SgNDYb-MsZmgItFhtdMTizzZwzVipwbtc6tKb57-7Il3qWR9m91VeLZdwGWWIM0URkkM_SFcwlik3pomFRNsvwyLUjRUvWXA/s320/IMG_6593.JPG" /></a>Fresh fennel, artichokes and sweet potatoes were roasted and added to fresh fish to produce a lovely meal. <div><div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />And another meal of a thick vegetable soup was graced by the addition of locally produced chorizo sausages sliced on top (which, incidentally, gave off no fat while cooking and tasted amazing) and slices of toasted <a href="http://naturallyglutenfree.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=3&Itemid=9">gluten free <em>Crunch</em> bread</a> (a seedy concoction held together with a bit of gluten free flour).<br /></div><br /><div>OK, some of the supplemental ingredients were not local, but the majority of ingredients were. My point is that by shopping this way, you eat with the seasons, stock the cupboard with the seasons, and generally eat much tastier and healthier food (well, except maybe for the added sugar.... ;)).</div><br /><div>I hadn't planned on making jam or a cake this weekend, but it sure was fun. And the fresh produce - simply delicious!<br /></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div></div></div></div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-86198553880405949002009-10-01T04:51:00.005+10:002009-10-01T05:05:44.286+10:00First Asparagus of the Season<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr82D0GlaMEFXPU1f7e0Y7ddw4xwQtCFiP1wycudSY8mz9At5eVuH7YASrIG89pMS7Ski6SrPY6OipmCAkXsHWranP0k6S1y9rcyZENcL17VKNGkooQvhpQ6XpRaRUbojzEP-SqYvv78/s1600-h/Asparagus.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387335947347356658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr82D0GlaMEFXPU1f7e0Y7ddw4xwQtCFiP1wycudSY8mz9At5eVuH7YASrIG89pMS7Ski6SrPY6OipmCAkXsHWranP0k6S1y9rcyZENcL17VKNGkooQvhpQ6XpRaRUbojzEP-SqYvv78/s320/Asparagus.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Last night we had the first of our asparagus for the season - three fat purple stalks. Yummy!</div><div></div><br /><div>This is a photo from last year, but hopefully we'll be getting this much again soon.</div><div></div><br /><div>Just love asparagus!</div><div></div><br /><div>And did you know that asparagus is a source of the trace mineral chromium? Chromium helps to balance our blood glucose levels, as well as helping to reduce our cravings for evil sugar.</div><div></div><br /><div>Just love asparagus!</div><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-26107405272117937832009-09-21T18:26:00.012+10:002009-09-21T18:53:13.033+10:00The Real Reason the Chicken Crossed the RoadAt last, an answer to that burning question.....<br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqUIHXN48_BFEBoepEWgYDL1XHCR-zcn80bY8BWm_W1_R-H8awVQcIIIIcfNryXCG2Zla5GdTr8-e4GUy6j6E1bCXwbJ_n5J9YnnkM4v2OPhpm0SHovqew_v5RR7VWv_IfEqxdkAuKTw/s1600-h/chicken1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 244px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 429px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383838659010134530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqUIHXN48_BFEBoepEWgYDL1XHCR-zcn80bY8BWm_W1_R-H8awVQcIIIIcfNryXCG2Zla5GdTr8-e4GUy6j6E1bCXwbJ_n5J9YnnkM4v2OPhpm0SHovqew_v5RR7VWv_IfEqxdkAuKTw/s320/chicken1.jpg" /></a></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyx0RAZQFt6GINua4MuQwihJM0OoX30pl3VRaf6BNsO4XK30WJhKmMRofbgDDb-jrpXE2AAO-8qnxHvy7FRuXOz_54Yo2-YgGWG30ljVN5Hlx_hNpgAJTf79S5kfBy7iy3RoKbD2SBM8/s1600-h/Chicken2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 409px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383838669800172834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZyx0RAZQFt6GINua4MuQwihJM0OoX30pl3VRaf6BNsO4XK30WJhKmMRofbgDDb-jrpXE2AAO-8qnxHvy7FRuXOz_54Yo2-YgGWG30ljVN5Hlx_hNpgAJTf79S5kfBy7iy3RoKbD2SBM8/s320/Chicken2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Just had to share this one with you .... apologies to any vegetarians ...<br /><br /></div><p align="left">love and light<br />naturewitch</p><div><br /><br /></div><p align="left"></p>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-22001762983260840862009-09-15T08:22:00.007+10:002009-09-15T08:49:11.505+10:00Ah, Spring!<img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381457237066701458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCXcDdyjhdZ2a95HO74wtVY1hRCZwoxJ1wapfnCXTrtMomC34O65F9z6rRcZ09p1JdiEbDUWg5NTDVEDmI-uQRll1r2qHqNTRveKcNwG9vPY6t3jQmJt_Vs_WTb1CF-cepfUlo1T9b10/s320/butterfly.jpg" />Outside in the early morning<br /><br /><div><div><div>The others still tucked up in bed</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Picking lettuce and rocket for our lunches</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>My breath of fresh air before the busy week begins.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXO3-PCNYpzKnWJsxb5pZe5Y-tPyqx9v_XsxVlx9XDiWq4pAgScpjvX1CWWfVRyVZsAa5oo3usuDJNORxhbxFNqevOztcBzPyG9XtNPeNmeHM2XdeQC5Numw8-pzOOP4j4mshrEqm0Zc/s1600-h/Kale.