Potatoes and Cream

or should that be cream and potatoes.  Anyway this is just a little distraction for me at the moment.

Trying to think happy thoughts instead of what is really on my mind.

................flying to Canberra at 6.00am tomorrow morning!

Our dear son (DS) our one and only child is in the process of applying to study at Australian Defence Force Academy next year - which will lead onto a career in the Army.

Thinking calm and happy thoughts .Deep breath. Sigh.

 

However, we felt that he needed to see things first hand and this was the ideal opportunity. To make up his own mind when he is ready.

It's a bit of an expensive exercise, all done last minute of course - but well worth if it helps with his decision (so Canberra, bring it on - your bestest bleakest bleak cold day ever)!!  It just might be a bit too much for a sunshine coast, beach loving boy~

cheers for now
Wendy 

Claire  Don't worry - summer will be here before we know it!
Maria  I think your garden looks pretty bountiful too Maria.
**Anne**  Must be nice to get out in the garden after all your jetting about!

Monday veggie garden tally

 

 

 

 

Pretty average photos, but happy with the produce roll call - carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and some small sweet potatoes and beetroot.

Things to look forward to include broccoli, cauliflower and corn.  Ongoing are more tomatoes, carrots, silverbeet, kale and lettuce.

Sweeeeweet!

cheers for now
Wendy 

muppy

I'm obviously a simple cook -your cooking is so adventurous!  Wonder what the secret to the cafe porridge is?

Play along - one word

Today I'm joining up with Pip Lincolne (one very crafty lady) of Meet me at Mike's  in the one word meme challenge.  I don't do this sort of thing very often but thought it might be fun.  Join along if you like:

1. Where is your mobile phone?  handbag

2. Your hair? shortish

3. Your mother? passed

4. Your father? passed

5. Your favourite food? porridge

6. Your dream last night? weird

7. Your favourite drink? hot

8. Your dream/goal? happiness

9. What room are you in? office

10. Your hobby? varies

11. Your fear? tragedy

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? coastal

13. Where were you last night? bed

14. Something that you aren’t? thoughtless

15. Muffins? no

16. Wish list item? peace

17. Where did you grow up? Brisbane

18. Last thing you did? cooked

19. What are you wearing? longsleeves

20. Your TV? off

21. Your pet? ratbag

22. Friends?  close

23. Your life? neutral

24. Your mood? calm

25. Missing someone? parents

26. Vehicle? replaceable

27. Something you’re not wearing? makeup

28. Your favorite store? oppy

29. Your favorite color?  bright

30. When was the last time you laughed? yesterday

31. Last time you cried? ages

32. Your best friend? away

33. One place that I go to over and over? chookpen

34. One person who emails me regularly? brother

35. Favourite place to eat?  outdoors

 

 

cheers for now

Wendy  

Decluttering, Donations and $$

Proof that I have indeed been decluttering.

and have taken a few car boot loads to charity shop also.  Just didn't take the photos, will have to be more diligent with regards to photographic evidence I think!

We are off for a few days - jetting to Newcastle NSW then driving up to see some friends just south of Port Macquarie.  Just hope it is not too windy!

I will be back with vengeance on the decluttering scene next week. 
cheers for now
Wendy

A 20 year old olive tree

So this is what one looks like at our place anyway .........

Pretty mediocre looking, doesn't stand out from the crowd.  Has weathered a few storms and just keeps on keeping on.

And the reason I specifically know the age of this one?  We planted it when we returned from our honeymoon TWENTY years ago!  Un-freaking believable!!  I think we had read something about it symbolizing Peace, and figured that it would be a good omen.

It must have been a good omen, because today is our 20th Wedding Anniversary!
 
cheers for now - Wendy

Re - Bantam babies

Kim – 2 weeks?  Now that is amazing – I will have to remember that for another time!

veggiegobbler – go onVG – get clucky!

Maria – yes, Dandy is pretty cute.

Fiona from Arbordale Farm – fingers crossed!  No snakes this time I hope.

muppy – yes, pretty amazing.

delia hornbook – now don’t give up eggs Dee!

Bantam babies!

I am ridiculously pleased to be able to show these photos.

while it may be a case of photo overload.....

our first (totally) home bred bantams hatched on the weekend!

Although Little Banty is a proven foster mother (just click on the bantam link on sidebar).

these are the first ones from the Pekin bantams that she in turn raised.

