Hello there :)

Was about to water the herb garden the other day and look what I found crawling up the brick wall... Love stick insects. :) He's welcome at our place Any time :)

Cheers Damaris

Frogs living here...

Heard this loud froggy sounds not long ago and went down the back of the paddock to investigate... Even though the dry times we have had water sitting at the very back making a lovely home for some lovely frogs... Was very, very happy to find them. :)

Cheers Damaris

Out in Warwick...

Josh Fishing :)

Some trees on the other side of the river...

Leftover debris from the floods in the top of the picture...

We went for a walk along the river the other week while Tim was at Bluecare and I noticed that there was still all the debris from when we had the floods back last December and January... Was amazing to see just how high it really did go and that the bits and pieces are all still there... You soon forget... But not with this image...

In the same visit to the river Josh tried to fish but it was in the middle of the day so didn't catch anything. He still has fun trying though...

Cheers Damaris

Community Input...

The lovely Pam Burley came out on Seniors day with her friend Bette Bonney and after the celebrations a group of about 25 of us went back to the local Maryvale School of Arts Community Hall to see what sort of things we could brainstorm...

What did we want to see in our little community by 2030... It was a very interesting process and we were put into two groups. I was also amazed just how many times both groups overlapped in what we wanted to see in our community. So many like minded people. It was lovely to see... So glad I went and had given my two cents worth.

So glad that we have people like Pam around that do care for outer lying communities such as Maryvale. We are only 20 odd minutes from Warwick but still very much on the outer... Thanks Pam for coming and seeing us :) Really appreciate it :)

Cheers Damaris

God's amazing beauty...

I love spring... Not as much as I love winter but this time around it has been wonderful all the same... I love going for my walks in the morning and finding all sorts of new plants growing new green bits on their stems, new leaves appearing and lovely Acacias out in flower. The ones above are at school and have hundreds of bees on them all the time... Just love to watch and listen... Just amazing our nature... So blessed to be apart of that :)

Cheers Damaris

Jack Frost has visitied...

Frost on a Thistle at Fiona's house...

taken at 8:30am...

Just beautiful...

Since beginning of May we have had some cold and nasty mornings... We have gone through one load of wood already and are only half way through winter. Last year we used half a load for the whole season...

I must say that I am really enjoying the cold mornings. Especially if I am at home as we have the wood fire on anyway. I also love the effect that the ice crystals have on plants and other things...

Love the beauty of our seasons...

Cheers Damaris

It's here :) :) :) :)

My new Solar Oven... :)

The Solar Rocket :)

Have wanted a Solar oven for many years and here it is :) We ended up getting the rocket as well as I wanted to be able to heat water for my coffee without using the kettle... I am sooo happy with it and will post photos when we start using it. At the moment we have had so many cloudy days and when the sun has been out I haven't been here... I have boiled water in it though to get rid of any fumes. :)

If you want the same large one let me know as if you mention our names you can get discounted postage. Comes from Europe and sent from Newcastle :) Heather is lovely to deal with and has lots of tips as well. Comes also with a cookbook as well as really easy to understand instructions. Very well made and is able to bake and cook which is what I really wanted. Most only cook... Can't wait to try it out. :)

Will keep you posted. :)

Cheers Damaris

For the nesting boxes...

Lovely shredded paper for my hens. :)

One of our lovely neighbours, Bruce, came over the other day with a couple of huge bags of shredded paper... Boy did I love using them in the chook house. I usually use wood shavings but with the shredded paper they tend to throw less of it out of the box. Does compact allot quicker though. Was great to get it from Bruce and apparently he will continue to bring it from time to time when he has some.

Cheers Damaris

Box World... by Warren Thomas :)

An overall picture...

CD's are in the windows...

Base of the graveyard is a keyboard :)

I realise I have been away for a while. I am so sorry for that. I have been really sick and not getting onto the computer at all. Today is the first time I have been on the computer since I last posted... I have been using Russell's iPad as he has the iPad2 now and been doing allot of computer work that way. Can't post from there though... Anyway I am back and must better. Throat is still sore and nose still running but better all the time :)

So Joshua and his school went to the Warwick Art Gallery last week of term and they saw 'Box World' which is made by a Tasmanian Artist Warren Thomas. The kids even got to meet him and he answered lots of their questions...

He is quite amazing really. It has taken him 12 years and the display that we saw was only 1/3 of what he actually has built. Takes two whole days just to set it all up. Everything you see in the pictures is recycled... From cans, bottles, CD's, straws, boxes, milk cartons... you name it :) Only thing that isn't recycled are the cars... Amazing stuff. :)

We have seen it three times now and keep taking other friends to see it as well. We just love it... And what's even better is that it is free to see as well. :)

Cheers Damaris

Eco visitor comes to Maryvale State School

Beautiful bags made...

