Marvellous Monday...

What a great Monday morning!
A drop of rain overnight, and a rather pesky wind out there, but its going to be nice later, so I can get back out and finish what I started yesterday.
I have a few new plants, so Im looking to get out there and plant them.
I have dug around and  found a pot large enough to put my nectarine tree in. It hasnt set fruit (yet), I dont know if it will this year, but thats ok. Its six foot tall, and Im sure its dying to get into the ground and get some growing done! I keep recalling the taste of  sweet juicy nectarines. I hope it does have fruit this year :)
Ive found that the chick peas are growing. Of all place, under the overhang of the potatoes leaves. About six or eight plants, which sounds good! Ive just read up on them, and I dont know if they will come to fruition given we are in the South, but they do prefer cooler temperatures, so who knows. I will try and see. It would be a real boon to be able to have chick peas on the menu, especially later in the Summer.

The first big opium poppy flower popped open on Saturday. It is always fascinating watching the bees, you can hear them too, buzzing inside the flowers, its really cute. The flowers never last long, but there is always another one or two in progress to follow along.

We are waiting for some compost to arrive, and then we can get sorted over at the school. The garden is in need of a  good weed, and  some companions planted alongside the plants. I see someone has donated some tomatoes, which is fantastic. They have a good system in place, that means all the children get a chance to help if they want to. Strangely, they all offer to help pick or plant. Not so keen to weed :-)
Have been reading about a community garden in Northland that has just planted a massive potato garden. What an awesome idea to support the families in the area. Ive been thinking on this, the idea is awesome, and can be expanded upon given more space... Love the idea that we can help each other feed our families!!

Well best get back into it,
The compost truck is here!

Have a happy Monday,
Love 'n' Shovels!

EB
XXXXXXX

Wandering Foxglove...

I had the devils own job being a successful bidder on my foxglove seeds, which must mean theyre pretty awesome, being so popular. I sowed some seed last year. I dont know if youve sown Foxglove, but they are  so tiny! I got 50 seeds - Pams Choice - a showy one. All of a sudden, there are no plants growing, so Im thinking my bid was a donation to the cause rather than a purchase!
Yesterday we replaced a gas bottle, and just on a whim, I went down the back of the house to see if the native plants had self seeded - it seems they like to grow in the shade, and can be transplanted throughout the garden. No - no seedlings this time. BUT. To my surprise, I see four or five rather large clumps of FOXGLOVE. Uh huh. So that ends the mystery. They didnt like it out in full sun, theyve taken up residence down the back side.

Oh Lord - the heavens have just opened and it is raining slushy hail. Very thick. A nice day to be inside. We hadnt planned any gardening today, so I will research the next few steps instead. I have two sickies at home, so its a good day to stay in! It has changed so quickly, I was just sitting here admiring the sunrise. I could see the sun creeping its way into the sky, and a bit of blue sky. Now it looks like we may get the snow promised.
Such is this transitory weather into Spring eh?

Nearly all my excess crown pumpkin seeds are gone - I think I have about six packets left, and I started with 72... So somewhere in Christchurch there are people planning Pumpkins in their gardens which is cool.

Yesterday I planted my ulluco, who probably wonder what the heck happened given todays weather :) And two rows of later yams, and another 2 varieties of potatoes. Potato salad here we come! Its a Summer favourite here.

Well, back into it I guess, dishes to do, people to fuss over, and homework to complete...
Love to You

E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

Kaitiaki - Being a Community Guardian...

Im learning all about the meaning of Kaitiaki. Guardianship.
I want to be a Garden Kaitiaki who protects our soil, our plants, seeds, our gardens, our produce, but also, our children. Our Furture. Nurturing them, solidifying the relationships between them. Inspiring children to think about where their food comes from, how eating healthy can make a difference to their lives.

It is important that our children know about where their food comes from. And that they understand the relationship between good food and health and wellbeing.

