tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40255386500823613802024-03-08T23:45:06.054+11:00Otway FieldsRamblings about our adventures on Otway Fields, our little farm at the foot of the Otways. Living this Life!Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.comBlogger184125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-77883430600970440992016-05-03T14:43:00.001+10:002016-05-03T14:43:20.739+10:00Summer done, Autumn break is here!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have been a regular reader of this haphazard blog over the past few years, my sincere apologies for abandoning my blogging duties! Sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day, what with planting and harvesting our own organically grown veggies, turning them into award winning preserves, being secretary of the <a href="http://www.otwayharvesttrail.org.au/" target="_blank">Otway Harvest Trail</a>, being President of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CwaBirregurraBranch/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Birregurra CW</a>A branch, chambermaid duties for the cabin and occasionally I turn into a washerwoman and make an attempt at getting some clothes laundered; I tend to get a little side tracked!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been busy the past few months. There is always something happening on our little patch. It has been a dry season. Not much rain. This means that many days have been taken up with watering the garden to keep the plants alive. One of our 'list jobs' is to sort our our watering system so that I don't have to stand at the end of a hose! Maybe this winter.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't make up for lost time, but here is a quick trip through the past season!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMTI_7_BFfM/VsAZlXGC6RI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/p-ohC9sso9o/s1600/IMG_3747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JMTI_7_BFfM/VsAZlXGC6RI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/p-ohC9sso9o/s640/IMG_3747.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">According to local folklore, if you count three months after a thick morning fog, you'll get heavy rain. Well, we have had a few foggy mornings this summer. So we're looking forward to a little bit of the wet stuff this winter. Our dam is very low! It needs topping up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Abhl-pPJ21E/VsAZlcB2CPI/AAAAAAAAHSY/mym4-1s7Pmo/s1600/IMG_3722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Abhl-pPJ21E/VsAZlcB2CPI/AAAAAAAAHSY/mym4-1s7Pmo/s640/IMG_3722.jpg" width="550" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some parts of the garden that have given us blooms no matter how much I have neglected them. I love this garden bed. It holds some of my all time favourite blooms. Zinnias, dahlias, borage, cosmos, geraniums and rocket flowers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQHudUKxl6g/VsAZoESA1rI/AAAAAAAAHSo/aiqvo3Cz05Y/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EQHudUKxl6g/VsAZoESA1rI/AAAAAAAAHSo/aiqvo3Cz05Y/s640/IMG_3768.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a slow start for the toms. But they've come belting in! We're picking every couple of days. Each time we pick, we chop chop chop. These lovely tomatoes go into the freezer and come out when we need them for sauces, relish and our famous kasoundi!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm always amazed how quickly a vegetable bed fills with greenery. At the beginning of the season it's hard to imagine tiny seedlings growing straight and tall and producing buckets of food!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7O0Dj1qSYU/VsAZgdMNkhI/AAAAAAAAHR8/R9J28ZpIO-s/s1600/IMG_3558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d7O0Dj1qSYU/VsAZgdMNkhI/AAAAAAAAHR8/R9J28ZpIO-s/s640/IMG_3558.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahhh..... the first of the nectarines announced their readiness in January. These are the white variety. Soooo incredibly sweet. Sucking on a warm piece of fruit whilst standing next to the tree, juice running down your arm.... that is one of life's all time pleasures!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q46k9Iso41A/VsAZr7GAzgI/AAAAAAAAHSw/fK7sfmPJQg8/s1600/IMG_3826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q46k9Iso41A/VsAZr7GAzgI/AAAAAAAAHSw/fK7sfmPJQg8/s640/IMG_3826.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is more delightful than a basket of goodness?! Zucchinis that will be blitzed for relish and flowers to put in a vase for the kitchen table.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aSWWiPODxZc/VsAZuSNJOQI/AAAAAAAAHS8/tR_PvaY6Mds/s1600/IMG_3837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aSWWiPODxZc/VsAZuSNJOQI/AAAAAAAAHS8/tR_PvaY6Mds/s640/IMG_3837.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bees have been busy! Frans was asked by Steve Robinson from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OtwayPastaCompany" target="_blank">Otway Pasta </a> to rob his hive. This is one Frans has not encountered before. It is an African Top Box Hive, a little different to the hives we have on our farm. A couple of hours later and Steve had a big bucket of oozing liquid gold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Meanwhile back at our farm, Frans harvested honey not once, but four times in one season. We were truly blessed this year with the honey harvest. He lashed out and bought a bright, shiny, Italian-made honey extractor to make the job a little easier. We've bottled around 100kgs of wonderful raw honey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CujcnO48eSg/VsAZxD-2FOI/AAAAAAAAHTM/XeitJb5_J3I/s1600/IMG_3861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CujcnO48eSg/VsAZxD-2FOI/AAAAAAAAHTM/XeitJb5_J3I/s640/IMG_3861.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first drop!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kGaXa9Pfhns/VsAZnV1IOlI/AAAAAAAAHSg/zhH_Z4hRP-s/s1600/IMG_3794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kGaXa9Pfhns/VsAZnV1IOlI/AAAAAAAAHSg/zhH_Z4hRP-s/s640/IMG_3794.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our honey is available in local stores around the district, at local markets and from our porch pantry. It is delicious! We are about 1km from the forest where the bees gather nectar for the many tea trees and leptospermum trees. Our very own version of Manuka honey??!! Want some? Try Jo's Pantry in Colac, Gosling Creek Winery and from our porch pantry.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9c2onEctobE/VsAZxAD_SRI/AAAAAAAAHTI/4_2Ocn8wi0I/s1600/IMG_3870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9c2onEctobE/VsAZxAD_SRI/AAAAAAAAHTI/4_2Ocn8wi0I/s640/IMG_3870.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the best way of celebrating a morning of honey extraction! Drizzle some honey on a warm loaf of freshly baked bread!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27UF-vKA1ws/VsAZ2rlw-tI/AAAAAAAAHTk/p2xZ0_L2mMs/s1600/URHQ7860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27UF-vKA1ws/VsAZ2rlw-tI/AAAAAAAAHTk/p2xZ0_L2mMs/s640/URHQ7860.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides making jams, chutney and cordials, we've been fermenting vegetables to make Kimchi and Sauerkraut. Fermented foods are good for your gut health! We always have something 'cooking' on the fermenting table beside the window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kimchi & Sauerkraut. Not for sale. We make this because we feel that eating fermented foods is an essential ingredient in our daily food intake. Maybe I'll play around with some of my recipes and bottle them for sale... </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_3r_Qo5kFs/VsAZgcsV3gI/AAAAAAAAHR4/ZeQhtdpJdnw/s1600/IMG_3615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y_3r_Qo5kFs/VsAZgcsV3gI/AAAAAAAAHR4/ZeQhtdpJdnw/s640/IMG_3615.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've had a small product development collaboration with friends and neighbours Paul and Wendy Troughton from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/forrestfoodsshiitakes/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Forrest Foods </a> They grow amazing Shiitake mushrooms and supply top restaurants around the region, including <a href="http://braerestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Brae</a> and <a href="http://bespokeharvest.com.au/" target="_blank">Bespoke Harvest.</a> Paul supplied the mushrooms and I turned them into sensational pickles. Each batch we make sells out very quickly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is usually all hands on deck when we're processing the pickles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I combined shiitakes and our black garlic to create an antioxidant rich vegetarian broth! Delicious as a base to a lovely risotto.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sH9ouNQ9p24/VsAZnqCaGYI/AAAAAAAAHSk/qRAUSRDN6_Y/s1600/IMG_3776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sH9ouNQ9p24/VsAZnqCaGYI/AAAAAAAAHSk/qRAUSRDN6_Y/s640/IMG_3776.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find our delicious Shiitake Pickles at: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ForrestGeneralStore/" target="_blank">The Forrest General Store</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jospantry.62/" target="_blank">Jo's Pantry in Colac</a>, <a href="http://www.dinnygoonan.com.au/" target="_blank">Dinny Goonan Wines</a> and from us directly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, we're rather silly sometimes.... Here are a couple of crazy Birregurra CWA girls and myself getting all stupid in a pic with legendary country music star, James Blundell. James kindly signed a jar of our luscious CWA Berry jam. We auctioned it and raised $55 for the jar! </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HR2beDxfKU/VsAZeAlxnlI/AAAAAAAAHR0/Rnk1qt8ZK04/s1600/IMG_2342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7HR2beDxfKU/VsAZeAlxnlI/AAAAAAAAHR0/Rnk1qt8ZK04/s640/IMG_2342.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our two new baby calves born in November are doing well. Young Lucky on the right is now going to be a mum. Her first time! </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eqkyauGYvD0/VsAZkH43s8I/AAAAAAAAHSM/xUlE4w4t2A4/s1600/IMG_3718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eqkyauGYvD0/VsAZkH43s8I/AAAAAAAAHSM/xUlE4w4t2A4/s640/IMG_3718.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans and I 'dog sat' our friend Norma's spaniel, Thompson, for a while. He became part of the furniture very quickly. We actually miss him! And no... I'm not thinking of getting a dog soon. Maybe....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A recent collage of some of our kitchen experiments! Let me tell you that picking dandelions for dandelion jelly is a total nut job. It took my lovely neighbour Lorraine and I ages to pick the right number of flowers. THEN we had to strip them to prepare them for the jelly. Let's just say this is not going to be a regular product line!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We looked after Sara and Stephen's lovely dog, Tilly for a couple of weeks. She's so fast! She will catch her 'ball' all day long if you have the energy to toss it or kick it to her!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zoHJEK_rGWA/VyghR5a5aFI/AAAAAAAAHV0/9iuVtxHcMqsZP9jZSV8VUFyle_KTKaZHACLcB/s1600/IMG_4480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zoHJEK_rGWA/VyghR5a5aFI/AAAAAAAAHV0/9iuVtxHcMqsZP9jZSV8VUFyle_KTKaZHACLcB/s640/IMG_4480.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our neighbour Graham ploughed our garlic patch for us. Our mate Paul (Shiitake Paul) then dropped off a lovely load of compost which Frans and Ted (brother in law) spread over the beds. Then a week later it has started to rain. What fabulous timing! The worms are going nuts, wriggling about the beds and creating a wonderful rich environment for our garlic cloves! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's great getting help from our friends and neighbours who have the right equipment! Thanks Graham & Paul! </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODxeZwFTSv0/VygmY29dMZI/AAAAAAAAHWg/tPvl3CIKIa0I_Oi8sw7eZUf1gRDERRyTwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODxeZwFTSv0/VygmY29dMZI/AAAAAAAAHWg/tPvl3CIKIa0I_Oi8sw7eZUf1gRDERRyTwCLcB/s640/IMG_4177.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apples! Loads of them. We've made three batches of our own apple cider this season. We look forward to trying it out in a few months. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6fZVGSGpV0/VyghYMC9WqI/AAAAAAAAHWA/1h99_ri77tEUY-kSdSK79-qEyOegghBFACKgB/s1600/IMG_4655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c6fZVGSGpV0/VyghYMC9WqI/AAAAAAAAHWA/1h99_ri77tEUY-kSdSK79-qEyOegghBFACKgB/s640/IMG_4655.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans' Mum, Maria, who is 95 this year, came to visit for just under 2 weeks. She happy chopped apples for the cider! And a few dishes of Dutch apple sauce! </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4VBV8O88K64/VygmYcbBLZI/AAAAAAAAHWc/XN2qOGvTNV4pRk9A0OCxByV3jKFQuoTRACLcB/s1600/IMG_4486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4VBV8O88K64/VygmYcbBLZI/AAAAAAAAHWc/XN2qOGvTNV4pRk9A0OCxByV3jKFQuoTRACLcB/s640/IMG_4486.jpg" width="552" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The autumn leaves are turning yellow and gold. This is the old mulberry tree. Soon it will be bare. </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPb9nBAKHzw/VygmX88XjWI/AAAAAAAAHWY/qHoePkqCKSMHkKkKc6PQqJE5MRWfKtf9gCLcB/s1600/IMG_2284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPb9nBAKHzw/VygmX88XjWI/AAAAAAAAHWY/qHoePkqCKSMHkKkKc6PQqJE5MRWfKtf9gCLcB/s640/IMG_2284.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a clear evening, you'll find us beside the old shed, sipping a glass of red beside the fire pit. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIGSProkh7I/VygmKbUOcoI/AAAAAAAAHWU/xo7RC2me0g4GS-Q9nwiJ9kKENnCgQk9xQCLcB/s1600/_DSC4754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uIGSProkh7I/VygmKbUOcoI/AAAAAAAAHWU/xo7RC2me0g4GS-Q9nwiJ9kKENnCgQk9xQCLcB/s640/_DSC4754.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just because I haven't put a pic of us up for ages, you can see how the 'good life' is treating us! Fit, fat and flourishing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time, look after yourselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans & Ami.</span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-48845532763880454102015-10-14T15:59:00.001+11:002015-10-14T15:59:05.803+11:00Spring has sprung!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last time I posted something on this page, it was to announce how excited we were to receive a SILVER award from the Royal Melbourne Fine Foods Awards. Sara and I headed to the gala dinner which happened to be in the Masterchef building. We were like star struck teenagers! We were not alone. Everyone there was taking the odd 'selfie'. It was such a vibrant atmosphere, with so many amazing producers all in one room!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdwooNXdWbk/Vh3PilwJDSI/AAAAAAAAHLo/MJVDgy2T57A/s1600/IMG_1239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdwooNXdWbk/Vh3PilwJDSI/AAAAAAAAHLo/MJVDgy2T57A/s640/IMG_1239.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sara outside the entrance. We entered via a red carpet! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgNC2-dvwtI/Vh3PiRPoexI/AAAAAAAAHLg/NVg3APeQOac/s1600/IMG_1248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cgNC2-dvwtI/Vh3PiRPoexI/AAAAAAAAHLg/NVg3APeQOac/s640/IMG_1248.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're in the book of 2015!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around the farm, the fruit trees are blossoming at last. This is our plum. It is looking beautiful. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQXoPUgJEXA/Vh3PkLo2SpI/AAAAAAAAHL4/NCD1K7V1npg/s1600/IMG_1331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RQXoPUgJEXA/Vh3PkLo2SpI/AAAAAAAAHL4/NCD1K7V1npg/s640/IMG_1331.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the polytunnel, the broad beans flowered and we picked the first pods a week ago. They made their way down to Forrest to <a href="http://bespokeharvest.com.au/" target="_blank">Bespoke Harvest</a> and appeared on their dinner menu last weakend. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FbboyuZH6jo/Vh3Pii-PmKI/AAAAAAAAHLk/79wHMs1gr4c/s640/IMG_1330.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everywhere we look, there is colour! I love this gnarled Rhododendron that somehow survives along the old shed wall. I never water it. Its saving grace is that the tree sits on the south facing wall. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqvi4wvQrHU/Vh3Plf3pJOI/AAAAAAAAHMI/bFxZTUdBQok/s1600/IMG_1349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nqvi4wvQrHU/Vh3Plf3pJOI/AAAAAAAAHMI/bFxZTUdBQok/s640/IMG_1349.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the month Frans got some jobs finished that have been on his list for a long time. A big tick went beside the 'underfloor insulation' of the cabin. As you well know, Frans is not fond of small crawl spaces. I was tasked with handing tools to him, cutting insulation sheets and generally keep him from panicking! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RLN4SVAku8/Vh3PndNgDqI/AAAAAAAAHMc/CmmKwMjZ9Qc/s1600/IMG_1449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--RLN4SVAku8/Vh3PndNgDqI/AAAAAAAAHMc/CmmKwMjZ9Qc/s640/IMG_1449.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally we have some lovely signs up. This one is down on the corner of the Crabb farm. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g67Zvw1gjak/Vh3PonMm2PI/AAAAAAAAHMg/k8wKvBzigKU/s1600/IMG_1545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g67Zvw1gjak/Vh3PonMm2PI/AAAAAAAAHMg/k8wKvBzigKU/s640/IMG_1545.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this big sign is now at the front gate. We think they look pretty good. I planted some flowers that need watering in the flower bed. Silly mistake. It's a mission to drag a water bucket down to the gate. I will forget that idea and think of something else. In the mean time the bulbs have been lovely, and we wait for the Aggies to grow. No, they're not self seeding. They're infertile. So not a weed!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x02tetxcGrE/Vh3PribVB4I/AAAAAAAAHNE/mlgEfNIDCZQ/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x02tetxcGrE/Vh3PribVB4I/AAAAAAAAHNE/mlgEfNIDCZQ/s640/IMG_1567.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another big chore was to check the bee hives. Frans was fortunate to have a local bee keeper and berry grower come and give him a hand and some pointers. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLEUB_0VVPg/Vh3PrB1TdrI/AAAAAAAAHM8/MZtKBpTke-M/s1600/IMG_1575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLEUB_0VVPg/Vh3PrB1TdrI/AAAAAAAAHM8/MZtKBpTke-M/s640/IMG_1575.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have tasted our first honey for a year! It is delicious. More to come we hope! </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wrtYCcr1Ls/Vh3PsaCEUxI/AAAAAAAAHNA/rN6WB4izVmU/s1600/IMG_1576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4wrtYCcr1Ls/Vh3PsaCEUxI/AAAAAAAAHNA/rN6WB4izVmU/s640/IMG_1576.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans did a pretty good job of getting the mower bogged in some soggy ground. It required a four wheel drive and a snatch strap. No damage done. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlzMYd60CqM/Vh3PmfLF33I/AAAAAAAAHMM/qj4TvAFxhzg/s1600/IMG_1436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlzMYd60CqM/Vh3PmfLF33I/AAAAAAAAHMM/qj4TvAFxhzg/s640/IMG_1436.jpg" width="528" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They I had a minor altercation with a tree. This incident also required a four wheel drive and a snatch strap. Damage...?? Hopefully not. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z31s6dxG2f4/Vh3PxR3v-KI/AAAAAAAAHNs/ff-BlysHY5s/s1600/IMG_1630_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z31s6dxG2f4/Vh3PxR3v-KI/AAAAAAAAHNs/ff-BlysHY5s/s640/IMG_1630_2.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a delight to dig up a garden bed and find a load of hidden gems! Aprons are essential for gathering produce when a basket is not at hand! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qW77kBgIoBA/Vh3P3nU9P1I/AAAAAAAAHOk/YCeLtsZaAiI/s1600/IMG_1774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qW77kBgIoBA/Vh3P3nU9P1I/AAAAAAAAHOk/YCeLtsZaAiI/s640/IMG_1774.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not a straight, perfect carrot among these fine specimens! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afm9SK1FisU/Vh3P35tV_eI/AAAAAAAAHOo/XHvtdg0Uifo/s1600/IMG_1772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-afm9SK1FisU/Vh3P35tV_eI/AAAAAAAAHOo/XHvtdg0Uifo/s640/IMG_1772.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're picking fennel too! I cooked this delicious Yotam Ottolenghi dish. It was fabulous! If you love vegetables, then this book is excellent. I recommend it highly. It is called Plenty More. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GMsgz9H_vM/Vh3PmABP3MI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/8aRIs7dLT3s/s1600/IMG_1385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3GMsgz9H_vM/Vh3PmABP3MI/AAAAAAAAHMQ/8aRIs7dLT3s/s640/IMG_1385.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I continue to experiment in the kitchen. There is always something 'brewing'. In this pic is a jar of honey fermenting into mead. There's a pot of kefir. And under the wax cloth is a big ball of sourdough rising. Nothing in the round clay pot. It's just there because I love it, and it reminds me of our amazing journey to India. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67vVuSGDzNc/Vh3PwHh6ICI/AAAAAAAAHNc/8dXhnjayI0Y/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-67vVuSGDzNc/Vh3PwHh6ICI/AAAAAAAAHNc/8dXhnjayI0Y/s640/IMG_1618.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Still experimenting.... We're using our black garlic papery skins to smoke foods. Delicious with chicken or fish. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bro5eYEyUXU/Vh3P6QJK9-I/AAAAAAAAHPE/uwJVF8j6Juo/s1600/IMG_1812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bro5eYEyUXU/Vh3P6QJK9-I/AAAAAAAAHPE/uwJVF8j6Juo/s640/IMG_1812.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And still on the subject of fermentation, we took our large Kombucha jar to two markets. We wanted folks to try it and see what all the fuss is about. We have come home both times with an empty vessel. It's exciting to see how positive the reactions are to this delicious probiotic drink! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQDvPLke1n8/Vh3P57LvV8I/AAAAAAAAHO8/j6qWnWamj0g/s1600/IMG_1803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQDvPLke1n8/Vh3P57LvV8I/AAAAAAAAHO8/j6qWnWamj0g/s640/IMG_1803.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've had a few visitors enjoying the Spring weather. The cabin is a little haven away from the crazy world of the city! Sit on the verandah and you can see all the way to the Otways. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cHDjarXFqM/Vh3PysaE0II/AAAAAAAAHN0/64lgiD0vW8A/s1600/IMG_1647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5cHDjarXFqM/Vh3PysaE0II/AAAAAAAAHN0/64lgiD0vW8A/s640/IMG_1647.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The little garden around the cabin is beginning to look more settled. We have a few more ideas yet. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvYsgQ0n5kE/Vh3Pknv8jSI/AAAAAAAAHL8/tNouLF1hWps/s1600/IMG_1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvYsgQ0n5kE/Vh3Pknv8jSI/AAAAAAAAHL8/tNouLF1hWps/s640/IMG_1347.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a delightful couple stay with us a few weeks ago. This is what they left us. What a delightful 'thank you'. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLWPAJ-qtCU/Vh3PzHwFuqI/AAAAAAAAHN4/tKehOA5WnHQ/s1600/IMG_1719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rLWPAJ-qtCU/Vh3PzHwFuqI/AAAAAAAAHN4/tKehOA5WnHQ/s640/IMG_1719.jpg" width="490" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunrise is always a lovely time of the day. Now that daylight savings has arrived, we get to enjoy the mornings that little bit earlier! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C19h8f1K0tw/Vh3P1xd7CqI/AAAAAAAAHOU/zNDsuRg_LY8/s1600/IMG_1723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C19h8f1K0tw/Vh3P1xd7CqI/AAAAAAAAHOU/zNDsuRg_LY8/s640/IMG_1723.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's been much digging, preparing garden beds for Spring planting. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grLgRO_iyaA/Vh3P4lUcL1I/AAAAAAAAHOw/buDXEpPYrW4/s1600/IMG_1776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grLgRO_iyaA/Vh3P4lUcL1I/AAAAAAAAHOw/buDXEpPYrW4/s640/IMG_1776.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The soil is healthy and full of good worm action. Just look at this monster! </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKXnuU9fGDk/Vh3P6HJNOyI/AAAAAAAAHPA/4LFH5weijhE/s1600/IMG_1778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKXnuU9fGDk/Vh3P6HJNOyI/AAAAAAAAHPA/4LFH5weijhE/s640/IMG_1778.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm thrilled to see we have our first almonds ripening on the trees. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CanrQx1xRYc/Vh3P1Ca1XfI/AAAAAAAAHOM/JZb-t8CNssU/s1600/IMG_1743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CanrQx1xRYc/Vh3P1Ca1XfI/AAAAAAAAHOM/JZb-t8CNssU/s640/IMG_1743.jpg" width="526" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These orange poppies are like weeds. I can't get rid of them. But at the same time I do love their cheeriness. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-pK7_Y7yoo/Vh3P1ZYZ5mI/AAAAAAAAHOQ/4VxAsHE7-yE/s1600/IMG_1769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-pK7_Y7yoo/Vh3P1ZYZ5mI/AAAAAAAAHOQ/4VxAsHE7-yE/s640/IMG_1769.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The strawberry flowers have started. And that means one thing..... Strawberries. Soon! </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUGfrABGcB0/Vh3P7_4QT9I/AAAAAAAAHPU/bLAzeEgkbC8/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SUGfrABGcB0/Vh3P7_4QT9I/AAAAAAAAHPU/bLAzeEgkbC8/s640/IMG_1829.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was the Birregurra Festival last weekend. Sara and Stephen entered Tilly the wonder dog into the jumping competition. Here they are waiting their turn. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0M8S3CSzQAQ/Vh3P8gX3-5I/AAAAAAAAHPg/gTWI3Q15qw4/s1600/_DSC2886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0M8S3CSzQAQ/Vh3P8gX3-5I/AAAAAAAAHPg/gTWI3Q15qw4/s640/_DSC2886.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here Stephen is encouraging Tilly to jump 6 feet, up and over the boards. Sara is standing on the back of a ute, encouraging her up. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CaK-mXL0tns/Vh3P8bs5OmI/AAAAAAAAHPY/9xhuq3LiWtE/s1600/_DSC2904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CaK-mXL0tns/Vh3P8bs5OmI/AAAAAAAAHPY/9xhuq3LiWtE/s640/_DSC2904.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And she did it! She didn't come first. But she certainly gave city dogs some kudos! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKFKtT49u0Y/Vh3P9uAewQI/AAAAAAAAHPo/daNtX1TtkJY/s1600/_DSC2905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sKFKtT49u0Y/Vh3P9uAewQI/AAAAAAAAHPo/daNtX1TtkJY/s640/_DSC2905.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're still with me... this is pretty exciting....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been nominated for the Agribusiness category of the Colac Otway Business Awards. The announcement is on the 17th of October. Being finalists is already a great buzz. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dICmV1SgeG4/Vh3PvOPMhNI/AAAAAAAAHNI/YSnfyMIQU5A/s1600/IMG_1591_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dICmV1SgeG4/Vh3PvOPMhNI/AAAAAAAAHNI/YSnfyMIQU5A/s640/IMG_1591_2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for the bird lovers, this baby magpie has just left the next. He allowed me to stroke his feathers, and watched me as I worked in the garden bed beside him. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPMROiq1z-k/Vh3PwWvgRYI/AAAAAAAAHNg/Be9H9RnWB18/s1600/IMG_1605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPMROiq1z-k/Vh3PwWvgRYI/AAAAAAAAHNg/Be9H9RnWB18/s640/IMG_1605.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite tree on the farm is the willow tree. The empty fronds have started growing leaves again. Soon it will be time to place a comfortable chair in the shade and read a book for a while. This is what spring and summer is about! </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQjgeloJHQQ/Vh3PzD0YA2I/AAAAAAAAHN8/e-7FvvT0EMk/s1600/IMG_1634_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQjgeloJHQQ/Vh3PzD0YA2I/AAAAAAAAHN8/e-7FvvT0EMk/s640/IMG_1634_2.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And last but not least, the view from our farm is just glorious. At sundown we're treated to a few minutes where the light turns gold. This is known as the golden hour. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiYl-Sg7R4U/Vh3Pq6Hz9JI/AAAAAAAAHM4/BpzFFDn9L2Q/s1600/IMG_1549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiYl-Sg7R4U/Vh3Pq6Hz9JI/AAAAAAAAHM4/BpzFFDn9L2Q/s640/IMG_1549.jpg" width="610" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of our neighbour's sheep had twins. Aren't they too cute for words! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay safe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ami</span></div>