Soccer ball out of rags, newspaper and plastic string and bags...

wooden carved statues...

Duarte showing the kids some games...

Joshua practicing

A successful visit :)

A wonderful slide show was shown...

Information on the Eco Tourism done on the Island

Last Monday our school had the pleasure of visiting friend of one of our teachers. His name was Duarte and he comes from Atauro Island which is part of East Timor. He gave us an excellent overview of his island, their culture there and shared with us a long list of things that he had never seen before such as a microwave and a scooter. It was amazing to know that he would have to travel five hours on foot just from his village to work. Made our little walks seem very tame in comparison...

Duarte also shared some games from his childhood. They are a very poor people and don't have allot of money for toys at all so they make do making their own things with what they have on hand. Very ingenious and also at the same time game the children a really good insight into another countries way of playing... Very simple but lovely games. :) Was nice to see that life is not about the latest XBOX game or DS console...

I especially loved seeing what the villagers were able to make out of grass. The number of amazing weaving that were brought with him to show us examples. Just amazing... I wish him all the best for the future...

Cheers Damaris

Love my worms...

My beloved wormfarm...

I panicked... Last Friday night we had a horrible night... Winds up to 95km/h and heavy rain on top of that. We were very fortunate and didn't loose power like so many others did...

I didn't go out into the backyard on the Saturday to inspect damage as I could see from the windows that all was still ok.

On the Sunday I went out the backyard to see what flowers I could pick and bring in... Was also checking on the veggies... And there I saw it... Oh Noooooo, it couldn't be...

Yep the worm farm had lost its lid and was about 10 metres away from its container... I was very worried that I had lost 6 months worth of hard work of growing my little guys... I pulled back the covers, mainly old wet newspaper and inspected the first layer... Sure enough there was nothing there...

Looked at the other two layers and there they were, all however many of my worms... I put some water through the unit to moisten them so that they didn't dry out from all that wind. Minced a whole heap of old bread and veggies and covered the whole top layer with the food. That will draw them up to the top layer so that I can use the bottom layer. That by the way was rather wet... Must Google and find out why that is. It shouldn't be as soggy as it has been lately... Still plenty of worms of all sizes though. Yay!!!

Happy girl here :) :) :)

Cheers Damaris

Frogs are calling...

Oh, I soooo wanted to see a frog...

This little fellow was on our house wall couple of weeks ago... :)

When I planted out the potatoes last Tuesday, I also took the opportunity to go over our 8 acres as I wanted to see what sort of plant life we have after the winter and after the cows have now gone 9 months... I found a large bush right at the back, lots of native grass which Land for Wildlife says is very good for local species and quite a few of those horrible weedy bushes that have horrible heads on them with thousands of seeds in them. The seed heads pop when you squish them with your hands. Sounds like fun at the time but they make it allot harder for the next few years pulling out the baby plants. I pull those out whenever I see them.

I also found allot of water sitting behind one of our contour banks. In it there was a heap of reeds growing and all I could hear was frogs talking to one another in the middle of the day. Was wonderful to listen to :)

Was trying to be really, really quiet to see if I could see one but alas they knew I was there. In the distance I could still hear them croaking but not near me. Am so happy to have found their little playground though. Hope it doesn't dry up too quickly for them... Hope they lay eggs and have babies. :)

Cheers Damaris

Full Tanks, again...

Our two tanks totalling 50000 litres are full, again...

Over the last few weeks we have had three days/nights were we have had a huge amount of rainfall each time... Meaning that each time our house tanks have ended up overflowing...

This off course is wonderful to see when we only have rainwater to rely on for our house water supply. Last thing I want to do it buy it in and Russell doesn't want to use the bore water as we only take from that table under the ground when absolutely necessary. Don't get me know other than a tiny bit of salt the water is perfect drinking water but it is not to be put through our house pipes...

I am still very determined to get that third tank on the house as I hate seeing waste and at the moment the overflows on both tanks are pouring out water which is a terrible waste... Soon I will have the money together, saved from leftovers of grocery money from every fortnight and will then be able to get it plumbed in... Can't wait. :) Now must go and put on a load so that that wonderful water is used rather than wasted... Though it is soaking back into the soil which is great too...

Cheers Damaris

PS. For all the Dads out there, Happy Father's Day... Am so blessed to not only have a wonderful hubby but he is also a fantastic Father. My boys and I are truly blessed... :) xo

Rain, glorious Rain...

The View from the front Door...

Looking nasty...

So the piccies above show how the clouds looked just before we got such a deluge of rain that our tanks are now again full and overflowing... Was amazing to watch. The clouds came over just after school on Monday and went away again. Then that night the sky opened up and poured out all its lovely rain. It was constant and unrelenting... It was wonderful...

