green crumbs

Been Busy

2011-07-21T23:08:00.001+10:00

Painting walls - now I can move onto more fruitful painting...the creative kind

Drooling over thick oils. Sigh. Mr Q. Love your work. Sorry for taking illegal photos.

Being the tooth fairy.

Being an Aunty.

Be back soon.

Post torrential rain

2010-12-10T10:36:00.000+11:00

I cannot wait for Autumn, when these Tamarillo's will ripen to a golden yellow. The tree next to it is in it's 2nd year & it too is covered in fruit - it's a traditional red one. YUM. So easy to grow - but they only live for around 5 years - so keep a few on the go.

First Olives! Kalamatas..now just to work out how to process them so we can enjoy them

Overcrowded beans. I've lost so many seedlings because of the massive snail population. I've had these covered with fine netting, which seems to have worked, but I need to thin them out! These are seeds from my pop.

Feijoa flower - which a NZ friend told me you can eat - so crunchy & sweet, imagine them on a lovely chocolate cake. The Feijoas will also be ripening in Autumn.

Baby Tamarillo's - just pruned some excess from the tree, trimmed it to small pieces & stuck into organic potting mix - so easy!

From the [pre rain] garden

2010-12-10T10:09:00.000+11:00

So much rain, more than my children have seen in their whole lives me thinks!

I've since harvested the garlic [top]

Tamarillo's are getting bigger and bigger! [middle]

Mint & parsnips & olive tree in the background - going OFF!

Off to take some soggy pictures now..I'm overwhelmed by the amount of jobs there are to do in the garden. I have a child home sick today so there's not alot I can do even though the sun is out and the rain has stopped for a moment!

Cabramatta outing with girlies

2010-06-26T21:18:00.001+10:00

another weekend gone by.

2010-06-12T21:34:00.003+10:00

this was a few weekends ago, a quick trip to the city to attend a gathering to celebrate my sister & bro inlaws recent nuptials. i was very attracted to these lovely old bits at the bowling club. Check Mr Chesty Bonds up there on the old Bonds factory. Storm clouds brewing in the background.

Travels

2010-06-11T22:30:00.003+10:00

HMOP & I went to Vegas to attend my sister's wedding.

She didn't know we were coming (sans kids)

Then, we flew to New York City.

and caught the train to Boston.

day trip.

2010-05-24T20:44:00.007+10:00

hello. we had a lovely weekend, the one just gone. very busy. sister & bro in law had their party upon their return from Vegas a month ago. trip to the Highlands to visit our friends' new bakery, flour water salt. we also visited Peppergreen in Berrima, wow. thankyou Sue & Kristy for telling me about this treasure trove. I had palpitations when I got inside, and I almost cried as I was walking through each room!

delicious April 2005 Hot Cross Bunds

2010-05-13T20:23:00.006+10:00

If I don't put these on this blog, I will, once again, forget where the recipe is and spend 10 minutes flicking through the last 5 years of April delicious. Here it is, my fave hot cross bun recipe. Please excuse the rudimentary layout. I like to replace the mixed dried fruit with chopped dried (sulphur free) figs.

Sunshine on the otherside of the world

2010-05-07T23:37:00.009+10:00

So, HMOP & I just spent 11 days in the US of A. We left our kiddies at home with his parents - first time ever spending that much time away from them - heartbreaking, but liberating at the same time. My sister got married in Vegas, she didn't know we were coming. It was a great surprise! Let me tell you about Vegas. It's a pretty revolting place. I don't mean dirty. I mean, over the top, too much money, and a bit of porn-on-the-street thrown in for good measure. People actually take their children to Vegas as if it's a theme park. Well, it is. But it's for ADULTS! Not Kids!!! We found one moment of inspiration which I had read about before I left (desperately researching for any sign of art in Vegas). The Cit y Center Art Collection. HMOP & I spent an afternoon on a bit of a treasure hunt...Claes Oldenberg, Jenny Holzer, Frank Stella & my all time eternal fave, Robert Rauschenberg. Just sitting there, in hotel foyers, and at valet parking stations - and it seemed that no one else noticed or cared for it!! Meanwhile, I was peeing my pants. Moments of inspiration..so when I have a studio built I can paint again..This is ICA in Boston. We spent one night in Boston to watch the Celtics, HMOPs' fave basketball team. It was something I had never experienced before then, and although I know nothing about basketball, I really enjoyed the game (i think it were a pretty boring game by comparison though). Yes, I think this really is The World of Suits Outlet. Love it.