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 204px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381453283250613474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXO3-PCNYpzKnWJsxb5pZe5Y-tPyqx9v_XsxVlx9XDiWq4pAgScpjvX1CWWfVRyVZsAa5oo3usuDJNORxhbxFNqevOztcBzPyG9XtNPeNmeHM2XdeQC5Numw8-pzOOP4j4mshrEqm0Zc/s320/Kale.jpg" /></a>The kale, which has fed us so beautifully over winter</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Is heading upwards now, soon to flower</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>To provide food for the bees.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_0RyPVbboXVvWqlSLSy-M4ar3FMcAzPY7vl8FGXdGE4vzk8C6daBvQPeCtY3ZA6NjdhwyuUOeof-7yOHw8rzPBGZDxqFwHAcdsN954TfYe1ig0qS6aw158kEYkbzHq4l-KHS8UNfPE/s1600-h/Broad+Bean.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381453272243073746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6p_0RyPVbboXVvWqlSLSy-M4ar3FMcAzPY7vl8FGXdGE4vzk8C6daBvQPeCtY3ZA6NjdhwyuUOeof-7yOHw8rzPBGZDxqFwHAcdsN954TfYe1ig0qS6aw158kEYkbzHq4l-KHS8UNfPE/s320/Broad+Bean.jpg" /></a>The first couple of broad beans</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Not enough for a meal</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>But a contribution to a stir fry.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIQZswlRA8d9LJx84aZBnpeLCSKn3Ee2zi9t779PYKdAIteFL93DQHCpLujz3F75nCIShIH3J9bwVSiDuO-crHDOmsA7Mc-yiTB6okI8vgEu0tOP8VXC_ERKVgM0-zllidobrrTuHSdM/s1600-h/Erlicheer.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381456164103870690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIQZswlRA8d9LJx84aZBnpeLCSKn3Ee2zi9t779PYKdAIteFL93DQHCpLujz3F75nCIShIH3J9bwVSiDuO-crHDOmsA7Mc-yiTB6okI8vgEu0tOP8VXC_ERKVgM0-zllidobrrTuHSdM/s320/Erlicheer.JPG" /></a>Breathe in deeply, feeling the cool air rush into lungs</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Too long kept in the stuffy inside air</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>There's nothing like the clean fragrant air of spring</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>With promises of all that is to come.</div><br /><div></div></div><div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Ah, Spring!</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div></div></div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-88147246361709602792009-09-08T17:52:00.007+10:002009-09-08T18:25:15.915+10:00Tomatoes and BasilYou know the warmer weather is approaching when you start planting your tomato seeds. Here in Canberra, we have to start our tomatoes under cover, transplanting out after the last frost in late October or early November.<br /><br />So today I put some seeds in pots for both tomatoes and basil (the two just have to go together!). I've recorded below the characteristics of the tomatoes, as best I know them from seed packets and other information. I'm going to see how the crop goes and compare it to the information supplied. Hopefully, we'll have lots of salad and cooking/bottling/paste/sauce tomatoes this season. I'm going to rely on self-seeding for the cherry tomatoes and yellow egg tomatoes...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmGBVwFr0D5R00wbbC_8WpQDetk5Ojdg-c7HYdwIQWJ9KM-I-EeqC5djXtC9G4ZgdUD9je9YwYpWTuD-k9MhNrMKDhNZzkPopftl1bLyRyj0uSNMw9GfzuAvLgsmurgM9KLNhi0plMvE/s1600-h/Tomato+Varieties-02.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 451px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379008000541911938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmGBVwFr0D5R00wbbC_8WpQDetk5Ojdg-c7HYdwIQWJ9KM-I-EeqC5djXtC9G4ZgdUD9je9YwYpWTuD-k9MhNrMKDhNZzkPopftl1bLyRyj0uSNMw9GfzuAvLgsmurgM9KLNhi0plMvE/s320/Tomato+Varieties-02.jpg" /></a><br />The basil varieties I planted are: Lettuce leaf; Small leaf, ball-shaped; Classic Italian; Holy Basil and Thai Basil.<br /><br />I'll keep you posted on their progress over summer.<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-71062966629488215022009-09-08T08:07:00.003+10:002009-09-08T08:16:44.235+10:00To Be Fifteen Again!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQPvxYhKma7wqIwSGhmM2x-Qj4NC6n0z9e3EZF9y0plBmoLVsO8TmJ7mDk60Oz3DcWVg-j_kte5TUmvD1_LEvA_3Tdwy7G6zdoVGqPn4b3CgZZRiZqq-obmvfbFaWNOmpHWTyUdQKWy8/s1600-h/teengirl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 65px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378852589914669794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQPvxYhKma7wqIwSGhmM2x-Qj4NC6n0z9e3EZF9y0plBmoLVsO8TmJ7mDk60Oz3DcWVg-j_kte5TUmvD1_LEvA_3Tdwy7G6zdoVGqPn4b3CgZZRiZqq-obmvfbFaWNOmpHWTyUdQKWy8/s320/teengirl.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Scene at the breakfast table ...<br /><br />Dad: "Julia Gillard was impressive last night on <em>Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.</em>"</div><br /><div>TeenGirl (with a roll of her eyes and <em>that</em> tone): "She <u>is</u> the education minister, Dad!"</div><br /><div></div><div>Had to stop myself rolling around laughing (no offence, Julia)! Oh, to be fifteen again and know <em>everything</em>.