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<br /><br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-43275300069767549992015-08-07T14:43:00.001+10:002015-08-07T14:43:23.226+10:00Mid Winter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been struggling to upload a new blog post for around a week. Our internet connection has spat the dummy. In fact, it's a problem being experienced right around the district. We don't have broadband. We don't have ADSL. We have to use a Telstra WiFi connection, which costs us dearly for minimal usage. Just one of the joys of living in the country! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But here's something to be super excited about. This past month I sent two entries to the Royal Melbourne Fine Foods Awards. And what do you know... we won a SILVER medal! We're mightily pleased. I did do a little checking to see who had won gold, but there was no gold medal awarded. So my goal is to improve the intensity of the raspberry flavour and hit the judges right in the middle of their taste buds :-)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opw3JICzKRo/VbXYIcZcH_I/AAAAAAAAHEE/g3ImQ9OFe_s/s1600/IMG_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opw3JICzKRo/VbXYIcZcH_I/AAAAAAAAHEE/g3ImQ9OFe_s/s640/IMG_0083.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was given this recipe by Anne Woods over in Birregurra. It's from Mrs Jekyll's recipes from 1922. Old things can be new again! Mrs Jekyll suggests that this cordial is an elixir that is perfect when taken after being exhausted by gardening, exasperated by church or tired by tennis. We agree.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BlW43jV3W4I/VbXYR07BcqI/AAAAAAAAHF4/1tsMtcFidAc/s1600/IMG_0279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BlW43jV3W4I/VbXYR07BcqI/AAAAAAAAHF4/1tsMtcFidAc/s640/IMG_0279.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're waiting for our new little silver stickers to arrive so we can adorn our Rapsberry Vinegar Cordial bottles. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30N7OjizCyw/VbXYSpaleHI/AAAAAAAAHGE/q6TprvE430c/s1600/IMG_0280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30N7OjizCyw/VbXYSpaleHI/AAAAAAAAHGE/q6TprvE430c/s320/IMG_0280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcYEueFO9FE/VbXYTe0ZjgI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/LJkBLgpunb0/s1600/IMG_0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gcYEueFO9FE/VbXYTe0ZjgI/AAAAAAAAHGQ/LJkBLgpunb0/s640/IMG_0289.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just a little thrill that came with the award... A retweet by Pip Courtney (Landline Presenter) on our award. Thanks Pip!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqIv2L9NayU/VbXZehk_1YI/AAAAAAAAHI8/mJaWoRUBuPQ/s1600/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CqIv2L9NayU/VbXZehk_1YI/AAAAAAAAHI8/mJaWoRUBuPQ/s640/IMG_0403.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still slow cooking garlic to turn it into Black Garlic. Our garlic salts are proving to be very popular. This reminds me that the garlic growing in the paddock needs weeding! Oh joy..</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yedPn9z2lw/VbXYLvmsw1I/AAAAAAAAHEs/sxD7rYPxmdg/s1600/IMG_0215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yedPn9z2lw/VbXYLvmsw1I/AAAAAAAAHEs/sxD7rYPxmdg/s640/IMG_0215.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was one of those days..</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBAfvPrAdvQ/VbXYLOQDSeI/AAAAAAAAHEg/CwDHvMR6QuM/s1600/IMG_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBAfvPrAdvQ/VbXYLOQDSeI/AAAAAAAAHEg/CwDHvMR6QuM/s640/IMG_0226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only way I can get through the awful task of plucking feathers from dead birds is to set myself time challenges. I've managed to pluck a chook in 8 minutes. A duck still challenges my skills. The best is around 19 minutes. I do not like plucking ducks. Not at all.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2l3KYjMH4D4/VbXYMmMp_ZI/AAAAAAAAHE4/DhKalr668no/s1600/IMG_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2l3KYjMH4D4/VbXYMmMp_ZI/AAAAAAAAHE4/DhKalr668no/s640/IMG_0236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used to freeze the birds whole and then wait for an occasion when we had a few mouths to feed before cooking them. However, I now cut them up and freeze them in portions. So much easier. There's nothing quite like eating a free range farm bird. It is lean and tasty. Yes, it needs slow cooking, but it tastes pretty amazing.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFi7i5LiBko/VbXYNetolVI/AAAAAAAAHE8/dEBVIkeGFLo/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFi7i5LiBko/VbXYNetolVI/AAAAAAAAHE8/dEBVIkeGFLo/s640/IMG_0239.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">July was a month that challenged us in many ways. The worst was that Frans and I both got sick. It took me over three weeks to get over it. I still bear the residual cough. It was lovely getting a drop in visit from Chef Simon Stewart from <a href="http://bespokeharvest.com.au/" target="_blank">Bespoke Harvest</a> one afternoon. His lovely partner Kara had told him we were sick and to bring soup! Which he did. Thank you Simon and Kara!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cM6kEv__HQ/VbXYSZYb6NI/AAAAAAAAHGA/OSUSFRU153A/s1600/IMG_0273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cM6kEv__HQ/VbXYSZYb6NI/AAAAAAAAHGA/OSUSFRU153A/s640/IMG_0273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's good to know you have friends!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7QFyD5kywo/VbXYSVmXRII/AAAAAAAAHGI/aN449AqRsQM/s1600/IMG_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7QFyD5kywo/VbXYSVmXRII/AAAAAAAAHGI/aN449AqRsQM/s640/IMG_0274.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Soup to make us better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've done a bit around the yard. Frans has shovelled loads of chook poo onto the asparagus bed.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhvJlBN4WEU/VbXYiXsOwXI/AAAAAAAAHIY/EYLLyAgTYak/s1600/IMG_9926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhvJlBN4WEU/VbXYiXsOwXI/AAAAAAAAHIY/EYLLyAgTYak/s640/IMG_9926.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We love asparagus. It has such a short window of production and we treasure every spear. Usually I'll made a duck egg frittata with two or three spears freshly cut from the garden. So you can imagine my pleasure when we were gifted three huge boxes of just lifted asparagus plants from a friend. This required immediate action. We cleared up one of our long vegetable beds, dug deep trenches and piled in the compost. The plants were evenly spaced along the trench and the soil put back on top. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0JzyJo5qDM/VbXYZUmc_lI/AAAAAAAAHHI/xwQQwcJiXsQ/s1600/IMG_0380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0JzyJo5qDM/VbXYZUmc_lI/AAAAAAAAHHI/xwQQwcJiXsQ/s640/IMG_0380.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then on top of that we spread a generous layer of cow poo. We are looking forward to Spring! I'm hoping we can eat from these new plants this year as they were already established when they were lift. Crossing fingers!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDf2oXl2cog/VbXYdkTsMFI/AAAAAAAAHHg/Bc4CsDhJAzc/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDf2oXl2cog/VbXYdkTsMFI/AAAAAAAAHHg/Bc4CsDhJAzc/s640/IMG_0381.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've also added another 17 trees of all descriptions to our little 'food forest'. There are figs, pears, nectarines, cherry, almond (I've been told I say this word with a strange accent... I pronounce the 'l' in almond), grape vines and hazelnuts. There are also an number of citrus trees; grapefruit, cumquat, navel orange, lemon and lime.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcCEpPpyrsE/VbXYWhVDi7I/AAAAAAAAHG0/Nw8-j32HMXQ/s1600/IMG_0362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jcCEpPpyrsE/VbXYWhVDi7I/AAAAAAAAHG0/Nw8-j32HMXQ/s640/IMG_0362.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planting trees and mulching is thirsty work!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyLkC1CldGA/VbXYWHD-mdI/AAAAAAAAHGw/41hgbo_0N90/s1600/IMG_0314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pyLkC1CldGA/VbXYWHD-mdI/AAAAAAAAHGw/41hgbo_0N90/s640/IMG_0314.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The garlic was netted to keep the rabbits out, not to mention the parrots!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y-QlbH78dc/VbXYX8w0oyI/AAAAAAAAHHA/roVNAc3scUY/s1600/IMG_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y-QlbH78dc/VbXYX8w0oyI/AAAAAAAAHHA/roVNAc3scUY/s640/IMG_0363.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm keeping track of our frosty mornings. So far we've had six. This was the heaviest. It was a winter wonderland! Beautiful to look at. Not that great for some of the soft herbs and leafy greens.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The perennial basil below took a beating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just because I love the cows, here's a photo of Eileen and her little heifer Lucky. This is afternoon tea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feeding out hay is a combined effort. The chickens love to assist too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And we said goodbye to Michael Jackson a few weeks ago. So Spike is king pin once again. All is well in the chook yard!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember where your food comes from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eat well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ami</span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com085 Meadowell Road, Gerangamete VIC 3243, Australia-38.466324 143.67032199999994-63.575987999999995 102.36172799999994 -13.356660000000002 -175.02108400000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-3274028212231572762015-06-25T15:54:00.000+10:002015-06-25T17:12:13.690+10:00Winter Catch up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Yes it's been a while! Life has been busy on the farm. Just when I think we're going to slow down, we just seem to get busier!</div>
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Autumn has been and gone. We've even passed the longest night of the year. We've yet to experience the really cold days of winter. </div>
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Pour a cuppa and I'll take you through our activities for the last couple of months!</div>
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The Autumn vines outside our lounge room window.</div>
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The same vines from the inside. The colours were glorious. The leaves have all fallen now. </div>
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The little garden bed we built and planted in front of the cabin is looking good. The smell of sweet alyssum and lavender is lovely as you walk along the pathways.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLJj8YfMd6w/VYkDnDrsEnI/AAAAAAAAG4g/Ila_m7ch4ko/s1600/IMG_9058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jLJj8YfMd6w/VYkDnDrsEnI/AAAAAAAAG4g/Ila_m7ch4ko/s640/IMG_9058.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Autumn is a busy time in the garden, harvesting all the summer veggies.</div>
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Some tomatoes were kept to eat as is. Some were turned into Passata.</div>
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I dried a few in the Rayburn. What a wonderful piece of equipment! Drying fruits and vegetables adds another dimension to preserving our harvest.</div>
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These dried tomatoes were popped into olive oil and a little vegetable oil, then kept in the fridge. The vegetable oil stops the whole lot solidifying.</div>
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The green tomatoes I couldn't bear to throw onto the compost heap, I hung up in the old shed. We're still picking ripening tomatoes, and it's almost July!</div>
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Autumn also heralds apple picking season. We picked many kilograms of apples. Some we gave away in bags and baskets. Then we juiced around 700 apples to turn into our first cider. Our young friend Michael, who helped Frans build the cabin, came down for a weekend. He didn't think he was coming to chop fruit, but he did a splendid job! His big hands are a pair of machines. He could squeeze every last drop of juice from the pulp!</div>
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A few weeks later friends John and Jan Verouden from Gellibrand came over to help us bottle our brew. John is the cider expert. Under his guidance we have hopefully created a ripper of a little drop!</div>
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John knows all the little tricks to make bottling easy.</div>
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While John poured, Frans added the sugar and tapped the tops onto the bottles. </div>
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Then a gentle shake to make sure there was no hiss!</div>
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Of course once the apples are picked, the nets have to come down. Let's just say this is not a job for the faint hearted. That ladder is very high. It also helps to make sure the clips are in place. Just saying...</div>
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Besides being busy about the farm, I also attended a 6 week course with the Master Tree Growers Association. Each week we visited various properties about the district. We learned much about tree growing. Time well spent. </div>
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Yep, those are my old boots sticking out from the back of a ute (utility vehicle, or bakkie if you're South African!)</div>
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Course participants piled onto vehicles and be bounced around paddocks inspecting shelter belts and tree plantations.</div>
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With garlic planting coming up in Autumn, our very obliging neighbour Graham brought around his old tractor and ploughed our new garlic beds for us. We picked a new spot at the top end of the cow paddock. Of course we had to take the fence down so the tractor could get in to spread the compost we'd had delivered. It was a job we could not do by hand. We'd still be there!</div>
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We'd ploughed these rows way back in February and had added organic material to them and let them rest. We added a last topping of good quality compost and then the fun began!</div>
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Those rows are very long! We will need a lot of seed!</div>
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For the few days before we planted, anyone who entered the door got put in front of a pile of garlic! Here's the lovely Lorraine peeling away. </div>
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Sara and Stephen didn't escape the chore either. Neither did the neighbour from across the road!</div>
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Then it was all systems go. Or rather, down on bended knees and hands in the dirt!</div>
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Frans plants on his knees. I like to bend over. Whatever works...</div>
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The beds are mounded up to help with drainage.</div>
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Each variety of garlic is planted in it's own section. Sometime we forget where we planted what. So I usually draw a mud map and list what we've planted where.</div>
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It's done. Now we wait till December!</div>
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In the mean time, I have taken some of the last harvest and had a play with creating Black Garlic. Let's just say that the first time you try something and it fails, don't give up. I have now worked out how to do this and have created a by product along the way. It's called Black Garlic Salt!</div>
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Black garlic is the result of taking regular white garlic (our organically grown produce in this instance) and applying heat to it in a very controlled environment for a long time. Up to 40 days in fact. It is a Korean 'invention' and is heralded as one of those 'super foods'. Black garlic is loaded with antioxidants and is now finding its way onto many fancy menus around the world. </div>
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The newly processed black garlic can be used in sauces and is delicious in Asian dishes. It tastes a little like sweet balsamic vinegar crossed with liquorice. It is that 5th taste, known as Umami. </div>
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And here it is. Black Garlic Salt. It is delicious sprinkled on roast tomatoes for breakfast, on eggs, on roast potatoes, meat and anything you like! It is fabulous on smashed avocado on a piece of home baked toast, smeared with a fresh garlic clove, drizzeld with a little olive oil. I guess you'd call it "Smashed Avo & Black Garlic Bruscetta". </div>
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And because I like to see how far I can push a new product, we have smoked some of bulbs with our own apple wood. The smoked garlic cloves are sublime in pasta dishes. The Smoked Garlic Salt is great on fish, chicken and anything you want to add a 'smokey' hit to.</div>
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Both products are sold in 40g packets. Chefs can order bulk jars.</div>
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I'm excited that a couple of great restaurants in the district are now using our salt. </div>
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Message me via Facebook or email me if you're interested in trying any of these products.</div>
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We took our first offering to the Forrest SoupFest in June. We sold out!</div>
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Sara and I made it into the local paper. What fun.</div>
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In my never ending quest of reviving old skills, I had a go at preserving olives. Frans was lucky enough to get a few kilograms from a work mate. So I 'Googled' a number of methods and decided on two. I bought a lovely olive preserving pot in Mildura a few years ago, so I really wanted to use it. I followed the instructions and I now have a batch of olives brining slowly in the spare bedroom cupboard for the next 4 months! Let's just not forget they're there.</div>
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I also took some of the olives and slit them and simply salted them with sea salt. They have been shrinking and getting more wrinkly and I think they're about ready to take to the next step. Google. </div>
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I had a birthday a couple of weeks ago. Here is an absolutely awesome present from neighbours Graham and Lorraine. It is a freshly dressed turkey! I cooked it at the bottom of the Rayburn for 24 hours, using all sorts of delicious spices in the stuffing. It smelled like Christmas! </div>
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We have since had turkey soup and there is a whole lot frozen to make turkey pie!</div>
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Friends Martyn and Eugenia came to visit and brought with them a bottle of 30 year old Grange. They celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary earlier this year, and it's our 30th in November. So they thought they'd share it with us. What lovely, unselfish friends! And yes, it was fabulous!</div>
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We celebrated my birthday lunch at Bespoke Harvest in Forrest. Sara and Stephen surprised us by coming down the night before.</div>
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My little brother Lionel came down from Brisbane too! What a treat! (love the photo bomber in the background! That's Emma)</div>
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Here we are with Emma Ashton, owner of Bespoke Harvest. It's our favourite restaurant. We're lucky to have such a great venue so close to home!</div>
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My 'cake'. A delicious dessert with a yoghurt custard, rhubarb and Persian fairy floss. </div>
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And this is Chef Simon Stewart, the clever young chef who is doing amazing things with local produce. </div>
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Are you still with me??? Sorry about all the pics of moi, but it was my birthday! </div>
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Almost done, I promise!</div>
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It was also CWA Exhibition time again for our local Polwarth Group. Last year I was lucky enough to take out the craft and the home industries shields. This year I won the home industries award again. This time it was for my 'Pickled Figs'. I was given the figs by an elderly lady in Colac, and she also gave me a very old recipe to pickle them. </div>
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The judges obviously loved them! They are meant to be eaten at Christmas with the ham or turkey. I've got some stashed away in the pantry for just that occasion!</div>
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Fellow branch member Prue Campbell won the shield for the craft section this year. </div>
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Our branch moved from the bottom of the ladder to the very top! We're super proud of ourselves. In the photo from left:</div>
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Sara Cashman 1st prize for her Worcestershire Sauce. Mine came second. Damn! Prue Campbell hiding, Poppy Barry at the back. She won the Green Tomato Pickle prize for the THIRD year! She's the queen of pickles for sure! Monica Provan our lovely President. Then at the back we have the amazing Amanda Garner and front right my lovely neighbour Lorraine Seabrook who won 1st place for her wicket mint slice! Frans loves that slice. A well deserved win!</div>
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Then last weekend we passed the longest night of the year. </div>
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We sat in front of the fire with a glass or two of red. Ahhh. Life is good.</div>
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The night was cold and clear. The moon and stars just rising.</div>
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And just when I start getting gloomy about the sad state of the garden, I notice the jonquils have started blooming. In a few weeks the yellow daffodils will be up and we'll feel more cheery on those grey days!</div>
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Till next time,</div>
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Be safe.</div>
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Ami</div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-42884850811418933162015-03-18T15:20:00.000+11:002015-03-18T15:43:25.924+11:00Marching on....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March has to been the month of getting major tasks done! We've had to engage in super sized equipment to get some of the jobs tackled around the farm. Our lovely neighbour Graham has come to our rescue a couple of times with his tractor. We'd be lost without him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first big job we had was to move a little hill of soil. It didn't look like a big job, but it turned out to be a little more challenging than we first thought it would be. Up came a few cables. Nope, nothing serious. Fortunately. We're planning to put a small section of paving down alongside the old shed, next to the cabin. We'll pop a BBQ here, some chairs and a table so our cabin guests can enjoy an outdoor cooking set up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Backwards, forwards, backwards, forwards! A small spot for paving soon became a big messy patch of dirt!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vG9eLHY3uJA/VQeja7YYJII/AAAAAAAAGuM/aUvlYnmxxq8/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vG9eLHY3uJA/VQeja7YYJII/AAAAAAAAGuM/aUvlYnmxxq8/s1600/IMG_8185.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally we decided that we'd made a big enough spot and we got busy levelling some of the newly mounded soil back to ground level. The project has stalled as other more urgent jobs have taken priority.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans spent a few days down at our boundary line putting in a new fence with our neighbour Peter the potato man. It was hard slog. I was a good farm wife and took down sandwiches and jugs of cordial. The Anzac biscuits didn't last long. (that's the tin under Frans' arm!) There was a slight mishap of the telephone line being cut, but we won't go there!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next Frans started the great water tank repair of 2015! Both our concrete water tanks have started leaking. It has taken a lot of phone calls, research and finally a decision on what to do about these great big lumps of concrete! Frans will empty them and put new liners inside them. One was empty already from all the leaks. He pumped the water out of the second tank and topped up the swimming pool. The then ferried a few loads of water down to our neighbours as their tank had had an accident! So no water was lost in the process!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fixing a water tank is like painting a house. The preparation takes the longest! And the only way to do it is to do it on the inside!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9ytOCTygNk/VQekK3TbOWI/AAAAAAAAGys/zl-4S-LHSKw/s1600/IMG_8587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o9ytOCTygNk/VQekK3TbOWI/AAAAAAAAGys/zl-4S-LHSKw/s1600/IMG_8587.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans drilled new holes where the new liner would be secured. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, our Son in law Stephen is correct. A concrete drill would have been much easier and quicker to use!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was much debating on the best method of inserting the liner and also how to install the inlet out outlet pipes. I earned my stripes as a Water Tank Installation Apprentice. Once the new liner was in, Frans opened a tap from the second tank and water was transferred to the newly repaired tank. One down! One to go. Watch this space!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took myself off to Melbourne to attend a Joel Salatin Workshop for a day. I was inspired and learned a whole bunch of new farming ideas. The day was organised by Milkwood. It was well done, professional and the sound system even worked! Don't you find it odd that you can go to an event where the microphones are always giving problems, or the laptop and overhead projector doesn't work properly? Organise yourselves people! This didn't happen here I'm happy to say. Well done Milkwood team!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joel spoke with no notes. Pure passion and inspiration.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I picked up his new book and he kindly signed it for me.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch was really interesting. And good. The catering was done by Joost Bakker. He is very clever when it comes to recycling. He even recycles bones from Neil Perry's restaurant to create delicious Bone Broth served in jam jars. The bread was delicious sourdough with mountains of butter if you wanted it.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fresh vegetables were dropped into a jar and the hot broth poured onto them. There was also a delicious barley salad where the barley had been fermented in rain water for 48 hours. I must try that... we have rain water :-)</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I loved morning tea. So simple. Grapes served with sour cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back home the next morning early I got busy in the kitchen preparing lunch for our good friends Jim and Debbie and their overseas guests Bernard and Linda. We met the lovely Bernard and Linda last year when they visited from Scotland. Bernard, I hope you're reading this blog... this one is for you :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually put flowers on the table, but after seeing the wonderful vegetable displays the day before that Joost Bakker put on the buffet tables, I thought I would do the same. It is amazing how effective spinach and lettuce leaves can be in a tall vase! There are dill flowers, kale as well as just a few blue cornflowers for a zap of colour. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch was a farm affair. Two bunnies that Frans sent to heaven a couple of weeks before made it onto the menu. The pie was delicious. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The potatoes came from next door. I hate growing potatoes. Once you have them, you can't get rid of them. So I'm happy to swap produce for potatoes from our surrounding neighbours. The purple ones are just amazing. They look like dark beetroot, but taste just like a spud should taste!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Farm lunch. Jim and Deb, Bernard, Linda and Frans. We started lunch with freshly baked bread, farm cheese and farm honey. We finished with pears (from next door) in caramel sauce with Inglenook Dairy cream. We sampled my plum brandy at the end, and the wine aficionados said it was 'more than ok'!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We look forward to seeing Jim and Debbie again soon, and the Scots when they come back again!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been busy in the kitchen all month. There is always something to prepare, preserve or cook. The cucumbers have been prolific this year. I love the wonky ones. They seem to thrive in my garden. These are definitely 100% organic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cucumbers have made it into our Otway Fields range this year. The pickles are delicious. We've also added pickled garlic to compliment the Black Garlic Salt. (now that was a hit! We're down to our last few jars. I'm planning on making a lot more next season)</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the summer has drawn to a close, we're now into the wonderful time of harvesting. At the last Birregurra market a Harvest theme was celebrated. I have to claim some fame with the photo on the front page of the Birre Mail the week before the market. I was determined to enter the competition too!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early on Sunday morning, whilst it was still dark mind you... I went out to pick the zucchini I had been nurturing all week. I was convinced it would be the winner. Hah! It was the SMALLEST on the table! That's mine, right up the front! Don't know what the others were fed!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was such a fun day. I was asked to judge the Best Tomato competion along with Rosie from the Birregurra General Store. We took our job very seriously. Who knew how many different flavours you'd get from a few tomatoes! The winner was a fabulously big red number. It was sweet, had great texture and I came home with the rest of it to keep the seeds! There has to be a perk right?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the winning tomato. And yes, thanks Frans for the 'soft filter' lens!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love taking our lovely preserves to the market. I'm so lucky that my gorgeous neighbour Lorraine comes with me. Between us we can put up the tent, set up the display and be ready for our breakfast egg and mayo sandwich in less than an hour. She is such a gem. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our range is flexible. We're alway experimenting with new flavours as the produce ripens. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had some help from a young Belgian Wwoofer (willing workers on organic farms) for a week. Her name is Elodie. She is a delight. She helped in the garden, is a whizz at chopping veggies and learned to plait garlic!