Enroute to Boston on the Amtrak

Babycakes NYC cupcake - dairy free!! I bought their cookbook and have been baking up a storm since I got home.

Of course I had to visit Strawberry Fields in Central Park. Who couldn't love these skyrats - and can't you see that in one of my paintings? I can. Jenny Holzer in the valet carpark of the Vdara, Vegas. and that is all for tonight, my eyes are closing.

Kindergarten, Full Time Work

2010-01-31T21:20:00.003+11:00

Here's what's been happening in between job interviews and Holiday CheerQueensland Art Gallery. The air vents were a hit! Lucky we had long dresses on.

Sculpture By The Sea 2009. Work above by Alex Greene I'm sorry I don't have the names of these artists on hand. Apologies to the artists 2 of another batch of Bibs for Shady Fig. Could be my last for a while

How am I going to manage..my life is about to change in a huge way. Two girls off to school, me off to full time work the day after. Wow.

Ye Olde Clothes Airer

2009-11-28T16:17:00.003+11:00

I made this back in Winter (can't even fathom that in this hideous heat) and finally I took some pics. Not good pics, but you might get the jist of it. I was inspired by World Sweet World's tutorial. I had to make a few changes due to necessity, but boy has it come in handy. And thas is all for now, as I've exceeded my 5GB limit for the month and I'm back to dial up speed - HOW SAD!! - just til the end of the month. I've got loads to share...Exhibitions, crafty bits, holiday in BrisVegas, 2 FIVE year olds!, advent calender...more fun to come!

the sky is falling

2009-09-23T08:01:00.001+10:00

this was yesterday. see that thing in the distance? that's a mountain. and it's dust, not fog.

Pre Birthday Pressies & Oppy finds

2009-08-31T22:31:00.004+10:00

Just-what-I-was-looking-for retro enamel shade & 60's readers! Surprise parcel in the letterbox one day Courtesy of the lovely owlsqirrelfox

My nan and mum spotted this book about the good bugs in your garden & knew I would love it. They're not wrong! Jane Davenport & gorgeous bugs. -------------

Birds for the birdcages I'm collecting...

Thursday eve pottery

lovely tea cup & saucer 80c

this one's for you Miss B

My latest love..World Sweet World mag. You can buy it here. I've almost completed one of their little projects...more on that when it's done!

Birdies in their new home.

Clingwrap alternative

2009-08-31T21:58:00.006+10:00

I was going to purchase a couple of wraps from here, but I had some PUL leftover from the girls' cloth nappy days..so I got sewing. Here's not so much a tutorial, but some pics of what I did..and the 'wrap'..well it's been handy for sandwiches as well as sushi & wraps for the girls' lunchboxes. I'm tired and I wish blogger had a drag-and-drop-mac-inspired-photo-option. But it doesn't and that's why my pics look crap.

Sesame Cookies

2009-07-27T20:01:00.002+10:00

The recipe for those sexy biscuits came from here. I love Elana's recipes, I can't stop baking (and eating) her Sesame Biscuits, and also her Ginger Biscuits. yum yum. Got some banana bread and ginger& molasses bikkies in oven... Oh, I'm catering for a small family dinner for my dad's 50th this weekend... any recipe suggestions? I saw some lovely blood oranges in the fruit shop today.

The Crow, By Charley age 4 and a half.

2009-07-26T20:05:00.000+10:00

The Crow Maybe the crow came from a different world. From farm to farm to farm to rusty farm the rusty broken down farms each day until it found a bundle of hay.

things to love about winter

2009-07-25T19:01:00.006+10:00

the smell of broad bean flowers
late afternoon children's birthday parties
late lunch BBQ's with friends
super long bushwalks with kiddies and friends
short road trips to pop in on friends
biscuits made with almond meal
transplanting plants
rescuing plants from the nursery
wintery days on the beach
potions
80th birthdays
homegrown heirlooms carrots, fennel & crisp lettuce
borage self seeding everywhere
Fleet Foxes "White Winter Hymnal"
watching Deadwood.

too long between drinks

2009-06-04T09:57:00.007+10:00

I'm going to the White Album Live at the Opera House. Yay! Amazing garden right here in Terara, at Merribee. Went along (child free) to a wedding/birthday celebration. We had such a great night. And the soil! So fertile to be growing all those lovely fruit trees. Jealous! Some dying of eggs for easter with onion skins courtesy of India Flint's book Eco Colour. Easter camping in KV We love the mirror. Fresh batch of bibs delivered to Shady Fig Our gorgeous table at the pre school fundraiser. BYO food & drink, our theme was local. A recipe you must all try! Almost forgot PLANTING Kale Peas Parsley Rocket HARVESTING Silverbeet Cherry Tomatoes Rocket Borage Mustard

Belated Pre Christmas

2009-01-13T15:27:00.003+11:00

'Stir up Sunday' which did not in fact take place on a Sunday, as I ran out of time. But there, we all had a stir and the pudding was lovely. Thanks to Frankie magazine for the recipe, it will now become MY Christmas Pudding recipe. I'll post the recipe sometime before 2009 Christmas.