</div><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-34099901230906705862009-09-05T16:51:00.003+10:002009-09-05T17:11:32.263+10:00I Love Soapnuts!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19sEtlpm8mCWSYGEYkPlTEQr9ACbwiA0nrW1BtT8AGddVFCnLeoFJuiwPxoOh2zS4a604QWOqYPigzLlDayq9RuqI6H9VJOnraszw-HAbzuNipFDvxf4JDoUtJFE9RftM-Ab7xuMyG3M/s1600-h/soapnut-box-with-2bag.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 309px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377876484781454338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19sEtlpm8mCWSYGEYkPlTEQr9ACbwiA0nrW1BtT8AGddVFCnLeoFJuiwPxoOh2zS4a604QWOqYPigzLlDayq9RuqI6H9VJOnraszw-HAbzuNipFDvxf4JDoUtJFE9RftM-Ab7xuMyG3M/s320/soapnut-box-with-2bag.jpg" /></a>After seeing <a href="http://doing-it-naturally.blogspot.com/2009/08/nuts-galore.html">Molly's post on soapnuts</a>, I decided to buy some - I got mine from <a href="http://www.eaternal.com/">Eaternal</a>. The service was terrific and the soapnuts arrived in a couple of days after ordering.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Today I did my first big wash with the soapnuts and they are absolutely fabulous! Everything came out clean and bright and the wash water went out on to the garden. I did my usual trick of saving and re-using the "suds", which further reduced the amount of water needed.</div><br /><div></div><div>This morning we also worked out a plan to convert our raised garden beds into wicking beds, so hopefully we'll start work on that next weekend. By using the washing water to recharge the wicking beds each week, we're sure to be saving on water this summer.</div><br /><div></div><div>Out in the garden today, I completely weeded my long herb bed and planted some of the new arrivals. Others are inside awaiting the last frost. I'll post some pictures when they grow up a bit; at the moment, it is hard to distinguish the herbs from lucerne mulch!</div><br /><div>While weeding the bed, I also found a couple of parsnips missed last autmun. No problem, they'll make a great addition to the roast vegies we're having for dinner tonight :).</div><div></div><br /><div>Talking to my neighbour this morning, who was also out in his vegie patch, I was delighted to hear that he had a better than usual crop of pumpkins last autumn, which he attributed to having the bees nearby. I too had noticed an increase in production, but it's really nice to have it confirmed. Our dear bee friends are proving to be very popular. Can't wait to get more.</div><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-82408617091320221322009-09-03T19:33:00.004+10:002009-09-03T20:17:20.128+10:00The Herbs and Seeds are Here!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM32hyjC0ojPOhLPDiSZb6hJ1AYs_5hq9yASTr9DUXh00mH8lVasHXw2GI9xBY0BYVq6KfRYLTXupJqQwPspMW0lgKqNOGPYEWWKMd94xuh7fMDr8idyQnYArjy4jp23c1ppLfnS1uZoo/s1600-h/Herbs+004.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377175149099292066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM32hyjC0ojPOhLPDiSZb6hJ1AYs_5hq9yASTr9DUXh00mH8lVasHXw2GI9xBY0BYVq6KfRYLTXupJqQwPspMW0lgKqNOGPYEWWKMd94xuh7fMDr8idyQnYArjy4jp23c1ppLfnS1uZoo/s320/Herbs+004.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>We arrived home from the food co-op* this evening to find a fruit box full of plants awaiting us at the front door - it was my first herb order from <a href="http://www.allrareherbs.com.au/">All Rare Herbs</a>.</div><div></div><br /><div>Everything arrived in good condition and was solidly packed so that nothing had spilt or been damaged.</div><div></div><br /><div>Included in the order were:</div><div>Galangal</div><div>Golden Alpine Strawberry</div><div>Ammi visagna (seeds)</div><div>American Wild Yam</div><div>Barberry</div><div>Betony</div><div>Orris</div><div>Self Heal</div><div>Sweet Annie</div><div>Woad (I'm dyeing to try this when it grows up! :))</div><div>American Arnica</div><div></div><br /><div>Also this week, my first seed order from <a href="http://www.theitaliangardener.com.au/index.php">The Italian Gardener</a> turned up. Everything was well packed and the photos on the packets have me drooling and keen to get growing, even though some of them will have to be raised under cover to protect them from any late frosts.</div><br /><div></div><div>I'm in plantaholic heaven and there's not much chance of anyone keeping me out of the garden this weekend....</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXdHq3ODwtBpLtKCFqjTFV-lrHs3AulcXqHWhw1bfXlahMZgvkHkHgNraaSZhtCG58gyQG8x9yxO5K_pdNW3t3BoagzFj7mwXssVy_h_M-Rdi5QYtuy6Zr4y9YcbHvakVyCwwyKgvVUI/s1600-h/beeani.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 105px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 84px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377178229932577698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXdHq3ODwtBpLtKCFqjTFV-lrHs3AulcXqHWhw1bfXlahMZgvkHkHgNraaSZhtCG58gyQG8x9yxO5K_pdNW3t3BoagzFj7mwXssVy_h_M-Rdi5QYtuy6Zr4y9YcbHvakVyCwwyKgvVUI/s320/beeani.gif" /></a>.... although, I must confess that I'm going to visit the bee man on Saturday morning to get a spare hive box, just in case the bees decide to swarm in the next few weeks. Also, I'm going to check out about getting another nucleus hive and am keen to get a proper protective bee suit (my white pyjama pants aren't <em>really</em> that suitable LOL!).