Woman in The Wilderness, Foraging

Most mornings I try to ride 8km on my spin cycle (exercycle). This requires good reading material as it's a pretty boring activity.
I found this book  "Woman in the Wilderness" by Miriam Lancewood in the Hospice shop and swooped it up excitedly as I had seen her in a tv interview a couple of years back. 

It's a fascinating tale of living for years in the wilderness of New Zealand, just coming out every 2-3 months for supplies, and how it has changed the author. She has spent that time with her husband, who is 30 years her senior. They spent much of it living in their tent - even through winter, in the snowy South Island and hunting for meat. She walks everywhere, even in winter, in sandals.
It made me realize that we have native plants in our back yard that we have never utilized. So began my research into kawakawa and manuka teas.

Kawakawa 

Kawakawa plant. The caterpillar looking thing is the fruit.

This plant is related to the Kava plant from the Pacific Islands, which is made into a sedative, anaesthetic and euphoriant drink.
Kawakawa does mildly have some of these properties and is/was used as per this excerpt from Wikipedia

The root, fruit, seeds and especially the leaves of the kawakawa plant were favourite medicinal remedies of the New Zealand Māori. In fact, the kawakawa is one of the only plants still used by the Maori people today. Externally, Kawa Kawa was used for healing cuts and wounds, as an ingredient in vapour baths, and also as an insect repellent. Internally, it was found to be effective as a blood purifier in cases of eczema, boils, cuts, wounds, rheumatism, neuralgia, ringworm, itching sore feet, and all forms of kidney and skin ailments. The leaves were chewed to alleviate a toothache. The bruised leaves drew pus from boils and skin infections. A drink made from the leaves helped stomach problems and rheumatics when rubbed on joints. The leaf, if dried and burnt is an insect repellent.

The name kawakawa in Maori refers to the bitter taste of the leaves.

Surprisingly, the tea is quite palatable, and the leaves can also be used in

cooking to add a peppery taste. For the tea, scrunch up 3-4 leaves per cup and 

let them brew for 5 minutes. 

I'm looking forward to trying the fruit in summer when it ripens.

Manuka (Teatree)

Manuka seedling in front of the trunks of the mature trees.

This has been used as billy tea for centuries. Captain Cook used it for his crew

 to help prevent scurvy. The leaves are high in antioxidants and vitamins, so I 

was really hoping to like it. Apparently fresh leaves have more benefit and taste 

than dried. We used a teaspoonful per cup and were aware that it would be very

pale, but not to brew it too long as it would be bitter. (And not to brew it too 

strong as it was used as an emetic like that - ie can make you sick!) It was quite a 

delicate flavour, so I think my way to use it will be to replace the green tea that I 

currently buy 

and mix with my favourite Earl Grey tea.

This is also a multi-use plant. We use it for firewood and garden stakes plus it is famous for Manuka honey.

This all might be not much use to my readers from other countries...but what do you have in your backyards that you've never tried, that maybe your indigenous people have known about for centuries?

Mending Matters - It Really Does!

While I was waiting for this book, Mending Matters by Katrina Rodabaugh to arrive, Derek's niece Anabel arrived first. I had requested that our library buy the book in, Anabel arrived as part of her overseas adventure from England, via India.

I love this book, which is lucky as I spilled red wine on it and may end up buying it!

Anabel arrived wearing a really flattering jumpsuit - full of holes.
Before I could say Sashiko mending, Anabel offered up that she should maybe do something about the jumpsuit, which she had rescued from a fellow traveler who was about to throw it out. 
We then had a discussion on mending and went through my fabric scraps. We found some suitable patching material and the next morning I couldn't help but sew on an interior patch with hand stitching. Anabel liked the hole left as frayed, but in the Mending Matters book the holes are tidied up and the edges stitched.

Anabel's jumpsuit, Anne's wabisabi stitching.

I sent Anabel off with the patches and thread and needles. She's keen to keep adding patches in her down time - a suitable occupation for flights to the other side of the world - so long as she doesn't try to carry scissors.

