Slow Living Month 4

I stand amazed that we are already at the end of month 4. A beautiful month of leaves turning to reds and yellows, then leaving a carpet of brown crispiness below and stark naked branches that reach into brilliant clear blue skies above....

beautiful weather this time of year in our part of the world.

NOURISH: 

Nourishing my family changed a lot over this month and food has been something I have not even wanted to think about on some days. The month began with hubby eliminating all forms of carbohydrates or starchy food in the hopes of gaining better blood sugar control. After seeing the specialist and dietitian it changed all over again...some evenings I have 3 books open and food being prepared right along all the kitchen counter tops. Dinner, tomorrows breakfast , snacks and lunch! I am slowly getting into the rhythm of this new way of prepping and measuring all that is eaten. 

We have been enjoying salads at lunch times and avocados are in season. I could eat them every day! I found a "green relish" recipe and have made this a few times over the month. I cube avo with cucumber and green apples, add some spring onions and a dash of lemon juice and chili. Voilà, a perfect lunch!

PREPARE: 

As we are back in the swing of the new school term, doubling up on dinner is always good for those days that are a little too crazy to think about dinner.

When we ran out of dog food I searched on-line for home made dog food recipes. I didn't stick to a particular recipe, but figured out what would be ok and what would not. I have made several large batches to last a few days at a time. Our doggy now enjoys a mix of home cooked and store bought food and it is great to know that he eats a good and varied diet. 

I tried a new hot garlic and chili sauce which is really hot but really good too! Great on a sandwich or added to the pot.

REDUCE: 

Not much here that is new, still recycling. 

GREEN: 

Nothing new.

GROW:

This month I planted marigolds, leeks, red cabbage, broccoli, peas, poppies, lettuce, onions.
The garden is very green at the moment with green chillies, peppers, leeks and lemons and more.

I harvested the very last beans, some tomatoes, granadillas, first sweet-peas, spinach, chillies, lettuce, herbs and peppedews.

I was given some Trinidad scorpion and yellow moruga chillies. Apparently these are some of the hottest varieties! I have saved the seeds and hope to grow my own.

My neighbour and I collected a bakkie load of mulch from a local school as they were giving it away and the garden has benefited from a good composting and a thick layer of mulch.

I have had these little cacti on my windowsill for months and eventually got to planting them out into the pot that once had pretty petunias in it. The stones had been collected by my sister and her family when they lived in a seaside village a good number of years ago. I am hoping they will do well in their new home on the sunny step outside my bedroom.

CREATE: 

I had enormous fun making a fishnet black scarf edged with silver strands . It forms a ruffle as one knits and though time consuming, the end result is feminine and will add to any winter outfit. My friend was thrilled with her birthday gift.

My youngest created a beautiful wooden plate holder at his technology class and my daughter held her monthly craft class. The girls made mother's day gifts so no telling yet :)

DISCOVER: 

Most of my reading and research has centred around diabetes this month. 

I am grateful for the magazine subscription my sister gifted me with...

A welcome relaxing read.

My youngest and I have been enjoying reading true tales of game rangers in the Kruger National Park.

We are focusing on anatomy and physiology during school and have been enjoying learning about our amazing bodies. Much of which I have forgotten since my long ago nursing days!

ENHANCE: 

Our youngest graduated from his year long service as a Chaeli Campaign Ambassador. It was wonderful to hear of all the work done by these youngsters over the last year. Each graduate spoke about what they had learned over the year as well as their individual fund raising events to benefit a charity of their choice.

The children and I have started a 90 day brain gym challenge. This programme offers a significant improvement in concentration, memory retention and recall and the ability to stay focused for long periods of time. It has been fun getting our brains fit and doing the challenging exercises.

My daughter and I attended a baristers course at the church where we learned how to make espresso based beverages. Great to learn something new, and in exchange we will each do a minimum of four shifts at the church coffee shop.

The younger two kids and I had the wonderful pleasure of visiting a young girl who was in hospital on her 13th birthday. She had been in hospital for 3 weeks already and far from home and friends on this special day. We surprised her with gifts, birthday cake and a balloon. It brought such pleasure to bless a stranger and hopefully brighten her day a little.

ENJOY:

The weather has been perfect, no wind and beautiful warm days.

 Beach walks have been enjoyed.

It was wonderful to see my cousin who was visiting from England and have a braai with extended family. 

My daughter and I visited her art school's market and tertiary expo for visual art and design students. We enjoyed browsing the market and the vibrant atmosphere.  

So many birthdays were celebrated with friends and family this month.

 I had the greatest time at our neighbour's 9th birthday party as the adults got a turn in the bubble balls too!

 Frightening yet hilarious at the same time!

(And yes, that is me, collapsed in the ball and laughing so much I could not get up!)

We celebrated my sweet nephew's second birthday. We  have been delighted with his speech that is coming on so beautifully and is so cute!

Such a joy to have him in our lives!

Thank you Christine for the great opportunity to link up and share again.