</div><div></div><br /><div>I'm also toying with the idea of a smoker, but it seems a bit cruel to smoke the bees and so far they've been pretty mild-mannered. Has anyone got any experience with this? I'd love some thoughts on the practicality and ethics of smoking the bees.<br /></div><br /><div>*The food co-op we go to is the <a href="http://anu.foodco-op.com/blog/">ANU Food Co-op</a>. For anyone living in Canberra interested in organic food, with deliveries of fresh produce twice a week, I highly recommend it. They also have a wide range of bulk flours, grains, cereals, dried fruits, nuts, fair trade chocolate, eggs, milks, breads and grocery items. You take your own containers and bags and so help to reduce the wastage of excess packaging associated with our food. There are discounts for members and workers, which make the products very affordable.</div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-61387831815984866012009-09-01T21:49:00.007+10:002009-09-01T22:45:12.616+10:00Food Forest Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXchfe-xt3r2dFCm7aj9UCcHf3KKQvKE-cc2Jx19KDyeS5erTB6PsEypbTYORimMwD-jemIoBunQwJf_yBW5231qdV9fyrPNbCXKaPazbkkU_Q8gpFhUvti6Q62lSetUG0O3v05MGhB9I/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376471769911836722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXchfe-xt3r2dFCm7aj9UCcHf3KKQvKE-cc2Jx19KDyeS5erTB6PsEypbTYORimMwD-jemIoBunQwJf_yBW5231qdV9fyrPNbCXKaPazbkkU_Q8gpFhUvti6Q62lSetUG0O3v05MGhB9I/s320/017.JPG" /></a><br /><div>This morning, when I <em>should</em> have been finishing my presentation for tomorrow morning's class, I escaped into the garden. It was simply too beautiful a day to be cooped up inside staring at a computer screen.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOB_iYhRHiLe6ffGm3R9EM-qGgBhS1atiAhN-yno-I_dTMF7gU9KeqWItQFuJQmPvYzNyj2_tR0JPqbRDO_ZtiNT94jBOAhHce5tph48xPiexRukwFOLZ4yuyy32_UZMVbtfdb4XJSmQ/s1600-h/019.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376471798584102066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOB_iYhRHiLe6ffGm3R9EM-qGgBhS1atiAhN-yno-I_dTMF7gU9KeqWItQFuJQmPvYzNyj2_tR0JPqbRDO_ZtiNT94jBOAhHce5tph48xPiexRukwFOLZ4yuyy32_UZMVbtfdb4XJSmQ/s320/019.JPG" /></a>And there was the rest of the strawberries to plant. These runners have been languishing in a dilute solution of seaweed extract for about six weeks now. They've been outside under the mega kale leaves, so they've been aclimatised. They've survived remarkably well and are now happily nestled in the beginnings of our food forest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpRB7UnbtgDlQGQvIH3rMw7KiDepMddleO9l4L-a0U8lM8I-1f4BX48FeWaEP-FaGtaU02HInZLzCD9yl3jJzSc5HASRWH2Kqm_4eedUqx__rodPx7L99hvLYmCslmXDTkjyT8_EM2pI/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376470286709340018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpRB7UnbtgDlQGQvIH3rMw7KiDepMddleO9l4L-a0U8lM8I-1f4BX48FeWaEP-FaGtaU02HInZLzCD9yl3jJzSc5HASRWH2Kqm_4eedUqx__rodPx7L99hvLYmCslmXDTkjyT8_EM2pI/s320/010.JPG" /></a></div><div>I planted and mulched to the accompaniment of bees buzzing, blue wrens singing and magpies carolling. It was simply divine.<br /><div><div><div><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376470315219985250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw_4qnJBhGVbHtBxR5CdLJKN6XwYhPg1VNH7b2uDgG0n4gmhPsY492MTMzLBfyqNLXBNIgMxv-Z3nppIXqvX-hVHc1YjbVbF1Tbkth6tt2EiuFLi2tgy_bzZmLi9nqZkwa9hCyWEn3-U/s320/013.JPG" />So here's a couple more pictures of our fledgling food forest. The stepping stones are four pavers placed closely enough so that we don't have to stand on any plants. But in between the trees and the pavers will be solidly planted. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMR8gXYF7_QAF-kRdWjyB1We4z-1azd4uWaOtNP3P7v9-rfTjKf370S515uQlfyrLf-A_WcI9T15L1D5qHyXiN2ajhntoKslv8UhXBBSDzM8boCw4S2A8FfyTur8jPyanptghcfZ4XPY/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376470298816561810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMR8gXYF7_QAF-kRdWjyB1We4z-1azd4uWaOtNP3P7v9-rfTjKf370S515uQlfyrLf-A_WcI9T15L1D5qHyXiN2ajhntoKslv8UhXBBSDzM8boCw4S2A8FfyTur8jPyanptghcfZ4XPY/s320/011.JPG" /></a>I've sprinkled lemon balm and borage seeds in between the strawberry runners. These will provide food for the bees, as well as herbs for me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenK3FVK6uYmNAfysN7bORZkXwtCabmPj_bvta5WnpxqlYYgpJ5MtkEPOjaodeb5Bfzb-jmYtBNA1jKV5o6Xro8R42a3KwrUFbzA8W-_ohoStBQAxpvW1APJG8x7lurzafuSXqg1JGMX4/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376471781655387154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenK3FVK6uYmNAfysN7bORZkXwtCabmPj_bvta5WnpxqlYYgpJ5MtkEPOjaodeb5Bfzb-jmYtBNA1jKV5o6Xro8R42a3KwrUFbzA8W-_ohoStBQAxpvW1APJG8x7lurzafuSXqg1JGMX4/s320/018.JPG" /></a></div><div>Elsewhere in the garden, the rocket, the broccoli and some Chinese cabbages are in flower, adding a little variety to the bees' current feast on plum, nectarine and peach blossom.