John Lennon’s lyrics ringing true at this time of year.
“So this is Christmas,
And what have you done?
Another year over,
And a new one just begun,
And so this is Christmas.”
His song has become the annual mantra at home as we reflect upon the good times and beautiful memories created in 2024. Dare I say it has been a doozie.
2024 has challenged most of us feeling pushed and pulled in many directions. Unexpected events wiping people’s possessions, forcing them to rebuild and restructure their lives differently. Christmas can be perceived as a positive distraction encouraging our enthusiasm to the fore and begin decorating our home – inside and outside. Beautifully decorated trees with colourful baubles, tinsel, ornaments, and lights invite a joyful spirit to be shared among family and friends.
Moving forward into 2025 the Christmas spirit remains within; an energy force spurring me to strengthen connection to land. I can say nature is my kindred spirit guiding me to improve my horticultural skills harmoniously serving the land. The habitat forest is a personal project coming to fruition. In 2023 I started planning and researching appropriate native plants for stage one. My patience and careful consideration have paid off. The habitat forest will be an evolving project.
A GARDENER’S YEAR
For gardeners, think back to autumn, winter and your garden tasks and projects. Spring and summer are the times we reap our arduous efforts. The awesome blooms and fruits ready to harvest. Have you journaled progress throughout the year? Noting your successes and failures?
FESTIVE SEASON AMBIENCE
Essential oils of clove, cinnamon, pine, nutmeg, all spice, ginger, peppermint, sweet orange, frankincense, myrrh, cedarwood and eucalyptus can be used in an oil burner creating a lovely ambient fragrance.
Have you considered celebrating the festive season with native plants? Prostanthera lasianthos – Victorian Christmas bush and Adenanthos x cunninghamii – woolly bush. The latter grows to about 1 – 1.5 high x 1 metre wide and P. lasianthos is a compact bush flowering December to January, grows 2-6 metres high x 2-5 metres wide both suitable for home gardeners.
CHRISTMAS DIGESTIVES
Over-indulging at Christmas is easily done. Our overworked liver gets an unfavourable hiding making us lethargic and wanting to burst. Perhaps wearing stretchy pants may help to ease discomfort? One of my favourite digestive tisanes is mint. An easy herb to grow preferably in pots as the plant’s invasiveness can become problematic. Place a small handful of fresh mint leaves in an average teapot with hot water and infuse until ready.
A simple spice brew combined of cinnamon quill, star anise, cardamon pods, clove buds, and black pepper is refreshing and gut supportive. Add ingredients to a saucepan of water and bring to the boil for a few minutes. Allow to cool infusing spice flavour, strain, and serve. Can be drunk cold or warm, garnish with thinly sliced orange or lemon.
FESTIVE SEASON MESSAGE
Wishing everyone in Baw Baw shire and beyond a happy 2025 and safe festive season. To our awesome farmers providing produce throughout the year – a big thankyou. To all motorists heading away please drive safely.
