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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

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How I De-Stress…

May 24, 2011 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

When life gets a little overwhelming, I go into the garden.

If it’s a sunny day, I’ll lie on the pond bridge…

…and listen to the water running over the rocks…

…and take pictures of the water plants…

…and the blue sky through our jacaranda tree…

…and then I’ll watch our lovely fat hens tucking into their favourite weeds.  Their contented clucking can be very soothing!

PS. If you listen carefully around the 0.08 second mark you’ll hear the chok-chok call of our resident Red Wattlebird. And watch the shadows at the 0.22 second mark, and you’ll see Queenie jump on Maggie’s back to show her who’s boss – Maggie picks herself up and fluffs her feathers afterwards!

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Posted in Musings | 51 Comments

51 Responses

  1. on May 24, 2011 at 12:07 am sallybr

    Adorable!


    • on May 24, 2011 at 7:08 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Sally! :)


  2. on May 24, 2011 at 3:41 am Melanie

    Oh, what beautiful pictures! My favorite way to destress is out in nature also. I like to curl up on a blanket with my golden retriever by my side and look up into the sky at the cloud formations and watch all the different kinds of birds fly by overhead.
    Your chicks are so fun to watch!!! Thank you for the video!


    • on May 24, 2011 at 7:09 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Melanie, until I met Bob the dog, I never quite understood how therapeutic they can be. Bob’s a jet black curly retriever, and the sweetest soul ever!


  3. on May 24, 2011 at 4:04 am norma

    And I open my window from the 27th floor in my busy neighborhood in Manhattan and listen to the sirens, the taxi’s blaring their horns, etc….LOL


    • on May 24, 2011 at 7:10 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Norma, that would satisfy the other part of me that doesn’t like to be bored! :)


  4. on May 24, 2011 at 5:58 am Joanna @ Zeb Bakes

    Lovely relaxing post – thanks for sharing! Watched the chooks about three times now, heard the chok chok but kept missing the Queenie dominance ritual. Finally clocked them.

    Do you lie in a yoga like arch on that pretty bridge or just hang over the side and trail your fingers in the water? Is it tall enough to play Pooh Sticks?

    xx Joanna


    • on May 24, 2011 at 7:11 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks love, yes I do lie in a yoga arch and squint at the sun. It’s not quite enough flow to play Pooh sticks, but sometimes I lie on my stomach and stare through the slats to watch the fish – I really love that. I tried to take a photo, but even the Lumix wasn’t up to that. :)


  5. on May 24, 2011 at 6:20 am cityhippyfarmgirl

    Ahh, like Joanna said, a very relaxing post. I think I’ve imagined trailing my fingers through your little pond before.
    I squish The Monkeys with hugs and tickles when I de-stress. A childs giggle can right so much.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 7:12 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Even when they’re big, Brydie! My boys’ laughter can be very therapeutic!


  6. on May 24, 2011 at 6:50 am Roz

    A good way to destress is to be re inspired. Go to a Botanic Garden and get new ideas, talk to the Gardeners for advice if you come across them, they love it.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 7:13 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Great idea Roz! :)


  7. on May 24, 2011 at 7:32 am Manuela

    I also like to be in the garden or surrounded by nature … I’m rather outside than inside! What a nice big tree!


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:36 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Manuela, I’ll have to take some photos to show you when it flowers – it’s the most gorgeous light purpley-blue colour!


  8. on May 24, 2011 at 8:16 am Linda Woodrow

    Watching chooks is a wonderful destresser. Simple things make them so happy!