Did I mention how much I love mending stuff? It's exciting that visible mending is on trend - and slow fashion is a thing.

Our last Repair Cafe (where I help with mending) was a lot more lively than the first - thanks to a bit more advertising. We had a couple of sewing mends, then helped some sweet little boys make gift bags, which they were so excited about.

 I was delighted to take my scissors along - including my pinking shears - to the man with a grinder there, and now have superbly sharp scissors - all for a donation. I didn't even know that pinking shears could be sharpened! Even the worst scissors that couldn't cut paper can now cut material.  💃💃 Happy dance.

Holiday Asides, Simplicious Flow, A Buzz

Hi All.

Remember before I went on holiday, I had made these passport holders from my stash of things, so they cost me nothing - I just wanted to say that they held together perfectly and were a delight to use. A win for DIY.

Another aside from my holiday..I am fond of reading magazines on the plane, but that can get to be expensive. I try to pick up reasonably new copies in our op shops before I travel, which is also more enviro friendly.
I had a laugh when I opened one to find that someone had commented in pen a few times throughout the magazine -  funny/ witty comments. I only saved one to post.

Don't be afraid to do this if you are passing a magazine on - it had me chuckling away.
Also, if you go to Dubai - a magazine will cost you an arm and a leg (I walked away without buying). A common Australian Woman's Weekly was $30NZ, and all others were even more!

Have a look at this newly-out cookbook, Simplicious Flow by Sarah Wilson, of I Quit Sugar fame.

I was impressed to see that she's dealing with the subject of food waste - giving recipes that use up all of the ingredients, plus addressing the use of plastic wrap and plastic waste. I've never seen that in a cookbook before - it's definitely different.
There are of course some great healthy recipes in there too that I'm looking forward to trying.
Oh, and look what else is in there...exciting! 

Yes, that's a mention of my little blog with my adapted recipe for Miracle Pan Grease.
You just never know what's going to happen next in this life.

Some Novel Ideas and Some Travel Plans

I love to see unwanted items reused for a different purpose, so when we saw this wall decor in a cafe in Auckland, I had to get a shot.

An industrial style cafe uses old baking pans to give texture to a wall

The next item I had to think hard about whether to buy it or not. It's plastic and it's a gizmo (generally 2 reasons not to buy). But if you've read recently where I rub on sliced lemon or lime for deodorant, you might see why I found this attractive.

spray on deodorant

It gives a fine spray and the citrus lasts in the fridge for a week with the nozzle screwed in. There are two different sizes, so when I run out of limes, the bigger one will work on lemons.

There is an added bonus that no one will now accidentally use my deodorant lime, and this way it can also be used to spray on fish, salads or fruit to stop it browning. I love it.

My reading stack lately

I've been sewing with scraps

You may see a recurrent theme beginning to appear...

I think neck pillows are a great idea on long haul flights, but they take up so much space (unless they are inflatable - and I'm not about to go and buy one). So I had the brilliant idea of removing the foam filling of the one I already have and replacing it with those spare clothes that you should pack in carry on luggage, in case your suitcase goes missing.

I copied the pattern and made another one for Derek. 

It looks a bit lumpy but is really comfortable

Next was something to replace those awful plastic travel folders that travel agents give out (and we refuse). I could have bought some - but hey, I thought it would be more fun to add it to the things to do the week before leaving...

Made using materials on hand

So yes, we're off. You've probably guessed the destinations by the reading material. There's a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and a Van Morrison performance scheduled in, among other things. 

Right now I'm just sick of cleaning to make sure it's all ship shape for the housesitters.

I might not be able to publish your comments meantime. I've had to edit comments thanks to a few spammers and I'm not sure that I can do it from my phone.

 So I'll be back here in a couple of months. Until then - au revoir!

Jam Drops, Plastic-Reducing Wins

Life here is a flurry of music, bag making, gardening and cooking - not that blogable at the moment but day-filling all the same.

