aspirations for new year 2017

Dear Family & Friends

No new year's resolutions for me because it's just not effective. What I do instead is to have a wish list and hopeful projects to work for. I write it down and I tick the list as I tackle my dream in whatever little step I give to it. I aim to fulfill this within the year.

This year, I hope to focus more on making our home garden more productive, at the same time, find ways to make it efficient. I am going for a more natural gardening. If nature will be favourable and I end up with more produce, I would like to share it with others in the city, to give them the taste of a more affordable good food that we have in our village.

Just look at this picture, somewhere in eastern europe...I find it inspiring. You can see the city in the far distance. Then, there's the village houses so full and beautiful with their respective productive food source right in their backyards. I just love the idea:) There's something in it that will certainly push me to fulfill my 2017 aspirations.

Hope you have a peaceful 2017 year ahead of you and don't forget to keep working and aspiring for the better...May you have all the success as you work on it:)

Yours

A visit to a Permaculture Garden

Dear Family & Friends

One cold autumn's day, we got the opportunity to visit a permaculture garden open day event. We are very keen on this gardening method because it's more natural to do so. 

sharing and learning from each other

I read and watched so many videos to guide me along, but this is my first time to actually see a garden demonstration with other like-minded people. 

a pond to encourage a balance garden system

My fear of putting a pond in our garden is reassured. I wanted a pond to give home to frogs so they can eat the pest such as slugs and snails...on the other hand, I don't want to make a habitat for mosquitoes. I've learned that if you make a proper pond specifically to home the frogs...no mosquitoes will survive either! So... a natural pond building project is on my garden wish list now.

never leave soil exposed to wind and sun...mulch and let plants grow as cover

I'm not really attracted to a clean manicured garden. It's lovely to look at...but it is a lot of work to maintain. I just can't see the logic behind it and it's too much for me. To see veggies and flowers growing together in random to benefit each other is more appealing! Basically, it draws beneficial insects to take care of the garden pest and diseases. Soil is enriched which means our food is much more nutricious in it's content too...plus...lesser work por moi:)

mounting soil to create beds and trenches to hold water next to it

I've seen swales and mounted garden beds in demonstration. It's all makes sense and I really have to focus on implementing this as we have very dry garden. Mulching is a key issue. I want to direct my work energy in a more efficient way when gardening.

recycling what you have to use in the garden...forget about buying garden furniture

There's also the importance of understanding how some trees and shrubs can improve soil and retain moisture. In a forest, everything grows by itself in a rich and abundant way, with no human help nor intervention. No chemical fertilizers nor spray needed!

free leave mulches falling from existing trees - nature's beauty

Putting a lot of mulch in the garden is only a good thing for water retention and soil nutrients. So...don't sweep the garden clean...it's not necessary. Our soil is supposed to be dirty...that's why we also refer or call it 'dirt'.

propagating herbs to fill up one's garden is a good, cheap, and easy option

Working with nature is easier...I need to be wise and work is not about slavery. Keeping things simple is best for us. To solve my thirsty garden situation for next year, I started making swales while the ground was soft. All that digging kept me real warm on a very cold day but I didn't managed to finish all that I intent to do. It was time to have a break. The old body is going to groan badly tonight but tomorrow is coming with another sunny day to carry on.

All for today.. hope you have a good day too.

Yours

Our set BBQ meal

Dear Family & Friends

What would you do if you have people who enjoys knocking down others with negative words all the time...be it comparing you to this and that or other malicious ways? Well, it's best to avoid them. If you can't, just let them rattle on and start playing a mental game by counting how many unkind words they spill per minute. Tally it in set of five sticks per bundle. A fun game! If you don't respond, they will soon end the conversation. A Win Win game:) 

If people can't give you the encouragement, get it from the beauty of a tiny chives flower

Perhaps I am guilty of the same from time to time, but I really try my best to dwell on positive things and most of all be an encouragement to others. I do believe that building others up is a very good business investment:)

BBQ Grill is always fun  

Today is another beautiful day. We enjoyed this day by sharing an easy meal together. It was so simple and all were full of contentment. Here's our set meal.