</div><br />love and light<br />naturewitch </div></div></div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-30953369572531442642009-08-29T10:05:00.003+10:002009-08-29T10:15:07.086+10:00Herbs, Herbs, Herbs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYBjFP4Bxflvf-6nfLnRgf4WpO8Mxw6WvQFRkfVDcwlA0JrKk4rbzgWjziv4HntbUX6aLWb9r_o8R1u4LdQ9UmX1wHWVIQ03JMK63i1WDPaPUNIWwOtdmIYAiLTjbKvxXS_ASXYR4jww/s1600-h/Lady's+Mantle.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375172369555797362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYBjFP4Bxflvf-6nfLnRgf4WpO8Mxw6WvQFRkfVDcwlA0JrKk4rbzgWjziv4HntbUX6aLWb9r_o8R1u4LdQ9UmX1wHWVIQ03JMK63i1WDPaPUNIWwOtdmIYAiLTjbKvxXS_ASXYR4jww/s320/Lady's+Mantle.JPG" /></a>Hello. My name is naturewitch and I am a plantaholic. I feed my obsession in many ways - visiting nurseries (when I have the time and the transport), reading about plants, or buying them online.<br /><div></div><br /><div>I have just discovered a new place to buy plants and they are ones especially dear to my heart - herbs. <a href="http://www.allrareherbs.com.au/">All Rare Herbs</a> has an amazing collection of herbs, herb seeds and dried herbs for sale. They have specials each month - to tempt you further - and are lovely to deal with. I have placed my first order this week and eagerly await its arrival. I'll let you know when it arrives.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>love and light</div><div>naturewitch</div>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-81511565189180275982009-08-24T19:31:00.009+10:002009-08-24T20:16:09.823+10:00Microclimate Gardening and Food ForestsAfter last year's hot summer, I've decided to take a different approach this year - microclimate gardening.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI1z2_fuMDbPQKL43ZuuwJnwrNFiOQ2PGyMDLErezfFqwpQ1V4kbzw9E1fIkEgU7LdEVDHetHyBO0q7fhI1Gnvcv2CX1aIsA3NEyD5koFyFMZNKDlkpI_ztt3AQVrYN-a1u_ckW7TSoI/s1600-h/Shade.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373469350876159842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI1z2_fuMDbPQKL43ZuuwJnwrNFiOQ2PGyMDLErezfFqwpQ1V4kbzw9E1fIkEgU7LdEVDHetHyBO0q7fhI1Gnvcv2CX1aIsA3NEyD5koFyFMZNKDlkpI_ztt3AQVrYN-a1u_ckW7TSoI/s320/Shade.JPG" /></a>The raised beds in our garden are made from Besser blocks, which is great for winter vegies as they retain the heat. However, they can be a bit warm in summer (last year I had to put this canopy up to raise the carrots), so this year they are going to host all of the heat-loving vegies, such as corn, pumpkins, tomatoes, melons, eggplants, etc.<br /><br />The less heat-tolerant vegies, such as the leafy greens and root vegies, are going to be planted under and between the fruit trees. They'll still get enough light, but they'll also get protection from the hot midday sun; in other words, it will be the start of a food forest.<br /><br />And I saw a neat idea on Gardening Australia the other day - pots with frames in them for <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s2660517.htm">growing Ceylon Spinach or Malabar Greens</a>. These could be really useful to move around the garden to act as temporary shades and I'm also thinking of other plants we could grow in these pots.<br /><br />I've moved the Queensland arrowroot from the garden into a big black bin under the eaves and it's put its first couple of leaves up already, about 2 months or so ahead of usual. I'm going to try this technique for also growing sweet potatoes and chokoes, so will tell how that goes later in the season.<br /><br /><div>We've worked out a site for a water tank to collect the rainfall from the roof and have finally agreed a site for the chook pen. It will mean moving the current compost heap, but that's OK with me. I'm also thinking about establishing a pond/bog area to house plants like water chestnuts (currently in buckets) and cranberries (currently in the bath tub); don't know if we'll get to it this year, but it's in the plan!</div><br />I lost a lot of time in the garden this winter due to illness and busy-ness, so I'm a little behind the eight ball. But on the weekend I got out in the garden and started weeding, feeding, fertilising (don't you just love chook poo!), planting and mulching under the fruit trees - twenty strawberry runners in so far. Haven't taken a photo yet, but will when I get a bit more done - hopefully next weekend (depending on the weather).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun7FBSWM3bFJUmedc3CrCdPewfjtfx-KOk7v7YAwAdzIQ1m1IJTX4u24AicXCF58rwadtGAjQgc2EAQvS377NokL1xW60r3yrttA9LJWmzUyixkYca8haHMImRde_8YnZroGC2gkKsIo/s1600-h/beeonborage.