Hard Work Pays Off With Great Reward

It seems like a lifetime since I jotted down some thoughts to share here.  It's almost been six months.  To say "time has flown" would seem a lie as each day that has passed since my last post has been well spent working towards our life dream. My studio has been completely ignored, dust building on half-finished projects which were cleaned off and packed away as my studio became a spare room for guests over the Christmas period.  I've mentally paused on that part of my life as my attention has been drawn elsewhere and I couldn't handle the muse distracting me with ideas of craft projects.

Every spare second I've had has been spent on being connected with the earth.  The joy I have felt over the last six months is hard to describe.  The honest truth is I've stopped to breathe, take in my surroundings and put down roots. I disconnected myself from screens and TV.  I've stopped spending energy on situations that were soul-sapping.  I was tired and worn out and so I just stopped. And started on me, working on my dreams, which is something I've never done in my 39 years.  

I started with a spade and some spray paint.  The back lawn, despite being lush and a place where I would sit on a blanket and eat my dinner, got severely frost-bitten with our Winter frost.  It turned from a glorious vibrant green to a heartbreaking yellow:

And so we planned and carved out:

And I started digging:

Every spare minute I had, even in the dark, I dug.  Using Heath's grandmother's shovel with worn metal and faded wood, it sliced into the earth which for me was both sentimental and meditative. My mind's constant whirling was replaced by rhythmic breathing and within what seemed like a short period of time, one vegetable bed site was cleared.  Yes, I could have hired a rotary hoe and had it completed in half hour, but the fact that our entire yard was hand dug, tilled, rowed, planted and watered is very special to me and my connection with nature.  

By the end of October, progress was certainly being made:

As each bed was finished, it sat for two weeks prior to planting out with seedlings.  This is a pic taken on 18 November 2017 with one of the beds 'cooking'.

And by 8 December, we were in full swing with planting, maintaining and harvesting (with the two last beds to be finished in time for Autumn 2018):

This is the most recent pic taken on 9 January from the same angle:

The last six months have been a lot of hard work. We have failed, had entire seedlings munched by slugs, nearly lost our entire orchard and ran out of water! I've felt muscles I've never felt before and my, have I been sleeping well!  But to see how far we've come in what we've been told by the veterans has been a very short time is the most rewarding of all.  To say I'm proud is an understatement as, as a child, I couldn't stand gardening; I thrive by succeeding after many failures and the education has been immense.  But most of all, to see our veggie box customers' faces when they see what we've grown for them is what makes me happy.  To share our knowledge, our food and seedlings and the discussions had and relationships formed with great people is what makes all the hard work worth it.  And that joy is indescribable.  I know now what my lot in life is and living that every day is worth more than all the money in the world!

Come and follow what we're up to in the patch on Instagram @ourfarmdream :)

My Life-Long Dream

Ever since I can remember, I've always wanted to live on a farm, growing my own food, making my own remedies from plants I've grown, tending to animals and be connected to the earth.  My craft would be used for usefulness and my heart would be full.  This dream of mine was further cemented by one of the most vivid sleep dreams I've ever experienced, one so lifelike I still recall (after 20 plus years) every detail, smell and texture and just knowing deep within the fibres of my being that one day it would be.  As time moves on, and life takes you on a different path for awhile, that knowing becomes smothered in young adulthood growth where living for the moment and being reckless is priority.  Then life takes a dramatic turn where meeting that special someone knocks you off your feet and you head down a path of gloriousness, sunshine and wonder.  You wed and grow into your adult skin and after what feels like an infinite number of mountains to climb that life unexpectedly throws on your path, forever feeling the place where you are is not where you should be, you come full circle.   That knowing feeling of being right where you're meant to be is at the fore once again and you're taking steps - albeit small - towards achieving what your heart desires.  I can happily say that's where I am right now.

Since being here, I've split my limited free time amongst getting the property into working order (as the previous owners weren't "gardeners") reviving the trees already here and preparing the ground for our harsh summers.  As the wildlife here is so great, we've planted more Australian natives to feed the nectar-eating birds and bee-attracting plants for both Australian native and European bees.  We planted out a small collection of bare-rooted fruit trees in Winter, which are growing beautifully so next year we hope to have our first harvest of Nashi, apricots, plumcots, lemons, limes and blood oranges.  This year, we'll have a small harvest of blueberries and strawberries as the plants are still quite juvenile.  It's going to take me a while to get the full orchard up and running as one of our paddocks requires a lot of work and money.   We've also started our veggies and herbs on a small scale so hopefully we'll have pumpkins, zucchinis, cucumbers, carrots, potatoes, chard, spinach, tomatoes, capsicums, broad beans, mint and basil in the coming months.  But one of the most rewarding steps we've taken is getting our first flock of chickens - 6x beautifully coloured and well-natured double laced Barnevelders.  They are such a delight and could keep us entertained for hours, free-ranging in a dog run we've converted into a massive coop.

