tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76282434580600389032024-03-22T03:10:04.766+10:00Living simplyBec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-79375307943630773132012-11-16T15:10:00.001+10:002012-11-16T15:10:44.712+10:002012 Garlic Harvest Begins .........<div style="text-align: left;">
It's time........</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0BvKE-QDs8IMIlNpwjVy0mPamxnGTzinS3_cUwTZyrixsG4JcSgc8E-VCfoqJknZjJ5ADs9BlY5fMyV4THVUjn83TBvL_9-yUUU__aEVmJtbDRVvFZKJLBHFK2kRL8a5AKTHZOrgd7U/s1600/2012+Garlic+Crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0BvKE-QDs8IMIlNpwjVy0mPamxnGTzinS3_cUwTZyrixsG4JcSgc8E-VCfoqJknZjJ5ADs9BlY5fMyV4THVUjn83TBvL_9-yUUU__aEVmJtbDRVvFZKJLBHFK2kRL8a5AKTHZOrgd7U/s400/2012+Garlic+Crop.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 Garlic Crop</td></tr>
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to start harvesting........ <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74i26eqeWBNOTa3tcaTtCFB2eR6hSvBTiXOSUo-X3OnuIvv5b_RSwbyR2XJ7q8FmNQoOVJ7wkGXFQT9RAHse6KSGh7cXkEis1aigvLh_cSkDU3Ug9SqvFezuUIb7MH4HFZ_6xPNMGnLQ/s1600/Mulch+removed+from+rows.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74i26eqeWBNOTa3tcaTtCFB2eR6hSvBTiXOSUo-X3OnuIvv5b_RSwbyR2XJ7q8FmNQoOVJ7wkGXFQT9RAHse6KSGh7cXkEis1aigvLh_cSkDU3Ug9SqvFezuUIb7MH4HFZ_6xPNMGnLQ/s400/Mulch+removed+from+rows.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulch removed from the pathway</td></tr>
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mulch is removed from the pathways and transfered to cover the recently planted ginger ..........<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLctuhXKlRGNKhQLxZwMI3GvwTEHZ7Uh93hPMmRCXoTMXa9Q2SNtUa4ISPdnTO9IrD3oNaQ_jHAvlxKdo1p4SCCLSWtTD_JksOACCcWM3mZnklwVl-CsjsOhdqzzq-wtBwGb0Z19vsgg/s1600/Cutting+the+roots+off.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLctuhXKlRGNKhQLxZwMI3GvwTEHZ7Uh93hPMmRCXoTMXa9Q2SNtUa4ISPdnTO9IrD3oNaQ_jHAvlxKdo1p4SCCLSWtTD_JksOACCcWM3mZnklwVl-CsjsOhdqzzq-wtBwGb0Z19vsgg/s400/Cutting+the+roots+off.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using the cutter bar to cut the roots of the garlic</td></tr>
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then the roots of the garlic are cut so that it is easy to lift out of the ground ........<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0O30NqYWLjUttBOBNckeDjNGN_ikL_CENHl85rM88h4gYA0wVWnd4KhdYxU26DhdPdlHyZCuZGoKAFcYpUhzxIafQij0-WCXacdDBbfOqBLZzTrgEuILm2AnzQWM_jVfK1oBHVLz1UU/s1600/Looking+good.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0O30NqYWLjUttBOBNckeDjNGN_ikL_CENHl85rM88h4gYA0wVWnd4KhdYxU26DhdPdlHyZCuZGoKAFcYpUhzxIafQij0-WCXacdDBbfOqBLZzTrgEuILm2AnzQWM_jVfK1oBHVLz1UU/s400/Looking+good.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lifting out to see the size and quality</td></tr>
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oh, it's looking like a bumper crop ............<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShVoENbcw830if1N7N6cNdBVX9K02URFAmTyqs7vp3BF2UujleL4S50h3BaxtEr49ZtR-8AFRuMNpN3bf3xY-BgJHC29ekqKIpuxu67sOuTVa_6BfuOqt0vFF6X_gksEE3su_gt_Nj9k/s1600/First+row+is+ready+to+be+picked+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShVoENbcw830if1N7N6cNdBVX9K02URFAmTyqs7vp3BF2UujleL4S50h3BaxtEr49ZtR-8AFRuMNpN3bf3xY-BgJHC29ekqKIpuxu67sOuTVa_6BfuOqt0vFF6X_gksEE3su_gt_Nj9k/s400/First+row+is+ready+to+be+picked+up.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First row ready for lifting out</td></tr>
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needless to say we are going to be very busy for a while :)Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-62515949002386907242012-11-05T09:08:00.000+10:002012-11-05T09:08:01.847+10:00Sunday in the garden ...<div style="text-align: center;">
During the week we have been busy sorting ginger ready for planting while DH has been preparing the paddock, spreading organic fertilizer and forming beds etc. So come Sunday we spent it relaxing in the garden and while there we made a frame and covered the tomato bed with bird netting. Yipppeee ..........</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorGCIF6gGcj3UDZ_7vt3TzXG-5HbFVJ9iR7A-FmXoEsNX23lT-egzV6RM6PM5T06PEgrTtTlcEzfG8p8ZQEinJs8gGdJtGkLN91ehldp_klQ8kNlLWvtDXjBh9OX-1GHazkEYIgOlrPM/s1600/Tomatoes+under+cover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorGCIF6gGcj3UDZ_7vt3TzXG-5HbFVJ9iR7A-FmXoEsNX23lT-egzV6RM6PM5T06PEgrTtTlcEzfG8p8ZQEinJs8gGdJtGkLN91ehldp_klQ8kNlLWvtDXjBh9OX-1GHazkEYIgOlrPM/s320/Tomatoes+under+cover.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used PVC and bamboo grown on the farm for the frame. There are 11 tomato plants in this bed plus a Persimmon tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQGlpFCV1UTEBcEqSwKozuBuRBrgjIqQujTGyHhHQfgebf2pjctNly0xv_NK6LWFRKiXsPMV7tNYAWny86ul0jCVfU_V-oHTV8iYrWRx0ZJTIBvY_t4KEjXFoVQzIL5lBnN5kJO51yDY/s1600/2012_1018nov40003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQGlpFCV1UTEBcEqSwKozuBuRBrgjIqQujTGyHhHQfgebf2pjctNly0xv_NK6LWFRKiXsPMV7tNYAWny86ul0jCVfU_V-oHTV8iYrWRx0ZJTIBvY_t4KEjXFoVQzIL5lBnN5kJO51yDY/s320/2012_1018nov40003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bed holds the remaining 6 tomato plants and acouple of capsicum plants. <br />
Plus my sweet corn for Christmas.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This is my second frame and this time I did make a few improvements on the first.</div>
<ul>
<li>I wasn't so lousy this time and the added length made it easier to place the brick to hold the whole thing down.</li>
<li>DH adjusted the leg length of the frame so I won't hit my head when I go in and out.</li>
<li>I made the door opening differently and it is now easier to access.</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My first covered frame looks pretty sad in comparison to the others and is looking bad enough that I feel the need to re-do it, but this will need to wait until the ginger is resting snuggly in the ground. I have made two jars of strawberry jam so far with enough for another bottle. A far cry from my vision of rows of bottles of jam in my pantry but it is a start, it wasn't that long ago that I thought we'd end up with zilch.</div>
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So all is on track - my goal - to grow enough tomatoes to make pasta sauce. I have never done this before so it will certainly be a learning curve for me.</div>
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Happy Gardening everyone!</div>
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Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-54516450674923238962012-10-31T08:59:00.002+10:002012-10-31T08:59:34.239+10:00One Christmas Item a month ....<div style="text-align: center;">
Although the idea is to make one item a month, for one reason or another it hasn't quite worked out like that around here. </div>
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But never the less, I have three items put away, and on a recent shopping trip called into Spotlight and picked up some fabrics and nick naks with this in mind.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0odmgpQB-Q25hHBYc2J-_lCSA8VyDvfCyHOdo2wPJQ-fnoj4Rs_G_BGbXiXkGjBlFosrfE7tD3MLfPfE8aLtnUXnmXUDyckaPsNBi15R8Tlfy1bTCaY0M_KvgCnSP0YOZAGXCE_jInzE/s1600/Shabby+Chic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0odmgpQB-Q25hHBYc2J-_lCSA8VyDvfCyHOdo2wPJQ-fnoj4Rs_G_BGbXiXkGjBlFosrfE7tD3MLfPfE8aLtnUXnmXUDyckaPsNBi15R8Tlfy1bTCaY0M_KvgCnSP0YOZAGXCE_jInzE/s320/Shabby+Chic.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for a "Shabby Chic" look</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry about the cryptic photo but these are intended for presents. Using the same materials, just put together differently, I have made three of the five presents so far. I am going for the "Shabby Chic" style probably crossed with a bit of crazy patch. This should then bring me right up to date.</div>