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373469327019714482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgun7FBSWM3bFJUmedc3CrCdPewfjtfx-KOk7v7YAwAdzIQ1m1IJTX4u24AicXCF58rwadtGAjQgc2EAQvS377NokL1xW60r3yrttA9LJWmzUyixkYca8haHMImRde_8YnZroGC2gkKsIo/s320/beeonborage.jpg" /></a>And last, but certainly not least, the bees have survived the winter (I was worried we might lose them when it was very cold and wet for a while) and we're thinking of putting in another hive. It is so terrific to see them around the garden and I'm planting up some extra herbs and flowers just for them.<br /><br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-65056067628472375532009-08-22T22:25:00.004+10:002009-08-22T22:38:56.633+10:00Italian Vegetable SeedSome women have shoe fetishes; I must admit to seed, book and craft fetishes. But the one I write of here is unashamedly seeds.<br /><br />Last week at work, one of my colleagues said that she'd managed to obtain some Italian vegetable seeds for her father (who is Italian). Of course, at lunchtime, I simply had to investigate! I happily returned with no less than eight packets of Italian vegetable seeds and a website to look at - <a href="http://www.theitaliangardener.com.au/">http://www.theitaliangardener.com.au/</a><br /><br />I am absolutely thrilled with this find as they have seed available that I've not seen in any other Australian seed companies. They also carry some organic seed stock.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ILLDdCXA9dppKZEvnp6hgOxblsurhZrE7BWzVtTZY9-34HUMCkC2Ao0PPtujMD_DDbILL1ao68zur7JzI6pJNsfNWxrkrCZTfISp-saVygd_Dk9ln58KPR_5EAexWA2o58p4txsx360/s1600-h/Tomato+-+red+pear.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 82px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372765825309346946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ILLDdCXA9dppKZEvnp6hgOxblsurhZrE7BWzVtTZY9-34HUMCkC2Ao0PPtujMD_DDbILL1ao68zur7JzI6pJNsfNWxrkrCZTfISp-saVygd_Dk9ln58KPR_5EAexWA2o58p4txsx360/s320/Tomato+-+red+pear.jpg" /></a>Here's a picture of one of their tomatoes which I will try to grow this year. It is supposed to yield 400g fruit, which are very fleshy, with very few seeds.<br /><br />So, if you share my addiction to trying out different varieties, have a look at what they have to offer.<br /><br />Happy gardening!<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-75296513146644202502009-07-23T16:44:00.002+10:002009-07-23T16:49:59.394+10:00Hello WorldNo, I haven't fallen off the planet; just been busy with life.<br /><br />After dealing with the end of semester rush with study, got a dreadful lurgy - don't worry, haven't started oinking nor felt like rolling around in mud ;)<br /><br />Then there was the end of financial year rush at work . . .<br /><br />And my partner's teenage daughter has moved in with us, so we've had to do things around that, including settling her into a new school.<br /><br />All is good and hope to be back more regularly in blogland real soon.<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-53822337828638442452009-05-02T08:53:00.008+10:002009-05-02T09:57:56.078+10:00The Flu and All That Jazz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLIo7Bugahkv4QhcBNWTaIXNvC3IlVTOieZfm9Znuil481qTnn1if0XqxruoSNn4dTHyGLp6FhdQoH5sWELU10xxl_3-jyoDTGrDr0CoFdYZd3G_lvkMErmFuagPuJFIOv4XCF_YPxeY/s1600-h/Healthy+woman.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330996773879714466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLIo7Bugahkv4QhcBNWTaIXNvC3IlVTOieZfm9Znuil481qTnn1if0XqxruoSNn4dTHyGLp6FhdQoH5sWELU10xxl_3-jyoDTGrDr0CoFdYZd3G_lvkMErmFuagPuJFIOv4XCF_YPxeY/s320/Healthy+woman.jpg" border="0" /></a>There's been plenty in the media about the latest potential influenza pandemic. the question is: do we need to be concerned?<br /><br />According to Dr Mercola, probably not. His <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx">current influenza article </a>is a little long to read, but quite informative and entertaining. I recommend it.<br /><br /><br />To stay well during the flu season, he recommends that we:<br />* keep up our vitamin D levels<br />* avoid sugar and processed foods<br />* get good rest each day<br />* exercise<br />* have plenty of omega-3s (eg, fish oil) and avoid trans fats<br />* wash our hands<br />* eat garlic regularly<br />* avoid hospitals and vaccines<br /><br />Sounds like a pretty good list to me. To this I would like to add:<br /><br /><p>* drink a cup of <strong>thyme</strong> tea first thing each morning, preferably with one teaspoon of manuka honey and juice of half a lemon (unless you are allergic to thyme). The thyme boosts your immune system and helps prevent you succumbing to viruses. The manuka honey also contains immune-enhancing properties and the lemon juice will help to alkalise and cleanse your body. To make thyme tea, pick 2-3 small sprigs and infuse in 1 cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes. Add the lemon juice and honey and drink. Delicious!<br /><br />* keep up your <strong>zinc</strong> status - around 85% of Australians are deficient in zinc and it is essential for the proper functioning of the digestive and immune systems. You can get zinc tests at health food stores to check whether or not you are deficient and one bottle will do the whole family.