tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61395129941727383542024-02-07T17:55:04.865-08:00Community Gardening for Idiots-back homeHow do others garden together? What collective ideas for green production can be found? This community garden advocate is still travelling far and wide to find out.Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-27790878053041764822015-02-15T22:28:00.000-08:002015-02-15T22:28:12.593-08:00Habitat in Harmony or Harmony in Habitat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmOBODtxc3nYKHRzakOlL26zQLLm-Nm-ryI-pO-kk5s8BJ5PwGs7saFHlPWX_JiSQlRlZimeDf1Lo4IIKlUT-y5lbm31i8vTh3QV8KsuzlAOxunW2Sc0LlIFMk3xj6jlfb52-UOsVEQY/s1600/HH7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmOBODtxc3nYKHRzakOlL26zQLLm-Nm-ryI-pO-kk5s8BJ5PwGs7saFHlPWX_JiSQlRlZimeDf1Lo4IIKlUT-y5lbm31i8vTh3QV8KsuzlAOxunW2Sc0LlIFMk3xj6jlfb52-UOsVEQY/s1600/HH7.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The amazing turmeric flower</td></tr>
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It doesn’t really matter which way you say it, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HabitatInHarmony?fref=ts">Habitat in Harmony</a> community garden at Belmont Neighbourhood Centre is an absolute delight. </div>
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Ms Tagalong had been promising Chris Brown ( the
co-ordinator ) that she would visit for so long that it was just becoming plain
embarrassing every time she saw him. </div>
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‘Ms Mova and I will come next week,’ she said last November,
‘ I promise!’ And then Ms Mova was unwell and yet another visit was postponed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVET91Rf12GMQ1hvzgwxOOpQzudw-exTagh-5WjJui0TlCNyGkSOZ8b0GpHoxuz9U5hgcXytzAN3OQYy69Wdlcemk-MYeP3Ac3vheasswXer24k7LM0Y8Mu3Rtg2F24GWBO8xK5DH-_KA/s1600/HH4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVET91Rf12GMQ1hvzgwxOOpQzudw-exTagh-5WjJui0TlCNyGkSOZ8b0GpHoxuz9U5hgcXytzAN3OQYy69Wdlcemk-MYeP3Ac3vheasswXer24k7LM0Y8Mu3Rtg2F24GWBO8xK5DH-_KA/s1600/HH4.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Last week Ms Tagalong dragged Mr Ideasman along with the
promise of a beach swim at nearby Redhead dangled carrotlike before him. There were some mutterings of something
sounding like this wasn’t what he thought semi-retirement might mean.</div>
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But he enjoyed the outing. Who wouldn’t? Who wouldn’t be
caught up with the infectious enthusiasm that Chris brings to his role? </div>
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A gardener’s garden overflowing with abundant fruit and
vegetables, a veritable cornucopia of produce familiar and not so familiar. </div>
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Looking for ideas that could be adopted in Tighes Hill
Community Garden Ms Tagalong and Mr Ideasman wandered through taking
photographs, scratching and sniffing, plucking and tearing. </div>
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‘So what’s that?’ Ms Tagalong enquired spying a large
healthy looking plant looking somewhat like an eggplant/aubergine.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peruvian Ground Apple or Yacon</td></tr>
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‘<a href="https://www.greenharvest.com.au/Plants/Information/Yacon.html">A Peruvian ground apple</a>,’ Chris said, ‘it is a great plant
for using the leaves as mulch, leaving with little care, growing under shade or
sun, tubers tasting like apple, an all round star.’</div>
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Although she begged, this was not the time to be taking
cuttings or breaking off small pieces of tuber so Ms Tagalong had to be content
to wait. (But as a postscript this weekend she spied some growing in a
neighbour’s garden and vows to do some clandestine night time digging sometime
soon.)</div>
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‘And what is that gorgeous flower?’ Ms Tagalong crouches
down to get a closeup of what turns out to be a turmeric blossom. Heavenly. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attracting insects in the habitat area</td></tr>
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Wandering down by the stormwater area Ms Tagalong spies bush
tucker, frog habitat and native bee attractors. Feeling incredibly green by
this stage, Ms Tagalong enquires how all this is possible? She knew really, she had already seen the
people industriously weeding, watering and propagating. A veritable battalion work force. Well, not really 300 -800, but 9 regular
volunteers who satisfy their <a href="http://www.humanservices.gov.au/spw/customer/forms/resources/su462-1404en.pdf">Centrelink</a> requirements by volunteering here 15
hours a week.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBPipJY17JrRhLZG_yJ5LyUzN8eKwaWnxHsWMceOuKHpyrDCZt8qwe7q95vCZJ_u6hBbmJPTJVe3SihRFzXdnXZwUuU8tmp0lnExnh3yUxywxM_3Ix9BVznFugUBQETJRC56GUGo8uf8/s1600/HH5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBPipJY17JrRhLZG_yJ5LyUzN8eKwaWnxHsWMceOuKHpyrDCZt8qwe7q95vCZJ_u6hBbmJPTJVe3SihRFzXdnXZwUuU8tmp0lnExnh3yUxywxM_3Ix9BVznFugUBQETJRC56GUGo8uf8/s1600/HH5.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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Ms Tagalong’s eyes lit up. Surely, surely there must be some
folks in our community who would like to do this too? What a difference a
regular commitment would make to the garden production. </div>
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They all chat about irrigation, weeds, mulch and other earthly
delights and weighed down with plant gifts and cuttings Ms Tagalong has much
food for thought! </div>
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Thank you Chris for being such an inspiration and if you
have time go down to the garden, it is truly inspiring.<br />
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<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Slzm2UsAgM8ZZJZtDL1llpRpdrfufJi2GW_ewacUwYJpWEhq25gR0CMXPGtTI0liZw9Smjhqb8kw4l7naIxWdLge8ExetIouOuSg6ErbuQXKnnJYlZyaaN9ms9dcfOnjXq86mG30hiY/s1600/HH6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Slzm2UsAgM8ZZJZtDL1llpRpdrfufJi2GW_ewacUwYJpWEhq25gR0CMXPGtTI0liZw9Smjhqb8kw4l7naIxWdLge8ExetIouOuSg6ErbuQXKnnJYlZyaaN9ms9dcfOnjXq86mG30hiY/s1600/HH6.jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abundance</td></tr>
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Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-47155469987168031412014-12-22T15:31:00.000-08:002014-12-22T15:31:14.859-08:00Three sisters for Christmas! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKN8TKWHPK873c0LyaR568i59cOBmdwjBBb9MiCRdWx3t1i0Ppv1mQNZtKcK00LphqiItjnempQ2DTgwegPy7TvCudxc95C-8gilhm4hsoiYsIZSiNoQBlU0HNTlVrnH-mL_CUJGTWNw/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKN8TKWHPK873c0LyaR568i59cOBmdwjBBb9MiCRdWx3t1i0Ppv1mQNZtKcK00LphqiItjnempQ2DTgwegPy7TvCudxc95C-8gilhm4hsoiYsIZSiNoQBlU0HNTlVrnH-mL_CUJGTWNw/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was hot and windy in the garden but Ms Tagalong was
determined to plant the three sisters out. </div>
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She was amazed how dry the soil was even after all that rain
oh what about a week ago? Two weeks you say, yes it may have been. With hot
windy conditions since. </div>
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So who are the three sisters? </div>
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Not Ms Mova, Ms Tagalong and Red – although they could be.
Companionable, supporting each other and giving each other the best conditions
to survive and flourish! </div>
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<a href="http://secret-garden-club.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/three-sisters-and-other-companion.html">The three sisters</a> is a well regarded and documented way of
growing three nutritious crops by the plains Indians in the Americas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zr3t3TBzyDckkTf_HsyzIhvCzEkFv85ZpjlfurNsyu2goQ9mX2yBo3e5jNkjslnE8Yti5x5wMIOAa-rKsSQKdD_Ot36mOn9Q0MM18H36UAJlucjtU79fBIDjDPt8zFFM1am4czt1l4s/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zr3t3TBzyDckkTf_HsyzIhvCzEkFv85ZpjlfurNsyu2goQ9mX2yBo3e5jNkjslnE8Yti5x5wMIOAa-rKsSQKdD_Ot36mOn9Q0MM18H36UAJlucjtU79fBIDjDPt8zFFM1am4czt1l4s/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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As Ms Tagalong gently eased the corn seedlings from the pot
she was sure she caught a whiff of buffalo on the breeze. As she planted the
beans, fortuitously self sown in the garden, she could see tepees in the
distance and when the squash plants went in, previously bravely germinated in
the chicken run, she could hear, Me Big Chief Corn Belly, or some such totally
politically incorrect statement rattling around her noggin.</div>
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So that’s it, tall corn used as a climbing pole for the
beans and an anchor for them in the wind, and squash to shade and keep moist
the ground underneath. The beans fix nitrogen and allow the land to be used
again and again. </div>
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When you are next in the garden take a look and more
importantly keep watering the three sisters. Long may they flourish. </div>
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You might also take a look at the tomatoes and water them
too. Ms Tagalong took to them with some string and a pair of scissors in the
time-honoured way of helping them along by wrapping the string around the
growing shoot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlkIh-Csasmn2s62WtPPMQEgssKMbpfnpqEwnKuEXoBa_uYuZL86VMqF3e-Y_3hTFsFCqp5rL36Oqvf8NTcp9Kp2Ge4ayE8AbHo3Ew85iCBkrtmpmOLK7gezjVcfxDMRwX1ThsCJc1Dk/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlkIh-Csasmn2s62WtPPMQEgssKMbpfnpqEwnKuEXoBa_uYuZL86VMqF3e-Y_3hTFsFCqp5rL36Oqvf8NTcp9Kp2Ge4ayE8AbHo3Ew85iCBkrtmpmOLK7gezjVcfxDMRwX1ThsCJc1Dk/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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As Ms Tagalong will be far away perusing rice paddies and
the suchlike take care of the babies and give them love, support and water.<br />
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<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-42306222993624679422014-12-11T00:58:00.001-08:002014-12-11T00:58:50.778-08:00Edible Garden Report<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYJGc8qv-KUojK60e3edCWnXZhdMPN_G8vt1_0pyGh54i01tsoYa3R4Qc10VfBIM8MN2VUXQq4RYbNXa0qTWtjg1lXOvWFdyLrwKoKiADayftQ1qXI8NJVyJcaqZh8a5Hl_9X450iwhM/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyYJGc8qv-KUojK60e3edCWnXZhdMPN_G8vt1_0pyGh54i01tsoYa3R4Qc10VfBIM8MN2VUXQq4RYbNXa0qTWtjg1lXOvWFdyLrwKoKiADayftQ1qXI8NJVyJcaqZh8a5Hl_9X450iwhM/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winning garden</td></tr>
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‘Come quickly. It’s so inspiring,’ said Ms Mova. </div>
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Ms Tagalong was standing haplessly outside the wrong house in the wrong street, mobile phone pressed to her ear. This was not entirely
her own fault, it must be said, as Ms Button Pusher had mentioned a different
order of events for viewing some of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/throsbyvillagesediblegardencompetition?fref=ts">winning gardens</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrbEmASZEyECLKXaLI-PizF-j8jJCc1y6fS0oAbg48KHYC8he6wwUWzPEtHaiZQ2XtXI6-_g_ENgLOG6wz0zjilRyZ8sXxoGzGFdMbomGX893cibcWbEyy1oJR4a1H2SIzKM6GHSSYbA/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrbEmASZEyECLKXaLI-PizF-j8jJCc1y6fS0oAbg48KHYC8he6wwUWzPEtHaiZQ2XtXI6-_g_ENgLOG6wz0zjilRyZ8sXxoGzGFdMbomGX893cibcWbEyy1oJR4a1H2SIzKM6GHSSYbA/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Walking as fast as her mother-in-law would allow Ms Tagalong
meandered down the back lane amongst a profusion of mint and nasturtiums. This
looks like it, she thought, and it certainly was. </div>
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An amazing sight greeted her eyes, lush green overflowing
from beds, tubs, containers, pots, and wall baskets. Every square centimetre
packed with greens. Lettuce, rocket, carrots, turmeric, galangal, edible
flowers like violas and nasturtiums, abundant ground covers and more.</div>
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So what was the secret? A comprehensive irrigation system.
