Wednesday, October 19, 2011

housekeeping, garden mending

Mama and Popa's garden is abound with edible treats (and plastic snakes to scare away the birds). It's fun to photograph and even more enjoyable to pick and choose - rocket or kale? carrots or coriander? chilli or kumquat? I love wandering in the garden that I grew up in and discovering the latest council pick-up treasure (iron gate, cane basket, terracotta pot).

I usually come home with a bouquet of herbs, a bag full of greens and a mind full of wondering why my own vegie patch is nothing more than a cluster of weeds. I think I've inherited the "green thumb" but I'm definitely hindered by time. At least that's my excuse. It seems that growing herbs, cherry toms and snow peas on my balcony is not a problem but wandering down the stairs and into my back garden is.

So, it was with serendipitous fortune that I read Greener at the Grassroots in a recent issue of the Sydney Morning Herald (a complimentary gift with my homeshop delivery).

"If it's important to you, you'll find the energy for it. It becomes less of a chore and more of a lifestyle...the rhythm of making things becomes a joy."

I stuck the article and it's accompanying photo on my fridge and every day I'm reminded of Annie's words of comforting wisdom.

My vegie patch isn't visible just yet, but my intention is blossoming, abundantly so.

The rhythm of dreaming, planning and foreseeing is a joy in itself.

21 comments:

  1. I need to take heed of these wise words of wisdom :) I got as far as two large herb pots...the rest is still in my head.

    x

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  2. i like the pictures! i need a garden.

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  3. Thank you Jodi. I enjoyed that article and meant to save it and check out Annie's blog. But then the paper was tossed and i hadn't gotten around to searching for it online. You saved me the effort ;-)

    I totally agree that the 'dreaming, planning and foreseeing is a joy in itself.' My garden is a neglected mess, but i'm OK with that as I know as soon as I have the time all my plans will come to fruition.

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  4. i really love the last image jodi. it's very homemade.

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  5. I think I need those words in poster size :) I know what you mean. Next year, we're going to simplify the veg plot and flowers and not be so hard on ourselves. These are lovely photos. I love the wooden chair x

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  6. Such true words, thankyou for sharing. How wonderful to have those childhood garden memories and for them to be carried on still for your children.

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  7. How gorgeous feeding your family with food grown by your parents in the garden you played in as a child. So beautiful! x

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  8. Oh I am so glad you happened upon the article about the beautiful Annie, as you may have seen in my blog she is an inspiration in every way shape and form. oh to have some Annie in your life is a marvellous thing. the world is a small and wonderful place. xxx

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  9. It's a lovely thought isn't it. I'm also looking forward to an abundant and thriving garden. At the moment I've had a huge win with seed planting. Ironically, we leave for 5 weeks on the road on Monday so fat lot of good all those tiny plants do me! They will be given away, some planted in perhaps and I'll try again when we get back! While we're gone I'll keep dreaming, planting and forseeing.

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  10. Beautifully said Jodi. I long for the green thumb my parents AND my grandparents all have/had, but much like yourself, I feel so time poor right now. Though it is one of my aims to start making some time, to turn our little yard into a proper garden. Nothing better for children than being involved in the entire process too, so enriching. Look forward to reading about your gardening dreams becoming a reality :o) xo

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  11. Annie's house sounds idyllic and it was in the city, by the sound of it. It's proof it can be done. I am finding my garden such a solace at the moment, it stretches my limbs and I'm out in the sunshine and I can cook from it and bring blooms inside. I love it especially at this time of year.

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  12. I would LOVE a full vegie garden, but for now the kids and I are growing fruit and vegetables in 3 half wine barrels! My kids love watering each night, and I love watching them. It's actually really exciting to see something start as a flower, and then turn into something we can eat! x

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  13. One day I would like to grow my own vegies. It's a big commitment, though, and I need to be completely ready. x

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  14. Beautiful photographs, as for dreaming of a garden of delights, it feels like a long time coming, maybe next year!
    Dx

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  15. Lovely blog! You have beautiful photo's! I've recently made a veggie garden, I can't wait to start eatting from it!

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  16. The beauty of a vege garden is you can let it run wild, then reinvest time, then let it run wild and it will forgive you all the way along. I always find when my babies are young I let it go, as they grow I spend more time with it.

    Beauty of a permaculture garden is that it is meant to be left to its own devices for most of the time... thanks goodness for much distracted mums like me!

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  17. gorgeous photos, love the potting shed shot.. all potting sheds look that way don't they? xxx

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  18. We are in the process of getting some recycled potato boxes to plant our vegies in and the kids are SO excited.
    It is time that is hard for us too but I think one weekend of focus to get everything to come together and then the pure excitement of seeing things grow will keep us going!
    I love the idea of plastic snakes .. think I might just have to try that too!

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  19. That plastic snake made me jump the other day- i do believe i gave a little yelp too. Your dad laughed.

    xo em

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  20. "If it's important to you, you'll find the energy for it. It becomes less of a chore and more of a lifestyle...the rhythm of making things becomes a joy."

    i know it's talking about gardening but this is exactly how i feel when people ask me, "how do you find the time [to sew and make stuff]?"

    and those photos? stunning
    X

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  21. That's my sister. She is so amazing and talented. Check out her blog.

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