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Happy sewing everyone!</div>
Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-78140745263576458292012-10-29T12:46:00.000+10:002012-10-29T12:46:07.083+10:00Bee Happy ....Today we took delievery of our first ever bee hive. Our friends whom happen to be neighbours, were the inspiration we needed to take the plunge. It was a visit to their farm and seeing everything set up and operating that helped us decide, plus the fact that they are only a phone call away should we run into trouble.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp78vOI5P8bZ6ItcP8tPVkpXNbkV0EhzyFu38Qqp4KF-iJVP0dfAZ-SUXarr9s05dB2qQaIM543jvyBQEDo_WuZfHr_wMuGDUpYrO5FpqDVINN9KbcAbQfVlIybghiNnywWz6zmG8gZQ/s1600/Checking+the+height.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGp78vOI5P8bZ6ItcP8tPVkpXNbkV0EhzyFu38Qqp4KF-iJVP0dfAZ-SUXarr9s05dB2qQaIM543jvyBQEDo_WuZfHr_wMuGDUpYrO5FpqDVINN9KbcAbQfVlIybghiNnywWz6zmG8gZQ/s320/Checking+the+height.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking to make sure the box will sit height enough on the stand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu7KQH9SaKOn2_-hPLhM0cq1-ta9Mpsx6meD-1E91G4kaoJ78pw7hAz_Nr4gttXxccKih4WKcISms2jjj63FDvKBhaob_v6_4nExT9ewfLyPOBX6GTK0KNcybKwcFICrxEsOiFkCC_14/s1600/Releasing+the+bees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu7KQH9SaKOn2_-hPLhM0cq1-ta9Mpsx6meD-1E91G4kaoJ78pw7hAz_Nr4gttXxccKih4WKcISms2jjj63FDvKBhaob_v6_4nExT9ewfLyPOBX6GTK0KNcybKwcFICrxEsOiFkCC_14/s320/Releasing+the+bees.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under instruction - removing the tape</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DTHDJjeWJmEp3BZYv6RvF8Pd-NSUDqn6q1mPDpDprwSRh7o5fMFljee0rn_AW6AhzuyUKHhgDUW3jcP7mfdVpOKuxTxXGAZtWLTkm0gvxLvof7H4EHBDUfEpvyT2AlJQEa-YtkPpqss/s1600/Your+free.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DTHDJjeWJmEp3BZYv6RvF8Pd-NSUDqn6q1mPDpDprwSRh7o5fMFljee0rn_AW6AhzuyUKHhgDUW3jcP7mfdVpOKuxTxXGAZtWLTkm0gvxLvof7H4EHBDUfEpvyT2AlJQEa-YtkPpqss/s320/Your+free.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bees are released - Welcome to your new home</td></tr>
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Welcome home new little bees, and like proud parents we have spent the better part of the morning watching them and then invited our friends in for a coffee and extracted more information from them (and they thought we were just being neighbourly.....;)<br />
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<em>Solar hot water update ....</em> Yesterday it was overcast and raining so we flicked the switch back on but just for the day (the 1st time since installing it), it is off again now. The water heats up during the day so come night time there is oddles of hot water, the mornings are not quite the same. Up till last Friday during the morning I thought you could get one shower and have enough water for washing up, ok well that's all we need, can live with that. <br />
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The test came when it was a shopping day and us girls wanted to pretty ourselves up as well, which included hair washing. So what happened? Did anyone blame the other for using all the hot water? Who was the sucker that drew the shortest straw and had to go last???? As it turns out we had enough hot water for all, still needed to mix in cold water. This actually surprised me.<br />
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<em>A milking update ....</em> A couple of you lovely ladies have asked what I do with all the milk I am getting from our heifer. Well to be truthful, I only milk her once in the morning and then only milk the front two quarters (as this is about 2 to 3 litres) and then put the calf on her. In the pm the calf is allowed to have it all and then is let out in the paddock for a time to run and eat. <br />
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The bales and the calf are still in the yards which has worked quiet well to date, <strong>But </strong>it is now time for change and a calf paddock is right up there on the list.<br />
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<em>Garden update ...</em> The net over the strawberries is working and I have been able to make one jar of strawberry jam and have almost enough berries to make another jar.<br />
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The tomato plants now have small tomatoes forming so I will be making the covers to go over these beds as well, although this time I will not be so lousy and add a little extra length making it easier to secure down with the bricks.<br />
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On the farm we are busy harvesting ginger, sorting and soon will be planting. It is hot and dusty work but at least we have no trouble falling to sleep at night .......... LOL<br />
Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-4761731195620990772012-10-21T06:56:00.000+10:002012-10-21T06:57:44.090+10:00We flicked the switch .... the trial beginsOur last shopping trip, prior to the fires, was something that we both enjoyed (surprised??). We were like two kids at Christmas, excited and happy. You see we have had two goals in mind for a while and this trip we were able to go ahead and purchase the things needed to implement our goals, it was a remarkable day (mark that one on the calendar!)<br />
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Goal number 1 - After relocating our house and surviving an inside and out reno, once we received our final approval it was tools down. So after alot of figuring, we were able to get everything we needed to collect our storm water. (probably inspired by our DSIL whom DH helped to set up their water pipes for the shed about 2 weeks before) Anyway the day before DS headed back the boys got it all done. We will now be able to collect all the rain water from the house, yeh!!! (A major step)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfRXKqiltt_dY7C2lZRJuTbchdQ1ju5B2uLnrK8rnAb6OMsaXx-bcZ3OKSz0JZ78n2HcOuiLvxuCeWCQwigCzaotGTWqvwIUAZSMWbXpznDhztqOr7_zR-XqbO7TL1xwasG93QeyvPlg/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihfRXKqiltt_dY7C2lZRJuTbchdQ1ju5B2uLnrK8rnAb6OMsaXx-bcZ3OKSz0JZ78n2HcOuiLvxuCeWCQwigCzaotGTWqvwIUAZSMWbXpznDhztqOr7_zR-XqbO7TL1xwasG93QeyvPlg/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to lay the pipe. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Nzx51bhM5-GLbEvqLmNN79qix0c9bkPwMyXFVcrtXM3CsWkvCPdGDxzCfYtPosAOYC8jfOhKgQWI0Sz8vsxySMbbv_jNES0lW0tckhPS2fwrdXFiq8YBiL-55TRWZo-kQjDO1J_WHU/s1600/IMG_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0Nzx51bhM5-GLbEvqLmNN79qix0c9bkPwMyXFVcrtXM3CsWkvCPdGDxzCfYtPosAOYC8jfOhKgQWI0Sz8vsxySMbbv_jNES0lW0tckhPS2fwrdXFiq8YBiL-55TRWZo-kQjDO1J_WHU/s320/IMG_0695.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In goes the pipe.<br />
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Goal number 2 - (Its a big one) After setting up solar panels to feed back into the grid, the next step was to go solar for our hot water. Presently our hot water is contributing to more than half our power bill. <br />
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So we took the plunge. We got the kit from here <a href="http://www.runonsun.com.au/">www.runonsun.com.au</a> and by going this way we could incorporate our existing hot water tank. There is however, two things that I would like to add before you all run off and buy one! Firstly we thought that the kit would include everything needed, not so. Add another couple of hundred for the extras. Second, don't even attempt doing this yourself if you haven't any know how about plumbing (took DH a few days to get up and running) <br />