Karina explained that they had three types, soaker, drip and mister. An
intricate ribbonway of hoses connected every single pot. </div>
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The avid gardener group oohed and aahed, admired the smoking
meats hanging in the garage and viewed more production in the front courtyard.
A prolific grape (actually four different varieties) spread under the eaves and along the front of the next door neighbour’s house. Ms Tagalong
knew there was an advantage of living in a suburb with houses packed so closely
together! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZtXYIStu9eJ7PjdCt6Fj50ufFpzAoSQWAHV1RCfG94DAMQTJe6Rm_EECj4k9-X0rpLWzaX7CGS4pyOzz0Gd9PBB5yxMHA__7PD1RV-Ds3S_S5hpUMYTEzogopcs2_TORD7H-26rCzmo/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZtXYIStu9eJ7PjdCt6Fj50ufFpzAoSQWAHV1RCfG94DAMQTJe6Rm_EECj4k9-X0rpLWzaX7CGS4pyOzz0Gd9PBB5yxMHA__7PD1RV-Ds3S_S5hpUMYTEzogopcs2_TORD7H-26rCzmo/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked meats</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Standing at the front then, we marvelled at tomatoes, basil, finger
lime, kaffir lime, raspberry and loganberry. Spontaneous applause rippled through the group
as they contemplated ripping out their own plots and implementing an irrigation
system. Ms Tagalong was grateful she had Mr Ideasman. In his spare time surely
this is what he would like to do! </div>
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Off to the next garden, a scattered profusion of fruit trees
and vegetables with a wonderful passionfruit vine snaking up through a tree
house. Ms Tagalong scuffed her way over
the pennyroyal. ‘Good for deterring fleas and ticks,’ she murmured. </div>
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She admired the walking ring of banana palms, the healthy
looking hands and a magnificent specimen of an avocado tree with fruit hanging
by the dozen awaiting the grasp of the pole catcher. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjzfsj-72PvSD85UMc98Wfmv5KpgiNbvTy52onQdbUZesJMzKjvHFMV-NVSnAXaNfX3kCGGLVvmc1BtxRiGJBgO3wcrhmEfSt_Tb4j6tzC-j895yKTk3fGgqzriBmkemCIlXpwSISDcI/s1600/IMG_3301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjzfsj-72PvSD85UMc98Wfmv5KpgiNbvTy52onQdbUZesJMzKjvHFMV-NVSnAXaNfX3kCGGLVvmc1BtxRiGJBgO3wcrhmEfSt_Tb4j6tzC-j895yKTk3fGgqzriBmkemCIlXpwSISDcI/s1600/IMG_3301.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ms Tagalong’s last visit was to wick bed paradise. Every bed
wicked to perfection. Wicked or wick-ed? So healthy, all the eggplants, corn and beans.
Grow your own food and feed your family.
Magic!<br />
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQaQ-qtoUZyRoks_2OuWiTB3DzS6qr0UygJHgZ0xgr0QLL3hLSjL-_5x_8aaH6q_2VKDjJiv7YObSjK4jx561L07a-utFvCKztq2dhJwDRsETMYG8-4iya5d3j1BS-7BQHCxoNxAubrE/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQaQ-qtoUZyRoks_2OuWiTB3DzS6qr0UygJHgZ0xgr0QLL3hLSjL-_5x_8aaH6q_2VKDjJiv7YObSjK4jx561L07a-utFvCKztq2dhJwDRsETMYG8-4iya5d3j1BS-7BQHCxoNxAubrE/s1600/IMG_3305.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-11002276839978594362014-12-03T01:24:00.002-08:002014-12-03T01:24:44.950-08:00Roll out the red carpet! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAT0Ki_5aeHS6WinorLpnyybo4XWZjXDpnAp7YVGl305eeCfyOLSNReLnEfFksi_PlNYexZZk6lqeX7A3B_mrUrq0aXAK1QSjN2ilDvDlLJ1WuXlWXNollr-Lai2YM2CgS9n7cvjx6U0/s1600/sculpture+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAT0Ki_5aeHS6WinorLpnyybo4XWZjXDpnAp7YVGl305eeCfyOLSNReLnEfFksi_PlNYexZZk6lqeX7A3B_mrUrq0aXAK1QSjN2ilDvDlLJ1WuXlWXNollr-Lai2YM2CgS9n7cvjx6U0/s1600/sculpture+2.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the prizes! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ms Button Pusher decided that the awards ceremony for the
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/throsbyvillagesediblegardencompetition?fref=ts">Edible Gardens</a> competition should be somewhat akin to the Oscars. </div>
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‘You know,’ she said, ‘maybe a red carpet and perhaps
evening gowns and wellington boots, to keep the gardening theme.’</div>
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She even threatened that no-one would receive their prize,
stunning garden sculpture, unless you were so attired. We shall see. </div>
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So for those of you have not had a chance to grace an Oscars’
carpet, come along to the garden this Sunday and take part in the workshops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwwJlN-WRKps2pINAALoTDX4WAE8PLqBM7A9A16zgpCDHt4IKY8iG3fQYn8I_9OAAadfyN3FBHLXFjr7zlrHXbLSuEkS2pDg6mx-Cjpn4-haE50n4ic4ZCX1rSssfYFr5FPXbQhzi53Q/s1600/sculpture+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwwJlN-WRKps2pINAALoTDX4WAE8PLqBM7A9A16zgpCDHt4IKY8iG3fQYn8I_9OAAadfyN3FBHLXFjr7zlrHXbLSuEkS2pDg6mx-Cjpn4-haE50n4ic4ZCX1rSssfYFr5FPXbQhzi53Q/s1600/sculpture+3.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></div>
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Ms Button Pusher arranged a judge from Sydney who she has
cajoled into doing a Permaculture Cottage Garden workshop. Come on down, you
know you want to. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Our very famous Chicken Whisperer who has returned to our
midst is also giving a workshop on weeds. Yes, she says, they can be useful, so
roll up for this one too. </div>
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Talking about red, Red confided in Ms Tagalong the other day
that she didn’t think she deserved to be called red anymore. Ms Tagalong
disagrees, there are many ways to be red and the least of it is the hair! Red,
you are still Red! </div>
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Ms Tagalong is very pleased to see that the wick bathtub is
now sporting healthy eggplant seedlings. </div>
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Thank you to the Garden Fairy who has also planted some
great companion planting, tomatoes, basil and marigolds. Keep them watered in
this stinking heat!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUqgtDPmeBK8mtk292fR76a782kKWdwELGw3UiXynV4JUmEH_I71k3xJr4xPk3G2bnIcLm5p_guPaRNDyt1Sd-mJf1UO5yab66hK1bPsQWEJ19WsxyNkYu7K2gSqi7ykQvQFGXD_4VnU/s1600/garden+sculpture+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUqgtDPmeBK8mtk292fR76a782kKWdwELGw3UiXynV4JUmEH_I71k3xJr4xPk3G2bnIcLm5p_guPaRNDyt1Sd-mJf1UO5yab66hK1bPsQWEJ19WsxyNkYu7K2gSqi7ykQvQFGXD_4VnU/s1600/garden+sculpture+1.jpg" height="640" width="468" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSgogZQ93_6NCyBFWGcE2VXrZFBGzEdpQDn-_Cypane9kQcy0XRCK2R7nuhxnQQPtfydqyqRBbS2qDxo6Z5COLQ9MSs0o5TQNgPTF-TUJocsPnPuzNR5v-wcuvHXzH7YgDmvhV00Ox8I/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSgogZQ93_6NCyBFWGcE2VXrZFBGzEdpQDn-_Cypane9kQcy0XRCK2R7nuhxnQQPtfydqyqRBbS2qDxo6Z5COLQ9MSs0o5TQNgPTF-TUJocsPnPuzNR5v-wcuvHXzH7YgDmvhV00Ox8I/s1600/IMG_3146.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the eggplants! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-31483601670437900522014-11-13T01:06:00.000-08:002014-11-15T19:39:06.586-08:00Gravel Hill Gardens <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU8Xi6ZIbYZA2TkJl-CMQ8c-HFQ7UTZ8IqIVP7JGjEnGTKinQExjl2c_IUreLG0_YPITa_pfXa2Cee-qsWJLd8gqJOcIKQfhrfDCdFYB5eK2OtUTcEJmqiOMA-vgkJUYX-gx-unQrG3g/s1600/IMG_2877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSU8Xi6ZIbYZA2TkJl-CMQ8c-HFQ7UTZ8IqIVP7JGjEnGTKinQExjl2c_IUreLG0_YPITa_pfXa2Cee-qsWJLd8gqJOcIKQfhrfDCdFYB5eK2OtUTcEJmqiOMA-vgkJUYX-gx-unQrG3g/s640/IMG_2877.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
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‘There’s only one community garden within walking distance,’
says the teller at <a href="http://bendigowholefoods.com.au/">Bendigo wholefoods</a>. '<a href="http://www.eatmovelive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bendigo-Community-Gardens.pdf">Gravel Hill Garden</a>s.' </div>
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He wasn’t too friendly as Ms Tagalong
explained her mission. Must have been because she had no purchases in hand. </div>
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Smiling anyway she sets off on her awfully big adventure
into the wilds of Bendigo, well about three streets down and as many across. </div>
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The garden spreads down the hill, a mixture of private and
communal plots with red private signs advising you not to pick others’ produce.
