Spring, it’s so close I can smell it.

I feel like I’m starting to thaw, that my little soul is starting to sprout little green shoots ready to spread in spring.  I’m not a winter person, and would much prefer to bunker down in June and re-emerge after a winter hibernation at the end of August to watch the flowers bloom and the bright green new growth sprouting.  Now that we are finally at the green and flowery end of winter I can feel the crankys lifting and my step is getting a little lighter, and there’s definitely a fresher, lighter smell in the air.

We haven’t had a great winter in Sydney, and health wise we have suffered EVERY winter kiddie illness you can think of, The Daredevil is currently on antibiotics for a particularly nasty ear infection.  The first few signs of spring emerging have been a welcome change.

Mr Perfect had a day off on Monday, and it was a beautiful late winter day.  The sun was shining, the skies were blue.  It was t-shirt weather.  The last few days that he has had off we’ve spent organising, unpacking, tidying and sorting – not something that is incredibly exciting or enjoyable, but I was expecting a bit of the same on Monday.  I was pleasantly surprised when he headed down to the garage, fished out the baby backpack and suggested a walk through the bushland behind our place.

Mr Perfect and the Daredevil on our bushwalk

It was soul warming.  Mr Perfect hadn’t ventured out for a bushwalk before, the rain had hampered any attempt he had made.  He enjoyed it despite opting for the short way home (I think the backpack may have outstayed its welcome!).  I think there will be a few more bushwalking forays, how can we miss the opportunity when it’s on our back doorstep?

The best bit – the wildflowers are starting to bloom – a sure sign that the thaw is on.

Only 3 weeks until spring and I can’t wait!

Sam

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Good plant, bad plant.

When the Drama Queen and I took our little stroll through the bush on Sunday I made a decision to ensure that we only use bush friendly plants in my design for our garden.  We live so close to one of the last remnants of Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, we have an impact on the environment we live in, and I don’t want our impact to be a negative one.

The drama queen communig with nature

It is always heartbreaking for me to see weeds choking out our native bushland.  There is so little remnant bushland left in Sydney we need to be doing our best to maintain it.  For me, this is a purely selfish thing.  I love to escape from civilization, listen to the birds and watch the wildflowers.  It re-energizes me and clears the mind clutter.  Going for a bushwalk is the most enjoyable form of exercise I can think of.  Even with a 3 year old in tow there is something very calming about being surrounded by nature.

Globally, I feel we need to maintain our biodiversity.  We need to ensure we are responsible global citizens and respect and protect our environment, not only for us and our future, but also for those who can’t protect themselves.  Hmmm… might be getting a little bit preachy there, sorry but passion can sometimes get the better of me!

When I was growing up it was really impportant for my Dad to teach us to respect and enjoy the environment, and this is a lesson I’m trying to teach the Drama Queen, and will also try and instill in the Daredevil.  The Drama Queen and I started playing a game of “Good plant, bad plant” on our bushwalk.

Good Plant - a tribe of big bad banksia men

Bad plant - Lantana, so pretty, but so very very bad!

Good plant - Pimelea

And there's so much bad going on in this photo!

The Drama Queen loved spotting new wildflowers, I can’t wait for spring to hit, and see what the bushland has to show us.  I’m sure we’ll be spinning stories about fairies and bushland creatures.  Note to self, I’ll have to remember to read her Snugglepot and Cuddlepie this winter.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a natives at all cost kind of girl.  There are so many different options out there in the plant world, and I have the philosophy of the right plant in the right place, this could mean Azaleas and Agapanthus or Banksias and Boronias. All I’m saying is, just keep in mind that what you plant today could cause a problem somewhere else tomorrow.

But at the end of the day, green is better than grey!

Sam