Cookie Club...

My baby sister had this at her place last year, to which I couldn't go.

This year, I'm going as it's my weekend off and I can't wait!

I have sourced my containers. I give 10 cookies in each container to all the ladies attending... Next weekend, I will do a run of the receipe to ensure they all fit into my containers. I tend to make bikkies big, so must be careful or they really won't fit! 

Loved the containers so much, I got some for home too :)

I'm yet to print off the receipe, the dough is made in the Thermomix, off course! Can't wait till next weekend. The boys are excited too, as they get to try them!

Blessings,

Little miracle... No Huge miracle...

Imagine... Your son has an appointment at the local large Hospital... The appointment is at 9:30am. To try and get a free park, of which there are very few, you leave so that you get there 1/2 hr beforehand. On the way, you pray there's a park waiting just for you!

You get there... Not only is there a whole row of parks not taken but no one comes to park there till you have! The parks around were all full, including the ones you  have to pay for!!! What the??? 

My youngest said: "Mum, this is a blog worthy shot! Quick, take a photo!" Sure enough as soon as I took the photo, a car parked behind us...

Another beautiful answer to our prayers!

Blessings,

Mushies...

More are growing, and so they should. Been a much slower process though then the label leads you to believe...

Can't wait to eat more...

Blessings,

Walking in nature...

Have started walking after dinner with Bailey and anyone else that wants to come... I can do this most nights I'm home, which I'm grateful for. Such a great way to see what is growing and flowering in the gardens of this lovely community. Great way to connect!

Loved having Bailey and my eldest with me last week!

Blessings,

Rest in Peace, Darling Nova...

Last Thursday, at 3:40pm, we said goodbye to our beloved Nova...

Her arthritis medication had not been working for the last week and she had allot of trouble walking Thursday morning. She was soooo hot too and very restless. The light was gone from her eyes and her condition went down quickly.

Hubby and I picked up the boys from school and kept going to the vet. Greg, our vet, did a great job. When I had made the appointment in the morning, I mentioned to the receptionist that I thought it was finally her time. All people that we encountered were so gentle and caring.

Greg took her temperature and confirmed what I thought. She had caught a nasty bug and had a very high fever. He explained that considering her history, before being rescued by our family plus that she was old and her arthritis pain was not able to be controlled anymore, he believed that no matter what we tried it would only prolong her pain. That we didn't want to do, no matter how upset we all were...

So, we all took turns and said our goodbyes. Then hubby and I stayed with her as Greg gave her the needle and she was gone with 5 seconds... We took her home and buried her next to Poppy... Now, she's running with no pain through green meadows and enjoying being able to chew on bones with a full set of teeth while seeing and hearing again...

This post had been so hard to write but we have been so encouraged by all the lovely messages we have received.

She was Nova, 13 years, 3 months and 17 days of age and she was very loved. She always showed unconditional love and taught us so many things, all for which I am so grateful for.

My youngest is mostly devastated as she was his Girl. She slept on his bed on the last night... So glad I thought to get him to do that. Also took a video of her snoring on Thursday morning. Lots of photos where taken. So glad for cameras... A few framed photos adorn his room, needless to say!

Bailey is lost without his sister and keeps pacing, looking around... He's had her next to him while eating, sleeping or escaping from the yard for most of his life... Poor darling. The last two nights he's spent it with each of the boys. Tonight, he's back in the laundry... It is so different having just one dog... I so wish she was still here...

I'm so grateful that she chose our family to live out her life. She has enriched us beyond measure and we will miss her dearly... Thank you for everything Nova! xo

Fresh Fest...

It was the first of many to come, I hope! There were so many stalls, music, food, a free outdoor movie and a Velcro Wall. My youngest had a ball on that one! Did flips even... 

It went from 3pm to 8:30pm. Fantastic time if day! Just as school finished. Loved that it was on a Friday too!

A friend from our village played with her band, Zedd PM. Was happy to see her play and sing. She has a beautiful voice, that's for sure. 

The food was great, my youngest as my company, for most of the time, was even greater :) He caught up with a friend so they did their thing too.

It was lovely to catch up with friends and meet new ones too... Also, on the way out, found the most lovely 3 set piece of jewelry! And a bargain too ;)

So glad I went! Can't wait for the next one!