Guide and teach them, so they can grow their own food, provide sustenance for their families, for their communities and make good choices for their health and wellbeing.
Bringing it back to where we are here in Christchurch, we need to network within our communities. Our families need to know where their support systems are, and who they can rely on. Not the ones who always want something in return, or demand repayment. It isnt always about repaying the kindness. Sometimes it is best if what is required is given freely.
It isnt about waiting for the next disaster, or feeling shy or embarrassed. It has been noted lately, that poverty in New Zealand is a fact. So no turning of heads, it is time to remedy this with what we have, what we can do. People have become very distanced after all the stressors, and some of us who feel we have something, even something small to offer to others, need to come forward and say - Here... I can help. And if I cant help, perhaps I know someone who can?

My Challenge  -Give something to someone who needs it - Ask for nothing in return... 

Every second person you talk to in Christchurch has a sad story... And there is a sense of helplessness when it is you, and you dont know where to go for help. With the women I sat with this last week, amongst us, we had many qualifications, different skill sets and assorted capabilities. And that was just eight women. Think what we could do if we, as a community, all put our heads together - offering assistance to one another.
The light goes on and the fear dissipates. If one cannot help, perhaps another can, or the suggestions to help the problem at hand may be like brainstorming.
I love Community Hubs, the things they offer that you can see, and the intangible things that they give, that we dont see, to those who need it - compassion, empathy, an ear, a cuppa, a hug, smiles, laughing...healing. Together, and as one, we can provide Kaitiaki. Guardianship.



Simplicity and Gardens
If our Children are introduced to food production at school, to understanding nutrition, composting, an ecological awareness, and cooking and preparing the food they grow -wouldnt this be an amazing start - strengthening skills, gaining independence and boosting self confidence/esteem ?
What an awesome way to supply our children with real-life skills that they will need for the future, that they can pass  it on.
It isnt and doesnt have to be complicated. Age-old solution - a patch of dirt and some seeds.

I am passionate about helping assist change in our communities.
We need to make a difference somewhere now, for fear our children will grow up blind.

From my heart to yours,
XX
EBUTTERFLY

PS FREE CROWN PUMPKIN SEEDS - email me or drop me a comment.

A Quick Link... Storing your Maori Potato

Have just had a wee fossick under the soil, to see how my Maori Potato are coming along.
Sure enough, theyre starting to do their thing.
I  cautiously anticipate a good crop, as everything I grew last year went straight back into well dug and composted soil, and have full sun. Just as they like... fingers xed!
Mine are purple - Urenika - very dark and were very yam or kumera like in shape. Im guessing they will be a little larger this year, having had a bit longer to grow... I hope they taste as good as they look, theyre quite pretty!

Was wondering how to store my Maori Potato once theyre out - I will replant some, but it would be nice to have them available if I can store them successfully for some time over the Winter... Im learning NOT to procrastinate and leave these things, so here is a link so we are prepared in advance *grin*

HOW TO STORE YOUR RIWAI

I also found 2 other articles online that I want to bring here together
- A collection of Maori Potato Varieties

An interesting article on Maori Potatoes, How to and Planting by the Moon

So thats it for now... Keep Planting!
Over and Out!
EB
XX

Summer Berries... Surviving School start...Survival Stuff

Scarlet Runner Beans - Yum!

