Penny Edwards

Lately I've been making a decoction in larger amounts but when I run out I might make a single cup infusion like this. Store bought organic ginger as mine is only being planted for the first time today. 1 cup of water to 1 heaped tablespoon of finely chopped ginger. Brough to the boil then lid on and let steep for 5-10 mins. A warming cuppa with a kick!

I've been drinking this daily for it's detoxing benefits but would love to learn more about how it works and other ways to use different parts of the ginger plant.

Here is my decoction, 1 cup of chopped ginger in 1 litre of filtered water, brought to the boil then simmered for 30 mins. 3 smaller sized jars chosen so I can easily freeze if I don't go through it all in the next few days.

I'll be drinking it 1 part ginger decoction to 4 parts water, still a touch spicy and very refreshing as the weather warms up here in Australia. Store bought ginger as I haven't yet tried growing it, although these are ready to plant out today!

This has been an experiment of mine recently, and I came across this thread as I look for tips on planting them out.

This was one large piece of ginger bought from an organic veg shop here in central Victoria (Australia). I cut it into sections with buds and placed on soil in this old tin pan, covered with soil and placed on top of my fridge. According to the photos I took it was about a month in when the first shoots popped through, and this image is at around 2 months. I've watered them whenever I've thought about it, maybe once a week? Not to the point of soaking but a generous drink..no drainage holes in this tin so I made sure to keep it on the slightly drier side. I haven't had a good look in the tin yet, I know a couple rotted and never sprouted, but I'm pretty happy with the ones that have!

They've outgrown the spot above the fridge now and the weather is warming up here so I'm preparing to plant them out. Still a risk of frosts here for another couple of weeks so they're sitting in my laundry while I work out where on to plant them for protection from our brutal summer sun. It's likely to be in tubs in a couple of different locations to test out different growing conditions.

I did it! I was too stuck to get started for way too long, and after reading this post I gave it a go this morning. Fun! Working with what I have, a tray of old kids watercolour paints and a watercolour pad. My 7yo loved watching me experiment with the water and watching the paint spread. She was my artistic director! Looking forward to playing more with this.

Learnings: don't wear a dressing gown that will hang in your painting and smudge it everywhere 🤦🏼‍♀️

As someone who has wanted to try watercolour painting for ages, and not known where to start, I love this thread! Thanks for posting Raven. I bought some watercolour paper a while back and know what I'll be doing with the kids tomorrow.
By the way, your chicken painting in the video you shared is just beautiful! Certainly not looking like a beginner now.

Patrick W Kelly wrote:I have not read the book, but it's going on my wish list. We're striving to build a better world that includes our front yard...there is more space for us than the backyard (shade tree takes up a good amount of space).

How good is front yard gardening though! We've done the same, basically because our back yard is a decent size and I didn't know where to start when we bought the place, so I started in our front yard instead. Best thing I could have done. I know nearly everyone in our neighbourhood, plus the extra dog walkers. So not only are we actually growing some food (whatever the kids don't pick before it ripens 😆) I've also significantly reduced our isolation, which as a homeschooling mum in a ND family is super important to me. This way we get to grow food and socialise without the stress of leaving the house, winning!

I loved this book and am due for a reread I think. It sparked a lot of conversations with my husband about achievable small steps we can take when everything feels too much.

In Australia we usually call these Dressing Gowns, although it might vary from state to state. They're most often a terry towelling or polyester fleecy type fabric. I don't know how long I've had this one, many years though. Unless it's really hot I put it on first thing in the morning over my pyjamas while I sort out the kids breakfasts. I typically wear it until I've had my shower and dressed, but will occasionally put it back on over my clothes if it's a really chilly start to the day! When it wears out I'll look at making one from my stash of fabric, maybe a quilted one if I'm up for the challenge. I do love the cosiness in winter and keeping the heating down a bit lower.

I've been darning most sock holes but for a few where the entire heel has worn out I've used this technique of patching with the heel of a sacrificial sock, usually a lonely sock or a too far gone one. For this one I had no sacrificial heels left so tried a toe and it's worked beautifully. Stitched with cotton embroidery thread with a stitch that offers lots of stretch and movement. Initially held in place with pins, then a basting stitch, then two rows of this stretch stitch, one on the right side and one on the wrong side just because I liked the pattern it made. Patch secured, hole mended and owner happy!

I've been working my way through my husband's sock drawer one by one, I don't think theres a holeless sock in there! I like using a thicker yarn like this wool, it fills the hole nicely and felts as it's washed and worn. He's wearing many others like this and say they're comfortable to wear which is the main thing!

Excited to be starting my PEP journey and to have my two girls starting with me. I'll be creating accounts for them shortly and putting in their submissions soon. I'm assuming it's ok for me to help them submit it as long as they've done all the practical part? PEP is the perfect motivator for us to check things off as we learn them, and I'm excited to see there's lots that they're already capable of attempting. My scissor loving 4yo enjoyed this one.

This is a shirt i'll be upcycling into some toddler overalls or flat caps. I used both scissors and a seam ripper.
Button container has been in use for a while, occasionally sorted by colour until the kids get into it. I'm constantly finding buttons around the house to add to it.