Undies

2009-01-09T19:44:00.002+11:00

Strange topic I know. Just want to do a quick survey - comfiest/best undies? I"ve been a long time fan of the Bonds Hipsters, but I'm about ready for a fresh batch - now that I'm 30, do I go for the granny undies? Is there something in between? I do need non synthetic. I wore a shaper singlet today, but boy, that just made me feel fat. Comfy & warm (handy in an 1800's building on a 20degree day), but rolly. I'd love your undie feedback...

Does this worry you?

2009-01-02T09:14:00.003+11:00

Freaked me right out. My apple trees won't start producing for 5 years so only organic for us thankyou. I don't like paraffin wax with my apples thanks! I don't even burn candles with paraffin so why would I want to eat it!!!

History

2008-11-05T21:36:00.005+11:00

What a (an?) historic day. I have been more than misty eyed every time they show Obama’s acceptance speech or people lined up to vote, or crowds of people celebrating! I was bloody well blubbering when they first broadcast the news! In case you live under a rock, I’m talking about (do I really have to say this?) the NEW President-Elect of the USA, Barack Obama. ABC Kids was interrupted, we didn’t get to watch all of Bottle Top Bill (and his best friend Corky). I had a young girl (well, in her 20's) from Romania working for Save The Children (collecting donations) here this arvo, she was lovely, we had a chat about her father back in Romania and his vegetables, the cows next door, the whole bartering for food instead of paying money for produce ..ahhh my dream. I asked her if she’d heard the news. When I told her, she could not believe it, she said I had just made her day. Isn’t that lovely?

Tom is playing Imagine. Aww. How very fitting. Can yo believe that Americans lined up for hours to VOTE? And they don’t even have to. How powerful the need to change their society is. And an interest rate cut, let's hope we're on the up and up.

I'm still aiming for semi self sufficiency though!

On another note, did anyone just watch the doco on Michael Jackson on ABC2?creeepy & sad

Oh - almost forgot, of to Honeymoon Bay this weekend to camp yay!! Rain Hail or Shine, we are going camping before it gets too hot crowded and over booked.

Can't have it all text now can we?

Tidbits of the last 5 months

2008-11-04T18:19:00.011+11:00

Ok I am worst blogger ever. Sorry. ~~I'm also having trouble uploading pics so here's a text only blog. boring. ... more tomorrow or later tonight (depending on my willpower against cake and Sex& the City movie DVD)~~ I’ve just popped into Shady Fig (the shop will be online in a few weeks, check back -it's gorgeous) and been inspired. So many talented ladies out there (and I’m sure a few gents). Get butt into gear! Speaking of talent, Poppies For Grace, have you been there lately? Their blog too. Their front page makes me envious - can't wait til my Buddleja Black Knight gets big enough for flowers! Firstly, catch up time. May June July August September October have flown by – woops! Let’s skip June & July, I turned 30 in August! Here’s me dressed as a Beatle’s wife at my Beatle’s inspired mini party . My hair is normally curly so it was quite strange and fun to have it super dooper straight for the night. Have to do that more often. I made that frock! The fabric is 100% hunky dory 70’s from my MIL’s cupboard. She’d never cut into it. I have to admit I was a little scared on that first cut. But it turned out well for my first time, just ignore the fact that the armholes were a little tight and did get a little uncomfortable after a few hours. I’ve been told you have to bear pain for fashion. I thought you had to bear pain for childbirth – I don’t really consider the 2 to be in the same category!!

And that's John & ahem, I mean, my cousin, her partner in crime and their little hippy GIVE PEACE A CHANCE baby. Right next to Mmmm Chocolate cake. Nigella’s. Like a pudding. Oozing with chocolatey raspberry goodness. Tasted way better than the photo quality. this photo layout is crap, i'm tired and I'm not changing it right now. If i had faster internet i would. But I don't.

My 2008 Meroogal entry. Using eco/plant dyes.

