A Return to Simplicity.

 How prepared are you when something unexpected happens?   I recently needed to host overnight guests that were stranded in my town  due to a fatal crash on the highway!  What I quickly realized that I was not prepared by way of toiletries, bedding, clothes......lucky for me I had food aplenty. I was able to scrounge up some new toothbrushes and I did have plenty of toothpaste, but I forgot I had some small guest soaps! Bedding I had but, nothing suitable for adults, just the old (and clean) grand-kids linen. A bit faded as they haven't slept over for a couple of years.   Clothing.....well I guess you can never be prepared for this as people come in all shapes and sizes and they were kind enough to compromise. Food was not an issue as I have worked that day so the slow cooker was on with spiced pulled pork. All good there! So that was one thing off my mind.   I had to work the next day, leaving at 0530 for a shift in the hospital, so I sorted out breakfast ...

 Reminds me of that song by the Rolling stones, but they were talking about a love coming back so they had time to wait....   Me on the other hand, I just don't know where the time goes! It's the beginning of the day and then it's night and you're very tired, it's the beginning of the month and then it's the end! Where does it go?      With the weather really starting to cool I'm spending a lot of time outside and just coming in to eat and sleep...........well that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it sounds good!  This means that I am trying to prepare meals in advance so I can have that time outside guilt free knowing there is good nutritious food ready when we are hungry or at least ready to pop in the oven.       The garden responds to all this love and attention with copious blooms and a bounty of harvest.       Spare time is spent in the craft room and I have been busy trying out a new pattern. The Holland Pouch by Cent...

  Not only is the weather outside changing but my life after work is changing! Not a slave to the clock anymore for early morning shifts at the hospital, but still dictated to by time for other things in life, such as, picking up the grandchildren 3 times a week, means us needing to keep an eye on the time so we're not late.  It's easy to get lost in the garden these days. We're also doing a few renovation jobs in the house and this means booking in tradespeople, picking colors, heading off to town and purchasing products.......only just started but I'm over it already! Oh for a few quiet days! And no....I'm not painting anything in those colors! A good bit of work has gone into the veggie patch with turning over the soil and getting the beds ready for new plants. We've just planted Bok Choy, Mignonette lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber.      While out in the garden yesterday I noticed an unusual flower! It's the Aristolochia acuminata vine or Dutchman's Pi...