Work?

I'm in a very fortunate position and not for a minute do I want to take it for granted. The few jobs I have had have all been ones that I love so it has always felt like I didn't work at all. I know many people just tolerate their jobs as a means to an end or worse still loathe their workplaces. I feel sorry for them especially when they don't have any way to make a move to something that would more pleasant or fulfilling. It does make up a big part of our lives after all.

 

My 'job' here at home doesn't pay much in dollars and cents but it is rewarding nonetheless. I'm my own boss, I'm home for school holidays, the hours are flexible as long as the jobs get done (chooks and moreover ducks do insist on their breakfast by a certain hour) and although there is a seasonal flow to the tasks that need to be done, it isn't boring.

 

 This was my commute today. I have to walk along the road from the house yard to the paddock where the sheep are. Today was drenching day and we also started shearing. It's hot work and physically tiring too. And there is more to do tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it because it is really hands-on work and I like that lanolin smell of sheep and the chance to pet them a bit.

 My little highland calf, Teddy, wasn't taking any chances though. Just in case we decided to shear him. No worries there.

And no one is the worse for wear after being in the yards except maybe the humans who I must say are feeling a bit weary this afternoon.

And if anyone is interested, my other jobs have been working  as a scientist in clinical microbiology and as a school administration officer for a short time.

Do you like your job? I hope so.
Tracy

Sometimes

Sometimes pictures aren't always needed. Today I have been butchering a lamb and I really don't suppose many people want to look at pictures of that. I know there are some readers who might like a how-to (and more who do not) but in this case I think that is best left for someone with better credentials than me. Besides that, I was home alone today and butchery and photo taking of said butchery are not the best activities to perform solo. Answering a ringing phone isn't good either I can assure you.

 

This is a much nicer picture to look at. And it is a good indication of the size of our Scottish Highland cattle. They are quite a tiny breed and have the sweetest temperament. Well ours do anyway.

Ewes in the yard. All except Essy that is. She is 11 years old and does whatever she wants and doesn't care. That's the privilege of old age I guess.

My current reading fodder is No Impact Man by Colin Beavan. The library had to borrow it from another library and I'm glad they could get it because I really enjoyed it and am reading it again. I'm not sure if I should buy the book or not though. Would the environmental impact of buying the book be  negative or positive? It is definitely make you stop and think material. I saw the documentary a few weeks ago and it was good and the book even better. I'd like to give the No Impact Project a go but I'm sure no one else here would be overly keen.


I've left my blogging for late in the day today. So now it is time to make dinner. Pies. Lamb and rosemary or chicken and leek.
Tracy

My new additions

This is what I have been so excited about. My new additions to the farm ... Scottish Highlands. They are my all time favourite bovines.

 

It's the horns and hair I think. It also helps that they aren't as big and daunting as some other breeds. Though I will admit those horns could be daunting.

I now have a cow and calf and a heifer. The calf arrived as a bull calf but is now a steer and is destined for the plate in a year or so.

They are very quiet animals and are settling in well. The sheep aren't quite sure what to make of them and vice versa. I'm not sure three will be enough, they push all of my buttons and I would have a huge herd if I had the space.

Tracy

Greening up

 

I am so glad to say that things are greening up in the area generally and here in particular. I must admit that a little more rain falling on the tin roof this afternoon was enough to lull me into a nap. I didn't realise I was so tired but I have been working extra hard this week.

 

 

The sheep really can't keep on top of the feed right now. BUt they will be having some help come tomorrow and I am very excited. I won't say anymore now but it is something I have daydreamed about many atime.

And just because I was in an extra generous mood today, the poultry got some watermelon. I have always had an aversion to watermelon but today something tempted me and I tried some. I was pleasantly surprised and i think I am a convert. My Mum always told me that my tastes would change when I grew up. I hope this isn't a sign that I might be growing up.
Tracy

On my own today

Today was the first time in over two months that I have been truly on my own at home. I miss everyone of course but it was actually a real treat to be able to get in and get things done that I had been putting off. While ever someone else is home, it seems like we are in holiday mode. Anyway, today there was no sign of holiday mode. The Down to earth forums decluttering/ cleaning focus this week is the office/ other bedroom and as Tom has temporarily moved out of the other bedroom/ office then I am giving it a good old clean out. Not too much clutter to remove thankfully but I have been dusting and vacuuming, washing walls and windows and getting a good workout.