In about five to six weeks time, they will start to lay so we will have our own eggs as well.  

Now we have the chickens, my next step is to perhaps start on my herbal medicine garden and build another coop for future quail with secondhand materials gifted to me by my sister.  But one thing for sure, for my birthday next month, Heath and I will be building some beehives <grin>!

Some have said to me "what's the point of all this effort when fresh fruit and vegetables are affordable from the store?".  Well for some people it's not.  For instance (there have been many), I've overheard a mother in a supermarket grappling with the decision between a pack of 24 frozen meat pies for $6 versus a head of cauliflower (out of season) for the same price.  Now common sense tells us cauliflower is better for us but when you're on a very tight budget, spending $6 for a possible 24x individual meals is better value for money.  And this makes me very sad.  I'm sad that people are faced with this decision; I'm even sadder knowing some people can't eat at all.  I'm sad that there is a whole world of people simply struggling day to day to make ends meet, not knowing if they'll be able to afford to eat, irrespective if the food is healthy or not (not forgetting all of life's stressors thrown into the mix).  I know this firsthand which is why I decided a few years back to start growing our own.  

So the plan moving forward is to expand on a much larger scale as I now have the space to do so.  I hope to be able to produce enough fruit, vegetables, herbs and eggs to be able to feed us and our family as well as help people in need.  I'm realistic enough to know that this will take me a long time, and I also know I won't be able to help everyone, but knowing it'll happen at the grassroots level brings me so much joy and gives me so much to look forward to.  So stay tuned ....

For now, here's some cuteness.  Meet the 'girls':

And a close up:

Have a great rest of your week!

Making a Connection

I'm not sure why, or if others experience this, but whenever I move houses, it takes an awfully long time for me to connect with my new art space.  It's especially frustrating and quite laughable as I skirt around the perimeters of the room but avoid going in as if I'm about to go on a first date.  I'm so nervous, I hate it.  I can't help it. And I laugh at myself for doing it.  I don't know why it happens but when the time is right, we connect and it's wonderful!  

So after two months since I've set up my space, I took a deep breath and finally took the plunge.  I pumped the music, danced about for a bit, removed the curtain to let more light in as crappy weather continues then sat down at my table to stare out the window for about 20 minutes hahaha. And this is my view ...

Keeping in mind my recently finished concept piece I loved doing, I thought I'd start working on the planned A3 size.    And after a few nights, I completed it.  I have grave difficulty naming any of my pieces so I've arrived at the aptly named "Eucalyptus - Leaves and Gumnuts" as being my source of inspiration.  And also why I can now I feel connected and can comfortably work in my space :)

Here it is:

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Inspiration: The Eucalyptus

Australian Eucalyptus are such beautiful trees.  I've been lucky to have grown up in leafy suburbs where large trees surrounded our family home, parks and schools so my love of large trees and collecting fallen pods and seeds started from a young age.  I've never truly appreciated them for what they are until recently as they tolerated being bent and viciously blown about in the recent winds.  They are so strong and mighty, yet forgiving (for our landscape is known to be quite harsh in the Summer), delicate and graceful.  

The knowledge I've gained since working in nature has been monumental as I've needed to understand what a plant needs to survive and thrive, which in turn has naturally forced me to look deeper making my connection with the earth so much stronger.   The cycle of life in nature is truly fascinating.  One incredible bit of knowledge I've recently learned was that some of our gums require bushfire to spark life into fallen nuts to rejuvenate.  Some natives require just smoke and others fire as well.

Feeling inspired, I wanted to draw - it's been such a while!  I've been asked many times what I would call my style.  To be honest, I don't know.  It's something I've always done.  I've never been able to integrate colour - it's always been just black and white - and I always start with a pen.  I've never been able to label my style as it's never pre-planned or sketched out.  Sometimes I'll catch a glimpse at how the light brings to life a particular spot or the texture of a leaf and my muse awakens.  In this case, I wanted to embody the leaves and gum nuts swaying in the wind. 

So after an incredibly productive weekend of collecting wood, harvesting the rest of my shiitakes, making shiitake salt with the left over mushrooms, household and business chores and a little socialising, I finished my concept drawing which I plan to turn into an A3 sized drawing:

Enjoy your week :)

First Harvest

The weather these past couple of weeks has been so miserable making it near impossible to service our clients.  However, despite being hugely frustrating, we're receiving a wonderful amount of rain which will lead us into a fabulous Spring.  We've been making the most of our time off by more unpacking and getting things set up.  I've been sorting out my succulent collection, taking cuttings for large scale propagation to plant out one of the front garden beds whilst Heath's been setting up the workshop.  We've also nutted out where the greenhouses, veggie patches and chickens will go as well as a new water tank in the future and potting station.  Being able to finally build on our permaculture-style life is sooooo exciting as we've never had enough space before.  We've tried our best on a small scale and the change has been so rewarding body, mind and spirit-wise.

