What I'm reading....

Our book for Bookclub this month was Butterfly by Australian author Sonya Hartnett.....story about the coming of age of a 14 year old girl in Melbourne in the 80's.......I could really relate to this book, loved a lot about it but the ending left me really dissatisfied.....I don't like books where the author leaves the ending to your interpretation.....I'm a "needs to know" kind of girl............Other than that it was a good read....I'm sure the ladies at bookclub will all have something to say about this one.

Butterly by Australian author Sonya Harnett......good read !!

 With Winter well and truly under way, the Solstice has already been and gone.........it's lovely to start the day with a warm lemon and honey drink.......squeeze a lemon (straight from the tree in the garden) into warm water, stir in a bit of honey and drink first thing....very cleansing and good for the soul.

Warm lemon and honey , great way to start the day..........

Have just finished doing a great meditation  that I have downloaded off the internet......"ask for nothing and receive everything you need"......really beautiful sentiments in the meditation, includes sending out healing energy to your family and  friends, those in need and also the planet......receive back the joy of knowing you are helping those you care for and those who are less fortunate than yourself....heal your body, soul and spirit, with the power of your mind...amazing !

My Daughter's New Camera..........

 My eldest daughter has a fabulous new camera which she received for her 30th birthday from the family.....takes the most amazing photos and she is snap happy with pics of my gorgeous G-baby....

G-Baby taking after Poppy on the golf course...only mini golf at this stage...

G-Baby on the beach in the beautiful glow of late afternoon winter sunshine......

What great memories ........he is a beautiful little boy, only 2 but so much personality......It's great to be a nanny ....he's our first G-baby and very adorable...as you can tell by the pics....love to all the grandparents out there. 



Love Food, Hate Waste campaign...

As always still trying to do my bit for the planet, environment and now also my pocket....in the past I have been known to waste food, throwing away things that I could have put to better use if I was better prepared and more aware of what I was doing......life changes and my lifestyle has changed now in so many ways.....anything that can't be salvaged is either fed to the chooks, put in the worm farm for those guys to digest or else put into the compost.........had a few left over bananas that were on their last legs and turned them into a delicious banana cake....very easy recipe and would have cost less than a dollar to make....I was pretty impressed with myself...

Yummy banana cake made from the bananas going brown in the fruit bowl..................

 Then I had a barbeque chicken which we had used all of the meat from and decided that instead of tossing  it into the bin....can't feed it to the dogs, chooks or worms........I would make it into stock.....added a few vegies and boiled it up and used it for last nights risotto ......only problem is I have the left over cooked remains and had to bin them....don't know of any use for them...anyone out there use the remnants for anything useful...............??

Left overs from making the chicken stock........any ideas what it could be used for.....???

Am always now looking for ways to make our food go further..........using local organic foods wherever possible, free range, organic and locally sourced chicken and meats also.......it can be tricky but well worth the effort it in the end.....wishing good health to all.

Beating winter blues'........



Wow, winter has hit with a vengeance....so surprising that the sun can be shining beautifully one day and temperatures drop and rainfall starts next day and bang.....it's winter...I work from home so the cold weather wintery blues certainly take their toll on me....not a lot happening in the garden, plants are very slow to come along, not like the glorious bounty of summer crops.....have started growing my own seedlings to see how I go....bought a tiny plastic greenhouse and if I have any success and the seedlings take off, I will look at purchasing a proper greenhouse......would love to have stacks of seedlings and plants on the go...still a lot to learn but putting seeds into soil and adding water can't be all that hard - can it???

My itsy bitsy greenhouse......the start of bigger things maybe.

So far so good....spinach and leek seedlings have started to pop up..

Todays lunch......

Still trying to eat a healthy diet.....often fall by the wayside, but today I made this lovely fresh salad which incorporated beetroot and lettuce from my garden..along with cabbage, carrots, capsicum, feta and sundried tomatoes......also the addition of organic hemp seeds ...recommended by my Naturopath.....adds a nice little nutty flavour to many foods.....was delicious but I have to confess that just eating salad for lunch leaves me feeling hungry again a couple of hours later....Have been to Writing Group this afternoon and I could hear the rumble of my tummy.....home now for a cuppa and hopefully a treat..nothing to decadent.