Its the Weekend... already!
And we have Waitangi Day on Monday, so a three day weekend is in store. Awesome!
This week was pretty stressful, and with School starting again for the new year, it was One Of  Those Weeks.
However, we got through it and everything turned out to be ok. Mr almost-12 is keen to be back, so far, so good. Miss 5 is almost ready to go, she has immunisations this week, will have treatment for her hands and be on track for starting mid to late Feb.
How quickly the school holidays went, and here we are again, worrying about books and school fees, new shoes and haircuts. Its all a-buzz. And I miss Blaise when he isnt home, but thats ok, hes where he should be.
So to remove some of the stress, we took off  to go blueberry picking today. It was so nice to go from the East, where we ride the roads and bump and graunch everywhere down potholes and over sandhills, to the South, where its relatively normal and everything looks like it should.
Prebbleton looked great, Hornby fantastic...
Down Shands Road and past Watties - a taste of The Old Times, as I used to work there way back when... and we found the berry place with no worries.
Have a look at where we went!
Blueberry Bliss - Website
So at $12 a kg, I had decided 2kgs was a good amount for two adults, three children to pick perhaps. Well, Arlais lasted until one kg had been picked. She did very well, but Im thinking she ate more than she picked. Gord (15y) had the best idea, he could reach where most couldnt, being well over six foot. The sun ripened berries at the tops of the highcrop plants were his domain. The biggest fattest juiciest berries too! He and Blaise later found a massive clump of big plump ones to fill up the last of our containers. I wasnt sure Blaise would like them, but I think he ate his fill too :)
I just wandered along picking as I went, stuffing a few in here and there, Im intrigued by the different Blueberry varieties and how different they taste. We got Atlanta and Jersey high crop varieties. Here at home, we have a Centurion bush and a Tif Blue - both of which are very small, but both fruiting at the moment, although they ripen in Feb/March. They are quite different to the high crops we saw today which were very tall. Gulp - I hope mine might grow that size one day :-)

Petunias

Came home from our day out, after picking up my latest trademe purchases - a Feijoa, a white pearl rose banksia rose, and a dwarf ballerina *samba* crabapple... oh, and a Satsuma mandarin of unknown variety, could be Miho, or maybe Kawano apparently. Im very keen to have my own orchard one way or another, and at this rate, it will be sooner. Now to get them organized in their own little... or big pots, with all their nutritional requirements supplied so they can GROW... Grow strong and big as Arlais says to them.

Bought Clementine Mandarins at the supermarket this week - couldnt help myself, seeing Ive just recently brought one myself. They were so super sweet, and so easy to peel. The kids were impressed, and I cant wait for the tiny fruit on our tree to grow.

Have been packing another Survival box. I dont know why, it just feels right. Have not completed it yet, am in the process of getting more things for it,  on my list I have rope, some more batteries, lighters, matches, candles. I also need to put in some more first aid things, like crystacide ointment, bandages, pads and toilet paper... Lots of conversations about the additions, adding to the list, more talk... Maps must be added on The List also. Another addition will be a wind up radio, we need to be in touch with whats going on if things go awry. After writing all this, we have just had one of the first aftershocks Ive felt in a week or two. Im sure its not over, but what can we do?
Its not so much scary as annoyingly frustrating now.

Radish and Solar Yellow Carrots

The Garden is looking a bit bedraggled at the moment. Its not been the classic Summer days at all, and there has been a lot of that cold wet stuff (rain)  Patchy weather is what I would call it I think!
The pumpkins have taken off nicely. Quite a number of fruits growing nicely. One in particular I can see from under my tree, which makes me grin. I love pumpkins. As a friend said today, they grow by the hour and this one doesnt know it yet, but its going to be PIE!

The corn under the tree was mostly a disaster... Not all however, I have quite a number flowering at the moment in the other bed, full sun. I know it wasnt ideal conditions, position or care, as Im a first-timer with corn, but it seems to be forgiving :)
I am so looking forward to corn on the cob, as is one little 5 yr old girl who licks her lips when she talks about corn cobs with butter!

Echinacea & Bees

The other new garden has been *horse-poohed* and weve dug it over twice or three times now, breaking up the clods, its very nice soil and Im looking forward to planting some medicinal herbs in it.
Everything seems to be taking its time and growing nicely, so we cant complain.
I even have four tiny little olives on one of the trees (J5) growing down the driveway. They certainly cheer me up, what a kick to have your own olives growing!!

Well, thats me for now.
Not a lot happening except the mundane and necessary. Plodding along, and getting there.
Hope life is good in your world.
Happy Gardening
Love,
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

Dreams and Aspirations...

