Community Gardens: Veggie garden!

On this blustery autumn day, the veggie patch took shape as 3 cubic metres of rather smelly, highly fertile, organic garden soil was delivered and shoveled into the vacant beds. A new side bed was also created. I am absolutely thrilled about the progress, and next weeks planting out and sowing of seeds can't come soon enough. I know, spoken like a true gardening fanatic :)

Take a look at today's pics...

This is what nearly $200 buys you- 3 cubic metres of dirt. Small investment when you consider how many families will benefit from the produce that will grow here.

Paul and Shane did their usual, phenomenal effort today.

Here, hubby is creating the new narrow side bed, which will be perfect for mint and coriander.

And here is the bed, lined and filled ready for planting.

Hubby cut pavers to fit into the fiddly gaps.

Today, we have also discovered the playground may be going soon. I'm happy- more sun on my garden!

Paul set this trellis into the ground in the perfect spot for tomatoes.

Paul doing a brilliant job cleaning up excess soil. 

The trellis leaning on the wall will be attached with stakes hopefully by next week.

And here it is, the blank canvas veggie garden!

I even have a big pot ready for a dwarf lemon tree, and bathtubs filled ready for herbs.

I am genuinely thrilled about the progress, and so grateful for our hard working team. 

Over the next couple of weeks, staggered planting and sowing will happen, guaranteeing crops that don't all mature in one go. Anyone for 3 million kilos of zucchini...

Watch this space- more to come soon!

As always, thanks for reading :)

Community Gardens update: Easter celebrations!

I'm so excited to share this post with you! So many positive things happening, and I for one am thrilled :)

But don't just take my word for it, check these out...

It's Easter egg hunting time! 

Love this Easter bunting across the entrance.

Cute bunny feet lead the way.

This way!

Balloons mark the treasures.

Kids everywhere! Love it!

To see others using the garden for social, fun things really, really blesses me. Though sick at home, when my eldest daughter sent me some pics, I was instantly cheered up. The garden is being used to create fun memories!!!

Now, onto other things. Thanks so, so much to Paul, who gave up his Good Friday to weed this area. And what an incredible job too! Saved me so much stress. All I need to do is mulch and water now.

Except for the daisies, which clearly do not enjoy being submerged in murky water, the other plants are bouncing back to life. Yay!

Even the agapanthus are bursting with bright green new growth after being completely submerged in the floodwater.

My man is amazing. Just because I'd been feeling down recently, and always wanted a veggie garden, he decided Friday was the day to build it.

Paul also put in a phenomenal day and not only cleaned up, but also helped build with hubby.

Of course, heavy lifting was not an option for me, so me and my cute little helper got onto other tasks, like weeding, pruning, planting and watering.

Framework getting assembled.

Taking shape!

Hubby drilling things into place.

The beds are actually quite huge.

Back to the front garden, and here, a marigold reseeded itself and is blooming quite happily.

Love plants that thrive on neglect :)

Some more happy, neglected flowers.

After tidying up the hedges and weeding, my sweet girl helped me plant 'nuts', otherwise known as Jonquil bulbs :) Hopefully, by the end of winter, this blank patch of dirt will be filled with heavenly scented blooms.

Some more sawing, and the frame is nearly done.

With the frame in place, Paul begins laying the paver pathway. 

While the path was going in, I went for a little walk to explore. The garden is growing well after the floods. The mother-in-law's-tongue in the left foreground has started sending up new shoots, meaning the slope will be stable soon.

And, here it is, the almost ready to plant out veggie garden! A few bits and pieces of cut pavers need to go in, the grass needs turning and removing, and then, some quality dirt will be added so it's ready for planting.

Hubby and my sweet girl checking out the new pathway that leads around the garden. So exciting to see this much progress in one day!

 The lattice will be attached to the wall so vines can grow up it. Soon, this space will be bursting with herbs, edible flowers and veggies!!!

Watch this space!

