Spring has Sprung. Apparently.

I think it's a tropical apricot or maybe peach.  It's down in the 'back half'.  The back half of our five acre block which is pretty much left as bush, apart from a few things we have tried to grow over the years.

This tree was one of a few 'tropical' stone fruit trees that we have tried to grow.  However it doesn't fruit very well, but the blossoms are pretty.  For the 5 or so minutes that they are out.  Or so it seems.  I saw it in flower one week.  Intended to take a photo the next week.  Actually went down to take a photo.

and found that only a few of the blossom remained.  Still pretty.

The signs of spring are everywhere.

Our garden has really been producing well.

This was the garden back in April this year 

Plenty of kale and cauliflower and broccoli outside the shadehouse too.  It seems to be quite the season for broccoli - it seems just about every blog I read is proud of their broc.

Everything nice and green. Some nice rain has helped, but more would be nice too. 

I have to wonder though how many more Spring seasons our old girl Angel will see.  She is such a funny dog, always happy.  She has some weird habits though.  She will be 12 in December and has really just started to slow down.  Prematurely grey, she does look a bit older than her years.  Probably a bit  like me after surviving her first TEN few manic years! 

cheers for now 

Wendy 

On Anonymity

I should be ironing.  However, I've had this post running around in my head this morning and really thought that I would put it out there.  To the universe.  To the readers of my humble blog.

.... and I have to say that I am always astounded that anyone even reads my ramblings, let alone follows my blog!  Thanks so much for doing so.

My point of this post though, is anonymity and more definitively - blogging under the radar.  I've been blogging now for some 3 years (January 2011 to be precise).  My initial feelings were to blog about my decluttering process.  Ha.  Ha.  It hasn't quite worked out that way.

So, recently I read online of the Problogger Event happening soon on the Gold Coast.... and I realised that I never really want to 'come out' as a blogger.  Just my personal feelings, but I don't want to front up and shout about my blog. I don't want to make money from my blog.  I really like anonymity.  I like that no one really know who I am or where I live.

I have always been a quiet voice on my own blog, as I am in life.  However it has taken me a couple of years to feel comfortable about blogging.  About not having to try too hard.  That people aren't always judgemental, and that over the years I have some online friends who are always there with a comment or a thought.

No one in my family knows that I blog.  I keep it quiet.  I am neither ashamed or overly proud of my blog, it is just a work in progress. I show photos of aspects of my life and our rural lifestyle, and hopefully some decluttering or I will have to change the name!

This was not really intended to be a 'deep and meaningful' post.  However I have been thinking about my blog a lot lately and working on the best way to present it and the thoughts I want to put across.  Maybe this is a start.

How about you?  Do you blog under the radar or are you loud and proud!?

Can I give a shout out too for another blog mummy spits the dummy.  She is actually my niece (and of course she doesn't know I'm mentioning her here) and she is new to blogging.  With post titles such as I was once a paragon of parenting then I had kids and ruined it she is a witty and creative writer.   Just don't tell her that I sent you!

cheers for now

Wendy

Taking Stock.02

source

Another taking stock post - a quick way to catch up with what's been going on around here.

Firstly though - a super moon.  Has it been lovely in your part of the world?  Although I didn't take this photo, I certainly enjoyed the glow last night.  

So what's been happening?

Making: pathetic attempts at crochet granny squares.  Still knitting squares in a variety of patterns.  One day I will crochet together.

Cooking: made chicken parmigiana last night.  Easy leftovers tonight.

Drinking : English Breakfast w skim milk.  Some things are constant.

Reading: Simon Beckett’s new novel Stone Bruises.  Liking it.

Looking: through window at lovely blue sky morning

Deciding: which jobs to tackle first this morning.  Clean windows?

Wishing: that the flu bug hadn’t caught us this winter.  It did - well & truly.

Enjoying :  the wonderful library services we can access online. 

Waiting: for my first try at preserved lemons to be ready.  Thanks Fiona @ Life at Arbordale Farm for the prompt.  Still a few weeks to go.

Liking: lots of eggs our hens are giving us lately.

Wondering: whether any exciting mail awaits at PO Box – or bills?

Loving: my stitching from the lovely Claire @ Sweet Birdy Love.  Just loving it in my kitchen.  My poor photography doesn't capture the beauty.

Pondering:  if I can get back into my regular walking routine soon.

Considering: cleaning windows next week

Watching: Offspring finale.  Big sigh.  I loved this season.  

Hoping:  that our house really is snake-proof.

Marvelling: my husband and I married 8/8/92 and we have just celebrated our 22^nd wedding anniversary!

Needing: reassurance that carpet snakes don’t really want to get inside the house!

Smelling: Nothing specific.  Still getting over flu.

Wearing: jeans & cotton peasant top.  Mild day here 22 deg.C

Following: some new blogs  - I’ve added to my bloglovin list + my blog

Noticing: how much plastic is on every product. 

Knowing: that it is possible to avoid plastic.  Must try harder.

Thinking: about victims MH17 disaster  - National Day of Mourning

Sorting: out my priorities in next few weeks.  Time flying past.

Buying: groceries in bulk where possible.  I think it is working - combined with managing household expenses more strictly.  One wage only goes so far ......

Getting: excited about some travel plans in next 12 months.  Ignore previous comment.

Bookmarking: some new farmers markets to attend soon

Disliking: loud rap music son favours.  Sorry, sound like oldie here!

Opening: Some of those lovely window faced envelopes.

Giggling:  have recently rekindled friendship with 2 old school friends.  We have picked up where we left off many years ago and recently had a girl’s weekend away.  Fabulous time.

Feeling: somewhat better now thanks.  Being sick is no fun.

Snacking: stewed apple, plain yogurt & cinnamon.  Yum.

Coveting: Virginia @ Ock Du Spock's garden!  Serious Garden Envy.

Wishing:  we really could do with some rain. 

Helping: our household budget by being more aware of what we buy

Hearing: washing machine competing with old 70’s song on radio - Joy to the World –Three Dog Night: {Jeremiah was a bullfrog - Was a good friend of mine ....}

cheers for now
Wendy

PS - has any one else noticed that there are 5 Sundays in August this year?

This Time of Year

Ahh.  The simple things in life.

a little gathering from the veggie garden, including a bouquet of greens.  Kale, silverbeet and parsley.

 Some lovely tomatoes at last.... it's been a while.

Flavour of the day - on rice biscuits with cottage cheese and avocado - with a sprinkle of salt and pepper!

 
a few small pumpkins which have been very sweet indeed.

My favourite (and it seems, only) flowers at the moment. Nasturtiums.

Then there is this......... the warmer weather means that carpet snakes think it must be time to make a move. Maybe a spot in the sun somewhere whilst deciding on dinner material.  Just stay away from my hens big fella!  

There is definitely merit in having the house safely screened (I hope)!!

Cheers for now
Wendy