Night Light

Im grumpy.
Ive just spent the past day trying to organize my thoughts into an online forum for self reliant gardeners. It didnt work, and Im annoyed with my lack of skill, and that I spent so much time to amount to nothing much at all. Oh it looks pretty. Thats it. I cant decide where I have gone wrong.

So... Scrap that idea for now.
Ill continue when Ive done a bit more learning. Im quite keen to have a NZ based board to network with other gardeners who want to get some self sufficiency going. Know any? ... Id love to hear from you. I want to network with other people who are struggling to make their food budget stretch. Those who eat from their gardens... any tips, ideas, sharing experiences would be fantastic. Theres a growing trend of people going *back* or moving forward towards utilizing their gardens again. Fruit and vegetables are so expensive. Amongst us gardening folk, that doesnt have to be so. We gather seed, we could share it. We can share our bounty, or perhaps take a look to guide the hand of a new gardener... It doesnt take much to share your expertise, your skills to help someone who isnt so sure of whats what.

The library is a good place to start if youre a newbie to gardening, but then, so is the internet these days...
I love reading other peoples blogs about their gardening passions. It can be a small garden plot in the back yard that they pluck their herbs from, or a self-made brewery that makes cider from their own apple trees they propagated and grew themselves. It is all awesome, and its exciting to see the progress. We can empathise and commiserate in the losses, but celebrate in the successes! Nothing like watching your own sown seed grow into something you can harvest, or drink, or bottle, dry or sell... Or donate, bake, cook... The list goes on.
Ok, so now Im finished my bleat, and now that I have *talked it through* I dont feel so bad about my lack of success. Perhaps I ll stick to Gardening in the Real World, instead of trying to take it into the Cyber World. 

I love my garden. Oh wait, you knew that.

But I do.

Peas (Easy Peasy)  and Beans (Borlotti *Red Rooster*)

Seedlings - Radish, Beet, Carrots & Lettuce

Onion, Coloured Chard & Lemon Balm

It is still in its infancy, but it is starting to take shape. Not a definitive one yet, it would probably be classified as a Blob. Not a Square or a Circle yet. I still have to shape it to perfection. But I think that is the goodness of gardening, it is always small snippets of perfection - never the entirety, just glimpses... that make you want more...

Garlic on the Up!

New Raspberry Cane

Rhubarb

Roll on Spring, we have daylight saving which turns the bodyclock topsy turvy for a week
Then Wha-lah!! Time for planting, long days, crisp mornings... sunny skies.

Red Currant

Alpine Strawberry - Yellow Fruits

Rhubarb

So there we be.
Tomorrow is the start of another week. We are counting down til school holidays again...
I hope all your plans are fruitful, and you are keeping safe and well,

Til next time!
Love and Violets
EButterfly

Settling In...and Happy Easter, Anzac Day and All!

A new hollyhock colour sprouted from seed! Already flowering too.

An Easter Hello! to you all out there who are waiting for the Easter Bunny...I hope he has a good map marked with a big X for your place...
Not us, the Easter Bunny forgot this year, but has been busy collecting knitting - gloves and legwarmers and hats, so maybe there will be some hidden chocolate goodies somewhere amongst the wool :)
So not like us, not to have chocolate at Easter, and we didnt even have Hot X buns this year... I dont know why we missed the usual traditions, perhaps it was budget related, more than likely it was because weve been busier this week than most. Or so it seems...

Flowering Basil plants, smell heavenly!

Dill, has rallied beautifully since planted

Dear little fluffy lettuce seed heads wait to be plucked...

Its rained ALOT. The kids have been cooped up and are obviously sick of it, and today it was gorgeous weather, and they still stayed inside - TV had all the kids movies on, and they moseyed between being in the Garden playing and lying out on the bed in my room, watching cartoons and movies, culminating in watching our favourite Forest Gump tonight. Love it. Coffee, Bikkies and Forest Gump.
This week Ive been knitting, and Im enjoying getting some practical use out of my creative ends. Arlais has some new Easter mittens, Im doing some leg warmers to match and the boys have put orders in for balaclavas each...

