Time for a food forest?

My back was playing up over the weekend – it’s been “out” for a few weeks – so decided not to go for a ride, but take a drive to a local nursery. The guy that runs it is pretty friendly – bought a few bit from him last time including some peppers, that got nailed by birds – they eventually where little dried twigs – but have since recovered and at the moment have a few lovely looking peppers almost ready to harvest.

Anyway, they have started a food forest which I thoroughly enjoyed walking through. I mentioned they I would like to do this to our garden to the wife and I was very surprised that she would be on board with it. I am sure I have mentioned it to her before but she has never been interested. I think being able to walk through one and also the success I am having in my new veg garden might have swayed her mind.

At the moment our garden is not only pretty pointless but not that nice to look at ether. I am just not interested in non edible plants – and I am not a fan of wasting precious water on them ether TBO. That pretty much goes for grass too. A small batch is nice – the dogs need a bit – But that’s about all.

So will be looking into it and slowly formulating a plan – heading into summer so will not be doing anything yet. The rough idea is having it filled with perennials – most annuals will still be kept in the traditional beds. Will use edible plants for shade.

Cooking and Baking!

Spent the afternoon in the kitchen yesterday and had a go at my first Christmas cake – turned out well! The fruit mix is pricey and the cake cost between R40 – R50 to make, but it’s a decent size – would around R100 in the shops so a good deal.

Then made my spinach bake again – using a whole shopping bag of spinach from the garden – 3rd time and turned out brilliantly again. have made it with ham, boerwors and now with bacon! Might make it as one of the dishes for Christmas – already doing malva pudding but might do this as well.

A few weeks a go had my first go at bottling beetroot as my wife was flying through the stuff. Basically can make 4 jars on the price it cost to buy one. Open the first one yesterday, firstly it popped when opening, a good sign. Then is tasted really nice – well, pretty much the same as store bought – is that a good sign? Might have to do a blind test.

Actually, did make some sauerkraut – so have sort of bottled.

Will try some pickled carrots next.

Update :: 17 November 2015

Have finished painting the lounge, kitchen and dinning room – so just have main bedroom, on suite and one spare room to go. Must put an extractor fan in the bathroom as well.

Money wise I am on track – did sell MTN a week or so ago as they got hit with a massive fine in Nigeria and they will probably have to cut their dividends – pathetic management. I never really like them as a company – but had done well in the past. Why didn’t I listen to my gut?? Anyway took a 30% hit, and it was one of my larger holdings. Split the proceeds between MMI and TWR – both of which I wanted more of – will get a better divi yield than on MTN.

Veg garden is great – and eating produce from it daily – lettuce, rocket, brassicas and spinach. Looking forward to beans and peppers in the next couple of weeks – maybe tomatoes in a month.

Still buying shares every month – so haven’t felt the need to make any extra income. Not really using my time wisely, but not really sitting around doing nothing ether. Ah well.

Money is the root of all evil ::

Had this thought yesterday – after ISIS attacked in Paris. How true is the statement? Surely money is just an instrument to store wealth and make barter easier? In which case possession are the root of all evil might be close to the truth. But it’s not really the possessions fault is it – it’s the fact that someone wants something they do not own? Could greed be the root of all evil?

Update :: 08 November

Mens tennis is over – compared to the last few years where I did get a bit frustrated playing number three – playing doubles with a weaker partner – this year played 1 0r 2, a singles and a doubles – the doubles usually with a stronger partner.  Anyway, got 3/6 in singles and 4/6 in the doubles – also play one game for our second team – but was totally out classed so won’t include that!

Have not kept up with my time sheet for the last few weeks so have started to drift a bit – will get back into it on Monday. Might exclude tennis in the mix – just the morning gym. It can really distort the numbers – this week I played 5 times!

Shares have started to recover and net worth was an all time high at the beginning of the month. Will be going on a ride to Wellington now – have not had the bike out for a couple of weeks due to the weather – looking forward to it.

The Veg garden :: November 2015

The enclosed garden is doing very well. Brassicas were attacked by the cabbage moth but a mix of garlic and chilli is keep them away – surprised at how well it works. Have had lots of kale, cauliflower leaves and spinach – plus rocket that has gone into salads. But will start picking lettuce leaves in the next day or so. Other items growing are peppers, beans, corn and tomatoes.