A Year of Nourishing Traditions

I came across an expression a few months ago "Nourishing Traditions", I liked it so much I popped it in to my pocket & took it home with me. For me, this year is going to be all about nourishment, nurture & being free. Nourishment can take on many guises..gardening can be nourishing, if you are so inclined, it may well feed & uplift the soul.

 I don't recommend going without summer as we are, but have you ever noticed how much more vibrant the garden, the park, the land is after rain? It's as if everything comes alive..all the plants lift up their heads with dignity, vibrancy & purpose. We have had so much rain & so many, many cloudy days..it is most peculiar indeed. The summer things are still happening, the peaches are ripening, the cherries are yummy, the fuchsias are dancing on,

the hydrangeas happily taking their cue,

 but the sun is rarely seen, which is a very strange turn of events.
Although last Wednesday was a delightful exception...now, if you know me at all, you will know that this photo taken in the early morning by me, is quite remarkable indeed, ahem...not a morning person.

 Amazing the instant green produced by a downpour.

 Some people prefer to look at the moon..a little out of focus I know, a little like the astronomer..focussed on things way beyond here.

We have borrowed cats only these days, 3 just presently..Charlie, Maddy & Betty.

 Some are a little odder than others. Maddy has no idea whatsoever that cats don't like water, or that she should never cross the road on her own.

 She turned up at Margaret's (next door) just like this in the middle of the night, last week!

 Dull days & year endings have given me a little space to tidy my sewing room & have a go at crocheting a rag rug from an old sheet that was hanging around, waiting to be torn in to rags.

 I have had my eye out for some old playing cards to sew clusters of buttons on to but nothing had come my way, then I found this postcard in a draw, that was perfect for these pretty pink buttons, with Nina possibilities. I don't imagine that anyone will be too terribly sad that I used the postcard with Greetings from Sling! Thanks so much to Sophie at Fading Grace for the delightful idea.

Do you like my new op shop fairy dress? Still waiting for summer on this one.

 I found myself a cheap copy of "A Vintage Affair" on Trade Me the other day. I really enjoyed this book. The vintage clothes shop theme is a lovely vehicle to carry the rest of the story which is fascinating, unexpected & most thought provoking.

 Pondering nourishing traditions, I decided that a birthday bunting or two to herald the odd birthday week might be quite nice, only, my creative projects sometimes go a little awry. These particular pennants seemed too big for the space I had planned & the embroidery detail seemed to disappear when I hung them up so...

 I made them for the parlour instead

& they fit there just fine.

 Ah the mat...worked out quite well. Broke my lovely plump pink crotchet hook...plastic!
Used one & a half old sheets so only cost a couple of dollars & now I've finally, actually made myself a rag rug!
It looks quite good in the bathroom.

 I found this divine wee dress for Nina on Trade Me...no Aunty Catherine influences coming through I'm sure!

 I've been learning about & how to make cultured foods in the past few months. This lacto-ferment apple sauce is amazing. I have it with my breakfast every morning at the moment.

 Considering that so many of us suffer from imperfect digestion & that 80 percent of our immune system functions from the bowel it's not a bad idea to learn how to support & build bowel health for all the family. I have been experimenting with various fermented vegetables like sauerkraut. I am really enjoying the red cabbage & beetroot version most especially & the colour is amazing.

How perfect it was to receive this wonderful book as a gift from Nina's Mum & Dad...should keep me out of mischief for a night or two!

I plan on doing a lot more reading...that's a fabulous nourishing tradition, don't you think?

I'd love to hear about your nurturing plans or special things you like to do for yourself, so please do leave a note.

Thanks for visiting, my well nourished friends. 

Oops there's the rain again!

MUCH

 ♥♥♥♥♥