Still plenty of tomatoes tucked away, growing nicely, still colouring up for picking...

Not a lot to report, we ate Butter chicken tonight, inside I snuck our own veges - still lots growing out there, to my amazement... Some peas, silver beet, some basil and some parsley, and our own tomatoes too.


One Plane, Some Planks and our favourite PJs complete with Gummies = FUN!


Well I hope things settle down weatherwise. It is so nice to be able to go and stroll around the garden and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine... I love these last sunny stretches in between the lumps of rain and wind, soon to be snowy sleet...

Love them!

Thats all for now. Not alot of news to be had.
Easter is for Family here, so from my Family to Yours,
Happy Easter,
Thinking of you on ANZAC DAY too.

Love,
EButterfly
XXXXXXXXXX

Slowly does it, Sunday!

IN CHRISTCHURCH AND FINDING IT HARD TO COPE?

CLICK HERE FOR SOME IDEAS

Had a late night last night, repacking the car, folding washing etc, so today we are off and doing with a slow start... though I see it isnt morning any more, its now almost two oclock and honestly, I admit it - Im a lazy tart! I simply cannot get out of my own way today...

Dishes are done, washing out. Sun is trying very hard to get through what looks like a very thick cloud... Some blue sky is visible, Mr 10 just asked me what I would knit with the blue bits we can see, was there enough to knit anything?
His Great Aunt used to say, when asked about the weather, If theres blue sky - enough to knit a hat with, it must be a good day! Hehe, its a family thing.

Free Coffee at the Supermarket is a good start to anyones day, though being at the S/market on a Sunday isnt my idea of fun... We were there sorting through what colour and essences to get for our Sunday Project. Mr 10 and I are going to make some play dough to keep Miss 4 busy. We decided, if we did that, she would be kept busy so we could do our *stuff*...

The school shoes are shiny after some spit and polish this morning, Mr 10 is almost ready to get back to regular schooling. I have to be honest, I will miss him, hes a darling.
I think the threat of heavy earthquakes might just escape us for a few weeks... As I write that, the desk shudders and I hear the wood creaking in the hallways as an aftershock hits. Meh. A little one, thank goodness. Ive decided, theyre not going anywhere, neither am I, so there we be, an empasse. I can live with them... if I have to, and I think we might need to.
The Earth is doing what it does, it is just a shame Christchurch city is situated right on top of where the Earth wants to do its rocking and shaking for now.
We are getting better at ignoring the routines of the Earth. Weve had a succession for the mid three to mid four range. Theyre enough to give you a fright if their onset is quite rocky, but otherwise you sit them out and breathe through it.

Thank God and the wonderful Naturopaths for Rescue Remedy and Flower Essences. We are using them at present, and Miss 4 has responded well to her *flower medicine*.

The city is beginning to show signs of progress. There are still big problems with bottle-necked traffic at peak hours, but people are working things through by making sure they check their routes before they go out... (some, not all!)
There are always going to be arrogant rude people on the roads, but most of us care... and show that by tempering our speed... or not going out at all. Im deciding not to use the car unless I have to. The biggest thing in my decision was the cost of fuel. Petrol is now $2.17 a litre. My car takes over $100 to fill, and I just dont need to do this. Everything I need is within a good walk, or if neccessary one trip a week... barring earthquakes and emergencies... I have taken to asking around before I go to the supermarket, in case others need things. We are going to car pool for school pick ups and drop offs... it makes sense.

The roads are still a myriad of bumps - mountains and craters, complete with diggers, work men, diggers, did I mention diggers?

Oh and the gorgeous big orange signs, arrows and cones... Im glad I am not just learning how to drive, Christchurch streets are confusing at the moment. I have such respect for those men who are hard at it, digging and cutting into the streets to fix the roads. Theyre awesome :)

Now, a plain and easy Play Dough Recipe ...

PLAYDOUGH


2 c flour
1 c Salt
1 t cream of tartar
1 T Oil
1 c water
======================
Add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil or essence to add scent
and/or a couple of drops of your favourite food colouring in to the mix too...