And there you have it, a lotta positive progress, cute kids and Easter hunts. Can't wait to bring you much more soon!

Thanks for reading :)

When a spanner gets thrown into the works: acute pancreatitis.

ABOUT ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas that is painful and at times deadly. Despite the great advances in critical care medicine over the past 20 years, the mortality rate of acute pancreatitis has remained at about 10%. Diagnosis of pancreatic problems is often difficult and treatments are therefore delayed because the organ is relatively inaccessible. There are no easy ways to see the pancreas directly without surgery, and available imaging studies are often inadequate. In addition to the acute form, there are hereditary and chronic forms of pancreatitis which can devastate a person over many years. Sufferers often endure pain and malnutrition, and are most likely left with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

The most common cause of acute pancreatitis is stones in the gallbladder. Gallstones pass through the common bile duct to enter the small intestine. At the entry of the small intestine, the main pancreatic duct joins or lies immediately next to the common bile duct. It is believed that stones that get stuck in the common bile duct impinge on the main pancreatic duct, causing an obstruction of the normal flow of pancreatic fluid and leading to pancreatic injury. Another way that a stone can cause pancreatitis is by causing a backflow of bile into the pancreatic duct, resulting in pancreatic injury. Whereas the actual mechanism of how gallstones cause pancreatitis is not entirely certain, the association of gallstones and pancreatitis is clear.

Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis: Fluids: One of the primary therapies for acute pancreatitis is adequate early fluid resuscitation, especially within the first 24 hours of onset. Pancreatitis is associated with a lot of swelling and inflammation. Giving fluids intravenously prevents dehydration and ensures that the rest of the organs of the body get adequate blood flow to support the healing process.

Information from The Pancreas Foundation.

This information comes courtesy to you after I was admitted to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning in excruciating pain.  I was woken from my sleep it was so bad, could barely walk, and at one point, breathing was difficult and I ended up in fetal position on the lounge.

Pretty scary stuff.

My abdomen was unbearably sore to touch, no position was comfortable. The pain radiated from under my ribs, right side, through to my middle back, I couldn't even stand water, nearly vomiting. It also hurt under my breast bone.

If you ever have these symptoms, go to hospital immediately! You will need help to recover and deal with the pain.

I was told that as my gallbladder was also inflamed, the most likely cause was gallstones. I was told to expect a week in hospital, first to let the swelling go down, and then surgery to remove my gallbladder.

Mid Sunday morning, pumped full of 3 lots of morphine and a couple of

Endone, I had detailed ultrasounds done. Another spanner in the works. No gallstones visible. Just a lot of swelling.

So, it was back to bed with a drip and clear fluids only.

Pain relief is reason to smile!

At this point, I honestly just wanted them to rip my gallbladder out and be done with it.

I responded well to the drip and clear fluids and the pain subsided to discomfort. I was discharged, pending further tests, late Monday afternoon.

And this is where the fun begins. Though feeling a little weak, and very constipated, my belly only felt a little grumbly. So, with my new, strict, hi-carb, low gi and low fat dietary guidelines, I felt all would be well.

Enter pain. Granted, not as severe, but oh my goodness. Half an hour after food and I'm doubled over, groaning. I'm also extremely weak now. And I'm still going to bed and waking up with abdo/ back pain.

I admit, not feeling particularly confident. Next Tuesdays appointment with my Dr can't come soon enough.

I've been through health scares before. It's the not knowing that utterly sucks. I want to know exactly what I'm up against, then fight the mongrel with everything in me, and with the power of my God as well.

Shout out to my amazing family, church and home, for being an incredible support, bringing things to hospital, delivering meals. And to my amazing hubby, you rock! Thanks for your unending patience and unconditional love. 

And shout out to the emergency and surgical ward staff at Tweed Hospital- you guys were amazing and made my stay completely bearable :)

Watch this space; I'll be keeping you informed, and posting new recipes as I re-tweak my entire diet!

