Seedlings - literal and metaphorical

Term 3 has kicked off with a bang and I am feeling very optimistic that the second half of the year is going to be a bit smoother than the first.

I think we are often given challenging situations to learn from. I find that I rally and rage when things are tough, but I come out the other end with clarity as to what I want/need to do. I'm grateful for the people who listen and support me through it all.

The Creative Journalling course has started back up and I got a spot which I'm very happy about. This term we are going to be doing an equal mix of writing and art and keeping a visual journal.

We did the covers on Tuesday and this is mine -
It's not quite finished and is bound to evolve through the course.


Last week I got busy in the garden and did up a few trays of seedlings. I went out the other morning and they're already up and started. I think the clear plastic over the top made a big difference, as the last lot without it took a few weeks to get going.

Aren't they lovely!

Compost

I just spread out my first load of home-made compost! Very exciting! (well, if you're a gardener you might understand...)

I built our compost bins using 5 old pallets that were out the back. I held them upright using star pickets (again, they were out the back) and secured them with some found wire.

You can see them behind the retro strawberry stand.
I lined the left bay with cardboard and then covered it with black plastic, leaving the floor open. The plastic was left over pond liner from the tip shop, so it was made from all recycled materials and it cost me nothing.

I've only been filling it for about 4mths and got out 5 wheelbarrow loads of compost. I took off the top layer and put it into the next bay, ready to begin the next lot.

We have used foodscraps, newspaper, grass clippings, manure, seaweed, leaves (green and dried), dust from sweeping and vacuuming the house, lint from the dryer, hay from the rabbit hutch and dirt.

I spread it around the bananas -

And made a new garden bed for the garlic, another fruit tree and some herbs. I have put some potatoes at one end as well. I lightly dug up the ground, spread out the compost, some sheep manure and then topped with pea straw.

It's all being watered in by the rain as I write this.

Tuesday is Art Day!

It was the last day of the Creative Journalling course today. We only had four people turn up but it was still great.

Over the term, we have done quite a few different projects. Board books, painting, stamping, fabric and a project that was about celebrating the everyday things in our life. I had quite a few different ideas but the common theme was Nature, so I went with that.



This photo doesn't capture the 3-dimensional aspect of this piece very well but you get the idea. It is textured and has pieces attached that I collected over a month of 'daily life'. Shells, beads, pebbles, etc.
I still have things to do on it, including adding the poem which relates Nature to the viewer as I perceive it.
Trying to capture Nature in any medium is a challenge.

Koa, swimming lessons and making faces!

Our very excitable and aptly named dog, Koa (it means happiness in Maori), died on Saturday after only being with us 5mths.

We found out that he had jumped over the front fence on Saturday morning to follow another dog, been hit by a car, a stranger had taken him to the vet and the vet had had to put him down. This is the second dog we've lost this way in two years - we lived on the farm the first time.

It is very sad and DragonGirl is finding it the hardest. The first dog, Jake, was her best friend and it took her quite a bit to be open and loving in the same way with Koa.

On a brighter note, this week is swimming lessons for the homeschooled kids in our area. It means not only time in the pool for the kids but also time for the parents to catch up with eachother from the sidelines. (I got to chat with some mum's today that I haven't seen since last year's lessons.)

We had Cal with us today and he wasn't allowed to swim. He and Boo entertained themselves with cars, food and colouring. They were so good, especially considering how much they both love the water! Boo will be able to swim tomorrow which he will be very pleased about.

Some of Boo's antics at the table tonight:

He can be very cheeky! Corby, DragonGirl and Boo were trying out their Best Funny Face. I got a few good pics for the album.

The wild weather is on it's way

We are expecting a 5m swell this weekend at our favourite beach, with some wind, rain and the occassional thunderstorm thrown in.

That means the kids and I will be on the sand all rugged up while Corby goes out for a surf. He hasn't been able to go for the last 3 weekends, so nothing short of the ocean freezing over is likely to keep him out of the water.

DragonGirl ready to go!