Can someone remind me to print some of these digital photo’s? I haven’t had one printed in nearly 2 years! I think I will bite the bullet and get my SLR Film camera fixed - I miss real photos sometimes. B'day present for my sister today. Elk. Mm check out their lovely jewellery. Lovely.

Broad beans a few months ago. Now gone, wondering what to put into nutritious soil they have left behind.. kale? spinach? tomatoes? There’s my first little eco dying experiment. Jen came down and we had a dying day. An article in Organic Gardener magazine inspired me, then my special friends bought me India Flint’s book, it is soooo lovely. Another inspiration. The Gardening Australia Expo. The girls loved it. They love Peter Cundall! Who doesn’t? His passion for organic, sustainable gardening is infectious.. Speaking of… First Broad Bean. That was exciting.. lots of Jamie's broad bean mash, a one off broad bean fritter.. Cape Purple Cauliflower Miss A & Broad Beans, Gals at Gardening Oz Expo PLANTING Corn Beans Tomatoes Pumpkin Basil Rocket Radish Comfrey Almond Tree Carrots Beetroot Snake Beans, Potatoes. HARVESTING Broad Beans, Bloomsdale Spinach, Coriander, Globe Artichokes. ALMOST Potatoes! Beetroot, Carrots. SEED SAVING Kale, Parsley, Spinach, Chard. BAKING Gingerbread Men (and Ladies). Lemon Herb Bread, Orange Almond Cake.Muesli. TTFN

melbournia

2008-05-20T19:58:00.003+10:00

so i've just spent 3 full days in Melbourne for a girls weekend with B & M. We all turn 30 this year. yay. Justine tells me Skins is back on. If you didn’t catch series 1, I suggest you hire it. It started last night on SBS. We love it. Ok, so we had lunch at FIFTEEN Melbourne. MMm. Yummo I basically had sausages and mash, which was of course divine, but I always order the wrong thing!! B & M got Ravioli & Tortellini? But the antipasti platter was just to die for and I got to eat buffalo mozzarella!! Made in Victoria – with no cows milk in it! Yay! And the best flatbread & grissini… drool drool.. olives, prosciutto, in house smoked Tas salmon, loved the open kitchen, the waiters were really helpful.. So many many places we could have eaten at, but not enough stomachs. Some great little café’s in alleyways, we frequented for breakfast. A slap of Avocado on thick sourdough was a fave of the weekend… but dang B’s porridge looked good on Sunday… honey, banana, cinnamon.. Oh! And found a great organic.vegan café with THE best chocolate cake ever… I need to ask them for the recipe!! Sour cherries… yum http://www.tofwd.com.au/ Baked Bills’s White choc & cranberry biscuits (with dairy free white choc!) Scones today. Planted Broad Beans More Pak Choy Artichokes Eureka Lemon (dwarf) Emperor Mandarin Wild Rocket Sprouting Rocket Broad Beans Pak Choy Carrots Parsley Chervil Eating Chervil Planning To prepare for 2 Dwarf Heriloom Apples A Japanese Plum, Dawrf Nectarine and a Tamarillo tree….all coming via Diggers in the next few months ( while they are dormant) Making Me old flour bag bibs. Sold 7 to Shady Fig. Laughed At the worst band ever to perform live. I think the thought we were really enjoying them.. At the girls in the City at 12am – it was about 9degrees minus the wind chill factor… way way way too skimpy dresses. I sound like a mother but DID THEY LEAVE THEIR BRAINS AT HOME WITH THEIR JACKETS???!!

weird

2008-04-06T20:20:00.003+10:00

just letting you know, this blogger bizzo has a mind of it's own. I set the font as default Trebuchet. i start typing in Georgia. I save the layout, i check it, i double check it, i preview it. I publish it, it changes it!!! I saved the title as Quickie, it decide to change it to Fijoa. ghosts i tells ya.

Fijoa

2008-04-06T19:54:00.007+10:00

Do you recycle your used batteries? We have a recharger now, so this won't be happening. There's little Ada's FIRST people drawing!!! Many more since, and Charley started last night (just haven't taken pics). We are so excited!

Success with the moving of the Mango Tree! New leaves hooray! Fijoa's from dad's trees

Proving dinner can be cheap, tasty & nutritious! Tamarillo's yum.

Finds from a garage sale (and my MIL's)

Charley & the Choko Vine.

How do I know that it's Charley? She's wearing red. And perhaps the way she's tucked her hair.

2008-03-05T15:24:00.011+11:00

Apologies for belated blog. Here's something very mature to cheer you up.

