Vanity.

The pleasures of beauty. But what is beauty? That what feeds the eye and the mind, especially when it is done by one self. But that is my humble reasoning.

Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind. 'Vanity of vanities', says the preacher in Ecclesiastes; 'all is vanity.'

Your reason…

A year as no other (as has been the case so far), so much that was going on was not as ever before. Indeed, quarantaine and stay-at-home was our self chosen situation and in this I bloomed.

Together with Geo my dear husband, I made a start in permacultural farming and to this very day in the middle of December, we still eat from the garden. To make this post interesting for you, I linked most photos to old posts. And when you are in need for beauty to feed the eye’s desire, buy one of my pouches (simply click the photo and you’ll be redirected to the relevant shop page.)

Because my reason is that I have to be creative. I need beauty in my life, however small, however insignificant.

A sharp learning curve, back to the source

The summer months for anyone not experienced in permaculture farming are more absorbing than a cold lizard basking in the sun.

I try not to sound too much like an alternative praising goatwool and spirulina (alpaca and nettle are great too) but the joys of seedlings and free sour cherries is quite praiseworthy.

Foraging, making use of what already is

Recapturing what was once a normal knowledge makes me feel that, although I can do a lot, I know not much about the basics. Always been a hard worker, this year I worked harder than ever. Though, not so compared to a newbie in shepherding in Snowdonia.

I learned a few things, nothing life saving but pleasant nevertheless. Left upper photo is carob powder, that stuff is made from pods you can find in the forest, they’re a nice ‘fibery’ source in cookies and breakfast. Another tasty addition to make you buy less is to dig up some dandelion roots. The same goes for nettle tops, the green picture, you can make powder of them and also a very delicious syrup. It surprised me. A lot. Like, really a lot! Do you know that nettle syrup can sub the expensive maple syrup. Yep. Yellow flower buds in glass bowl are goldenrod and a lot can be done with this weed. The lower right picture is sumac but I haven’t found time yet to document that lemony tasting spice (it will appear here).

To balance out all that work, I embroider

Zipper pouch asymmetrical black walnut €32.75 – Drawstring pouch Calpe ochre €20 – Slip-in pouch Jacksonville €30 – Zipper pouch Kesthely €30 – Slip-in pouch Maryvilla €50 – Zipper pouch asymmetrical onion skin €32.75 – Zipper pouch Italy €30 – Zipper pouch Paraguay cerrito €45. Postal service included.

I started naturally coloring (with resources that are often edible too)

All my work is embroidered the slow way (naturally, by hand)

Often made sitting at a camp fire (just as before)

All of the pouches I send did neatly arrive, reviews included

“I ordered again two of your beautiful pouches. I love the little yellow one very much and it is always by my side. For me your pouches are like little treasures, with all energy of your fine embroidery.” Judith, Germany

“I’m so happy that I get to own this beautiful piece of art. Thank you for making beautiful things and writing wonderful and inspiring content.” Meghan, Canada

“I loved the pouch Cindy made so much. From the very first moment I saw it, I simply had to have it. And she made one extra on my special demand, to store my GPS in. How nice can a present be! Pouches like these are a joy forever. Strongly recommended if you are looking for a unique pouch.” Wilfried, (cycled out of) the Netherlands

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Trying to be self-sustainable in the countryside of Hungary: weeds and wild, tours and talent included

Creativity

Winter Reset

I retain the soil connection: the transition from a cyclist to something totally different might have gone slow but spectaculair. I have come to feel like a little piranha in a warm pond full with lilies blossoming.