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While she was with us she also learned how to make Anzac biscuits, make sourdough bread as well as lamb pie. Her aim is to have her own restaurant one day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In turn she taught us to enjoy our 'aperitif' a little more in the afternoons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last weekend we had a big burn off in the forest just close to our farm. This was a planned event. The DEPI had let us know that the burn was imminent, and they were waiting for the right weather conditions. Well, the conditions turned green on Thursday afternoon and the burn began. Friday was a little smokey but nothing serious. Saturday morning we woke up to another world. We were shrouded in smoke. Walking down the hallway in the house we could see a smokey haze. Breathing became a little more difficult and we were coughing like heavy smokers. The smoke hung about all day. Finally in the afternoon it became windy. With that a feeling of unease. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cabin was somewhere past those bushes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the smoke started to clear we took a drive down to the main road. That's our place on the hill. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're please the burn has happened and that it was well controlled. Hats off to the DEPI folks who patrolled the area for three days straight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Look at the amazing complexity in this sunflower. It will bloom in a few more days. The bees will come to feast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay safe.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ami</span></div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-8944520701996865432015-02-10T21:36:00.002+11:002015-02-10T21:36:24.755+11:00We've only just begun.... to have Summer!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a slow start to Summer, the weather finally seems to be warming up! We had a cold day a couple of weeks ago where we actually lit the fire one evening. Crazy! We should have toughened up and put on a jumper, but it's rather comforting sitting in front of a fire with a warm cup of tea in the middle of summer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although the tomatoes have still to grace our table, we are picking zucchinis and squashes by the basketful! We're blitzing them for soups this winter. They've making their way into bread and butter pickles, and we're enjoying them in salads and our favourite way, stuffed!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The berries have been lush and juicy this season. The blackberries leave purple stains on fingers and lips! We savor these fruits as there aren't too many of them. We have some wild blackberries growing near our dam. It's a mission to collect a even a small bowl. Walking through a cow paddock and trying not to break your neck by treading in a pug hole and then fighting the thorns on the bushes, makes picking the wild blackberries a chore not suited to the faint hearted! Once made, the almost black conserve is tested on fresh bread. Yep, we'll keep picking these beauties!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3q5HXzfmEw/VNmDKQy4iSI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/SJ3ZPNQsffs/s1600/IMG_7655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3q5HXzfmEw/VNmDKQy4iSI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/SJ3ZPNQsffs/s1600/IMG_7655.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This time of year most of my time is spent in the kitchen. Jams, sauces and chutneys are all getting made with the seasonal pickings. It's all about preserving the harvest. We added a couple of new lines for our Summer market season. Raspberry Syrup got it's first outing and was snapped up by ice-cream loving customers. A marriage made in heaven! I made a monster batch of Asian plum sauce. This stuff is delicious as a dipping sauce with little dumplings or spring rolls. But my favourite way of using it is to pour it over a whole duck and cook it slowly in the slow cooker. Simply delicious. We have nine ducks ready to make their transition into the freezer. It's a good thing that I made lots of this sauce!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Summer time is cool drink time when cordials come into their own. Frans likes to keep a bottle of raspberry vinegar cordial on the bench in the kitchen so he can grab it quickly to add to a big jug of water when he's working in the yard. It annoys me no end to see it out of place, but this way it gets used. And fast! He swears by it as a thirst quencher. My personal favourite is the Lime-lemongrass and ginger cordial. A glass of this and you're transported to somewhere exotic!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTlMkofS9nk/VNmDHFgctEI/AAAAAAAAGk8/KwumrV7azjQ/s1600/IMG_7629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTlMkofS9nk/VNmDHFgctEI/AAAAAAAAGk8/KwumrV7azjQ/s1600/IMG_7629.jpg" height="480" width="640" /> </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I made my first attempt and making an Indian achar or salty lemon pickle. I pickled a large jar of lemons for a couple of weeks before the fun bit of mixing the ingredients was had. It has been resting and we're looking forward to getting stuck into it soon.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are having a go at making Mead. It's an ancient drink, based on honey. It was popular in the middle ages. After extracting the honey from the frames (see last blog post), I mixed the wax bits with water and sat the jar on the table to start its fermentation process. It has been there for about a month and it is very close to being bottled. There is still plenty of fermentation going on inside that jar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also tried my hand at making plum brandy. This process requires the plums and sugar to be sealed off from the outside air. I've used a bag with water to seal the top of the plum ferment. After 12 days, the bubbling stopped and the fruit was ready for straining.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0l7pWPMg-0/VNmDOFbG_5I/AAAAAAAAGlo/346lK4YR1Rw/s1600/IMG_7733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B0l7pWPMg-0/VNmDOFbG_5I/AAAAAAAAGlo/346lK4YR1Rw/s1600/IMG_7733.jpg" height="640" width="640" /> </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I lined a sieve with muslin and poured the sticky plummy gloop into the sieve. It took a while to strain through. The filtered 'wine' was thick and a lovely rose colour. Then the wine was mixed with equal portions of brandy. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The result... delicious! This will be lovely on a hot day with a little mineral water, or with a block of ice. It is however, just perfect the way it is.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plums have featured heavily in the kitchen this summer. I preserved a few jars in Fowlers jars. These will be used for desserts. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cS8RiVUMcGQ/VNmDwvcGEoI/AAAAAAAAGoM/j8laL_SMiPg/s1600/IMG_7907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cS8RiVUMcGQ/VNmDwvcGEoI/AAAAAAAAGoM/j8laL_SMiPg/s1600/IMG_7907.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been picking nectarines too. This batch has just been bottled. Scrumptious nectarine conserve. Roll on breakfast!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of our most exciting and innovative products to date has to be our Black Garlic Salt. We picked the best bulbs hanging in the shed and gave them the 'black garlic treatment'. We then turned these smokey, liquorice, malty cloves into the most amazing garlic salt. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was our first trial batch and they went in a flash. So it's back to the kitchen for another round of this interesting gourmet product. It is delicious used in garlic butter and smeared under the skin of a chicken, then baked. It is also fabulous mixed in a little mayo and used in potato salad. There are so many options! Chef Simon Stewart from Bespoke Harvest is using it in his pickled celery and shiitake mushroom dish. It is simply sublime....</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q2MEN2LYsF0/VNmD0ivouOI/AAAAAAAAGok/mNVh-Xc874I/s1600/IMG_7917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Half way through January we had a rain event! No other way to describe it. Down came the wet stuff. All 48mm's of it in about half an hour. Every gutter overflowed. Joints leaked inside the house. Puddles gathered everywhere. Frans was out in his rain gear trying to open gutters and clear the way for the deluge. Dinner was late!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhrPz-mZs-Y/VNmDMPgJ95I/AAAAAAAAGlc/-zXHcIdX0zE/s1600/IMG_7662_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JhrPz-mZs-Y/VNmDMPgJ95I/AAAAAAAAGlc/-zXHcIdX0zE/s1600/IMG_7662_2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the storm we took a drive down our boundary and we saw our dam as we've never seen it before. It was full. Very full! The jetty had very little space underneath it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rain was very welcome to the farmers in the district. It has delayed them having to feed hay out to their stock for about 3 weeks. That makes a big difference to a farm's bottom line. The paddocks are still fairly green, although they are now starting to dry off to their summer beige quite quickly since that last bit of rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somewhere during the last week in January, the young bull Buzz, and his half sister Lucky had a date with Frans and Graham in the cattle crush. We moved all the cows up to the cattle yard. (They like to go in a group. Cows get nervous when they're alone as they are herd animals). That's Thursday, mother to Buzz looking at me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some farm jobs still require a certain amount of agility! Seems like this bloke still knows how to climb a gate!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was then down to the serious business of tying off Buzz's dangly bits. Poor bugger.. Frans performed this procedure himself for the first time. Go Frans!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor Buzz had treatment at both ends. Not only did he get his gonads tied off, he got an ear pierced too! Lucky was lucky. She only got a nice new ear piece.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaBvuhRQvVc/VNmDgIkgq0I/AAAAAAAAGms/oLi5EEU-jYY/s1600/IMG_7826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iaBvuhRQvVc/VNmDgIkgq0I/AAAAAAAAGms/oLi5EEU-jYY/s1600/IMG_7826.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who would think that managing a couple of calves would be such hard work! Graham and Frans took a moment to admire their handiwork!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PoOcsoFhH0o/VNmDg84xh-I/AAAAAAAAGmw/cN-bsYekwh0/s1600/IMG_7829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PoOcsoFhH0o/VNmDg84xh-I/AAAAAAAAGmw/cN-bsYekwh0/s1600/IMG_7829.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a week later it was my turn to get ready for the annual event of the visiting bull. My job was to run the electric line and open and close a series of gates at the appropriate times. Let's just say, I'm not as confident when facing a huge bellowing beast as Graham is. That comes with years of practice. I was quite happy hiding behind Graham's red ute!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here he is. What a specimen. And boy can he bellow! We hope he likes his new harem. There are four cows that will be mothers again if this bloke does what we need him to!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have a couple of young French blokes Wwoofing for us. (Willing workers on organic farms). They're helping us tick a few projects off our very long list of things to do. Last week we put together a 'no dig' garden bed. First we laid a row of cardboard boxes and wet them thoroughly. Then a decent load of good soil was heaped on the cardboard. After that we mulched the mound and watered it all in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With three people doing the job, it was completed a lot quicker if it was just me or Frans doing it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All that was left to do was plant a row of lavender and a couple of edging rows. Instant garden. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are two photos I took of the cabin at different times of the day. The first one was taken just after a rain shower. We really are at the end of the rainbow!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M0m9P7VzVk/VNmDo2jiW4I/AAAAAAAAGnk/dKUck9uzhYw/s1600/IMG_7868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1M0m9P7VzVk/VNmDo2jiW4I/AAAAAAAAGnk/dKUck9uzhYw/s1600/IMG_7868.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This pic was taken around 8.15pm. It's the golden hour. My favourite time of the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did I mention that January has been action packed? We had Graham plough a couple of new beds for our next garlic crop. We've pinched a piece of the top paddock. It needed fencing off to keep the cows out of course.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now we need to add many wheelbarrows of compost, chook and cow poo to the newly made beds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans gave the French boys a lesson in fencing. Big tip: do not touch a live fence!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeEISDE_FZo/VNmEFTh-NWI/AAAAAAAAGqc/ctKbygGbt-w/s1600/IMG_8033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeEISDE_FZo/VNmEFTh-NWI/AAAAAAAAGqc/ctKbygGbt-w/s1600/IMG_8033.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to end this post with a few pics I took when watering the veggies a few evenings ago. The was starting to go down. The cows were quietly grazing next door. Before I knew it, I'd been outside for a couple of hours. The sun had almost slipped behind the horizon. What a beautiful sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is how we enjoy 'happy hour' on the farm. The day is not done till everything is done. No more good rain is forecast for the next couple of months. So it will be a morning and evening routine... water water water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time...</span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-51405238269969250432014-12-30T14:46:00.000+11:002014-12-30T14:46:07.059+11:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know the saying... A picture paints a thousand words. So I'll gloss over the crazy month of December! I think my New Year's resolution will be to update my blog more often! Time gets away and before I know it, another month has slipped by!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here it is... December 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We welcomed six new ducklings! They are so cute when they're little. Ask Frans how he feels about them in another few weeks and he'll tell you that he's ready to despatch them for the pot. They poop everywhere and make a glorious mess! I still think they're cute.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Birregurra branch of the CWA (Country Womens Association) of which I'm a member, held a stall at the annual Christmas Fair in Toorak, Melbourne. Sara came along to help set up our fabulous stall. We sold a bunch of stuff to raise money for worthy country causes.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I was in Melbourne, we went to a little French restaurant and for the first time Sara and tried BRAINS! The presentation was a little off putting, but they actually tasted quite good once you got past the whole offal thing! Sara took a while contemplating the first mouthful. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We welcomed our first Wwoofers to the farm in early December. (Willing Workers on Organic Farms). We met Sanjukta in India, and she was happy to learn all sorts of homesteading skills. Brian is from Indonesia, studying agriculture in Melbourne. He got to put his theory lessons to the test. Frans was there to guide him along. Poor bugger!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lesson no. 1. Double Digging! Starting early before the heat of the day is a good idea. Here Sanjukta is putting in a superb effort.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gF8aZssndUc/VKII3qmODmI/AAAAAAAAGcs/nbFn5Whi7mo/s1600/IMG_7099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gF8aZssndUc/VKII3qmODmI/AAAAAAAAGcs/nbFn5Whi7mo/s1600/IMG_7099.jpg" height="640" width="418" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brian was learning how to use farm tools. "No Brian, you hold the fork this way".</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K0RKkvx-fw/VKII3fFAyUI/AAAAAAAAGco/DZzuglS7bME/s1600/IMG_7100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0K0RKkvx-fw/VKII3fFAyUI/AAAAAAAAGco/DZzuglS7bME/s1600/IMG_7100.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And before long the beds were being turned over and composted.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was then off to the dairy nearby. Our lovely neighbour Georgie gave the Wwoofers a 'hands on' experience of milking the girls. It's not as easy as you think. There are body fluids involved. And I'm not talking about the milk! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Brian got the hang of it and was buzzing around attaching cups to any udder that was still waiting for a connection!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3_IDUMt-MY/VKIJCiFftAI/AAAAAAAAGdE/PUZXTdh6TLI/s1600/IMG_7106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3_IDUMt-MY/VKIJCiFftAI/AAAAAAAAGdE/PUZXTdh6TLI/s1600/IMG_7106.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans got his lesson too. Georgie was amused at his technique!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He got the hang of it as well after a few false starts. He decided that it's back breaking work and he wouldn't be putting his hand up to be a relief milker. I'd say it's all about technique...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here the girls are, happily allowing the milk to be sucked out of them whilst they feed contentedly on the roundabout!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Splashed on and a tad smelly, but oh so satisfied with himself. Well done young man!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sanjukta learned to make marmalade and jams.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She got to make the daily bread.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there was cutting the curds of the home made cheese!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my last post I showed some pics of the garlic harvest. We're still going! The garlic is now all hanging to dry in the old shed. Some of it was cleaned and braided for the December market in Birregurra. We'll have more garlic at the January market. The braids are super popular. They look great hanging in a kitchen. A decorative piece that is edible too. Bonus!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorting and cleaning. No vampires around here!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually get a bit picky when plaiting. I like to select different bunches based on size and colour. The downside is that crawling under the hanging garlic often results in sandy hair and bits of dust in your eyes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plaiting takes a little practise. It's hard on the hands. A firm grip is required. And patience! Here Sanjukta is working on a braid. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas cakes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My lovely neighbour Lorraine and I have been baking cakes, making jams and chutneys over the past few weeks. A couple of days before the market we decorated the cakes. They looked so lovely!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ready for the stall!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Market day was lovely. Not too hot. Not too cold. A slight drizzle gave us a little heart flip, but it soon passed and it was back to being sunny again. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The garlic braids went like hot cakes. They make super gifts for food lovers.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The raspberry vinegar cordial and Worcestershire sauce all sold out. Back to the kitchen again next week!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqtaCgKyQPs/VKILys58vNI/AAAAAAAAGjY/MoqKJs31rtU/s1600/IMG_7188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LqtaCgKyQPs/VKILys58vNI/AAAAAAAAGjY/MoqKJs31rtU/s1600/IMG_7188.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">A new item on the stall was Smoked Garlic in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will find a good selection of our products at Dinny Goonan Winery in Bambra now. Local preserves at a local winery. That's what I love. Dinny Goonan Family Estate is also part of the Otway Harvest Trail. Dinny makes a wicked shiraz! In fact, it was one of the wine selections at Stephen and Sara's wedding. The cellar door at the winery is open over January.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just like that it's Christmas again! Time to put the wreath on the farm gate. I went minimal this year. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a few beautiful evenings where we just had to stop and enjoy the balmy weather. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We left early Christmas Eve to drive to Melbourne. But before we left, I watered the garden beds. The sun was just popping up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The hay bales on the paddock next door looked fabulous in the misty morning light. We stopped to take pics. As you do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We celebrated Christmas Eve with Stephen and Sara. Nineteen guests at the table. We did not go hungry!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Christmas morning was spent opening presents from Santa. Even Tilly got a present! It WAS a chicken with a squeak thingie inside. Well, it lasted about 3 hours. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got home and my kefir was way past ready! So I strained the curds and waited to see what the result would be. I got plenty of complaints about the smell. Toughen up people! It's fermented milk. It's good for you!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I left the curds to strain for a few hours until I was left with a manageable cheese to work with. I rolled it into little balls and dropped them into a couple of jars of olive oil. A few garlic cloves and some thyme went into the jars too. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there you have it. Kefir Labne. Delicious spread on a piece of sourdough toast and a drizzle of honey. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speaking of honey... Remember the swarms that Frans caught early in November? Well he has harvested the first honey from the two new hives. To say he's a happy man is an understatement!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of these days we'll get a honey extractor. Or Frans will build one. Pinterest Dear. There are lots of ideas there!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I write this, the honey is still slowly straining through a couple of fine mesh sieves. Once it is mostly passed through, we're going to make our first batch of mead. Watch this space!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here was our first taste of the new season honey and a wheel of camembert cheese I'd made in November. Topped with pistachio nuts and served with home baked bread, this was a fabulous pre dinner starter.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's December. This means we're still picking berries. Lots of them. Frans is getting really good at finding the luscious raspberries hiding between the leaves.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're picking every day at the moment.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are plenty of blueberries next door at Graham and Lorraine's place. We've been lucky to be able to gather some from their bushes too.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And what do you do when you have a wonderful assortment of berries to experiment with? You turn them into what will be delicious berry liqueur. I've got four varieties going here. Blackberry, Raspberry, Blueberry and a Mixed berry which includes strawberries. Add some sugar. Then break out the duty free grog!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pop the lids on. Give the jars a gentle turn every now and then to dissolve the sugar. Put the jars in a cool dark place for a couple of months. Practise patience. Winter is coming!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember the double digging? The beds are now planted and mulched. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took me longer than necessary to mulch these beds. I had a companion that insisted on having her ball kicked to her ALL THE TIME! Tilly never stops. She does not have an off button. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tilly and her ball. Never apart. The ball was Nala's. Good to see it live on. Till Tilly eats it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans and Stephen broke out the orange toy yesterday. They filled the pit in the old shed. Finally. It's taken almost three years of filling the big hole with 'stuff' so we could cover it over. It was finally full enough with debris to just top of the last bit with concrete.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow we celebrate again. New Year's Eve, 2015. Whatever you may be doing, or however you're celebrating, we wish you a fabulous 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your support and encouragement throughout 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans & Ami</span></div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-74883760723250392012014-12-01T09:10:00.001+11:002014-12-01T09:10:48.413+11:00November madness!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a November catch up! Where did the month go? We've been a little busy.... So I'm going to show you some of our highlights. By the way, using a camera to keep track of your year is such a great tool. It's a good reminder of what you've achieved. So here goes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Farmers are busy around the district. Hay is being cut and turned into silage (green plastic balls) and hay bales. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have two new babies on the farm! The first, Buzz, was born on the 3rd of November. His mum is Thursday, the young heifer we bought three years ago. Buzz is her third calf. She's become a good little mum. Why Buzz? Well, it was the same day Frans caught a swarm of bees. It was all systems go this day! Our menagerie was increasing by the thousands!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only a few hours old and already an inquisitive little bloke.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday giving Buzz a face wipe while big sister Misty looks on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bee man suiting up! Frans got stung twice in one day. Not much fun. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMPymbOJYC4/VHuHlejL3tI/AAAAAAAAGYQ/pgQTxHrfdo0/s1600/IMG_6644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMPymbOJYC4/VHuHlejL3tI/AAAAAAAAGYQ/pgQTxHrfdo0/s1600/IMG_6644.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can see the swarm of bees hanging from the branch of an apple tree. The bees are very slow and heavy with honey, so they're not too aggressive. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boN3OfjysIY/VHuIupVHTFI/AAAAAAAAGZo/grH8ZmVeIYQ/s1600/IMG_6669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boN3OfjysIY/VHuIupVHTFI/AAAAAAAAGZo/grH8ZmVeIYQ/s1600/IMG_6669.jpg" height="640" width="470" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Job done. The hive was moved later once all the bees settled into their new box. We are hoping to get honey this year. The past two years we've had very little. The hot summer of 2012 set the honey production back as the bees were more focussed on keeping their hives cool.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqbvrQWcmUo/VHuEKW7RNaI/AAAAAAAAGVA/o3N6pXDRkw8/s1600/IMG_6833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqbvrQWcmUo/VHuEKW7RNaI/AAAAAAAAGVA/o3N6pXDRkw8/s1600/IMG_6833.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a week later we welcomed another calf. This time to Eileen, the boss cow. She's a cute little thing with a white face. Her name is Lucky. Named by Sara. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKvMzy6B2Ds/VHuELWewNhI/AAAAAAAAGVM/Of-nsc62QHk/s1600/IMG_6853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKvMzy6B2Ds/VHuELWewNhI/AAAAAAAAGVM/Of-nsc62QHk/s1600/IMG_6853.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here she is minutes after being born. Big sister Georgina is keeping close watch!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">November is a fabulous month in the garden. It is so colourful and the summer crops start making an appearance. Strawberries ripened early. Usually we begin picking towards the end of November, but we started the first week. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite garden treat... broad beans! They are so good raw served with fresh bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvCtyuea2kc/VHuEKefMGQI/AAAAAAAAGVE/bLPH4EF5PR0/s1600/IMG_6848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OvCtyuea2kc/VHuEKefMGQI/AAAAAAAAGVE/bLPH4EF5PR0/s1600/IMG_6848.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In fact, they're so good that Simon Stewart, the talented chef at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheForrestGuesthouse?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Bespoke Harvest</a>, has been raiding our veggie garden for his degustation menu. He made this lovely summer salad plate with 'Gerangamete Greens' (that's us!) goats cheese and prosciutto. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A basket of fresh greens makes its way over to the restaurant every week. Simon's sugar cured trout with our garden fennel is sublime. Seasonal, local produce at its best!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvL53F0Nj6U/VHuHlEDg0rI/AAAAAAAAGYM/P6yKuv9EJCc/s1600/IMG_6670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvL53F0Nj6U/VHuHlEDg0rI/AAAAAAAAGYM/P6yKuv9EJCc/s1600/IMG_6670.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">November is also the month when all the Irises are blooming. Granny Pat planted these when she was here earlier this year. They are simply divine!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22mOlu-dj6Y/VHuHl16EK5I/AAAAAAAAGYU/mpjxj6FZxO8/s1600/IMG_6674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-22mOlu-dj6Y/VHuHl16EK5I/AAAAAAAAGYU/mpjxj6FZxO8/s1600/IMG_6674.