A Catch up List I'm feeling Almost 30 – I’ve got this almost crepey?? neck thing and super thirsty tight feeling face thing going on –is that supposed to be a 50-60 year old thing?EW! I guess having Eczema and really dry skin really speed that up.. which is why I try to slow it down with suncream and hats! Baked Gingernuts. Sorry they are all gone. Sourdough with nigella seeds (mistakenly often called black sesame – you know the ones on top of Turkish bread? Yummo) Hot Cross Buns. bleh. tasted like a sweet white bread roll. need to find another recipe Planted Peas in a pot Mini Beets in an old billy can Lettuce seeds in old tin cans. The girls enjoyed filling the ‘pots’ up and watering them. Garlic lettuce and carrots in a pot. The garlic is peeping up already – only a couple of days….6 months til they are ready to eat though. Did I mention I love garlic? The girls making a shop out of empty snail shells and leaves

Moved Mango Tree in the SUN Cymbidium Orchid Hoya into a pot Sprouting Lettuce Pak Choy Garlic Rocket Carrots Parsley Calendula Eating from the garden Radishes. Bah. I can take or leave them really. But they do look cute when they come up Lebanese Mini Muncher Cucumbers. Just picked the last one. 28 spotted ladybug ate & killed my plant. And here was I thinking they were doing it good!! Killed A rat or rat family. sorry, it had to be done, after waking 4 times to gnawing in my toilet wall, I couldn't stand it. Painted Half a teeny section of front fence. Once coat on the lattice. The front door finally! Pics soon I promise Planning To plant a Brown Turkey Fig Tree Nectarine, eureka lemon (near my Meyer), plum, apples, hmm anything else i can cram in! To buy rocket seeds. TICK! done, and planted. and sprouting. To go to Melbourne for gals 30th weekend To make paper with the girls To spend less time on the internet. To plan a new kitchen (for a coupe of years in the future, so it will have to be a ‘futuristic kitchen’ won’t it? With spaceships and fancy lights) Attended Multiple Births Awareness Week Picnic. Jazz Festival in Kiama same day. Miss C 'milked' the cow Volunteering On the Parents Committee for my girls pre school.. fundraising!?? I’m just there to rid the fundraising committee of a certain American doughnut.. I’m thinking more along the lines of Vege garden, sell veg to parents, Worm farm, all that hippy stuff!

no scratches

2008-02-20T20:08:00.020+11:00

Boy is it nice to have clear vision again! No, I wasn't going blind, my almost 3 year old pair of glasses were so badly scratched I just thought my vision had worsened. Phew. ok, photo time.

more produce. neighbours pumpkin, pops tomatoes

i'm really struggling with getting this to look how i want it to (can you tell!?). It looks all good when i'm composing it, but when i publish it, the photos & text move!! HELP!

our Little Yellow Pear Tomatoes, and tomatoes for lunch last week

This is really special. It's from the FIRST You Am I gig I EVER went to!! ~~In 1997, I think.~~ Duh, the poster says 1998! Since then, I've clocked over 50 gigs.Yes, that's right, I'm a fan. I found that in the shed, after that torrential rain. And then, we received a letter, from the government, with our final rebate for our solar hot water system. From this guy; I doubt muchly that it is Tim. But a funny thing none the less Went to Sydney for the weekend, Miss M's 30th B'day.

Bought some chocolate. Haven't taken photos, and doubt I will before they are eaten. Had some lavender choc last night it was strange, but divine. Will try and recreate when our lavender shrub flowers.

Am i terrible? No, just protecting their sensitive little bodies. I bought these gorgeous ladybugs, but ate the choc and replaced with sultanas. They were just as excited. Seriously. And that dear little real Ladybug flew inside. Baked sourdough (to be my last from that culture, I forgot to halve it so I killed the culture, but man the loaf turned out well!)

hey, i got some new frames

2008-02-09T09:09:00.000+11:00

here's the new frames i picked out yesterday after much indecision..green on the inside. maybe i'll get red next year. Miss A, 3 years old, helped me choose them. 3 year olds are good for advice you know. She walked into the optometrist and sat on a stool, grabbed a little mirror and said "Mum! I want some glasses so I can look beautiful!" Obviously I haven't got my lenses in them yet, they've still got the brand blazed across the placcy lens. Once I was home I looked at the packaging and they're friggin Versace frames.. sheesh. Must be the el budget Versace branch of frames, I certainly did not pay a Versace price for them. The optometrist said OPSM are about to carry a range of Tiffany frames which start at $1500! Far out! It's a slow cooking stew kind of day today, must be about 15degrees, and it's still summer. Raining, so overcast, indoors cooking kind of day. This weather will be a good test for our solar hot water system which we installed a few months ago. We've had almost a week of overcast & rain, with maybe 1 sunny day & we have not run out of hot water yet. So far so good.

