Simple Living Sunday 7

I hope you have had a wonderful and productive weekend. I had the entire weekend at home which suited me just fine. Next weekend is full of Christmas parties so it was lovely to potter around and get things done. Two weeks of work to go and I can be a stay at home mum for two weeks....cannot wait for that.

This weekend's colourful harvest. The last of the bok choi, heaps of cherry tomatoes, a couple of cucumbers, some young celery, kale, spring onion, a golden zucchini and spinach.

The leafy vegetables inspired me to make my first green smoothie. I forgot to photograph the cucumber in the above shot, at the front is some aloe vera and just in front of the apples is a knob of ginger.

I picked a little bit of Brahmi to go with this mix as well - for extra brain food. I peeled the lemon and cut the apples into chunks and put it all through my juicer. I then added a little water and this is the result.

To my surprise it was actually really yummy. I would probably only use half a lemon next time, but Paul and I both agreed that it did perk us up and get us going.

Yesterday I harvested the basil seeds that I left drying last weekend. It was a fiddly job but very productive.

These are the biggest tomatoes I have grown and I did not even plant them. They just sprung up on a corner of the house so I have tied them up to the pipe.

This is the bok choi that I cut off instead of pulling up and it produced another two bok choi. Good tip that one.

It has been so hot here that the last few lettuce have bolted, and I have cut them off to dry for more seeds.

These are the Grosse Lisse tomatoes which I planted in my new garden bed. They have doubled in size and seem to enjoy the part shade. I added more mulch today and hope these will continue to thrive in the heat.

despite the lack of male flowers I finally have another large golden squash growing. These were beautiful in the chutney I made a few weeks ago. I have pollinated the rest with male flowers from the other squash so it will be interesting what they turn out like.

The patty pan squash are the only ones I have not successfully grown yet. I have been diligent with the pollinating so here is hoping!

More golden zucchini.

Three little rockmelon all in a row. I fertilised the patch today as the large one does not seem to be getting any bigger.

The broccoli now has another 'flower' sprouting on the same plant. The larger one is in front behind my shadow.

This is the start of my honey mustard for the Xmas hampers. The mustard seeds are soaking in white wine vinegar with a cinnamon stick.

Not very appetising, but this is what the inside of my bokashi bucket looks like after one week. It is 2/3 full and despite having prawn shells, meat and bread scraps there is no unpleasant odour. Every night I add our foodscraps, spray with the microbe solution and squash with the trowel.

I drained a little of the liquid today. I did not realise I had the tap facing the wrong way and lost a bit of it down the sink this week. Which is actually a good thing because apparently it is really good for clearing drains. This teaspoon of liquid I added to five litres of water and fertilised the rockmelons.

I made an easy watering can out of a plastic bottle for my seedlings. I just squeeze the bottle and...

Presto :)

I managed a quick trip to the markets this morning and had a great time at this herb stall.

These plant stands are really cute. With six large tubs, including the herbs, they only cost $60. I think my mother in law will be getting one of these for Christmas (maybe me too).

Of course I had to get more herbs. $2.50 each - bargain! Rosemary, Parsley, Herb Robert, Comfrey and Pizza Thyme.

And I couldn't resist these bags of beans and squash $2 a bag. The squash are crossed with zucchini so I wonder if I will end up with any like these?

Finally we got together and put up the Christmas Tree. I had to buy a new one as I suspect we lost ours in the January floods...I could not find it anywhere. We considered chopping a tree down but it didn't seem right...so here she sits proudly on the ping pong table...so the dogs can't eat the balls or chew the wrappings. We need loads more pressies though.

Oh, and I almost forgot...I made my first Christmas cake and it tastes amazing!!! Thanks Cheryl. Will post the full details including the recipe tomorrow.

Nanna Kerrie

For my writer's group tomorrow we were set a task to write something about Christmas - a memory, a poem, a treasured story or a fictional piece...whatever we felt like writing about Christmas. This week I have read a lot of stories about people preparing for Christmas day and sharing their new and old traditions, and it brought back memories of cracking nuts with a hammer on the back steps, spitting watermelon seeds with my cousins to see who could spit the farthest, searching for Santa in the sky on Christmas eve, and my mum putting up our silver Christmas tree with the faded angel at the top.

I always breath a huge sigh of relief when November passes into December. November is certainly not my favourite month of the year. Sometime during November, on a date nineteen years ago which my mind refuses to remember, I lost my mum. She was 45 and died in her sleep...just like that her number was up.