The art of Cheesemaking......



Had a great day yesterday, attended a course on Cheesemaking....a local permaculture farm runs cheesemaking courses.....learnt how to make Feta, Yoghurt and Marscapone.....it was easier than I was expecting ...will certainly be making my own Feta and yoghurt from now on.....

Book club for April and May.....



 Noah's Compass by Anne Tyler was the book we read for April Bookclub....created interesting conversation... most thinking it was not Anne Tyler's best book by far but was certainly a good enough read...Story is about Liam a retired teacher who at 60 is fairly lost in life and is attacked one night and has no memory of the attack....the remainder of the story is about the interaction with his family and a woman he meets.....interesting enough story but not really compelling reading...5 out of 10 for me.

The book for this month is The Slap......am only 70 or so pages into this novel and I can tell you right now I detest this book.....I find the language very crass....the characters are formulaic ...wogs and skips according to the author...with the exception of the aboriginal moslem.... ..and punctuated continually by non relevant sexual encounters and vouyeristic episodes....hope I can finish it as it will certainly make a great debate at our bookclub discussion group.....

Sewing with my Singer.....

 I was inspired last year when the 160th anniversary Singer sewing machine came out....just had to have one even though I was not that into sewing at the time.......had made a quilt about 10 years ago.....who would have thought that I would get back into it (along with all of the other creative ideas and dreams I have).....am currently trying to finish off a quilt that I started a few months ago....I have another beautiful quilting project that I want to start.....a fabulous wall hanging....it's huge and I will be doing a block a month....stay tuned...

Almost finished this quilt, just a few more stitcheries to go and add the rows.....then backing and try to quilt it.......hmmmmm.....great pastime for the long cold winter days ahead.......

Lovely, lazy autumn lunch......

Met up with friends for lunch on Sunday....tried a local restaurant, Slippery Jacks...food was great...my meal was chicken breast on smashed potatoes with pancetta.....beautiful autumn meal, the taste and colours were amazing...I also thought the presentation was beautiful...somehow it makes it taste better when it looks fabulous....I always enjoy a meal that I haven't had to prepare myself.....I love a lazy Sunday lunch with good friends, good food and a glass of wine.....

Nourishing body and soul...

Healthy snacking ....all organic - grapes, mandarine, almonds and macadamia nuts

Having spent so much time and energy in the garden and other pursuits, I feel I have been neglecting my body and my health.....my general fitness is not good and also I haven't been eating as well as I would like too......today I have started to once again focus on my health and wellbeing, including mind and soul.....haven't done yoga in ages and was very out of practice this morning....but will persevere and try to do a daily practice in the morning, including meditation. .....also pay attention to everything that I eat....mindful eating is important...if it doesn't nourish my body or offer any health benefits, I will try not to eat it...I do love wine and cheese though....hhhmmmmm.....

Simple little things.......

 The sun was still shining today after a chilly start to the week......the last rays of autumn sunshine are something to really savour....heading into winter in the hills.....it gets chilly up here......along with the cooler weather comes changes around the house......out comes the knitting.....need to get into the cooler weather planting  in the garden.....put on the warm bed linen in preparation for the cold nights to come......stock up on firewood for those lovely long evenings when we can sit in front of the coonara........it's definitely the small things that make up the fabric of our lives.........

Along with the cooler weather the knitting comes out....

This is going to be a scarf....I enjoy knitting patterns that offers a bit of a challenge

My Phalaenopsis Orchid has flowered again......so beautiful....

Cooler Autumn weather means changing the bed linen to the warmer cover....
....someone thought it looked perfect to settle into.......

Hope everyone enjoys the change of seasons and all that it brings as much as I do..........!

Every little bit helps.....

