Lunchtime terrarium making

Collins Square (my day jail) has recently been running several workshops including one on making a Terrarium, which I had on the list.  I also wanted to do the croissant making one (images of golden, flakey, buttery delishesness coming to mind), but missed out on a spot. Never mind, probably a good thing - more on that another time.

Maree and I headed down, green fingers ready to create.  Considering the very reasonable price we paid, imagine our surprise when we were greeted with a fish bowl size container waiting to be turned into our masterpieces.   

Our hosts, were the lovely people from Miei Fiori (My Flowers in Italian), a florist with a difference. Not only do they produce beautiful bouquets of stunning flowers and run a variety of workshops, but they operate on a 100%-net-profit-to-charity model.  With a focus on improving children’s lives and closing the poverty gap in Australia, they are currently supporting the Smith Family and are one of the growing number of social enterprises supporting the community. Yay team - love ya work!

They also operate on a zero waste model, so don't have a supply of flowers ready and waiting to be bunched up and cellophaned to within an inch of their life. But give them some notice and they can provide gorgeous bouquets that you know are super fresh.

Back to the terrarium making.  Once intros and basic instructions were provided, it was time to get down to business.  We grabbed out 3 succulents. Maree thought she had her 3 safe in her keeping, but it's a dog eat dog world out there and she found one being snatched out of her hand.  Crocheting is not that competitive - although I can imagine Maree fighting with hooks raised at a Morris & Sons 50% off sale.

Right then, glove on, first layer - small pebbles to aid in water drainage.  Check. Second layer Sphagnum Moss that stores water and keeps things nice and moist (I don't have an aversion to that word. In fact I quiet like it - moist, moist, moist).  Next succulent potting mix.  Now the fun part planting our chosen succulents.  Making a little hole, loosening the roots a bit and sticking it in.  3 little succulents sitting in a bowl.  Bit of gravel over the top and several delicately placed decorative pebbles and Voila! 1 terrarium ready for a light water spray and Instagram glory.

Don't over water!  Just a bit of a spray when the soil is looking dry to keep things MOIST. And that's how we spent our lunchtime.  My terrarium is now sitting proudly on my desk receiving compliments. As for Maree's, well she doesn't like succulents so gifted it on to someone who can appreciate and talk nicely to it.

Oh, and if you fancy becoming a flower arranging maestro - check out Miei Fiori's workshops.

Maree "I'd rather be crocheting" Ross

Lola the Explorer and her allergies

Lola the Explorer has always been an "itchy dog" and over the years we have tried many things. From special (read expensive) shampoos, special diets, portions, lotions and creams and of course medication from the vet. Her allergies continue and although we laugh at her famous belly scratching and spinning around on her butt, it can't be comfortable for the poor thing.

Most helpful is Prednisone, prescribed by the vet. However, being a strong steroid, we don't like her taking it all the time so only give them to her when her allergies are particularly bad. They do help, but she's always starving (nothing thin about Lola) and giving us the "feed me" look.

Allergies were particularly bad on our recent trip up to Metung and Merimbula. And of course we didn't have any Prednisone with us. So spotting a vet in Lakes Entrance, we decided to stop and say hello and see if they could give us a few tablets.

An old fashioned country vet they agreed to provide them. The only hesitation - what to charge. 14 tablets, "oh just give us $5." Was tempted to see if we could have 200! The cheapest trip to the vet EVER!

Not only that, but we were having a chat about using human antihistamines between courses of the Prednisone which they were very much in favour of. So they also provided us with a sheet showing which to use and the recommended dosages:

   

Piriactin	4mg tabs	Give ½ tablet 3 times daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Phenergan	10mg tabs	Give ½ tablet 3 times daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Polaramine	2mg tabs	Give ½ tablet twice daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Claratine	10mg tabs	Give 1/4 tablet twice daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Teldane	10mg tabs	Give ½ tablet twice daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Zyrtec	10mg tabs	Give ½ tablet twice daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Zadine	1mg tabs	Give ½ tablet once daily	Per 5kg of body weight
Telfast	180mg tabs	Give 1/4 tablet twice daily	Per 10kg of body weight

We've had some success with antihistamines, although we were just dosing Lola once a day. It's suggested using one brand for at least 10 days and then trying a second. Antihistamines have very little side effects, but don't always work in all cases. So we're going to try and switch things up a little. I did find a few articles talking about this to compare. Like these ones:

Dog Walkers Melbourne

Fairfield Road Veterinary Hospital

After my bit of reading, we're also going to give sardines a go. Over the years we've tried Fish Oil tablets and various different forms of Omega 3, but apparently 1 small sardine a day, can help keep the itches away!

I scratch on sand......

I scratch on grass!