So, she has been in my thoughts a lot lately and this is what I wrote:

Nanna Kerrie

I miss the sunshine of your auburn hair,

your pale smooth skin, the way you cared.

I miss your voice, your country drawl,

the way you walked in heels so tall.

I miss your presents with fancy bows

and elegant wrapping, just like your clothes.

I miss the warmth of your lipstick-pink smile,

your soft brown freckles, and large hazel eyes.

I miss your hugs and soft words of advice,

your charming inability to tell left from right.

I miss your humour, the same one as mine,

when I look at your grandchildren every time,

It's sad they never knew you Nanna Kerrie,

because my memories of you are sometimes blurry.

For nineteen years we have missed you here,

especially around this time of year.

We all think of you on Christmas Day,

when I serve "wake-up croissants" just the same way

With leg ham and cheese all melted inside,

This one little tradition will always preside.

You are here in our hearts, not far from our minds,

in each of my children...time after time.

My kids grew up without their Grandmother and when they were old enough to talk about her I came up with the title of Nanna Kerrie. It was tradition in our house that our grandmothers were called Nanna followed by their surname. We had Nanna Steele and Nanna Howard. Somehow I think she would have liked being called Nanna Kerrie, using her first name, breaking with tradition, and her last name wasn't her own when she died anyway.

This is not meant to be a sad post. It's a tribute to my mum, the ghost of Christmas past, reminding me that Christmas is a special time for families. The memories and traditions we create for our children will be honoured when they are parents and grandparents. I can see my kids and theirs making those "wake up croissants" for many generations to come.

Do you think of loved ones lost at Christmas time? What do you remember about your childhood Christmas's?

My Simple Xmas Gift List

My kids have been making lists of what they would like for Christmas. I ask them every year to give me one so that I can get them something from it, but I always choose a few surprises as well. I think it takes the fun away if you know everything you are going to receive....but then again it is rather practical. The kids only get two shots a year to receive something from their wish list (Xmas and birthday), so why not spend my money on exactly what they want, and not receive any complaints later...yes, there have been complaints when I choose.

This train of thought got me thinking...what would I put on a Xmas gift wish list, you know a list of things that I would like? Hmmm...besides a maid, a new car, Hugh Jackman, my house paid off and an overseas holiday (with Hugh Jackman)...well it is called a wish list right? Seriously though, even though I am trying to live a simpler life there are some things I do have on my wish list...mostly things that would help me with my goal of self sufficiency. I thought I would share my list in case you know someone just like me (God forbid) and don't know what to get them...and maybe just in the hope my family might see it. Click on the captions if you want more information.

Twin Compost Tumbler

Tumbling your compost aerates it and accelerates the composting process. The twin tumbler is a good idea because there is always a bin for new scraps (from my bokashi bucket) and one for established compost.

Meat Mincer

I have always wanted one of these so that I can make my own low fat mince - without the preservatives and other nasties I just don't want to know about.

Seed Sprouter

I enjoyed growing my own sprouts but the bottle only produced a small quantity. This would be ideal as you can grow several different sprouts at once. When I visited the herb farm I noticed they had large bags of sprouting seeds so that would be my next purchase if I got one of these!

Self Sufficiency - Isabell Shipard

Speaking of the herb farm, I absolutely love Isabell Shipard's herb book so I have added her self-sufficiency book to my wish list.

Gardening Australia Magazine Subscription

I have bought a few issues of this magazine at my local newsagents and have found it really interesting. Who would have thought I would read a gardening magazine? Times have changed!

Chicken Villa

This is a real luxury item on my list. I love this chook house design but I would really just be happy with some hard work spent on getting our old chook house up and running...hmmm....are you reading this Paul?

Gardening Australia Edible Gardens DVD

There is no surprise that this would be on my simple living Xmas gift list. I have heard this is a fabulous series and missed it when it was on TV. Bet there are heaps of useful tips for this novice gardener.

Green Harvest Gift Certificate

Green Harvest, who supply a huge range of seeds and gardening products have gift vouchers. I sure could easily spend up big there. Organic good quality seeds...no problem.

This last idea is an odd one but the kids could get them for me for free at the local fruit and veg shop. You can make these into magic self-watering gardens called wicked gardens. This is the link to the tutorial. http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s3885151.htm.

