Day Five - Still Alive ... A few Shakes in the Water...



Leaves in Liquefaction

 Day Five... Yes, still alive. Doing some helping out around the neighbourhood today. Our friend B from down the road had a huge well of Liquefaction, and a few of us helped out with the shovelling. Lots of comings and goings with the wheelbarrows, which really arent built to handle the solid loads they encounter. It took us a while, and it still isnt completely finished, will go and help out tomorrow too if required.
Liquefaction has to be the most unusual stuff. The consistency changes depending on if its shaking - vibrations just from moving the stuff from hole to the front of the section bring the water out of the core of the pile, and it dribbles into the gutter. The firm silt base goes to jelly when it is shaken, and if you put your boot in, its hard to suck it out. Its seriously weird. And it smells - in the morning, as the sun hits the piles, you can smell it, like a sulphury smell. Ick! Im sure there are lurgys that lurk in it, probably some ecoli and mushrooms... magic ones? Nah I dont know.

Still doing the seed collecting. Ive just made pumpkin soup - complete with bacon bones, which the kids loved. We had it for tea. I love pumpkin soup, not only do I get the pumpkin, but the promise of more with the seeds... yes, I know. I think Ive written enthusiasticallly about that before, havent I?...
Ive got some more capsicum seed this week too. Theyre both constants at the moment, while Miss 4 is happy to eat capsicums raw, I ll keep gathering up the seeds. And with Winter setting in, theres likely to be more pumpkin seeds too, cos Soup is cheap, filling and keeps us warm!

I was lying on the bed this afternoon, chatting to Mr EB when the earth shook. Funny - the door swung open, cats and children came thru the door! Ooh says Miss 4 That was a bit scary! It wasnt though, it was a tiddler! Theres been a few today, but thats nothing unusual. The thing I have been looking at, is that some of them have been in the water, near the shore. I wonder how that affects under the water - and the tides?  And the poor fish. Im picking it gives them a headache or two!! And does liquefaction affect what grows down there... hmm.

Another thing I noticed whilst making the soup today. Youve got to be really careful with the aftershocks and cooking on the stove. We almost lost the soup on the floor twice. Almost like the muffins I made and promptly dropped as I opened the oven to get them out. Mr EB wasnt phased at all... He picked them up with his hands and put them on the plate... Never to Mind he says. Bless him! I do love him dearly. Meanwhile I was fuming...
Well, theyre all gone, so they cant be so bad :)

Time to Wander Off and do some tidying for tomorrows events...
Landlords arrival emininent, and I hope to get some housemates...
Fingers xed. Id love the company!

All the very best to You!
Keep Warm
Love
EButterfly
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Baking Day... Anzac Biscuits for Morning Tea...

Mixing all ingredients together

Im enjoying having the kids busy and doing things with me - is this what home schooling would be like?, I do wonder. Im not sure how it has been for Mr 10, but today he set about baking some ANZAC biscuits - YUM!.

ANZAC BISCUITS 

Recipe in the Edmonds Books

Makes 30, depending on size

1 cup flour
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
2 cups rolled oats
125g butter
2 tbsp golden syrup
1 tsp baking soda
3 tbsp boiling water

1. Heat oven to 180°C (160°C fan bake). Line two baking trays with nonstick baking paper. Place flour, caster sugar, coconut and oats in a bowl and stir to combine. Make a well in the centre.

2. Place butter and golden syrup in a saucepan to melt, or microwave in a bowl to melt. Dissolve baking soda in boiling water. Add melted ingredients and dissolved baking soda to dry ingredients and mix to combine.

3. Roll spoonfuls into balls and press onto prepared baking trays, allowing space for biscuits to spread while cooking.

4. Bake for 15 minutes or until firm and golden brown. Remove to a wire rack to cool, and enjoy!

Tip: Stored in an airtight container, Anzac biscuits will last well for up to a week.

Dry ingredients, well in the middle

melting butter and golden syrup

So here are some photos of the last day at home before heading back to school... I hope his teacher enjoys her ANZAC bikky... if they should last that long!

Anzac Biscuit History

Anzac biscuits (originally called Soldiers' biscuits) came into being around 1915 (during World War I) when soldiers' wives and/ or mothers would bake and send the biscuits to the troops stationed overseas. The biscuits were ideal because they were cheap to make (remember that it was the Great Depression), non-perishable (Anzac biscuits contain no eggs or milk) and so didn't need refrigeration, and gave the men some added nutrition and sustenance. As a bonus, the Anzac biscuit recipe is also really quick and easy.

After the now-famous landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) in Gallipoli, the biscuits were renamed in honour of those brave soldiers who landed that fateful 25th day of April on the coast of Turkey, now known as Anzac Cove.