On this sunny lunchtime only one couple are working in the garden. </div>
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A softly smiling lady bows her head in acknowledgement of Ms
Tagalong’s greeting. She shyly explains
that she, Jkyawparnt, and her husband, Lahsu, came from Burma as refugees in
2007.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgdBJXG852VXvdR-Zj4lRBHg07_s0NkJ-lBclZY7XhM-RQO_I8zG2ihmRfAYGkJTzIBNewafzvfKS_X0s6-qI7Vs7Hs59hrTQN7BgoOLoGFx8ONlyX6Pv83Gh5PHh3lBYqMYnTa3kVjc/s1600/IMG_2883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgdBJXG852VXvdR-Zj4lRBHg07_s0NkJ-lBclZY7XhM-RQO_I8zG2ihmRfAYGkJTzIBNewafzvfKS_X0s6-qI7Vs7Hs59hrTQN7BgoOLoGFx8ONlyX6Pv83Gh5PHh3lBYqMYnTa3kVjc/s640/IMG_2883.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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‘<a href="http://www.karen.org.au/community_gardens.htm">We were first Asians here</a>,’ he proudly says as he guides Ms
Tagalong under the grape arch and into his fenced plot with beds piled high
with manure. </div>
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Ms Tagalong wasn’t sure if this was the time to tell him
that the Chinese were here over a hundred years ago, an integral part of the
goldrush hereabouts. He assented but
repeated that he and his wife came from the borders of Thailand and Burma, the
forerunners of about four to five hundred Asian refugees settled here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4T7aANaqo-TXBmg4Ve0DHzdFCi_p7248ni8orz4XjkP9HJXrhmVruyrC3Ybesdm5w2iVGAwH0sZ5ryr4WHATB7eHc5FuG5sq3Fg7Rhz0ORodOJsgE0ivjzEM4R5FIMLh6DHdV1Pm-rg/s1600/IMG_2884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4T7aANaqo-TXBmg4Ve0DHzdFCi_p7248ni8orz4XjkP9HJXrhmVruyrC3Ybesdm5w2iVGAwH0sZ5ryr4WHATB7eHc5FuG5sq3Fg7Rhz0ORodOJsgE0ivjzEM4R5FIMLh6DHdV1Pm-rg/s320/IMG_2884.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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He explains that these are water beds, ridged high with the
seedlings planted in the shallow of the furrows. Ms Tagalong was not able to
ascertain what crops were actually grown here <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>as they
were not familiar to her but she thought he said they tasted good with frogs! </div>
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Lahsu said that Ms Tagalong should come back on Thursday to
speak to the co-ordinator Mark but she had other obligations. Remember the
futsal tournament? </div>
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Ms Tagalong left them to their hard work and meandered the
many plots cordoned off by fences, stones and hedges of beans.</div>
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At the foot of the hill she was very impressed by the mounds
of lawn clippings left by locals which contribute to the much needed compost.
An idea which should be adopted at Tighes Hill she thought. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDftYvY7tX6_svTuu7CLG1f_T5E4Dr-ZvUxEF68vQ4Wc_DXqw7CX1qnq4-ITC0CniMcxYBLfP0H6gnYXslo2JsjbGzmU4_h3O_ugk_xBcR6m2CXiYh71a2oAd0ws6okvfvsUu__SzGMHU/s1600/IMG_2891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDftYvY7tX6_svTuu7CLG1f_T5E4Dr-ZvUxEF68vQ4Wc_DXqw7CX1qnq4-ITC0CniMcxYBLfP0H6gnYXslo2JsjbGzmU4_h3O_ugk_xBcR6m2CXiYh71a2oAd0ws6okvfvsUu__SzGMHU/s320/IMG_2891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
On her return to Kings Road she got out the chalkboard and scrawled a sign asking for lawn clippings to be placed <u>HERE!</u><br />
<br />
So far the mound is not very impressive - in fact no-one seems to have noticed the sign.<br />
<i><a href="http://www.eatmovelive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bendigo-Community-Gardens.pdf"><br /></a></i>
<i><a href="http://www.eatmovelive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bendigo-Community-Gardens.pdf"><br /></a></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZCtqtBAquxbqI0nk4KyiUNCQTJNLDgxsSyqnN7QwG32MKJYnPMgafVadBVBnVeuUUGpXa3eEX7uAe0ib9NTqjTnW4ekqFSWBrj7tSCUtGk0yaoTXt-TjihKQAszIXA0ARYG2t8r606o/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyZCtqtBAquxbqI0nk4KyiUNCQTJNLDgxsSyqnN7QwG32MKJYnPMgafVadBVBnVeuUUGpXa3eEX7uAe0ib9NTqjTnW4ekqFSWBrj7tSCUtGk0yaoTXt-TjihKQAszIXA0ARYG2t8r606o/s320/IMG_2889.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><a href="http://www.eatmovelive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bendigo-Community-Gardens.pdf"><br /></a></i>
<i><a href="http://www.eatmovelive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bendigo-Community-Gardens.pdf"><br /></a></i>
<i><a href="http://www.eatmovelive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Bendigo-Community-Gardens.pdf">It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</a></i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-56624802278985971512014-11-12T19:05:00.001-08:002014-11-12T19:05:05.000-08:00Of bikes and trailers! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j8-s31qFmjUewHbBeIk9FKRGvVBLAsfcuN73ScHJm4qYG3_lCB7jKgHGlUYXIG8y2IyT4RTKa8Y-qwOm9zJowEyO0_wXwEnp2mTTJ0vy6MChnrXxiAB_OYN7mo4lng9I31HrFmZEyR8/s1600/IMG_2926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j8-s31qFmjUewHbBeIk9FKRGvVBLAsfcuN73ScHJm4qYG3_lCB7jKgHGlUYXIG8y2IyT4RTKa8Y-qwOm9zJowEyO0_wXwEnp2mTTJ0vy6MChnrXxiAB_OYN7mo4lng9I31HrFmZEyR8/s640/IMG_2926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A determined walk along the Bendigo Creek takes Ms Tagalong
behind houses, over bridges, past the tennis courts and Lake Weerona, over the
oldest remaining bridge and into <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper-Green-Farm/361293703899598">Peppergreen Farm</a> by the back way climbing over
the fence. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A group of industrious men are busy painting bundles of
stakes. Not for an upcoming Vampire’s convention but for local surveyors.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Aku4GttV6owwhYZr-yChHuJRc-sNapHH0G1lg_ropGNs5ZC300gzESgi9jFhfpqwAX0S5gEl4_udYIsDZua_TXISxA11cNxyx0pVy8dYLCet0GooOarRxLrP11xDtOAxQaTceTJxUgg/s1600/IMG_2936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Aku4GttV6owwhYZr-yChHuJRc-sNapHH0G1lg_ropGNs5ZC300gzESgi9jFhfpqwAX0S5gEl4_udYIsDZua_TXISxA11cNxyx0pVy8dYLCet0GooOarRxLrP11xDtOAxQaTceTJxUgg/s320/IMG_2936.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This community garden is mostly run by <a href="http://www.accessemployment.com.au/">Access Industries</a>
providing work for disabled clients in the area. They mow, they whipper snip
and paint stakes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ros Woodburn who has been co-ordinator for 2 ½ years proudly
points out her transport. A bicycle with a trailer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keen as mustard, not the mustard lettuce growing so
prolifically in Tighes Hill garden, but mustard nevertheless, she explains what
she uses the trailer for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Under a large canopied area trays of lettuces and salad greens
grow. They are harvested daily and bags taken to four local restaurants who in
turn provide bags of coffee grounds to be used in the compost. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ros’s eyes glisten as she imagines fleets of these bikes
traversing Bendigo taking some of the excess produce people drop off at the
garden, completing the urban food cycle as it were.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TI6ufzjk_j1hg_1blNvoSlSXzoJEObjteNDfsu3A3znI9erayeaYH1MmF7jNpfIlFLfgB4zkqR87Ol-y5Xn3TTu_9rHoL2QAglfdyws7LvZxjY1ONTDFr25DqwAiNritp7s9f-O7ejs/s1600/IMG_2928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TI6ufzjk_j1hg_1blNvoSlSXzoJEObjteNDfsu3A3znI9erayeaYH1MmF7jNpfIlFLfgB4zkqR87Ol-y5Xn3TTu_9rHoL2QAglfdyws7LvZxjY1ONTDFr25DqwAiNritp7s9f-O7ejs/s320/IMG_2928.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ms Tagalong tries to glimpse the ghosts that
must inhabit this garden, the location of the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2006/10/12/1763246.htm">Bendigo Chinese Market Garden</a> but
all she can see are the happily waving employees hard at work under the
canopied area and a vision on a bicycle, produce in tow.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></span></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-54460814312761574802014-11-12T17:46:00.001-08:002014-11-12T17:46:44.036-08:00Our own Edible Gardens Competition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This is your chance. This is your moment in the spotlight. Proud
of your veggies? Proud of your fruit? Enter in the Throsby Villages
Competition, open to residents of the Throsby Villages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pq4Cf_-y8Om_MfNo79i-a1-wsWYTEIZSFn44X9oIweHr-TUMVJyaYWkZ0-5z0yINr59psPGCEVoBRjVg0ZARQzsaEoxfCrTrdogr2u6sFjhA0-uC8dtBYibDI_B0CoM3Bq62zPaVSCA/s1600/edible+garden+photo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Pq4Cf_-y8Om_MfNo79i-a1-wsWYTEIZSFn44X9oIweHr-TUMVJyaYWkZ0-5z0yINr59psPGCEVoBRjVg0ZARQzsaEoxfCrTrdogr2u6sFjhA0-uC8dtBYibDI_B0CoM3Bq62zPaVSCA/s1600/edible+garden+photo.png" height="640" width="368" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Some of you assiduous readers may remember Ms Tagalong
visiting <a href="http://tigheshillgarden.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/grow-some-take-some-todmorden.html">Todmordern</a> in Yorkshire and admiring their Incredible Edibles. Now it’s
