Something Old + Something Old = Something New!

Lets talk about old things...clutter, junk...?
What to do with it all? If in doubt, Chuck it Out - was my new mantra. If it gathers dust around here, its gone. And boy there must be a lot of dust, theres a lot of dust gathers going... but what do you do with the things you cant really sell, and are just too good to throw out?
How about that Upcycling trend? Creativity aside, its good in so many other ways. Taking something old, add something else you dont want, and get something completely different -rebirthing them into something completely new and exciting... it prevents everything getting tossed into the tip, regardless of age and usefulness! Why? A greener way to recycle. Its fun. Im for that!

Have a look at the links ... the latest project Im doing is using a strip of old tshirts, weaving them ON A HULA HOOP, to make something rug-like, if Im really lucky :) It beats the manky carpet we have at the moment.
The really creative amongst us do things like this - Upcycling dresses in the wardrobe - which has to help with our fashion dollars!
What about this one... If straight sewing is more your thing - Sheet to Shirt Conversion - I love this idea, and this bloggess has so many other good crafty things to do!
Or this - still on the skirt front - A Shirt into a Skirt - easy done. The Instructables website always has clever ideas.
Away from the fabric ideas, how about this one - A Salad Table. Of course, some of you have done this, filling old baths and laundry tubs with herbs and veggies, for years, but this is a great idea if you dont have lots of space, or the landlord is against a garden.

Some absolutely awesome ideas here at Inhabit. I love the ideas people have with every day stuff.
A new look at using bottles in building - Heineken  or how about Tyres? And a bbq grill out of a computer fan?

And lastly, for now... What to do with wooden pallets? Heres 20 Ideas for the DIY-ist in us all...
Loving that bicycle trailer!

Hope all are safe and warm,
Take care
E B
xxxx

Pics from the Past & Present - Bricking It in Avonside!

Younger Days

Its becoming apparent
Im going to need a new phone soon.
My old one, according to my 18yr old is *Beyond It* and needs replacing soon. This one has a camera, and today Ive finally worked out (after 4 years!) how to send myself the pics to my email. Safe to say, I ll never be up with the Techno stuff. Im an old-fashun gal!

Car Ride

Swinging at the Park

Big Eyes

Pjs and All

So after fiddling around, Ive got some of the older photos of times long gone-by.
Its amazing how quickly the children grow and change. Dont mind me whilst I reminsce and plaster my page with photos of my babies... Theres others too, theyre not all cutesy and kidlike...

Oven Project - Build Two



 ...Like Todays Project.
Ive been reading up about making my own pizza oven. Im fascinated by adobe bricks, clay cob ovens, pizza ovens and the like. I wish I had my own piece of land to make a fire pit on, or some kind of oven... but I havent, and I cant make anything permanent... So Im improvising.
I tried the 16 brick rocket oven ( see it on Youtube) I liked it, I appreciate its place, and the value it has... but I wanted something a little bigger...
So here it is. My second version, very rough at this stage...and it will need some work, a bit of a mortar mix is in store, but Im pleased, and it passed its first little *fire-up* this afternoon, despite the drizzle and the lack of decent firewood.

This wonderful structure is created from red bricks, ex-chimney. Theres lots of those available around Christchurch at the moment, and they make good borders for vegetable gardens. There are also slate floor tiles in there, they were being given away on Freecycle, and I just happened to live around the corner. It beats them being thrown into a landfill, eh?

Toms, Zucchini and Green Beans a-plenty!

So thats our Friday. The Week That Was has Been and Gone!
Weve had both kids getting immunizations this week, and its been intermittent good weather. Today is totally bailed on us, and we have whizzly wet drizzle and a strong breeze that makes us wonder if the tomatoes will ever ripen!!

Jaune De Coeur Du Pigeon



Comfrey Tea Mixed for Garden


We have some on show though (see above) - and we love the little yellow pear-shaped ones.
We also have a bucket of wonderful big juicy plums that are ear-marked for plum jam.
Thanks for those Mr Next Door Neighbour :)

Hope all is happy and well at Your Place,
Love and Blessings
E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

Long Time... No Blog... Garden In Progress!

Pretty Peony!

Well its been One Of Those Months.

Lots of Garden progress though.

The good weather has been interspersed with lots of lovely rain, that means we have plump growth and already we have had several salads!

I love Homegrown!

So, without further ramblings... Some photos.

Tomato *Chocolate*

Lemon Balm

Mizuna - Lots of it!

Things have grown quickly, this was last month

Garlic, raspberry cane and seedlings

Berries, Lettuce, Tomato and Comfrey

We have growing - Tomatoes in the following varieties, Albenga Oxheart, Bloody Butcher, Jaune De Coeur Pigeon, Chocolate, Red Russian, Siberian Speckled, Baxters Early Bush, Sub Arctic Plenty, Missouri Love Apple, Large White, Yellow & Black Cherry... Black Krim and Purple Calabash.

