Spring musings

 I never remember how incredible spring is. The frogs in our yard are loudly clacking all day and night, windows are open, the moist garden has been turned over and re-composted. All is verdant and alive, soaking up the sun and warm north wind, beginning to move again, waking from winter's dormant months. 
Blossoms everywhere, blushing at the sides of muddy roads and gracing the lines of orchard trees. 

 I can feel the spring cleaning bug coming on, the need to overturn and pare back to just the things I need. As William Morris so wisely puts it 'Do not have anything in your house that you do not believe to be useful or beautiful'. 

Yesterday as I weeded the garden, uncovering fecund soil, I watched my chickens peck at the grubs and critters as I blow their cover, loving the gentle (and not so) rhythm of nature. My feet and knees filthy, my heart contented from sitting amongst the humus and debris of my spring garden. 

I came in and ordered a batch of organic spring seeds, hoping the warmer months will send my plants thriving. 

Today was slow, I cooked, washed, sat and wrote. We're going skiing this weekend. 
Loving spring...

††† Twenty †††

I am now 20 years old. fancy that!
As per tradition, we went to the Dandenongs (with dear Callisha and Michelle) after University to sit at Ripe cafe and soak up the gorgeous sun through the Mountain Ash trees. Oh boy I love those trees, they feel like a mother, safe and comforting around me. I'd like to build a house amongst them.
I was given such beautiful presents, it seems as i get older, people begin to know me more and find things i really love. I now have a Swift (!), a handmade wool poncho, a leather punch tool, a new pair of leggings from Blackbirdtees, my own moomintroll mug with Snuffkin painted on it! and a few other knick-knacks to add to my life. joy.

    

           

Then a delicious dinner with friends - black bean noodles, beet/potato sauce, salad graced with my microgreens, lentil loaf, roast vegies and yellow dhal. yum.

Garden Journal and my favourite mug

each morning i fill my favourite Moomintroll mug with a creamy, hot latte. This is my favourite morning ritual. and my favourite mug. did you used to read the Finn Family Moomintroll books?

And in my garden, little things are constantly pleasing me.

     handsome broccoli:::::::handsome basil.

 feathered parsley:::::::tiny pea babies

 hardy silverbeet::::::::delicate kale

also, i've been making Fullyraw Kristina's juice (here) and it really is incredible. i have never tasted something so much like sunshine in a cup. oh my god. 

 happy in the garden with the chooks

14/52

me::::: in a dirty mirror in my gardening getup. steamy morning shower.
garden:::::: newly sprung winter microgreens... so cute!

Love thy (awesome, veggie-growing) neighbour

- love
http://www.localharvest.org.au/

My Garden Journal

Yesterday I put in my seed order with Digger's Club - silverbeet, kale, parsnip, peas, lettuce, broccoli and... Microgreens! (inspired by M and N's microgreen crop planted in split bamboo!)
I discovered we already have leftover seeds for spinach, roquette, broad beans, carrots, coriander, parsley beets and basil. As I'm going to be here at home for the whole year I'd really like to take care of my garden properly and see if I can provide part of our winter and spring cooking needs. The plants still left in the garden from last year (namely tuscan kale and parsley) I'll let go to seed and see if I can salvage the seeds. Our herb garden of sage, thyme, rosemary and oregano is still going strong and has been for years and a hilarious rhubarb plant that never stops resurrecting itself when it dies every few months.
I'm waiting for a cool day to muck out the chook pen and add it and the compost/leaf mulch to the garden. There is rain and cool weather forecast later this week, I actually get tingly with excitement about rain! For now, in my fan-cool bedroom I am reading Dig, Organic gardening and consulting pinterest for tips and green-thumb advice to make sure I can properly care for my plants this time around.