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Now having said that, (drum roll....) we turned the mains power off to the hot water system a few days ago. Just like when we had the solar panels installed we needed to review how to best utilize the system and changed our ways accordingly, the same for the solar hot water system. If needed we can always flick the switch back on again, no drama. So the trial begins ................................................. I'll keep you posted.<br />
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Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-90757908512164511702012-10-13T11:09:00.001+10:002012-10-13T11:09:46.415+10:00A smokin' week......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ8G5XBLfJVY1_8DWfF16kjS5CFEAHZolEFVGZmTAf0T7anTOzkMQsvCg6ycr3iD6gg0uF-YEJgXbn852SkBUcMNCTZHPwEsMxAuTDUtLfqQDLd8jC77ovcflDzXT3V-LFSiQ4dljyk4/s1600/2012_10099october0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJ8G5XBLfJVY1_8DWfF16kjS5CFEAHZolEFVGZmTAf0T7anTOzkMQsvCg6ycr3iD6gg0uF-YEJgXbn852SkBUcMNCTZHPwEsMxAuTDUtLfqQDLd8jC77ovcflDzXT3V-LFSiQ4dljyk4/s320/2012_10099october0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was the view from my back yard on Monday. So once again our house was thrown into kaos as we stepped into fire fighter mode. DS (the recent fledgling) took time off work (without pay) to come home and lend a hand. (God bless him)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgt280WP7dTspe10BRGcqtJoMFPYz1mijXZbNvaQ1wH_aW5lVtZCI30Uwaba2mMxNCG0n2spnq15sfyhlKxhZ4D0-PjLbipaQxfPBLpU_wC-8Vk7TFLlWDY3bhWTGpTWBephO4DgTcEA/s1600/DSCF6119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgt280WP7dTspe10BRGcqtJoMFPYz1mijXZbNvaQ1wH_aW5lVtZCI30Uwaba2mMxNCG0n2spnq15sfyhlKxhZ4D0-PjLbipaQxfPBLpU_wC-8Vk7TFLlWDY3bhWTGpTWBephO4DgTcEA/s320/DSCF6119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Although we (personally) weren't in real danger the fire did come close through the course of the week, that's our fence line you can see.</div>
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The great bunch of guys and gals that make up our local brigade gave it their all and battled the wildfire, burning back to save dwellings and structures. There were a few early mornings and a lot of late nights where conditions were more favourable to burn back into the wildfire.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEs8EoWkhI-Ol9k_xyQs0z8HsJ7MkKnFpezHzKOApwVkWaCf0jVPt54pkMFxLGdXucWAh4gYa9CAfrC7RyQXT8cMtwhLTyF2Znz4PVv94xUPvIt0bl6tul_XWaaV8X3PbfzY_DwdcE-U/s1600/This+one.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEs8EoWkhI-Ol9k_xyQs0z8HsJ7MkKnFpezHzKOApwVkWaCf0jVPt54pkMFxLGdXucWAh4gYa9CAfrC7RyQXT8cMtwhLTyF2Znz4PVv94xUPvIt0bl6tul_XWaaV8X3PbfzY_DwdcE-U/s320/This+one.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rural Firies on the job.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS56NPgyOvUHNPzN0fS8k7PZrBq4mHiOlr7hsrmTtbM3zjOpjFB48TN_oYRkEfAzNX5y0VxMv8AguNJ4Sfg60MVBwOq3kzEtYF5wqPlGHECAmvympMMGNCwnAzVwM8YFK7H6EjVAt6X4I/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS56NPgyOvUHNPzN0fS8k7PZrBq4mHiOlr7hsrmTtbM3zjOpjFB48TN_oYRkEfAzNX5y0VxMv8AguNJ4Sfg60MVBwOq3kzEtYF5wqPlGHECAmvympMMGNCwnAzVwM8YFK7H6EjVAt6X4I/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Back burning from Mooney road</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Burning back into the wildfire. DS with the drip torch getting ready to burn in another line.</span></div>
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After a full week of hard yakka in mountainous country they were able to get it under control and mother nature lent a hand by sending in the rain to dose it out completely.</div>
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On ya guys!</div>
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<br />Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-11659856296098698372012-10-08T08:30:00.000+10:002012-10-08T08:30:10.610+10:00"Round 2" <div style="text-align: center;">
I am very happy to report that we haven't had anymore critters of the four legged variety snacking on the vegetable garden under the cover of darkness (touch wood) since my declaration of war, either they got wind of it and were scared off or the fence mending is working.</div>
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However, we have not been able to harvest any strawberries this year. The plants are really healthy and there are plenty of green berries but we never seem to get a ripe one. Visions of rows of homemade strawberry jam lining my shelves are rapidly decreasing. So it's on again - R<strong>ound 2</strong> - this time the culprits are of the feathered kind. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Strawberries so close to rippening</span></div>
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Armed with some recently purchased bird netting (these are going to be expensive strawberries), a gazebo frame that we weren't using for anything in particular, some shadecloth twine and a needle, I let my creative side run wild. (Just a quick question - Can this be considered a crafty project? I mean, it did involve a needle and thread and an idea???)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY3VOrH2zBsznIMafuKDHu05oeJfHE9eLkXzQ78ObfUxnxab0iDvCVyWjZOnK1Tba_4O1O5PYQomWQbILYYBLwpBq1By_tOixvpJiHfipDOUHQmayaHfwaM6b3-duFSZWRTb4bGZvmfA/s1600/Strawberry+protection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiY3VOrH2zBsznIMafuKDHu05oeJfHE9eLkXzQ78ObfUxnxab0iDvCVyWjZOnK1Tba_4O1O5PYQomWQbILYYBLwpBq1By_tOixvpJiHfipDOUHQmayaHfwaM6b3-duFSZWRTb4bGZvmfA/s400/Strawberry+protection.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The end result - bugger off birds they are mine!</span></div>
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This is what I came up with and even remembered to make an opening to get in for my anticipated berry picking. This morning, on my way back up from feeding the horse, I saw "the said birds" pulling on the netting trying to get in, hmmm, might need to weight it down with a few more bricks. </div>
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It's now day two, the strawberries are turning red and I reckon I'll be picking this afternoon (fingers crossed). There is one more gazebo frame that I will give a similar makeover to, which I plan to use to protect the tomatoes. Just wait and see how this one works first as I may need to make a few modifications - so the trial begins............</div>
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Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-34727072654287661322012-10-06T10:12:00.001+10:002012-10-06T10:12:58.208+10:00How can this be legal?<br />
Came across this link this morning and boy did it send shivers down my spin!<br />
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Take a few minutes to check it out and see how it may affect you and your family.<br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAL_AMdMXqY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAL_AMdMXqY</a><br />
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Makes one wonder how the heck this could even be legal.<br />
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Just sharing...........Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-81966836339937936212012-10-02T11:17:00.000+10:002012-10-02T11:17:04.001+10:00A Great Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">