your turn. How sustainable are we as a community? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Do you have chooks? A bush tucker garden? A garden run on organic or permaculture principles? </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">There are many categories, verge garden, container gardening,
balcony gardening etc. Just download an entry form from the<a href="https://www.facebook.com/throsbyvillagesediblegardencompetition?fref=ts"> Facebook site</a> and
get to work on that garden! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-16921921600738495082014-10-19T22:01:00.000-07:002014-10-19T22:01:24.454-07:00Nasturtiums - torn up and used! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkilgjO6LoSYDuRcjBeF8TfOAbhOVr-KcC-HUJ_oAYZAyf5E74wccmLBQekIx_ZXTLMjnxm5vjpjHBUce3m83QgpyK-mpp_UUKg8-HPPIMo-zeMDRhm4KsZV95NfDVJAvN_12JdgtSpc/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkilgjO6LoSYDuRcjBeF8TfOAbhOVr-KcC-HUJ_oAYZAyf5E74wccmLBQekIx_ZXTLMjnxm5vjpjHBUce3m83QgpyK-mpp_UUKg8-HPPIMo-zeMDRhm4KsZV95NfDVJAvN_12JdgtSpc/s1600/IMG_3095.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There go the nasturtiums! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ms Tagalong winces as the nasturtiums are wrenched out. The chooks had done a fairly good job of shredding this bed, but now they were all gone. Lucky that Ms Tagalong had been harvesting the green, crisp seeds last week for an experiment.<br />
<br />
Smoked salmon - mmm. They are not the same unless you add some capers. So here Ms Tagalong is looking to make some <a href="http://gardening.about.com/od/recipes/r/NasturtiumCaper.htm">Poor man's capers</a>. Steeping silently in the fridge, judgement awaits for a later time.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR2CPzsfzXkC99DF6Zb6PihqaTJTWB4IGr3UeUKvtczgtK_ct-fAw2hvhuWPcvukO3HIyvoXbLjxfAhpu3LsFyqsSGtC7uMJNrZS-BCg1LGCN-qJh_VYRjy6phFUUj68G-O6kPvl_0OM/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR2CPzsfzXkC99DF6Zb6PihqaTJTWB4IGr3UeUKvtczgtK_ct-fAw2hvhuWPcvukO3HIyvoXbLjxfAhpu3LsFyqsSGtC7uMJNrZS-BCg1LGCN-qJh_VYRjy6phFUUj68G-O6kPvl_0OM/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the capers! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In the meantime, why are the nasturtiums being ripped up?<br />
<br />
The members of the garden and some interested locals want to learn how to make compost, specifically hot compost.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckkCnN7wolru1075xhvMIyeA7t5z7oZnia-u7JQ_x8lfmpUhlli4lk-Zoiplyd79ima38aoMA2BJehuKKMkKfU_y4W2tLUX3J96QTbCevWdVXMW6bu62epjFi-BE6uqowRJyJZX15wQc/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckkCnN7wolru1075xhvMIyeA7t5z7oZnia-u7JQ_x8lfmpUhlli4lk-Zoiplyd79ima38aoMA2BJehuKKMkKfU_y4W2tLUX3J96QTbCevWdVXMW6bu62epjFi-BE6uqowRJyJZX15wQc/s1600/IMG_3107.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neat bays! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As it happens, it morphs, moves and becomes bigger than Ben Hur. The compost becomes three constructed bays ably made by all.<br />
<br />
Firstly a layer of twigs for carbon, then leaves, gutter clearings, manure and pulled up vegetables gone to seed and of course the aforesaid nasturtiums.<br />
<br />
And it doesn't finish until all the collected green waste is added to the bays.<br />
<br />
Ms Tagalong will need some new names for some of these new willing workers.<br />
<br />
While Mr Permie explains all about the process, (aerobic, anaerobic, carbon are words which float past Ms Tagalong's ears,) The Constant Composter makes sure that all the manure is added, tidied up and the bananas are looking happy in their new abode. All was watered and settled in.<br />
<br />
What a productive day!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG1z42h6K6aim0KGkobaKK9w85VLAodFzouC7Re-XdjyCXqGx0t5tQ8GDlz2NNlDz9P76-FBQeypaUY3YAkFkmJ9NJx3W0tXoEg9yRP94AHzLMk-bw32uMNFwfcXvb5338uN1VN0l9aY/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG1z42h6K6aim0KGkobaKK9w85VLAodFzouC7Re-XdjyCXqGx0t5tQ8GDlz2NNlDz9P76-FBQeypaUY3YAkFkmJ9NJx3W0tXoEg9yRP94AHzLMk-bw32uMNFwfcXvb5338uN1VN0l9aY/s1600/IMG_3147.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-74692338102462404462014-10-06T02:15:00.000-07:002014-10-06T02:23:09.077-07:00Spring comes to Bendigo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbYp_APqPUjavhTVUv-kjbNaVtei58TgpOLygrbkoQg27WOC2RoxGMfH2aGCSqHKThzyx8Tydwg2e4C74dl4Ih8JJsO8iu8Q1a4uT7B0IeKspNbhWt-cSbMr-SodXL7miUjIifZo0WN0/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbYp_APqPUjavhTVUv-kjbNaVtei58TgpOLygrbkoQg27WOC2RoxGMfH2aGCSqHKThzyx8Tydwg2e4C74dl4Ih8JJsO8iu8Q1a4uT7B0IeKspNbhWt-cSbMr-SodXL7miUjIifZo0WN0/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Bendigo. Goldfields. Ornate buildings. Sweeping boulevards.
Fourteen hours bus ride.</div>
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If Mr Ideasman ever suggests a trip to accompany him to
Bendigo, turn and run the other way. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ms Tagalong in her inimitable fashion decided to go along.
She did not however , anticipate fourteen hours in a bus packed with forty-five
pre-pubescents off to play in the national Futsal championships. </div>
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But that aside, the sun is shining, a mug of tea awaits on
the verandah and Ms Tagalong is laying plans to visit gardens, community and
otherwise, which abound in this city of ‘unparalleled opulence and glamour.’</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpcJZ48IcT6FMQTWzxso7DuftF9hRCeGeQWtMcQTpeJFJ2GZk_ylm2G9nTGWzhBCotwM5E18JfOr6OePqW6Uby2GkoAYqSQ0NMdMi1FywfS9U39zAgI2aBhBLrjJKurPR24gzkvzv0t8/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKpcJZ48IcT6FMQTWzxso7DuftF9hRCeGeQWtMcQTpeJFJ2GZk_ylm2G9nTGWzhBCotwM5E18JfOr6OePqW6Uby2GkoAYqSQ0NMdMi1FywfS9U39zAgI2aBhBLrjJKurPR24gzkvzv0t8/s1600/IMG_2852.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mmm, Ms Tagalong should fit right in! </div>
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Stepping over the tram lines the first port of call is the
conservatory on Pall Mall where the annual tulip display is over its best as
the lady at the information centre offers. </div>
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Not quite <a href="http://goamsterdam.about.com/od/daytripsexcursions/tp/guidetotuliptimekeukenhof.htm">Amsterdam</a>. Not quite <a href="http://spaldingnet.com/spalding-flower-parade">Spalding</a>. Nevertheless the
colours bounce and jostle in the spring sunshine, the object of many a
visitor’s lens.</div>
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</div>
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The conservatory houses a strange garden. A garden fashioned
out of cardboard, retwisted and designed into organic shapes, decorated and
be-tasselled. Sculpture from children’s workshops in and around Bendigo adorn
the vestibule where would-be-artists scribble wildly on large pieces of paper
anxious to have their efforts included.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5KCAvGBNGzuggN67Re0UK8BuuuuiuGtY2-kV3afdq49xT8vsRHU7K6u-5HLFe31IKpoZFfAEp3xVL-UCACIGKAFjQi0Bf2r9VMTjwmjmz9-ct-ja-wTk0XidFCpdQZ5X5fz99IN7-PU/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5KCAvGBNGzuggN67Re0UK8BuuuuiuGtY2-kV3afdq49xT8vsRHU7K6u-5HLFe31IKpoZFfAEp3xVL-UCACIGKAFjQi0Bf2r9VMTjwmjmz9-ct-ja-wTk0XidFCpdQZ5X5fz99IN7-PU/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG" height="257" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a></div>
Sitting in the sunshine, the nightmare journey recedes and
Ms Tagalong consults her map to find her way to the nearest community garden.<br />
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV49BCU5cDQ9jOEIY7hrc304DxkbrXDKpZnHbfRYexECfAnUvdi0bjqmLaSIHPtpzZpciR-4B9EBxK5dro3d9KQcNaj04dJZve0b-qbyj7VZcm4nvn0fdrisA7k95Y-eD3_MK0ljBfyU/s1600/IMG_2845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV49BCU5cDQ9jOEIY7hrc304DxkbrXDKpZnHbfRYexECfAnUvdi0bjqmLaSIHPtpzZpciR-4B9EBxK5dro3d9KQcNaj04dJZve0b-qbyj7VZcm4nvn0fdrisA7k95Y-eD3_MK0ljBfyU/s1600/IMG_2845.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></i></div>
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Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-91282869472839059622014-09-16T03:24:00.000-07:002014-09-19T01:31:29.869-07:00Springing to life! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDC1C3XIRjFllGrB6Z3f_9vg35fiG28wxzcp0DXBKVr2o3JjXfjwRsMqD9eEmIGFLH9QE8cw66RIgbx8eWjn8A_q8T_aanLLn7hDEDU9clk7d1RiXKXiKT-lZ54dxEi48tzgmevcgAzQ/s1600/IMG_2803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDC1C3XIRjFllGrB6Z3f_9vg35fiG28wxzcp0DXBKVr2o3JjXfjwRsMqD9eEmIGFLH9QE8cw66RIgbx8eWjn8A_q8T_aanLLn7hDEDU9clk7d1RiXKXiKT-lZ54dxEi48tzgmevcgAzQ/s1600/IMG_2803.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Self seeded coriander</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Spring has sprung and Ms Tagalong has come out of winter hibernation ready to start chattering. In fact she is so garrulous you might wish she was still sleeping....<br />
<br />
It's time for workshops, time for Cocktails in the Garden, pizzas and laughter. Time for planting, time for weeding and making compost. Time to listen to the birds, attract the bees and feed the chickens.<br />
<br />
