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Transformation Permaculture

11 Apr

Permaculture is about creating a beautiful space that feels like paradise.

It’s about taking better care of oneself and the planet.

Permaculture design can be applied in the city just as easily as the country.

Real permaculture is about taking care of ourselves in a way that is in relation to the planet.

The notion of paradise is one that has been sold to us as only attainable after death.

Strange really…as this earth is the paradise we have been waiting for! Permaculture is a path towards more meaningful living, where all aspects of one’s life are connected.

Permaculture design is focused on skills, rather than the money to buy whatever it is one needs, or is told one has to have!

The way we design and build our homes, often excludes the way in which we live our lives.

For example, here in Ireland we have an excess of rain, so a covered veranda makes good sense.

Of all the new houses I have seen constructed, not one has a veranda. Permaculture is about re-connecting…with everything that makes up our lives.

**************************************

The archives here at Bealtaine Cottage on WordPress contain over 500 blogs to help and inspire your interest in permaculture.

You can also visit Bealtaine Cottage on YouTube, with over 80 videos uploaded for you to enjoy.

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Tags: construction, death, holistic design, interconnected, meaningful living, new homes in Ireland, paradise, Permaculture, re-connecting, veranda

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Categories Animals, Cottage, Country Living, Eco-Living, Garden, hens, Inspiration, Leitrim, Organic Garden, Permaculture, Smallholding, Sustainable Living

Rose-hips, Rain and Recipe for Rose-hip Syrup

18 Oct

The sun rises in a cooler sky, as the mist crawls slowly along the valley floor, in from Lough Meelaugh, past Kilronan castle to eventually meet the mists that cover the giant stretch of water that is Lough Allen.

Autumn is a time of mists, just as Samhain merges into Winter, so do the mists swirl and merge away off into the low clouds.

Lough Allen is an English translation from the Gaelic, meaning ‘Beautiful Lake’, and that it is!

The little town of Drumshanbo lies just above the Lough in the County of Leitrim.

It is little wonder it is referred to as “Lovely Leitrim.”

On a calm day the Lough takes on a look of pure glass, as in Maeve Binchy’s book, “The Glass Lake.”

I am happy to see such a beautiful sunrise and then sit here writing in the still of the morning…it’s now exactly 9am.

This morning has to be slowly enjoyed because there’s a mighty storm of heavy rain approaching Ireland.

Rain has been heavy all year and the earth is quite sodden…the wettest I have ever experienced.

As I write this, clouds have shadowed out the morning sun and already spots of rain are dotting the windows.

Even as the rain falls, the harvest continues…

Did you know that Rose-hips contain 20 times more vitamin C than the same weight of oranges?

Here is an old recipe for making Rosehip Syrup, a Vitamin C product given to babies and young children during World War Two…

Rose-hip Syrup
****************

2lb ripe rose-hips

6 pints water

1lb sugar
*************
Wash and remove stalks.

Mince or finely chop.

Add to pan with 4 pints boiling water, bring back to boil then remove from heat.

Stand for 15 minutes then strain through a jelly bag.(I use a cotton pillow-case!)

Return the pulp to pan with 2 pints boiling water, bring to boil, remove and stand for 10 minutes, then strain through jelly bag.

Now mix both juices and boil until reduced to 2 pints.

Add sugar, stir until dissolved, boil for 5 minutes.

Pour into small bottles, seal and sterilize using pan method.
*************************************************************
Other Uses for Rose-hips…

Rose hips can be gathered and dried for tea.

Drying methods are simple as the fruit is small and easily dried…but keep it slow and steady…I use the oven on my wood stove and leave the door slightly ajar to keep the dry air circulating but not baking.

Tags: children during World War Two, County Leitrim, dried for tea, Drumshanbo, drying herbs to make tea, heavy rain approaching Ireland, Lough Allen, Lovely Leitrim, Maeve Binchy, pan method, Rose-hip Syrup, Rose-hips contain 20 times more vitamin C, The Glass Lake

Comments 4 Comments
Categories Climate, Cottage, Eco-Living, Food, Garden, Growing Food, Inspiration, Ireland, Leitrim, Lough Allen Basin, Permaculture, Self-Sufficiency, Tea

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Magical Driftwood and Happy Cats

As the weekend draws in, the clock tells me it’s time to make dinner and settle in for the evening…it’s Friday evening!

The day has been wet and grey and much of my work has taken place in and around the cottage.

Days like today are welcome though, as it allows a little bit of a slow-down and a time for reflection and making plans.

I have decided to tile the kitchen floor, using broken tiles from the local tile shop, Carrick Tiles.

It is a long task, but the best approach is to a little each day and try not to work too long, as this can inhibit the desire to return to the task the following day!

Missy has kept warm beside the stove.

This is the longest period of time without a visit to the vet.

It appears that keeping really warm by the stove eases her symptoms.

Doesn’t she look well?

