School Closures... Changing Days... Composting Goodness

Miss B's Beautiful Spring Tulips

Have had a chance to process the information given on the scheduled School closures here in Christchurch - specifically Chisnallwood Intermediate, as at the moment, that is the one that directly affects us in our family.
Not to worry, the brilliant staff are not going to give in and take it lying down, Richard Patton put this in the last line of the letter home -
   ...To our Chissy students - I simply say you have been through enough.
Be reassured that your parents and your school are here for you. That we are proud of you, and that all this will work its way out...
And from the signs around the school area, the parents are networking already to do what they can. If it is enough, good - no, great stuff, but I wonder. It is a huge change that is scheduled - unfair and uncalled for, but then there are plenty of unfair and uncalled for changes happening of late.
We are learning to negotiate through them.

What a changing day it has been - just after three oclock this afternoon, the beautiful breezy day that was hit the decks and followed up with a massive gale and icy showers. It has subsided and its time for the heat pump to go on, the cat to cuddle up and the puddles to rise. Our street has a hump in the middle of it (dont know what that is called, but the water runs off to the sides...) and it doesnt usually flood, but because of the angry thick rain, it has started to puddle everywhere. The birds dont mind, their bread has got wet, makes it easier to eat I guess, they are *sitting in* out there, pecking away...

We did some composting this afternoon before the weather bomb landed.
Cardboard layers in, some horse manure on top...grass etc The pile here needs a good stomp on, will get that done next week when the crew arrive to put the new lean-to together. The Aloes cant wait :) They love the light, but dont like the heat so much, nor the frost of course so have been inside over winter.

Then onto the liquid mix - some more horse manure added to a large blue bin and mixed in with water, comfrey leaves and some other goodies like seaweed, some very well crushed egg shell and some dried and crushed dock leaves. Full of goodness for the plants when it gets there.
Ive left it a few days before stirring, and decant it into lemonade bottles (plastic ones) so I can take it across to school for the rhubarb too. Have been giving it away with the lettuce seedlings too... Better than putting raw poo on, or composting it in, and finding the seeds from the grass and weeds that spring up out of nowhere. Comfrey is such a gem!

Speaking of seeds - I have my first lot of red pickling cabbage (*Red Rock*) seeds heading up nicely this week - its really nice to see the flower heads appear, but its so satisfying when you winnow out the seeds and see them all lying in the bowl.

Well thats it for today,
Splashing along :)

EBUTTERFLY
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After our fantastic Electrical storm and the thunder and lightening displays over the city the other night, yesterday was another good day, the weather was perfect for gardening. Between the enthusiasm of the little people and the planning we had done earlier, our garden turned into something pretty fantastic in just an exuberant hour.

Drunken Women Lettuce

7 or 8 helpers have planted Sage, Rosemary (upright) and Thyme, Chives, 2 Lavenders (grosso) and 5 strawberries (chandler) and about 40 lettuces! (Buttercrunch, Drunken Woman and Austrian Greenleaf frilled) The children really enjoy helping, but as one pointed out, Weeding is Boring, so the planting is the best thing.
A liberal composting ( horse poo), a sprinkle of blood and bone, a check of the bokashi units, and a flick over with the hose, and they look like theyre at home!

Today is a bit greyer, but the atmosphere is warm, a light breeze. I heard this morning they expect the wind to be a problem later but for now, its really pleasant, and very nice to have all the windows open, and the doors secure so the house airs out. Its SPRING! Definitely has that feeling about it. Time to throw things out, dust things off, and plant like crazy!?

Weve been making soup today - using up all the ends of the vegetables in the freezer, including the last of our tomatoes from last season. Apparently it tastes great... I asked the peeler of the carrots, and she reckons its good...
On to using up the lemons and oranges. We have sewing group tomorrow, so we are going to take some soup and lemon cupcakes IF WE GET THEM MADE in time... Theres a little procrastination going on, I think Miss would rather go for a walk to feed the ducks :)
Who can blame her, the River walk is always interesting, and we are looking at the moment to see if the ducks have ducklings... Its the cute factor.

Have just looked in on the citrus (we now have 9 trees) and Im really pleased to say, they all survived the Winter ( is it over yet?). I thought I had a problem, but the one that had dropped all its leaves has started with new growth everywhere, after my fussing over it. Its great news, as it was our favourite, The Clementine mandarins, which are easy-peel and taste fantastic.

The *Mother* Garden is full and looking promising. It is the shaded garden where my comfrey grows in abundance. I have built up the soil, and mulch with my grass clippings in there. Then I pick bits and pieces off  where I can, and place them into the soil to let them root ( no rooting hormone, just fingers crossed!) It works, and Im pleased to say, this year I will have a few extra currants - unknown as to what colour at this stage, but theyre all welcome. I also noticed the cuttings from the hydrangeas are taking too. Again, not sure on what colour, but theyre going back into my own area, or over in the school maybe, so it doesnt matter about colour at this stage.



SEWING GROUP

Tomorrow Im meeting with a few other community Mums to do some sewing, knitting (or other crafts) and have morning tea together. Im really looking forward to it - its a morning that Im putting aside just so I can get some knitting or sewing done, it never seems that I get enough achieved when I try to do so here at home...And it gives me a heads up on getting some christmas presents made or started, so I can have them done well before December. Ahh to be organized!
Anyone local want to come, youre most welcome...drop me a note below for details!

Well that is what we are up to, it looks like we are going for that walk, Miss has got herself organized.
So, no cupcakes just now. Maybe later :)

Love to You and Yours,
E BUTTERFLY
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