June has been a confusing month for me and as I sit here
typing this up I am trying to make sense of it. I do know that I have turned
some corners in my mind and heart about certain issues and that it’s a month
with half school, half holiday. June has also brought the intense cold and
layers of clothes, warm fires, comfort food and rain have all caused the
hibernation instinct to kick in but the “get-things-done” mentality won’t let
up. Either way here is/was our month…joining in with
Christine's Slow Living Month by Month
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| Our June garden |
NOURISH: Soups are IT in our home for lunch every weekday. This means stock making is on the
weekly to do list. Our bodies are craving steamy sweet puddings with custard
and curries and stews. It makes sticking to a low carb diet very hard. My
younger daughter is baking up brownies, cupcakes and vanilla sponges at the
moment and my son experimenting with the new chickens we are selling to local
customers.
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| Blueberry and apple pie smothered in custard |
We bought 10kgs of blueberries when they were cheap and in season and we have loads left until they come in again.
PREPARE: The big thing this month was olive curing time. I have cured
our own olives for about 4 years now and I look forward to it each year. When
the
20kgs of Black Mission olives arrive I do a little inward groan as I have
to change the water every day for 2 weeks before brining, but I know that these
beauties once cured will add flavour to salads through summer, end up in
tapenade, on pizzas in pasta sauces or for snacks for another 9 months.
REDUCE: Still working on the less plastic goal and have to battle “green
guilt” when I miss my own goal. Going to push the boundaries on this category –
but I am also trying to reduce spending. I really want to be less reliant on
running out to the shop to buy something when I can put a decent meal together
from the ingredients in our home.
For instance I needed Harissa Paste for a
delicious yoghurt sauce with pita breads this month so I found a recipe and
made it at home instead. I have learnt that if I buy the “raw materials” I can
make things for a fraction of the cost and without the additives and
preservatives.
GREEN: My first citrus
cleaners are being used this week and are so delightful. There is a peace of
mind that comes from knowing what is in the product that I am using in my home
– simple vinegar, orange/lemon rind and water. It works like a dream cutting
through grease and it also leaves the knitted dish clothe smelling faintly of
citrus.
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| Soap nuts |
I have also bought some soap nuts to try out in my laundry
and dishwasher. I really hope they give the results I am expecting.
GROW: Pineapples it is! I
received a
wonderful frugal tip on my green website about growing a pineapple
from the fronds and am giving it a try…will let you know in 18 months! We are
eating chard, peas, herbs, bok choi, spring onions and lettuce from the garden.
CREATE: Knitting a bit slow this month but managed to knit my girls
their slouch berets.
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| My son's free range chickens - FOR SALE NOW! |
I also helped my son “create” a new business
. He is now
distributing free range pasture fed chickens and eggs, and some pork, to families in Cape
Town. We hope this will grow and that he will eventually be able to have a good
network throughout Cape Town.
DISCOVER: I found a
food blog the other day that I have been
meaning to go and look through. It doesn’t look like it is added to regularly
but there are great recipes in the archives.
ENHANCE: I organized an outing to the Tokai Arboretum for a group of
families and a fungus fundi. We had great fun looking for mushrooms then
identifying them and learning a little bit about the many many different types
that grow in our pine forest.
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| Pine Rings |
I came home with some delicious Pine Rings which ended up in
a risotto.
ENJOY: The beginning of the
month saw us going to one of our favourite getaways in the Grabouw mountains.
It was a wonderful time with friends although a little short.
My walks with dog,
child/ren and friend are always special.
Loving warm fires in
the evening, the rain on some days, the mild winter sunshine, the eggs from our
chickens, my children with me always and the kindness of my husband.
Other members of my
family are enjoying rugby most Saturdays, often at the stadium. So glad they can
experience this with their Dad.
Youngest one played
in a 3 day tennis tournament and we all went to watch his matches. So good to
see him play after 4 years of hard work learning the skills.
Well that’s it for
this month….how was yours?
