Tradition

I don't celebrate Christmas like I used to when Ronnie was here.

Also, Natasha and the grandkids have moved to Scotland.

So, it is just Richard and I here.

There doesn't seem to be much point in putting up Christmas decorations, and decking a Christmas Tree for just the two of us.

But, in Ronnie's memory, and to honour his Christmas tradition, I always make an Advent Krantz and light a candle each Sunday before Christmas during December.

This year I chose to keep it very simple and 100% natural with fresh foliage and dried homegrown produce (chillies and dehydrated lemon slices) and fresh lavender from the garden, as well as some cinnamon and star anise from the pantry.  The candles I rolled from beeswax sheets.

As the candles aren't that tall, I've kept the conifer sprigs so that they just line the wooden board.

It's sitting on my coffee table ready to light the first candle tonight.

Happy & Peaceful Christmas to you all

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

RMan is of German decent, and I am of English birth, thus, when we had our first child, we decided that we would combine our Christmas celebrations to embrace both sets of Christmas traditions.  This resulted in our having our main Christmas meal the night before - on Christmas Eve - instead of at lunchtime during the heat of the day on Christmas Day.

So may I take this opportunity before the rush of preparing for our Christmas meal on Tuesday of wishing each and everyone of my readers and very Happy, Peaceful, relaxed Christmas, filled with love and contentment, and celebrated within the Spirit of Christmas.

I found this wooden Nativity scene many years
ago when our children were very small - it was
in plain wood, so I painted it.
It has been a centrepoint in all our Christmas
decorations.

After all - there would be no Christmas without the
birth of Christ having happened over 2000 years ago.

Be safe - wherever you are.

Inspired

This year my anticipation of, and for, Christmas seems to have been missing in action.  I guess with all the building work we lived through these past few months, then the all painting and varnishing, and unpacking, and preparing our home to welcome visitors, I am excited - but drained.  Creatively drained that is.

RMan is of German decent - his parents were both born there.  And he has always followed their Christmas traditions.  I have tried to cater for that - in fact, we join both his traditions with my UK born ones.  But, last Sunday, being the first Sunday in Advent, all I had the energy for was to plonk four candles on the table, with a bit of greenery round them.  A half token.  Not good enough, and I knew it.  My inspiration just wasn't there.

Someone knew that :)  And very kindly inspired me.  That someone was Diana.

Now that looks a whole lot better than what I
had on the table before :)

Bless you, Diana, you gave me a wonderful idea.

We currently have a plentitude of Kooigoed from the Helichrysum species growing on our land.  So, on Friday during the dogs evening walk, I had a pair of secateurs in hand, and I snipped and snipped to my hearts content.

A close up of the result

I placed the willow ring on a tray, and threaded a few wispy bits of Kooigoed through the top of it.  Then, taking a branch of the Kooigoed plant in one hand, I drew it through my fingers thus removing the leaves, which were then placed just inside the willow ring.  Filling the vase with sand in order to hold the candles securely, I layered the top of the sand with the flowers from the Kooigoed plant.  Instead of copying the traditional European Adventskranz and going for greenery, I have chosen to take what is available right here and now and work with that.

Now our room is filled with something more appropriate for the festive season, as well as the lovely smell of the Kooigoed which greets us every morning.  Not as chic and elegant as Diana's.  But it is simple and befitting of where, and who, we are.

Do you have an Adventskranz?  What are some of the unusual traditions in your household leading up to Christmas?

Digging and loading

Ah yes, I had my Royal fill yesterday - a tight throat at times choked up with emotion, tears, smiles and laughter, as I watched Her Majesty in the Thames Pageant.  My roots have been satisfied - for now.  Even though I was born there over 50 years ago, and have been back a few times, I am a very proud Brit :)  Her Majesty is one heck of a woman - not only for holding her position of responsibility and fulfilling her duty for over 60 years, but for standing for 3-odd hours yesterday, in the pouring rain!  At 88 - amazing!  I couldn't do it at my age.