Today, Australians and New Zealanders alike pause and reflect on Anzac Day, and take time to remember those fallen soldiers - as well as those who served - in times of war in service to their country, their flag, their people, their customs and traditions, and the freedoms that we enjoy today as a result of those efforts. There are dawn and memorial services held all around the country on Anzac Day which hundreds of thousands of people attend to pay tribute to their forebears.

Now, almost 100 years after their conception, Anzac biscuits are still hugely popular, and are even available to buy commercially in supermarkets. But, as always, the best tasting Anzac biscuits are those you bake at home

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Blaises plants havent done too badly through the Storm.

Last night there was a storm, and the wind was horrendous.
The children have been sweeping up the fallen leaves off the yard this morning, it was brisk, but nice to see the sun!  No aftershocks, it as if the weather patterns have changed completely. We sat here and discussed the new noises last night. The wind shook down the southern side of the house, and the rain was whipping in where ever it could... I feel for those who have holes in roofs where chimneys had come down and tiles had come off due to the Earthquake. For them, with the terrible gusts of wind, there was no escaping the wet.

And... Look at this. I think I ll keep him :)

Im not even sure he was aware this was taken...And Thats about me for now...

Love and Light 
From My Hearth to Yours
Earth Butterfly
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Counting blessings tonight...

It is a quiet still night out there.
Im here by myself, which happens once in a blue moon - like never. The children decided to go for a drive back to Uncle N & Aunty Ts place. It is soooo quiet.
I had my first shower since the Quake, and enjoyed the luxury of hot water, peace and quiet and gorgeous smelling shampoo! Oh the Joy! I feel remotely human again! Gone is the grey dust that riddles everything the instant the wind blows.
Dear Mr EB bought us in a huge chocolate gateaux of all things --- Im sure its for me, but I bet I have to share (of course I will) ... It was nice to spend a day with the big guy today...We havent seen him in a while because petrol is extravagant by our means, and well, he hasnt got power at the moment due to a local fire --- all the linesmen are here in town fixing up our issues, so he has had to wait in line, and it isnt looking likely for a while. Not good!

Tonight Im counting my blessings. I have so many. Ive got a gorgeous family, all my basic needs are met, and Im healthy, as are my family. This week has opened not only my eyes Im sure... there are people out there who are digging deep, struggling to cope, using all their resources. For some Im sure its instinctual, others have learnt along the way, but it is amazing how strong the human resolve to survive is.

Having the energy to cope is one of the things I see as being a big issue in a disaster/emergency situation. I noticed that as our diet fitted what we had in our cupboards and our garden, we gained in energy. Preparation is minimal, you can eat it straight away after a quick wash - No processed food.
Vegetables straight from the garden - fresh food, high in goodies like fibre, vitamins, minerals that possibly we skip sometimes in favour of things that are quick, easy, tempting, sweet or salty...
Im planning on extending the *Green Zone* in my yard. I think I can make a big difference, and it annoys me that it took me so long to realise this. Ignorance is bliss... Self realizations are annoying :-)

Today was grocery day. Our local Pak n save was a little more alive than last time (last time we counted 8 people plus ourselves) Its important to keep our dollars, big or small, with the local vendors, and Im keen to help where I can. It isnt alot, but we need our supermarkets over this side of town, as we have lost many of the other ones. Countdown in Eastgate is closed at present, The Woolies in The Palms mall is closed... And Stanmore Super Value has gone... So that leaves our Pak n Save in Wainoni, and the New World in Stanmore Road, in Richmond. Not a lot of choice, but it is important to support them... Use it, or lose it, especially at this time.
Loving the Rangiora Express. Bless those people for the job they do, making a huge difference in peoples lives when it counts. Theres so much stress, I hear on the radio that Domestic Violence incidences rise at times like this. It is no wonder, with the loss of life, the loss of businesses and jobs, incomes and esteem, it is a torrid time. There are places who can help with counselling, if you know of people who are struggling emotionally, please please, for our children, for the spouses of these people, urge them to seek help.

Also, another place for support and a food parcel is Aranui Primary School - the ladies and gentlemen there are supportive and caring, they have clothing and shoes, books and toys too. Ladies, you can get sanitary items from these places too, nappies and formula can be found if you require them too - dont be afraid to ask, they want to help!

Loving the free sausage sizzles too - it is really inspiring to see people wanting to give back - with sacks of fruit on their front gates with FREE signs everywhere throughout the city. Bottles of water being given away, Free hand sanitizer.
See, its simple. People ARE counting their blessings. And then they pass it along - that energy is awesome and it makes a really good thing come from what was a really scary thing...

Ok, I hear the glee of small children returning home. Ooh, says One. Its really DARK! It must be past our bedtime...
It sure is Bud, and ... Mum still hasnt had that huge piece of gateaux yet :-)

Take care of Yours and You!
Love

Earth Butterfly
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TOMORROW IS CANTERBURY RED AND BLACK DAY! Dont forget your One-Eyed Cantab Supporter Outfit!