 

I spent a chunk of the morning in the garden revamping a strawberry bed. It suffered a bit in the heatwave so I have spruced it up by culling some plants and adding compost. The numerous snails I found in the bed couldn't have been helping it either and they are history now.

 

Farm work was slow today. Just feeding animals in the morning and afternoon which has given me a great opportunity to do some cooking.

 

 

Tomatoes aplenty. They are really producing now and it's tomatoes everyday.

 Enough to make sauce. We have been out of tomato sauce for a while and this one is deliciously sweet and tangy. I will post a recipe if anyone would like it. I'm sure it is better with the seeds removed ( a seive or food mill would do the trick) but I really don't mind them.

 Made zucchini slice for the freezer. There were four zucchini in the garden which were too far gone for anything but grating or stuffing so it was slice and cake to make the most of them. There was a fifth zucchini which Tim mistook for a pumpkin it was so big. That one is too big and bold for cooking.

 And the zucchini cake. This time the chocolate variety and enough for two loaf type cakes. I packaged up into slices for the freezer. Just defrost in the microwave or even toast it before serving.

For lunch box sweet snacks, I made a honey jumble slice. I'm a big fan of ginger in sweets and this is a nice soft slice much like honey jumble biscuits only even easier to make.

 

Honey Jumble Slice

Ingredients

125 grams butter

2tbs honey

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

1.5 cups plain flour

2 tsp ground ginger

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

 

Icing

1 and 1/4 cups icing sugar

two drops pink food colouring

enough hot water to make a paste(approximately two tablespoons).

 

Method

Preheat oven to 180 deg C.

Grease and line a square 20cm baking tin.

Combine butter and honey in a small saucepan and place on a low to medium heat until the butter is melted. Bring to the boil and remove from heat. Stir in the bicarb and allow to cool slightly.

Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Add cooled honey mixture and egg to the flour mixture and ix until well combined.

Spread mixture into prepared tin and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool in the tin.

 

To make icing combine the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl.

Spread icing on cooled slice and allow to set. Cut into pieces and serve.

 

 

Tracy

 

 

Bottling and biryani

Bottling up honey. I'm keeping the packaging and labelling simple because the honey is what it's all about. Besides that, my graphic design skills are non-existent.

Sweet potato and red lentil soup

Our dinner last night , sweet potato and lentil soup. This one certainly ticks the budget meals box, costing about $2.00 to feed four of us and have left overs to stir though pasta for lunch today. Even if sweet potatoes weren't on special at the greengrocers, this would still be a cheap meal.

Tonight's dinner was still on the cheap side but no less tasty maybe even more so. My estimate of the cost is $6 to serve the four of us. Unfortunately this time though, there are no leftovers. It is an easy dish to make too which is always a bonus.



Chicken Biryani

Ingredients

1.5 cups basmati rice

2 and 1/4 cups water

1 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

2cm ginger, grated

1 chicken breast fillet, cut in 2cm dice

1/2 tsp dried chilli

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp turmeric

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

150mL plain yoghurt

3 tbs sultanas

 

Method

Combine rice and water in saucepan and cook covered on medium heat for 10 minutes.Drain if needed.

Heat oil in a large saucepan and stir fry onion until softened.

Add garlic and spices and cook for a couple of minutes.

Stir in chicken and allow to cook for a few minutes.

Stir in yoghurt and sultanas and heat through.

Place rice on top of the chicken mix. Cover the pot with a tea towel and then the pot lid.

Allow to cook on a low heat for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Remove lid(careful of the steam) and stir to combine the rice and sauce.

Serve with salad (I used tomatoes, cucumber, onions and mint tonight) and a raita.