Some friends visited last weekend and Nick brought me this lovely mirror he made using driftwood.

There is something so beautiful about driftwood.

Even the scent of this wood evokes the ocean.

It is magical to live this close to the Atlantic Ocean…about a 45 minute drive to Rosses Point.

I’m happy to tell you all that the “We Will Not Comply” petition now has over 4,200 signatures…not bad for a mere 8 days.

If you would like to add your name then here’s the link…

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/We_Will_Not_Comply/?cCgoWbb

Have a good weekend everyone!

Bealtaine Cottage is also on YouTube…with over 102 videos about Permaculture, planting, growing and living.

Over 535 blogs from Bealtaine Cottage in the archives here.

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Permaculture is about creating a beautiful space that feels like paradise.

It’s about taking better care of oneself and the planet.

Permaculture design can be applied in the city just as easily as the country.

Real permaculture is about taking care of ourselves in a way that is in relation to the planet.

The notion of paradise is one that has been sold to us as only attainable after death.

Strange really…as this earth is the paradise we have been waiting for! Permaculture is a path towards more meaningful living, where all aspects of one’s life are connected.

Permaculture design is focused on skills, rather than the money to buy whatever it is one needs, or is told one has to have!

The way we design and build our homes, often excludes the way in which we live our lives.

For example, here in Ireland we have an excess of rain, so a covered veranda makes good sense.

Of all the new houses I have seen constructed, not one has a veranda. Permaculture is about re-connecting…with everything that makes up our lives.

Share this:

Like this:

The sun rises in a cooler sky, as the mist crawls slowly along the valley floor, in from Lough Meelaugh, past Kilronan castle to eventually meet the mists that cover the giant stretch of water that is Lough Allen.

Autumn is a time of mists, just as Samhain merges into Winter, so do the mists swirl and merge away off into the low clouds.

Lough Allen is an English translation from the Gaelic, meaning ‘Beautiful Lake’, and that it is!

The little town of Drumshanbo lies just above the Lough in the County of Leitrim.

It is little wonder it is referred to as “Lovely Leitrim.”

On a calm day the Lough takes on a look of pure glass, as in Maeve Binchy’s book, “The Glass Lake.”

I am happy to see such a beautiful sunrise and then sit here writing in the still of the morning…it’s now exactly 9am.

This morning has to be slowly enjoyed because there’s a mighty storm of heavy rain approaching Ireland.

Rain has been heavy all year and the earth is quite sodden…the wettest I have ever experienced.

As I write this, clouds have shadowed out the morning sun and already spots of rain are dotting the windows.

Even as the rain falls, the harvest continues…

Did you know that Rose-hips contain 20 times more vitamin C than the same weight of oranges?

Here is an old recipe for making Rosehip Syrup, a Vitamin C product given to babies and young children during World War Two…

Rose-hip Syrup ****************

2lb ripe rose-hips

Mince or finely chop.

Add to pan with 4 pints boiling water, bring back to boil then remove from heat.

Stand for 15 minutes then strain through a jelly bag.(I use a cotton pillow-case!)

Return the pulp to pan with 2 pints boiling water, bring to boil, remove and stand for 10 minutes, then strain through jelly bag.

Now mix both juices and boil until reduced to 2 pints.

Add sugar, stir until dissolved, boil for 5 minutes.

Pour into small bottles, seal and sterilize using pan method. ************************************************************* Other Uses for Rose-hips…

Rose hips can be gathered and dried for tea.

Drying methods are simple as the fruit is small and easily dried…but keep it slow and steady…I use the oven on my wood stove and leave the door slightly ajar to keep the dry air circulating but not baking.

Share this:

Like this:

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As the weekend draws in, the clock tells me it’s time to make dinner and settle in for the evening…it’s Friday evening!

The day has been wet and grey and much of my work has taken place in and around the cottage.

Days like today are welcome though, as it allows a little bit of a slow-down and a time for reflection and making plans.

I have decided to tile the kitchen floor, using broken tiles from the local tile shop, Carrick Tiles.

It is a long task, but the best approach is to a little each day and try not to work too long, as this can inhibit the desire to return to the task the following day!

Missy has kept warm beside the stove.

This is the longest period of time without a visit to the vet.

It appears that keeping really warm by the stove eases her symptoms.

Doesn’t she look well?

Some friends visited last weekend and Nick brought me this lovely mirror he made using driftwood.

There is something so beautiful about driftwood.

Even the scent of this wood evokes the ocean.

It is magical to live this close to the Atlantic Ocean…about a 45 minute drive to Rosses Point.

I’m happy to tell you all that the “We Will Not Comply” petition now has over 4,200 signatures…not bad for a mere 8 days.

If you would like to add your name then here’s the link…

Have a good weekend everyone!

Share this:

Like this:

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Rose-hip Syrup
****************

Pour into small bottles, seal and sterilize using pan method.
*************************************************************
Other Uses for Rose-hips…