things to do today work out what to spend $100 on (so many things!) clean/mop up beach house (torrential rain) slow cook dinner cook falafel wraps for lunch aromatherapy steam 3 times today for me & girls (for their cough) put clothes away check on vege seeds move chook coup

Glasses Dilema

2008-02-07T14:12:00.000+11:00

Anyone have an optometrist I should visit to purchase new frames? I'm well overdue. These lenses are scratched so bady they are blurry to look out of. I went to 4 optometrists today! Had them all searching in their drawers for green frames to no avail... gee, this makes my nose look giant, i hope it isn't that big. just showing you my current spectacles. ew. i should get back into some brow shaping. as if that's going to happen. lucky to catch me standing in front of the mirror to clean my teeth.

when the rain comes

2008-02-05T12:59:00.000+11:00

'they run and hide their heads, they might as be dead' The Beatles. it hasn't stopped raining all night!

our mulch is washing away (we haven't had the funds to mass plant, only about 20 grasses so far)

the veges will be happy. although the silverbeet seedlings i planted a few days ago are looking a little waterlogged. our new water tank is 3/4 full and that's something, considering the gutter that runs into it slopes the other way. this morning i went out to check out the amount of water in the backyard, as we are on a rock shelf, at the end of a cul-de-sac so we get alot of run off from the rest of the st. i found: a creek the compost turned into a dam a flooded garden shed lots of puddles nearly drowned chook

we had to rescue the poor chook , she was standing on a brick (lucky it was in there!!), the water was almost up to my knees! Look closely at the shed, she normally lives next to it.

Here’s some things I made last night Labne – well, it takes 24hrs to drain – first you mix some honey and cinnamon, into your natural yogurt (I make the Easiyo) – then place it on some muslin, tie it up and sit in a colander over a big bowl in the fridge for 24hrs. I put it on the girls muesli (which I’ve been soaking in milk overnight) and if I do that again, I’m mixing it in, cos that’s all they ate. It is so lush. I’m making some with sheeps yogurt for us, MrG is lactose intolerant and I have a dairy protein allergy.

FYI That fig looks lovely, it tasted like dirt. Nothing like the homegrown (not mine) figs we tried last year.

I was also up til 1030pm making sourdough… why? Well it was cold and the culture took all day to double. We’re going to have it tonight with loads of garlic to rid the girls of these evil colds. And we were watching Skins anyway.

sorry for he terrible layout, i'm still working it out.

anal or procrastinating?

2008-02-04T20:38:00.000+11:00

I spent hours rearranging (and cleaning - lots of weeeeeeeeaaavils YUK) the pantry this arvo. While the girls wore their new tu tu's from auntiara* and ate apple strudel muffins and stood on a cardboard box stage. and then watched tv for a while (it was very wet & drizzly outside). and labelling new(old) jars for pantry staples. the 's' didn't work, but I quite like it that way. i need new glasses. i keep thinking these ones are dirty and smeared. they are scratched. another loaf of homemade sourdoughto go an knead. it's a bit late (848pm) but the sourdough took ages to double today cos it was cool. things to do tomorrow. vacuum. visit friend with gorgeous daughter who the girls love. maybe she will have more produce. i'll take her some cucumbers & sourdough. call my GP & make overdue 'ladies' appoint. think about quotes for louvres watch the bill. cook something with yummy organic chocolate i found in the pantry today. make yogurt with the 5 sachets of Easiyo yogurt i found it the pantry. clean more jars. *my sister, who once gave them a tiara.

lowlights

2008-02-04T20:02:00.000+11:00

I did actually forget to mention that our black chook, 'Black Berry' died a week ago. I thought she had the shits with me for bring a new, younger chook home. I really did. She was sleeping and resting ALOT in the nasturtiums, and refusing to eat, or lay eggs. Heck, I'd have the shits if I were replaced by a new, younger woman! I wormed, but it seems her time was up. Mum is convinced she went into a diabetic coma. Goodbye Blackberry! We really miss you - almost human chook! Hello Brown Brown Kiwi Fruit. Yes, that's the name of the new, brown chook.She laid her first egg yesterday! Hoorah, she is a WOMAN! We gave it to our neighbour who is all alone after the last of her teenage children moved out. Piece of toast, and dinner is done! Shame we can't do that with C's egg allergy... So, we'll be needing a new chook, if anyone has lots and they want to send one my way.. Other lowlight - I got stung by a wasp ON MY FACE! I'm ok - but I did run screaming hysterically next door to ask for help - I did not know what to do and I was not home - and the girls were with me... bloody hurt. But IF you do get stung, ice helps alot, and VINEGAR is for wasps, BICARB for bees... Here is a random pic of our backyard, 1 year ago when we bought the house. Glad I took that pic. Will post recent pic tomorrow. Dark now, and drizzling.