Wow, that is harder to type than to make.
Tracy

There and back

There and back again. We have driven down to Sydney and back this time with a ram in tow. As we were heading down that way we decided it would be ok to deliver one of our year old rams. He is now safely ensconced in a backyard in the suburban fringe of Sydney until he heads off to his new home on a small farmlet with some ewes to keep him company. And I learnt something, my sheep don't like horses.

 

I only drove half of the trip this time (thankfully) so I managed to make  a crocheted pincushion. I'm not sure what it is about crocheting but I find it quite addictive. It could be that only a little effort and knowledge and skill can have some rather nice results. This one is going to be a part of a Random Act of Kindness parcel from my yahoo quilting group. I have had a real turn around in my craft colour schemes. I have always been one for muted tones and favouring blues but right now, brights are my 'thing'.

Meals have been simple. Tonight we are having an easy soup of sweet potato and lentils with bread rolls. Cheap, healthy and simple. I love cooking and would gladly sit down to the meals they serve up at restaurants or on television cooking programs but I am trying to save a dollar or two and use up what we have on hand. The easy peas fried rice above was made with stir fried vegies from the garden(and frozen peas)- eggplant,tomatoes, spring onion, carrots, corn, garlic mixed with left over basmati rice and ketchup manis to taste. Cost next to nothing especially as the vegies were mostly homegrown.

The worst part of the weekend. We took three children to Sydney and had to leave one behind. Tom is on work placement for university and then it is full steam ahead for second year. I'll look on the bright side, I have my sewing room back (once I give it a good tidy)

Tracy

Hotch Potch it is then

Well thank you to everyone who left me comments on the last post. I think the general concensus was that hotch-potch posting is the go. I won't argue with that. My life in general and each day in particular is made up of so many roles and different activities and I think that is refelcted here. Maybe I should call it eclectic, sounds much fancier.

 



 

 I offered these two boys for sale last week and I am happy to say they are SOLD. Rams that can't be used for their only real purpose, breeding, are quite useless on the farm but I don't sell them until I see what their conformation is like. These two are pretty quite good Suffolk rams but would not win any shows. One of them is heading off to Sydney tomorrow and the other will only be about 120km from here. Both properties are only small holders so rams which are used to human contact as these are will be ideal.

 

I am having a little more trouble selling ducks. I have had a bit of interest but no definite takers as yet. Having photo-bombing roosters in the very average pictures they let me take doesn't help either. I actually don't mind if they all stay (as long as there are no drakes in the mix). The only drawback is ducks eat like every meal is their last.

 

And as usual for this time of the year, I have been spending time looking at our finances. On paper things balance up ...just. So I am going to try to be more frugal in my ways and I will try to share that here. My first step, is writing down all of our spending. I think this helps because if you know you have to write it down then you be a little more accountable.

 

Have a great weekend,

tracy

Keeping Cool

Thanks for all the warm wishes to keep cool (?). As we are low on water, we haven't been able to have our evaporative cooler on so the only chance today was a trip to the swimming pool. I did a little grocery shopping in air conditioned comfort while Tim and the girls had a swim. Tom stayed at home and sweltered but that was his choice. It has cooled down a little now that the sun is behind the hills to our west so I have squeezed in a trip to the vegetable garden before a later than usual dinner.

 

 I was given some old plastic Christmas bells which had seen better days but they are good on the garden gate. Well I like them anyway.

 The zucchini Ronde de nice are coming along nicely. The other zucchini plants I have in are just starting to produce properly so these little ones will be in full swing when the older ones are waning.

 The hot weather has been good for the pumpkins. They are putting on a lot of growth just as long as I keep the water up to them.

 I checked back and I hadn't posted any pictures of our newest babies. The chickens hatched by mother turkey (the ones the snake tried to make a meal of). They aren't turkeys. They are in fact bantam chickens but she doesn't know and doesn't care for that matter.