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The days have been balmy. Butterflies and bees everywhere!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favourite flowers in the garden are the Peonies. They bloom for such a short time. The roses just keep on going.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC4Nm9qZQKM/VHuEQ5zZdXI/AAAAAAAAGWE/pn2LOLRbMgM/s1600/IMG_6915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KC4Nm9qZQKM/VHuEQ5zZdXI/AAAAAAAAGWE/pn2LOLRbMgM/s1600/IMG_6915.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had our first booking for our cabin half way through the month. We still needed to create the path around the outside to comply with fire rating standards. So we bought a concrete mixer (orange is my favourite colour by the way!) and started shovelling stones, sand and cement. This is a SLOW process. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the time Frans got to the end of the first side, he'd worked out his process and we were speeding up!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was back breaking! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my addition to the path.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans left his hand prints on the Otway Fields walk of fame!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The inside of the cabin was ready to go. I think I might book myself into this place! It is so peaceful, quiet and relaxing.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ-hj-h-_tE/VHuEGHja64I/AAAAAAAAGUg/CtoW-Hexl74/s1600/IMG_6793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ-hj-h-_tE/VHuEGHja64I/AAAAAAAAGUg/CtoW-Hexl74/s1600/IMG_6793.jpg" height="386" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are books to read, DVD's to watch if you choose or music to listen to. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BdioShsiXk/VHuENGPaDdI/AAAAAAAAGVY/gqHhi2b0KOQ/s1600/IMG_6873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9BdioShsiXk/VHuENGPaDdI/AAAAAAAAGVY/gqHhi2b0KOQ/s1600/IMG_6873.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the view isn't half bad either.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Breakfast provisions include a loaf of home baked bread, freshly squeezed juice, farm preserves, fresh eggs from our chooks and local bacon. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7GjBkJvORk/VHuEQD338jI/AAAAAAAAGV8/cYyg_zSN8Rg/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7GjBkJvORk/VHuEQD338jI/AAAAAAAAGV8/cYyg_zSN8Rg/s1600/IMG_6897.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're preparing veggie beds for new summer crops. Here Frans is applying what we learned in India with a technique called 'Double Digging'. The advantage is that less water is needed and the vegetables can be planted closer together as their roots go deeper.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At a spade or fork depth a generous layer of compost is applied. This encourages good soil health.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ysiiOuIBI-0/VHuEVQQyzWI/AAAAAAAAGWk/olr5auk37QU/s1600/IMG_6941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ysiiOuIBI-0/VHuEVQQyzWI/AAAAAAAAGWk/olr5auk37QU/s1600/IMG_6941.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As usual, some jobs have to be taken care of that were not on the 'to do' list! Our dishwasher died. A first world problem indeed! Let's just say that Frans is a good bloke to have around. Multi talented when it comes to fixing stuff, even if it requires colourful language to complete the task!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LRYJiHq1PQ/VHuEHriSMRI/AAAAAAAAGUs/vwt8qJAlFQ4/s1600/IMG_6820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LRYJiHq1PQ/VHuEHriSMRI/AAAAAAAAGUs/vwt8qJAlFQ4/s1600/IMG_6820.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not all work and no play on the farm. We do stop to enjoy the view with friends!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKiFhV133V8/VHuEU2b591I/AAAAAAAAGWc/u09d0K_l_1A/s1600/IMG_6942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKiFhV133V8/VHuEU2b591I/AAAAAAAAGWc/u09d0K_l_1A/s1600/IMG_6942.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just when we thought we'd be landscaping this week, the garlic decided it was ready for harvesting! So our schedule is shuffled again. We're quietly excited about this harvest. The quality of the bulbs are good so far.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EE7J00eKxUs/VHuEY8T2TYI/AAAAAAAAGW4/aU5VL5AFE8s/s1600/IMG_7021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EE7J00eKxUs/VHuEY8T2TYI/AAAAAAAAGW4/aU5VL5AFE8s/s1600/IMG_7021.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you ever wonder why Australian, organically grown garlic is expensive, I'll tell you why. The soil is prepared before planting by adding lots of good organic matter in the form of composted cow and chook poo. Then the beds are smoothed and tidied for the planting to begin. Each clove is then planted by hand into the rich soil. During the growing season the beds are constantly weeded. When it comes time to harvesting, each bulb is carefully lifted by hand. They bulbs are bundled and labelled and hung to dry for two weeks. After they have dried, they get cleaned and plaited. At no stage will any chemicals be used on the garlic. Imported garlic is sprayed with a cocktail of chemicals to prevent sprouting and to bleach it white. The health benefits of eating garlic are negated completely!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're super pleased the harvest is ready earlier. Why? It's cooler! And there are less flies. Our lovely neighbour Lorraine helped us sort garlic the first day. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqkr5Xr-Jgc/VHuEaNiqpnI/AAAAAAAAGXI/aQHfxPMXGrc/s1600/IMG_7020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wqkr5Xr-Jgc/VHuEaNiqpnI/AAAAAAAAGXI/aQHfxPMXGrc/s1600/IMG_7020.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that's what we call decent bulbs! These will be kept for seed for next year. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kN-U_j0rGRE/VHuEcxYnVWI/AAAAAAAAGXU/TanPkUQwBFU/s1600/IMG_7031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kN-U_j0rGRE/VHuEcxYnVWI/AAAAAAAAGXU/TanPkUQwBFU/s1600/IMG_7031.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to show you a spectacular sunrise we had one morning this month. This is the view from our kitchen. If you're in the cabin, you'll be looking straight at the pink sky! Frans took this photo.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkQidQvrUoU/VHuEUmFbb2I/AAAAAAAAGWY/a4DOsYwwFG0/s1600/IMG_6961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xkQidQvrUoU/VHuEUmFbb2I/AAAAAAAAGWY/a4DOsYwwFG0/s1600/IMG_6961.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And to finish off, we celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary last night. It was a hot afternoon pulling up garlic. Frans decided to call it a day at 6pm. He dug around the back of the cupboard for our 'special' 25th anniversary champagne glasses we bought in Venice (gosh, that was 4 years ago!) and cracked a bottle of lovely St Leonards bubbles.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, this is indeed the 'Good Life'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay safe.</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-89818282542987549932014-10-27T15:04:00.001+11:002014-10-27T15:04:05.794+11:00India - Navdanya Biodiversity Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
India is such a colourful and exciting country to visit. We touched on only a small part of it. There is much to share, but I won't bore you completely. I promise to give you a couple of posts with what I consider the highlights of our trip. The reason for our visit was of course to visit Navdanya, a farm about 200kms North of Delhi. This farm was founded by Dr Vandana Shiva and is run using biodiversity principles. </div>
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So let's go!</div>
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Arriving at Dehradun Airport. Only a few flights from here each day. Clamber down the flight steps and stroll across the tarmac. No safety cones or pretty hostesses waving you away from dangerous propellors.</div>
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After an hour experiencing the most amazing driving skills, we arrived at the entrance to the farm. On the way we dodged a train, many dogs and a few cows.</div>
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Our digs for the next 16 days. A room with basic furnishings, dung and straw walls and a very noisy ceiling fan. We were not complaining! That fan never went off, except during the daily power outages.</div>
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Our ensuite. We were lucky to have our own shower. If you want hot water, then you use the bucket. If you didn't mind cold, you can stand under the shower. The floor and everything around it gets wet and slippery.</div>
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Our room on the top right. </div>
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Schedule for week 1</div>
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Schedule for week 2</div>
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Tea and juice station, just outside the dining hall.</div>
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This is the 'internet cafe' area. If you're lucky, you'll get a half decent wifi signal. Most days it was too frustrating to try. But we still gathered on 'the wall' to chat with fellow students and travellers.</div>
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The only down side in the evenings, is the mosquitoes!</div>
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Breakfast. Chickpeas with spices, tahini sauce, dosas and a few apple chunks. Followed by chai. No eggs, no bacon. </div>
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Some of the seeds grown on the farm.</div>
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After breakfast, it was time for 'morning circle'. This was held under a large thatched gazebo. A short meditation, notices and a game were part of the agenda. Communication was open and clear. </div>
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Some folks started the day with meditation. Everyone was welcome, even the farm dogs!</div>
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After the morning circle each mooring, teams were set to work for an hour. This is called 'Shramdaan'. My favourite task was to chop veggies. The kitchen area was rustic. Very rustic. Here I'm chopping with Britta and the chef.</div>
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Sweeping floors crouched on one's haunches is something learned! Soft lemongrass brooms are used everywhere. Long handled brooms are not common.</div>
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The kitchen cutting area. Good thing we were taking Probiotics!</div>
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If you know Frans, you'll know he does not cook. Much. At all. But here he was peeling veg. And enjoying it. I might get him into the kitchen yet!</div>
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Mealtimes punctuated the day. There is always rice!</div>
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A highlight was the time we learned from the esteemed Mr Sandor Katz. Kimchi, sour kraut and sourdough bread was all discussed, explained and shown.</div>
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See the big pottery pot on the left of the pic? Sandor went to the village nearby and bought it directly from the potter for 60c!</div>
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Cooking the sourdough in the clay oven. Hot hot work! Photo by Susan Zhu.</div>
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Sandor and I. Photo by Susan Zhu.</div>
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There were sessions on mixing dung and clay. We watched. </div>
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Dung was collected! Here is our mate Aditya and Eliza picking up fresh cow poo. Eliza does not look like she's having fun at all!</div>
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We learned composting in deep trenches. Here some cow urine is being sprinkled on the compost pile. Standing downwind is not advised. The smell is rather potent.</div>
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More cow poo being shifted for composting. Instead of flying airliners, Vishal was pushing the poop cart. I'm sure he was enjoying this more!</div>
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Here's me separating dirt from the borlotti beans.</div>
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Head seed saver showing us how to separate the good from the bad. </div>
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Cutting rice. Hot work in the sun!</div>
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Peas, beans and rice drying in the hot sun. Did I mention it was hot?!! Frans is in the background making notes on composting.</div>
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Two sessions a day of 'school'. This was Soil Week with Marilyn and Chris from The Hummingbird Project. Facinating stuff.</div>
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Dr Anna Powar (centre) spent a few days with us and taught us stuff we never knew about food; Indigenous Knowledge and why we eat. We've come home with a different view on what we eat. From left: the lovely Sudha, me, Anna Ji, dynamo Paridhei and generous Poorvi.</div>
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Seems we're not the only ones who thought this place was rather cool.</div>
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The massage centre under the mango tree. </div>
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Massage class. Here Frans is getting a head massage by the lovely Shaani.</div>
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Preparation for the Goddess Fire Ceremony.</div>
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Dr Vandana Shiva and her wonderful sister Mira on the right.</div>
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What an inspiration Vandana Ji is.</div>
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Feeling privileged to be part of something special.</div>
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Frans and his mate Aditya. Being a vet, he was full of great information on caring for our animals. He also held a small session for those interested in how they could help the farm dogs. The dogs tend to fend for themselves and are very thin. A lovely bloke.</div>
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Me receiving my certificate from Vandana Ji</div>
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And Frans receiving his.</div>
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Dr Mira Shiva. I loved her! What a wonderful, warm hearted, intelligent woman! </div>
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Dr Vandana Shiva. Legend. </div>
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These pics are a short record of our experience on the farm. I'll post again showing some of the sights and experiences we had outside the farm. Food alone needs its own post! </div>
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Till next time.</div>
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Ami</div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-23760619092055892892014-08-20T12:27:00.001+10:002014-08-20T12:27:27.771+10:00Cabin sneak peak!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winters are wet. Very wet. And cold. But we don't often see any of the white stuff! So when a mate from Melbourne sent us a text asking if we had snow on the farm, we figured we'd go and see where it was. We hopped into the car and drove up the range to the top of the Otways. Well, it wasn't a winter wonderland, but it was pretty. Here are a few of the pics we took.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just past Baramunga.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans getting his shots</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's one treat on a snowy day that warms your insides... hot chocolate at the Nourished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the way home we took the back roads. I love this part of Kawarren. A farmer was trying to move his cows. They were all over the place! Which way? Where is he?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This little baby was only hours old and already being shoved about by the herd.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally the boss arrived and walked the girls up the hill to the dairy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We may have only had snow on one day, but we did have a number of frosty mornings. The plants in the ground were crispy and white!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It may be cold, but there are still jobs to be done. Our old concrete water tanks are starting to spring leaks. This is not good. There is a laborious process to paint a goop onto the cracks. It has to be done every day till the leaks stop. I'll get back to you on this one... </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yt8c8FGLRKo/U-gQgvWN4KI/AAAAAAAAFkI/ESVmCp0GC4E/s1600/IMG_5415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yt8c8FGLRKo/U-gQgvWN4KI/AAAAAAAAFkI/ESVmCp0GC4E/s1600/IMG_5415.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's pruning time! The apple trees are getting a hair cut. In the past we've had a professional pruner come and cut our trees. But this year I'm going to be brave and have a go myself. Google is my friend. There is a lot to remember. Lateral branches, spurs, water saplings... the list goes on. Which ones to cut and which ones to leave are clearly explained in drawings. Somehow my trees don't look like the pictures. Let's hope we get fruit next season!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Beetroot! I've transplanted a few hundred seedlings. Most of the beetroot will be turned into relish and chutney. I'll pickle some for home use too. Our favourite way of eating it fresh is to simply roast the beets in foil or to grate them raw into salads. Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes it's cold. Here's big 'Fat Black Hen' keeping warm in her box. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's never too cold to enjoy the golden hour tho'... A warm puffy jacket and a glass of red is all you need. Oh, and a beany and a scarf!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">August has been busy so far. I entered a few jars of preserves into the CWA Victorian State Exhibition a couple of weeks ago. It was a mission getting all the entries sent off and tickets and forms filled in. Well worth the effort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the results of my entries:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First - Crochet and knitted article</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Third - Felted and knitted article</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second - Knitting and crochet combined</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second - Sauce any other. Damn! First went to a plum sauce. Can't even compare! Next year I have to win! This Worcestershire sauce is excellent!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWuBt6DtB7U/U-gQkiExQaI/AAAAAAAAFks/44qHEjggACY/s1600/IMG_5433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWuBt6DtB7U/U-gQkiExQaI/AAAAAAAAFks/44qHEjggACY/s1600/IMG_5433.jpg" height="640" width="498" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second - Jar of Berry Jam. I entered Raspberry. Strawberry won. Much sweeter I'd say. It's all about personal taste.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibnJUqG0f5M/U-gQlEDo11I/AAAAAAAAFk0/hFLdDk331JE/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibnJUqG0f5M/U-gQlEDo11I/AAAAAAAAFk0/hFLdDk331JE/s1600/IMG_5434.jpg" height="640" width="530" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second - Jar of Plum Jam. I put ginger in mine. Perhaps too left field?</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZtOHLrJE3A/U-gQmtGtfcI/AAAAAAAAFlA/IBKXgGvxd9o/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MZtOHLrJE3A/U-gQmtGtfcI/AAAAAAAAFlA/IBKXgGvxd9o/s1600/IMG_5438.jpg" height="598" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Third - Melon and Ginger jam. Again. Perhaps too left field? My friend Norma blamed the ginger. She hates it :-)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ItgCaTj6uk/U-gQmzPp1WI/AAAAAAAAFlE/HNsU_5GwK6o/s1600/IMG_5439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ItgCaTj6uk/U-gQmzPp1WI/AAAAAAAAFlE/HNsU_5GwK6o/s1600/IMG_5439.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second - Marmalade. Happy with this result. The competition was FIERCE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coming home from the exhibition, I was inspired to have a go at making Lemon Butter and Passionfruit Butter. I used my fabulous copper pot on the wood stove. The result was sensational. Frans' eyes nearly rolled back into his head when he licked the spoon!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CABIN SNEAK PEAK......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're almost ready for paying guests! We have a little work to do outside and I'm still fiddling with the decor a bit. We've had a few trial runs with friends who have stayed and have helped us tweak the way we've set everything out.</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ehQfWrB33A/U-gRbvVH6rI/AAAAAAAAFnU/pnGECO_dhGs/s1600/DSC01096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ehQfWrB33A/U-gRbvVH6rI/AAAAAAAAFnU/pnGECO_dhGs/s1600/DSC01096.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fold out couch will allow a family to sleep a couple of children here or two small adults.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbszxHxQ6j4/U_QCehSKWaI/AAAAAAAAFn8/oEAYdYgNCtI/s1600/IMG_5508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JbszxHxQ6j4/U_QCehSKWaI/AAAAAAAAFn8/oEAYdYgNCtI/s1600/IMG_5508.jpg" height="640" width="618" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The shelf is one Frans made about 24 years ago from old pallets. He was WAY before his time! The bead and wire basket on the top shelf is one my Mum brought from South Africa last year. Thanks Mum! We'll have more books, some DVD's (yes, we will have a tv on the left wall) and an docking station with speakers for music lovers. I'm in love with the rug. I took a deep breath when I bought this hand woven piece. I think it's worth it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMn9q0sO01A/U_QCegrt7iI/AAAAAAAAFoE/Exh2McP2igc/s1600/IMG_5506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bMn9q0sO01A/U_QCegrt7iI/AAAAAAAAFoE/Exh2McP2igc/s1600/IMG_5506.jpg" height="640" width="544" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOVE the tiles! Yep, they're the hand painted Moroccan babies I was drooling over for months. Frans did a great job putting them up. They look rustic and add tons of character to the kitchenette area. We have a small fridge under the sink as well as a small induction hot plate. The kettle will go back on the bench top after its final oil coating. The cooking facilities are very basic. Guests will be provided with a breakfast hamper (home made farm preserves, freshly baked bread, farm eggs, local bacon and seasonal vegetables and herbs). We will be able to offer lunch platters and evening meals on request. Meals will be provided using mostly where possible, the organically grown produce on the farm.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9xewARu-bM/U_QCexMo5WI/AAAAAAAAFoA/0cRB5UA6LwU/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9xewARu-bM/U_QCexMo5WI/AAAAAAAAFoA/0cRB5UA6LwU/s1600/IMG_5507.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ladders and tools will be removed from the deck. Promise! The view is just so peaceful. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz8Wx4Kffcg/U_QChpHTj7I/AAAAAAAAFoY/w9pf9C2JmiQ/s1600/IMG_5511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz8Wx4Kffcg/U_QChpHTj7I/AAAAAAAAFoY/w9pf9C2JmiQ/s1600/IMG_5511.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A small dining area for inside eating when it's too hot or cold outside.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhBVH-wgox0/U-gRbe6SnxI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/LWKOzHQD9dI/s1600/DSC01085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BhBVH-wgox0/U-gRbe6SnxI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/LWKOzHQD9dI/s1600/DSC01085.jpg" height="244" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the bedroom. It's calm and peaceful. Raw linen curtains, sun blind and natural furnishings all add to the relaxed atmosphere. The watery winter sun streaming through the window is where I could spend a Sunday with a good book!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hES7eQByrM4/U_QCi2gtLxI/AAAAAAAAFok/VwxYGKypOOE/s1600/IMG_5517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hES7eQByrM4/U_QCi2gtLxI/AAAAAAAAFok/VwxYGKypOOE/s1600/IMG_5517.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And look... the yellow and white daffodils are poking their heads up through the geranium leaves. No more red flowers now till summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time.... live well.</span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-86572205240276566492014-07-23T17:20:00.000+10:002014-07-23T17:20:05.239+10:00Winter chores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tip day. We try and delay the trip as long as we can. Taking our rubbish and recycling to the refuse station is an hour and a half return trip. Bins are loaded onto the trailer and off we go. Once at the tip, we hand over one voucher (purchased from the council offices) per rubbish bin. Recycling is free. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iazpoALEwzk/U8igtsCUqkI/AAAAAAAAFfk/dx3LYGA9Kvw/s1600/IMG_5140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iazpoALEwzk/U8igtsCUqkI/AAAAAAAAFfk/dx3LYGA9Kvw/s1600/IMG_5140.jpg" height="610" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trailer is backed up to a big shipping container and our waste gets tipped into it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, the tip is clean. It is winter, so there are no putrid smells.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFvBLiKU9-g/U8igtdJpg2I/AAAAAAAAFfg/kXFgEWmqUx0/s1600/IMG_5142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFvBLiKU9-g/U8igtdJpg2I/AAAAAAAAFfg/kXFgEWmqUx0/s1600/IMG_5142.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What people throw away is amazing! All of this stuff has to go somewhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I dealt with burrow loads of rose clippings this way. Shredding them for the compost heap is not worth it. Injuries from rose thorns are all too common when planting seeds and digging around in the garden beds.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kMnv9CjKRcY/U8ig36842tI/AAAAAAAAFg4/Pm4xoTUVnd0/s1600/IMG_5232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kMnv9CjKRcY/U8ig36842tI/AAAAAAAAFg4/Pm4xoTUVnd0/s1600/IMG_5232.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The roses are all but pruned. The garden beds look empty and bare. The bulb leaves are starting to come up and the daffodils are starting to bloom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a marmalade kind of week last week. The citrus fragrance wafted through the house for days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's something quite satisfying in seeing a new batch of marmalade on the bench. Orange and Cointreau was one, and the other was Three Fruits. Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of our little chickens that were hatched in March have started laying. I picked up this very wobbly, thin and deformed egg at the entrance to the coop. Better luck next time chookie!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The young pullets are not the only ones laying for the first time. Our young ducks have started laying too. Just look at that cute little duck egg! Oh, see the egg box? I wrote that blurb in the lid when we gathered our first dozen, nearly three years ago and gave it to Sara. This box has done the rounds and always makes it back home.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQAugCMO4Kk/U8i5eE0NFkI/AAAAAAAAFh4/kfsbdp0kMs4/s1600/IMG_5222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KQAugCMO4Kk/U8i5eE0NFkI/AAAAAAAAFh4/kfsbdp0kMs4/s1600/IMG_5222.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What's under the wax cloth? Mmm.... I was lucky enough to get a lesson in making sourdough bread from Angie Smales from Birregurra last week. She kindly shared her starter with me too. It's not difficult, but you do need to be patient. It's not a quick process. But it is so worth it. Thank you Angie!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey9OApKLFws/U8ig2bM9s3I/AAAAAAAAFgw/cwbt_jDTaKc/s1600/IMG_5239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ey9OApKLFws/U8ig2bM9s3I/AAAAAAAAFgw/cwbt_jDTaKc/s1600/IMG_5239.jpg" height="562" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dough is sitting next to the wood stove. Rising gently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here are my first two loaves, baked in the wood oven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Simply add jam!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were treated to another lovely rainbow a few days ago. We never tire of them. We do believe we have found the pot of gold!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time....</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-25678193430350809612014-07-01T13:43:00.000+10:002014-07-01T13:43:14.899+10:00Birthdays and such...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last post I showed you a shot of our dam. Well, it's still full. Getting fuller with every downpour! But oh, how lovely the farm is looking. The bright green paddocks hurt your eyes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Around the beginning of June, friends Michelle and Michael from Brissy came to spend a few days with us. Now you have to know that these two house guests certainly know how to pay their way! Whenever they come, they tackle a big project that we have on our 'to do' list. This time was no different. Michael levelled off the dirt pile where the septic tank was sunk behind the cabin. He dug a trench for new cables. Then he tackled the old apple tree under our netting area. The tree had to go. This man is a machine! We grow our strawberries in this patch, and without the tree we can increase our strawberry harvest many times over. We've never had an apple from this tree yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Michelle and I cleared out the grassy weeds. Yep, if you turn your head, the weeds will move in. Faithful Nala is ever close by. Side story.... Nala's brother Barney belongs to Michelle. Sara saw all the puppies being born. The litter got farmed out to everyone around the mum's house. We still have tabs on all five puppies. They're old dogs now. They turn 16 in July! Their mother, Sooty, lived till she was 18! So they have good genes. Nala is pretty deaf these days. She moves slowly and sleeps a lot!