When Terrier Meets German Shepherd

Not a good end result!  Luckily he is fine, or will be fine very soon anyway.

It could have been a lot worse.  This was actually the result of just one bite - just that the other dog's jaw span goes from the top of Dexter's spine to mid-abdomen!

Fortunately, when it happened (I was walking Dexter on lead) there were several people around who came to assist.  The Shepherd actually ran out of the (open) gate and just latched onto him.  It all came as a bit of a shock to Dexter - who really fancies himself as a mini-Rottweiller!  There was a bit of a skirmish before the other dog was chased inside.

Fortunately (again) the owners, when approached, agreed to pay the $400 (!) vet bill.  Poor Dex had to had surgery and a mini-drain put in to run the yukky fluid out which would have otherwise accumulated.  That will be taken out tomorrow and the stitches out a week later I think.

He is fine - only indignant that he has been confined to the laundry for the time being (and has to wear a bucket on his head)!

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Football news - great game, but unfortunately the boys' team weren't the winners.  They lost 32/34 - but it was such an exciting game!  It could have gone either way.  Lots of sad faces on the night, but they brightened after the team BBQ on the weekend.  They played a good fair game and that's the main thing.  It has been a wonderful season for them all.

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Strange weather over the weekend here - very windy on Saturday.  How was your weekend?  I made my first batch of Esiyo overnight and it's now setting in the fridge.  Those of you who make it - do you mainly make the natural Greek one?  or what is your favourite?  Do you find that it works out a lot cheaper?

Cheers for now - Wendy

Comments from my previous post

S - how did you go?  did you try the recipe?

Fiona from Arbordale Farm - thanks for the link, another interesting blog to follow!  We didn't make it over your way after all.  Hope you had a great time.

Kim - thanks for your hints.  I will definitely be trying a few different ways to make the yoghurt once I get used to it.  Good advice re the cupboard too - luckily I have a spot already set aside.

**Anne** - glad to hear of another Esiyo fan!  Give the slice a try and see what you think.... I've now restocked my supply of ground ginger and ready for some more ....... that could be dangerous!

Fi - I knew that it was a popular Kiwi recipe.... I know that I'll be tempted to make it again.  Glad you're a EsiYo fan also.

Shaheen - I've always thought the Esiyo was a bit gimmicky, but glad that I've got one now. I know that yoghurt can be made with a  thermos - let us know how you go!

Just one more - please?

This is a wonderful recipe for Ginger Crunch  I found here.

However, it should come with a warning.  These are terrible!   Terrible as in - it's very difficult to just eat one.  They are so yummy, but should be avoided if you are counting calories, sugar levels or cholesterol I think!  They are very sweet and more-ish.

The caramellised icing is just lovely, and I think I might even try it on plain biscuits.  I added extra ginger in just about all of this, my ground ginger was almost out of date, so I doubled it.  Plus I had some fresh ginger in the fridge, so I grated some into the base.  Obviously we like ginger here.

I have cut and sliced and put in the freeze in some hope of portion control!  ... and yes, I am the main offender.

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New purchase of this Esi-Yo gadget.  Yes, another case of re-cluttering for sure.  However, I have thought about buying one for some time.  I found this in an op shop for bargain price - have not seen a thrifted one before.

If it can save some money on store-bought yoghurt then it will be a great investment.  I noticed that Tania has just bought one too!  Maybe we can compare results!

I'd just love some advice / tips if anyone has used one recently.  Any special recipes or methods that work would be much appreciated.  I'll try it over the weekend and see how it performs.

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Sports news - on the football front, big excitement tonight.  I know that there will be a lot of major games played elsewhere this weekend.  However, this is Friday night football in a far away suburb (oh joy).  Our son's team plays the district junior rugby league U'16s Grand Final.   It would be wonderful if they could win the title 2 years in a row!  They have had a really exciting year this year.  This will be his last year playing - he has decided that Year 12 will be busy enough.  Wish us luck - it will be a l o n g drive home otherwise!!

Cheers for now  - Wendy

Waving Hi to new followers Tania & S too!