And just because I loaded this picture on the computer today (I'm posting Christmas pictures on my Facebook page) I thought I would share it here too. It is from Christmas 1997 when Grace was just 2 months old . Time surely does fly by.
Tracy

Catch Up and don't forget the giveaway

 

A bit of a busy week to-ing and fro-ing. I managed to do some  Christmas shopping on Thursday and donate blood as well. Then it has been farm work which was made a little less pleasant by the heat. We have had temperatures in the high 30 deg C and have been told to expect the low 40s by the end of this week. I'm not looking forward to that. Although I like to embrace the seasons as they come, I really don't like excess heat and if it is coupled with humidity then it is not for me.

 



Heads down enjoying their hay

 This week we marked the lambs. That is tail docking and castration of males which aren't suitable for breeding. Our lambs are ear tagged when they are younger to enable us to keep track of their pedigree which is important when dealing with registered pure bred animals. It really isn't a pleasant task for farmer or animal but necessary for longterm animal welfare. Sheep with tails are prone to flystrike which can be deadly quite quickly. I know in some cooler climates where flies aren't the problem that they are in Australia, sheep can keep their tails but not here. Anyway, we carry out the procedure quickly and with care and with the animals' best interests at heart.

 We had a red bellied black snake make a visit on Thursday afternoon. I had  been over to the turkey house to visit mother turkey and her new chicks and all was well. Forty-five minutes later there was much ado in the house. Our male turkey, the other female and mother were flapping and carrying on a treat. I initially thought they were attacking the newly hatched chicks (although they have never done anything like that before) but no, the three were teaming up against the above snake. I know they are defensive but I had no idea that they would fight off a snake in defense of their young. The good news is that no birds were harmed though the snake didn't fair as well.

After a lot of craft and sewing being done recently, I haven't even toched any fabric until tonight. My mother gave me a bag of squares which came through the op shop she volunteers at. They are gaudy and bright, 1970s looking and not my style but they apparently belonged to someone who cared about them so I'm not letting them go to waste. I do need a bit of inspiration working with bright fabrics and there is plenty to be found here. I hope to have this little project finished by Tuesday night because come Wednesday, I am heading off on a big train trip to Sydney for Tom's birthday and also to bring him back home next weekend. I lose my sewing zone then because he will want his room all to himself I'm sure.

Don't forget the giveaway. It is only small but good things come in small packages. Right?
Tracy

Broad beans

Today is HOT. It is amazing what a difference that week makes, sub zero temperatures last Thursday night and the mid thirties today. I have taken off the flannel sheets and replaced them with light weight summery ones. Grace was most impressed yesterday with her fresh bed linen and said it felt like a motel bed. I must have tucked hers in extra tight. Hope has even requested a swim tomorrow but I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that.

In preparation for the heat and the even hotter and most likely from predictions, drier weather ahead, I have been spending the mornings in the orchard replenishing the mulch around the trees and berries. I am certainly getting a cheap workout.

I think this week I will mulch the vegetable garden too. The soil is warm and if left unmulched, it dries out quickly and in summer some plants would need more than one watering a day. I use lucerne mulch that I get from the same place we buy our lucerne hay which we feed the sheep when necessary. They usually have bales which for whatever reason are not suitable for stock feed but are more than adequate for the garden. The only drawback is that weeds are introduced to the garden that haven't been here before, Johnson grass and Thorn apple just to name two.

Today I have been processing beeswax. And slowly but surely, each time I do it I am for one thing getting better at it and for another, I am actually starting to enjoy the process. Thank goodness for that.

It is time for chickens to be fed and that's my job too.
Tracy

Half Way

 We are half way through lambing. That is, half of the ewes have had their lambs. The ewes were with the rams for about 6 weeks so theoretically, there could be a six week lag between first and last lamb. It isn't usually how it works for us and I hope it isn't the case this year either because it really is better to have them all at a similar stage at the same time. It just makes stock movement and care more simple and less stressful. The rest of the ewes look close to lambing so fingers are crossed.

I couldn't resist a lavender and bee picture. They are just working so perfectly together right now.

I have noticed I haven't been posting much in the way of cooking lately. That is most likely because dinners have been quite simple affairs because of the busyness. Something that can be made in the crockpot or prepared earlier in the day and just assembled easily at dinner time. Baking (apart from the high tea) has been just old faithful recipes which never fail. No time for testing and tweaking this week.