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The apple tree getting a good workout! Crowbar is called for. Nala just ignoring all the action around her.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reinforcements were called in to 'rock' the tree out of the ground. Just as well someone had to take the photo, or you would have seen two crazy women hanging onto an apple tree stump, looking very stupid. But, it came out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahh... it may not look like much now, but this garden bed will be providing beautiful organically grown strawberries this coming summer. The next job is to divide the existing strawberry plants and pop them into the new spots vacated by the tree. Roll on Summer!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>BIRTHDAY WEEKEND!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's not every day a girl has a 'big' birthday. Yep, this is my year. The big Five Oh! I've approached it with reluctance I have to say. My family have been hell bent on having a 'do' for me. My aversion to having something done especially for me is well known. I'm happy to cater for everyone else, but don't make a fuss about me. Please! Instead of a big birthday bash, I thought I'd make my fiftieth year one of significance. I want to do something special. Something adventurous. But not dangerous.. so no stupid sky diving vouchers or shark feeding tickets! No, I wanted to do something where I would learn more about the land that we have custody of, the food that we grow and perhaps even how to teach others to do the same. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So... it's good to know that my family abides by my wishes.... Not. However, I wouldn't change it for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">anything. Sara being an amazing organiser and even more of a control freak than her mother, went ahead and arranged for a few of our Melbourne friends and close family to convene at a lovely Indian restaurant in Camberwell. I was spoiled all day. There was a run sheet happening and I was just pointed into the direction that demanded my presence. There were the nails that had to be done (first time ever!), make up done (another first), some shopping, some champagne. Then off to a lovely boutique hotel in the city with Frans for an hour where I was had to get dressed. We arrived at the hotel and of course there was only street parking a few blocks away. We grabbed our bags and walked to the hotel. It started raining didn't it? All over my nice hair do! I found an old wine box in a bin and flattened it, using it as my makeshift umbrella. It had to be a wine box of course!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So then Frans called a taxi to take us to our dinner. I still had no idea where or what we were doing. In the typical posh style that I'm used to, a maxi taxi turned up for us. No worries. We clambered in and off we went. To say I was surprised when we entered the room at the restaurant is an understatement. There were a bunch of people I love!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sara read me a fabulous poem. Then presented me with a gift that everyone had contributed towards. Are you ready? See the pic below??? That's me almost in tears!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvqGsYOCD2E/U7D6qHuF5pI/AAAAAAAAFZY/p5OBdJ-YTvA/s1600/10489857_10152308741564145_3786618726641780779_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvqGsYOCD2E/U7D6qHuF5pI/AAAAAAAAFZY/p5OBdJ-YTvA/s1600/10489857_10152308741564145_3786618726641780779_n.jpg" height="640" width="618" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm off to India! With my darling Frans. In September. That's not far away at all! But it's not just a holiday. It's for a very special reason. Sara has organised for us to attend the <a href="http://www.navdanya.org/earth-university" target="_blank">Earth University in Dehradun</a>, in Northern India. This is an organic farm run by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vandana_Shiva" target="_blank">Dr Vandana Shiva</a>. If you've never heard of her, then I encourage you to 'google' her and watch some of her talks on seed freedom. I will get to spend two weeks with this amazing earth warrior! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was told to wear something bright. This was the brightest thing in my wardrobe! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stephen, (yep, you can't get a smile out of him easily :-), Sara, me, Frans and our darling niece.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two gorgeous girls in Indian dress. Katie looking stunning in her turquoise sari. Sara rocking the silk indian dress and pants.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes I do love him. Just wish he'd respect his older sister!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a wonderful cake! And the cupcakes were just beautiful. Thank you Sara for organising it all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And look what my lovely Mum sent me! Lionel, my lovely brother in the pic above, recently came back from a lightning visit to see our Dad who was ill. It was a well timed visit as he was able to bring my quilt back with him. My Mum made me this fabulous quilt using all the fabrics from Oz Dye Art Fabrics. My friend Michelle (apple tree girl!) and I used to screen print Australiana fabrics for the quilting fraternity. What a great job she did. I don't think we have ever seen one so colourful using every single design. Well done Mum!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been difficult to come down to earth after all the excitement of my birthday. The weather has made sure I have. We've had the wildest days! Rain and more rain. There's a swimming pool outside our back door!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chairs didn't stay upright!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A big tree hit our fence along the road side. Frans taped it off with electrical tape. This was all a ruse to keep the cows from wandering out onto the road.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He cut. I dragged the branches down to the fire pile. It took us hours!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We ended up with a couple of trailer loads of wood for next winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And to finish off this post, a pic of our dinner last night. We're getting our Indian taste buds conditioned. Fish curry. Taken from "Tasting India" by Christine Manfield. It is a beautiful cook book. Get it from the library and dream of travelling!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time... stay warm!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ami</span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-46681857112870299562014-06-03T17:15:00.003+10:002014-06-03T17:15:37.672+10:00Nala's revenge!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psycho. Named so for his crazy behaviour and ability to terrorise hens, dogs and grannies alike! Granny Pat would not enter the back yard without the protection of a broom! Nala came off second best many times when this angry rooster would fly at her and smack her about till she cowered back to the gate. Our hens were starting to slack off on their egg production. So we knew it was time that he faced the chopping block. It's not a pleasant task knocking a chook on the head. But this time we knew we had to do it. We would stop the trauma in the barnyard, we'd save on feed (we culled a few roosters at the same time), we'd provide meat for the table and the hens would hopefully start producing lovely yellow yolked eggs again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See that look! Yep, it's crazy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nala having the last laugh.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks Psycho. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cooks are more relaxed this week. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And look! Our first new little egg from one of our chicks we hatched way back in January! We're back in the egg business.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">CABIN UPDATE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been barrelling towards the finish line to get the cabin complete in the next week or two. The plumbing is connected, bar the completion of the vanity stand. That's another story. Frans is not impressed right now with my crazy idea for a hand made recycled stand. Nothing is ever as simple as it looks. It's almost done. He just had to undo it once or twice. But it really is going to look great! Really. Trust me Dear!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the mean time, Stephen, favourite Son-in-law, came to connect all the electrics. So here is a sneak peak of where we're up to.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYPtvXQQK88/U41rq70ey7I/AAAAAAAAFV0/taWTWXxh-LI/s1600/IMG_4971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NYPtvXQQK88/U41rq70ey7I/AAAAAAAAFV0/taWTWXxh-LI/s1600/IMG_4971.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lounge room area above. Painting done. Floor laid, carpet laid in bedroom. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm0XwZmHES0/U41tUlKP5SI/AAAAAAAAFW8/KUJuAdOzLkI/s1600/IMG_4963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dm0XwZmHES0/U41tUlKP5SI/AAAAAAAAFW8/KUJuAdOzLkI/s1600/IMG_4963.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bedroom light. Yes, he's standing on the bed! Sun blinds are up and curtains have now been finished and are hanging.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRxXpIYsnl8/U41tSxwNzVI/AAAAAAAAFWw/hGg4LD1wLrc/s1600/IMG_4890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRxXpIYsnl8/U41tSxwNzVI/AAAAAAAAFWw/hGg4LD1wLrc/s1600/IMG_4890.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the little kitchenette area in a corner of the living area. I love the red! That's my little bit of indulgence. A small bar fridge will go inside the far left cupboard. Shelves will go up on the wall to hold glasses and cups etc.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-0g65zDBXU/U41tSLYwaMI/AAAAAAAAFWk/S2wrwu4LaG0/s1600/IMG_4892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w-0g65zDBXU/U41tSLYwaMI/AAAAAAAAFWk/S2wrwu4LaG0/s1600/IMG_4892.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My next challenge is deciding on the splash back. I'm in favour of some beautiful hand painted Moroccan tiles (paper print out shows the sort of thing I'm looking at) or the alternative is something more neutral and possibly dead boring! </span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGy8ddP8PEE/U41tU5FNzqI/AAAAAAAAFXA/H1CYQjFPctI/s1600/IMG_4964.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vGy8ddP8PEE/U41tU5FNzqI/AAAAAAAAFXA/H1CYQjFPctI/s1600/IMG_4964.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little perspective. The kitchenette will be to the side of the sliding door that opens onto the little covered deck.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6BBLYgZgnk/U41rtmzkgsI/AAAAAAAAFWM/7prd8x_qM7s/s1600/IMG_4972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6BBLYgZgnk/U41rtmzkgsI/AAAAAAAAFWM/7prd8x_qM7s/s1600/IMG_4972.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Deck. Still covered in tools! Oh, and check out the netted garlic in the background. Jayne and I did that this week. Cocatoos and galahs foiled!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTkTOGowMsw/U410arTSe_I/AAAAAAAAFXg/hzVQFJR5P6g/s1600/10395183_10152160152501235_7523548089162803364_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTkTOGowMsw/U410arTSe_I/AAAAAAAAFXg/hzVQFJR5P6g/s1600/10395183_10152160152501235_7523548089162803364_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahhh... so pretty!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8zH097GZLk/U410a1-aCNI/AAAAAAAAFXc/IFaUuASt6go/s1600/10412014_10152155899391235_720894696683356075_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G8zH097GZLk/U410a1-aCNI/AAAAAAAAFXc/IFaUuASt6go/s1600/10412014_10152155899391235_720894696683356075_n.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And finally, something to admire... a very full dam! A decent amount of rain and the dam is back to where we like to see it. Soon we'll be complaining about the mud and soggy paddocks, but right now, it's just right! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great week.</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-33431953393692660352014-05-23T17:57:00.000+10:002014-05-23T17:57:04.819+10:00Diggers, Garlic & CWA!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been 'Action Stations' here this week! The plumbing is finally being done for the cabin. A BIG hole had to be dug to fit the septic tank. It took Wayne a whole day to dig it. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnPL5DJBHtA/U37a8Iy8VMI/AAAAAAAAFSM/qJDXQi3Eqq0/s1600/IMG_4661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FnPL5DJBHtA/U37a8Iy8VMI/AAAAAAAAFSM/qJDXQi3Eqq0/s1600/IMG_4661.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By late afternoon it was down to the final finishing touches in preparation for the cement tanks.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An impressive effort!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day the truck arrived with the septic tank and the overflow pipe.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TB-z28FwkFU/U370Bv9qDxI/AAAAAAAAFVA/WsIpLBRA3vQ/s1600/1557626_10152124535901235_8263453756572072635_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TB-z28FwkFU/U370Bv9qDxI/AAAAAAAAFVA/WsIpLBRA3vQ/s1600/1557626_10152124535901235_8263453756572072635_n.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Careful!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i96NIWa4yI/U370CbC2wcI/AAAAAAAAFVE/gQF9Z6mXA4Q/s1600/10376097_10152124536111235_33631454375425537_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i96NIWa4yI/U370CbC2wcI/AAAAAAAAFVE/gQF9Z6mXA4Q/s1600/10376097_10152124536111235_33631454375425537_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Neatly placed in the hole.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then the overflow pipe went in.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Done! All this so a toilet can be flushed!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the job wasn't quite done... A sewage pipe had to be laid from the cabin to the house to connect in with our pipes. See that blue dotted line on the driveway? Well, six burst pipes later....</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hz88UzdglwE/U37bNAaNRWI/AAAAAAAAFTA/8WM84It7r7Q/s1600/IMG_4794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hz88UzdglwE/U37bNAaNRWI/AAAAAAAAFTA/8WM84It7r7Q/s1600/IMG_4794.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's a trench running across the drive and the garden bed is about to be attacked too!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6jxPozwgHk/U37bRfMoC8I/AAAAAAAAFTM/BAq-eh7oaVs/s1600/IMG_4796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C6jxPozwgHk/U37bRfMoC8I/AAAAAAAAFTM/BAq-eh7oaVs/s1600/IMG_4796.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've not quite finished yet.. there's still the pipe to be connected under the house. Straws are being drawn... nobody wants to go there... spiders, cramped space, darkness.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And whilst there was plenty of outside action, the inside of the cabin was seeing its fair share of attention too. Frans and Andre' finished the floor! </span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3oMhKwxgX0/U37ahDS3hKI/AAAAAAAAFQw/se-QoOIbNKc/s1600/DSC00726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C3oMhKwxgX0/U37ahDS3hKI/AAAAAAAAFQw/se-QoOIbNKc/s1600/DSC00726.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The floor looks really good. The window furnishings have been ordered, made and collected. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKJhtITKCAk/U37aYa107tI/AAAAAAAAFQo/zjYlxs8fBmo/s1600/DSC00727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yKJhtITKCAk/U37aYa107tI/AAAAAAAAFQo/zjYlxs8fBmo/s1600/DSC00727.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The boys... doing a happy dance! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One more job complete. The carpet goes in on Monday.</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides all the work on and around the cabin, farm jobs still have to continue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We planted our garlic crop. Before we started we had to separate all the cloves. This chore took two days. The kitchen smell was pungent to say the least. No vampires around here! I'm over the moon with the quality of our garlic seed this year. I'm not counting my chickens just yet, but if I was, I'd say that our garlic crop is going to be sensational! The bulbs are going to be fat and big! Just think of all those fabulous plaits!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Cd-Y7zmx8s/U37aie-3rVI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/AcDnPPNOgVo/s1600/IMG_4624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Cd-Y7zmx8s/U37aie-3rVI/AAAAAAAAFQ4/AcDnPPNOgVo/s1600/IMG_4624.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The beds were dug over, weeds picked out, smoothed and pampered! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then it's a case of 'head down, bum up' till all 5000 seeds are neatly planted!</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jayne, Andre' and I planted the little cloves. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every now and then we look up and admire the view... and the impending rain clouds, and hope they stay away till we're done.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUISPIfpkIk/U37a2Ri1pXI/AAAAAAAAFRw/BvFORiYxrQc/s1600/IMG_4657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WUISPIfpkIk/U37a2Ri1pXI/AAAAAAAAFRw/BvFORiYxrQc/s1600/IMG_4657.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you think living on a farm is quiet, then think again. Our neighbour moves his cows up the lane every now and then. We stop and watch with amusement as we plant our garlic cloves. Cows, steers and heifers, all mooing and protesting loudly. They get herded to the cattle yard where they get tagged, vaccinated and rubber banded, in the case of the baby bulls. Then it's the same trip in reverse. This time they run.... they know which paddock gate to aim for and there's no stopping them! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago we pulled out all the summer vegetables. We cleaned the beds and prepared them to plant the next lot of veggies. Beetroot, carrots, Florence fennel, kale, cabbage, rocket, broad beans and loads more... My trusty shadow, Nala, is ever by my side.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A little light housekeeping to remove all the autumn leaves from the beds, gives me a chance to inspect the small seedlings that have sprung up. This area looks quite sparse now that it is cleaned up. Before long it will be bursting with produce. We're still picking lettuce, rhubarb, spinach, carrots and swedes, plus a few herbs that haven't died off yet. And yes, those are orange crocs on my feet! A fashion statement indeed! Very handy in the garden. Not to be seen in public!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The broad bean seeds have sprouted and have popped out of the ground. I like to grow nasturtiums around the outside of a couple of beds. The leaves and flowers are lovely in salads, plus they are good companion plants in the veggie patch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carrot seeds are always tricky to get going. They take on average 3 weeks to sprout. They need to be kept moist! This lot have been perfect. We'll be picking lovely carrots, all colours, from Spring all through Summer.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jxw8Z-RfT_Y/U37vQn7_NyI/AAAAAAAAFT4/lYYRuyQ7cio/s1600/IMG_4854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jxw8Z-RfT_Y/U37vQn7_NyI/AAAAAAAAFT4/lYYRuyQ7cio/s1600/IMG_4854.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I plant cabbage, I'm always tempted to plant the seedlings closer together. It seems like such a huge area for so few plants. But believe me, they get big! So I limit my cabbage patch to around 6 plants. This is just enough to give us a few great meals and to maximise the soil rotation of the garden beds.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6t4GMloKv1k/U37vUGM29cI/AAAAAAAAFUU/04HyM8zcq_E/s1600/IMG_4855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6t4GMloKv1k/U37vUGM29cI/AAAAAAAAFUU/04HyM8zcq_E/s1600/IMG_4855.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't this just an amazing looking flower? It's an artichoke! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Off the farm we've had plenty of fun too! This past week I took part in the Polwarth CWA Craft Exhibition. I entered a few of my preserves, just to 'test the water' so to speak. It's not easy beating experts in their own fields. I was pretty thrilled to have won 5 firsts and 2 seconds for my preserves and craft pieces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So here are a few of them:</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCpAAvx70hk/U37a_azTf9I/AAAAAAAAFSY/Nn4O0MMmy7U/s1600/IMG_4702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCpAAvx70hk/U37a_azTf9I/AAAAAAAAFSY/Nn4O0MMmy7U/s1600/IMG_4702.jpg" height="640" width="504" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you see the two pics above that both had gold stars? They're very special! They are the winners in the two major categories for the whole exhibition. Who would have thought that an old fashioned Raspberry Vinegar Cordial would have what it takes?! What do I get for that?</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4pSYjBWfU/U37bSEQtjUI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/_efEeDFJspw/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kk4pSYjBWfU/U37bSEQtjUI/AAAAAAAAFTQ/_efEeDFJspw/s1600/IMG_4838.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I get my picture taken with a local councillor, the Polwarth President and a lovely CWA lady who informed me her name was on the shield I'd just won NINE TIMES! I have something to aspire to! Stephen Hart kindly held onto my second trophy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember the chicks we hatched about 3 weeks ago? They've been promoted to the outside chicken kinder. They have a permanent heat light, food and water. They are getting used to the other chickens being inquisitive around their cage. And the older chickens are familiarising themselves with the new little ones. In another 3 weeks we'll open the door and let them into the big wild world; the back yard!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGKHB1csqHI/U37bEHI8kJI/AAAAAAAAFSw/zr9JcsFfxRU/s1600/IMG_4788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AGKHB1csqHI/U37bEHI8kJI/AAAAAAAAFSw/zr9JcsFfxRU/s1600/IMG_4788.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quick Autumn update: The ornamental grape vine in front of the lounge room window is spectacular at the moment. Another week or two and the leaves will be gone, allowing the winter sound to spill into the room, warming it beautifully.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8E9Hsf_6QJo/U37avHgriiI/AAAAAAAAFRU/s8Z5jyetSBU/s1600/IMG_4646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8E9Hsf_6QJo/U37avHgriiI/AAAAAAAAFRU/s8Z5jyetSBU/s1600/IMG_4646.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The paddocks are looking lovely this year. Our Autumn Break brought lots of lovely rain and the grass has been growing in the warm weather. The trees are spectacular.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0PZ4GLvXu0/U37ahpXDDcI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/ZqN8SG7qrRY/s1600/DSC00728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q0PZ4GLvXu0/U37ahpXDDcI/AAAAAAAAFQ0/ZqN8SG7qrRY/s1600/DSC00728.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if you haven't fallen asleep by now, I'll leave you with this beautiful photograph that Granny Pat took a few days ago. The fog was as thick as soup! The sun took till lunch time to shine through.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful weekend!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-76500996164388434712014-05-23T14:49:00.001+10:002014-05-23T14:49:20.123+10:00Annual Fire Night<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's a date each year that signals the end of the fire season. Farmers all around us look forward this day each year with great enthusiasm! During the dry summer months where we are not allowed to burn, fallen bark, rubbish or tree cuttings, are gathered and piled high on wood stacks all around the district. We have our own wood stack. It was a reasonably big one this year. As is usual now, we turn this burn into a social event. Glasses, wine and chairs are piled into the trailer and off to the paddock we all toddle. Usually we fill the air with Pavarotti or Puccini, but this year we changed the music selection and went with The Eagles. Wonderful!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vytgGRjHqI/U37MM3GPYaI/AAAAAAAAFPM/-iraD_wnC_o/s1600/DSC00801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vytgGRjHqI/U37MM3GPYaI/AAAAAAAAFPM/-iraD_wnC_o/s1600/DSC00801.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans has the job of lighting the fire. A bit of diesel gets the flames going. See the green grass? This gives you an idea of the rain we've had, so the wood stack needs a little help to catch fire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dogs enjoy the action too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Family gathering... and Gus the wonder dog.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fire sparkles!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rough and ready... No crystal glasses needed here...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kicking back with a little drink</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fire needs feeding. Frans scoops dry stuff from the outside edges into the flames once he can get close enough. It's very hot! One casualty of the burn was a rake. Only the metal bit remained. The handle was incinerated. Oops...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's wonderful to share a night like this with our family.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No fire is worth it's salt if it can't be used to toast marshmallows! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And so we look forward to the next night around a fire!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-54048394567022765892014-05-18T16:00:00.002+10:002014-05-18T16:00:42.236+10:00Glorious Autumn still.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hardly need to describe the current state of the land. Simply said, it's beautiful around here at the moment. Each day seems prettier than the one before. The trees are changing colour, leaves are starting to fall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A walk along our road is rewards us with these lovely views.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our neighbours' drive across the road. Spectacular. I could almost imagine I'm in Tuscany! Those poplar trees are lovely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Inquisitive cows. Not ours. Love the white noses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apples.. apples... and more apples! Jayne and Pat are gathering fruit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, it's going to be a challenge getting these nets off! We'll need to cut the green stuff poking through the nets before we pull them off. Yes, putting the nets over the trees early has it's drawbacks. But the payoff is lots of undamaged fruit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Baby Regina sniffing an apple. Almost getting a taste..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But Mother Eileen is greedy! She won't let the other cows enjoy the apples. They're all hers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't mess with the boss cow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lovely!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have had our first frost. The pumpkins are not happy! So it's time to pull all the summer veg out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Autumn harvest continus... apples, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomatoes anyone? We've roasted them, sauced them and are enjoying them any way we can! The green ones are slowly turning red. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our second batch of eggs have hatched. We began with 25 eggs. Only 13 hatched this round. It is the strangest thing when you're watching telly and you hear peeps come from the eggs... A few hours later and little chicks are out and huddling together to keep warm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our Otway Fields Products have made it to the big smoke! They're now available in Hawthorn at the Cafe' Di Lusso on Glenferri Rd. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a happy week!</span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-35586346853153148172014-04-22T13:29:00.000+10:002014-04-22T13:29:00.186+10:00Autumn harvest <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've been a little busy on the farm over the past few weeks. There has been much picking, preparing, bottling and cooking. I'm giving a quiet little sigh that that summer is over and finally we get to ease into slower days. I have been anxiously waiting for the tomatoes to fruit, and finally, just when I had almost given up on them, they seem to have exploded in numbers around the vegetable patches. There are still many green ones, and I'm watching them closely. I have made a pact with myself that this year I will NOT process any green tomatoes. Why? Because I just don't like them. I know, some folks like green tomato pickles, but I just can't be convinced. I find myself telling our customers 'don't choose that one, I don't like it'. And that's probably not the best way to sell a product. So I will instead cross my fingers and hope these little babies turn bright red so I can make another big batch of Tomato Kasundi and a big supply of our very popular Tomato and Ginger Jam. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQSgvZYhx_8/U1XXGSLaDjI/AAAAAAAAFKo/LOOPHe15y4w/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQSgvZYhx_8/U1XXGSLaDjI/AAAAAAAAFKo/LOOPHe15y4w/s1600/IMG_4380.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Gus, Andre's dog. He likes company. Here he was, keeping an eye on the tomato picking. He eats pretty much everything that is not nailed down, but he's not fussed on tomatoes! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqeykC56Y6U/U1XXFfLTmMI/AAAAAAAAFKc/IWsvk24pJJA/s1600/IMG_4383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqeykC56Y6U/U1XXFfLTmMI/AAAAAAAAFKc/IWsvk24pJJA/s1600/IMG_4383.