A new direction.

Who'd have thought that something as horrible as losing estrogen would suck quite as much as it does, throwing out several body systems simultaneously, like eye sight, memory recall and concentration, the ability to not lose it in public and having energy. And don't even talk about sex! 

And, who'd have thought it would send my life in a new direction?

Powerful little bugger, really.

I feel like I'm finally coming out of the fog. While wearing gumboots, made of cement. 

I have just spent the past several months desperate to find a way to control and/or manage my symptoms. Symptoms that were affecting my ability to function normally. As a previous disability worker, I worked calmly under pressure with ease, usually with a lotta wit and humour, even in some pretty scary situations. With hormonal change, the slightest thing set me into a panic and/or tears. And wit? What wit?! That would require a functioning brain. 

It's quite weird and bizarre when this change hits you unprepared, and in the case of declining hormones, you find yourself acting like great Uncle Fred who lost his marbles years ago, or cranky pants Aunty Vera who nobody wants to visit.

That's why I blog this. To educate and inform. And to remind you, precious ladies, that this is natural, you are NOT going crazy-there is hope! Not everyone's going to get you, some may walk away. But hang in there! 

Fast forward to 4 different medications, some crazy side effects and a lot of $'s later, I'm finally on the right hormone dose for me. It doesn't send me into a rage, I'm not sleeping 3/4's of the day and still smashed, or crying because I'm overly sensitive to life. It's worth the exorbitant price tag because it's not covered by the PBS. I'm feeling human again.

It's when life throws you curve balls, even naturally occurring ones, most of us like to take stock of a few things, like where we are headed, what we really value, etc.

For me, hitting menopause is a very unsubtle reminder of the aging process. Face it, in 2 and a bit years, I'm half a century old. I'm actually not young anymore. 

I'm also a mother to a gorgeous, delightful little person who fills my world with laughter, hugs-often sticky, an abundance of joy, not a huge amount of regular sleep, tantrums, treasure  hunts, random dancing, endless 'catch me's!' and so much life. Children are so refreshing!

It's this that has prompted change. I'm half way through a writing degree. While I love creative writing, the prospect of working in an office on graduation left me feeling quite a bit blahhh. But writing down all the stories in my head and bringing them to life has filled me with a sense of excitement. I can still use what I've learnt. Isn't that the point?

And being away from my baby just to earn dollars also left me feeling uneasy inside. So, I'm currently undertaking study to become a Teacher's Aid. And I couldn't be happier.

I value being involved in community.

I value being an available mum.

I value being creative.

I love making people smile.

I love making people feel valued.

Time to make these things a reality.

I'm pulling myself away from distractions like certain social media, and getting my head stuck into moving myself into these above realities. It's going to be a busy, but wonderfully productive new season of journeying towards my dreams.

Spotty pj's and my new resource book. 

Perfect reading for the cooler days ahead.

Community gardens update: Floods!

I'm quite sure there aren't many of you who haven't heard about Cyclone Debbie or the extensive flooding that has hit northern NSW.

Honestly, it has been catastrophic for so many people. My initial response to the cyclone was casual. I've lived here for years, and almost everyone knows that a cyclone up north usually means heavy winds and rain a few days later down our way. A road may flood, it's a bit annoying, but it's no big deal.

Until now.

As I do this community garden post, the problems we face are absolutely trivial in light of what has happened. 

I'm still processing the damage that has occurred, and like most people, am helping in whatever way I can. Between us, hubby and I have donated time and money. Whatever you can give goes a long way- and help is still needed. Some people here have lost everything they owned, save the clothes on their back.

Some have even lost loved ones.

What does shine through though is how absolutely awesome our community is. Everyone wants to help out. It's a time to band together, and we are doing that well.

This is the back of my home. Never before have I seen the water level this high. I am so grateful there is a few metre drop behind our home, so this water didn't make it in.

The water came to the top of the long grass, centimeters away from spilling over into our yards.