Blessings,

So blessed...

Late last week, I went and dropped off the sprout raising kit I had bought for a friend...

On my way out I scored the most lovely present!

Oh, Jamie Oliver... How I do adore your receipes! How did she know is had my eye on this one... It's all about no wastage... And I'm so into that...

My friend is such a blessing. I'm so proud to call her my sister in Him!

Blessings,

Sky liquid...

Love to get out in the garden and get my fingernails dirty...

This morning though, the wind is particularly... Strong and that's an understatement...

We have been using the bore water every couple of days to water our veggies. I wanted to go back to the watering cans and filling that up from our 44 gallon drum. This morning, I filled it up...

Our shed tank has 10000 litres in it which doesn't get used very much at all. I realise this will change once we get the water system for the orchard set up. For now, it's very useful for our veggies...

Love, love, love rain water...

Blessings,

Seeing Mum...

Hubby's Mum had requested my Sister-in-law and my attendance... Had no idea what was going on.

Am glad she asked to see me today as it's my day off :) We all turned up and had a lovely BBQ lunch. I made Soggy Cake for dessert! Always a hit. Hadn't made it in about a year and it has been requested for Christmas as well ;)

My hubby's Dad and Granddad went fossicking at Mt Tarampa back in 1978... They dug up some decent sized garnets. Two large rocks had recently been taken by hubby's Mum to the family jeweler and he turned them into three large finished pieces and set them beautifully. My Brother-in-law's wife, Sister-in-law and I all got hand made necklaces today. Sooo precious. So beautiful! Am so blessed. Means so much to me. Love being apart of this beautiful family...

Was a great chance to get an updated photo of my boys with hubby's Mum too! Was wonderful to catch up with everyone... Can't wait till December, when we get together again for Christmas :)

Blessings,

Bearded dragon...

Hubby was looking out the front door just now and this is what he saw...

He's massive and we have no idea where he has been hiding... Probably in the woodpile...

We shooed a chook away. It showed too much interest. We kept the dogs away, while they needed to do their business.

I did get a little too close, as you can see with the pictures. He's on his own again now, sunning himself while walking along our fence :)

Blessings,

Leak and corn quiche...

Oh, yummy... Yes, it was... Only needed 4 of our lovely chook eggs but it rose so well in the oven. 

I must say, I love using our own eggs hands down over shop bought ones any day... Even their so called free range eggs are nothing compared to ours here. Their free range and mine are completely different and for that my chooks and I are thankful! Yes, mine are free range and also anything that they eat is organic and wholesome. No pesticides, hormones or antibiotics at all. I don't need it out here. The only problem we have had here is live and that's happened twice in six years, after allot of rain. So glad to know that our eggs are as close to what nature intended as possible and for 6 months of the year we get to enjoy them in abundance.

That reminds me, I have to slow up on giving all my excess eggs away and start freezing them... Last season, I had to buy eggs for two out of the six months that my lovelies were off the lay. Must try and reduce that even more this season :) Does anyone freeze their eggs too?

Blessings,

Sprouts...

Bit of a gimmick, I know :) I got myself two containers and a second one for a dear friend. She wanted one each for her kids. Me, I want them both for myself ;) Nah, I will share, if I must...

The alfalfa seeds are in top and the cress in the bottom. The seeds have grown very quickly and I must say... I can't wait to eat them. Looking now for more seeds for a continued supply!

The containers are both in the same spot but one is allot more along then the other. And the green of the leaves is allot deeper in one compared to the other. Hubby swapped their places around this morning and you can see them bending towards the light. Wanna eat them Now!!! I know, I know... Patience is a virtue. 

Blessings,

New flour to try...

Went into an Indian shop on Monday and found a lovely range of different flours to try for my sour dough... Very excited!

Really well prices, too. That's always a plus in my books. :)

Blessings,

Peeling...

This is what happens when your youngest goes camping and only puts sunscreen on once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Yep, you get fried!

Now he's peeling and very sore... Aloe Vera plants come in very handy at this time.

Blessings,

Pork Loin Steak...

Marinated and cooked to perfection... Oh, what a dream... Love it when my hubby makes dinner! He's is great at it!

Blessings,