Recent rain helped to put a stop to the wildfires that have been burning in our area and life has once again gone back to normal (if you could call it that!).</div>
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Catching up with family is always a good thing and we were pleased when our eldest son and his family decided to break their trip and detour to the farm. Helping with the farm chores, the grand kids are always willing to have a go. I am secretly training DGD the art of milking and she is certainly getting the hang of it. DGS is the cheif egg collector and is not deterred by a clucky chook. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Both pictured here with mum picking peas for dinner.</span></div>
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We planned a sausage making day on Monday, DH had brought himself a sausage filling machine on ebay and he was just itching to test it out and called upon our DD and her family to come on out and lend a hand. It's not the first time, perhaps we are starting a family tradition? It took a couple of goes to get it just so, but once the wrinkles were ironed out it was smooth and quick sailing ahead. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Making polish sausage with the new sausage filler - hand operated of course!</span></div>
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This time round DH put some cracked black pepper corns in the sausage mix and after a few hours in the smoker, everyone sampled the smoked sausage giving it a big thumbs up. </div>
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DH cooking Sunday morning breakfast on the wood stove that he has now finished restoring. It needed alot of work but he did it!</div>
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I'm thinking that it will come in handy for preserving the harvest - canning, making jams etc and because it is outside I will not be heating up the kitchen in the middle of summer. OK well that's the plan, first I have to wait for my tomato bushes to produce fruit but alas they have been planted!!!</div>
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Hope you'll had a great long weekend!</div>
Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-45758224953417119332012-09-20T08:52:00.001+10:002012-09-20T08:52:12.770+10:00Where there is smoke ........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
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Life has been thrown into a bit of a spin around these parts. All week our local rural fire brigade have been battling a wildfire. We are situated in a beautiful valley with mountain ranges on either side of us. This fire burnt its way over the mountain from the western side and sizzled its way into the valley.</div>
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Stopping it at the top of the mountain was not an option as it is inaccessible.</div>
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This is just one hot spot that I photographed from my front yard yesterday that the brigade is keeping a close eye on. They sure have been busy, with plenty of very late nights back burning to save property and houses.</div>
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So it really gets up my goat to hear our premier is axing nearly half of the Rural Operations staff. Just like main roads conducting roadworks on major highways during the school hoildays, the premier chooses the fire season to act! </div>
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(Warning - rant coming up)</div>
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Really we are at the grassroots level, defending the community, countless hours and sleepless nights with no pay. How the heck are we supposed to carrying on doing this without the support of Rural Operations. Where does he think we get our applicances (fire trucks) from? What about Personal Protective Equipment (fire fighting uniforms)? </div>
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Geez!!!!! </div>
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<br />Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-27582255851451332802012-09-15T12:28:00.001+10:002012-09-15T12:28:24.823+10:00It's War !!!<br />
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One of our goals this year is to make the garden more productive - "life line to the kitchen" and inspired to make our own pasta sauces this year we have been steadily working towards this goal. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Garden this September - entering from the greenhouse - (note the worn path).</span></div>
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However, the garden is being invaded, under the cover of darkness of course, by something that likes to dig and dig it does! My morning garden walk is spent looking for casualties, (poor up rooted plants) and fixing up the destruction from the night time activities. Really I am sure they are playing hide and seek........... not there? Lets try over here? No nothing, maybe over here then?...... grrrrr.......... </div>
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With the newly planted potatoes making an appearance the whole situation had me declaring war, really, enough is enough!! Seeing my disappointment and the daily destruction, my DH pledged his support. We spent the better part of three days repairing, adding to and reinforcing the garden fence. We only had one entry gate that did not have a cement barrier underneath it to prevent the little buggers from digging under, DH with shovel in hand, got to changing this. Although we didn't have time to mix a barrow load of cement, he did put in a permanent log deep enough to deter any hungry pesties.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Test it they did! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tomato and other warmer weather plants ready for the garden.</span></div>
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It has now been three days and happily I haven't found any signs of destruction within the garden so we are chalking up this round to us.</div>
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Happy gardening! </div>
Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-9953942467407201392012-08-30T08:34:00.001+10:002012-08-30T08:34:14.820+10:00I jumped right in .......For a while now I have been following with great interest bloggers who preserve the fruits of their labour by canning, all the while thinking to myself gosh I'd like to learn that skill and become more self reliant but I don't think I can. Some of the receipes are just great and you guys make it sound so easy but still this never done it before canner sits on the fence............<br />
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Figured before I made a monumental stuff up I should read up a wee bit more. I purchased the book "Canning and preserving for dummies" reckon this book was right up my alley LOL. OK then so perhaps I could try doing a water bath method and can use some of my saved jars, just get new lids ...... perhaps I could have a go without investing a big bunch of money and realizing I can't do it ....hmmm....hmm... (A shift in attitude)<br />
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Our orange trees were loaded this year and every morning without fail DH has been making a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. He mentioned that it would be good if we could some how preserve the juice so he could have it all year round. My reply was non commital and I hadn't found a receipe in my new book, so what can you do when your looking for a particular thing? Well you google it of course! I ended up finding a youtube video of how to can orange juice. Armed with the knowledge I needed and knowing that it would only cost me the price of new lids and a canning set, reckon I'll give it ago. (Testing the water with my little toe hehehe)<br />