This is the pathway and slope of the gardens. The slope is ebbed by floodwater. The path is under there somewhere.

The bridge handrails are just keeping themselves above water.

 

The slope from another angle. I can't see my bottlebrush shrubs at all :(

The bench is half underwater. The garden beds are almost completely submerged.

 

The pathway to the garden, leading to a murky brown lake.

 

Post floods, and the sludgy, smelly aftermath is revealed. The once white bridge needs a clean.

Drying out, but no where near dry yet. The ground is extremely boggy.

There are a few tyres stranded here and there.

Lots of debris, and a few large branches down, but nothing that can't be fixed.

This garden bed fared quite well. A blown away tarp is an easy fix!

The bridge is a little off balance, and this picnic table needs taking to with some hot, soapy water and a broom to brighten it up. 

Another stray tyre. The only issue with this garden is the explosion of weeds. That's a relatively easy fix also.

The chess board is still intact. Credit to hubby's skills! Like everything else, it just needs a good clean.

There is a large tree down near the bike track. I understand I'm shouting into the wind here, but parents, please keep your kids away until it's safe. We've already noticed tyres have been moved. It's an unstable area we aren't venturing near ourselves until the ground is less boggy. 

I'm yet to see what damage has occurred to the hardest hit garden beds. It's not my first natural disaster. I've seen plants regrow after raging bush fires. Nature is inspirational. Not sure what to expect after this however. Some plants look half dead, but I'm giving them a couple of weeks to see if they bounce back. I'm glad I planted drought proof plants. Didn't think to check about the flood proof rating though. 

Until the ground dries out, I am concentrating my efforts on planting the spring bulbs up the top, and weeding the slope and side garden. If any one is reading this and would like to offer some help to weed, you are more than welcome!

There you have it, a big job ahead. Considering what we started with last year, I know we can do this! The garden will flourish and be a blessing for many. Setbacks are just that, they aren't a full stop.

Choc chip & coconut scones

You know those weeks, the kind where the weather is so miserable, no one wants to leave the house? Well, we've had that kinda week. Except, ours was due to flooding. Quite a bit of it, actually. But more on that in my Community Gardens post to follow. 

Even when family members are also acutely aware of said weather conditions, it hasn't stopped them from opening the fridge or pantry, declaring, "There is NOTHING to eat!"

What they are saying is this, "I can't see anything ready made, and it's just too much effort to make it myself!"

First world problems right there.

So, ignoring the fresh fruit in the bowl, the bread, condiments, nuts to snack on, crackers, cheese, cereal, all of which apparently isn't food, it's the perfect opportunity for us mum's to take action. No, not by doing them in, however tempting that may be. 

So, when you biggest child, aka husband, and younger kids whine and complain, make these to shove in their gobs. They'll adore you & sing your praises before even the first bite :)

CHOC CHIP & COCONUT SCONES

(recipe adapted from here: easy scones, www.kidspot.com.au)

ingredients

• 2.5 cups sr flour
• 2 heaped tsp baking powder
• 2 tbs brown sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 50mls olive oil
• 1/4 cup dark choc bits
• 1 heaped tbs shredded (or desiccated) coconut
• pinch salt
• 1-1.5 cups milk

method

• pre-heat oven to 210 degrees.
• mix flour, baking powder,sugar and salt in a bowl.
• mix egg with oil, add to flour mix.
• add choc bits and coconut
• add milk, a little at a time, mixing well until a sticky dough is formed.
• turn onto a well floured surface.
• leave for 15-20mins. yep, leave.
• coat with a little flour, roll out to approx 2cm thick.
• cut preferred size rounds. 
• place on a lined tray, close together. cover with a milk glaze.
• leave for a further 10mins.
• bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden.

These beauties taste great hot and plain, buttered, topped with jam, or even, frozen for later or bunged into a lunch box.

There you go, a perfect autumn treat to keep the complaining at bay.

Enjoy!