Monday 9 January 2017

As Days Go


Well, I'm just so glad I didn't let on to anybody what my New Year goals were. One of them has gone belly up already.
I'd had this foolish thought that I would write a blog post every day!!
Ha!
However, I'm getting over my sense of failure as, nine days later, I haven't written a single word.
Anyway, who am I to think that anyone would want to hear from me every day?  ;)
My other goal for this year is to take some short breaks, or even just have a day away from the farm, visit  friends, go somewhere new within my own state.  So I'm pleased to report that a few day outings have been written into my diary for this month, and a three night short holiday has been booked for further along the track, but more about that one later.
I love being at home as you, dear reader, would well know by now, but I think that seeing new places is enriching, and educating. I never want to stop educating myself.

Meanwhile, here at Jembella, every day is packed full. I now prefer to say that my life is full, NOT busy. There was a time when I thought that being busy validated my worth as a human, and I don't want to think that way any more.
I want to be occupied, I want to achieve things every day, I want to sit and read for a little while every day too, but I no longer want to feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done here on the property every day.
I'm learning more every day about living in the moment. It takes a conscious effort to stop my mind from its busy-ness and to think about what I'm doing when hanging out the washing, feeding the pigs, milking the cow, and all of those other mundane tasks. By slowing down just a tiny bit, and thinking about how lucky I am to have all this, making the time to do it all properly with intention, the mundane tasks take on a new light.
Oh yes it's all very well to say this, and I know it wouldn't work if I was still working at my paid job for more days than I do now.  The sense of calm that I feel since cutting back my working days by just one day, has gifted me the most amazing balance to life.
I feel like I'm now living the dream.. and I am.

 Brian's bumper garlic crop.



The stone fruit crops in South Australia have been affected by the crazy weather this spring and summer, and our apricot pick was hardly enough to do much with.
I froze a few fresh ones before packing into vacuum sealed bags to put in the freezer. 
Freeze halves on a tray, before packing so the vacuum sealer doesn't suck out the juice when sealing.



We had a couple of hot days last week so, needing an inside occupation to escape the heat, I pickled some of the cucumbers that keep landing on the kitchen bench from the garden.
I used this recipe from Rhonda's Down to Earth blog. I made them last year too and they remained crisp all year, developing better flavors the longer they were kept. I always make a triple batch, and add a piece of garlic and chilli to some of the jars.

 Our breakfast juice every morning helps to use up some of the bounty from the garden.  Today's was made with peaches, zucchini, mint, carrots and cucumber.  A natural vitamin shot and great way to start the day.
I hope your New Year plans haven't gone pear shaped. Or have they? Do tell. ;)


23 comments:

  1. g'day there!
    i think you say more when you don't post too often as much more has happened. a great garlic haul there too brian!
    it's been unusual weather here too, mostly hot but we did get some rain end of last week
    love seeing your gardens, it all looks so green
    i'll be mowing for the next month, the grass is almost waist high in some places!
    thanx for sharing

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    1. Mowing is not my favorite job Selina, and usually at this time of year we are dry, no green grass anywhere. We had more rain yesterday, so another mowing will be needed next week. I love this bit of dampness that we're getting this year, but it has upset many of the plants, trees and the bees. Just not used to it.

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  2. I love the table in the entrance way there, Sally. My Grandmother had an old Singer machine and I remember sitting there with her, trying to reach the pedal. The new year is beginning to unfold, we'll have a birthday to celebrate in a few days time, school will begin again. Life is full but I do love to begin those days out in the garden, it brings a sense of peace and of calm. Meg:)

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    1. Thanks for sharing that special memory Meg. This year is in full swing already, and I agree, the mornings are lovely for a spot of gardening.

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  3. I'd like to read your posts often!. There aren't that
    many South Aussie bloggers and it's always nice to
    find all those references to places I know.

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    1. Thanks Barbara, I think realistically, daily posts just wouldn't happen, but I am going to aim to write a bit more often. Thanks for reading, and for commenting. I wonder which part of SA you are from? :)

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  4. Hehe I save time by not making any resolutions. I don't know how you were going to post daily and get out and about so I think you made the right choice! The juice looks very refreshing, I hate cleaning the juicer though.

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    1. Cleaning the juicer is the only bit I dread Liz, but the pigs love the pulp, otherwise I freeze some of it to add fibre to the dog's stews. One day someone will invent an easy clean juicer.

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  5. LOL Sally, your new years resolution made me chuckle. I thought to myslef I would like to blog twice a week again. But Im not sure if I can find the content at the moment if im honest.