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:37 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Linda, the garden has brought us so much joy – all the bits – the beds, the chooks, the pond. Thank you. :)


  9. on May 24, 2011 at 9:02 am David

    Very nice Celia. Given that your kung fu days are over, this makes perfect sense.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:37 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Indeed, we’re getting very old, Dave. :)


  10. on May 24, 2011 at 9:04 am Meg

    Hi Celia

    When I’m stressed I go for a walk through the paddocks and talk to the cows and chooks and watch the wild birds – and sometimes, if I lucky, watch a pair of sea eagles (pretty common) or wedge tail eagles (less common) fly on wind. As they fly, the smaller birds (from magpie size and down) soar above them and bomb them to stop them having a meal! I’m sure they eat elsewhere.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:41 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Meg, that just sounds so amazing to be able to watch birds of prey in the sky! Magpies, they’re a formidable bird too, aren’t they? Did your children have to walk to school with icecream containers on their heads? Pete remembers having to do that as a kid.. :)


  11. on May 24, 2011 at 9:37 am Amanda

    A wander through my garden, followed by a cup of tea does it for me most times. Or a glass of white wine!


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:41 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Amanda, a glass of wine sounds like the perfect follow-up to a snooze in the sun! :)


  12. on May 24, 2011 at 9:52 am Meaghan

    Hey Celia

    Strangely enough my animals stress me and calm me – but not at the same time! How old are your Isa’s now? Are they still laying OK? I’ve found they have a two year full on run, then tend to slow down from there very quickly. I’m looking into breeding the Light Sussex – monster size chook and reasonably good consistent layers. I just have to get over the hurdle of keeping a rooster. I love roosters, just not at 4am in the morning! Hope you’re having a relatively stress free day.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:45 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Meaghan, we’ve never had a rooster – not allowed in suburbia (probably with good reason!). I’m guessing that our girls are now about 16 – 17 months old and they’re still going strong, long may they continue!

      Today has been quite stress free, thank you! :)


  13. on May 24, 2011 at 11:10 am Christine

    Pond bridge would be my pick too..love to bask in the sun when life’s getting too much.

    Soothing clucks of hens are a bonus.

    Hope you’re having a fine Tuesday, Celia :)


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:46 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thank you, Chris dear, I certainly am, hope you are too!

      Lying on my pond bridge, or sitting by your “lake” – there’s something about the water that’s very soothing.. :)


  14. on May 24, 2011 at 1:31 pm Keri

    How lovely Celia, I remember you telling me about that and with the sun shining brightly this morning it sounds like a fine place to be. Enjoy those beautiful sounds.
    Keri :-)


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:47 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Keri! And my tulips are still going strong, so thank you for those too! :)


  15. on May 24, 2011 at 1:57 pm thecompletecookbook

    What a beautiful “de-stress” garden you have Celia – very special.
    :-) Mandy


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mandy, thank you, it’s not really very big, or tidy, but it’s a nice space to be in! :)


  16. on May 24, 2011 at 2:36 pm Sally

    Feel ultra-relaxed after watching that video – they look like ladies in the market chatting to each other now and again.
    I destress by going for a walk with my 2 dogs or giving them a big cuddle.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 3:49 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Sally, they really are like a group of gossiping old women, aren’t they? I wonder if that’s where the expression “hen party” came from.. :)


  17. on May 24, 2011 at 5:04 pm InTolerantChef

    What a lovely place to be. I love watching the chookies and their fluffy petticoats.
    If I’m at work, and can’t get away, I usually sing along to the radio that’s always blasting away in the kitchen. That way I focus on something else, I can release some pent up energy, and no-one realises I’m upset! I usually change the lyrics though to suit the situations so I have to be careful. The other day I was singing “It wouldn’t have happened if you’d listened to me…” and wouldn’t have liked anyone to overhear me!(even if it was true!)


    • on May 24, 2011 at 8:37 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      LOL, Becca, I can just imagine you getting caught out one day! :)


  18. on May 24, 2011 at 6:48 pm bagnidilucca

    Watching chooks is always calming. They are such amusing critters. I love watching pigeons, especially when the males are performing for the females. I find it hilarious. There is a staute in the heart of Helsinki that always has a pigeon or a seagullon its head. One moves off and another immediately takes its place. Sometimes they fight over a spot on his head. I could watch for hours.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 8:37 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Deb, I’ve never watched pigeons! I’ll look out for them next time…


  19. on May 24, 2011 at 6:56 pm Claire @ Claire K Creations

    What a wonderful spot to relax.