Last week Derek wanted to shout morning tea for his ex workmates (approx 50 people) and was going to buy it all. I said "no, I can do that" (thinking reduced packaging), so whipped up date scones, my favourite cracker recipe with cheeses, cut up rock melon and pineapple and made a batch of Jam Drops. All of these recipes are quick and simple, and are staples in my kitchen.

Jam Drops

This recipe makes 35.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C

1/2 cup of milk (I use 2 Tbsp milk powder and  1/2c boiling water)
3/4 cup of sugar
1 tsp Baking Soda
450g flour
250g butter
jam

Mix the milk and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. Add the baking soda, then cool.
Mix the flour and butter until finely mixed. The food processor is your friend here if you have one.
Mix with the sugar/ milk mix and stir to a firm dough.
Roll heaped teaspoonfuls in your hand and place on a baking tray. Poke a well into each one and fill with jam. 
A sprinkle of coconut over each one will stop the jam from boiling over.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes.
I can tell you that if you forget to put the baking soda in - they will still turn out ok 😄

This recipe came from a lovely book - worth a look if you find it...

Beautiful photography, grandma-style recipes, wonderful garden and country decor.

Our team at Plastic Bag-Free Northland celebrate all plastic-reducing wins, and lately it seems there have been a few. Our local butchery, Omak, have told us that they've had a meeting and have decided to order in their own reusable bags and will be charging people to use plastic bags. They will also be actively encouraging people to bring in their own containers.
This is a result of many of us greenies shopping there, and management having just taken a Pacific Island holiday and being disgusted by the plastic problem they saw there.

Our Kamo Bin Inn now give me all the sacks that their bulk food comes in, and our Boomerang Bags group is turning them into reusable bags. They are woven plastic, but it's better than dumping them and they are strong.

A local food co op has asked if we can provide them with hundreds of these bags to replace the plastic bags they currently send out each week. It's a big undertaking, but worthwhile. I wish we had more people to sew, but we're working on it.

The Food Co-op send out five times this many bags each week

Our thoughts are with everyone around the world struggling to cope with the devastation from the previous storms and now Hurricane Maria, and the earthquake in Mexico. The world is struggling in so many ways. I can only carry on in my own small ways to try to help Mother Earth.💗💗
  

More on Books

You'll find plenty of mentions of old books in my blog posts. Books are a passion of mine, and collecting old books, a passion of my Derek.
I  was excited when I recently found this book in the library - Shakespeare and Company, Paris. Have any of you been to this iconic bookshop with such an interesting story to it?

It is an English language bookshop founded on Socialist ideals by eccentric American George Whitman, where poets, writers and drifters were able to find a free bed in exchange for working in the shop.
We are off to Paris later this year - and this shop is on my list of places to go.

There are a lot of books here for me to dip into - most of them very droll, but they harbor some interesting insights into the past, such as from The Saturday Magazine for 1839, a book made of the collection of magazine articles. There are diagrams of early electricity, tales of travel to exotic lands, examples of fashion and carriages.

I read an article about a young English woman servant, who after sailing for months to Australia, quickly married a man who turned out to be an ex convict, who hadn't changed his ways. Ah Australia - we Kiwis always tease the Aussies about their convict past.

An article on dental care gave a recipe for toothpowder  - 
2 parts chalk and 1 part well burned charcoal, or another using just ground cuttlefish. 
But I wasn't so keen on their ideas for filling teeth using creosote, metal and cement - hmm. 

Derek should have plenty of time to enjoy his books now - today is his last day of work. Early retirement starts at 4pm. 

Junk and Junk Mail

I have been reading two books simultaneously (as you do) and between them they have prompted me to action.
The first is 

I was interested to learn that US Route 411 becomes a giant 250 mile long junk-a-palooza known as the Highway 411 Yard Sale, for 4 days every Fall (Autumn).
What fun that must be! And on the other side of the coin, a great way to have a clear out. 
Both Derek and I appear to be collectors, not hoarders (much), but we're going to have to work on sorting it.
The second book is rather tongue-in-cheek...