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So give it ago I did, yes you heard right or should I say you read right? Anyway I, the fence sitter, finally got up the courage to have a go and jump right in I did or more like bomb drive in (It did get a bit messy) and canned my first ever anything, orange juice!!!! How liberating !!!!! I did it!!!! Don't know how it tastes, haven't tried it yet but it sure looks good lined up on the kitchen table. LOL<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiED9mc_Tzw2kKg1G8x-f7WPeTzrS6Dy6_vnO_EMPzbi11BZhqIMPJHrq_VnP4DeXrQGwTc0-8VLlc97HJksf4SJv2OxPzqgaovaladvuaKURvvIlK1pLCzphviGh7ys3EZc3hlQ24sw/s1600/2004_0606july220004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJiED9mc_Tzw2kKg1G8x-f7WPeTzrS6Dy6_vnO_EMPzbi11BZhqIMPJHrq_VnP4DeXrQGwTc0-8VLlc97HJksf4SJv2OxPzqgaovaladvuaKURvvIlK1pLCzphviGh7ys3EZc3hlQ24sw/s320/2004_0606july220004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">My first ever canned anything, Orange Juice with this years seed potatoes from Green Harvest.</span></div>
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So just wanted to say a huge thank you to all you canners in blog land for sharing your receipes and encouraging wanna canners to have a go. And my last word on the subject for now, Jump in the waters fine!!!!!</div>
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Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-21418466781266096102012-08-26T09:24:00.000+10:002012-08-26T09:24:00.351+10:00Introducing "Hazel"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp3bMFpXcNaXBZ-6GpGdJF5fkrYomoQ2y8c2LFKNQSxdo3cDAUAZtOpWnHJZ79ywKV08OeGxKTz8A80R2TYdsvUMYc2aQShF9LLMS4vUD1z0YpBzhefReBDYoMHlKYbpIZTS3zBEqXMk/s1600/Hazel+1+week+old.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirp3bMFpXcNaXBZ-6GpGdJF5fkrYomoQ2y8c2LFKNQSxdo3cDAUAZtOpWnHJZ79ywKV08OeGxKTz8A80R2TYdsvUMYc2aQShF9LLMS4vUD1z0YpBzhefReBDYoMHlKYbpIZTS3zBEqXMk/s400/Hazel+1+week+old.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meet "Hazel", she is now one week old and oh so gorgeous!</div>
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Her mum has turned out to be a real blessing. She is very easy to milk and has a great nature for milking, to date she hasn't once lifted her leg to knock over the milk bucket.</div>
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And just because she is so cute, I just had to add this photo as well hehehe....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gzSJWgh31iZPWtMcFh38MDkUlAtElmmzbyCxMJmdSuKB3Di54Lk8AFYo82ehJEQyHQ9tuUnsjrGDb8Gl5yQ-0rsnffx3UJobxxVRAk2G-EjTAHF5eqoD3u2nCERJo92qwwOHbkBEoAM/s1600/2004_0606july220014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gzSJWgh31iZPWtMcFh38MDkUlAtElmmzbyCxMJmdSuKB3Di54Lk8AFYo82ehJEQyHQ9tuUnsjrGDb8Gl5yQ-0rsnffx3UJobxxVRAk2G-EjTAHF5eqoD3u2nCERJo92qwwOHbkBEoAM/s320/2004_0606july220014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also very cute are these two lambs that DD is raising. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(right - "Misty" and left - "Coco")</span></div>
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DD seems to understand modern electronic things better than her parents and some how managed to get a camera that was outdated to work again, so hence this photos. Thanks love.</div>
Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-53342364302501337312012-08-19T18:14:00.002+10:002012-08-19T18:14:40.414+10:00Happy, Happy, Happy!!!!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
Yesterday "Miss Molly" had a beautiful (if not so little) heifer calf. Of course we are over the moon and first time mother and daughter are doing well. DD decided to call the new arrival "Hazel" this being the colour she was when we first laid eyes on her newly entered into the world.</div>
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Today was spent making a head bales and setting up a milking area within the cattle yards. This <strong>will be</strong> a short term situation until DH can set up the yard closer to the house, its a bit of a trek hauling a bucket full of milk. </div>
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But double bugger still no camera!!!! </div>
Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-32424036295908910972012-08-16T08:33:00.000+10:002012-08-16T08:33:40.909+10:00Miss Calculation?????Been caught up in life lately, had a big/huge weekend volunteering with our local fire brigade, catering for the Jazz and Shiraz festival. It was exhausting but well worth the effort as we raised much needed funds.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Over 300 people attended - check out this tree, said to be over 100 yrs old)</span></div>
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So did we come home and put our feet up? No siree. Our eldest DS came home and helped us butcher the two pigs (don't know how we would have managed it without him) anyway yesterday saw us boneing out the meat and mincing it. Sorry to our neighbours about the noise of the mincer grinding away at 8.30pm last night! But alas the job is done and the freezer full of mince destined for polish sausage. Yeah!<br />
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By now your probably wondering about this post title. Well when "Miss Molly" was AI'd, DH calculated her due date 1st August. This came and went and when she still didn't look like she was ready to calve a week after, he said one morning whilst having breakfast " Can you get the cattle record book?" upon viewing this there were alot of "hmmm, arrrr, I see, well then" comments in which he then snapped the book shut and professed he had miscalculated and she is in fact due 20th August and with a smile (seeing my cranky look) sweetened the mistake with "You could get your heifer after all"<br />
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So folks fingers crossed!!! and double bugger, I am now camera-less!!!<br />
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Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-73370732143385146422012-08-03T08:30:00.003+10:002012-08-03T08:32:11.899+10:00Winter is back ....<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
One could be forgiven for thinking that Spring was making an appearance with the peach trees flowering and the mulberry trees setting fruit, well up til now that is. Winter is back and all this week our place has been a blanket of white ice in the mornings, yep it had DD and I fishing around for our beanies and gloves once again. </div>
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Life on the farm has been very busy and at times just down right kaotic! I mean really what happened "to the simple life" ? Our DS (the recent fledgling) was home for a visit, gosh it was sure good to see him again....sigh....sigh... </div>
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Of course these were basically just fleeting glimpses in between dashing out the door. This time round he was able to fence his house yard and set up his orchard which now is home to five fruit trees. Oh and he did like the reno youngest DD and I managed to complete before his arrival.</div>