My reply to comments on Is Your Tea Cosy?

Suzanne - thanks for hosting!  Great idea and lots of lovely cosies. 

Tania @ Out Back - yes, I think you're right Tania.  See how bad I am, can't even tell the different between knit and crochet!  That is probably why I can't crochet.
Kate - I'll let you in on a not-so-secret fact about the red tea pot.  It's a Maxwell Williams and easily sourced from most kitchen shops.  ...... not so sure about Broome though!

Judith - I like your blue one too!  So many variations on a theme aren't there?

Ali - show us your chicken Ali!  How about hosting a tea cosy swap!?

saving for travel - well have a cuppa SFT - I've now prompted you with tea and coffee.

Is Your Tea Cosy?

I was having my morning cuppa and having a quick look at some blogs when I happened upon Suzanne's Enchanted Moments.  Her lovely post this morning invited us to show off our tea cosies.  So I decided to play along - why don't you?

This is my one and only cosy, which I picked up at a garage sale for 20c!  It's lovely and looks nice and cosy on my red teapot.  

 

I have always planned on knitting a tea cosy, but until then, this one certainly does the job nicely.  I'm not so sure that I could do such a nice job!

Seems like a good time too to say Thanks for all your great comments on the  coffee post!

Phoebe  - yes they are pretty, and even prettier in flower.  Note to self must look for an old photo of them in flower.

**Anne**  - I just like them for the look of them I think Anne.  I think it would take a mountain of work to produce enough beans to grind.  Then again, I think I'm just lazy!

Liz - yes the red beans are ripe (I think).  Starts off green and goes into red then brown.
thenewgoodlife- I'm learning as I go too.  - The education would have been even more informative if I knew a bit more lol!

Rose - I think I should too.  At least then I would really know where my coffee came from!

saving for travel - happy to encourage you to take a break SFT!

Ali - They are reasonably big Ali.  These are under some gums too.... can you move your tree if it's in the wrong place?

Andrea -  Good comment about the birds - I think it is mainly when they are in flower that the lorikeets like them.  Guess they go for the nectar over the coffee taste!

muppy - I just like the look of them too.  The foliage is so lush and the beans a lovely contrast.

Fiona from Arbordale Farm - thanks again Fiona, much appreciated.

Judith - You're right - very handy as a screen tree and a nice shade tree too.

Kim -.I think they'd be a nice addition to most gardens because of the shade factor too.

Bayside Rose - Happy to help. Thanks for your comment, just wish I could be a bit more informative!

and while I'm at it - thanks for the comments on the Old Chook and an Award.  Just wish that someone had another old chook photo!

Phoebe  - nice colour and such a stately old thing too.  I'd like to get some pb Australorps just for that reason.  Maybe next time.  Don't know how many for RIR's but this old girl certainly shut up shop some time ago!

muppy - you're more than welcome Muppy! 

Lyndel - you're welcome too Lyndel.  Just a bit of fun - now get back to the washing ... lol.

**Anne** - you are welcome Anne!  Your chooks may be old one day too.  The award is just a bit of fun, don't feel that you have to follow through!

Gooseberry Jam - yes we are all getting a bit grey here!  Hopefully one day you will have old chooks too.  No she stopped laying ages ago, pensioned off.

Rose - you have a great blog - keep up the great work on the Project.

Cheers for now - Wendy 

A Poultry Challenge ..... and an Award

We have a quite a few different hens - about  a dozen or so at the moment.  The majority of these are crossbred and now a few additional bantams as well.  Over the years these have been mainly red/brown, some Rhode Island Red background, and also Isa Brown.  I know that it would be wonderful to have only Pure Bred ones, but these suit our purpose of supplying eggs.

Every  couple of years, we will buy about 5 of 6 at Point of Lay stage (around 18 weeks of age). By this time, the older hens would have slowed down in the egg production and we have often lost a couple through natural causes (this includes old age, snakes - or often just found toes up for no known reason).

We have one very old hen.  Usually referred to as the old chook.  Not as a name, but more of a description.  On the weekend I had a good look at the old chook.   I had noticed lately that her new feathers had been taking a while to come through following a recent moult. 

