Monthly 9 November and December 2014

Better late than never so here goes the monthly 9 post for the last two months of last year. They were months filled with the busyness of wrapping up the school year and precious moments with loved ones on my sister's far away farm.

NOURISH:

Before leaving for the farm I tried out some new chicken recipes.

 Chicken lasagna became a firm favorite as well as home made chicken pies.

On the farm we were well nourished by my dear sister and her husband. 

Freshly baked croissants; pickles, jams and preserves; home made muesli; milk, butter, yogurt, sorbet and cheeses all made right in her kitchen.  Fresh veg just picked before each meal made it to our plates. The beef we ate was raised right there too. 

PREPARE:

I harvested my beetroot patch and made a delicious beetroot and apple chutney. 

REDUCE:

I raided my cupboard for clothes that were a little too snug and passed them onto my dear sister. I am pleased they fit her beautifully yet a little sad they don't fit me anymore. I am inspired to get back into a good exercise routine to shed the unwanted kilos. 

GREEN:

Before leaving for the farm hubby got me wheelbarrows of compost from our heap. 

The beds and pots were well dressed. 

GROW:

We have enjoyed red and green peppers, beans, beetroot, carrots, zucchini. herbs and tomatoes from the garden. My nephew was delighted to help me pull a bunch of carrots out that he could take home. I am a little disappointed by the garden this summer as it doesn't seem to have produced as much a previous summers. 

CREATE:

I knitted a couple of slouch beanies as Christmas gifts and despite the fact it is summer now, the recipients were pleased with them

15 little bunnies were knitted for an order. Though time consuming and finicky, it was great to be paid for the work. 

I enjoyed knitting this scarf as a gift for my Mum. 

The bamboo cotton was wonderful to work with.

My friend taught me how to make mosaic and beaded fridge magnets.

This mirror was another Christmas gift 

and the tray a belated birthday gift for my sister. 

ENHANCE:

I helped a dear friend with a mosaic project for a local school.

DISCOVER:

My daughter, Mum, sister and I spent a day discovering the art galleries in Clarens.

 A wonderful time of exploration!

ENJOY:

There was so much to enjoy over these festive months. My sister visited from the farm before we all descended on the farm. We enjoyed socializing with mutual friends and her daughter's year end photography exhibition. She and I also enjoyed a night away together at my Dad's place, always relaxing and enjoyable.

We celebrated Thanksgiving with a family dinner, a wonderful evening together. 

Hubby and I enjoyed a day out with friends at Dusty Rebels and the Bombshells. My birthday treat to him.

My birthday celebrations in December were really special and my sweet family and friends spoiled me with all sorts of wonderful gifts.

Christmas Carols with friends and family was wonderful.

Two weeks spent on the far away farm surrounded by family (3 generations) made for precious memories.

 My Mum's surprise birthday dinner was a night to remember. 

All in all a time of precious memory making moments.

Slow Living Monthly 9 : September and October

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, If a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, If the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, Rejoice, for your soul is alive.” - Eleonora Duse

NOURISH: 

I have had a bit of fun in the kitchen recently. My aim is to try new recipes often and we have enjoyed a few new favorites more than once.

A quick and easy wrap filled with mince and marinated courgettes is a winner. Fully loaded cauliflower is another firm favorite. It is packed with mushrooms, bacon and cheese in a sour cream sauce.

Our lemons have been used in a variety of puddings that my daughter has made. The best being a lemon meringue pie. Rooibos and lemon iced tea is enjoyed on warmer days.

PREPARE:

Our daughter prepared  a tomato jam and an apple chutney.

REDUCE: 

I collected a broken mirror from a friend so I can reuse it in my mosaics. An occupational therapist was also throwing out a number of her clients half finished projects and I have claimed them to rescue the tiles for my own mosaic projects too.

GREEN: 

Lemon balm tea is a soothing refreshing drink I have been enjoying.

GROW: 

I love this time of year in the garden. It's so exciting to see the new growth. My California Poppies and sweet-peas are looking gorgeous. Seedling are peeping through the soil and there are first fruits of tomatoes, chilies, passion fruit and peppers. Carrots and beetroot are ready for harvesting, corn is knee high, beans are climbing the tripods and squash are putting out leaves.

I have planted aubergine, lettuce, peppers, basil, spring onions as well as numerous different seeds. It is going to be fun to see what does well.

CREATE: 

Beanies galore have been knitted from the tiniest prem baby beanies to slouch beanies for teens and a lovely new "tea cosy" style fitted beanie for my daughter, niece and dear sister. 

This little guy is a month old and the tiny prem beanie is still way too big!

I adapted the baby pattern for the adult sizes and the recipients all love them. 

I have made some baby jerseys and booties too.

It was fun to put together the blue set, adding colours as I went along. 

Its a great way to use up even the smallest scraps of wool. 

It was lovely to create some mosaic projects again. 

My nephew loves his new mirror.

The blue one will go up in my son's room and the neutral one is for my sister. 

DISCOVER: 

I have been enjoying quick reads on blogs and in magazines. A recent win of a recipe book also makes great reading.

ENHANCE:

I joined a pay-forward initiative for the fun of it. My recipients will receive a surprise from me at some point during this calendar year- anything from a book, a ticket, something home-grown, homemade, a postcard, absolutely any surprise! There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit them and make them happy. 

ENJOY: 

Hubby and I had a rare weekend away on the West Coast. Wide open spaces, spring flowers and freedom. 

My sister visited from the farm and we enjoyed her daughter's photography exhibition.

'Beach and forest walks fed the soul.

My siblings and I visited the Oranjezicht City Farm and market. 

We celebrated the birthdays of my niece, daughter and hubby.