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So anyway I'm not going to go into great detail of what we have been up too during my absence from blog land ...... however we did make 10kgs of Polish sausage.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Making the Polish sausage</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Three and a bit hours later the sausage is turned in the smoker.</span></div>
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With the help of our local fire brigade, we burn't off a few paddocks to reduce our fuel load (This is also called hazard reduction burning) and these areas will be prepared and planted with pasture for the animals.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our local brigade which includes our family burning off.</span></div>
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Hosted a garden tour through our permiculture garden which isn't as productive as I would like but has been reclaimed from the wild never the less<span style="font-size: xx-small;">. </span><span style="font-size: small;">The mint however, still lives on ....grrrr.... I had thought that all the winter vegetables would just bolt to seed due to our balmy Spring weather but you just never know.......</span></div>
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My heifer "Miss Molly" is yet to calve, her due date was the 1st of August and I have now lost all hope of the calf being a heifer, boohoo ("Cry me a river" as DD would say). My neighbour is happy because we made a deal that should it be a bull calf he will keep it for breeding purposes for his herd, different bloodlines and all that. The other little problem niggling in the back of my mind is that DH has yet to build my milking bales and when I voiced (translated - nagged) my concerns he assured me "the job extends to the time allowed". (This will be interesting she said with tongue in cheek) ........ <em>Tick Toc</em></div>
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</div>Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-68024845529472429472012-07-16T10:25:00.000+10:002012-07-16T10:25:25.888+10:00Washing day ......A walk outside requires a pair of these ..........<br />
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The past few weeks have been wet, wet, wet! It is certainly no joy having to do the morning and afternoon chores in the continual rain. Thus far we have received 8 inches of rain but alas the sun is shinning today, still cool but we have sun! My washing machine is currently working overtime with the prospect of actually being able to get some clothes dry...... woohooo!!!<br />
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It has highlighted that we aren't set up for continual periods of rain. I mean, how many of you stress about drying clothes after three days of rain? DH generously strung some line in his shed which is currently full of clothes. OK this works but it takes nearly a week to get something dry in our current weather pattern. <br />
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The other problem is a dry place for the sheep which are coming into lambing season. Now of course we have shelters in the paddocks but when the ground becomes saturated the floor of the shelters become waterlogged too. So building the sheep shed has moved up on the list of "to do" and hopefully we will be more prepared next year. <br />
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On the upside, the roof doesn't leak LOL. The joys of living on the land, learning to take the good with the bad.<br />
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Hoping you are all well and staying high and dry ............Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-74727854533222058202012-07-05T11:38:00.003+10:002012-07-05T11:38:58.322+10:00Frosty starts .....The mornings for us generally start a bit before the birds start chirping and the sun makes an appearance. Wednesday morning it was 1.9 degrees outside under the awning the next day 2.1 degrees. Yep, winter has arrived in our neck of the woods! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Frost on the garlic - just right for forming bulbs</span></div>
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This morning (5th July) we had our biggest frost yet, -1 degrees outside under the awning. Our place looked like it had snowed, white frost everywhere. This time the capsicum, sweet basil and tomato plants didn't survive, I'm actually surprised they lasted as long as they did. On the positive side, the window of opportunity is now wide open to grow a good crop of cauliflower & broccoli with the frost effectively killing off any leaf eating grubs.<br />
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Our DS will be home for a visit in acouple of weeks, I am sooo looking forward to it! So inspired by joyfulhomemaker, DD and I have been doing some interior designing ourselves. (It's going to be a surprise, so can't give too much away just yet). I was wanting to purchase acouple of bright scatter cushions to go with the new bedspread, no worries I'll just buy some............. that was until I saw the price tag ................ on second thought, I'll make some instead (perhaps they could be my Christmas finish for July???) This project has had our undivided attention for the better part of a week with just the finishing touches to go. <br />
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Time to catch up on the things we didn't do and the first thing that comes to mind is the herb garden. It was dug over again and has been sitting (resting) since. To my astonishment the mint has not yet surrendered its hold!!!<br />
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We have started feeding off the winter oats to the milking goats and sheep as the frost has browned off the other pasture and in readiness for the lambing season which should begin any day now.<br />
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It is now warmer outside than it is inside, so I'm off to thaw out in the garden :)Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-83933716899656608972012-06-18T15:54:00.000+10:002012-06-18T16:03:03.832+10:00Work in progress part 2Have you ever noticed that it is the simple little things that can bring us to a screaming halt when they fail? Case in point - batteries, AA to be precise. You see this is the size my digital camera takes, the rechargeable ones actually, but it would appear that my battery charger of 6+ years no longer does the job. So how can one take a photo and upload it to blogger or send a photo of a tractor part to verify the actual item needed to be purchased and replaced?????? At some point it crossed my mind to go to town and just buy some, a logical thought except that town is a two hour return trip and for batteries?, yeah, don't think so lovely. It became a case of sit back, twiddle my thumbs and wait, (not good at this waiting) grrrr.<br />
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DH, bless his cotton pickin' soul, had to fuel the work vehicle this morning and you guessed it! purchased the required batteries, so all is right in the world again <strong>but</strong> I will be stocking up next dreaded shopping trip. <br />