But, back to our eco-journey in South Africa.


The whole purpose of our last trip to the farm was to allow the digger/loader entry to the property in order for it to dig the foundations.  I had to sacrifice my new washing line as it had be placed in exactly the position marked by the architect for the garage.  Grrrrrrrr!

The digger loader made short work of the foundation holes - damn, we need one of those machines - permanently LOL


RMan then decided that my nagging had finally been too much, and he asked the driver to scoop out some of the alien Black Wattles which had taken up residence in the spot where a previous load of building sand had been dumped.  It's all very well saying we need shade for those hot summer days, but when that quest results in completely blocking our view of Traddouw Pass and generates a feeling of being hemmed in, then I reckon it's pointless.

Overcrowded self-seeded trees

Carefully, carefully - loosen the roots...

Effortless tree removal with the digger / loader

... a gentle scoop here, and gentle scoop there, and then toddle off to the fence between our neighbour and us to relocate the newly up-rooted trees.  

The relocated tree site

I hope they take.  Time will tell.  Two Black Wattles were left in front of the house, and one next to the grey water reed bed.  Until the other trees we have planted grow enough to fulfill their function, the Black Wattles will remain.  When we cut them down a couple of years in the future, they will become very important firewood :)

When we left for the farm on the Friday lunchtime, it was pouring with rain - and it poured most of the way.  Recalling the wet, soggy clay mess of my veggies patch last year in August as the beds were being prepared, I asked RMan to stop at the local Co-Op in order to see if they had any wellies in stock.  I mean, what is a farmer's wife if she hasn't got any wellies?

A pair of Wayne's Wellies for RMan,
and a pair for me :)

We were in luck!  And, although they only had black wellies, wellies is wellies - no? :)  A pair for RMan and a pair for me.  At R54.00 (£4.09 / US$6.28) a pair - I reckon they have to be the bargain of the century.  But, not only that, we finally found something that is Made in South Africa - a low transport footprint!  Now - eat your heart out, China :)

Wayne Wellies, Made in South Africa.
They even have Wayne's V.A.T. number printed
on them LOL

RMan looks very dashing in his new wellies.

I reckon RMan looks quite sexy in
his new Wellies LOL

He didn't do the dirty work that I did that weekend, so he didn't use his.  But I did.  Don't tell him that as they get covered in more and more wet clay, the wellies get heavier and heavier - so much so that just walking becomes a chore in itself LOL.  Never mind the contorted, inelegant walk that develops as a result!


But, the clean trouser bottoms and socks are worth the extra exercise my legs are going to get!  And every time I need to nip inside to make a cup of tea, taking the wellies off is a breeze!


Happy Days :)

Creating memories

I am so excited that MKid is going to be living just "over the field" from us come the end of this year.


And I have a secret planned for him...

A secret door leading to where,
and lived in by whom...

... and I think on one of our trips to the farm before they move down will be the perfect time to create this memory.


I saw this on Rachael's blog and thought it was a wonderful idea.  If it works out, then I hope the memory of this will live in his mind for many, many years. I would've loved to have found something like this that stirred my imagination when I was his age.  Nothing better than allowing a child free range of thought - especially in today's world where everything is instant result and instant gratification.  I reckon it's of paramount importance that a child exercises their brain in other ways than through electronic stimulation - which is the current pathetic situation for today's young 'uns.


But he's a good kid - the best in fact - I know - I'm biased :)  And like his Nana, and his mother, he loves reading.  


No, I don't have any old, gnarled and twisted oak trees on the farm - just an alien Australian Black Wattle down by the dam.


But, I think, with a bit of ingenuity, it could work.


We have plenty of scrap wood for the door, and I will be taking a bit of pewter along to fashion into hinges.  Perhaps I can use a paper tack as a handle...?


If it works I will post a pic for you.


I wonder how many times he's going to visit it to see if there are any visible signs of any inhabitant...