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Kasundi in the making. Just look at the amount of spices required for a 2kg batch! I take a deep breath each time I make itas it is an expensive thing to make. But, our customers love it. And so do we. I used some as a curry base a week ago. I added coconut milk and poached some fish in the sauce. It was fabulous. Frans even had two helpings, and he's not crazy about fish. This Indian relish is also great on a little steamed rice and veggies. Mmmm.... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Green beans climbing high!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A morning in the veggie patch and Pat is picking tomatoes, I'm gathering beans, zucchini, parsnips, carrots, swedes.... I've cut back the asparagus ferns. We'll look forward to sweet spears in October or November again. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do we do with all the beans? I blanched some and froze them for use during winter. Some we just had to eat right away. A favourite South African dish is to boil beans chopped up (like the pic above), a chopped onion and a couple of potatoes together in salted water. When the beans are soft, strain off the water (keep for soup stock!), mash together the veggies. Add a little salt and white pepper and a blob of butter. Delicious!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The apple trees are heavy with fruit. There's apple action at the table most days. Apple & Ginger Jam, Apple & Rhubarb Chutney, Apple Jelly, Apple Sauce... And of course, our famous Worcestershire Sauce made with our very own organically grown garlic and apples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've canned quite a few jars of apples. These will make their way into apple crumbles and roast pork and apple sauce dinners!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's not forget the zucchinis. We have had our fair share. We love them roasted, in salads and in quiches Our favourite farm soup of the moment is Zucchini Soup. Here's our recipe:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Zucchini Soup</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2kgs grated zucchini</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 litres stock </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(we use chicken or turkey stock, whatever is in the freezer! Our own birds. Plucking a duck is not a pleasant task, so we make sure we get every little bit of value out of our birds!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 onion or a few shallot stalks or even a leek (whatever you have growing that is 'oniony') - chopped roughly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 potato - chopped roughly</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parsley - a big handful</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cloves of garlic - chopped finely</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 handfuls of grated strong cheese. I use Parmesan or similar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cream. About a cup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Salt & Pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lightly sweat the onion and garlic. Add all the rest of the ingredients and cook till everything is soft and mushy. Blitz with a hand blender. Add a little cream. Season to taste.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serve with freshly baked bread. You'll be serving up seconds!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know that the end of the zucchini season is here when you get baby zucchinis that don't seem to grow anymore. It's getting too cold. Pick them. And the flowers! Chop them up and make a delicious stir fry or quiche.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The excess pickings are blitzed and frozen in big zip lock bags. Each bag holds around 2kgs. This is just the right amount to make another batch or three of that delicious soup!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some times that we have to take a leap of faith when it comes to eating from the land... Our neighbour brought around a dish full of freshly picked field mushrooms. They pick them in their forest each Autumn. We were a little dubious in eating them. The wrong ones can kill you! These looked like mushrooms. Smelled like mushrooms. No funny colours. Lots of 'googling' and checking to make sure they were ok. We did have our neighbour's word... They were delicious. Served on a grass-fed porterhouse steak. Here's Jayne getting the fungi ready for dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">April has been a busy market month. First we had a market in Birregurra, followed by a rained out market in Colac. Then another market in Birregurra on Easter Sunday. On offer were all our new apple products, as well as the tomato jam and Kasundi. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like my new little white shelf? I picked it up from an op shop for $6. The can of spray paint cost $12. Andre' sprayed it for me for nothing. Priceless... to me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I love it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Easter Sunday Market in Birre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sold the last of our lovely garlic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a short week. We have Anzac Day on Friday. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We'll be attending the Dawn Service in Colac. This year is a special year, as Frans' brother Andre' will be playing the Last Post for the ceremony. When it's over, we'll all walk down the road to the RSL for a free breakfast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lest we forget.</span></div>
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Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-67625795478267177932014-04-03T18:03:00.002+11:002014-04-03T21:05:18.301+11:00Bula Fiji<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Twelve days in Fiji, and Frans and I have come home refreshed. I will admit that I won't go back there again in March. It was just a little too humid for me! We went once in July, and that was very nice. So that's my personal reminder for next time! Don't go at the end of the monsoon season!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I promise not to bore you completely with holiday pics. I'll only show you a few. Starting below are the obligatory sunset and sea view snaps. What can I say? If you think it looks good in the picture, then I can assure you it was fabulous in reality too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each sunset was more beautiful than the one before...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These two sun lounges were directly in front of our little burre. We spent a bit of time there....</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early morning coffee was taken on the beach, while the shadows were still over our lounges. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view from our front verandah. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The decor was basic. The air-conditioning non existent. The ceiling fans whirred for 7 days straight!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nadi is a grubby town. The day we went in for a little look around happened to be a day after a cyclone had knocked out all the power to the local stores. Every shop was in darkness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't know how confident I'd be of getting a good haircut from a shop that clearly specialises in so many things! I presume one of the gentlemen hanging up back packs is Mr Daud himself.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This shop was completely dark. My flash lit it up. You could buy a lot of plastic here! And toilet paper! And a kettle. That was my one big purchase. I bought a shiny new stainless steel stove top kettle for our Rayburn. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans was determined to travel light on this holiday. He prided himself on the fact that he only had a very small bag to take with him. That was fine, except he didn't take any swimmers with him, and the one pair of shorts he took was falling apart and covered in paint. Not exactly suitable attire for fronting up for breakfast at The Hilton! So we ventured into a couple of dark menswear stores. We found one where the sales assistants were very happy to trawl through piles of shorts by torchlight to find the right size. It seemed a good idea to try the articles on to make sure. Sizes differ in different countries... (Frans should have tried on that swim shirt! It is waaaay too big!) He was guided through the clothing racks by a young boy with a torch. While Frans changed into the new shorts in the cubicle, the attendant hung his arm over the cubicle door to give him some light. Only when we got back to our hotel did we see what the actual colour of the shorts were. Navy. Oh. Not dark grey. But the size was good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wanted to visit some farms to see how the locals grew their veggies. A taxi driver we met said he'd take us to a village in the highlands where he was friendly with a family who lived there. The village was poor. No electricity. No fridges. There was only a single generator. Around 200 people live in this village. There are a couple of TV's which get used to watch important events, such as rugby matches! Before we drove up the mountain, our driver suggested we stop at the local market where he does his personal shopping and buy some supplies. 'Aunty' would then cook us lunch. They would enjoy the variety of food we'd be bringing with us as they eat taro or cassava every day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we stopped off at a local butcher. It appeared that you could get your hair cut in the same place! It was very basic. Meat was divided by cut in to different plastic buckets under a glass refrigerated counter. It was not displayed with any of the artistic flair that our Aussie butchers have. This was just meat. I bought some round steak because it was the only meat that looked ok. Everything else looked dried, gristly or grey! I only hoped that Aunty would know what to do with this steak.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our driver helped me shop for veggies. We bought avocado, paw paw, potatoes, carrots, eggplant, lettuce (very expensive!), onions, tomatoes (also expensive) and a few other bits and pieces that I can't remember. Did I mention it was hot? I was melting! </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We drove for about an hour to what felt like top of the world. The views across the highlands was impressive</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans climbed a rock to take a few photos. This is one of them! The road was rough. No regular vehicles could attempt the clime or dodge the giant pot holes.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a clear day, you really could see forever!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On our arrival at the village, we were introduced to Aunty and her son. She has two sons and their wives and two little children living with her in her house. The house has little furniture. In one corner is a small cupboard to hold a few grocery staples. The main area of the house has a large woven mat on the floor. Most activities, like eating or the traditinoal kava welcome ceremony happen on that mat. There were a few couches lined up along the wall. No television. No proper windows, just louvres.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the kitchen stove. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The kitchen is a small alcove off the main room (the one with the mat). Here one of the daughters in law is peeling the veggies we brought whilst sitting of the floor. Aunty is chopping cassava root just inside the kitchen door. The red cupboard on the left is where they keep a little rice and a few tins of bully beef and tuna.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rosie is another daughter in law. She is well spoken and is a teacher. She came from another village to marry her husband. Arranged marriages are common.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is the spread that was laid out on a red and white cloth on the floor. Fresh fruit beautifully cut up, a delicious beef soup (that's where the steak ended up) that would provide a number of meals. The white potato looking stuff at the bottom of the shot is the cassava root. It is bland and doesn't have any real taste. Aunty suggested I put a slice of avocado on it. Well, it was bland on bland. Not really a culinary highlight. Because of the humidity, the salt is sticky and is kept in a jar. No point trying to use a salt cellar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans tucked into the delicious lunch!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is Aunty. She said we were sisters. She was referring to my butt. Nice.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A holiday in Fiji is not complete without a sunset cruise. We spent a few very pleasant hours with some of our fellow resort travellers. The sunset did not disappoint either. It was spectacular.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was one exciting moment on the cruise, when a young American fellow went down on one knee and pulled a ring out of his pocket. Frans was lucky enough to capture the proposal on camera and thankfully she said yes!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now ain't that quaint?! (Say it with an American accent!)</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep, we took a selfie. The only one. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our welcome drink when we checked into our island holiday was a cold coconut with a staw stuck into it. Delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This resort also makes the best Pinacoladas. We had one nearly every day just to test that they were consistent in their quality approach!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course there is always a Fijian night. Here's the office manager, Nai, doing her bit in the act. The staff on this island are friendly and multi talented. One day they're a crew member on a catamaran, the next they're showing you how to weave a coconut leaf basket. Then they will turn around and play guitar in the evenings whilst you sip a cocktail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The warrior dances were amusing and scared the hell out of the little kids!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going to Fiji you are forced to slip into "Fiji Time". Life is a little slower. No point rushing. Nothing wrong with that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We loved the tropical flowers. So different to our Victorian gardens. Look at this beautiful champagne coloured hibiscus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hope to go back again. One day....Now it's back to reality... and the apples are ready for harvesting!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-49535238493041395882014-02-25T17:22:00.003+11:002014-02-25T17:22:16.966+11:00Meat Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to Part 2 of our meat saga! Before we got to the butchering of the beast we slaughtered last time I posted, we said goodbye to our second calf. The usual manoeuvring ensued to get her onto the truck. Cows don't like to be singled out. They are herding animals and they prefer to move around in a mob. So even though we only needed one heifer (that's the term for a girl cow that hasn't had babies yet!) from our small herd, we still needed to move them all up to the cattle yard where we'd separate them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The deed done, the cows and bull were shuffled back to their paddock.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday II (another original name!) looked through the yard rails at me with a very forlorn look... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And just like that, she was loaded on the same truck that brought her mother to the farm just over two years ago.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following day she was put into a pen and auctioned along with a couple of our neighbour's steers. The price we got for her was very reasonable, considering the poor state of the cattle market. Heifers don't usually raise as much money as steers, so our neighbour took great pleasure in letting us know that it was his steers that made our little heifer look so good. Thanks Graham!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love visiting the cattle auction. It's the little things that fascinate me. There is an oversupply of testosterone. The fashions are impressive and the auctioneers' voices are loud and booming as they compete with the bellowing of the cattle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The origin of the cattle is listed on a sign on the pen fence. And here's our sign. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday II with her sale details stamped on her backside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One last look and she was sold! Bought by another local farmer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The auctioning is frantic. Heads nod imperceptibly, fingers raise in agreement and you never even get to see who the final buyer is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I took this photograph of these four beautifully coloured beasts. My decorator's eye fancied the red one as a floor mat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are all sorts of interesting folk at the auction. Like I said, the fashions are always interesting. The fellow with the black shirt and red hair asked me if I wanted his phone number.... I said 'thanks, but no thanks'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was Andre's first visit to a cattle sale. Here he is with our lovely neighbour, Graham. Graham is nearing 70 and he still works the cattle sales, climbing over pen rails, prodding and moving the beasts around for the prospective buyers to view from all angles. Farmers never retire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seems our month has been taken up with cows and meat. The morning after the auction, we were up very early to get started on the cutting up of the beast that had been hanging in the mobile cool room for 21 days. The sun was just breaking as we grabbed our coffees and headed into the shed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't this lovely? We never tire of the view. The cabin is nearing completion. Very soon we'll be taking bookings for the B&B that we're turning it into.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you sit on the cabin verandah, then this is the view that will greet you in the mornings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our butcher arrived on time at 6.30am and the work began. He hooked the cool room up and reversed it right up to the shed door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tables were arranged 'just so' and Chad began to do what he does best. He turned four huge lumps of meat into delectable cuts, just ready for cooking!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love Osso Bucco. The meat is sticky and oh so tasty. It's the beef equivalent of a lamb shank in my opinion, except the shank is a shin and it's much bigger!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Chad cut, I bagged the the meat while Jayne and Andre' labelled and stacked the different cuts into piles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are set for steak!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chad made around 12kgs of sausages. Watching him turn the long worms into links is amazing. I must learn how to do that! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two full tables later and our meat is all ready for the freezer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although we had regular sausages made by the butcher, we made our own Boerewors too. Somehow it takes much longer than when Chad does it! </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3eB5STRRvU/UwLWEo7PdKI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/SDxuW4PyEHM/s1600/DSC02684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G3eB5STRRvU/UwLWEo7PdKI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/SDxuW4PyEHM/s1600/DSC02684.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are spices to be scorched and mixed. Frans looks after the coriander seeds on the stove. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kneading the meat to mix all the ingredients is next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally we start feeding the sausage mix through the skins. This is a slow process. One that we will hopefully speed up next time with a faster sausage filler! eBay, here I come!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The swirls of sausage grow as we keep going.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Besides sausages, we made dozens of burgers and here Granny Pat is making meat balls for pasta and soup. Once the weather cools, we'll make our annual supply of biltong. It's a bit like beef jerky, but has many more spices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By now you'll be used to my ravings about living from the land and making the most of what we grow. To show that we're not exclusive beef eaters, here's a pic of a pie we had a couple of weeks ago. Yep, little Bunny Fufu (or Phu Phu or Phoo Phoo!) is no longer hopping through our lettuce beds! The pastry decorations were a nod to the hunter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vegetable garden is giving us plenty of zucchinis at the moment. We're eating them every which way! The ones we forget to pick that grow into huge marrows, we blitz and freeze for soups and relish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to restrain myself from pulling spent plants out of the veggie garden when I know there's one last harvest to be gathered from them. Below are a number of scraggly looking dill flowers. But look... they're going to seed! Just what I want. I collect the seeds for future planting or use them in the kitchen. They're delicious in potato salads and I have been known to toss a few into my bread dough mix.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A morning in the vegetable garden towards the end of Summer usually results in the compost bins getting quite full!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fennel is gone, leaving lovely clean, empty spots to sow new seeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spinach, lettuce and other green leaves make it into the chook house where the baby chickens, mother duck and ducklings are given a chlorophyl treat!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are light on with our egg supply at the moment. Well, it's been a while since we had more than 7 eggs a day. Some days we only have three. This spells CONSPIRACY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Granny Pat collects the eggs each day and gets most frustrated when she knows the hens are hiding their eggs from her. Frans, by chance, spotted a new hole in the side of a fresh hay roll. He hesitantly put his hand into the hole</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On his mind of course was 'snake'...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was his reward! Clever girls aren't they?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For now it seems the heat has passed us and the promise of Autumn is just around the corner. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time... enjoy the beautiful weather.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-41635259898918960802014-02-04T13:41:00.000+11:002014-02-18T14:37:24.153+11:00Farm Meat Pt 1 <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's rather confronting to slaughter an animal that you have witnessed being born, fed and raised yourself. It's been said not to name your animals, so we don't. However, we still have to identify them. So our first calf, born in on a cold, wet September day in 2012, we christened Sunday. He was born on a Sunday, so it seemed logical at the time to call him as such. After all, if Nicole and Keith can name their offspring after a day in the week, so could we! And we'd named his Mum Thursday. So let's not break with tradition! Little Sunday grew into a lovely handsome steer. Yes, we tied his balls off a few days after his birth. It's just what you do if you don't want a ranting bull running around in your paddock. We always knew we were going to slaughter him for our meat. He's lived a good life. Frans fed him on blistering cold days when the icy winds howled through the Cyprus Pines. The hay was juicy and the paddocks too wet to bother with. Sunday always came running when he saw the boss forking out hay. As Summer came along, he grazed with his mum and fellow siblings on the fresh green grass at the bottom of the paddock. When Frans mowed the grass along the fence, he was always there to munch on the clippings. Being a grass fed steer is a good life. There's freedom to roam around the farm, drink at the dam and rest under the shade of the trees. No dry earthed feed lots, cramped with other screaming cattle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A newly born calf... Sunday. What a wild ride he gave us. He was a 'forceps' baby. His first few weeks were tenuous as he grappled with the cold winter rain and winds. His first time mum, Thursday, did her best. She soon got the hang of being a mum.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then in a blink of an eye, it's a year and 4 months since the day Sunday was born. At this age, the meat on a steer is good. So with a deep breath, Frans called the slaughter man and made a date.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the morning of the home kill, Frans moved all the cattle through the yard and separated Sunday from the rest. He was calm and not distressed at all. The key is to keep any stress from the animal as this translates into tough meat. Our butcher is careful, clean and has an attitude towards the animals that he has to slaughter that is commendable. He's not hurried. He takes his time to keep the beast calm. When the moment of death comes, it's quick and deliberate. I still find the transformation from 'farm animal that I love' to 'meat' amazing. One moment the beast standing in front of you is one you have a connection with, and the next you're observing the carcass and all connection has been severed. I have to remind myself that the reason we're doing this is so we have control of our food chain. We know exactly what our animals are feeding on, how they're being treated and how they're being processed. Although the process of killing one of your own animals brings a tear to your eye, (yes it did!), we're pleased that we can be a part of the cycle that provides us with our food, and with it, we are able to respect the animals that allow us this privilege. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The tools of the trade. A bucket full of essentials... Knives, ropes and sharpening steels. The metal frame is used to balance the carcass while the skinning gets done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heavy machinery is required too! The beast weighs around 450kgs. Too heavy to manoeuvre easily. Frans borrowed our neighbour's tractor to help with the lifting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The beast is moved away from the cattle yard and into our paddock for the slaughtering. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once moved by tractor, the skinning begins. Our butcher and his off sider work quickly and efficiently.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These fellas are well practised. They know what they're doing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the skin gets cut away, it's time to lift the carcass up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back breaking work! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first delicacy that is handed over after the kill is the ox tail. I'm planning a feast of Ox Tail and Dumplings. Just like my Mum used to make! The second delicacy was the cheeks. I've been trawling the Internet for the best recipes. Long, slow cooking is required for this rare treat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not long and the skin is off. Next it's the cutting away of the guts and the rest of the smelly bits. A wheelbarrow is a handy tool. It's not only useful for gardening!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A clean cut is what is required. We don't want any piercings of any tubes or other bits!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mission accomplished. The guts are removed neatly and cleanly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When calculating the size of the beast, it's generally worked out on 'dressed weight'. This means that the skin, head, feet and guts are removed. What's left is the useable part of the beast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are left with a cleaned animal. Next is the quartering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The carcass is cut into four big hunks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a lovely cool day. No flies about. This is good!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we slaughtered our first beast a year ago, we hung it for 5 days. This time, we're going to hang it for 21 days. The idea is that the meat will become more tender as the muscle fibres break down. The cool room is supplied by our butcher. The challenge is to keep the temperature between 2 and 4 degrees on the hot days when we've had 43 degrees!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hefting the beef into the cooler is heavy work!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four quarters.... these will feed us for a good part of a year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there you have it... Approximately 250kgs of beef. We'll get steaks, osso bucco, mince, sausages and roasts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for part 2. The cutting up!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wayward calves......</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the heat we've turned off our electric fences to prevent any sparks or fires. Of course this is just an invitation to our young calves to go wandering! Barbed wire makes no difference. Here's our youngest, Misty, breaking back trough the fence!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans and I headed down to our furtherest fence line to repair the break. First he did some weeding! Gorse and Scottish Thistle had to be removed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walking around the paddock is hazardous. The pug holes from the cattle are big and deep. Twisting an ankle is easy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fencing fixed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One day last week, when it was cooler, I toddled off to Port Campbell with Granny Pat. We had lunch near the water. What a view!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took a slow drive home via the Great Ocean Rd, and stopped to say 'hello' to one of the Apostles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time... have a cool week. Drink plenty of fluids!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-39308349860604292782014-01-21T15:41:00.000+11:002014-01-21T15:41:38.072+11:00It's all about GARLIC!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our first market for the year! Birregurra. Our home base. We set up our stall bright and early last Sunday, displaying all the lovely garlic plaits we've been working on for a good week or so. We've been making jams and chutneys too. There is plenty of produce ready to be turned into something tasty at the moment! Not enough hours in the day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the nicest compliments from a customer was 'this stall looks like a piece of France'. Over the Summer, you'll find us at a few regional markets. Of course we'll be at the Birregurra Sunday Market (2nd Sunday of the month), the Forrest Australia Day Market as well as the Australia Day bash out at the Tarndwarncoort Homestead. From now till the end of the season we'll also be at the Torquay Cowrie Market. Come and say 'hi'!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our garlic comes in all shapes and sizes, and these are reflected in our plaits. No two are alike. We have around 6 varieties this year. Some are bigger favourites than others. I don't like Glenlarge. It's a miserable bulb... small, pokey little cloves popping out from the sides of the main bulb. But the Italian Purple! Love it! It has taken me two seasons to get my plaits down pat. You have to love Youtube!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before we even got to the market, we spent many hours in the old shed cleaning and working the bulbs. Old Nala found a comfortable spot right there amongst the garlic scraps! She was quite content being smothered by the dry leaves. Funny thing was, there were no flies around her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were however flies everywhere else! This is the down side of Summer! Whoever the person was that invented fly nets... take a bow! Here's Jayne cleaning garlic. It's not the cleanest job. Your eyes start to burn after a couple of hours and the dust gets up your nose! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the cleaning, the bulbs get a once over. Do I plait them, bundle them or make them a 'loose' bulb? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The plaits are lovely. They add a little bit of the Mediterranean to any kitchen. Aesthetics aside, they're practical to have on hand. Simply snip the bulbs off the braid as you need them. Top down please... or your lovely braid will unravel!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sara came home after we'd harvested the garlic. Here she is with her first plait... Don't worry my dear Sara, there's always next year to keep practising! </span></div>