In which I found this quote that I rather liked...

"If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?"
                                             - Albert Einstein

These two books have been directly responsible for my sorting the spare bedroom ("Oh there is a bed in there" says Derek), my potting area and the studio.

Of course, having everything left out around you promotes creativity. The neatness will only last so long I'm afraid.

Junk Mail has been on my mind since we had a fill-in postie a few weeks back and I found this pile in our letterbox. 

We had put a halt to junk mail a long time ago.  Most people get this amount several times a week, which set me thinking... Several years ago I joined a campaign to reduce junk mail in my suburb, by taking these stickers around, but I was supposed to canvas people before giving them out. Well my parents became ill at that stage and I didn't get far, so still have the little pile of stickers. 

I have decided to just deliver them to letterboxes in my daughter's street, then monitor how many actually go onto those letterboxes. Ironic really, as I will be adding to the junk mail, but I'm only going to do a little bit and then see if it is worth it. 
I think junk mail should be something people should have to opt in to, rather than opt out of, as many people just let it keep coming by not doing anything, and it promotes needless consumerism and waste. Rant over. 

"Strands" and Beach Plastic

Once or twice a week, the dog and I head off to the beach - great exercise for both, plus I pick up any plastic I find. 
I'm looking at some of that beach plastic with new eyes after seeing some artistic uses for it lately. 
These pieces of jewelery using beach plastic are by Sophie Carnell                                 

The next photograph is from an exhibition of works by Stuart Haygarth called "Strand", from items picked up on a 500 mile coastal walk in England, after he was asked to make something for a permanent exhibition at the Macmillan Cancer Centre. 

Colour coordinated and photographed by Stuart Haygarth

There's more on this artist/photographer's work at Zero Waste London's blogspot and More here from Dezeen.com where you can see his spectacular hanging installation, the jewel of his works.

I'm a beachcomber at heart, so when I saw that this book was in the library I put in a speedy request.

The author writes about a year's worth of beach wandering in England, with observations on all sorts of interesting finds, and then delving into some of them for a chapter. The chapters ranged in subject from archeological finds and beach plastic to how tobacco waste had been dumped there many years ago, and it's implications on the environment and more. 

One of my own discoveries was some little skeletons, thin as the finest egg shell, that I had picked up called a Heart Urchin, or Spatangoida. They are unbelievably fragile, so must just bounce around in the waves like a bubble. 

Heart urchin shell

Greening Floristry, Women in Clothes

Not long ago we received a basket of flowers, which was a lovely gesture. But when the flowers had all died, we were left with all of this "stuff" to dispose of. (Of course I didn't throw it out, but will use it to gift flowers from my own garden, except for the foam)

The disposables from a flower arrangement

Oasis foam is a pet hate of mine - it is a single use item that is used massively throughout the world. It is made of  formaldehyde foam! You would think that, being all about nature, floristry would be a bit greener. Well hopefully that day is coming - hooray!
I have just read about a product called Floral Soil created in the USA that is totally biodegradable, that is a replacement for floral foam.

Floral Soil        

You can read about it here. It's not available here in New Zealand yet, but hopefully it won't be long.
Now they just need to replace the plastic floral tape, the plastic cellophane (even though ordinary cellophane is biodegradable), and all the other plastic sh#*t that goes into arrangements at present.

Women in Clothes
I just love the local library! Recently someone on the Facebook group No New Clothes For A Year recommended this book - "Women In Clothes" - so I requested that our local library might stock it, and within a few weeks it was there!

I'm totally enjoying this book - it is full of interviews with women from around the world about their attitudes to their clothes, and it is seriously unconventional. For example some women send in photos of their mother before children and comment on their look, there is one part about perfume and the smell of clothing, there is a series of conversations where women compliment others on their clothes and the responses, and some short stories involving clothing with meaning. Even the photos are not what you would expect.