    My goal is to reduce waste in our everyday lives, be in the moment more, re-establish various routines which have lapsed this year which has upset me greatly.

    Im glad to hear your taking some much needed breaks!

    xx

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    1. Emma I hope you get the balance back in your life again after such a hectic year in 2016. :) X

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  6. I think trying to blog daily would turn it into a chore instead of simply doing a post when you have news to share, knowledge to impart or just some cracking good photos to share and are much more in the mood for one of your lovely chatty posts.

    I need to pickle some cucumbers from this years crop when we finally get round to growing again. It's not been the same without homegrown pickles over the last few months.

    Next Summer we are starting a farm gate stall along the lines of yours. Starting with whatever bits and bobs we have over from our own needs, veggie, plants, jams etc and then soon after small wooden items made by my Lovely Hubby. This is the year he gives up the 'day job' except for a three yearly work stint of a couple of weeks, so we need to start pulling in a small regular income in a way we enjoy.

    My New Year plans have gone great .... I have decided to be vegan and it's turning out very well, I feel fantastic and raring to go. :-)

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    1. Sue, I think being vegan would be much easier than the diets that forbid grains and fruit. Do you plan to be vegan long term? Great to hear that you will start a farm gate stall. Ours has been here for a couple of years now, sales started off slow, but have steadily increased beyond our expectations. You will love it, as I do. So much fun playing shops. ;)

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  7. Sally, I haven't really made any New Year resolutions as I always forget what they are anyway :-) I know I want to improve my knitting and crochet skills and I have a paver I am going to do a mosiac design on but I would like to finish off things that I have started. I hope you have a wonderful year and don't blog every day or I would never keep up. Ha ha! I have trouble keeping up with everyone now.

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    1. Lol you make me chuckle Chel, I never really make New Year resolutions, just aim to improve myself and perhaps become a better person each year. I look forward to seeing what you do with your mosiac, it's one of things on my list too. I can't keep up with the blog reading either, so don't feel bad. X

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  8. My new year resolution is to declutter and it actually started today, thanks to my hard working daughter. She and my grandson even took all my unwanted stuff to the op shop. I truly feel 'lighter' now that my craft room is tidy and cleaner. The spare bedrooms are next on the list.

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    1. I think de-cluttering is on the list of so many of us Yvonne. I know I'm constantly filling a bag to drop off at the op-shops. You describe the feeling of lightness so well. I was forced to de-clutter both spare bedrooms late last year when we had a house full of guests. Many things too good to give away, were shoved in places in other rooms too, and I'm still having trouble locating some things. :)

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  9. Sally I too used to feel 'being busy validated my worth as a human being'. It has taken me most of my 64 years to figure out that there are no 'Busy Police' out there who will come and chastise me for taking a 'Me Break'. It is good to step back and just take time out while I am able to enjoy it. I have not been blessed with good health so everything I do takes longer than I'd like but I still get my jobs done...and I take a 'Me Break' every day now.

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    1. Merryl, I think that after turning 60 years old we deserve to start enjoying some time for ourselves. Your "Me Breaks" sound perfect.

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  10. You nailed this post Sally!

    Sounds just like the way my brain thinks!

    Back in 2007 I wanted to blog everyday, but the pressure soon took hold and then the joy faded. I did regular blogging for quite a while, then the past few years I just couldn't seem to find the right words or motivation or something, and I thought I had finished with blogging.

    Then this year I had a new brainwave. To blog more about the simple things, the things that make me happy. There is a lot of not so good things happening around our town, but I am trying not to be negative at all (its hard work at times). I am refraining from blogging about it, as I want my little blog to be a happy peaceful place. Somewhere where I can go to get away from the world.

    I like your statement about being full rather than busy. It sounds so much better doesn't it?

    No resolutions for this year. I just want to be happier and enjoy life to the fullest.

    xTania

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    1. I love your refusal to be negative Tania. I wish a few more folks would take a leaf out of your book of positivity. My journalism studies always drummed into us that we MUST write something every day, and it's true that the longer my breaks from writing, the harder it is to form the words. However, now I just don't have the discipline or energy to write every day, but it's always fun to get a new blog written isn't it.

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  11. A blog post every day!? Ain't nobody got time for that gurl!

    You must have had one too many wines for Xmas dinner.

    We love your posts whenever they come - don't change a thing.

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  12. Haha Mr HM, one too many wines for sure. And thanks for your kind words. :)

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  13. Sally that is exactly why I don't have a Blog. Who on Earth would want to read about the minutiae of my daily life? You keep on blogging just like you are please :-)

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