    • on May 24, 2011 at 8:38 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Claire! On a sunny day, I can sit on the bridge and feel my heart rate slow down. It’s really quite blissful. :)


  20. on May 24, 2011 at 11:29 pm heidi

    Lovely- thanks for sharing your moments!
    I de-stress by making bread. Kneading the bread always helps soothe my muscles and mind. And punching the dough is very therapeutic as well.
    Bread is so very good and useful! :)


    • on May 25, 2011 at 7:56 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      I find that actually making something with my hands is very rewarding as well, Heidi! It’s lovely to be able to watch the dough rise, then spring in the oven, then see my loved ones eat the bread with gusto! :)


  21. on May 25, 2011 at 2:07 pm Jason Dingley

    I bet the arching of the bridge is great for stretching your back :) I relax and re-earth myself most days by meditating in the Adelaide botanical gardens.


    • on May 25, 2011 at 6:11 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jason, that sounds like a wonderful way to spend a little time each day! :)


  22. on May 25, 2011 at 7:42 pm Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    Your garden is indeed beautifully peaceful. I hope things are ok on the home front. Love to everyone!


    • on May 25, 2011 at 8:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks darling.. x


  23. on May 25, 2011 at 11:26 pm Anna Johnston

    What a beautiful way to de-stress Celia. Is there anything more peaceful & soothing than lazing out in the winter’s sun – it seems to sink right into the tired muscles – love that you can listen to the water trickling away while hearing the girls cluck away. Beautiful.


    • on May 28, 2011 at 9:25 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Lots of wonderful sounds in our garden, Anna, the water, and the birds, and the chooks, all rounded off by our deep D major wind chimes.. :)


  24. on May 25, 2011 at 11:46 pm Mark Scarbrough

    We finally have gardens up at the same time. Mine are just now pushing out of the soil–and yours are in full swing!


    • on May 28, 2011 at 9:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Ours are finishing up for winter, Mark, so I’m looking forward to photos of green from your side of the planet now! :)


  25. on May 29, 2011 at 8:12 am Gian Banchero

    Thank you for the video of the chickens, up until recently I had 13 chickens, three ducks and Melina the German Snow Goose… I spent many hours in the chicken yard either reading or napping on a bench… You would think the goose would have been queen of the yard, but no, it was Giusy the duck, a fowl tempered (pardon the pun) old gal who bossed all the other birds around without mercy… Though, Giusy did have a soft spot for the goose who when one day old I put into Giusy’s nest who then thought the gosling her own, it made no difference her “daughter” grew into a heavy giant who could hold her own against any dog no matter how big.


    • on May 29, 2011 at 8:45 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Gian, what an interesting mixed flock you had! A snow goose would have been amazing! Did she eventually fly off to breed?


  26. on May 29, 2011 at 10:30 am frances

    Whan I go for a Chinese body allignment they often use a kind of bridge shaped back rest which stretches the spine, so your bridge is probably doing you lots of good! Its hard not to stress out over things happening in Japan with food pollution. Hawaii is adding Boron to their milk!!! I first came to your blog looking at making Pectin and I am still trying to source information on the exact process of hydrolysing pectin at home to make the molecules small enough to reach the blood stream where apparently they hoover up heavy metals and radioactive particles. Currently I am consuming a commercial product, not waiting for goverment initiatives on antiradiation. I’d like to do this cheaper of course. There are three things from Grandma’s cupboard which are good at fighting radiation. Lugol’s, Laundry Blue (Prussian Blue) and Pectin (hydrolysed) Thought you might be interested in this free book I found. http://chestofbooks.com/food/science/Experimental-Cookery/index.htmll



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