Ms Mova is feeling very smug and so she should be. Ms Tagalong is feeling equally excited. We welcome back the Chicken Whisperer into our midst, fresh from a southerly sojourn, ready to add her wisdom and knowledge to the garden.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2pQCuhW8pdDt-bsfTP4y2cYuYoH7e9F_a2WSdlJdZsKlM5W5O2tKQ_09PaMIaRd7e27Z2a8xhTasZ_qvi8iECl28UaiJKZ6uHlJfZMot-j-KvBaNHZGP0BorTZX-213X-irbHrsdnOY/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2pQCuhW8pdDt-bsfTP4y2cYuYoH7e9F_a2WSdlJdZsKlM5W5O2tKQ_09PaMIaRd7e27Z2a8xhTasZ_qvi8iECl28UaiJKZ6uHlJfZMot-j-KvBaNHZGP0BorTZX-213X-irbHrsdnOY/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mr Ideasman is of course full of ideas and so plans are afoot for a fabulous Splendour in the Garden. Not to be outdone by Byron Bay, there will be music by local bands, pizza from the famous oven, coffee from a coffee cart and oh of course plenty of gardening activity from our workshop presenters.<br />
<br />
Our wonderful community garden hasn't been left totally in the dark, comments, photos are to be found on our facebook page and if you would like newsletter updates just give us your email address.<br />
<br />
So that's it, from the dark to the light, we welcome all into the garden!<br />
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<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-68065305401582749342014-03-30T14:04:00.000-07:002014-03-30T14:04:34.382-07:00Don't you love a working bee?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3pDinTho_eg2qagxpdhXnd0vtHhs88J-smqGSaSuH_kmN5Bc0LezMhZz6TGgfm2ZTPd_QLWYB5uZ_EZq8TFo4Vo-ut-kGHROYIlye7FXYgQLSlpvfiAlNH6JvEQp6mL-er7z1LsDQ7E/s1600/20140308_173036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3pDinTho_eg2qagxpdhXnd0vtHhs88J-smqGSaSuH_kmN5Bc0LezMhZz6TGgfm2ZTPd_QLWYB5uZ_EZq8TFo4Vo-ut-kGHROYIlye7FXYgQLSlpvfiAlNH6JvEQp6mL-er7z1LsDQ7E/s1600/20140308_173036.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The chickens are murmuring as Ms Tagalong and Mr Ideasman
pass the gate. Hang on, they are supposed to be inside the coop, not roosting
on the water barrel or squeezed between the chair and the railway sleepers. </div>
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The two latest additions to the coop, our beautiful black
(Australorp?) and another Isa Brown had been kicked out by the others and had
sought refuge by flying over the fence into the garden. </div>
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Purring gently they are encouraged back into the coop. It
was the end to a very hot, sweaty and busy day in the garden.</div>
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Mr Ideasman had raised the roof literally on the water
tanks. Something to do with the drop/fall. Ms Tagalong who had lent a little
muscle to the operation nodded sagely. </div>
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The weeds were everywhere, mostly grass, probably from
immature horse manure and the rampant sweet potato covered every walkway, let
alone every bed! </div>
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Many piles later and a few beds revealed self-seeded
lettuce, rocket and mustard. Great, good to get a head start on winter crops. </div>
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Each working bee participant got to take home some seed
trays to nurture and bring back to the next session. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2AhRoIoo_OyH-9ddu5D9vfUoQXmDj1MW8HQRAZ-RSbgr7crywQy5v78pBgJDIrsHlSJe2t4oWdZ7f9TEnatotGbhTYiuVJX3AmesdmSVv_QMVUZ6u2hG_BGlmYTo-sa2Vh1AJqzKp8o/s1600/20140308_172949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2AhRoIoo_OyH-9ddu5D9vfUoQXmDj1MW8HQRAZ-RSbgr7crywQy5v78pBgJDIrsHlSJe2t4oWdZ7f9TEnatotGbhTYiuVJX3AmesdmSVv_QMVUZ6u2hG_BGlmYTo-sa2Vh1AJqzKp8o/s1600/20140308_172949.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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Spinach, endive, celery, dill,
mustard lettuce, pak choy – can’t wait!<br />
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<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-59177325598183512862014-03-27T23:09:00.000-07:002014-04-09T20:13:26.797-07:00Pocket Parks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqJGAaNdnlUzvz7mwg3wqfK1n-SxqJOiuxOzRCoPmehqr2w0Bdi9PBVCP05pbLj6z0IdjvYGJBUqCQTRczKnaknlUR1hJkwyxiViwe4a5L5QHXdzsEF7QUL_WkANLWGwXExVECUaJ2gI/s1600/2014-01-09+14.02.59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqJGAaNdnlUzvz7mwg3wqfK1n-SxqJOiuxOzRCoPmehqr2w0Bdi9PBVCP05pbLj6z0IdjvYGJBUqCQTRczKnaknlUR1hJkwyxiViwe4a5L5QHXdzsEF7QUL_WkANLWGwXExVECUaJ2gI/s1600/2014-01-09+14.02.59.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b>So who knows what a pocket park is? Our guest blogger Melanie
McKinnon is about to tell us. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;"><i>A pocket park is a small park accessible to the general public.
Pocket parks are frequently created on a single vacant building lot or on
small, irregular pieces of land. </i></span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocket_park"><span style="color: #878787; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wikipedia</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #878787; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">A Google search on this topic yielded lots of information not
only about the benefits of green spaces in busy urban environments but also
findings from specific projects around the world. Anyone who has visited New
York will be familiar with the fabulous pocket parks that have grown up around
the city. The impact of pocket parks in cities such as Philadelphia with high
crime rates and dysfunctional communities is described in the following extract
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Research
from Philadelphia <i>‘has found that distressed neighborhoods where vacant lots have
been converted into small parks and community green spaces are associated with
reduced crime when compared to neighborhoods with unimproved vacant lots.
In some sections of the city, residents of neighborhoods with improved vacant
lots also reported ‘significantly less stress and more exercise,’ suggesting
that the improvements had an effect on residents’ perceptions of safety
outdoors.'</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">I am sure
most would agree that Tighes Hill boasts two outstanding examples of how the
conversion of vacant sites into community gardens has contributed to the
physical and emotional well-being of individual residents and to the general
sense of safety and neighbourliness that exists within the suburb. More
recently the residents of Mitchell St and surrounds used a vacant site on
Throsby creek to create a pop up pocket park with minimal resources but maximum
benefit for its users <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">And there
can be no doubt that the work undertaken in Islington Park over recent years
has had huge benefits in changing the image of the park, creating a stronger
sense of ownership and community pride and contributing to the overall wellbeing
of those who use the park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">There may
be a number of potential pocket park sites around Tighes Hill ranging from
larger spaces that can be used for recreational purposes to smaller spaces that
once cleaned and greened may generate a stronger sense of ownership and pride.
An additional benefit might be that those passing through our suburb see that
we care about our physical environment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">One such
spot is a small irregular plot of ground on the shoulder of the bridge at the
end of Bryant St - anyone using the
steps that lead from Bryant St down to Tighes Terrace will be familiar with the
site. In recent times there have been some attempts to clean and green the area
the most recent being to remove weeds, cut grass and lay mulch – courtesy of
Kings Rd Community garden. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">In spite of the dry conditions cuttings of low
growing shrubs have survived providing the motivation to persevere with the
project. Not surprisingly the activity at the site has been the impetus for
interaction with numerous passers- by whose comments have been encouraging and
whose conversation has provided insights and stories about the suburb<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Anyone passing this site is welcome to pull a weed or two
or pour a bottle of water on the plants – identified by small wooden stakes at
the site of the plant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #1c1a1a; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 13pt;">Is there
an area crying out to be a pocket park near you?</span><br />
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<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i><br />
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Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-62508428692599254442014-03-09T19:49:00.000-07:002014-06-26T02:15:17.894-07:00A Washout?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB1J6QURgXzxo5ckQ1seubrBZmNNnR3MWJ6hsC9Ij-_6E28bsB1jKVyUAvEAWJCx6zSM7wZDVqSvV4gD8808Fpo_MgFsodbCVbBPQ-tOVPElRZv_HYjQNcgBO-9PmMSB9co6vqhS5DUc/s1600/20140228_082312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKB1J6QURgXzxo5ckQ1seubrBZmNNnR3MWJ6hsC9Ij-_6E28bsB1jKVyUAvEAWJCx6zSM7wZDVqSvV4gD8808Fpo_MgFsodbCVbBPQ-tOVPElRZv_HYjQNcgBO-9PmMSB9co6vqhS5DUc/s1600/20140228_082312.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ms Mova and Ms Tagalong rubbed the sleep out of their eyes
as they unpacked the car with the carefully prepared packs of chillies, lemon verbena,
lemongrass, bunches of rosemary, pots of aloe vera and paraphernalia for the
first appearance of a community garden at the Newcastle Show. </div>
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It was not promising. The rain had fallen all night, the
ground was waterlogged, but inside the marquee it was dry if not cosy and warm.