So thrilled!  Let's just hope we have snake-proofed the pen enough.


The funny part is that the three eggs sat for about 10 days in the egg bowl with the others in the kitchen before I decided to have a go at hatching (gross! said my son - we could have eaten them).


How wonderful is Nature - just had to place them under Little Banty and 21 days later out they popped!

Oh - in case you are wondering why I don't let her raise her own eggs ...... well our Rooster at Stud, Little Dandy  ....... is her brother.  I'm no genius of genetics, but it doesn't seem right somehow.

cheers for now
Wendy

Samantha – I think you are probably right about the rocks, however after years of trying to build our soil up from clay, it’s great just to be growing carrots at all!

librarygirl – thanks for the inspiring recipe!

Sue Grier – I’d be interested to hear about any olive oil soap you make Sue.

Maria – good luck with the vine.  We might try more with the gardening soon too.

Fiona from Arbordale Farm – good point about the carrots.  I think there must be  so much wastage because consumers will only buy perfect produce.

Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blue – it all worked out well in the end.  We should get a bit more diligent with our gardening though I think.

delia hornbook  - thanks Delia!  They are cute carrots aren’t they!?

veggiegobbler – I’m sure you’re carrots will be fine VG – make sure you post photos!

Planet Carrot

Normal broadcasting following the Olympics is now resumed at umm..... Planet Carrot

The collection of carrots from our garden looked weird... and something like this

I did try for non-offensive posing......

The weirdness is obviously due to gardener neglect - lack of thinning of seedlings after planting.

However after more washing, trimming and shaping they looked just fine. 

 

So then I converted them into Carrot and Coriander soup – loosely adapted from this recipe.

Thanks Library Girl!

I added some things from the garden, including silverbeet, some kale and a bouquet of herbs as well.  I think there was a bit of parsely, chives, mint, and of course coriander.

The end result was nice and enjoyed by all.    Next time I’ll add even more coriander.  Just because I love it (not sure about The Others). .... and because there is so much of it at the moment!

 Next time – escape to Planet Potato!

Also just wanted to mention that I followed Fiona's advice about Kin Kin products - and I'm glad I did!     *not a sponsored or prompted post - just my own opninion*

They are great - the dishwashing detergent is lovely and fresh smelling - and lasts a long time.  The dishwasher powder works a treat too.

This is something that has been worrying me for some time - the things that are closest to what we put into our bodies.  The cutlery and crockery used every day should be washed in something gentle and as natural as possible.

I also feel comfortable washing store-bought fruit and veg (which is all sprayed so heavily) in the detergent.  I'm not sure if this was an intent of the product or not.

What do you wash your fruit and veg in?  Chemicals don't just come off in water - do they?  I'd be interested to hear any comments on this aspect.

Cheers for now

Wendy

Ali  nice to hear from you again!!  Hope all is well.  

Maria  sorry - did I sound bossy -  I didn’t mean to!

Loving the Games!

The Olympics have been fabulous - however I have been recording and consequently glued to the television with the equestrian events.  Best coverage ever!

Having been a horse mad child/teenager/adult for many years, but certainly the last ten as a spectator only - I've thoroughly enjoyed it all.  I can remember eagerly watching earlier Games with only very minimal coverage - a touch of dressage here and there and glimpses of show jumping.

These Games seem totally different (in my humble opinion anyway).  I cannot believe the detail in both the coverage and the actual competition.  Admittedly some of the cross-country obstacles could be considered just a little absurd......



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However, it must be said that the skill of the horse and rider combinations are truly amazing.

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I know that a lot could be said also about the amount of money involved in such a sport.  The cost involved to train and bring a horse and rider to this standard must be truly mind boggling..... and could be considered wasteful in these tough times.

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Purely in terms of entertainment.  Purely in terms of amazement. ... and purely in terms of the joy of riding ..... I'm loving it!  Regardless of who wins. *Although I have to say, it would have been nice to see the 4 Aussies complete it through to the end.*


I'm behind in the the viewing though, so I'm not watching any media coverage until the complete the taped marathon... I'm only up to the very start of the show jumping...... 


Have you been watching the Games?  What's your favourite sport?

cheers for now
Wendy

Maria
 Go on - plant a trumpet vine - you'll be pleased you did!  They don't take too long to get established.
**Anne**
 It is  nice and bright.  It will be spring before you know it and your garden will be full of colour.
Cindy Lane
 Thanks for your comment Cindy (love your blog!)