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OK, well now that I have gotten that off my chest, here is a picture of our "herb garden" aka "work in progress". It has been dug over twice now to unearth any stray mint roots that have gone down for cover and this was a very aromatic job. The soil needed a bit of a kick so we added 6 bags of horse poop and got around to cleaning out the pig pen so everything coming out, got added as well. Should be good and rich now!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above - Awaiting the final dig over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Below - Seedlings growing on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Below - New additions to the farm, Henry and Turner.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqJuaP3YuKN8hFGxGS_WMR6BTEvr1hS8sZhqoserW0RhKQ4USoMJo0yK-I5Wwz8F3J4K-3-l6FTKjN89w_6_etW1UnGMS6OpZd3unhLOWSfqoK_fOh84D-BWnTDpt1z8h1c8RE9ZVUxc/s1600/Henry+&+Turner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqJuaP3YuKN8hFGxGS_WMR6BTEvr1hS8sZhqoserW0RhKQ4USoMJo0yK-I5Wwz8F3J4K-3-l6FTKjN89w_6_etW1UnGMS6OpZd3unhLOWSfqoK_fOh84D-BWnTDpt1z8h1c8RE9ZVUxc/s320/Henry+&+Turner.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have started digging up some of our organic ginger and I stumbled across a recipe for ginger and grapefruit marmalade, having all the ingredients on hand thought I'd give it whirl whilst satisfying my pioneer spirit. I must say that the odour wafting through the house was delish, wish I could say the same for the taste! First you get the bite of the ginger then the tart (very tart) taste of the grapefruit. Don't reckon I'll be backing up to do that one again but on the up side, it set beautifully and I only made a small batch......... Has this ever happened to anyone else????<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">My, lets say "experiment" - Ginger and Grapefruit marmalade.</span><br />
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My darlin' DH has been looking a wee bit lost of late, you see his tractor broke, wouldn't turn over, fire up or run, just wouldn't work at all. All though it took a big bunch of $$$$ to fix, it would have taken a load more $$$ if he didn't have the skills and knowledge to fix it himself, for this I and our bank account are most grateful!!! It wasn't until 3 weeks later on a pleasant Sunday afternoon when he pulled up on my nice lawn, no less! and turned it off and then on again, (a number of times) just because he could, whilst wearing a smile similar to a kid in a candy store did I actually realize how important having his tractor operational meant to him, jeez must have been the smile that gave it away LOL. All is right in his world once again.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above - Tractor shed or Milking bales ???</span></div>
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I have noticed a build up of farming "things" in the proposed "milking bales" area, a piece added now and then, a cold shiver ran down my spine when DH parked his newly fixed tractor snugly in the remaining clear area did it actually dawn on me that this notion of setting this shed up for milking, has just flown right out the window .................. (Big sigh)Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-22194269744816136652012-06-12T08:03:00.000+10:002012-06-12T08:03:44.248+10:00Energy Consumption<br />
Along my blog hopping journey, I have read quite a lot of great energy saving tips. This got me to thinking about "Peak" and "Off Peak" times and how it relates to us out here and how would be the best way to utilize our power consumption now that our solar panels are connected to the grid ??????<br />
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I got to talking about just this with another person in the area who has had their system up and running for a while now. Their advise, use your power during the day when the sun is shinning and the panels are working for you. Sound advice, but what of "Peak" and "Off Peak" ??<br />
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When all else fails, call the source! So I had me a lovely chat with our energy provider with my quest in mind. The gentleman I spoke with advised that in our situation we don't have "Peak" and "Off Peak" times (solved that mystery - but how to save on power consumption and money???) We have two tarrifs, the first being our main supply and the second being for the hot water. Presently we are purchasing power to supply our daily needs at 22.75 cents and 13.67 cents for our hot water. All the power that we generate, when the sun is shinning, first feeds into the house and any not utilized feeds into the grid and is brought from us by the energy provider at 44 cents.<br />
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With this new found/gained knowledge we set about a plan to save on our energy costs. Firstly (apart from the fridge and freezer) we now use the bulk of our energy when the panels are not generating power - at night. This includes, the laundry, ironing etc, allowing all the energy produced during the day (assuming its sunny) to feed into the grid. Why do it this way I hear you ask? Simple, it comes down to dollars and cents. We are buying the power during the night (my new "Off Peak" time) at 22.75 cents. During the day when the panels are working at their "Peak" the energy provider is paying us 44 cents.<br />
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It's a goal of ours to go solar with the hot water system as well, but alas one thing at a time, so in the meanwhile the hot water system gets turned off in the morning once the sun is up and switched back on when "Home and Away" starts. My biggest concern when DH said we would be doing this until a solar system was installed was "What if we forget to turn it on and run out of hot water????" his reply "We would only forget once!" OK, well...... hmmm.......probably got a point there.......<br />
<br />Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-89448972083503482242012-06-06T08:42:00.003+10:002012-06-06T08:42:52.665+10:00Work in progress part 1Making use of a glorous Sunday we tackled the task of re-claiming the herb garden. It has been up to now, pretty much left to fend for itself. The mint did exactly that, taking over the entire garden underneath the soil with its massive root system. Knowing that this wasn't going to be a quick weekend project (bugger) we made a start.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The mint taking over the whole garden</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It's going to be a big job</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-RvEUX7gDV0ZbIKM1QQo5SdqsvyK9_05Ik4lCp1f7UNKAD2DlTK33zLwndMYZaae5M7CCvS_9YtU8t3wGPT3e_dvZxZdXq98zhCRcISlXkDyNenLAVLWwwt2dbS1BMAS4dmgDMFhwoM/s1600/Digging+up+the+plants.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-RvEUX7gDV0ZbIKM1QQo5SdqsvyK9_05Ik4lCp1f7UNKAD2DlTK33zLwndMYZaae5M7CCvS_9YtU8t3wGPT3e_dvZxZdXq98zhCRcISlXkDyNenLAVLWwwt2dbS1BMAS4dmgDMFhwoM/s320/Digging+up+the+plants.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Digging out the plants we want to keep </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">While DD and DH kept weeding, I began the task of potting up the plants we are keeping to replant into the garden</span></div>
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We will need to dig over this garden bed again to make sure that we have got all the mint roots out and of course add some organic matter like, you guessed it! Horse poop. I will keep you posted on our progress.....</div>
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Just thought I'd share a picture of our expectant mother, "Miss Molly" she is due to calve in August and I have put in an order for a heifer! DD has been getting her quiet and Miss Molly now waits at the gate each afternoon for something special. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Miss Molly" and DD, the animal whisperer.</span></div>Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-5079476017202098842012-06-03T09:05:00.001+10:002012-06-03T09:05:36.054+10:00Wet weekendAs predicated Saturday in our neck of the woods was a bleak wet day, no surprise really as it is now officially winter. DH was away for the day on fire brigade business, so just DD and myself. Gosh, however will we amuse ourselves and on such a day?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The beautiful colours of Autumn - couldn't help myself - just love Autumn</span></div>
