February sees summer holiday for me ended, and my remaining Tafe NSW Permaculture studies started… I submitted an assignment on water observations which I did some work on during my summer break, following it now with site assessment and creating base map and overlays of my property as it is, in preparation for creating a permaculture design. Lucky for me, there are beautiful & useful map and design resources available online from Milkwood and Goodlife Permaculture, and many others via a quick Google search. My Tafe Ed Support Officer sent me an interesting article, Design the regenerative city: zones and sector.
Water observations map… summer holiday creativity with colouring pencils…
“I was fencing out a revegetation area, up the gully, one day. It was steep country and hot. I stopped for a breather and looked across the gully. There, about 30m away was an echidna fossicking around some old logs and rocks, looking for a feed. I thought to myself, “Do I own that echidna?”, of course not! Then I pondered whether I owned the ants the echidna was harvesting, or the rock around where it was walking. I concluded that I owned nothing. It was a revelation and has influenced my property management and design even more, ever since. We are not owners. We are simply elements within the ecosystem that we inhabit. That is to say, we are higher order predators and, as such, our ecological niche includes the responsibility and obligation to maintain and regenerate the system around us.” Source: https://eaglerisefarm.com.au/eaglerise-farm/
Reading Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe. Halfway through, it’s one of those books I already recognise as life changing.
Retrosuburbia: the downshifter’s guide to resilient future, David Holmgren.
A Good Home Forever, Rosemary Morrow. Companion book for the video clip of the same name (see below).
The Maverick Soul, Miv Watts (author) and Hugh Stewart (photographer). “Inside the Lives and Homes of Eccentric, Eclectic & Free-spirited Bohemians”. Beautiful writing, stunning images.
Watching Jojo Rabbit, film directed by Taika Waititi who also adroitly portrays Adolf. “A young boy in Hitler’s army finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.” The Guardian’s review. It was screened right time right place while I was waiting out one of Sydney’s wettest days in quite some time, before my flight. But I enjoyed it… clever and humorous.
Gardening Australia’s tours of David Holmgren and Su Dennett’s permaculture property Melliodora from 2019 and 1999.
A Good Home Forever, Rosemary Morrow, permaculture teacher and designer, shares the processes she employed when she decided to downsize and choose a new home to move into.
The Garden at the End of the World, Rosemary Morrow & Gary Caganoff ” ‘The Garden at the end of the World’ is a film that is both a documentary and a travelogue of a journey through a ruined land. It is stark in its contrasts of the impacts of war with the everyday lives of people trying to create new lives, of ruined city and the bare beauty of the mountains, of the conditions in the country and the efforts of one woman small of stature but big of goodness in doing her small part to put things right.” (Russ Grayson – Journalist)
Shared on Facebook A cheery and helpful guide: How to be happy … “Every day in every way work ceaselessly to dismantle white supremacist patriarchal capitalism and support your comrades in the struggle.” … is my favourite. Make life about time rather than money. First Dog on the Moon suggests others worthy to choose from or you can create your own, and share them, of course.
Comfort creep: the one aspect of your financial wellbeing you can control by Lacey Filipich
“… comfort creep spending. Your costs go up, but your happiness reverts to the same level… The more you cut, the more you can save… And if you get to financial independence, you’re free to choose how you spend your time. So, cut the comfort creep. You’re worth it.”
We’re going! Burlesque For the Bushfires Fundraiser. “Gathering together some of the finest burlesque performers Australia has to offer, as well as local talents, Northern Rivers Burlesque brings you Burlesque For The Bushfires – a fundraiser! ALL funds raised will be given to Rotary for bushfire relief. Performers include: MC Sofonda Blackmen, AUSLAN interpreter Mama La Roux, Raine Ingmenn, Calamity James,Veronica Valentine, Turquoise Delite, Bette von Bombe, Wolfire Pole, with the Northern Rivers very own Burlesque Starlet EVA DEVORE.”