I'm committed to using environmentally friendly products in every room in the house.  I don't use anything with chemicals around the home or in the garden.....want to avoid pesticides completely.  I use organic hair products including hairspray...also use organic make up , mascara, eyeshadow and lippy.....still have  a couple of products that are not organic, but working on it...unfortunately still get my hair dyed but looking at alternative solutions to that.....get a bit of flack from friends and family who don't take environmental warnings on board.....but I am prepared to do what I can to protect my home, those who live in it..... and do my bit for the planet.......

Eco, organic in my bathroom products include handwash, face products, soap,
shampoo and conditioner etc

chemical free eco cleaning products, vinegar, carb soda, floor cleaner, window cleaner
and of coarse eucalyptus oil..my favourite thing...

Eco in the kitchen, including organic essential oils, dishwashing tabs and liquid...
.trusty spray bottle that I put the oils into mixed with water to
create room freshener....home smells beautiful.....

Eco products for the laundry....safe for grey water

What I read in March ...

Book club read for this month was Piano Lessons by Anna Goldsworthy....unfortunately once again not a favourite of mine....I found this book to be a summary of piano lessons and awards received by a very self absorbed individual...a virtual transcript of everything she achieved from ages 9 to 20....she was very successful but very very boring.......only saving grace was the piano teacher....she sounded fantastic...would not recommend....however I bet the others in the group enjoyed it....I need a meaty story, something to get my teeth into..... a page turner....is that too much to ask ....!!!

Who's crowing now.......

Oh dear.......strange noises heard from the hen house this morning.......sounded a lot like cock-a-doodle-doo........that's right the "Hens" are roosters......so sad, I was sure they were hens....no longer trust google images.....Foster and Wilson will now be looking for a new home.....

Appreciate the little things......

People spend so much time grumbling about everything from the economy to the weather and rarely take time to appreciate the beauty and simplicity that everyday things can bring...... my man went to the funeral of a colleague yesterday who died suddenly at 52.....it puts your life into perspective and should help you appreciate the little things that are your life......here are some of mine from yesterday..........

Lovely breaky with eggs from my chooks and homemade organic bread

One of the babies I raised from eggs....hooray they are both hens !!

Finding a snug little bundle each morning......thanks girls !!

 

Someone cuddly decides to snuggle up on your freshly made bed ....

 

The photo I have of the anniversay flowers sent to me by my man...

Fresh herbs in the kitchen.....smell fantastic.

Learn to live in the moment, enjoy life for its simple pleasures.....we have a very good friend who is battling cancer, others who are going through very difficult times.....I send my love out to them and hope things get better......enjoy every minute of what you have......

Nature's bounty .....

Spent the morning in the garden.........two QLD Blue's looked ready and also some of the Golden Nugget pumpkins, and a butternut......picked all the corn....and almost the last of the tomatoes......I read that I should hang the almost dead tomato vines up and the remaining fruit should ripen.....see how that goes......
Have added mushroom compost to the now empty beds where I grew the tomatoes......will rest them and then replant with new goodies......The chill has certainly been in the air this weekend.....reminder of what is to come......I love the change of seasons  !!

The changing seasons........

 Growing your own food makes you appreciate the change of season and eating seasonal, local and organic food......from my own garden today I have picked the tomatoes......all small now and not many left as the arrival of autumn is causing the tomato plants to die ....making way for the next planting......corn is great....also the eggplants are ripening up......soon all of the seasonal produce will be finished......bring on the next lot......hopefully will be as successful as the previous season was.........!!

I buy organic fruit and veggies from the Kallista organic store.......great way to buy what's seasonal and usually locally sourced......obviously that pineapple didn't grow in the Dandenongs........it's a lovely scenic drive to the store....no traffic.....no lights......just a 15min country trip......I love it up here !!

What I read in Feb .....

The bookclub book for the month was Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung......need to finish the last few pages tonight before our meeting at the cafe tomorrow......not sure what I think to be honest.....haven't really enjoyed the whole thing, but there were certainly some really enjoyable passages.......it's a memoir of a young vietnamese-cambodian girl and her family once they arrive in Melbourne and live in the western suburbs.....Looking forward to the discussion !!

It's Autumn and I have corn ......