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DAIRY VISIT @ the Troughton Farm</div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Farming is hard work! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">On a Saturday afternoon, when most folks were kicking back with a few wines or coldies, we visited our nearby neighbours, Paul and WendyJane. They have a lovely herd of black and white dairy cows, plus a few odd ball colours thrown in here and there. These girls get milked twice a day. No days off. Wake up for the farmers is at an ungodly hour of around 4am. Really?!! I'm still in la la land. Cows don't wait. When they're ready... they're ready!</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1P2gMQa6g3c/UtXhVzSYDXI/AAAAAAAAEmc/cY88nwnmxHs/s1600/DSC02407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1P2gMQa6g3c/UtXhVzSYDXI/AAAAAAAAEmc/cY88nwnmxHs/s640/DSC02407.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Farmer Paul</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">These girls below are waiting their turn! And they're very curious too.</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUiJotWyMSU/UtXhaxKjbHI/AAAAAAAAEnE/8S1R-e7WCnY/s1600/DSC02423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUiJotWyMSU/UtXhaxKjbHI/AAAAAAAAEnE/8S1R-e7WCnY/s640/DSC02423.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Attaching the cups to the teats is a practised art. WendyJane has this technique in the bag. Or bucket...</span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YK0epL35NI/UtXhYFiwhyI/AAAAAAAAEms/yDNsaCr3N-I/s1600/DSC02413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7YK0epL35NI/UtXhYFiwhyI/AAAAAAAAEms/yDNsaCr3N-I/s640/DSC02413.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Here the cows are leaving the milking shed once they're finished being milked. Sometimes they like to hang around and see what else is happening!</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lr5cFdtcn4/UtXhV_YYfTI/AAAAAAAAEmY/bFlZbLQtRYs/s1600/DSC02412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lr5cFdtcn4/UtXhV_YYfTI/AAAAAAAAEmY/bFlZbLQtRYs/s640/DSC02412.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Then it was Sara's turn at attaching the cups. </span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZONHTg4XOk/UtXhYahfBNI/AAAAAAAAEm0/EHq_azfpgdU/s1600/DSC02419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZONHTg4XOk/UtXhYahfBNI/AAAAAAAAEm0/EHq_azfpgdU/s640/DSC02419.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Once she'd been shown by WendyJane, she gave it a go on her own. Not too difficult.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Standing between the rows of cows can be hazardous.... there are plenty of body functions taking place at the same time as the cows being milked! Best spot is dead centre of the aisle!</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBrfUvHSj1k/UtXheSdbjMI/AAAAAAAAEnc/Fdr18mDxvE4/s1600/DSC02438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WBrfUvHSj1k/UtXheSdbjMI/AAAAAAAAEnc/Fdr18mDxvE4/s640/DSC02438.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Boo is the farm dog. He's a clever boy. He's an excellent guard dog, and his bark is definitely worse than his bite!</span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DIYdmxhA9I/UtXhVlX-LrI/AAAAAAAAEmU/iQdJUrn-zTw/s1600/DSC02408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--DIYdmxhA9I/UtXhVlX-LrI/AAAAAAAAEmU/iQdJUrn-zTw/s640/DSC02408.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">After the milking session, the excess milk gets fed to the calves. Yes, think about it for a minute... To get the cows to give milk, they need to have calves. The female calves are removed from the mothers and hand reared on left over milk. The male calves don't make it. They get sent to the abattoirs for dog meat. </span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETIxoF_jbrg/UtXhe9Ovf2I/AAAAAAAAEng/KxQJ9silhwc/s1600/DSC02450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETIxoF_jbrg/UtXhe9Ovf2I/AAAAAAAAEng/KxQJ9silhwc/s640/DSC02450.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">No matter the species... babies are always cute!</span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vyvf_nreeCk/UtXhgPAT1eI/AAAAAAAAEns/wNThikQXRNg/s1600/DSC02453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vyvf_nreeCk/UtXhgPAT1eI/AAAAAAAAEns/wNThikQXRNg/s640/DSC02453.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Just like our new chicks....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We were given an incubator by our friends Mark and Viv from Brisbane. We put 16 eggs in it and counted 21 days. Each day we turned the eggs three times (well, some days we forgot, and some days they got 5 turns, but they all evened out eventually) and we took the temperature to make sure we had the dial at the right spot. Much tweaking was made. Sometimes too hot, sometimes too cold. It didn't seem to matter much, as 21 days later, the eggs started cracking and funny wet looking little chicks emerged.</span></span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4QnuW00xUA/UtXhhzcO8-I/AAAAAAAAEoE/oa9goLlkrIk/s1600/IMG_3412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o4QnuW00xUA/UtXhhzcO8-I/AAAAAAAAEoE/oa9goLlkrIk/s640/IMG_3412.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">We left the hatchlings in the incubator for the first 24 hours, then we moved them to their new home. A cardboard box with a bright light!</span></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBGb-Z9X_JM/UtXhiuYwmHI/AAAAAAAAEoI/ZmNAEOAXEBg/s1600/IMG_3415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WBGb-Z9X_JM/UtXhiuYwmHI/AAAAAAAAEoI/ZmNAEOAXEBg/s640/IMG_3415.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">There were a few cuddles to be had, and lots of clucking....</span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiS4YEKqU9Y/UtXhjGX4wII/AAAAAAAAEoU/Tvdvl0CKzYU/s1600/IMG_3416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WiS4YEKqU9Y/UtXhjGX4wII/AAAAAAAAEoU/Tvdvl0CKzYU/s640/IMG_3416.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEq-RHCwVl8/UtXhkOtJdrI/AAAAAAAAEok/qdwwxz3sTuA/s1600/IMG_3419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kEq-RHCwVl8/UtXhkOtJdrI/AAAAAAAAEok/qdwwxz3sTuA/s640/IMG_3419.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PRAyi8fCpo/UtXhmbPLVRI/AAAAAAAAEpE/aCULKBF5Z2o/s1600/IMG_3437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7PRAyi8fCpo/UtXhmbPLVRI/AAAAAAAAEpE/aCULKBF5Z2o/s640/IMG_3437.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You would think that we would have been old hands at raising day old chicks and ducklings by now.... But we still made the mistake of leaving a dish with water that was slightly too deep in the box and we lost a chick by drowning. The best method of feeding them water is to fill a dish with stones and pouring the water between the stones. That way, the chicks can climb out and not get stuck in the dish. Of the original 16 eggs, we finally ended up with 10 healthy chicks. Cross fingers that most of them are hens.... Or we'll be eating lots of chook in a few weeks!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>KITCHEN ACTION</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last year for my birthday, I was given this wonderful canning pressure cooker by my good friend Michelle Steel from Brisbane. We gave it a good whirl with a big batch of apricots. We'll enjoy them with muesli and yoghurt and in crumbles. I'm hanging out for this year's apples... Lots of canning coming up.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaN7Vt6FGW4/UtXhmpUlSCI/AAAAAAAAEpI/yNmWLZ2lqAQ/s1600/IMG_3439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AaN7Vt6FGW4/UtXhmpUlSCI/AAAAAAAAEpI/yNmWLZ2lqAQ/s640/IMG_3439.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The veggie garden is doing well. We are picking lots of herbs, spinach, beetroot, salad leaves and shallots. We're waiting for the carrots. But more importantly.. where are the tomatoes! I planted all my tomatoes on Grand Final Day. For those who have forgotten, that event is in September! I'm still to see a red tomato anywhere in the garden. Our season is very late this year. We're also just starting to pick our zucchinis, but still waiting for the eggplant and capsicums. We wait patiently...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQAfV5EdaXI/UtXhoklldxI/AAAAAAAAEpk/yOvQyhlU7-s/s1600/IMG_3445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQAfV5EdaXI/UtXhoklldxI/AAAAAAAAEpk/yOvQyhlU7-s/s640/IMG_3445.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The large white flowers in the bed above are carrot flowers. I'm letting them go to seed so I have my next supply of seeds.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiKYvXrL85k/UtXhrWMDStI/AAAAAAAAEp4/1smKe4W6F4k/s1600/IMG_3446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiKYvXrL85k/UtXhrWMDStI/AAAAAAAAEp4/1smKe4W6F4k/s640/IMG_3446.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The same story goes for the silver beet hanging untidily over the right bed edge and the dill flowers. Sometimes I get impatient and want to tidy up, but I know I'm compromising my seed stock if I do. Patience is definitely a game to be learned when growing food!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-X3-gx1EJA/UtXhqSGY2YI/AAAAAAAAEps/bAo5pToZVug/s1600/IMG_3449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-X3-gx1EJA/UtXhqSGY2YI/AAAAAAAAEps/bAo5pToZVug/s640/IMG_3449.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nasturtiums. I love their bright colours. And they're a great addition to any salad. I throw in the flowers and the leaves. All edible and deliciously peppery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sadly, the peas came to an end a couple of weeks ago. We'd been enjoying them podded raw and thrown into our salads. I've collected the last few and they've gone into the freezer for a later date. A few stray broad beans made it into the mix too. Did I mention before how delicious Broad Bean soup is? I'll post a recipe next time!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0iG41JNh7k4/UtXhr43m1LI/AAAAAAAAEqE/TGgUCvLo-SA/s1600/IMG_3471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0iG41JNh7k4/UtXhr43m1LI/AAAAAAAAEqE/TGgUCvLo-SA/s640/IMG_3471.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our egg supply has been a little light on for the past few weeks. Granny Pat discovered why. One of the chooks has made a nest in the centre of a Cyprus Pine near the bottom paddock gate. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mother chicken hops off her eggs occasionally to get a bite to eat, and then she returns for another session of 'sitting'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're not exactly sure when she started sitting on her eggs. We probably didn't miss her in the nightly count, and she's probably been in the tree for a while. We did have a wild thunder storm last week and we hope the eggs won't 'turn'. This can happen when there's a lot of loud thunder and lightning about. Don't ask me how.. but it's true. Exploding eggs... been there... smelt that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a week of horrific temperatures. Four days straight of the mercury racing above 40 degrees. Thank goodness we have a pool. It may be old and not so pretty... but it was cold, clean and refreshing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor Gus the Lab, found cool comfort in the leak beside one of our water tanks. He'd plop himself in the water puddle and stay there for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're around the region on Australia Day, there is a great event happening at Tarndi. We'll be there with our tasty goodies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And Andre' and Jayne will be taking our stall to the event in Forrest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a wonderful long weekend. Enjoy you day wherever you may find yourself!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-44194943645074547402014-01-02T17:53:00.000+11:002014-01-02T17:53:23.792+11:00Gearing up for a hot Summer - we think!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just look at that sky! Some days the sunsets are so pretty, that we just have to stop and enjoy the moment. Our little cabin faces East. The orange coloured skies are a reflection of the sunset at the opposite end of the farm. It won't be too much longer now and we'll be able to start taking bookings for visitors to share our lovely views and all the experiences the Otways have to offer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But before we get there, we have a little more work left to do. The digging for the pipes was done just before Christmas. It's a amazing how quickly a big and difficult job can be done with the right equipment. It only took a couple of days for Reece to dig the trenches and lay the pipes.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The rain water that will collect on the cabin roof will be fed into a water tank and be used to top up the swimming pool in the hot weather. In a week or so a BIG hole will be dug to fit the septic tank and another trench will be dug across the driveway. Oh bliss... As an aside.... Granny Pat has a few lovely Irises that she's wanting to plant in the garden bed close to where the trenches will be laid. Her catch cry at the moment is "when is the plumber coming to fix the pipes?"</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTlVJO_1JFo/UsUCTxxz8mI/AAAAAAAAEi8/urae1FBPM7k/s1600/IMG_3219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTlVJO_1JFo/UsUCTxxz8mI/AAAAAAAAEi8/urae1FBPM7k/s640/IMG_3219.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've mentioned before that I do not like shopping. Especially in busy, noisy shopping centres in the city. However, I do enjoy a browse at the local co-op. They have such interesting things there! Do you know what this is?</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-194G6GyHQ34/UsUCRElBxxI/AAAAAAAAEik/G9ne1KYkRLE/s1600/IMG_3221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-194G6GyHQ34/UsUCRElBxxI/AAAAAAAAEik/G9ne1KYkRLE/s640/IMG_3221.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The green thing with the orange teats is a very clever device used to feed baby calves. Next time you open the fridge door at your supermarket to pull out a $1 litre of milk, spare a thought for the cows that are milked twice a day to bring you your tea or coffee with milk, and all those yummy cheeses and yoghurts that you may enjoy. Dairy cows need to have babies to keep them giving milk. When they calve, the female babies are removed from the mums and fed with these contraptions till they are old enough to be put on a special farm that will raise them to become dairy cows. The mothers will be milked for some time till it's time to get them back in calf. What happens to the male calves you ask?? Well, that's the unpleasant fact of bringing you a glass of milk.... the male calves are taken to the slaughter house and turned into dog food, mostly.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEKwvMXgZwM/UsUCTT5Z3hI/AAAAAAAAEi4/oWesa3ECyDs/s1600/IMG_3223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sEKwvMXgZwM/UsUCTT5Z3hI/AAAAAAAAEi4/oWesa3ECyDs/s640/IMG_3223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our local co-op. Much more fun to explore than a regular shopping centre!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAGYtEt-jaI/UsUCTr_H-BI/AAAAAAAAEi0/sBYMnEJl0Wo/s1600/IMG_3227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAGYtEt-jaI/UsUCTr_H-BI/AAAAAAAAEi0/sBYMnEJl0Wo/s640/IMG_3227.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was our purchase for the day. A 1000 litre plastic tank to store water in for the fire season. I was rather chuffed to see that the original use for this tank was as wine storage! The co-op man was kind enough to hose the tank out, give it a good clean and load it onto our trailer. All for fifty bucks. Not bad. </span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NwIT6dCxU0/UsUCU-EClgI/AAAAAAAAEjM/eNg_wYmt6Ko/s1600/IMG_3228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NwIT6dCxU0/UsUCU-EClgI/AAAAAAAAEjM/eNg_wYmt6Ko/s640/IMG_3228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spotted.... the security officer... staying cool in the shade.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course Christmas was fast approaching...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our friend Katie came from the city to spend Christmas Eve with us. She had fun hanging bright silver baubles on the willow tree.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do girls do before Christmas Eve dinner? They paint their nails whilst drinking bubbles in the afternoon sun. Sara and Katie. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each Christmas Eve I prepare our family feast. It has become our tradition to stick with the favourites. So for our starter we always have this fabulous Smoked Salmon and Avocado Salsa. Frans does NOT like avo, but he'll eat this dish and I always need to make left overs for the next day! Of course we have the usual ham (this year we tried a new glaze; rhubarb & ginger which was fabulous!), roast chicken stuffed with tarragon and of course the family favourite of potato bake. Extra dishes are also requested for those going home the next day. There's nothing like eating left over potato bake for the next 3 days along with the left over ham!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life can get rather busy on the farm. We don't have much time to sit down, put our feet up and just spend a few hours reading. So our present to ourselves this year was to have two days off. Totally. This is how I spent my down time... Under the willow tree with a good book!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two days off and it's back to work. The garlic is ready. All of it! Frans, our friend Richard and I, dug up the 3000 odd bulbs we'd planted all those months ago.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It took us two days to pull the bulbs from the ground, dust them off, sort them and store them in the old shed.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's nothing automatic about planting or harvesting garlic. Every process is done by hand. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is not a bad way to spend a pleasant day in the sun. Only the flies are a constant challenge. Wearing a fly net is the only way to retain your sanity!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's all hands on deck when we're harvesting. Here's Granny Pat sorting the garlic into our categories. She created a new category. It's called 'piddly'! Yep, there are some small babies in the mix. But they'll be fine in stocks or our famous Worchestershire Sauce. Nothing will go to waste. Our aim is to keep developing our stock to all be fat and big!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We did put up our market marquee for shade later in the morning. What a difference that made! No point getting burnt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And when we thought the day was done, well... there was berry picking to be done. Our blackberries are starting to ripen. The raspberries are still coming on beautifully. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally... the boys relax with a well earned drink. A good day's work. Here are our good mate Richard (from the city) and Frans. Nala obviously found the work exhausting too...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The farm next door has had it's hay cut and baled. Round bales are scattered around the paddocks. It is such a picture. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This view is easy on the eye....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Till next time, have a wonderful week.</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-9869670591739842232013-12-17T20:16:00.000+11:002013-12-17T20:16:19.625+11:00Rolling on towards Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you happen to drive down our road on a cool, still morning, you'll most likely see something like this... A group of walkers and a dog. The eldest walker, Granny Pat, is waaaayyy up front. The dawdler is me. If you have to go for a walk, then there couldn't be anywhere nicer to do it. Summer is coming, and with it the flies. Walking now without a fly net is not an option anymore. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some vegetables that I just don't like growing. Brassicas fall into this category. I find them finicky and temperamental. So I kept my planting to a few plants only; cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli. We had success with the broccoli. They grew into beautiful tight green heads, but what an investment in veggie bed real estate they require! After the head of the broccoli is cut off, you're left with this useless stalk with big green leaves. The chooks didn't mind the leaves... much. Then there were the caulies. Fail. Brownish looking heads appeared, all pock marked with insect activity. Gave them the heave ho. They bypassed the chooks and went straight to the compost pile. Then there was the cabbage. And oh my.... what a successful crop we had! The only problem was that we had to pick them all at once. It was then that the great cabbage cook off of 2013 began!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each cabbage weighed an average of around 2kgs. After the outer leaves were cleaned up and the odd slug removed, the nice looking leaves were blanched in boiling, salted water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the heads were shredded for coleslaw.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back to the blanched leaves... We stuffed them. Two ways. The first variation had rice, mint, feta, herbs and an egg to bind all the ingredients together. The rolls were gently poached in a little chicken stock in the pan.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second option we stuffed with rice, minced beef, herbs and baked them in an Italian style tomato sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final cabbage selection on the menu for dinner that night was a very simple one. Bacon fried lightly, then cabbage chunks stacked on top of the bacon. A few dabs of butter dotted on the top and the lid placed on and the stove top turned down low. The steam wilted the cabbage and the bacon flavours carried through the leaves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The final verdict at the dinner table was that this one, this pale insipid looking dish was the most delicious. My favourite was the rice, mint and feta stuffed rolls. Or was it the other lot? We've been asked by many who knew about the cabbage night if it was windy at our place the following day. Happy to say.. NO. Only a light breeze or two.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But let us not forget the sauerkraut..... Who's idea was it again? I had a lovely pottery crock that was begging to be used for something like this. So we followed the instructions from my preserving book. It all looked quite good. I then popped the big urn in the pantry cupboard where it needed to remain at a constant temperature as it started to ferment and do what sauerkraut has to do. I was starting to get complaints from fellow family members when they opened the cupboard. 'what smells in here'? Finally I dragged out the pot and left it on the kitchen bench. After a couple more days and more complaints, I decided to investigate what was happening. First the water filled zip lock bag came off the saucer holding all the 'stuff' down. Then came the saucer and the muslin. Looked ok. I bent down and took a deep breath, came up and started heaving. Words fail me. It was revolting. Another vegetable that bypassed the chooks and went directly to the compost pile! Epic fail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fortunately not too many flops come out of our kitchen. We've been in Christmas baking mode for a couple of weeks. A few pre Christmas markets have allowed us to experiment and make some fun goodies to eat. We've turned out shortbread, fudge, coconut ice and Christmas cakes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Market day at Birregurra. Pretty cakes all lined up along with the sweet treats!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who fancies a mince pie then? Jayne's pies jumped off the table!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a great market. The day was lovely. The music excellent and chatting to our local friends and customers was a nice way to spend the morning. We'll be back again in January, sans the Christmas fare. But wait.. there will be more! Our berries are ripening and the picking has begun in earnest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes we have ideas to change something on the farm, but we don't have the time or something else gets in the way. Netting the raspberry patch completely with a proper door was one of these jobs on our 'to do' list. Along came Andre', Frans' brother. He got stuck into the enclosure and in a few days we had a fantastic area where no birds could get trapped and we were guaranteed of getting all the berries. Thank you Andre'!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Picking these berries has become a twice a day ritual. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A full colander holds about a kilo of berries. It's easy to spend an hour in the morning and the evening picking a load like this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In between berry picking, digging up garden beds to get rid of the weeds (I should have mulched them earlier!), it's good to stop and enjoy what the garden has to offer. The cornflowers are starting to bloom. And the blue is truly 'cornflower blue'! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See those red geraniums? I brought a cutting with me from our house in Melbourne. A lovely old gentleman lived around the corner from our house. He's lived in Ashwood for over 60 years. These geraniums have been grown continuously from plants he has had in his yard over the years. Before we left Melbourne, he pressed a few scraggly cuttings into my hand and said to take them with me to our new home. Well,they are thriving. When I look at them I always think of Jeff and Leslie. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v56j_AxJ3sI/Uq9-s0wjaGI/AAAAAAAAEf0/ny0bxfVqRh4/s1600/IMG_3168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v56j_AxJ3sI/Uq9-s0wjaGI/AAAAAAAAEf0/ny0bxfVqRh4/s640/IMG_3168.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did say we're doing a lot of pulling out of plants this week didn't I? Here the broad beans are catching their last rays of sun before getting picked. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYe2z5Z0DUA/Uq9-tyOr5GI/AAAAAAAAEf8/tQbGm_TdR4g/s1600/IMG_3178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYe2z5Z0DUA/Uq9-tyOr5GI/AAAAAAAAEf8/tQbGm_TdR4g/s640/IMG_3178.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm letting the Florence Fennel climb right to the sky! I'm no longer interested in the bulbs, rather the seeds. Fennel salad is a firm favourite in our house. More salad green seeds have been sown. Evening meals are a constant feast with salads made from all the different leaves picked from the garden. We're not averse to throwing in a few nasturtium flowers, dill sprigs, raw broad beans and a smattering of raw, sweet peas. Only the simplest dressing is required; a little lemon juice and olive oil or a little aged balsamic vinegar.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VdgyrI6Heg/Uq9-xG3ijsI/AAAAAAAAEgY/LhX1Ug31it0/s1600/IMG_3179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7VdgyrI6Heg/Uq9-xG3ijsI/AAAAAAAAEgY/LhX1Ug31it0/s640/IMG_3179.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The broad bean haul of the day!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AoyCf8fRbho/Uq9-vlQXL2I/AAAAAAAAEgM/-VudnGoDj8o/s1600/IMG_3181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AoyCf8fRbho/Uq9-vlQXL2I/AAAAAAAAEgM/-VudnGoDj8o/s640/IMG_3181.