Shared on Instagram
“A beetle may or may not be inferior to a man — the matter awaits demonstration; but if he were inferior by ten thousand fathoms, the fact remains that there is probably a beetle view of things of which a man is entirely ignorant. If he wishes to conceive that point of view, he will scarcely reach it by persistently revelling in the fact that he is not a beetle.” G.K. Chesterton, The Defendant #rhinocerosbeetle … not usually among our #backyardbuddies but when @welshy055 rescued him he was on his back about to become ant or chook food… and there appears to be a peck mark on his back… Anyway, he’s safe up in the tree for the moment. We’ll check on him in the morning. Fun fact: Rhino Beetles are said to be the strongest animals on the planet. They are able to lift up to 850 times their own body weight. That’s like a human lifting up four double-decker buses filled with passengers. https://www.backyardbuddies.org.au/backyard-buddies/rhinoceros-beetles ~ 30 January 2020*Happy Birthday Dad. 77. Double hockey sticks in bingo lingo. Fitting as Dad was quite the hockey player back in the day. Celebratory lunch today halfway between where we each live, @dineon19 @clubtaree … inspired by @lingalongafarmwingham whose local #grassfedbeef is showcased on the menu hence my choice for venue & lunch… Slow Roasted Korean Short Rib Poke Bowl. Delicious, as were the other selections including the Lunar New Year dessert special of Toffee Banana Spring Roll. #nomnomnom #livelovelocal ~ 1 February 2020The second half of my year of Tafe permaculture study officially started today but I played hooky this morning… enough goodies #inmygarden and from @dollysrun #taylorsarmproducepickup to turn tonight’s lamb roast into #seasonaleating … small red peppers from my garden stuffed with red pepper slices, breadcrumbs, parsley, grated cheese, olive oil, milk & seasoning, drizzled with balsamic vinegar; Tzatziki of Lebanese cucumber, mint and yoghurt; chopped green beans steamed and tossed with chopped Roma tomatoes & red onion and olive oil; and boiled eggs for cold leftovers lunches. Also tried my new @agreenaworld silicone 3 in 1 wrap in the baking dish rather than using baking paper👍#brainfood #hotweatherfood #frugalandfabulous #homemadelife #LiveSimpleHomeGrownLocalCreativeBetter #nofilter ‘cos it’s #realfoodreallife ~ 3 February 2020#loveyourleftovers applies to garden as well as kitchen. @welshy055 made up 2 smaller #wickingbeds from the scrap materials remaining from my Tafe #permaculturestructure assignment. We filled them with soil from the excavation where he laid the brick base, mixed with manure and straw from a clean out of the chook pen, paulownia leaves and sugarcane mulch in layers. #lasagnegarden #inmygarden #waterwise #reuserecyle #LiveSimpleHomeGrownMadeLocalCreativeBetter ~ 3 February 2020A couple of days of cooler temps preceding a week of rain also heralds an #inmygarden clean up and wander before it becomes welcomely sodden. Native stingless bee in Crepe Myrtle. Gladioli. Butterfly-Gaura. Butterfly-Buddleia. Red-browed finches. Tidier vegetable garden. Pickings for dinner. Diamond python skin. “Just living is not enough… one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” Hans Christian Anderson #LiveSimpleHomeMadeGrownLocalCreativeBetter ~ 5 February 2020My bff of 38 years, Mrs Stubbs invited me to join her for a belated -by four years- 50th birthday girls weekend beginning last Friday night with @theguiltyfeminist podcast live at @enmore_theatre … located -nostalgically for me- in my old city neighbourhood. The show #wentofflikearocket when @juliagillard appeared as the special guest, well qualified to discuss the night’s topic of #leadership. That’s our arms near the pole between Cal and Deborah’s heads 🙌 #tripdownmemorylane … End part 1. ~ 10 February 2020#tripdownmemorylane … Part 2. They say the past is a foreign country but last weekend my foray back to the city for my first visit since we left 4 years ago… was at least spent in familiar