Now today we are left with a huge amount of wind and lovely sunshine... There was enough clear sky last night that Russell ended up getting up at 2:30am so that he could watch the current meteor showers... He was out there for 1/2 hr and couldn't stay any longer as it was just sooooo cold out there. The wind was amazing... He got to see some really cool sky action though. :) Boys are wanting to get up tonight as long as the clouds go away again. Hopefully it will work out and we might all get up... lol

Cheers Damaris

Dishwasher back from the dead...

Loving my dishwasher, at the moment anyway...

I have had my dishwasher for 2.5 years now and only really been using it for about six months. Other than that it has been either getting fixed or just sitting there. By getting fixed I mean that it needed a new motor. Anyway, even when we got it back it still didn't wash the dishes properly on the top shelf. I ended up giving up.

So two weekends ago I begged Russell to please either get it fixed once and for all or get me another one. I had had enough. It was sitting there doing nothing. I still have 2 1/4 years left on my warranty too which is good at least.

Russell thought that he would just load it up and see what happens. Well wouldn't you know it, it worked just fine. :) It has been working really well ever since. At the end of each week I do make sure that I totally clean out all the filters in the bottom of the dishwasher but other than that all is well. I just hope it keeps working like this. It only uses 13.5 litres of water and very economical. A saver for me after meals. Another battle I don't need or want. Helps keep my sink even more shiny now. :)

Cheers Damaris

Visiting the Hansen's

Hi Everyone,

My name is Adam and I count Damaris as one of my best friends. We have only known each other a short period, but in this time I have become one of the extended family! I work in Brisbane and love coming out to the country to spend time with Damaris and her wonderful family.

It's funny you know, city life is fun and exciting but at times can be very impersonal and busy. I think about my morning ritual of donning my iPod earphones and riding in the cramped train to the City and then walking to work, doing the same in reverse coming home. Not very social.

Things in the country are so much more personal. I love being part of Damaris' family - game nights are especially fun as there is no TV reception out this way. When was the last time you played a game with your family? It reminds me of my childhood - everyone laughing and having a good time around the kitchen table. Coming here reminds me of what is important in life.

Damaris is my "greenie" friend in the country - she comes up with so many usefull tips to save time and money -and I love reading her blog each week to keep in touch with what's going on. This is going to be more important to us both now as I have accepted a promotion and a move to Melbourne. I think in a funny way, she inspired my decision to trade in my gas guzzler X Trail and replace it with a more eco-friendly Prius. Gosh I love that car!

I have embraced No Technology Day and I am working on No Electricity Day (this will certainly be challenging in Victoria - but I will try!) and I think these things help bring families together. Simple sometimes is good.

Sorry, just got cuddled to death my the pillow monster (aka Joshua). He is a good cuddler too - just like his Mum. Joshua calls me his big brother - our relationship is built on being a pain in the bum to each other - a job I love to do all the time! Mabybe this says something about my personality - but I like to think my inner child gets a good workout. We enjoy just "hanging" with each other - he loves to beat my pants in Uno (I will win one day!). According to Josh, I am funny (I think in a comedy sort of way, not the strange way) and he loves to randomly tickle me in my belly button - which results in me screaming like a girl. Good times!

Timbo has taught me all about Halo ( this is a computer game where you get to shoot lots of weird things at weird people - it looks way too complicated for me) and rocks and stuff. His completely random comments make me giggle at times, but he has an amazing ability to recall things. Building a friendship with Timbo has taken time, but we understand each other now, and I think he enjoys having me around when I visit (this is a good sign for someone with Asperger's and makes me feel special too!)

I will certainly miss my time with the Hansen family, this weekend is my last chance to spend time with my dear friends in Maryvale. Sure, I will definitely visit in the future, but a 20 hour drive from Melbourne poses more challenges than the 90 minute drive I do at the moment.

So I am now counting my blessings that I have become a part of the Hansen family and all the goodness that comes with this privilege. And yes, I will miss them as much as my own family when I go.

Good bye and God Bless.

Adam :)

Such a shame...

Thank you Lord, our tanks are full...

Since late last week we have had ongoing showers here. During the night and during the day. Night time seems to be when they are heavier. Left overs from the Cyclone up north apparently. We are loving the wet all the same.

The only problem is when my two house tanks are full, they start to overflow and the water just runs away. I have been trying to wash as much as I can and have another two loads to go but then am all out... We even flush after each visit to the toilets at the moment. Normally we have that rural rule: If it is yellow let it mellow, if it is brown then please flush it down...