<br />If you find that you need to take a zinc supplement, take it <em>after</em> you have eaten, as you might feel nauseas otherwise. Also you might take a lower dose 3-4 times per day, rather than one large dose.<br />Aim for 100-200mg per day for adults; you probably won't need to stay on them forever, just top up every now and then. Children under 10 need about 10mg per day and over 10 about 15mg per day.<br />Or you can get your zinc from foods such as beef, baked beans, cashews, egg yolks (soft boiled eggs), ginger, herrings, liver, milk, lamb, oysters, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, whole grains, yeast.<br /><br />* think about including <strong>vitamin C</strong> as a supplement, or including vitamin C foods in your diet, such as blackcurrants, broccoli, citrus fruits, guava, parsley, peppers, pineapple, potatoes, raw cabbage, rosehips and strawberries.<br /><br />* the <strong>bioflavonoids</strong> can be really useful in building your immune system as well - enjoy plenty of buckwheat, citrus fruits, green growing shoots, skins of fruits and vegetables.<br /><br />Look to nature for guidance - in these cooler months she supplies us with lovely fresh citrus, tropical fruits, broccoli and cabbages which are all good foods for building our immune systems.<br /><br />And remember to stay active, stay warm and stay healthy. Bugs just love stagnant bodies to grow in, kind of like weeds growing in neglected gardens. Look after your body garden and you will stay well this winter.<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitch</p>naturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-11987508662317855102009-04-06T19:48:00.005+10:002009-04-06T20:18:33.635+10:00Autumn GardeningAutumn is such a wonderful time to be in the garden. Although some plants are finishing up their main season and may look a bit tired, it is a great time to plant perennials. The soil is still warm enough and the weather cool enough to prevent major transplant shock. And Autumn is a great time to plant spring flowering bulbs.<br /><br />This morning before class, instead of hitting the books (like I should be!), I escaped into the garden to put some plants into the ground. Quite a few of these are bee plants and many of my specimens were ones I salvaged from the sad bench at our local Bunnings store, although you wouldn't know it by looking at them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CWTbUjzCOrtTP8JhRevsSf0eTNUvE6EZaWjrNc8xRoKq-h2YqMAWDHlQ0bf_wf4r3ksCKCWQ6K15zedkduTIRNhMSq7gKA3kwoQes52IfakV24TNabNPG3Zp4-6FH_9YEDLyzUPVMAM/s1600-h/Lavender+hedge.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321515364684048450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8CWTbUjzCOrtTP8JhRevsSf0eTNUvE6EZaWjrNc8xRoKq-h2YqMAWDHlQ0bf_wf4r3ksCKCWQ6K15zedkduTIRNhMSq7gKA3kwoQes52IfakV24TNabNPG3Zp4-6FH_9YEDLyzUPVMAM/s320/Lavender+hedge.JPG" border="0" /></a>Here's the newly planted lavender hedge. It's an Italian lavender, Avonview. The plants should grow to 80cm tall and 60cm wide. Apparently, it has a long flowering season, so I'm hoping to see lots of happy bees buzzing about the blossoms.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UaVsCTw3ys9t1mI8__-kvDvwb1LeJoBV9JYt6n4oZgnJyry-hyqhQyHJxfhi_UbOI3fnicT4Q8JRjeW4RcuZSi0m_ozgtunHTcdPmY_1Pe8MHw0VE0N3PlqnUfB2Up_obCAi13yjlqc/s1600-h/Camellias.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321515349758026626" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UaVsCTw3ys9t1mI8__-kvDvwb1LeJoBV9JYt6n4oZgnJyry-hyqhQyHJxfhi_UbOI3fnicT4Q8JRjeW4RcuZSi0m_ozgtunHTcdPmY_1Pe8MHw0VE0N3PlqnUfB2Up_obCAi13yjlqc/s320/Camellias.JPG" border="0" /></a>The lavender hedge was planted in a bed previously occupied by camellias. Although they were meant to be sun hardy, the camellias never thrived in the full sun position, so they were moved about a week ago to a partly shaded position. Although reasonably advanced, they moved very easily and look happy in their new spot. Now they're not getting so much sun, I hope they'll bush up somewhat.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRqrRQvCmIb2MSNfFARrpP8H9YQqfNwuOTChVSkSt22nX3fU8eAbksxcQ5PhwGdk-CJvV5-3FalvMU5-x1erZ3yPGwgEdRFNDDuG2w6OmwoGBH_-RxnEKYY0IgTKkTFkUv4dS2Vaj3t0/s1600-h/Hebe.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321515363812465090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRqrRQvCmIb2MSNfFARrpP8H9YQqfNwuOTChVSkSt22nX3fU8eAbksxcQ5PhwGdk-CJvV5-3FalvMU5-x1erZ3yPGwgEdRFNDDuG2w6OmwoGBH_-RxnEKYY0IgTKkTFkUv4dS2Vaj3t0/s320/Hebe.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This little hebe just moved into its new neighbourhood this morning and looks settled already.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOWGyvp4BpbyXfFSa1B-bRDqsn7k1fnTjoj92Sq4eZCIb0w4LxJOp4chCl9VqpRPKsP_bOFoGJ7fE98CdWNKAtRI17DJCLNlJ6JvcUr6Iw95mVaADEBTaKRjxe-GvU2dI_1eXmDpdSUw/s1600-h/Gentiana+scabra.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09OsnOO7ukNvEdbNCrbwUNiX15CSKUBeqDerJhmrGN1TcVizdCOpzpk9ZfbZ6l5unYrytXk_DtXXGJWT8sIqEPCw36BgPceAyPwjd-rhLQt24H2xwmduOjBWWXPiKe5tscNYA1RFkZpY/s1600-h/Chinese+Star+Jasmine.