territory of #innerwestsydney … accommodated conveniently at @theurbannewtown … Despite damp weather we managed to agreeably eat, drink, wander and browse… notably, teas and tapas @thevintagecafesydney … Vegan Chicken Pho @goldenlotusvegan … Turkish icecream @hakiki_newtown @glebemarkets @sushitrain_newtown … drinks & pub food @sydneyparkhotel … Sunday breakfast dahl & rice @lentil.as.anything … denim jacket score @vinniesnewtown @catprotectionsocietynsw op-shop and every book store we encountered. I waited out -somewhat anxiously- Sydney’s Sunday deluge at #dendynewtown watching @jojorabbitmovie before #sydneypublictransport @qantas and @welshy055 who had been waiting most of the day hoping the rivers between Coffs Harbour Airport and Taylors Arm wouldn’t rise higher, did manage to get me home almost on time #theresnoplacelikehome #countrygirlatheart ~ 10 February 2020#tripdownmemorylane #innerwestsydney … #outtakes …or Part 3, if you like… #theurbannewtowngarden #hakikiturkishicecream #sushitrain #wecamewesawweate #yallayoghurt #lentilasanythingdahl #theseareafewofmyfavouritethings ~ 10 February 2020Look what I came home to 👍 While I was visiting the city on the weekend, hunting bargains & good places to eat out, the rain was bucketing down at home as well as in the city… and @welshy055 was #huntergathering #fieldmushrooms #frugalandfabulous #foragedfood #countryfood #knowyourmushrooms #ifindoubtthrowthemout #guesswhatsfordinner #nomnomnom #LiveSimpleHomeMadeGrownLocalCreativeBetter ~ 10 February 2020@welshy055 and me don’t do #valentinesday but we don’t not do it either. We’d considered a drive over the mountain and lunch at Bellbrook but ahhhh you know a few hundred millimetres of rain over the past week or so, and a flooded river means #homeiswheretheheartis so I cobbled together a bit of lunch… Nothing says romance like a loaf of #freshbakedsourdoughbread and #bakedbrie … #cheapskates #frugalandfabulous #LiveSimpleHomeMadeGrownLocalCreativeBetter #nofilter ‘cos it’s #realfood #realife P.S. Apparently baked brie, smoked oysters and honey is the new flavour combo… mmm… #yeahnah ~ 14 February 2020If you need ideas about how to use #discardsourdoughstarter, my chooks would like you to know it and they are worthy #inmoderation #sourdough #sourdoughstarter#sourdoughbaking #backyardchickens #backyardchooks #chooksofinstagram #chickensofinstagram ~ 14 February 2020Timeless advice… “A thriving household depends on the use of seasonal produce and the application of common sense.” Olivier de Serres (1539-1619) Between @dollysrun and our garden there’s no shortage of small sweet peppers… I can’t resist stuffing them with whatever I have at hand… and into my mouth… #foodgloriousfood Rather than get tired of eating them I create new variations… today’s including cooked peas, fresh basil leaves and almond meal with breadcrumbs, egg, cheese, red pepper slices, milk and seasoning. Drizzled with olive oil, and roasted, they smell fabulous. Soon their summer will be over, #stuffedpeppers a memory until next season. #seasonaleating #youdontknowwhatyougottillitsgone #frugalandfabulous #LiveSimpleHomeMadeGrownLocalCreativeBetter ~ 17 February 2020I just can’t help myself… a nip into the backyard to the bin turns into #pesto … #inmygarden #homemadelife #nasturtiumpesto … blend #nasturtiumleaves with macadamia nuts, olive oil, garlic cloves, Parmesan cheese #LiveSimpleHomeGrownMadeLocalCreativeBetter ~ 20 February 2020Iz rainingz. Again. So I’z helpin’ Dadda in da shed. Mummaz sayz she’z studyinz. I likez my overallz but hatez da *×+! camera. #kooliesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #mondayitis 🐾 ~ 24 February 2020What did you do with your extra day for #leapyear2020 ? I went to a trash ‘n treasure market bought more plants to add to the plants I bought yesterday then I got dirty in the garden #livewell #gardenoften #lovemuch ~ 29 February 2020
*Note: February 2020 round-up begins at 30 January ‘cos that Insta post didn’t make it to January 2020 round-up.
