New brooms sweep clean

I bought a new broom this week. Yes, it is exciting. No, I didn't go to my nearest Bunnings or Big W. I found a local broommaker, tucked away in a little dead end street. For those who live in the Hunter Valley, go to Morpeth, cross Morpeth Bridge, then immediately turn right to go back alongside the bridge. This laneway leads to some houses selling hay and fresh veges and one old shed with a faded sign saying "John Wright, Broommaker since 1937" He makes Millet brooms from millet grown locally.




For those of you trying to tread lightly on our planet, you will know how important it is to buy things locally rather than mass produced rubbish. These broom are NOT mass produced. He makes them by hand. There are ordinary brooms, children's brooms and cobweb brooms, all of excellent quality. Yes, they are pricey ($22 for a cobweb broom) but they are beautiful as well as efficient. Well worth the money.

This week

Today was supposed to be a day for working outside. Now the weather has cooled off it's time to finish turning the back yard into a production garden, rather that just grass (yuk!). However, I got up this morning to find it raining steadily and my cold has freshened overnight and is now raging! No working outside for me today.

We are trying to declutter our house, now the oldest two have moved on. There are many things we haven't used in years that might as well go to new homes. There are even some things that have never been used. I am offering everything on Freecycle http://www.freecycle.org/ and anything not collected will then be offered at the next LETS trading day http://www.auslets.org/hunter/. I love these groups. Freecycle allows you to give away things you no longer need to someone who will appreciate it or receive something you need from someone who no longer wants it for wahtever reason. LETS is a trading group where money is not used. I get fresh unsterilised honey through out local LETS group and we regularly have trading days where we offer anything for other members to buy with "Mollies" not money. I offer herbs and plants, as well as dance classes and bookkeeping services. My daughter attends ballet classes for which we pay in mollies not money and my bellydance classes are also paid for by mollies. Both teachers are professionals so the teaching is excellent.

I am off now to make Miss 4 her lunch and then see if I have the energy to sew or crochet.

Good trading to all.

Beyond the Brink by Peter Andrews

I have just found and read the most fantastic book. This one was recommended by my Permaculture teacher and I think what it has to say is important enough that the book should be compulsory reading for all agriculture students and land owners. It's called "Beyond the Brink" by Peter Andrews. It follows on from his wonderful first book "Back from the Brink" and shows how the Australian landscape used to cope with salinity and drought and still be sustainable. Have a look at Peter's website "Natural Sequence Farming" http://www.naturalsequencefarming.com/

This book is available in a lot of public libraries (Maitland Library has a copy of both books)/. If you are interested in sustainability and the environment, it is a "Must Read" book for all Australians

Welcome to A Garden of Dance

Hi and Welcome. As my twin loves (after my wonderful hubby and my fantastic children) are Permaculture gardening and dance, my blog will contain elements of both. I am also a keen crochet hook wielder and sewer of fine costumes. Please come in and look around. Feel free to introduce yourself and make comments. I look forward to meeting you.