Store in airtight container, lasts a couple of weeks.

=====================
Weve ended up with some banana smelling yellow, and some coconut smelling pink playdough!!

Hope your weekend is going well,
Love and Sunshine!

EButterfly
xxxxxxxx

Things getting back to *normal* - Whats Normal?

Todays post is tongue in cheek. 
Ive done lots of thinking since I built my shelter in our spare room.
Here it is, and thanks to those who I discussed this with - Everyone here is in a similar mind set, we all want to know and experience some Peace of Mind. We think that starts with PREPAREDNESS. No narrow thinking, and some practical adjustments to the way we live our lives given where we find ourselves today. Its a different place to where we were last month...

I read on Stuff.co.nz that they estimate that around 60 000 Christchurch people will have returned to the city this weekend.
Today, a return to businesses because the Red Zone in the CBD was to be opened, a return to school for some, Several schools are doing a double shift beginning at 8am to accomodate students from schools that still need to be fixed,  maybe some returning for work, or whatever - it all means that the citys traffic on post-quake roading is horrendous. I heard the traffic *hum* from my bed this morning - it was a familiar sound this time last month, but since the EQ, the noise was noticeably absent.
Not today though.

It gives me the feeling that maybe Cantabs feel life in Christchurch is restoring to the *normal* of before maybe?

Whats normal though?

How will you go On from Here?

We were chatting earlier, three neighbours, about how things restore, and we get back to our own lives - well, until the next disaster. Since this last one, we have got a lot closer. We actually care about each other, our families, our welfare. We check on one another, and chat over the fence, we give fresh produce or time, and compliments, ask questions, seek help of one another.
Do we want this to stop forthwith because we have power and water again?
Nah. We still share.
I hope this will last for as long as we are neighbours, it reminds me of the words
*Do unto Others, as you would have Others Do unto You...*

And I think we are all  *Starting as we mean to Go On*.

If you can do things to help yourself survive in these recent events, how about passing it along?
Or maybe you can learn something from them...?
Teach someone else about it too. Pass on your knowledge. Doesnt cost you anything except a little time. It may save lives.
Those neighbours you have are valuable - to you, to their families. No man is an Island.
Just because we dont shake so much, doesnt mean we are home free. Look at Japan. Indonesia... What next? How will we feel if this is how life is from now - if natural disasters around us become our *normal*?
(Civil Defence Website says Dont think If, Think When)

It may be that the links you make in normal circumstances with people around you can help you through the natural disasters, the personal situations and more... The web between us grows stronger if we can give and take.
Its not rocket science, its simple, relatively inexpensive if you do it little by little, and its Survival.
And believe me, I have thought lots about this, this week.
Article about Kit Expense Here

What was Important to You Two weeks ago?


Is it still important to you, that to survive the past few weeks, you needed Hand Sanitizer, Toilet Paper, Bleach... Non-perishable goods? That you had to boil water? Pooh in a bucket? Bury it in the Garden? Or sleep when it was dark because you had no power?
Those early nights I remember well! And we slept for 14 hours in amongst dodging the Aftershocks!
But what use was that flat-screen TV that fell off the wall when the shaking started, once you had no power?
Do you have your bbq all clean and ready to go again... just in case?  I do, in fact, Ive even started looking for a camp cooker to go in the back of the car...
Oh. Did I mention Im saving for a 4x4 to get through the liquifaction?
Hows your supply going now that you have power back?
My fridge still looks relatively bare. Ive become the Queen of buying only what we can consume in two days. The rest is tins. Packets. Survival. I tell you, Ive been thinking about this (dangerous territory, me and thinking!)
And I have things I will buy now, to put away *Just In Case*
... Have you restocked your Freezer?  Do you have plans to add to your Kit?
Can you put your hand on some dry goods? A bucket? A water container?...