Stone Ground Flour

A couple of weeks ago I finally made it to Eureka Mills during their working hours.  Being roughly 20 kms from the farm, I am delighted at the convenience of their mill.  They are the only flour millers in South Africa who grind their flour in the traditional manner using stone wheels.  And they do not add anything to their flour by way of preservatives or chemicals.

As they state on their webpage:

"Who would farm with old methods of crop rotation and gentle aerating of the soil?  Who would start a slower grinding stone mill.  Who would bake in a stone oven to make bread in the slow time honoured manner to extract maximum benefit out of the efforts of mother nature?  Who would buy these products even if they seem so much more expensive and somethimes "inconvenient"?

The answer is enlightened farmers, millers and consumers."

As you enter their mill there are huge bags of waste lining the side of their forecourt.  This "waste" is sold to farmers to feed their livestock.

Bags of chaff and bran, destined for the
local farmers livestock

Inside the mill it is understandably dusty, and very noisy - the friendly workers are employed 5 days a week, so every minute of those days the mill is pumping out flour.

The two grinding wheels are situated behind
the safety guard

Can you see the two wheels on the machine?  It's hard to believe that they are able to produce the quantity of flour that they do, merely by grinding grain between tow stones...

Detail of the two stone wheels in action

This is a close-up of one of the wheels they no longer use - they have made a garden feature out of it - clever appropriate recycling :)

I came away with enough flour to bake my own bread, give to DD and also as a gift forour town neighbour for looking after our house whilst we were away.

They even gave me a brochure that I could scan so that you, too, could read all about them :)

Front and back detail of the Eureka Mills flyer

For those readers who do not live near Swellendam, but who would like to purchase the best flour available in this country, they have a list on their website detailing the retail outlets where you should be able to find Eureka Mills flour.  For those who who do not reside in this country and are unable to purchase preservative and chemical free flour, Eureka Mills are even able to offer export of their flour overseas.


In addition, on their website they also provide a couple of recipes using their flour - how neat is that :)  Now - all I need are some sunny days so I can use their flour to make a loaf or two or more of my Ultimate Solar Oven Bread :)


Friendly, helpful millers who make a visit to their mill an occasion and a pleasure - just like visiting your corner store in the old days.  S'funny how much the personal touch can influence one, and encourage one to buy more LOL

Local knowledge is priceless

I have discovered that there is a plant on the farm which I am allergic to.  After researching and walking - lots of walking (LOL), I have narrowed it down to this one.


From a distance it looks like what I call a bunnytail - a soft, fluffy dried plant, freely available in this country, and which can be dyed into various colours.

But, on closer inspection - both visual and physical - that is where the similarity ends.  Those little spiky things which protrude beyond the soft, fluffy-looking inner core are downright nasty!


And they caused the following reaction on my legs...

Tick bite down there, but thankfully
the tick wasn't infected :)

It doesn't itch, it doesn't hurt, but it just doesn't look so lekker (nice).

I'm always in crocs - summer
and winter...

RMan recalled our GP, Dr A, had mentioned that a friend, Alan, was getting a reaction to something on their smallholding, so I sent Dr A these three photo's.  He confirmed that the reaction is the same.  At least both Dr H and Alan both now know the cause.


I just don't know the name of the plant...  Teach, can you help? :)


Aside from providing work for locals, thus assisting them to remain in the rural areas, the beauty of employing, and communicating, with local inhabitants is that they have a wealth of knowledge which they freely share.  Such was the case with one such labourer, Dan the Man.


Before he moved to the nearest town, we employed him for a few days a year or so ago.  As we were leaving the farm after a long weekend visit, we requested that he remove as much of the renosterbos as he could in a given number of days.  He question to us was: "Moet ek alles uithaal?" ("Must I remove everything?")  When we looked puzzled, he then proceeded to tell us about the following plant.

Helichrysum species

This plant is called Kooigoed (bedding material) {thanks Diana :)} - it is from the Helichrysum species.  It has, to me, an aroma of camphor, and the leaves are soft.  