If you would like join my lovely Insta community, you can follow me @daleleelife101 and some other worthy Instagrammers I hang out with via the link to the right or below depending on which type of device you’re viewing this.
“love the life you live.
live the life you love.”
~ Bob Marley
Great post, what a lot of work you’ve put into it. Good to see the three of you yesterday. J’s still talking about that cake…. Must check out what you’ve been up to in the back yard when I see you on Tuesday.
The cake was good but temptation for further indulgence forestalled… we gave all 4 extra pieces to the MiL. It was great to have you in our neighbourhood and catch up yesterday, a good market… your finds were fabulous. I wish I’d bought more seedlings 😁
There was a very good plant selection, wasn’t there? I had a bit of a poke around, but no point in my buying anything, getting it home would be such a nightmare.
According to Gerard… “I was watching a documentary and listened as Professor Brian Cox talked about the 2000-year-old olive trees. I thought to myself, “I’ve got olive trees!” That blew out my vision to 2000 years. I’ve since read about 3000 and 4000-year-old olives!!!!”
A great round-up, Dale. You always inspire me to potter around my garden….at the moment I am trying to revive my sagging mojo by doing a little at a time. I am helped that the tomatoes are finally ripening. Good to see that some rain came your way, and that you and Kate and the blokes (2 and 4 footed!) were able to catch up.
Any day I can get into the garden is a good day. Two, as has just occurred, is a miracle. What differwnt seasons we have, I’m happy you are getting tomatoes, what we got of summer tomatoes -too dry, too wet- is past, looking forward hopefully to at least a few for autumn but more to some leafy greens. It was lovely to do a catch up with Kate & co, so nice they love to visit this area.
daleleelife101.blog 
Great post, what a lot of work you’ve put into it. Good to see the three of you yesterday. J’s still talking about that cake…. Must check out what you’ve been up to in the back yard when I see you on Tuesday.
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The cake was good but temptation for further indulgence forestalled… we gave all 4 extra pieces to the MiL. It was great to have you in our neighbourhood and catch up yesterday, a good market… your finds were fabulous. I wish I’d bought more seedlings 😁
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There was a very good plant selection, wasn’t there? I had a bit of a poke around, but no point in my buying anything, getting it home would be such a nightmare.
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Fantastic pics, Dale, but it was this that really resonates with me:
‘We are not owners. We are simply elements within the ecosystem that we inhabit. ‘
Trying to leave this bush block in better shape than when I arrived.
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It resonated with me too. Gerard has a 3000 year plan for his property.
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Omg…I didn’t think even trees lived that long!?!
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According to Gerard… “I was watching a documentary and listened as Professor Brian Cox talked about the 2000-year-old olive trees. I thought to myself, “I’ve got olive trees!” That blew out my vision to 2000 years. I’ve since read about 3000 and 4000-year-old olives!!!!”
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Bloody hell. That is…I really can’t get my head around that. A Methuselah tree? And it’s an /olive/???
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A great round-up, Dale. You always inspire me to potter around my garden….at the moment I am trying to revive my sagging mojo by doing a little at a time. I am helped that the tomatoes are finally ripening. Good to see that some rain came your way, and that you and Kate and the blokes (2 and 4 footed!) were able to catch up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any day I can get into the garden is a good day. Two, as has just occurred, is a miracle. What differwnt seasons we have, I’m happy you are getting tomatoes, what we got of summer tomatoes -too dry, too wet- is past, looking forward hopefully to at least a few for autumn but more to some leafy greens. It was lovely to do a catch up with Kate & co, so nice they love to visit this area.
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