Please dont forget these things are important, as well as getting back to Normal Living.
Last time, we knew we had help coming - half the city was relatively unaffected - roads were clogged, but we knew we had petrol, gas, supplies, and that the entire country could help.
What if the entire country was affected?
Keep your basics handy.
Your Water Up.
Your Kit Stocked.

 Basics to have in a Kit - Christchurch City Council - Link

KIT TIPS

* Replace food and water every year. 
Consider stocking a two-week supply for prolonged emergencies.

* Check all batteries every three months. 
Battery-powered lighting is safest and easiest to maintain.

* Don't use candles because they can tip over in earthquake aftershocks or gusts of wind. Don't use kerosene lamps, which need ventilation and are not designed for indoor use. However, have candles in your kit JUST IN CASE you run out of battery power for torches or similar.


*Have a cooker/burner or bbq with gas bottle available - use older pots if possible, have them stored in your shed/garage.

*If in doubt, BOIL Water for 3 Minutes

I guess what Im trying to say is... 
We lived through a Disaster.
Our Second Disaster, we knew help was coming.
We lost people, but we endured, and in our Grief, our Sadness, many will rebuild and stay. Some will go. 
This time we had Aid. Search and Rescue. Police, Army, Members of Parliament, The County Council - all working together. 
From All over the World and All over the Country, they came to help...
There were individuals who gave what they could, did what they could, sent things. 
We had Doctors, Food Banks, Plumbers, Electricians, Builders, Roading Contractors, Architects, EQC People... We had them all here... 

We HAVE Them all here still, and Im so grateful for all the work, all the hours, the time, the efforts, the support and the care we have been given. Im grateful that there are people here that have come, leaving their own homes and families to help others.

But... What if there was none of that?

If they didnt arrive. 

And it was just Me or You.

Then What? 

As always, Love from My Heart to Yours,
EBUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXX 


 

Shaky Porridge, Pussycats & Power!

We woke this morning from the depths of another murky sleep. I nodded off after midnight, and didnt wake until I heard the alarm. While lying there assessing the day, I heard distinct knocking. I thought it was someone at the door until I realised the sound was coming from the wardrobe... it was an aftershock - just a teeny tiny knocky one... All good.
Had just boiled water on the stove  - Power RULES! Ok! - when we had a good shake - 4.1 - things went sideways, including the cats, the porridge and the power wavered but didnt go... we huddled in the back door frame, ready to run under the table if we needed to ...whew. Thank goodness theyre so short though.
Once we had untied the knots in our stomachs, our heartrates had returned to normal, we enjoyed some Hubbards Berry Porridge ... the best breakfast ever! Glad to be here y'know.

ITS ALL RUBBISH!
Weve put our rubbish bins out in the hope they will be emptied. We heard on the radio, that the council are trying their best to get things sorted to return to normality. The shake happened for us, the day before our rubbish collection, so our bins were pretty full anyways...
The reality is that we all have varying amounts of broken glass, wrecked items to get rid of... and the city needs to be rid of as much rubbish as possible to alleviate the possibility of disease. That is one of the most serious of subjects, and with the sewerage system down - only 65% of us have water - we need to be  vigilant about this kind of thing...

MEDIA 

I tell you, it is humbling to hear on the radio and the TV about the efforts of others elsewhere. We appreciate it all. Honestly. From our hearts, the words Thank You are very small, but it is meant sincerely.

The fund raising, the food parcels, the help and assistance, the care and concern. Every little bit is important and valued.
If I can offer anything back, it is the advise --- BE PREPARED --- Get organized so this doesnt catch you like it has so many of us. Im fortunate, I was semi-prepared. I intend to do more research, more planning. I will be better prepared because of what has happened in Christchurch in the past seven days.. 