The garden is loving this and so are the ducks. They come out of their enclosure of a morning and just go to the nearest puddle and then just go from one to the next just about all day. Love watching that. :)

So am thinking seriously about another tank. That way the overflow would go into the third tank and when the other two are low I can flick the tank and have the water flow back into them. That way I avoid having to get another pump and plumbing in the tank. I don't want to upset the applecart so to speak. All is working just fine at the moment...

Will get some prices this week I think...

Cheers Damaris

Solar Electricity has Arrived...

My beautiful new panels...

Wednesday just gone was a very important day in our lives, well mine anyway... I always get really excited about these things... hehe

After all the researching, putting in for the quote and paperwork, waiting for the Government to approve my $8000, doing the 'over the phone' survey about placement of panels and getting the installers out here... It started back in April 2009 and as of 20 January 2010 I am the proud owner of a 1.1KwH Solar Electricity system. It is on my roof and working big time.

The installers got here just on 1:30pm and were finished with the whole job by 3:30pm. The roof was pleasure to work on apparently. Nice and easy. This also means that I am only out of pocket $300 in total and the panels are already making the Electricity Meter run backwards... Even though the panels ended up on the Western side of the house, due to Solar Hot Water panels taking up too much room on the Northern side, the panels are still doing their thing even at 8:15am which I find fantastic. Keep working babies - you have a long job ahead of you. hehe

Ergon now has to come out and install a new meter apparently so that they can tell exactly what my unit is producing and putting back into the grid. From now on I intend to do washing during the day when the solar is working as I might as well reduce my usage, seeing the meter running the opposite to normal and still getting clean clothes... Will try it out with cooking and baking as well. Love running out there and watching the meter. I know lame... But oh sooooo much fun... Doing my bit, that is how I look at it. And loving it. :)

Cheers Damaris

Peaceful days...

Oh the tranquility...
Joshua with the thumbs up. He was having a ball...

Can you spot Joshua??? View down from the blanket...

When Timothy was in respite with Bluecare just before Christmas, Joshua and I took the opportunity to go to our local National Park and check it out. We went via Gladfield and took the windy road seeing lots of cows and sights that we only ever see from the other side of the hill. Was great to check it all out. We have been here now for just over two years and had still not been...

It took us about an hour of driving as most of the end journey was rather slow. The cattle was all over the road and you basically had to wait for them to move out of your way to keep going... There are lovely places to camp at the end and there are also lovely picnic areas and trail walking that could be done. 4WD's are catered for also...

Joshua and I didn't go and have our picnic lunch in the usual places though. There were two creeks that we had to cross to get to the end so we chose the second one that we came across. I ensured that I parked off the road and we took our picnic blanket and food with us and had our lunch. Joshua had a go at trying to find some yabbies but had no luck. Never mind maybe next time. :)

I ended up lying down on the blanket and it was so peaceful next to the road there with the sound of the water hitting the rocks and the breeze going through the trees and making old leaves drop on you that I nearly fell asleep. In total there were three cars that drove by in the time that we were there.

Then on our return home we stopped at the first creek that we came across. It was too much fun with the water running across the road to not stop. So Joshua skipped rocks and I nearly fell over on the slippery road. Then the rain came and we ended up going home.

All in all a fantastic day and a place where we are going to again once I get back from my week's holiday in North Stradbroke Island. I can't wait. I leave with my two sisters on Monday and don't get back till the Saturday night, very late...

Cheers Damaris

Fire that's just a bit too close to Home...

Start of the real fire, at Gladfield...
Yesterday, coming a little too close for comfort...

Taken 1/2hr ago...

Last week and for the beginning of this week, every time that Joshua and I would go outside at night to shut the chooks and ducks in, we saw off in the not too far in the distance that someone was burning off piles of cleared trees. These spot fires where only four or five of them a night but they showed up nicely up against the range in the background. Looked great actually...

That was until this last Tuesday, when during the midday heat it got totally out of control. The local paper reported it as having started with a lightening strike, yeah right!!! As if.

The poor farmer has had many fire fighters around since. It has also taken out allot of land. All of it in the hills which most of the farmers are very happy about as it is getting rid of lantenna ( a horrible weed in these and many other parts of this great country of ours) and allot of debris that would not be back burned normally.

One of our close friends here is in the local Rural Fire Brigade and he has been called out again this afternoon to help. At the moment he is helping Russell with our cubby. What a treasure. He has just spent the morning helping with diggers digging a new road up the mountain as to contain the fire. Now he is going back to help with many others to light it from that end and force the fire into itself. Will be spectacular to watch. But as least we know that it is intended that way.

Lets just hope and pray that the wind doesn't change. On that front we have been very fortunate over the last week. Even though the fire is close and just across the Cunningham Highway we have had just about all of our breeze coming in from the east and not the north west which is just as well or we would not be doing anywhere as well.

I know it will be very hot up there for them and just hope that the job gets done quickly and safely.

Cheers Damaris