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The table was set, arranged and down came the rain. Streams,
nay torrents raced through the marquee under the table and out the other side. Habitant
in Harmony volunteers emerged from the sheeting rain like drowned rats. They
should have got up early like Ms Mova and Ms Tagalong! Shouldn’t be rude, they
dispensed some wonderful hot carob milk. (More about that at a later date) </div>
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As it was, it made for a very long, wet day with few viewers
and even fewer takers. There was a highlight (there always is) Ms Mova and
Tagalong were asked to judge the school scarecrow exhibition.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QVTiGNfQtNFruTnM5cLMqielgdxm9AtvQvUt80iFHBfZzY0Xvksut4KGFHdKl2bmxGoUXonQs2ykCxMA6qx65jekfKXiDnQoGEasPW5UiLpM2MH0T7T8tn0rg-iEN7Dc4nei6-zMNGs/s1600/20140228_110237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QVTiGNfQtNFruTnM5cLMqielgdxm9AtvQvUt80iFHBfZzY0Xvksut4KGFHdKl2bmxGoUXonQs2ykCxMA6qx65jekfKXiDnQoGEasPW5UiLpM2MH0T7T8tn0rg-iEN7Dc4nei6-zMNGs/s1600/20140228_110237.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The task taken
seriously they pondered, scratched their heads and carefully judged according
to the criteria given. <br />
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Such wonderful prizes it seemed a shame more schools hadn’t
taken advantage of the opportunity to show their artistic side. </div>
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Ms Tagalong dodged the showers and looked at the piglets,
the baby goats and the very entertaining chickens. Some of them definitely
needed to be kept behind bars. </div>
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Later, it was a damp, cool night for the Film in the Garden,
but those who dressed up and came along enjoyed every minute of it. The group
decamped to a member’s living room and were captivated by the charismatic Diana
Vreeland. </div>
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The opening salvo set the scene. </div>
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‘You just have to arrange to be born in Paris. The rest is
easy!’ </div>
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What a character. </div>
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So don’t let the weather put you off, here at Tighes Hill
Community Garden – it’s never a washout! </div>
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNoRx5TtyXY/Ux0krM-3rlI/AAAAAAAAC_c/wwTEUep0vXw/s1600/20140228_082535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNoRx5TtyXY/Ux0krM-3rlI/AAAAAAAAC_c/wwTEUep0vXw/s1600/20140228_082535.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-38568581950206973382014-03-05T01:47:00.001-08:002014-03-05T01:47:38.656-08:00Air Gardens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ms Tagalong is always on the lookout for gardens to report
on. Gardens here, gardens there, gardens anywhere. Mostly her eyes are
groundwards, maybe sweeping upwards to some bushes and trees. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Strolling along the North Bank of the Yarra in Melbourne her
beady eyes were taken with some strange shapes swinging and twirling in the
breeze above her head. So what were they? Cobweb encrusted coathangers? Weird
and wonderful.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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Stopping to read, she notes:<o:p></o:p></div>
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‘The concept is to suspend series of super sustainable
rotating air gardens within the Melbourne environment.’Lloyd Godman is the artist.
It says Godman’s artworks are purifiers of the air as well as the soul,
suppliers of colour as well as calmness, and filters of water as well as the
human spirit.</div>
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Ms Tagalong calls to Mr Ideasman to see if his spirit feels
filtered as she points out the recycled bicycle wheels wrapped in air plants.
Enjoying a conversation with his Mum he barely glances and Ms Tagalong feels
that perhaps his mind has already sieved out Ms T’s prattle. <br />
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i><br />
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Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-45663844598200176322014-02-23T15:15:00.002-08:002014-02-23T15:15:44.628-08:00Lazarus - the chicken<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The
distressed faces of Ms Mova and Ms Tagalong said it all. They grimaced and
gawped as the lovely Isa Brown, so vibrant a few hours ago fell headlong into
its porridge. Eyes closed, she was limp in the hands of Ms Tagalong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It might do
to back up a little and say that as they were working in the garden on Saturday,
they noticed one of the girls, who should have been happily tearing up one of
the allocated beds, squatting down and seemingly heaving, tail down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Might be
eggbound, ‘ said Ms Mova authoritatively. Then added, ‘Shall I look it up?’ and
went off to consult the Great God Google. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Could be,’
she said, ‘do you want to hear the cures? 1. Hold her rear end over a bowl of
steaming water hoping that it will relax her to lay the egg. 2. Massage some
olive oil over the nether regions and 3. Never put in a finger to get her to
release it.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ms Tagalong
was glad the last option was off the agenda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Let’s try
the steaming water,’she said. And so it was. Ten minutes after the steaming
started, a few gentle pooping sounds later, the definitely off colour hen
emitted a strangled sound and collapsed into some carefully mixed porridge oats
and olive oil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well,
there’s another one gone then. I wonder what it was for her to go down so
quickly?’ Ms Tagalong said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As Ms
Tagalong gently lay her hands to the ground the lifeless chicken moved her
head. She did, she really did. She opened her eyes and started pecking the oats
in the container. Ms Tagalong and Ms Mova watched agape as she then took in
water from the small stainless steel bowl next to her. She regained strength
and in a few minutes was standing up! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Well I
never,’ said Ms Tagalong, ‘I thought she’d died in my arms.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But no, she
was back. Ten minutes later she waddled back into the run and as she sat down
Ms Mova thought the small pen might be better equipped to deal with an egg the
size of which no-one in Tighes Hill had ever seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Don’t know
if she ever laid the giant egg but she is happily pecking around today with the
best of them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Is this
normal chook behaviour?’ pondered Ms Mova. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/FreshEggsDaily?fref=ts">Any answersanyone?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr16dJGqB5nO0LkroqR_KuhdeteP6U20qUH_WseT690LpSVFPzbSdjARionqDlCHgvHc5sMZvdP0XWZKNWNn9J2i5Vs8YYfsccNwCoMjNiZm8rYpzAuLsvqazszsCKVnlMWGTZDxURLH0/s1600/Blog+pictures+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr16dJGqB5nO0LkroqR_KuhdeteP6U20qUH_WseT690LpSVFPzbSdjARionqDlCHgvHc5sMZvdP0XWZKNWNn9J2i5Vs8YYfsccNwCoMjNiZm8rYpzAuLsvqazszsCKVnlMWGTZDxURLH0/s1600/Blog+pictures+003.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Is this the offending egg?</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</a></i> <i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-22543191985214277372014-01-23T22:24:00.000-08:002014-01-23T22:24:01.740-08:00Veg out this year! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hard to believe whilst the country swelters under the heat Ms
Tagalong found a cool spot just a few weeks ago at the Veg Out Community Garden
in St Kilda.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Strolling through the ‘co-ordinated whimsy’ from pirate
ships to ranch gates Ms Tagalong came across Peter, a 3 years long participant,
watering his plot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">‘It’s all about community rather than the plot itself,’ he
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It certainly seems to be so with over $200,000 raised for
local charity projects in the last 10 years, free weekly lunches for the
homeless and a thriving Organic Farmer’s Market. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ideally located in a former bowling club the garden has a
working kitchen, classrooms, arts studios, pizza oven, mains water, tanks for
watering and toilets. So lucky, thought Ms Tagalong as she listened wide-eyed
to the upcoming plans for an extended ‘art fence’ a 3 year long-term project,
saw the just completed vine structure and all the sitting areas and art
installations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hugh, the Vice President relates how they rent out 150
individual plots with participation in 2 working bees for the year which helps
install the infrastructure such as the sleeper surrounded beds, the bedhead
trellises etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An added bonus to membership is the sampling of the 30
litres of wine they made last year! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mr Ideasman struck up conversation with a lady with a very
expensive chicken. A chicken who had had a $2,300 hysterectomy! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She now can’t lay eggs but still tries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mmm <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.vegout.asn.au/"></a>
<br />
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<br />
So that's it: the community garden <a href="http://www.vegout.asn.au/">Veg Out</a> in Melbourne. <br />
<br />
<em>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</em></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-51339365845304838202013-12-09T15:58:00.002-08:002013-12-09T15:58:23.797-08:00Social, social, social....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdyJ5XovV138uj9D_5H9EHhyphenhyphenU2V_K4_V_am0e1bh3Wb5llz7x6ljttD7bW3jbX_sQcs3ZCBTg5-WVg_4qup5iH-a-i3geQyNapVo_bjv4cWI7kbwfP8fMFJu6xA8tyJrdTs-DiNkCg2k/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdyJ5XovV138uj9D_5H9EHhyphenhyphenU2V_K4_V_am0e1bh3Wb5llz7x6ljttD7bW3jbX_sQcs3ZCBTg5-WVg_4qup5iH-a-i3geQyNapVo_bjv4cWI7kbwfP8fMFJu6xA8tyJrdTs-DiNkCg2k/s640/IMG_1810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Christmas
comes but once a year but with the amount of Christmas parties and festivities
around the neighbourhood you might be forgiven for thinking that it is a
December-long holiday! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Friday
night saw members of the Garden and the Community Group gather to share food,
frolic and play music on a balmy Summer evening. No sooner had you surveyed the food
table than yet another platter of delicious comestibles were added. Cake made
with eggs from the garden, Vietnamese Spring Rolls made with mint and lettuce
from the garden, elderflower cordial from the elder bush in the garden and so
on…</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCBzXiqCzI-tBgKDlFQldHbsoU3FPfYJLO-CIYDlTLzRSe_MOP2UPe8dCLmyXAXQIjJIRRdBLUigjP0oLuaiCqIjvK3dp7kNImmhL7BZ35igRIhy3h-8HS6kUKiTs3fetX_erqOdum3I/s1600/IMG_1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCBzXiqCzI-tBgKDlFQldHbsoU3FPfYJLO-CIYDlTLzRSe_MOP2UPe8dCLmyXAXQIjJIRRdBLUigjP0oLuaiCqIjvK3dp7kNImmhL7BZ35igRIhy3h-8HS6kUKiTs3fetX_erqOdum3I/s320/IMG_1816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Much food,