Dont forget your pets... In your survival kit, have cat/dog food. Dried is best of course, and dont forget to estimate water for your pet too when calculating how much water you will need per day. It seems to take cats especially (we dont have dogs) about a week to return, and they really are unsettled with each aftershock, but they come back if you are lucky - My friend Bee has had her cat back after six days. Ours (greedy pigs) came back for food the next day except for Zander who came back on day four. I guess we are amongst the fortunate pet owners. There are always tales of sad things happening. A lady along the road had two Tibetan Spaniels. She has not seen them since the quake. They bolted soon after the quake as their gate must have opened. Keep animals tied in if possible, so if this happens, your beloved animals are not away down the street... Our SPCA are flat out, and their shelters are full of peoples pets waiting to be reclaimed. Tens of thousands of people have left the city... 

Do you know where your furr-babies are?

Well, we are going back into it. The kids are going to help me sort out our kitchen cupboards, and then we are going to see if we can help somewhere down the street. There are only five or six of us left on this street, but we are keeping in touch and eating together... checking on each other. 

Love to all,

Blessings to You and Yours.

EButterfly

Camera-licious Weekend!!

Im baaa-aack!!
Complete with camera and lots of photos... Who'd have thought I could take so many photos in two days... My poor hard drive is groaning. Time for saving to disc (Can hear Mr EB nodding, he said this yesterday) ...
Heres my new baby here

And its awesome...Simple, inexpensive by most standards, but PERFECT for me and my need to blog, to photograph, document... AWESOME - it makes me sooooo happy! (I think you get it!)
Its SUNDAY again. 
This week was crazy. Lots of the positives, but more so some negatives.
NZ suffered the loss of another young soldier serving overseas in Afghanistan.
My heart goes out to his family and friends, he will be sorely missed, heaven just gained another good 'un!
Petrol hit the $2.02 per litre mark this week, which cripples those of us who have tight budgets and need to travel for work or to see family. That seriously puts things into perspective...
We barely use the car, being fortunate to have all things we need within reach or a good walk, but there are Family who come in from the farm, and it is $50 a round trip approx.
Missing the visits, the coffee, the chats and the cuddles terribly!
And I doubt the prices will ever lower, it just doesnt work that way.

Also, Milk prices are horrendous here in New Zealand.
We are a country who, because of our beef and dairy exports should be able to reduce these prices, making milk affordable for families. It is so sad that a two litre of coke is currently HALF the price of a two litre of milk. Sad for our children and their health...Greedy Milk People!! And the prices of basics like butter and cheese should follow.... Then Id work on flour prices, then rice... and sugar... sigh...all the basics.

Vote Earth Butterfly for Government! Ha! just kidding about the votes, Id run a mile...

The Garden is BLOOMING! 

Tomatoes everywhere... 

Bowl of Tomato Goodness! 

Non-Acid pear shaped heirloom

 

This is our first of the season - a pear shaped beauty!
We have quite a number on the plant, and theyre all in different shades of orangey red as they ripen... Loving it! Theyre sweet and firm to taste. Going to be saving some of the seeds for next year too!

Uncle N has been growing toms too, and this is another heirloom.

 

(Black Kirrin I think!) 

Beans Growing up to the Sky! 

Weve eaten our way through the lettuce patch, still more to go.

 But theres some gorgeous colour still in the garden.

Ive started some geranium plants off. I love the vivid colour and distinctive smell. The basil plant seedlings have taken off, and I have so many basil plants, I think Im going to have to sell them/barter them.  We have some more BRIGHT LIGHTS silverbeet coming along (coloured chard) and there are borlotti beans growing nicely... Pumpkins are trailing slowly but steadily... Thyme plant is bushy - very healthy! We have lemon balm, echinacea and bergamot. 

The Garden is full of promise...Lots of Growing still to do,

The biggest ones of these is fist-sized! 

Loving it!! 

The bees are busy, the flowers nod wisely in the sultry seasonal breezes. 

Life is good here at the Lazy A. 

Giant Marigolds that have grown up to my waist.

Our Soldier Cat, Zandy

 Well, thats this post... on to the next one... and the next one...

And all the next ones thereafter!

Long live The Garden

and all who muse, whilst pulling weeds within Her.

Love from My Hearth to Yours!