Also growing Herbs like Chamomile, Basil, Chervil, Coriander, Parsley, Mint, Comfrey, Chives, Thyme, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Sweet Cicely...

And Calendula, Sunflower, Aquilegia in two diff colours, Marigold, Geranium, Poppy, forgetmenot,... still to add more seeds into the mix to attract bees!

And then theres veggies - Lettuce, about seven different varieties, Iceberg, a red cos, frilled green cos, buttercrunch, freckles, and a couple of others. Onions, red, white and brown. We eat a lot of onion!
Carrots - solar yellow and nutri red. Mizuna, rocket, corn salad, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, celery, corn though not as successful as I like! Radishes... hmm thinking...

And Berries/Fruit - Lemon, Boysenberry, Raspberry, Red currant, Black Currant, Alpine strawberry, Strawberry, Rhubarb - Victoria & Perpetual. Oh and Olive trees, the newest edition, but already one of my favourites...

miners lettuce

Raspberry

Thats us for now.
Hope all is going well in your neck of the woods.

EB

Berry Beautiful and Other Stuff

Has been one of those fortnights.
Time flew, and before I know it, all the bills are due at once, not good management on my part, but meh. These things happen - its called Life.
Trying to plan for the extras and the imponderables is impossible these days, money is tight, and energy is low.
BUT! Theres always something good around the corner, and ... we have berries.
I happened upon a person who was shifting out of his house, and he in passing, mentioned his garden. We got talking, as keen green garden-loving people do, and we discovered we both had a love of self-sufficiency and all that stuff. He took me to show me his plants. Yes he did. His PLANTS!
He sold me some berry plants and made my week!
I need to get the camera out, but ... the garden has grown immensely just recently. Soon I hope the frosts will be a thing of the past, and I can get out there with my tomato seedlings. Yay!
I have radishes, carrots, silverbeet & chard, onions, garlic, shallots (that might be dead!) parsley, thyme, 2 echinacea plants, some coriander or chervil? I must look again... and a lemon tree, easy peasy peas, scarlet runner beans, borlotti beans, and and and the berries - 4 black currants, 1 boysenberry, 1 raspberry cane, a gooseberry and a red currant. Yay!
So we are heading towards a crop of goodness there... I received some Honey and Pearl corn seeds this morning. I aim to have a good crop there hopefully, I think I am going to need more than 30 seeds however, seeing Miss 5 loves corn, and Im picking the birds might too?

So see, we are down (a little!) but not out, and certainly things are progressing, despite being cash-poor!
Time for a garage sale, a bit of a tidy up inside... Hoo-eeyy! I dont WANT to stay indoors to tidy and clean.
I want to be outside in the dirt and the compost amongst my plants.

Loving the Garden Life.
Hope youre getting along nicely in your Garden... and Your Life too!
Love to All

E BUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

Something to Read - A Blog Post from Simple. Green, Frugal Co-op

I want to share with you, a really interesting post from Aurora over at Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op about storing Food... Ive added my comments, Id love to see more...
READ HERE
And dont forget to add your experiences... there is a wealth of info on their site. Love it! <3

Another good day here in Canterbury.
My eldest (17.5) is in Amberley today with his work experience... He wants to be a diesel mechanic. He is greasing machinery. Good thing he can do his own washing, he will be black by smoko!! And he loves it.
Roll on Wednesday! Gonna be a good productive day *looks at tools*

Shall write later
Love to all
EBUTTERFLY
XXXXXXXXX

Mid Winter Composting Ambitions...

Welcome to Monday... Its so quiet here, not a sign of a shake lately. I do worry when its like this ... She says Tongue in Cheek! Whats next then? I hear you ask...(was that you?) Well, being Me, I Have A LIST.

Its Frrreeezzzing out there, frosty as ever. Last night we went for a Pudding Run to the local Stupidmarket, and it was very misty out there. I think we hit Winter finally!
Im still doing the de-clutter. I have several big bags of stuff to re-home or re-cycle. Its exciting to see bare space!
So whilst Im throwing things out, and decluttering... it strikes me that my compost could do with a new home.
This weekend I have a project on. Time to make a new compost bin or two... Again, its exciting to think it might mean I can adopt some Tiger Worms for a worm farm... We did that a few years ago at our previous address, and that ROCKED. The kids loved checking the progress of the worms, and feeding them was awesome for their education.
So it better be frosty mornings, high blue skies and sun throughout the weekend. Oh. Its also nearly School Holidays too! That snuck up on us, but the school boy is secretly pleased...

Have hauled out all the broken down tomato stakes and old plants. It is nice to see the brown earth underneath, and  now the plans abound to see what is going to go where this coming growing season...
Im off to price Pea Straw and Chickky Pooh as a base.