drink and conversation later, the Thukes got going, singing and playing a medley
of songs from their repertoire which got quite a few up and dancing, Ms Mova
and Ms Tagalong leading the way with Red joining in, plus of course the
inevitable Christmas Carols with some guest singers visiting from Melbourne. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">One
fabulous outcome from the evening is that Ms Tagalong is proud to announce that
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Sourcecafenewcastlensw?fref=ts">The Source Café</a> is going to be using available produce from the Community
Garden as we provide a mixed box of veg and herbs weekly. Thanks Source for
providing us with an ongoing income and keeping it about as local as you can
get!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0eGd3kS584wP0FiJaqrtQY5W_blQZ_KdbqAqLfKUrqRIE_159rxNnVZ3OqBXwjUB3g54dqQ9KudqDqz6PQ8DuIz2dPe7A-OfDPvYP_0SVDojRz44dImfFEibmTzR-9W0bEqNecn4Cgk/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0eGd3kS584wP0FiJaqrtQY5W_blQZ_KdbqAqLfKUrqRIE_159rxNnVZ3OqBXwjUB3g54dqQ9KudqDqz6PQ8DuIz2dPe7A-OfDPvYP_0SVDojRz44dImfFEibmTzR-9W0bEqNecn4Cgk/s320/IMG_1801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After a
stunning concert at the Treehouse on Saturday night it was back to the garden
on Sunday for a debrief and celebration of the coal survey doorknocking
campaign which has been taking place in the suburb. A good turnout and welcome
results for all those living with the coal dust! Let’s just get those politicians
onboard! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
And what
about the actual garden, Ms Tagalong hears you ask, well it is growing
abundant, verdant, luxurious with produce needing to be picked. So come for
your tomatoes and cucumbers, basil and lettuce, beans and kale. It’s a bumper crop
before the hot, dry weather sets in again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEURTSAh6yp_eq0s4qcLmya6l6RORZMYRC74GRfbTiOTQUzvd37Dd2CBlvkI0xxyDTy3NWOBzQ2hPuBbiz_LGUeKygWNsJ6ZCk03LIgvRRfHQhjO593EUd_AU6cVcBHcQOWdYYLtmGLU/s1600/IMG_1812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEURTSAh6yp_eq0s4qcLmya6l6RORZMYRC74GRfbTiOTQUzvd37Dd2CBlvkI0xxyDTy3NWOBzQ2hPuBbiz_LGUeKygWNsJ6ZCk03LIgvRRfHQhjO593EUd_AU6cVcBHcQOWdYYLtmGLU/s640/IMG_1812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-41323187690976886532013-11-25T13:52:00.002-08:002013-11-26T02:05:46.567-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjRoMrSuxJLzQi8Bj5hYizmPutaBouF5xwn0cXGMy3xry22OEje2QhJAI3RjWnWsrOHTDlIl5kL0OOLqhmCBnC6C30SLL9XzK1UMeA_CdYHlQfrt4HEB_s6vJ8J_SGe2p7qChZI4batk/s1600/IMG_1790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjRoMrSuxJLzQi8Bj5hYizmPutaBouF5xwn0cXGMy3xry22OEje2QhJAI3RjWnWsrOHTDlIl5kL0OOLqhmCBnC6C30SLL9XzK1UMeA_CdYHlQfrt4HEB_s6vJ8J_SGe2p7qChZI4batk/s640/IMG_1790.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The girls
are laying. The rain has fallen. Everything is right with the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This
morning Ms Tagalong squeezed into the garden past all the verdant growth and
had to let out the chickens although it wasn’t her turn. They were very
vociferous, indignant even, at letting even the shortest micro-second of
daylight pass without them being outside the coop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Scrabbling
to get out, the heaped through the door and fell out, racing toward a bountiful
heap of scraps that some kind soul had posted over the fence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">They
scratched and clucked, tossed and rummaged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ms Tagalong’s
keen eye spotted some eggshells amongst the pickings and thought a moment of
education was in need.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kaStE7slBiu5CmuN4CN3OhkAJYtmf6DrHBmRfZqiGpC_GxL5ekFlhpB8_piMfn2DeXcfgfmELMVIYDM1U6eL07mhK9R_-udFo3fHp2TlPdiZMfPh0W9FNT9hb824LdHsQX9Kohvgfrg/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kaStE7slBiu5CmuN4CN3OhkAJYtmf6DrHBmRfZqiGpC_GxL5ekFlhpB8_piMfn2DeXcfgfmELMVIYDM1U6eL07mhK9R_-udFo3fHp2TlPdiZMfPh0W9FNT9hb824LdHsQX9Kohvgfrg/s320/IMG_1788.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The chickens will eat their own eggs if they get
into the habit so it is wiser not to put the halved eggshells in whole, if you
take Ms Tagalong’s meaning. Best recipe is to bake them in the oven when you
are baking something else on a low light and then crush them as finely as
possible and chuck over the fence for them to scratch at. Hey presto, our very
own grit without any expense!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmBdjF8coFslQFoxvgXXcr93PxQcH5OsvNRObahUJgQl7ISqQFSHDwZp2s-ECedIlTziTekLGobgh2iD-72rN9_AB1GzC9DinrAZiAUQNpj23wkIEqFIo54um_rLPr71rYqSvSO3dAJI/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmBdjF8coFslQFoxvgXXcr93PxQcH5OsvNRObahUJgQl7ISqQFSHDwZp2s-ECedIlTziTekLGobgh2iD-72rN9_AB1GzC9DinrAZiAUQNpj23wkIEqFIo54um_rLPr71rYqSvSO3dAJI/s320/IMG_1791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
p.s. if you
are wondering why there is the Great Fence of China erected between the smaller and larger run it is because Ms Tagalong has sowed some green mulch seeds for the girls
and our black wonder (chicken not sheep) keeps flying over and tasting the
protruding seedlings. Not yet!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-63686156120133500922013-11-19T01:58:00.000-08:002013-11-19T01:58:47.532-08:00Black sheep<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZFEOHtsfUjurtQley2t3egAQ7W7eiefE1CgahIqIE-xw8FLl2E0E4odsrFnYXgRiidvlDbbAQNnhpapbCkxOWGq6tRiDDdS0hYjOYP1ofB4ZpBJ7IDsSetfQFIm8FKsBrbj5Qhu60H4/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZFEOHtsfUjurtQley2t3egAQ7W7eiefE1CgahIqIE-xw8FLl2E0E4odsrFnYXgRiidvlDbbAQNnhpapbCkxOWGq6tRiDDdS0hYjOYP1ofB4ZpBJ7IDsSetfQFIm8FKsBrbj5Qhu60H4/s640/IMG_1781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for another walk!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Every
community has a black sheep! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Probably
you have heard whispers of black sheep in the family since you were knee-high! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We don’t
talk about Uncle Dirk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Don’t
mention cousin Hattie and don’t even whisper whatever happened to Joe? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The shame
of the black sheep. Every family of landed gentry has a wayward son or daughter
who may or may not sing the nursery rhyme. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Baa, baa
black sheep</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l-tvDxEIDfiGyIk5Fu3kOCe_h9U40k5LeuNB8DPVp22o7bUM16Uvf3DePJ4-YElMcknZv0GnT2qLfpOAwqMLfh4wZD7AYCM4Uw-lbthERgtlecNiPjsHgNQ0VVQRBwWO9xFXf3yDuxo/s1600/IMG_1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l-tvDxEIDfiGyIk5Fu3kOCe_h9U40k5LeuNB8DPVp22o7bUM16Uvf3DePJ4-YElMcknZv0GnT2qLfpOAwqMLfh4wZD7AYCM4Uw-lbthERgtlecNiPjsHgNQ0VVQRBwWO9xFXf3yDuxo/s320/IMG_1782.JPG" width="240" /></a></i></div>
<i><o:p></o:p></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Have you
any wool?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Yes, sir,
Yes, sir<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Three bags
full. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>One for the
master<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>One for the
dame <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>And one for
the little boy<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>Who lives
down the lane. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Well, a few
weeks ago the not so distant sound of bleating reached Ms Tagalong’s ears. She
knows that Tighes Hill is becoming a village, not just a community but…She
opened the front door to be greeted by two young garden poets and a black sheep
on a lead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘We’re
taking her for a walk,’ they said, ‘down to the park.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">‘Right,’
said Ms Tagalong, ‘she’ll like that!’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And that’s
how she knows every community has a black sheep! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i> It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-25269587634725538482013-11-12T02:00:00.000-08:002013-11-12T02:00:01.106-08:00Potting Shed Poetry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkiVI8bLTLyNhR6FsWvRbKS53edAusCWJ3hwCuVKUYQNhzDdpNuhYQi1Ig1tBv79H9TjTx3E0jeFZ3soV_7_BYKo8BeesL9RDqnEpd_wpzMSf9cntGQc8sHyY3ZJE99DzArEa-kyaBZs/s1600/Poetry+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkiVI8bLTLyNhR6FsWvRbKS53edAusCWJ3hwCuVKUYQNhzDdpNuhYQi1Ig1tBv79H9TjTx3E0jeFZ3soV_7_BYKo8BeesL9RDqnEpd_wpzMSf9cntGQc8sHyY3ZJE99DzArEa-kyaBZs/s640/Poetry+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ms Tagalong had waited
many moons to be able to replicate this initiative she had seen in <a href="http://tigheshillgarden.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/new-ideas.html">Bridport,Dorset </a>last year and here it was.
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young poets from the local Tighes Hill
Primary School took part in the Community Garden Open Day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was too hot for the
poets to stand and recite in the gardens amongst the veggies and flowers but
they stood amongst the watering cans under the pergola and spoke of bugs and
butterflies, hummingbirds and bees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ms Mova’s favourite
from Gus:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVAkdRipY5Cql1TbF-9ScNwGyu8T5ZXCokjxR4QoNlI-NkUOLEViBSuzQXAqIQk4u4MuZ9lfpakREmduCU26jPCrzl9xfGLMhSGYVdh1YrshhEGb7UlucJDe0yvod7zjBQvRoIL3TiBI/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJVAkdRipY5Cql1TbF-9ScNwGyu8T5ZXCokjxR4QoNlI-NkUOLEViBSuzQXAqIQk4u4MuZ9lfpakREmduCU26jPCrzl9xfGLMhSGYVdh1YrshhEGb7UlucJDe0yvod7zjBQvRoIL3TiBI/s320/IMG_1778.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Our little garden</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Our little garden,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>In Tighes Hill,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Not so big,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>But not so li’l.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stephanie showed deep
thinking:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Under the wings of a
kind heart</i><i>You will find a secret.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Do you want to know
what secret it is?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The secret of a
sparkley butterfly. </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So keep your kind
hearts, gardeners. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-31939249403263078802013-11-03T01:45:00.000-07:002013-11-03T01:45:49.380-07:00Massage that kale like Sven! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdXsn8iRlEVyi4GdBLl3EleMxxTSoU2O22db7I2nrhj2oCiqqsCKuWXjSUbJReiaSKICy6xacVPhQe_vPKmVEdwJHyejWWNE6aHT3F_Y90P3BaHh56hahpsmZbCZ7HoauDoetX8ruDnA/s1600/IMG_1665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdXsn8iRlEVyi4GdBLl3EleMxxTSoU2O22db7I2nrhj2oCiqqsCKuWXjSUbJReiaSKICy6xacVPhQe_vPKmVEdwJHyejWWNE6aHT3F_Y90P3BaHh56hahpsmZbCZ7HoauDoetX8ruDnA/s640/IMG_1665.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massaged kale!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was an amazing <b>Open
Day</b>. From beauty products to wick beds, there was something for all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘You must massage it
strongly, you know Sven-like!’ said <a href="https://www.facebook.com/embracefamilynutrition?fref=ts">Michelle</a> from Embrace Family Nutrition as she demonstrated how to bully
the somewhat tough kale into submission.
