Slow Living Essentials Monthly 9 Link -Up: April 2014

April came and went in a flash. 

There were many public holidays as well as more school holidays.

 April's weather was beautiful. 

The leaves dressed in their rich autumn hues are still a delight.

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” -                                                                          Emily Bronte

NOURISH:

With cool evenings making their presence  known we enjoyed soups again this month. I tried out a leek and potato soup as well as a delicious beef goulash and vegetable soup, topped with sour cream. Definitely a winning recipe and one I will be making again. 

My dear visiting sister and her hubby blessed us with kilos of apples, freshly picked at an apple farm in Elgin.

 I made the usual apple and oats breakfast bake for hubby, a spicy apple crumble and loads of freshly juiced apples with ginger and mint. 

I discovered "apple pie" water, a refreshing drink. 

To make it, place sliced apple in a jug, add a stick of cinnamon , half fill the jug with ice and then add water. The flavour develops over time and one can keep topping it up with fresh water for a period of about 3 days. 

Far healthier than a soda and so yummy!

PREPARE: 

This month I pickled chili from our abundant harvest and marinaded peppers. 

I paid a visit to the local Foodies and picked up nuts, throat lozenges and mayonnaise at greatly reduced prices.

REDUCE: 

 I tackled the spice cupboard, my mosaic supplies and my linen cupboard. Empty bottles were recycled, junk thrown out and things no longer in use were passed on. 

I was hoping to do way more as I had found an encouraging blog about reducing and de-cluttering 40 bags in 40 days.

  Perhaps this month will be a better month.

GREEN: 

Nothing new here.

GROW: 

We harvested various types of chili, green and red peppers,  

herbs, baby tomatoes, lemons and granadillas. 

I planted carrots, peas and sweet-pea seeds. 

The nursery's free gift this month was 2 parsley plants.

My Dad delivered a bag of Alpaca manure which we have been using in the veg and flower beds. 

CREATE: 

 I enjoyed various knitting projects in April and continued working on my mosaic projects. 

I couldn't resist this pink, white and lilac self striping yarn for a beanie for my friend's little granddaughter. 

Another friend received this chunky knit snood as a birthday gift. 

My sister and her hubby each picked out their favorite yarn for scarves too. 

I love the colour my sister chose. 

It has a fine thread of silver in it, giving it that extra sparkle and charm. 

The pattern is very simple: knit 4 rows; on the 5th row, knit two, yarn over and then knit two together, repeating to the end of the row, knitting last two stitches. Repeat knit four rows and on the 5th, make the holes until you have the desired length for the scarf. 

DISCOVER:

Oh dear, I need more hours in a day. I have a growing pile of books I want to read but just never seem to get there! 

School reading with my youngest has been about Ancient China.

ENHANCE: 

My neighbour had an operation which has made her pretty immobile for now. It was good to be able to do errands for her and even practice my rusty nursing skills and do a dressing change for her. She is one of the kindest and most generous people I know, who is always there for others, so it was rewarding to be able to do something for her for a change. 

The teen connect group continues to meet here once a week and hubby and I attend our weekly connect group too.

We gave clothing to the teen group as they collected clothing and bric a brac for victims of shack fires. 

ENJOY:

It was wonderful to see my sister and her husband again. We spent Easter Sunday with our Dad, enjoying fine weather, a delicious South African braai and good laughs. 

Our eldest went to his girlfriend's matric dance. They looked beautiful.

We celebrated birthdays with friends and my sweet nephew's third birthday.

Our youngest son was baptized.

 It was certainly an enjoyable month with many memory making moments. 

Thanks Christine for the monthly link up.

 It's been fun to look back.