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Yeah right, now having all this seasons episodes of "Revenge", "Missing" and "Once Upon A Time" in my hot little hands, the biggest problem for us was, which one to watch first, yes folks it was movie fest at our place, really what else is there to do when its raining out????<br />
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Lucky for me, there were odd periods of "rain free time" during the day, so I made use of it to finish off a garden bed I'd started the day before. Abbys' leg is healing nicely, no thanks to "that pig" which I will add is now residing in the freezer. So although we aren't riding the horses at present they have become valuable assets in the grand scheme of things, providing us with a regular supply of organic fertilizer for the garden as well as munching down or reducing the fuel load/grass in the paddock.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready to be spread out and dug in to enrich the soil.</span></div>
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I can say without guilt the day wasn't totally wasted. Wonder what tomorrow will bring? <br />
<br />Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-69697277707993005742012-05-30T15:53:00.004+10:002012-05-30T15:56:45.147+10:00Christmas finish for May<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is a picture of my May finish, which is for my kitchen (perhaps I should have asked if we are allowed to make something for ourselves ?....) anyway after a recent spotlight visit I am now stocked up and have a bunch of ideas buzzing around in my mind like swarming bees.</div>
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After our recent cold snap, the weather has been glorious for gardening, excluding today (at times one had to hold onto something to anchor oneself otherwise risk being blown away by the gale force winds)</div>
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Pictured above - The willing workers in our chook tractor, on the job saving us the task of weeding, composting, fertilizing and digging. Below - young seedlings in various stages of growth which will end up in the garden.</div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;">Just Loooove Autumn!</span></div>Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-76047209619600991292012-05-23T18:21:00.001+10:002012-05-23T18:21:20.377+10:00Good things do happen .....Sometimes good things happen when you least expect it. Last weekend was a prime example, a good friend called in early Saturday morning bearing the gift of a vehicle part that we were unable to locate, not only did he get it but for less than $50. <br />
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Although now running a bit late for the next meeting, DH and DD hurried off to look at pure bred dorper ram lamb offered to us for a reasonable price. It turned out the person selling the lamb had broken their arm and will be unable to AI some cattle, so a deal was struck, with DH agreeing to do the scheduled AI in exchange for the said lamb. Imagine my surprise when they pulled up with the actual lamb. (Thought you were just going to check it out?) DD has named the said lamb, "Charlie" as in Charlie Brown and has dutifully taken on the task of raising him.<br />
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Our eldest DS and family squeezed in a visit to help out with the butchering of the pig, that is their pig, which has been here on a farm stay. This took up the rest of the afternoon. So whilst they were busy doing "the deed", Becky, Lisa and I had all three computers working around the table busy transferring tv series that our son had downloaded for us. (Yeah, no ads and can be viewed when it suits us, double yeah!)<br />
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Hope you all have a great weekend!<br />
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Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628243458060038903.post-76992795816836799062012-05-13T10:37:00.000+10:002012-05-13T10:37:27.458+10:00April bites the dust......The month of April has seemingly flown by with the speed of light and we are already nudging into May!!!! I am having a hard time coming to terms with just how quickly the time is flying by.<br />
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On the farm April is very busy (hectic) filling orders, sorting and planting the annual garlic crop. This year both our daughters and their families lent a hand and our good son came home to help and ensure everything ran like it should. The quote of this years annual garlic planting came from our DSIL which was "You have to breed your workers" and was very fitting for situation at hand. So we will be chalking that one up. Gathering the mulch took a lot longer this year as the horses had grazed down the paddocks usually cut for this, which meant we needed to access other paddocks further from the garlic patch taking more time.<br />
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Whilst this was all going on, I was haggling with our energy supplier about our solar system. It started with a letter informing us they will be looking at our situation, which could take a while and let us know if they will approve the 3kw system we had applied for. Then I got a call from the company which is supplying and installing the system letting us know that the energy company has only approved a 1.1kw system (your kidding me right! might run the fridge and freeze.... whats the point of going to this expense if we still wind up with a bill each quarter?) This started a series of phone calls and I'll use the word "negotiating" ending in the complaints department. <br />
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This turned out to be a very positive step, first of all the manager contacted me earlier than anticipated (just as I was heading out for a dreaded shopping trip) but a plus, asked questions like, where is the transformer and meter box located and where do we intend installing the system? etc (not the rehearsed responses I got the day before) another good sign. Upon returning home my DH greeted me at the car (geez whats going on here? I asked myself ) gave me a kiss on the cheek (now I <strong>know</strong> something is up!!) and said he received a call not a half hour after I'd left to say the energy company has approved our 3kw system. Well I'll be....... Upon passing on the good news to our supplier, they informed me that energy companies don't reverse their decisions and this is "unheard of" in their world.<br />
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So now the system is installed and up and running and although it is not yet hooked up to the grid, it is making power and turning our meter backwards. This experience, pardon the pun, has been empowering. Next step, the hot water system ....<br />
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Whilst we have been caught up in life, I have missed my "one xmas item a month" for March and April, sorry Narelle. However, I have purchased material needed for a project I have in mind for this and hope to be able to catch up.<br />
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<br />Bec - Farmers Wifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02921459284859712709noreply@blogger.com3