We call this a family party - with ala carte menu:)

Someone prepared a steamed rice in the rice cooker, with tumeric powder to give it an added aroma and colour! The other one, grilled the sausages which took no time at all. I gathered a variety of fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden - wash and chop - viola, the best salad in town! The fourth member of the family unit..went and set the table. She even picked some camomille flowers to grace a recycled vase...after our meal, the camomille bouquet turned into herbal tea drink;P

Our BBQ pit inside our tiny outdoor mud hut

So there goes another no frill but very enjoyable family time together. I wish that you also have an enjoyable day today just as we did...if not...even better:)

Yours

It takes a village to raise a child

Dear Family & Friends

With the food abundance we experience specially at this time of the year ... we often wonder why the villagers are pouring and sharing their produce with us, knowing very well we also grow the things they grow - perhaps not as big and vigorous, but nonetheless, I try my best to grow what we can and know how in our garden for the family's needs.

the Balkans - child's painting of one of the girls

Then, it occured to me that whenever villagers shares their produce with us, they always say - 'take these for the children.' No ill feelings...not that we adults don't need to eat and share it too...but what they are saying is that children are growing and nutrition is vital for growth.

village hens - child's painting of one of the girls

There's a saying that says: it takes a village to raise a child. ..and this is very true to where we presently live in. For the years we have been living here, villagers known or unknown to us,  had been so kind to our children: sharing fruits and veggies, and even teaches them courteous manners like addressing every elderly with honour and respect as what and how a family does to each other.

the cheerful cycler - child's painting of one of the girls

Our two girls are bigger now...yet, they are still very much the children of this village. I'm so glad we have and are given the opportunity to live here. Our two girls understand these and are grateful too:)

Life is not complicated...at least not in this part of the world. Hope you have a beautiful day today, with lots of blessings too:)

Yours

No frill lifestyle

Dear Family & Friends

Our little family is grateful and content with our everyday simple living. We look at life with joy and appreciation. Most days we wake up and can say...it's another beautiful new day. Here's some photos taken by our two girls as they enjoy roaming around the village.

This is our handsome rooster....he got a lot to say by the look he gives you...

Around late afternoon, the villagers would have finished some of their mundane and everyday chores...and you would see them sitting outside their home bench, besides the road, in groups, for a chat. Must have lots of issues to discuss daily...because the meeting resumes again same time next day;P

daily 'parliament' meeting of the village ladies

Yes...they have worked hard. Life is a balance. To know how to work hard is just as important as knowing how to relax and enjoy too. If you peep into the door opening of a village home, you can see a glimpse of a well cleaned and tended practical food garden.

take a peep into the door that leads to a prestine garden

Animals are integral part of living here. They are cared for and they also have their share of responsibility. Horses and donkeys are used to help the villagers in their daily work too.

working horse having a break

Living in our village is a down to earth reality...it's all about the call to work and rest...only to start again the following day as part of a simple life. No frills....Life is good when we fulfill our role.

Another beautiful sunset...it looks like tomorrow is another beautiful day again:)

The sun is setting, the two girls have captured some of the beauty of the day...and we are all looking forward to tomorrow once again. Hope you have a good appreciation of living where you are too.

Yours

Beautiful and Carefree

Dear Family & Friends

My two teenagers have been out and about in the village with their camera, having fun with their artistic talents. It's wonderful to see some of their photos as they see beauty in everything that surrounds them. Here's some to share with you.

Mobile shed in a plot of land

Flowering weeds adorning the field

Dan-de-lion flower. Did you know it's a french term for 'tooth-of-lion'...base on it's leaf shape

A common dead nettle weed that's abundant food for bees during the start of spring 

you know what this photo means... time to head home...it's rain clouds.