Unbelievably the corn crop has produced beautiful big ears of corn.....once shucked they are fabulous eating....cooked up the first few ripe ones last night......so sweet and juicy....
The arrival of Autumn has caused the veggie beds to begin slowly dying off....the tomato plants, while still bearing a lot of fruit, are starting to die off.......the pumpkin vines are also starting to shrivel.....I read you need to leave the pumpkins on the vine until it dies......there are a lot of pumpkins growing.....can't wait until I get to taste them.....then it will be time to clear the veggie beds......load up on organic matter and wait for the new planting to start.....will get in some beetroot, carrots, broccoli, parsnip , broad beans, more lettuce and anything else that will grow this time of year.

Natures chandelier

 There is such beauty in the garden every day.....this picture of the lady finger eggplants growing is so lovely, they look like little gems hanging like a chandelier.......the flowers are beautiful and the colour of the eggplants is so vibrant.....now I just need some recipes.....baba ganoush is a likely starter....also a vegetarian lasagne.....see how we go..

I was given loads of native plants for Christmas and have planted them all to attract birds and insects into the garden......this grevillea is so delicate and the colours are fantastic.....this garden bed will look great once they all mature and flower......it's not just about the veggies !!

Birthday weekend in Beechworth

But But Tree - Beechworth

Spent a beautiful weekend in Beechworth celebrating my birthday with my man.  Accommodation was a gift for Christmas from my 2 year old GBaby......was great, right in the heart of town, no driving, just walked around the town, eating, window shopping and relaxing.
We stayed across the road from the famous But But Tree which is 400 years old......it was the unofficial post office for Beechworth in the early days and people put missing persons notices and letters for travellers....the incredible gnarled trunk is truly amazing ......look closely and you can see faces and shapes in the bark.....if only it could speak and tell what it has seen.....I love Beechworth !!

Tomato time....

It's the start of the full on influx of tomatoes.....I pick about 20 ripening tomatoes off the plants each day....so far have made passatta, have bottled some and made tomato sauce.....running out of ideas....will blanch, peel and freeze some today as the ones I have picked are ripe....been giving lots away...everyone loves to receive homegrown tomatoes.....as always growing things is amazing !!

Homemade organic toasted muesli ...

Had a bit of spare time so I made up my favourite organic toasted muesli.....just organic oats, organic coconut, organic nuts: almonds: macadamia: walnuts: pecans: hazelnuts: pumpkin seeds, macadamia oil and organic honey to coat, then toasted in the oven ........when cooled add chopped organic mixed fruit : apricots, apple: raisins: pear: sultanas: cranberries..............delicious for breakfast with bananas, mixed berries and organic yoghurt ....so nice I gave a jar to my girlfriend along with her birthday gift !

Everyday Composting

The need to reduce the amount of rubbish put into the bin and to make good fertilizer for the garden is helped along by composting.....I'm not a compost nazi, but I do put all vegie peels, tea bags, and other scraps (not cooked, meat or dairy etc.) into a bin in the house which is then transferred to the outdoor compost bins, which will be put into the garden beds when they have decomposed. .....I also have the worm farm which uses the kitchen scraps, tea bags, wet cardboard and especially avocado peels...the worms just love the avocado.......it is going along nicely now and producing plenty of worm tea which goes onto the vegie beds.....did go a bit sour for a while but used a handful of garden lime and this removed the smell......every little bit helps to save the environment and reduce landfill....

Very busy Saturday morning.....

Tomatoes dipped quickly into boiling water

Peeled skins off and placed in pot to cook till soft

Passed through a seive to make the Passata

Not bad for a mornings work !!

Wow, what a busy Saturday morning I had.....finally had enough ripe tomatoes to give the Passata making a go......very easy....only made two containers for the freezer but was a great practice for when I have heaps of ripe toms.......also baked a loaf of bread.....made a fruit cake from my Auntie Joyce's family recipe which has been handed down a few generations....used up zucchini overload by making muffins and zucchini soup....delicious soup,......recipe off the internet, added a bit of cooked bacon and croutons when serving...fantastic.......so great to make food from scratch...very new to this experience and absolutely enjoy the process....especially when some of the produce has been grown in my own garden.....amazing !!