We had a few days of heavy rain this past week, which curtailed all my gardening plans. But with every cloud, there is indeed a silver lining. We have had no rain since the end of March, apart from one morning when it pretty much evaporated before it hit the ground, so these days and nights of constant downpour from heaven were greatly needed and much rejoicing was made.
My only complaint was finding the passionfruit vine raided by our local cockatoos. A few were scattered over the backyard and immediately I knew that was because I'd forgotten to fill the bird feeder with sunflower seeds, so I quickly remedied the situation and saved the rest of our passionfruits.
It was providential that just as the rain set in I read this quote by Louisa May Alcott - "Go on with your work as usual, for work is a blessed solace."
With that in mind I considered indoor tasks for occuplying my time and hands, tasks separate to my ordinary housework routines. We had run out of strawberry jam, so one morning I made four jars...
And of course, once I got started in the kitchen, it seemed a good idea to keep making and baking. Soon followed small spanakopitas for hubby and I, plus a larger one for my Cypriot/Greek son-in-law Ross who only gets to enjoy the foods of his heritage when I make them for him (this naturally makes me a popular and much loved mother-in-law). I also baked a sour dough loaf (it is still rising in the photo below)...
...and baked later that day.
We were out of breakfast cereal so I made up a large batch of delicious granola...
...which we have with Greek yoghurt (me), or milk (hubby), fresh blueberries and raspberries.
I also baked peanut butter cookies and rock cakes, by which time I was ready to enjoy a tall glass of herbal tea whilst waiting to bake the bread. I make a large pot every morning at sunrise, after picking a variety of herbs from the garden. That first cup is hot, but later in the day and in the evening I have it over ice.
This tea was made with fresh mint, rosemary, self-heal and tulsi, plus dried ginger, sliced lemon, and dried rosehips. It's absolutely delicious!
Afternoons were mostly to do with sewing, reading, and working on the herbal remedies course I began recently. I'm also continuing to sort out the sewing room, as I have a good deal of fabric in plastic tubs that must be sold soon and they take up precious space. But bit by bit it's coming together nicely...
These rainy days also gave me more time to complete another couple of UFO projects. One of them is a favourite pattern of mine, as it's very near to my heart!
You may have seen it HERE in my shop? Now it has been given a purpose as a notebook cover to keep track of my long list of partially made, ongoing, applique quilt projects...
Once the cover was completed, I listed all the quilt projects on the first page, and then chose one to work on this week.
I think if I do a block or two each week these lovely quilts will eventually be made, so I'm using this notebook as a journal now, with a hand written update every Sunday of what I made, and for which quilt, in the previous week.
For this week I chose
Anni Down's "Where We Love is Home" to work on. About half the blocks were already made, and as I do love needleturn applique so very much, rather than one block I ended up making another three. My colours are much brighter than the ones Anni used in her version, though I'm trying to keep a vintage feel to the fabrics I have chosen...and I'm only using what is on hand, not buying any fabrics at all.
I'm wondering if I'll keep going with this quilt, or switch things up to a different one next week? Mmm...decisions. Maybe stay with this right now and see how far I'll get by the end of the month.
Reading has been a mix of library books, and books off my shelf, with the focus being on living with a Mediterranean diet for better health. I had a wonderful chat with my doctor recently and though she is Indian, she is a great encourager for using the Mediterranean diet (diet as in a healthier way of eating as we age, not a weight loss diet) and as hubby's ancestry is Italian, and Ross's is Cypriot/Greek, the whole family is happy to know I'll be planning our menus around traditional foods from those regions in future.
With the books off my shelf the focus is on a few things - herbs, foraging, more food, and a wonderful book set in England during WW2.
And there's always time, rain or shine, for Bible study...
Finally the sun came out!!
And I did not need to water the garden, in fact, today I only need to water the potted plants and herbs as the ground is still wet three days later.
The cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets and red tailed parrots are happy as can be, and I am not forgetting to top up their feeder. I love sitting outside watching them, listening to their chatter and squabbles with each other....
Out the front, we have kookaburras on the power lines every morning laughing up a storm and causing me to stop what I'm doing and just gaze at them with pure delight. They truly are my favourite bird.
Now that it's sunny and blue skies, I am back to sitting under the large poinciana tree to watch the to-ings and fro-ings of life in and about our quarter acre every afternoon. The late winter garden is bursting with life, and this recent rain is part of the reason.
I have taken quite a liking to homemade mayo and sliced tomato on sour dough toast, with a sprinking on fresh basil, for lunch - the sunshine and very warm days seem to call for it...
...and a cool snack of watermelon and passionfruit is perfect when sitting in the garden.
Each day I pick a bunch of herbs to serve in meals, or make teas, and there's always a few cherry tomatoes and chillies as well. We decided not to grow tomatoes or cucumbers this season after the infestation of bugs the previous four growing seasons, but hubby ended up planting one cherry tomato up the back beside the pool and though it doesn's supply all our tomato needs, we do very much enjoy just snacking on them.
The herbs below -parlsey, spring onion and dill - were used in the spanakopita.
I really do believe the sentiment in that quote, for no matter what is happening in life, as much as is possible, stick with your usual rhythms and routines. Having a routine is one of the kindest things I do for myself as a homemaker living a gentle domestic life, and there is indeed solace, comfort, and a firm reassurance for our family when they see Mother going about her day in the usual way.
As a child I found this with Nana, and I believe its why those childhood memories of life with her are so indelibly eteched in my memories.
I had forgotten some of my childhood, by choice at first when it came to the bad memories of my father, but over time I no longer think of those bad times, but have gathered to my heart the GOOD memories, the patient and self-sacrificing love of my Nana and Pop - and everything else has drifted away like dandelions blown in the wind.
If I can offer any words of advice today, it would be to let go of the hard memories, and treasure the goods ones. Fill your heart with goodness, and close the door on memories that draw you into a dark place. Pray and ask the Lord to help you do this - He helped me by shining the Light of Christ into every room in my mind, so that over time, the dark rooms no longer came into view. I am so grateful for the gift of Jesus, for the hope and happiness which fill my heart each and every day! I pray that for you too, my sweet friend.
Another week is passed...I wonder what next week will bring? Let me know how you are this month. Many of you are no-reply commenters, but rest assured I read every comment, I pray for you, and I am also encouraged BY you.
Till next time, bless you...
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