Being Winter, and our main source of heating being wood-fire, foraging for wood and kindling has become a regular task.  Thankfully we have a large area down the back which is native bush so we've been collecting branches that have come down in the recent heavy winds.  Seeing 20 metre gumtrees swaying almost horizontally is unnerving.  Thankfully no damage save for old limbs gifted for firewood.

Whilst we were down there, we noticed the ground erupting with wild mushrooms.  The way the earth breaks open and up comes beautiful fungus is incredibly fascinating and something I've found so wonderful to observe. I've always wanted to grow my own mushrooms and from what we've seen, the environment seems perfect here.  After noticing one of my favourites was being imported, no time could be better than to start now.   Knowing how our food is grown is important to us. We were able to purchase a tester with plentiful mycelium riddling the block.

The pins have been bursting through the sides over the past few weeks and over the past few days, each day they've been doubling in size.  When I came home from work tonight, one beautiful massive mushroom was perched on top of the block and just in time for dinner.  I'm soooo happy - here's the first mushroom ready for harvest ....

The deep earthy flavour was mouth-watering and gave the dish such a truffle type flavour - Yummo!

Well it's time for bed and the magpies are still chortling.  Gosh I love this place ..... 

Enjoy your week!

 

Shifting Focus

There is something seriously special about this place.  The wide expanse of the skyline with nothing but giant gums swaying delicately in the breeze envelopes you and subconsciously thrums at you to relax.  And when night comes, just a sea of blackness highlighted by wisps of wood smoke, the twinkling of stars and the magic nature of galaxies.  The last time I recall seeing a galaxy was when I was a child.  Now as an adult, my eyes still widen with the same wonder and amazement as they did back then.

We've spotted at least 14 different species of bird so far and hearing them welcome the day and bid us goodnight is an element that I find so special.  I've found myself smiling at the sky as I watch them play, clapping their wings and darting through and around the garden.  Or when they land in the garden foraging at what food nature provides with a few treats from me added into the mix. Today, there was a loud "meowing" coming from what sounded near the front door.  Thinking our cat had somehow escaped outside, I rushed to let him back in.  But low and behold, there were six wild ducks "chatting" with each other as they delved into the lush green in search of food.  I've only ever seen two on the property down the back of the right-hand side paddock so today was extra special to see them so close.  In time, these quiet observations may become that of the norm but for now, I'm savouring these special sensory memories and holding onto them tight.  

 

I've been doing a great deal of soul searching since I've been here as to what direction I should take when it comes to my art.  Online selling isn't working for me, no matter what platform I try.  So after a tonne of deliberation and plenty of chats with Heath (poor thing!  I'm blessed he's so patient), I've decided to step away from online selling or advertising.  Just focusing on the reason why I create to begin with - the love of it.  I've somehow lost a bit of focus along the way, and being here, amongst the simple things that Mother Nature has to offer, has made me realise I need to start at the grassroots level again. No audience, no timeframes, no chunks of time spent on "paperwork".

So starting small, I've started to work on finishing items in my box of WIPs.  Last evening, I finished this adorable gum nut pot with leaf motifs.  It's quite aptly named as it reminds me so much of the bulbous seeds that scatter our gardens.  It's not the best photo as had to take inside as it's been raining non-stop here but it has two different shades of purple for the trim and main bulb of the pot.

Tonight, I plan to continue weaving straps for a new woven fabric which will in turn become  a boho bag.  I had so much fun making the last one that I can't wait to make another.  

Have a great week!

A Sale in the Wind

Yayyyyyy, we can finally celebrate!!! Everything has been finalised with our last place and we can finally move forward with the new.  Today, the weather is too wet and bitterly cold to work (as my full time job is outdoors) so instead, I get to enjoy the comfort of a log fire and bountiful cups of tea whilst I start to work through my <ahem> many art room boxes.  Heath (my husband) found it quite humorous to exclaim loudly "art room" every time he had to move one of my boxes.  I am (apparently) now on a forced craft supplies diet after unloading a third of a 3-tonne truck of my theengs.  In my defence, I have very large studio furniture <wink>.

Keeping on with our "new beginnings" and stemming from my last blog post (see below), I've a few pieces that haven't found new homes as yet.  So in the spirit of me settling into my new home, how about a little sale?  I'll have a range of items available - jewellery, polymer clay pendants and dangles, handmade components, jewellery making and craft supplies and handpainted bookmarks.  My hand woven pots, bags and drawings won't be available at this time.  

So I'm thinking about setting up a Facebook/Instagram event so stay tuned for more details .....