Im dreaming of ... oh  lots of warm sun and lazy nasturtiums, romantic petunias and sweet smelling basil. I have onions in growing nicely, some silverbeet or coloured chard that is beautiful and shiny, and small clumps of parsley, dill and coriander.
Inside, Im still pottering with my capsicums who have not forsaken me, they hang from four plants in two pots on my windowsill. Each plant has a couple of good sized fruit, one has several new fruit coming along, and theyre awesome for conversation... It goes something like... Is THAT a green pepper growing there? ... Also, we have a variety of Aloe vera growing in my bedroom window. They all have new shoots, ready to be re potted... Awesome!!

Well, thats a garden catch-up... Next time it will be a composting work in progress!!
And weve been accepted by BLOTANICAL - THANKYOU for having Me!

Thanks for Reading,
Leave me a message & tell me about YOUR Winter garden!
EBUTTERFLYXXXXXXXXX

Prince William Arrives... Memorial Service Tomorrow... Not alot of Shaking!

Just a little post tonight.
I had it all written, photos included, all ready to push publish.
I did... and then something malfunctioned.
Sigh. I lost it all, nothing was saved. That was the Malfunction.

Life along the Avon River... Ducks, Seagulls & Blaise

Busy Day --- Crazy Shoppers out there, Christchurch seems to have come alive this week.
I cant decide why but given the empty shop shelves today, Im wondering if people are taking things seriously about the threats and prophecies about more Earthquake Action.
Seriously - Bishopdale New World this morning before noon was crazy. I know it was benefit day, which usually makes things busy, but holy moley! It was rushing and shelves were empty - super busy. Of course, tomorrow is a Public Holiday, but the shops will reopen on Saturday... honest.
There will be people coming into town I imagine, for the Memorial Service in Hagley Park tomorrow.
I will not be going. My respect and love goes to all those who were lost and their friends and families, my children dont need to be part of a huge crowd of very sad people at the moment.
Heavens above, what would happen if there were a noticeable aftershock during the Service? And given the lack of portaloos/sewerage I dont think my 4 yr old would survive 3 hours without a potty stop!
Theres a huge crowd expected, I hope the weather is good for them... not too hot, not too cold... A bit like Goldilocks porridge.

Prince William flew into town today. A busy whirlwind tour of course, as they always seem to be. He has been everywhere already, a tour of the business district in town, then off to the West Coast to visit the families of the Pike River Miners, which is good for them, after all this time, it is good to know they are not forgotten. Then hes back into town and out to Sumner tomorrow  before he attends the Memorial Service, from what Ive heard on the radio. What a busy life. Bless him for coming. It helps.

Not alot of shaking going on today. Awesome news is at Canterbury Quake Live - just eight quakes in twenty four hours which is awesome. So far, only one today - a 3.1.
Long may it last, however, the air temp out there is fresh, the sky is inky black and there is a high sky. The moon is a shave off being a full moon and theyve been talking about King Tides. Weve been here before, so fingers xed we get through it again...

The lad is still not back at school, they are on the priority list for sewerage, and we have been to see his teacher this week. She isnt bothered by the lack of academia. We have been working on some things ourselves. Mr 10.5 has been working on how many essentials for survival you can fit into a standard sized bucket. How we can waterproof matches. How tectonic plates work, where they are and what happens to us when they knock together or rub over one another... Fascinating stuff.

So thats almost  it for now -
Just one small gripe... 
If youre out there, and youre driving around town - please, please, take care and DRIVE SLOWLY. Today was hellish. People speeding where the roads are good, to save for the time they must slow down over the broken roads... and there are LOTS of them - see my photos below.

There are some- in the east, most, suburbs who have seriously damaged pipes and roading. I have such a new respect for the Roading Contractors and their workers. They are out there from very early and our roads have been repaired so quickly.
Awesome!!
So many roads have subsided with the continual aftershocks too, which must be so frustrating for the workers that have been filling holes and ripping up tarseal to get new surfaces underway...

Have a read and a bit of a smile here - GRUMPY CHRISTCHURCH

Thinking of you,
Love to all,

E Butterfly
xxxxxxxxx 

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 


 

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
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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

This is why I do it all...Right here.

Here they are....

We played, I took photos, they giggled and ran, rough-housed, played with the Cat-people, and generally lazed in the sun.

Wrestlemania at the Lazy A

Swinging Away

Friendly Cat-titude!

Mr almost-15

SMILE!

They are my reasons for everything I do... I love them.

Forgive me my sentimental post, its late at night...
theyre all asleep - the cats, the kids, and boy is it quiet!...
Tucked up small, or stretched across the length of a bed...
they have each found a nook or cranny to cuddle into.

Zander!

The Twirly Dress... Pwetty!

Look Mum! Im Earthquake Girl...

Does my camo work in this bush Mum?

Drama!

And thats it for tonight...
Thank God for the Littles!
For all you put in, you get so much more back...

Love and Blessings!