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321515359223368562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 242px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09OsnOO7ukNvEdbNCrbwUNiX15CSKUBeqDerJhmrGN1TcVizdCOpzpk9ZfbZ6l5unYrytXk_DtXXGJWT8sIqEPCw36BgPceAyPwjd-rhLQt24H2xwmduOjBWWXPiKe5tscNYA1RFkZpY/s320/Chinese+Star+Jasmine.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The Chinese Star Jasmine was planted a couple of weeks ago and will soon be ready to zoom up the trellis.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOWGyvp4BpbyXfFSa1B-bRDqsn7k1fnTjoj92Sq4eZCIb0w4LxJOp4chCl9VqpRPKsP_bOFoGJ7fE98CdWNKAtRI17DJCLNlJ6JvcUr6Iw95mVaADEBTaKRjxe-GvU2dI_1eXmDpdSUw/s1600-h/Gentiana+scabra.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321515361099914994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOWGyvp4BpbyXfFSa1B-bRDqsn7k1fnTjoj92Sq4eZCIb0w4LxJOp4chCl9VqpRPKsP_bOFoGJ7fE98CdWNKAtRI17DJCLNlJ6JvcUr6Iw95mVaADEBTaKRjxe-GvU2dI_1eXmDpdSUw/s320/Gentiana+scabra.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now, I know we're not meant to have favourites, but I just love this <em>Gentiana scabra</em>. The photo is quite washed out compared to the intense purplish-blue colour of the flowers. They truly are lovely.<br /><br />I've listed my plantings in the side-bar. It was a very satisfying morning's planting.<br /><br />Now that I've got the shrubs in place, though, the area under the trees looks like it needs some sort of ground cover. I'll have to do some research on suitable ground covers that bees like. And that will mean a trip or two to plant nurseries or at least online . . . ;)<br /><br />Hope your Autumn gardening is going well.<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-75160544973217353402009-04-05T06:42:00.007+10:002009-04-05T07:05:56.651+10:00Yesterday's Adventure<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuPRN42vG8Yi2oHLsiAVh-2JTc9S5t7vRaPpa6kOEDg9nK60e7NmTJ2JeVJSmraUCxKEFgYub8cs686vNo9rVF3GN95PP3PzFYmamOFPI9G5UDPWGiAx9zqR_uaiiEVOJyZVzPw-AXrg/s1600-h/aromatherapy-oils.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320944362306562194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuPRN42vG8Yi2oHLsiAVh-2JTc9S5t7vRaPpa6kOEDg9nK60e7NmTJ2JeVJSmraUCxKEFgYub8cs686vNo9rVF3GN95PP3PzFYmamOFPI9G5UDPWGiAx9zqR_uaiiEVOJyZVzPw-AXrg/s320/aromatherapy-oils.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, a friend of mine ran a gorgeous workshop - How to do an Aromatherapy Facial.<br /><br />It was absolutely delicious and the very best facial I have ever experienced. We also learnt how to make a few products.<br /><br />Now that I know how to do one, friends around Canberra can expect to receive these for pressies. ;)<br /><br />For those of you in Canberra looking for a lovely body work therapist in Canberra, have a look at Vanessa's website: <a href="http://www.holistictherapies.com.au/">http://www.holistictherapies.com.au/</a><br /><br />Apparently, her hot stone massage is divine. I'm thinking of booking one for my birthday coming up soon.<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6152978804615603937.post-73121873776266308562009-03-29T21:52:00.004+11:002009-03-29T22:07:20.685+11:00What Did You Do for Earth Hour?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rS_o1j06pMltJMlr9EwK-kzooGZqWh1gfGDhrjnB9GX0JpufU8XAUGeT1MGgMXvZoQsDDhLpthiBhmcMDTfKo5zOAWo3yTLxNK7rocZOWDfE_xcp8oDtGOyhQ1hmlG2vX975b06cp3Y/s1600-h/voteearth_en.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318564207100273810" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 277px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rS_o1j06pMltJMlr9EwK-kzooGZqWh1gfGDhrjnB9GX0JpufU8XAUGeT1MGgMXvZoQsDDhLpthiBhmcMDTfKo5zOAWo3yTLxNK7rocZOWDfE_xcp8oDtGOyhQ1hmlG2vX975b06cp3Y/s320/voteearth_en.png" border="0" /></a>Last night, our lights, television and computers were turned off for Earth Hour.<br /><br />We chose to go for a walk to our local oval, mini telescope in hand, and lie down on the grass and watch the stars. It was quite magic.<br /><br />On our way to and from the oval, we walked past many houses with their lights still blazing. My partner's eleven year old son summed it up with "I reckon about 80% just don't care". Unfortunately, I think he was right.<br /><br />While some people in our neighbourhood, like the lovely peeps next door, had their lights off, about 4 houses in 5 still had their lights on. Some people are elderly and I can understand why they wouldn't turn out their lights - falling hazards and all that. But some appeared to have all guns blazing, almost as a defiant gesture. What will it take for them to learn?<br /><br />We thoroughly enjoyed our Earth Hour, with the trip to the oval to watch the stars being something we want to do again.<br /><br />How did you spend your Earth Hour? What was it like where you live?<br /><br />love and light<br />naturewitchnaturewitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05612495206869016620noreply@blogger.com14