               This section had six strangers wear each others favourite outfits.

And a quote to help you feel better.....

'Sometimes I think to myself "Drop the book and get things done." Then I laugh and turn the page.' Unknown

Finding Inspiration

We had a young English family member visiting last week and she was telling me that she would like to paint, but can never think what to paint. I laughed and pointed out to her what she had just been photographing - a cool shot of ducks swimming around mangrove trees and suggested she should look among her photos. Inspiration is everywhere, we just have to grab it.

I've just finished reading Think Like An Artist...and Lead a More Creative, Productive Life, by Will Gompertz, where I found the above quote (the one on the mossy tree). The author talked about how we all steal ideas, but a real artist twists that idea to make it unique.
One artist he includes is Luc Tuymans, who photgraphed paintings by Henry Raeburn, but then painted the faces very close up to make unique paintings - you can see them here.
He profiles many great artists, with how they got to their point of greatness, what made their point of difference. Interesting stuff.
There was another quote in there that I liked...
             "Creativity is contagious, pass it on"
                                                              Albert Einstein.

More Inspiration
If you have a spare 30 minutes to get inspired have a look at the talks and podcasts on Creative Mornings - fabulous for starting the day, especially if it's raining. These are by some creative, interesting people - I love them!


Inspiring Blooms?
Derek brought home these gorgeous dried blooms the other day, that grow at the side of the road. We've put them in a bowl to admire - love the colours.

They are Rewarewa, an evergreen New Zealand native tree which grows to 30 metres. It was known as New Zealand honeysuckle by the early settlers as it's flowers are a great source for honey production.

Bamboo Solar Lights, A New Softie.

Don't you love it when you've got your pressing commitments out of the way and you are free to play.
Here are some of my creative projects from this week now that the tax books are with the accountant and the curtains made for the rental house.

Bamboo Solar Lights

We've had a box of solar lights sitting in the garage for a couple of years, so when my daughter said she wanted to get some for the Balinese-style courtyard that we are making for her place, I had an idea to improve them, using some bamboo that was stored under her house.

It required a little work with a handsaw to make a pointy end and using the drill to make a hole to sit the light into. In no time I had 6 whipped up.
I then made the table version, which I had originally intended as tealight holders, using some of the off-cuts and rope found on the beach. They are wired together under the rope for stability.

I have read that if solar lights stop working they are fixable, by unscrewing them and replacing the AA battery inside them.

Something for My New Great Niece
I rather love making dolls. It is a good way to use up those little pieces of material that have moved from house to house with me. 
The pattern for this one came from the More Softies book from the local library.

So here she is....

And a final happy note, I am pleased to report that there are four less possums around to eat my garden. I have taken to burying them near our citrus trees so they can give back a little of what they have taken.

A Book About Slow Living and Another Eco Purchase

My second parcel arrived last week (the first being the sodium percarbonate as in the eco cleaning post).
There has been general moaning around here of there not being enough plastic containers to pack lunches (yay, I'm winning). So to satisfy those who have to pack lunches I searched for some stainless steel lunch containers.

I have ended up buying them from Amazon($50/set including postage), which made them still cheaper than NZ's Fishpond . I had looked around the shops and couldn't find them anywhere. I think they are expensive but they will last forever, so long as nobody loses them. They are not watertight, having no seals, but perfect for salads and such. 

When I saw saw "Don't Just Do Something, Sit There" by NZ author Wallace Chapman, on the library shelf, it called me over.

Billed as a manifesto for living the slow life, if it taught me nothing new, I thought it would validate my lifestyle.

Early on Wallace Chapman (a tv personality, columnist and broadcaster) states "It's worth pointing out that living the slow life might not leave you with more time on your hands" Tick - he got that right.
What he points to throughout the book is how slowing down and simplifying life can be so enriching. 

Wallace Chapman's five principles that underpin slow living, which I abbreviate here, are
Holistic View - the connectedness between mind and body

Elegant Simplicity - Having enough to be fulfilled while avoiding waste and excess. It's about valuing quality over quantity.

