a garden is a friend

As I mentioned here yesterday, we’re in the process of creating a home vegetable garden. Although I flippantly used the word creating, I really meant to say building, as there’s been a great deal more muscle flexing + sweating than fine art going on! That said I am still creating a vegetable garden, which by its very nature needs to be thoughtfully designed beforehand to maximize crop results.

So far we’ve gone for the raised bed option to improve on the soil quality. Then because we have plenty (or too much) wind and sunshine, I’m busy erecting poly tunnels to protect my precious greens from the southeaster and summer sunburn. Regarding irrigation - I’m still undecided. We’re currently using borehole sprinklers to water, even though it's not the most efficient watering solution available. So I’ve looked into drip systems, but am not yet convinced they're better either. Maybe you have some ideas or thoughts on the matter, which could help enlighten me?

All in all the making of this vegetable garden is turning out to be pure joy, and I’m loving every aspect of its creation from the initial planning and building to the final realization. Over the weekend, after a days toiling in the patch, I took a moment's reflection. What I realized standing there with soiled hands and muddy clothes was that this garden project is more than just a goal or destination. It’s a life long commitment with a future full of growth and reward to look forward to.

I like to visualize the space in the years to come, and what I see makes me indescribably happy. Everything I am doing - all the effort, money and time I’m putting into this just feels so damn right and fulfills me like no other. I suppose on some level I’ve formed a soul relationship with the land, making my vegetable garden a friend I can visit any time…

in family life...

Happy Monday! I hope you enjoyed the weekend and found plenty time to be with your loved ones. This week I’m on a mission - a mission to reclaim what’s important to me, starting with today’s topic family life.

As mentioned before, the following few months are going to be pivotal with all sorts of life changing events occurring within my family. My brother and his are emigrating from the UK to the USA, my sister is remarrying, whilst my parents are in the unsettling process of retiring. Then there’s us - never mind the vegetable patch we're busy creating, and a house we're slowly redecorating - Guido and I are also contemplating a life in Italy, and are visiting there for 6 weeks come September to see for ourselves!

It’s all good if not great news, and I’m happy as peach for all the changes! I just want to find more time this week, to be there - to be completely present - for my loved ones as they move through the sometimes uncertain motions of change. With that on my mind, in my heart + off my chest, I’d like to end with these beautiful words...

In dwelling, live close to the ground. 

In thinking, keep to the simple. 

In conflict, be fair and generous. 

In governing, don't try to control. 

In work, do what you enjoy. 

In family life, be completely present. 

- Lao Tzu

wallflowers

(Photos: Janine Joles)

I've had an really busy day literally building myself a little piece of backyard paradise - but more gardening adventures another time! Today I was asked by a reader, what technique I've used to achieve this effect as also seen in my previous jardin des fleurs post. The short answer is that I recently got my old scanner working again, and in the process decided to try my hand at a some creative scanography. Now I'm addicted and utterly excited by the floral possibilities of this unusual photographic technique, of which the above is a first attempt. Anyways as always, you can expect to see more of where this came from. I hope that you're all surviving the week - only two more days to go! Yippeeeee........

jardin des fleurs

(Photos: Janine Joles)

the dreaming satellite

(Photos: Janine Joles)

I'm a natural born dreamer, that's to say I'm endlessly compelled to envision new, more beautiful realities both in sleep and in waking. Sometimes the dreaming is soft, like the song of a distant melody. Then sometimes it's not - that's when the dreaming turns unforgiving with nightmares that linger for days. For better or for worse, I believe in the power of dreams and in the unspeakable beauty of our dreaming souls... Wishing you all a happy, dreamy week!

I'll do my dreaming with my eyes wide open, 

and I'll do my looking back with my eyes closed. 

- Tony Arata

link love : lady divine

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Hello friends! It's the first rainy day we've seen in ages, and I couldn't be happier sitting here pondering the many misty rainclouds passing over Hout Bay's valley.

Originally I had planned another post for today's link love, but then something remarkable happened at gym earlier which caused me to change my mind. Whilst listening to the following favourite, I began thinking about the future and how pivotal the next few months are for me and my family. Deeply moved by her angelic voice and haunting lyrics, I was transported above my worries to a place that's full of hope and complete acceptance.

Beautiful, mesmerizing, unsurpassed - Alela Diane's Lady Divine is an evocative + unforgettable musical masterpiece. Listen for yourselves...

bacco & the beach

On Sunday we celebrated Bacco dogs 8th birthday! We started our day with a playful romp at the beach, where our birthday boy got to brag to all the other canines about how special he was. Then later once home, we spoilt him to a mammoth sized chewing bone which (as predicted) kept him happily busy for hours and hours...

Bacco is truly the sweetest child. Take for example when we're on the mountain and I'm lagging behind on a trail run - my heart melts every time I turn a corner to find him there waiting for me to catch up before he dashes off to follow his dad. He's not only touchingly considerate, but also peculiarly human and fiercely loyal. We are his clan after all, and somehow he knows it's his role to protect us. This one's for you Bacco dog - you're my angel with paws :)

(Photos: Janine Joles)

feminine indulgence

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Good morning friends, and what a beautiful morning it is! It’s still and fresh outside, and full of the songs of sunbirds. What’s more is that I’ve woken up to an appointment free weekend with no places to go, or faces to meet. It’s just me, my honey + Bacco dog for the next two days... bliss …I think I’ll spoil them to a little feminine indulgence. Enjoy!

pink passion

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Whilst bravely surviving one of those days last week, I duly treated myself to a cheerful bouquet of ranunculus flowers. These are admittedly one of my all time favourites, and I'll never tire of admiring their delicate, petaled beauty and exquisite, button-like faces. I'd like to leave you with these pink passion blooms to see you into the weekend... hope it's full of love and pleasurable pursuit!!

allo aloe

(Photos: Janine Joles)

It's only Tuesday, and already the new week is greeting me with a loud 'Allo 'Allo! Oh how sweet it feels...

the path to serenity

(Photos: Janine Joles)

The other day when it was so sunny + warm, I simply couldn't resist the lure of my garden. Armed with camera and sunscreen, I eventually surrendered and ventured into the backyard for a little me-time with nature. I'm really glad I did because it was totally divine to be bathed in sunshine like that, and was time well spent rediscovering the beauty that lies down the garden path, and that which lies within...

Today we're celebrating Women's Day here in South Africa, so this one's for all you ladies out there... wishing you arm fulls of happiness + serenity!

change is in the air

(Photos: Janine Joles)

Hello there! Don't be alarmed - it's still me Jardino. How do you like my latest look? Simplicity is the key behind it... at least that's what I'm trying for.

In the process of swapping designs however, somethings have permanently changed. For one, the old Jardino blog - with all it's posts etc - has been moved to and parked HERE where you may access it at anytime, forever and ever. Well happy days. If you have the time, I'd welcome your thoughts on this design... go gently, be happy and enjoy the weekend!