Wishing you a good day...hope you take time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds the place where you are too:)

Yours

A Family Team Effort

Dear Family & Friends

We have this tiny plot in the village, just a walking distance from our house. For years we just left it and neighbours freely use it to let their donkey to graze on. This year, we decided that we should really do something as good steward of the land.

Metal Hand drill borrowed from the neighbour to dig a hole in the ground

First of all, we have to secure the boundary. We checked on the cost of wiring fence and decided that for the moment we have to just make use of what we have and not create extra expense. Afterall, we have no specific plan but to just plant some easy trees that would be able to fend for itself... 

The team leader at work along with two super assistants

With some concrete post we already have at home and some old unusable garden hose pipes, we think it will be enough to make our boundary for the time being.

Marking a hole on the ground

The ground is still soft and moist...making it ideal and easy task to drill and bury the post, as well as plant out the trees.

Burying a concrete post for the boundary

Our two teenagers are more than willing to contribute to the task...and they are strong girls too! It's a family team effort!

Here comes our fence

Now who says that gardening is not a glamorous job?! One of our girls always mix in glamour with whatever job she lands on...and yes, they have great fun too!

The Glamorous helper

After setting up the boundary, a few trees were planted in. There were empress trees given by a neighbour and other free fruit tree volunteers taken from our home garden. We will continue to fill this land area with trees as they come.

Planting an Empress Tree

For today, the job is done...now we pray that God will give us favour and help these trees grow and hopefully be productive with fruits to be enjoyed by all.

Growing trees is an investment...it is also a fulfilling and satisfying job. Wishing you the same satisfaction in every work you do this week:)

Yours

Daily celebration

Dear Family & Friends

The pleasure of seeing my family tuck in a homecooked fare on the dinner table makes me count my daily blessings. Although not 100% of it is my work...yet I aim to grow most of our plant food naturally. It drives me to continue to work hard in growing and designing an edible garden. I am ever grateful to God for a healthy mind to aim for this opportunity.

one simply cooked meal for the day

Having a united family unit is also a blessing. Instructing and teaching your own children is not always easy, but it's not something to give up. Once you helped them form a godly character from an early age, they become secured and happy and will constantly bring blessings to the family.

tea party - exciting:)

For our family...everything is plain and simple...none of us requires any payment of any sort from each other. From time to time, we have a festive tea party...herbal tea drink and a fruity glazed and decorated bread will do. Everyone is happy...you would think we won the lottery jackpot already!

Spring blossom everywhere at this time of the year

All fun and no work is not good either. So, we drive each other mad with work motivation. My big girl is now a self made web designer. It's not easy as you think it is...she self taught herself and was quick to grab the coding knowledge...how she does it??...I don't know...although she claims that it's something to do with autism?? I now wish I have some of that too!

I might not be an IT geek but I also self taught myself with playing garden dirt. This week, I was quick enough to suggest a cycling route to the three eager cyclist family members - off to a nearby village where the locals buy their cheap and good seed potatoes. The village is small ...no need for GPS. In fact, when they knocked on the door, my husband was greeted by his first name. My girls were very impressed...that includes the husband too! He's no Tom Cruise by any means....but this lady's son works in a nearby town restaurant, who served him once and got chatting with. So that explains it! 

chitting my potatoes for planting

OK back to the errand mission, I've got my assortment of unknown variety potato seeds ... about 3 kilos of it, paying just under a pound/1 Euro!! Cheap right?? She suggested for more, but I don't think I've got enough land area to put them in. That alone would already give me about 150 potato plants!!  

So, I'm off to more gardening fun...I will come back to tell you more stories next week. For now, I wish you a good day...and hope you have happy gardening days too!

