Tag: Gardening

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Hobbies

How do you unwind after a demanding day?

There are many hobbies available for pursuit. If I had more time, I’d indulge in more than I do now.

But, currently, my favourites are gardening, writing, and cross stitch.

With the glorious weather of a Southern spring, the garden is taking up much of my attention.  This morning, I did two hours of wedding and still have loads more to pull out.

Earlier in the year, when we had record-breaking floods, mostly, I was indoors, reading and writing.

And if it’s not suitable to be outside, I like to do hand stitching projects. As a result, I have many half finished projects to complete. So, this is also on my current Task List.

But the hobby I really wish I had time for is playing music. Already, I know some piano, but would love to learn the Recorder.

What hobbies are on your wish list?

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Easy gardening

From a neighbour in her eighties, I learnt something powerful about gardening. It’s all about working with Nature and not against her.

For example, it was raining fairly regularly over a number of weeks, and I found my neighbour outside each day, weeding. When I asked her why she was out in the rain, she said it was easier to pull weeds once the rain had softened the ground.

So, the secret to easy gardening, is to employ Mother Nature to do the hard work for us, and allow her to help. She is, afterall, a wise and old helpful lady.

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Budgets and food.

Recently, while hunting down recipes that were nutritious and budget friendly, I searched many different websites.

Much advice was given on growing one’s own herbs and vegetables, mixed in with different recipes.

Two comments I’d like to make to those of us who believe that food can be healthy and affordable are these…

When growing your own, an easy way to choose what to plant, is choose anything that works well in salad. Salad vegetables are always better fresh.

Then my second comment is to grow what goes well with eggs. This means, with the humble and yes, cheap egg in the fridge, a quick, easy and healthy meal can be whipped up with anything growing in the garden.

A side salad, also from that same garden, would make this little meal complete.

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The power of the mind

This piece is by my dear friend, Hilda Oakley. She’s given me permission to share it with you.

Please note that this is copyrighted.

“One of the most important organs of the body is the brain. The brain is where the mind is situated. It sends messages to the rest of the body.

I have learnt many lessons and I would like to share them with you.

Strategies:

When feeling anxious or depressed, it is good to use strategies.

It’s like rearranging one’s mind.

Reading

Listening to classical music

Listening to music on the iPod.

Listening to gentle music on the radio

Listening to talking books from the library

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind

It is good to repeat this ofyen: It’s a brand new wonderful day.

The environment

It is good to work in the garden, even if it’s only for 10 – 15 minutes a day.

Don’t forget to take time to smell the roses.

Look at all the beautiful flowers.

Be free from worry

Be careful what books you read

Be careful what you watch on telly

Listen to classical music

Replace negativity with positivity

When feeling anxious, take deep breaths.

Make love a part of your life

Add caring and kindness into your life

Mix with positive friends

Watch your daily caffeine intake. Watch your coffee and tea intake.

Have a proper dress code to lift your spirits.

Laughter is always the best medicine!

We have all been given a free Will, be careful how you use it.

Life is a challenge, but we have been given the equipment to overcome, just use it

For my spirituality I turn to my Christian beliefs and my faith in God.

Set your aims high.

Be proud of yourself and your achievements

Do regular exercise

Eat organic food”