Having cut out the ribs and chopped it finely it was now being squeezed
to within an inch of its life before the other ingredients were added. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ms Tagalong was all
ears. She had been reading how kale and quinoa were trending on Twitter! Mmm, well maybe not but they are certainly
popular at present.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And this was Michelle’s
recipe as made by <a href="http://www.mynewroots.org/site/">Sarah Britton</a> for a delicious kale salad which everyone
tasted and came back for more.</div>
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Kale Salad</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 bunch of kale,
stemmed and sliced into ribbons<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 lemon, squeezed plus
pinch sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
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Cold pressed extra virgin
olive oil<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 handfuls of grapes,
cut in half<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 ripe avocado, cut
into cubes<o:p></o:p></div>
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¼ cup of toasted pine
seeds<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Dressing</div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
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¼ cup cold pressed
olive oil<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 Tbls apple cider
vinegar<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp Dijon mustard<o:p></o:p></div>
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½ shallot, diced<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 Tbls poppy seeds<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pinch sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp honey<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->In a large
bowl, dress kale with a bit of olive oil and a pinch or two of sea salt<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Massage
kale with your hands until it’s deep dark green, approx 2-3 minutes (remember
Sven)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->To make
dressing , place all ingredients into a clean glass jar and shake vigorously <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Assemble
remaining salad ingredients and dressing. Toss and serve. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->This can
stay in fridge for a few days as is already wilted! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-30636631397667282322013-10-28T13:43:00.000-07:002013-10-28T13:47:18.008-07:00When Danny became Dan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwntjTXEMsHTnbkjFOknN0Zw8RlSY5drBOaJkpd1bx-UzZcc68lOBUx0E-eJfdbw3Bf2lWKHhT5zxj9BLQdrILG6m6psmLcRo700Ou99cUz28cPcYKN8ET00mR3IdjqEvpIp1Ju3Ql-As/s1600/DSC06684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwntjTXEMsHTnbkjFOknN0Zw8RlSY5drBOaJkpd1bx-UzZcc68lOBUx0E-eJfdbw3Bf2lWKHhT5zxj9BLQdrILG6m6psmLcRo700Ou99cUz28cPcYKN8ET00mR3IdjqEvpIp1Ju3Ql-As/s640/DSC06684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And so it came to pass…a
<a href="http://tigheshillgarden.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/danny-and-kylie-truth.html">wise granddaughter</a> was proven correct. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It was the unmasking,
the day that Danny became Dan! Yes, the white chicken was indeed a cockerel. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Danny and Kylie had still not been sleeping with the others. </div>
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They were being slightly more tolerated but still
chased away from food, most felt sorry for them.
Mr Ideasman rumbled on about Danny chucking seed around. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘That’s a cockerel,
look he’s showing off,’ he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
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‘I’ve seen the others
do that too’ said Ms Mova, ‘she’s not a rooster, I’m sure.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Fast forward a few
weeks when Ms Earth Mother and her silver children were mingling with the
chickens when one who shall remain nameless rose onto tiptoes, flapped wings
and crowed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well, that was it. A fine
specimen but not for our chicken yard. Ms Mova arranged a capture and he was
taken off to the chicken man at the local markets to breed happily ever after
or breed happily in the ever after. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And so to our
wonderful Open Day. Ms Mova and Ms
Tagalong are still congratulating themselves and reeling from the fabulous rallying
around by our wonderful gardening community to provide such an entertaining and
enjoyable day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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But that’s another
story! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-5896074367719930632013-09-04T02:59:00.001-07:002013-09-04T02:59:56.990-07:00Danny and Kylie - the truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6c2J3O3_cFIBPBbOP9bl0LqtgGO_P1g7b4QrCMzUDYqoZMj-sWNoARQuCf0GCn43A7idNbh0wE_OCjBp7MixzwaOMkrJMWy7xbWl-N0FFSlX4vV7I7mqmOR6PO9QNDqm4RZcpZj3rNE/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6c2J3O3_cFIBPBbOP9bl0LqtgGO_P1g7b4QrCMzUDYqoZMj-sWNoARQuCf0GCn43A7idNbh0wE_OCjBp7MixzwaOMkrJMWy7xbWl-N0FFSlX4vV7I7mqmOR6PO9QNDqm4RZcpZj3rNE/s640/IMG_1266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">‘Well I
think that one’s a crow and that one’s a cockerel!’ Ms Mova’s granddaughter was
adamant. And Ms Mova thought she had brought in two young hens! The
granddaughter was gracious enough to say she would come back and give another
assessment if needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Danny and
Kylie, for so they are named, arrived on Saturday. Danny fell unceremoniously
from the bottom of a broken cardboard box, not quite the planned entry.
Slightly dazed, Ms Tagalong was able to pick her up and pop her with Kylie in
the separate pen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This
morning they thought they were ready for the big stage and were out there
trying to strut their stuff with the other ladies. They didn’t even belong in
the chorus line, booed and hissed off stage they cowered in the corners behind
the curtains until they were rightfully returned to the nursery pen! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Maybe in a
week or so they will be ready for a short number with the others and then
whisked offstage quickly until the next show. It might take a while for the
main cast to accept them and certainly many moons until they can take centre
stage and become the main layers in what has pretty much become an old chook’s
home! Ms Tagalong should bite her tongue, though, four eggs were laid the other
day. The warmth and Spring weather encouraging all things reproductive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It has also
encouraged all people working as the garden is being prepared for the grand
Open Day on Sunday, October 13<sup>th</sup>. Ms Mova is making a list of all
prospective volunteers so sign up by email or when you see her with a
clipboard!<br />
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</div>
It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-82123974128660630862013-08-19T03:33:00.001-07:002013-08-19T03:33:14.294-07:00If life gives you lemons...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
Ms Tagalong and Ms Mova have been planning a great event. No excuse for not posting but so busy...<br />
<br />
It's not Spring yet but the flowers think it is and the flurry of activity in the garden brought on by the mild weather and the keen gardeners made Ms Tagalong happy to take part in the renewal process.<br />
<br />
The flowers on the lemon tree seem particularly happy to be out and promise great fruit for great lemonade in the long hot Summer to come.<br />
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The bean trellis recently erected will provide shade and shelter for mini-gardeners whilst they play.<br />
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<br />
<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave a comment!</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6139512994172738354.post-55886662750755855972013-06-30T03:29:00.000-07:002013-06-30T03:29:08.397-07:00The famous Kew Gardens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A year ago found Ms Tagalong and Mr Ideasman in the famous London gardens of Kew. Maybe it is the continuing wet weather which made Ms Tagalong reminisce about the day she and her family spent there.<br />
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Stunning Victorian spiral staircase and metalwork taking you up to the gallery above</div>
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Giant Lilypads </div>
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Orchids</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBYkCS_Y2tBQoR3rVaTr3LtNJRsGWV2zieRO75fRTznxt6uxbknl-OJhd1zIwCJKYjlwKq08TdJ3phm_K9qJu1TjLAaiyOomPuizVqYeNW51FpQbpkKn9t6iif9XBZcD_i0O8wWkY9y8/s1600/IMG_5122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBYkCS_Y2tBQoR3rVaTr3LtNJRsGWV2zieRO75fRTznxt6uxbknl-OJhd1zIwCJKYjlwKq08TdJ3phm_K9qJu1TjLAaiyOomPuizVqYeNW51FpQbpkKn9t6iif9XBZcD_i0O8wWkY9y8/s640/IMG_5122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fan formwork! A photographer's dream!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHUEoL_4eJYgPzdO3wMmsDhppBWgvWwBMTlZyw6mdTuBRkZATgRaCRjjqvNpADWmY2ykvTT-MWMo8vLwQCL1j1pGLV8sOAIvgFj2eQvLv57sjNGeLOZZ6RG5v1UIDKb4zlJ57zt_-zLg/s1600/IMG_5149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHUEoL_4eJYgPzdO3wMmsDhppBWgvWwBMTlZyw6mdTuBRkZATgRaCRjjqvNpADWmY2ykvTT-MWMo8vLwQCL1j1pGLV8sOAIvgFj2eQvLv57sjNGeLOZZ6RG5v1UIDKb4zlJ57zt_-zLg/s640/IMG_5149.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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An old man orchid!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgZu-m3BgV0/UdAFhtgqwQI/AAAAAAAACD0/8uK6MZ8O-3M/s1600/IMG_5151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HgZu-m3BgV0/UdAFhtgqwQI/AAAAAAAACD0/8uK6MZ8O-3M/s640/IMG_5151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the orchid house<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaADE_NQy48qyHgSYlB8vdadYGLPnLHa5JLZX2W4shF3wYUN3JeEQDeo2RqnXKmCAJbVBJP8nsZjZvvGZ0Q7VtE6HmKxteerWu_DJnPRb0pV39L9ObWJSxKyVphnF8THQJ2tQsQNv1lW4/s1600/IMG_5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaADE_NQy48qyHgSYlB8vdadYGLPnLHa5JLZX2W4shF3wYUN3JeEQDeo2RqnXKmCAJbVBJP8nsZjZvvGZ0Q7VtE6HmKxteerWu_DJnPRb0pV39L9ObWJSxKyVphnF8THQJ2tQsQNv1lW4/s640/IMG_5143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Doesn't everyone picnic in the rain? When in England....!<br />
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<i>It's great to have some feedback, so please leave me some comments.</i></div>
Minimbahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14549225993415163570noreply@blogger.com0