Yours

The garden is a big canvas inspiration

Dear Family & Friends

I've been out in the herb garden searching for the wild garlic that was planted next to Thyme...I'm so impatient, perhaps it's still too early for it.

wild garlic (ramp) is edible and beautiful

Wild garlic is a beautiful plant. I didn't know much about it when I planted it, but as I've gathered more information, I realized that this year I want to make more use of it in our meals...plus, propagate and spread it around as it's one of those perennial plants that requires no work.

A beautiful plant to paint onto canvas

It's growing time is short before they disappear, but before they go to sleep, they put out beautiful white flowers. I think it is nice to paint this plant onto a canvas.

The artist's gadgets

One thing good about living in the country is that there's all sorts of painting inspirations we can get just within our garden environment.

a section of our walled garden

This is a water colour painting impression of our garden done by my big girl.

Our free roaming hen checking on us

We used to have a free roaming hen in our garden. She likes to be near us...so sometimes she goes to the outside window ledge of our lounge to see us from the window.

colourful house hen

Here's my big girl's impression of this hen. She was a lost hen and we adapted her as our first chicken in our Bulgarian home. She lived with us for five years or so, till she was too old. 

Rabbit in the garden

In our home garden, we used to have pet rabbits. They too got their water colour painting made by the girls.

Another pet rabbit portrait

At some point of our life, my little girl got so attached to the rabbit's cuteness that when it was time for it to go, it gave us so much grief.  So, we decided not to have pets anymore...except for the one tortoise that is still with us. No regrets, we still treasure the good memories and have kept their portraits.

The girls' painting sessions are becoming less as they develop other interest like languages and more into IT. Perhaps, one day we will all restart our painting session once again.

Hope you are keeping inspired with your interest in life. Have a successful week!

Yours

This Is The Season

Dear Family & Friends

I got this nasty habit of complaining that it's very cold in the winter, and that it's very hot in the summer...once or twice, a local grandfather caught me whining and he simply brushed me off saying: 'but this is the season!!' Honestly, I must not complain at all because we truly have a well balanced season in this country. Three months each of: proper Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn! No more, No less!

looking up to the trelises in our grapevine area

 Today, I'm sharing with you the height of our winter season which is in January. The first lot of snow for this year fell right bang on new year's day. It stayed for two weeks before it was all melted by rain and sun shiny days. Not long ago, another big lot fell and it's slowly melting away too.

My Kitchen Garden area is planted with leafy greens all covered by snow

I don't always know what is best in the garden as I'm still learning. I have planted some leafy greens in my kitchen garden and didn't put any cover protection over it. Perhaps it will survive, perhaps it won't...it sometimes depends on how strong they rooted themselves by that time, and or how cold it would be this year. If they won't make it, I will just re-sow some more again later.

This Quince tree got all prettied up by the snow...they don't mind at all to be pretty:)

 Many plants and trees in our garden needs the cold snap to bear fruit properly. They know how to shut down their mechanism to go and take a short nap. Some plants simply couldn't take the cold but can reseed themselves back to new plant when warm season arrives. Good and bad insects take shelter but some gets eliminated in the process too.

Somehow, the snow acts as a coverage for the plants from any cold wind

Tin Tin, our free roaming pet Tortoise is also somewhere around the garden area.. but I can't tell you exactly where. He buries himself under the ground to go hibernation... since last October??...oh it will be a good six months before he wakes up, to roam around the garden again.

It's all nice and warm inside the house

 But it's all nice and warm inside the house...it's not so much of the snow that makes it cold...in fact, once the snow starts falling...temperature feels a lot more comfortable.

soft and clean :)

God is so creative...this, so called snow, has it's beauty that always captivates people (including those who don't like the cold weather much)...it falls very very quietly, then, it covers up everything giving an instant change of scenery...everything gets an all clean look, and yes, we need our pair of sunglasses as everything turns so bright!

Cold? yes it is...Complains? no, I'll try not to. Let's see the beauty around us more and learn to appreciate more...it's good for the mind and heart. Wishing you a good day.

Yours,