So, there you have it. A list of ideas if you know someone who is an avid or beginning gardener...or just wanting to start out on a simple living journey. I have already thought of many more things but this is a good start :)

Do you put out hints or make Christmas lists? I miss the kids posting off letters to Santa - I guess Santa accepts emails these days too?

Monday Menu Plan - Golden Squash Chutney

I can't believe it is already December. We were away for the weekend so I will need to search the cupboard tonight for our Christmas tree and decorations. Now that we have a puppy I think the tree will need to sit on the ping pong table - she has a fetish for paper so Christmas presents would be way too tempting! I hope you are enjoying your Christmas preparations and that your house is looking festive. I made another beautiful chutney for my hampers (Simple Living Christmas), this time using the golden squash from my garden and thought I would share the recipe with you.

This is my menu plan for this week:

Monday - Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Tuesday - Tuna Mornay 

Wednesday - Chilli Beef Stir Fry with Quinoa

Thursday - Vegetable Lasagne

Friday - Steak Burgers

Saturday - Chicken Parmigiana and Potato Bake

Sunday - Rippa Rissoles and Mash

Golden Squash Chutney

I googled a few recipes and devised this one using the ingredients I had at home already.

Ingredients

500g squash - I think any squash or even pumpkin would suit this recipe. I left the golden skins on.
2 Green apples
1 cup cherry tomatoes (or two small tomatoes)
3 medium onions
2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon of salt
1 pinch cayenne
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups dried fruit (this ingredient absolutely made the recipe!)
2 1/2 cups of malt vinegar

Chop the squash, apples, tomatoes and onions and place into a large saucepan with all the remaining ingredients. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for two hours, stirring constantly.

Pour into warm sterilised jars and seal. This is a beautiful, fragrant chutney that is the perfect accompaniment for ham or chicken. We have been having it with cracker biscuits and cheese whilst enjoying a red wine or two.

This is only the second chutney I have ever made. The Spiced Beetroot and Orange Chutney I made for hampers was also really yummy. So, the savoury items on my list are turning out well so far.

Are you starting to bake for Christmas? What's for dinner at your house tonight?

Sharing my menu plan with Becci's Domestic Bliss.

Simple Living Sunday 6

It has been a busy weekend catching up with family so I didn't achieve a lot of gardening nor housework. I got back from Brisbane today just in time to harvest the above vegetables for our meals this week. I will make another spinach and carrot slice for my work lunches, and maybe find something creative to do with my huge squash. Any suggestions?

This is my latest purchase and an early Christmas present for my myself. It is a bokashi bucket. When I first heard of these I knew I had to get one. It is basically a composter but the beauty is you can compost all food scraps - even meat, bread, onions, and citrus that you normally can't compost. You just put your scraps in, push them down with the trowel, spray a little of the microbe solution on and keep doing that until it's full. The liquid that forms can be diluted and used on the garden as fertiliser and the scraps themselves can be buried in the ground to enrich the soil. What a great invention. This way we get to use all of our food scraps, reducing our wastage and our rubbish.

I finally bought some brandy to soak my mixed fruit in for my planned Christmas cake. I will leave them soaking for at least a week...then read the next step in the recipe. I can't believe I have never made one before.

The Nasturtium in my balcony garden is finally starting to spread out and show some colour.

One of the first hibiscus flowers since it's recovery from the winter frost. They always remind me of hula girls.

This is the first time I have ever seen our little Jacaranda tree in flower.

My first Calendula flower...and something finds the leaves tasty.

The rockmelons are rather fascinating. They start off all smooth and shiny...

Then they start to get a little scaley...

Until they are covered in scales. Still not ready to pick yet but getting closer!

My beautiful Zucchini. The only one that has grown so far. Hopefully the one above it will grow as big.

I have tons of the lovely golden squash ready to pollinate...but sadly no male flowers at the moment. First time that has happened.

More cucumbers coming along.

This is one of the broccoli near the water tank which got attacked by little green grasshopper bugs. I have been spraying it with the garlic and chilli spray.

And now there is finally a little broccoli growing. I did not expect the plant to produce anything, so it is lovely to see that despite the bugs, it was determined to flower.

These are the bean seeds I planted last weekend to replace the snow peas. Amazing after just one week!

This is a photo of my compost patch. I wonder what these will turn out to be? Looks like maybe pumpkin or rockmelon.

I hope you have had a productive week in your garden too. Have you heard of a bokashi bucket before?