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few hours of shelling and we have a little over 5kgs of shelled broad beans. What are we going to do with them you may ask? Soup. Delicious broad bean soup. And we've frozen a lot. When we need them we'll dump them in some boiling water for a few minutes, then pop the soft dark green fleshy bits out of the tougher outer shell. These will be served with lamb chops or smashed as a topping for bruchette. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8cGcyD-iyEs/Uq9-wVTGcdI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/B-YByInjXHU/s1600/IMG_3195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8cGcyD-iyEs/Uq9-wVTGcdI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/B-YByInjXHU/s640/IMG_3195.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I gave you a cabin update. Will all the wedding excitement and start of Summer preparations on the farm, the cabin renovations have been on hold. But this week the work has begun again! Yay! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans and Andre' have plastered the internal walls and the girls helped lift the ceiling sheets into place. It took five adults to do this task, two ladders, two dogs and about an hour of discussion to decide which way was best. In the end it came down to the two boys lifting the sheets with a little help from this girl, and the other two girls, well, one girl and an eighty year old granny, moving ladders and holding things in place. It all worked like a dream. We are just miffed that we didn't film it for uTube. Our efforts could have entertained a few millions!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are some tasks that are much easier to do if you call in the experts. So the plumbers have come to fix our pipes. Frans' buddy Wayne from the Camera Club and his son Reece (great name for a plumber!) have started plumbing in the internal pipes, putting up the spouting and gutters and preparing for the very big and messy job of digging a big hole for the septic tank.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXZmdJmIhQk/Uq9-zIzc24I/AAAAAAAAEg0/6hWa9gUze3I/s1600/IMG_3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXZmdJmIhQk/Uq9-zIzc24I/AAAAAAAAEg0/6hWa9gUze3I/s640/IMG_3202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking at the picture above, you can see a 'little' burn off conducted by the DSE yesterday. The seat of that fire is 3kms from us. We're happy to see them burn now before the heat of summer.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzxcq9ozCC8/Uq9-y5N_A4I/AAAAAAAAEgs/fXvxtzoRwDc/s1600/IMG_3204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yzxcq9ozCC8/Uq9-y5N_A4I/AAAAAAAAEgs/fXvxtzoRwDc/s640/IMG_3204.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As soon as all the outside work is complete on the cabin, we'll start the landscaping around it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GARLIC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We pulled a little test bed out of the ground this week. These bulbs are an early variety called Glenlarge. I have to say it's not my favourite variety. It has a tendency to split. But no garlic needs to be wasted. These little cloves will be used in stocks and our wonderful Worchestershire sauce.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqG8SByh2WQ/Uq9-sJFsECI/AAAAAAAAEfs/pbft1bxRn7E/s1600/IMG_3142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqG8SByh2WQ/Uq9-sJFsECI/AAAAAAAAEfs/pbft1bxRn7E/s640/IMG_3142.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cleaning up the stalks before they get bundled is best done outside, in the shade.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdB5X6eyLKo/Uq9-zAKvE1I/AAAAAAAAEgw/DTcINDp4eTE/s1600/IMG_3206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cdB5X6eyLKo/Uq9-zAKvE1I/AAAAAAAAEgw/DTcINDp4eTE/s640/IMG_3206.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jayne learned how to plait a hank of garlic. I'm not the world's best teacher. My plaits tend to verge on 'rustic'. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYjyqpvgLAI/Uq9-1NYadTI/AAAAAAAAEhI/9t2BcI_PEp0/s1600/IMG_3209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GYjyqpvgLAI/Uq9-1NYadTI/AAAAAAAAEhI/9t2BcI_PEp0/s640/IMG_3209.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strong fingers and hands are required to manipulate the stalks into the plaits.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLryTq2Nco8/Uq9-0u65DbI/AAAAAAAAEhE/VmEdEuVWUrU/s1600/IMG_3210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLryTq2Nco8/Uq9-0u65DbI/AAAAAAAAEhE/VmEdEuVWUrU/s640/IMG_3210.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ta Da! This little plait will hang for a week or so and then the 'beard' bits will be trimmed off and it will look oh so pretty!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H-9tkkV1so/Uq9-1VW8E5I/AAAAAAAAEhM/IcrYTGcHP-Y/s1600/IMG_3211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1H-9tkkV1so/Uq9-1VW8E5I/AAAAAAAAEhM/IcrYTGcHP-Y/s640/IMG_3211.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sunflowers are starting to bloom. I plant them for Frans, the bees and because they look lovely. When they are past their prime, they get dried and the chooks enjoy the seeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bees.... Doing their thing. Wonderful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And finally.... this is what we have to look forward this week. A stinking day is coming up. I feel a little panic when I see these high temps. I know my lettuce plants, parsley, coriander and half a dozen other veggies are going to bolt! Not much I can do about it, except cut them down short if possible and keep the water up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is only a week to go before we sit down to Christmas Eve dinner. The menu is half planned. We wait for the final touches when we wander through the garden on the morning of the dinner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hope you all have a wonderful week preparing for Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember to enjoy the ride!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-52414533957589311552013-12-04T11:45:00.002+11:002013-12-04T11:45:42.221+11:00Bikes, cakes, bees and dogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For our American friends, Happy Thanksgiving... that was last week! We decided to have our own Thanksgiving Dinner. We wrote 'thank you' notes for each person at the table. Our meal started off with Buffalo Chicken wings and blue cheese sauce. Our main meal consisted of home grown turkey (from next door), mash potato, caramelised sweet potato, beans with blue cheese and walnuts and a delicious fennel gratin. Our friend Norma made the vegetable dishes. They were wonderful. Then to top it all off, our American friend Jo made the desserts. Not one, but two fabulous pies. What else would we enjoy but pecan pie and pumpkin pie?! A lovely evening spent with lovely friends and family.</span><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-ds6ydoyeU/Up1rv2yTXpI/AAAAAAAAEdE/elSO8tdbLuk/s1600/IMG_3009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-ds6ydoyeU/Up1rv2yTXpI/AAAAAAAAEdE/elSO8tdbLuk/s640/IMG_3009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Great Victorian Bike Ride came to town last week.... well, more specifically, it came to Gellibrand and then went on to Birregurra. I've been part of a small group of artists who have started up a small local art gallery in Gellibrand, "The Gellibrand River Gallery". (you can find and 'like' us on Facebook!) We knew that the little village would be inundated with bike riders and their support staff. So we started preparing the gallery... adding more stock and making arrangements to greet 7000 odd cyclists and their travelling buddies. We set up our Otway Fields tables outside and offered our locally grown and bottled preserves and jams for sale. I made a fist full of bike related jewellery and we were set to go!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvKq18VHUIU/Up1rObiZ8fI/AAAAAAAAEa8/x66VuiQrP4E/s1600/IMG_3017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvKq18VHUIU/Up1rObiZ8fI/AAAAAAAAEa8/x66VuiQrP4E/s640/IMG_3017.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fast riders started arriving early, around 9.30am, and the stragglers kept coming in all day. The carnival atmosphere started to kick off. It was such fun, chatting to riders from all over the state, and from further away. They were good natured and pumped to have made it over the very steep hills that lead into Gellibrand from Port Campbell. The weather could have been a little more amenable, as it was cold and drizzly for most of the day. The riders didn't care. They were happy with hot coffee, lollies, fudge and Anzac biscuits!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrDqOeingkg/Up1rN_vyTpI/AAAAAAAAEa4/fAEP-wGxCVQ/s1600/IMG_3018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jrDqOeingkg/Up1rN_vyTpI/AAAAAAAAEa4/fAEP-wGxCVQ/s640/IMG_3018.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jayne made a batch of wonderful of Christmas cakes. As she was putting them out on the table, the locals were snapping them up as fast as they could! They were a hit! So guess what Jayne is doing this week.... Yup... making more cakes! And yes, she's taking orders... $12 per cake, and you get a delicious Christmas cake, sprinkled with brandy, decorated with nuts and fruit or straight white icing (my favourite!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RSrahDn7_fs/Up1rO0FNeYI/AAAAAAAAEbA/3Z2ak6cOv2g/s1600/IMG_3020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RSrahDn7_fs/Up1rO0FNeYI/AAAAAAAAEbA/3Z2ak6cOv2g/s640/IMG_3020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coconut Ice, Fudge and Gellibrand fridge magnets by Jan Verouden were ever so popular.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arxdfbh__y8/Up1rQtl9mkI/AAAAAAAAEbU/AZZkYF5di9A/s1600/IMG_3022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-arxdfbh__y8/Up1rQtl9mkI/AAAAAAAAEbU/AZZkYF5di9A/s640/IMG_3022.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there was the cordial... Straight Lime, or Lime Lemongrass & Ginger. These are so good. Sip one of these and you'll think you're in an exotic place far away... We've road tested them and they pass muster. We enjoyed ours with a splash of vodka. Well, it was after 5pm....</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aooIlEZSIME/Up1rP7EKTtI/AAAAAAAAEbM/bY0smqKcCcg/s1600/IMG_3023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aooIlEZSIME/Up1rP7EKTtI/AAAAAAAAEbM/bY0smqKcCcg/s640/IMG_3023.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me tell you about the Anzac Biscuits... They are delicious. Frans will vouch for that. A while back I made around 600 biscuits for a CWA event. I needed to put them in specific jars. Well, it took me 100 biscuits to get them right size. I kept making them too big to fit through the hole in the jar! What became of the 100 'wrong' ones you may ask?? Frans worked his way through them in about a week! Then he was perplexed as to why he had put on 3kgs! I wonder.....???</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pse0C-K_UqQ/Up1rR1Np1cI/AAAAAAAAEbk/hqGsSjczBww/s1600/IMG_3024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pse0C-K_UqQ/Up1rR1Np1cI/AAAAAAAAEbk/hqGsSjczBww/s640/IMG_3024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fellow below was one of the first riders to come into Gellibrand. Andre' had a good chat with him. He was gregarious and friendly. AND.. he was from New Zealand! He had a funny accent and Jayne and I thought he was awesome as he called us 'Wee Lassies'.... Nothing 'wee' about us at all... :-)</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6uRQhs-erg/Up1rRhEKx6I/AAAAAAAAEbg/PkTZ9bOB5TM/s1600/IMG_3026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6uRQhs-erg/Up1rRhEKx6I/AAAAAAAAEbg/PkTZ9bOB5TM/s640/IMG_3026.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have never seen a spectacle such as this.... the organisation was incredible. This was just a small snatch of 'tent city'. Thousands of tents, portable showers and toilets... Oh.. that reminds me of a story we heard. On the morning of the riders' departure from Gellibrand, the truck moving the toilets from their moorings heard a scream for help.... there was a poor bugger still sitting on the Dunny as the cubicle was being towed away! Not a good way to start the day I would think.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbW-m55RVRE/Up1rSEoV3II/AAAAAAAAEbo/JL15d9vWdAA/s1600/IMG_3036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IbW-m55RVRE/Up1rSEoV3II/AAAAAAAAEbo/JL15d9vWdAA/s640/IMG_3036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tent City! One day a farm paddock, the next a sea of tents! I'm not sure if this is my idea of fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there's stuff happening on the farm...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frans has been checking the hives once a week to see how the honey production is coming along. We had no honey at all last year. The summer was too hot and there was no rain. The bees spent all their time carrying water into the hive and keeping the hive cool. We are hopeful that we'll be able to rob the hives in a few weeks and collect enough honey to keep us sweet for till next year!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egV_8r_24oY/Up1reodwToI/AAAAAAAAEb8/eqSCC18Rkdo/s1600/IMG_2841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egV_8r_24oY/Up1reodwToI/AAAAAAAAEb8/eqSCC18Rkdo/s640/IMG_2841.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have two different sized hives. One has large frames, and two have small half sized frames. The theory is that the small frames will fill with combs and honey quicker. Makes sense.. but these still have a way to go.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj_84a_11c0/Up1reVvJ9KI/AAAAAAAAEb4/zFAC7njoZlk/s1600/IMG_2855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kj_84a_11c0/Up1reVvJ9KI/AAAAAAAAEb4/zFAC7njoZlk/s640/IMG_2855.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what we want to see on all the frames! Lots of bees working on the frame.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GARDEN....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our garden is looking lovely. The poppies have bloomed, roses are our in all their splendour and the weeds are doing exceptionally well! It is a constant task .... weeding....weeding.....and more weeding!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZitHvo1lpWs/Up1rrkBmuVI/AAAAAAAAEcc/jjOavzPA5PA/s1600/IMG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZitHvo1lpWs/Up1rrkBmuVI/AAAAAAAAEcc/jjOavzPA5PA/s640/IMG_2928.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The strawberry patch has started yielding fruit by the tub full. In between I've let a patch of self seeded sweet peas take up residence for a while. The bees love the flowers, and working among the vegetables is extra special when the waft of sweet peas drifts my way.</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_nYrhpzLrQ/Up1rrPSL9lI/AAAAAAAAEcY/kTTClKugOYE/s1600/IMG_2934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_nYrhpzLrQ/Up1rrPSL9lI/AAAAAAAAEcY/kTTClKugOYE/s640/IMG_2934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The peas are climbing up their stakes... Stir fries and salads are extra tasty when these little babies are thrown into the mix.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7w0aMOCg3ws/Up1rr809onI/AAAAAAAAEcg/LUut5h0W95s/s1600/IMG_2936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7w0aMOCg3ws/Up1rr809onI/AAAAAAAAEcg/LUut5h0W95s/s640/IMG_2936.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The roses and foxgloves have given us a beautiful show. This is the view from our kitchen table. Not too shabby... For those who are wondering what's happening with the cabin... we've been getting the garden in order. We've cleaned up in dry branches etc in preparation for the fire season. Frans says next week he's getting back into it... </span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9Etxg7irTE/Up1rtZaa-CI/AAAAAAAAEcw/hUxpbMy45UM/s1600/IMG_2956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9Etxg7irTE/Up1rtZaa-CI/AAAAAAAAEcw/hUxpbMy45UM/s640/IMG_2956.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See the large leafy plants in this pic? It's Comfrey. Every now and then I'll chop it down, fill a 10 litre bucket full of leaves. Press down so they're well packed in. Pour water over the leaves, pop a lid on the bucket and forget about it for about 3 weeks. The leaves break down and the smell is disgusting. It's a bit like a fresh cow pat! Once it's all gooey and broken down, the liquid is strained off and poured into old milk bottles or whatever containers I have handy. I then dilute this mixture 1/10 in a watering can and pour it around my veggies. They love it. A good natural fertiliser!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkjiAqhwVjQ/Up1ru1Y6c3I/AAAAAAAAEc8/NGyv0iDxyT0/s1600/IMG_2957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BkjiAqhwVjQ/Up1ru1Y6c3I/AAAAAAAAEc8/NGyv0iDxyT0/s640/IMG_2957.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The grass is lovely and green in our paddocks at the moment. The cows are loving it. Our two new babies are doing very well. By January the fields will no longer be green. The rain will ease up and the heat will turn the grass a golden yellow.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh0prjgVjFY/Up1rumR_QjI/AAAAAAAAEc4/KvaQVjhx1T8/s1600/IMG_2966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wh0prjgVjFY/Up1rumR_QjI/AAAAAAAAEc4/KvaQVjhx1T8/s640/IMG_2966.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4vMODu8ZY4/Up1rpCsq2GI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/cabqkpw9KLw/s1600/IMG_2794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q4vMODu8ZY4/Up1rpCsq2GI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/cabqkpw9KLw/s640/IMG_2794.jpg" width="596" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'll leave you with a pic of Tilly the wonder dog! She's Stephen and Sara's puppy. We've had her on the farm for about 5 weeks. She has kept us entertained with her boundless energy. She will chase her plastic bone all day long if she could! If you ignore her, she'll place the bone at your feet. She's even dropped the bone just inside the back door when we've been inside. We miss her terribly as she's gone home to Melbourne. I've given up trying to grow herbs in this garden bed outside the back door. The dogs love to lie here. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great week!</span></div>
Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4025538650082361380.post-52501477219465172822013-11-12T16:12:00.001+11:002017-10-01T17:15:17.544+11:00Wedding Fever.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's not every day that one's daughter walks down the aisle! Sara and Stephen were married in the little village of Birregurra on the 26th of October. We watched the weather forecasts for weeks. Was it going to rain? Yes, no, yes, no.... Every day the predictions changed. At last the week of the wedding arrived and all preparations took a gear shift upwards. There were flowers to be prepared, lolly table jars to be filled, table gifts to be made and labelled and lots of food to be made for all the visitors that came from near and far.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VyKsHblWww/UoGpTw5FYzI/AAAAAAAAEZE/4yjOZx4SfqM/s1600/IMG_2586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_VyKsHblWww/UoGpTw5FYzI/AAAAAAAAEZE/4yjOZx4SfqM/s640/IMG_2586.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My dear Mum, Marie. She flew out from South Africa to share this big event with us. We put her to work! She didn't get out of the kitchen much... Thanks Mum!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tENymUkQwY/UoGpR90IMMI/AAAAAAAAEY8/Qn39mNdTq-4/s1600/IMG_2587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tENymUkQwY/UoGpR90IMMI/AAAAAAAAEY8/Qn39mNdTq-4/s640/IMG_2587.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Four kinds of table preserves were made: Marmalade, Rhubarb and Date Chutney, Raspberry Conserve and a South African favourite, Tomato and Ginger Jam.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAQZV9jDZ9E/UoGMkC7h6cI/AAAAAAAAEVk/ke5yjYgrL5w/s1600/IMG_2660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAQZV9jDZ9E/UoGMkC7h6cI/AAAAAAAAEVk/ke5yjYgrL5w/s640/IMG_2660.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the morning before the wedding, Sara and I took a road trip to the flower farm in Geelong. We filled her little Yaris to the brim with roses, babies breath and all sorts of beautiful blooms. We didn't get as many flowers from our garden that we'd hoped to; Winter had been too wet and the flowers didn't want to co-operate! We were very fortunate to be helped out by local florist <a href="http://ccfloraldesign.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Clare Cotton</a> who generously picked beautiful lilacs, crab apple blossoms and silver suede from her personal garden. Thank you Clare.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzD4VLoOqoo/UoGMrnKMzdI/AAAAAAAAEWo/WWopMfqv6SE/s1600/d600sara+weddind+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FzD4VLoOqoo/UoGMrnKMzdI/AAAAAAAAEWo/WWopMfqv6SE/s640/d600sara+weddind+086.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The old shed became the heartbeat of wedding preparations. Eskys were filled with ice and drinks were plonked into them in preparation for the Friday night BBQ. It was all hands on deck. My brother Lionel and nephew Delisle got the drinks sorted and hung pretty paper lanterns in from the willow branches. They put up new fairy lights hung a great big love heart wreath on the shed wall.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HY1nbs3eMo/UoGS9xwVLjI/AAAAAAAAEYs/GcGdUhjJ2jI/s1600/d600sara+weddind+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HY1nbs3eMo/UoGS9xwVLjI/AAAAAAAAEYs/GcGdUhjJ2jI/s640/d600sara+weddind+092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It was then all hands on deck as Sonja directed the traffic in the bouquet making stakes. How lucky to have such talented family members lending their expertise! Pity it was such a cold October day... she was rugged up for the cold and didn't stop all day! You're a legend Sonja. Thank you. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMP2yWvi5cA/UoGMrcXP1-I/AAAAAAAAEWk/Qfzsi9zqGM8/s1600/IMG_2685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nMP2yWvi5cA/UoGMrcXP1-I/AAAAAAAAEWk/Qfzsi9zqGM8/s640/IMG_2685.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Floral arranging was tackled by one and all, including business executives Alan who discovered he has a new talent.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3iluCKzALU/UoGMnBBBAGI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/XPKV3NKiFXw/s1600/IMG_2676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3iluCKzALU/UoGMnBBBAGI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/XPKV3NKiFXw/s640/IMG_2676.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Martyn Lindsay also has a back up if he decides he needs a new day job!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Shed helpers, Adele Lowsley, Michelle Steel, Eugenia Lindsay, Genevieve Hawea and Alan doing their thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Bride and bridesmaids bouquets done! And they looked fabulous!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sonja and Sara working on the bridal bouquet</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCnl5_HDFvQ/UoGOEVoENVI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/d9flmWClCis/s1600/1385933_10151648630226533_554660538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uCnl5_HDFvQ/UoGOEVoENVI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/d9flmWClCis/s640/1385933_10151648630226533_554660538_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Saturday arrived and the weather was ok. Just. A slight shower or two in the morning and all was good. Make up, hair, photographers, showers, champagne.... the morning zipped by and it was time to leave for the church.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Bridesmaids dresses below. Pastels. Interesting fact... When my Mum Marie got married to my Dad in 1963, her bridesmaids also wore pastels, just like these!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCcHkR2hUaI/UoGMfwLiSOI/AAAAAAAAEUY/3ziTmSDHFQI/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mCcHkR2hUaI/UoGMfwLiSOI/AAAAAAAAEUY/3ziTmSDHFQI/s640/IMG_0458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The little bluestone Anglican Church on the hill. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzjTUdois6o/UoGMd7v8U5I/AAAAAAAAETs/P61yUFuSTwk/s1600/601435_10151818251748557_309240976_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jzjTUdois6o/UoGMd7v8U5I/AAAAAAAAETs/P61yUFuSTwk/s640/601435_10151818251748557_309240976_n.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The beautiful entry to the little church. Flower pots with pastel flowers were brought to the church the day before, and Frans would garlands of ivy around the railing.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIqmwu0L5Kw/UoGS8OIWLsI/AAAAAAAAEYg/vANYxQ04IIg/s1600/IMG_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pIqmwu0L5Kw/UoGS8OIWLsI/AAAAAAAAEYg/vANYxQ04IIg/s640/IMG_0633.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the rehearsal the night before, the bridesmaids and Sara decorated the pews with simple organza ribbon and babies breath</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Slmvjn0Oc4E/UoGMuuY9YHI/AAAAAAAAEXA/UqU5h2MdTag/s1600/d600sara+weddind+108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Slmvjn0Oc4E/UoGMuuY9YHI/AAAAAAAAEXA/UqU5h2MdTag/s640/d600sara+weddind+108.jpg" width="282" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everyone seated and waiting...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Frans' sister Lee and niece Tammy played and sang beautifully while the congregation waited... Lee almost got to the end of her repertoire and had to start again. Almost...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASKPgCQYedE/UoGMjTGMXXI/AAAAAAAAEVg/Ep0iDocxL7g/s1600/IMG_0725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ASKPgCQYedE/UoGMjTGMXXI/AAAAAAAAEVg/Ep0iDocxL7g/s640/IMG_0725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Still waiting... "Where is she?!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well, it's a long drive from the farm to the church... At last Frans and Sara arrived. She looked beautiful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here was a Dad with a tear in his eye...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Getting down to the serious stuff. The wedding was conducted by our good friend Glen Scott. Glen has known Sara since she was 15 months old. It was lovely that he could perform the marriage ceremony for her and Stephen. Thank you Glen.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03pZz_Md0HQ/UoGOEdYoI_I/AAAAAAAAEXY/7Z0wz-dk0ws/s1600/1385529_10151648641131533_1230941011_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-03pZz_Md0HQ/UoGOEdYoI_I/AAAAAAAAEXY/7Z0wz-dk0ws/s640/1385529_10151648641131533_1230941011_n.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Two little girls who stole the show... Amelie and Valeenah </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meet Mr and Mrs Stephen Giangiulio. Yes, it's a mouthful! I have to think twice each time I write it out. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc5Dl-rtgmc/UoGOEntKedI/AAAAAAAAEXU/E1DsPwnMryA/s1600/1451590_10151648648871533_1162556505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mc5Dl-rtgmc/UoGOEntKedI/AAAAAAAAEXU/E1DsPwnMryA/s640/1451590_10151648648871533_1162556505_n.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Ok, here are the proud parents of the Bride</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sara looked stunning! And she was so happy.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And here are the beautiful bridesmaids: Jessica Giangiulio, Emma Tekii, Emily Poste and Katie Gill</span> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvbiX2nerKE/UoGMuUCfCgI/AAAAAAAAEW8/6Oh2bltK9EI/s1600/d600sara+weddind+180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qvbiX2nerKE/UoGMuUCfCgI/AAAAAAAAEW8/6Oh2bltK9EI/s640/d600sara+weddind+180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sara with her Nanna, Marie Mills</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A close up of the bridal bouquet</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Proud parents of the groom: Crocie and Doris Giangiulio</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After the service, photos were taken in the main street of Birregurra. The local store owner brought out a complimentary bottle of bubbles and glasses for the bridal party to share. What lovely local cheer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then on to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YeowarraHillFunctionsAndPartyHire?ref=ts&fref=ts" target="_blank">Yeowarra Hill</a> for the reception where we were served a delicious dinner. What could be prettier than a vista like this to greet the guests?</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What was on the menu? Canape's, Caramelised onion & Goats Cheese tarts, Prawn Linguini as starters. Lamb shanks on mash with roasted parsnips and Vineyard Chicken wrapped in Proscuitto as mains.</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The fabulous cake was served as dessert and the lolly table was a great drawcard for both young and old.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lovely vineyard bubbles...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It has to be said, that the cake made by Yolanda (a workmate of Sara's) and owner of <a href="http://suganana.com.au/contact/" target="_blank">Suganana </a>was a masterpiece! The two photos below were taken by Yolanda's hubby, who is also a very talented photographer. You'll find more of Yolanda's work on her Facebook page. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And then it was time to party!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First dance...</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some little people just couldn't make it all the way through...Here is Amelie catching a little shut eye. She then proceeded to dance the night away.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anika.... She didn't even make it to the cutting of the cake!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A day later and the lovebirds were off! Away to Vietnam for 3 weeks. </span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And slowly slowly we've been cleaning up all the wedding debris.... Next week we're back to farm stuff! Stay tuned.</span> </div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">NOTE: I'd like to say thanks to all the photographers who's pics I've used... </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Jeff Chen, Johnny Ly, Sonja Leonard-Wright, Gabrielle Sham, Mark Eckert. If I've missed your name, please let me know! Thank you. </span></div>
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<br />Amihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07626032956632643204noreply@blogger.com0