A month is too long.

2008-02-03T19:55:00.000+11:00

So here's the last 4 weeks in point form: Camping at Candelo, 20mins from Bega, in the New Year. HIGHlights Candelo Wholefoods. The shop I have been dreaming of opening.. it actually has existed for 23 years!!Arrowroot to Za'atar, and everything in between (including choc coated organic liquorice balls EVIL!!) The Red Cafe. T2's favourite colour, in a cafe with lovely food & beverages Organising to meet up with good friend, Pecan. Waiting at the Red Cafe for Pecan. Going, instead, to visit Pecan at the petrol station waiting for her van to be towed!!! : (

Taking a peek at the Steiner School in Bega Candelo markets. Bought 4 cakes of soap (really should be maing my own, but I do appreciate other witchy people's soap making skills!). Orange & Poppy Seed, Lemon Myrtle, Avocado and Carrot & Wheatgerm. Yum. Fish & Chips in Eden - with fish from NZ as they had run out of fresh local fish?! Buying sourdough leaven from Candelo Wholefoods. The view from my aunty's property at Yurramie, Candelo.

Coming home and making more Plum Bakewell tarts (mini ones) without burning the tops! Making Sourdough.

Both girls sitting on the loo without the aid of me! or their seat insert. V. Proud.

Picking loads of cherry toms & basil from a friends garden.Those yellow ones are ours.

Look how shiny hers are though! They were like lollies!

And I just love this time of year when the farmers harvest what must be lucerne? maybe I'll ask a farmer. I love the huge rolls wrapped up and left int he paddocks where they have been wrapped. I was dissapointed today when i saw them stacked into neater piles. More like a Jeffrey Smart now. I liked the randomness of them last week. A photo from the ground doesn't do it justice.

Oooh and picking blackberries the other day in the bush behind a friends place. Making icecream/iceblocks without dairy! Yay, thanks B. Rough recipe: can of coconut cream or milk, mashed banana, berries. Puree it up and freeze - get it out and whisk it when it is semi frozen, if you are having it like icecream. Otherwise, pour it straight into iceblock container.

And here is a lovely arrangement that T1 did while I wasn't looking.. I picked up the old bakers bread tins at Fitzroy Falls for $9.

produce

2007-12-31T08:58:00.000+11:00

ok so not much talking, a few photos. Girls scored for xmas, woops forgot to take a pic. But here is some lush organic produce from my parents neighbour, my MIL and my pop. Actually, this garlic is from the Husky markets. Yuum. So fresh & not BLEACHED!!!and they are my tomatoes, although they never fully ripened off the vine, so I'm saving them for seeds and the plums are going to be sorbet tonight.

cancel christmas

2007-12-20T22:30:00.000+11:00

well, not quite, just the part where we all stay at the beach house. Dad's horse is sick & spending an expensive night at the horse hospital. Spike will start IV fluids tomorrow which start at ..well let just say, the price of our recently replaced gearbox. So, the beachouse is cancelled at the hope that there will be a last minute booking to help recoup vet bill costs...anyone fancy a week at Vincentia? See last blog for link to the house : ) That's ok, we can spend our first xmas in our own home, and go to the Carols by Candlelight just around the corner! off to nibble some more of the tasty treats DH has brought home - love him being a early childhood teacher this time of year!!

It's almost here

2007-12-19T19:10:00.000+11:00

Yeah, christmas. I'm not spelling it with capitals either, 'cos I'm not religious. It's never been Christ-Mas to me, in fact, if I were to spell it the way most australians say it, it would be more like 'chrismis'.