Kooigoed was used is days of yore as a bedding material - simply placed on the ground, or shoved inside a slip.  Naturally, as the branches are quite hard,  the bedding would probably have to be replaced quite frequently by us soft Westerners who are used to spring mattresses. It is reputed to keep insects and parasites at bay, and a tea made by soaking a couple of handfuls in a litre of boiling water overnight is said to lower blood pressure, and be beneficial to both the digestive tract and kidneys.  The leaves may also be used on wounds to prevent infection.  I reckon all round it s a very beneficial plant to have in one's garden :)

The last of the flowers on the Helichrysum

Finally, I have also read that tossing a few leaves on a fire and inhaling the smoke can supposedly relieve pain and insomnia.


I love finding out how such things were done in the days of yore.  Like how to protect pumpkins from getting stung by using straw.  I would love to write a book on all the old traditions that are in danger of being lost through the migration of rural inhabitants to urban areas.    Yes, initially, that knowledge will remain, but their children, and their children's children, wont be exposed to their ancestral plants / habits / methods and therefore that knowledge won't be passed on.  That will be such a sad day on this planet.


For such knowledge is infinitely more beneficial to this planet, but it can also free us from the pharmaceutical companies, from shopping malls, and from spending our hard-earned money. :)

Memories of when I was young

I received an e-mail today which takes me straight back to my childhood.  I have to share it :)  It highlights what is shortchanged in my life.  I'm a grandmother - but I only have one apron.

Given my useless sewing skills, I reckon I'll have to make one of Jane's :)  I reckon she has the most eco-friendly method which uses no electricity whatsoever - just what I like :)

Now... all I have to find are alligator clips...!

The History of 'APRONS'

Note: it says Medium size 14  -16
They are the smallest 14 - 16 inch
waists I have ever seen LOL

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath because she only had a few. It was also because it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and aprons used less material. But along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.  After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the autumn, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:

Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.
Her granddaughters' set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron - but love...


When the power of love overcomes the love of power, there will be peace.

Advent

This year I decided to do a different type of Advents kranz.  A kranz is a wreath in German - and at this time of year is obviously a Christmas wreath.


It is, for me, symbolical of both the circle of life which begins with birth of a baby and the Crown of Thorns that was placed on Christ's head at his crucifixion.  It is an evergreen wreath and to which four candles are added.  One of the candles are lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas, with all four candles being lit on the night of Christmas Eve - which, due to RMan's family roots, is when we celebrate Christmas.  (But MKid, as did our two, has a special Father Christmas gift under the tree on Christmas morning.  We did that in order to combine my English roots and heritage, with RMan's German roots and heritage.  It also allowed the children to participate in the "guess what I found under the tree" conversations with their peers / friends, and helped to prevent their feeling left out when their friends talked about Christmas morning.) 


Last year I made an indigenous wreath in a florist circle...

... and, as happy as I was with it, I found that moving / filling the base with water was a hassle - and messy LOL  And the candles kept falling over...


So this year I decided to make something different.


A square wreath!?

Most importantly,  it is one which I can easily transport to the farm for MKid's sake - we may be in an out of ordinary location for this our first Christmas on the farm, but that doesn't mean we can't have the normal trappings and traditional decorations.


This year, for RMan's sake and in memory of his late father who recently passed away, I have kept the conifer / evergreen theme.  But. I also like a bit of colour, so a couple of geranium flowers provided just what I needed.  Then a whimsical hint of Angel's Hair and I'm done.


We lit it last night, being the first Sunday in Advent.  And I like the wreath.  I also like being able to adapt each year to suit my whim.


Which one do you prefer?


But, for me, like so many others, Christmas is completely about celebrating birth, family time and continuing traditions.  It wouldn't be the same without them.  So, if I am able to maintain this particular tradition, whilst giving it a tweak now and then, what's the harm?  :)