However, when I had a really good look, I went back for the camera.

They are not new feathers coming through as I thought.  They are grey feathers!  The old chook has grey feathers!   (cue sounds of mirth, clutching at sides laughing). 

We all tried to think back how old this particular hen would actually be.  I googled the life span of domestic poultry.  Most sources named 6 years as being a good age.  Burkes Backyard  cites 2-10 years for cross-bred hens.  I am thinking that this particular hen would be somewhere in the 6-10 year mark. 

My challenge to fellow poultry enthusiasts is this - do you have, or know of an old chook.  If you do,  please write a post on your blog, perhaps with a photo, and link it back to this post.  I'd love to see some photos of other old hens who are living a life of grey plumed retirement.

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Now - about the Award!  

I'd love to thank the wonderful Fiona from Life at Arbordale Farm for generously passing this award over my way - and also to fellow recipients -  Little Piece of Green;  Hazel; Veggiegobbler and Just Like My Nan Made - so I was in great company.  I was thrilled to be included. I've not been blogging very long and have been astounded by the many levels that I enjoy it.  First and foremost of course would have to be the friends in the blogging community.

It is wonderful to read so many blogs and to get involved in them just by commenting and joining in on some many different perspectives. 

The Liebster Blog award is given to bloggers with under 200 followers. Here are the rules:

1. Thank the giver and link back to them.  Yes, ticked this one... thanks again Fiona.

2. Reveal your 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.

Rose from Greening the Rose.  I am particularly enjoying The Rose Marshall Project.  Rose does the hard work on food investigation that every Australian consumer should read.

Muppy  amazes me with each post.  What she can do in the kitchen is nothing short of inspirational.  Her family certainly dines in style.

Anne at Ungardened Moments.  Her blog is full of colour and inspiration.  I always feel calm and peaceful after reading one of Anne's posts. 

KiwiFruit - What is not to love here.  The beautiful photography, Flopsy, Roller Derby Queen and the stunning scenery.  Love it all!

Lyndel of Vintage Retro & Simply Cute Shopping has such wonderful vintage style and so many varied collections.  A superb eye for op shop treasures.  I'm jealous!

It was definitely difficult to pick just five!  This is certainly a condensed list of many of my faviourites and five which seem to cover all the genres that interest me.  Oops - I seem to have forgotten all about decluttering!

So there you go.  Hope I've done everything correctly.  Not stepped on any toes or linked anyone who didn't want to be linked!

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Cheers for now - Wendy 

Don't forget about the Poulty Challenge!

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With many apologies - I haven't responded to all the lovely comments on the previous post.  This has been such a long post and I'm going cross eyed from all the links.  Will respond next time re the Coffee post. 

Time for a Coffee?

On frosty winter mornings I love to take a stroll through our coffee plantation.  she jokes.

 

We do have some coffee trees.  About 12 or so I'd say. So it's more of a coffee grove than a plantation.  Nicely tucked away behind the garage and very nicely screening off our neighbours.

No I haven't made coffee. ... and no I'm not planning it at the moment.  Maybe one day in the foreseeable future.

I have investigated all the steps involved, and whilst it would be lovely to drink our own organic coffee ... at this point in time it just seems like a lot of effort for a small result.

However, I am very fond of the coffee trees.  Their lovely dark glossy green leaves, sweeping symmetrical branches bearing beautiful white flowers, and these lovely shiney red coffee beans.

One day too I might be very fond of the coffee they produce.

 

 

Linking up with Hazels' Winter Wednesdays.  Put the kettle on and hop on over.

Cheers for now - Wendy

My response to  previous comments -

Kim - it definitely isn't broccoli, but that's a good point about the cross plant.  Hadn't thought of that one.  Will keep you posted.  In the meantime it is still growing madly.

delia hornbook - that's all right Dee, we don't either!  Thanks for the comments on the holiday snaps.

saving for travel - thanks, Caloundra is lovely.  The gateway to the Sunshine Coast about 1.5 hours north of Brisbane.  Beautiful spot.