Do enjoy the gift parts though! Gone over budget (doesn't everyone?) with the girls presents, I keep seeing little things and thinking "oh it's only $10" ...Time to wrap tonight, and get the presents altogether to take to the Beachhouse on saturday for a WHOLE WEEK of cooking & eating from delicious . We've never spent a week at xmas there because it is always booked with paying customers! So it will be interesting to be a tourist for a week! Oh and I get to be a regular customer at the local deli (a small piece of europe right in jervis bay yay!) Did I tell you my MIL kindly (well I asked) offered us (me, & a few crafty mums) her vacant shop (of which was her shop for 20years until 12mths ago when she decided to semi-retire) until some new tenants rock up? I should take some pics before it's all sold out haha. The most beautiful bunting ever. I'll have to take pics now. Wait, I've got some on my xmas branch. BRB, here's something to look at while I'm gone. Its pizza dough that I made in the breadmaker, thinking I'd save myself some time. Won't be doing that again, the Jamie Oliver 1kg dough (absolutely from scratch) recipe is still the best one ever. Makes 4 bases, so you can par cook 2 and freeze for a later date. Will post recipe one day. Ah, actually, I'm not posting the bunting pic. I have to wait for daylight! And as if I have time during the day to do that...will have to keep camera in pocket at all times. So, the shop, yes, well our Made by Mums Market has been fun (and really boring, and a bit stressful with kids in the shop). Might open on saturday (that has been the good part, we can open whenever we feel like it!) Today I opened for a few hours and it was so SLOW. There were NO sales today!! Just those dribbles of people who i think were scared off by a) my twin daughters wrestling in middle of shop b)me taking a bite out of my burger d)the mess my daughters made with the toys strewn everywhere! c) the weirdness of a market in a shop. (SOMETHING IS BEHAVING BADLY & NOT CHANGING INTO TREBUCHET. Argh.) Here is a pic my DD#2 (or T2, referring to her birth order, 15 minutes after her sister, T1) took on the weekend. She loves taking photos, I always find a few gems when I upload the pics from the camera. I love digital, I always wanted a 110 camera (you know the really long narrow ones from the late 80's) but mum & dad would never buy me one - they thought it were a waste of money. I can see that now, as a parent, $20 on film & photos for a bunch of upclose, blurry pics of you and your friends is slightly wasted! Um, and I chose to have it centered when I uploaded it and now I can't figure out how to move it. Moving it doesn'y simply move it, if you know what I mean. I probably wanted them both on the side there> Pet hate. Wrong use of 'There'. ok I should go and tidy rats nest (my house) and wrap presents. Goodnight.

Child Prodigies/Sick Kids

2007-12-14T21:31:00.000+11:00

Nathan Cavalleri popped into my head just now. From nowhere BB King's voice saying: "Very Cool Mr Cavalleri, Very Cool" came out of my mouth. Whatever happened to him? I've just googled him & look at that, he has a death metal band. So was he a child with cancer who was really good at guitar? or was he just a really short kid who was good at guitar? I can't quite remember, I just remember the ad with BB King. I don't remeber what the ad was for, probably McDonalds. How's that for a segway.

Soft Trees, or Cones as I like to call them.

2007-12-13T20:25:00.001+11:00

So I attempted the cone trees, they are so beautiful, but mine look a little on the lumpy side. T2 loves hers, and has taken it to bed last night and tonight, along with the teeny weeny one i made. She is calling them squeezers, and the big one is me and the little one is her. I will upload a better pic when I have beautiful morning sunshine streaming through my dirty windows, instead of up-close-flash pics. Eww, after that lovely thought, a filthy blowie is in here making a noise

HD

2007-12-13T20:18:00.001+11:00

I know I just posted, BUT I just had to mention HD's latest. For those who don't know about HD, erm, maybe it's better if you just didn't know. Or you can read along and put the pieces together. She wants a bar fridge now. Oh, and maybe as an after thought, a breadmaker - in good condition of course!! Priorities here kids, cold beer comes before fresh bread.

TT.

2007-12-13T20:11:00.000+11:00

For my one and only reader so far, here is that link I was telling you about...still wondering if I should get the girls a pair seeing as I've waited so long (and still waiting) for mattress protectors so I can be rid of the DAH DEH DAAAAH ****NIGHT TIME NAPPY**** http://www.nooneewilga.com/EC/onewetpants.html Marnie is the clever lady who makes them. One Wet Pants. As the name suggests, they allow for one wee, to help the transition from nappy (lovely cloth) to undies.. I really don't need them now, I'm just hanging on to that last change to fulfill my cloth nappy obsession.

oh gawd, this is scary

2007-12-12T19:16:00.000+11:00

so here it is, the blog you have all been waiting for. ha ha. I've got a feeling even a quick blog might take me a while, i'm hopeless at decision making and 7 fonts! that's my first hurdle. so here it goes, bye bye Arial, hello Trebuchet I think I might actually enjoy this...