Savouring - This is about fully engaging with your experiences in ways that are enjoyable and life enhancing. Enjoying the sun on your face at lunchtime. Watching the waves break over the shore on a chilly beach.

Distinctive and Tailored - it values the bespoke and handmade over the mass-produced and champions the authenticity of interpersonal relations.

Environmentally Sustainable - environmentalism is a far wider issue than slow living, yet goes to the heart of the international slow movement. 

Lots of interesting stuff in this book, well worth picking it up.
I must point out that I am not being paid to endorse products - just spreading the good news about books and products that work for me.

Junk Mail, Growing Turmeric and How Bad Are Bananas

A couple of weeks back we started getting junk mail again in our rural mailbox. I figured our regular postie must be on holiday, but it turns out she'd left and the replacement had just started leaving the same glut of what everyone else was getting in our mailbox. The "N/C" (which I always thought stood for "no crap", but actually meant "no circulars") had washed off our mailbox. 
I caught up with the new postie and it was quickly sorted. It was a reminder of how much I hate junk mail.

I recently read the book "How Bad are Bananas" by Mike Berners-Lee, which gives the carbon footprint of many items that we use as consumers.

One calculation was for mail:
140g CO2e a 10g letter made from recycled paper and recycled by you
200g CO2e a typical 25g letter printed on virgin paper and sent to the landfill
1600g CO2e a small catalogue sent to the landfill

Some of the other consumer products he delved into and put figures on - a pair of shoes, a night in a hotel, a load of laundry, a paperback book.
Food for thought, I found it interesting.

Turmeric

turmeric roots

Turmeric is the new wonder food, being attributed with warding off cancer, fixing joint pain and improving sleep.
I have been searching for some roots to grow it myself, and came across them last week at PutiPuti Ra, the healthy living shop in Whangarei. (Puti Puti Ra is Maori for sunflower). They were a good price too. Imported from Fiji and unfumigated, hopefully they will grow in a pot in our OLA (outdoor living area).
According to what I have read, I should be able to start harvesting in about 10 months. 

I'm watching the mailbox eagerly this week - I have some greenie products coming in...more on these next time hopefully.

Island Idyll

What better way is there to catch up with my family than to all meet on a tropical island? I have feelings of guilt about our carbon footprints due to flying, but have tried to tread lightly while away. But yeah I know - still not good.

Rarotonga

Rarotonga is one of the Cook Islands, and is an "associated state" of New Zealand. New Zealand currency is used there. More Rarotongans live in New Zealand than actually reside on the island. Cook Islands Maori (and English) is spoken there. 

We bought local - lime jam, vanilla beans and drinking coconuts from the market, tropical fruits from side-of-road stalls.

My daughter - buying perfumed coconut oil

We supported local artists, by buying cards and prints of their beautiful bright works.

Images of Cook Islands by Tim Manavaroa Buchanan

The boys toured the local boutique brewery "Matutu" and reported that the beer was very good.

Rarotonga is just beautiful, unspoiled, the beaches clean. Swimming in the lagoon out in front of our villa was like languishing in a tropical fish tank, the water warm and clear, the myriad of colourful fish almost brushing against us as we snorkelled.

No food scraps are permitted in the rubbish - we were told to put them out for the chooks and the dogs

A visit to "The Whatever Bar" is a must.

I bought a book from the Bounty Bookshop that caught my eye - it was the perfect read for lazing on the Beach. In "An Afternoon in Summer" by American Kathy Guiffre, she tells of a year spent on Rarotonga, and her friendship with 82 year old Emily, who took in Kathy and her two small boys. It was fun to read about the places we had seen, including the Bounty Bookshop. Derek read it too, and also enjoyed it.

I think my late parents would have been well pleased that we used the last trickle of inheritance coming in to get together, because we live in different countries. My parents met in the Islands, and we felt like they were there with us as we enjoyed the Island life and raucously played cards at night.