The last few nights I have really been so tired at bedtime. I like the feeling of being tired from working doing things I love to do. The income is terrible but the rewards are amazing.

Tracy

Whilst offline

Karmen

 There has been plenty to do while the computer has been out of action. Lambs are being born including a set of triplets. So that is enough to keep me busy even if it is just time spent watching their antics.

Bee on sage flowers

 The bees are in a flurry of both nectar and pollen gathering. Nectar from the sage is just becoming popular as the lemon-scented geraniums flowers start to wain.

Tim weeding

 The vegetable garden is the place to be. The summertime weed onslaught isn't here yet so the work is pleasant, the weather is good and there are plenty of good things to snack on along the way.



High Tea for Habitat

 

Last week I also had my High Tea for Habitat.Plenty of goodies were made and shared in the name of a good cause. Besides that I love any opportunity to use my old china that I have collected and to try new recipes. I would have liked to have our tea party outdoors but the wind was too gusty. So it was tea iside then ooutside for a garden and farm tour.

Charlotte picking snowpeas

 

So therer in a nutshell is what I have been up to. Of course there was the usual mundane things of every day life. These are just the highlights here.

 

Tracy

Fungi on the farm

 First up the June!Photo a day for today. The topic today is "From a low angle". This is the old windmill that is situated close to one of the two creeks bordering our property. It has been some time since it was in use. At some time in the past it had been used to pump water directly from the creek(we don't have a bore). We have set the farm up now so that we don't need to rely on the creek for our water supply but it is good to know it is there need be.

A fungi in the garden(despite the resident comedian's claims of it being something else).

 I have been out and about today. Looking at nature along the way. No matter where one lives, city or country, fungi is ever present and vital. Even if it is not edible, they play an essential role in the ecosystem. The world of fungi is very interesting and I do wish now that when I studied microbiology at university, I had chosen to study environmental fungi rather than clinical mycology. At the time though it was what was necessary for my future career.

 Just more things to learn about and probably if I look through my old books, I might find the information I want. In the mean time though I have just been visiting a blog all about Australian fungi and in particular things seen not too far from where I live.

We don't get too many edible fungi or at least fungi that I would feel safe eating so I am now growing some in a mushroom growing kit in the laundry room.

Grace and Hope gave me the kit for Mother's day and it is starting to kick into high gear. The girls will join me eating these button type mushrooms but when it comes to other 'shrooms, they aren't fans. I am on my own. More for me.
Tracy

A Little Excited

 June 8: Six o'clock. I am a bit of a clock collector but I rather like the idea of showing where I like to be at six in the morning or night (during the winter anyway). By the fire the lights out and just sitting alone ot with the family. Tomorrow night we will be outside with a campfire and that will be equally nice.

But why am I excited? My boy, Tom, is coming home tonight and will be staying for a week. It is stuvac for his first semester at university and apparently he feels he will get more study done at home with Mum looking after him than he will if he stays at the townhouse fending for himself. I'm not sure if this will be so but he will be well looked after and spoilt just a bit.

I am branching out with my farming and tomorrow I am setting up a roadside stall. It is the only thing for an excess of pumpkins and honey and no transport to sell them at the weekly organic market. I'm hoping a nearby clearing sale will increase sales. The rams are proving more difficult to sell this year, People often contact me to buy ewes but as only one ram is needed for many ewes, they are harder to sell. I have had a few inquiries but no sales as yet. Hopefully after another round of advertising tomorrow, their will be some takers.

Tracy

I'm glad

My last post was on March 9th and I have been away from the farm since then. We moved my son into his permanent Sydney home that day and it has been busy, busy there ever since. Cleaning, cooking (always a challenge in a strange kitchen) and spending too to set up house for him. I am hoping that he will be happy there and enjoy his university experience over the next five years. I was more than a little sad to say goodbye to him on Monday morning but the prospect of coming home gladdened my heart.
The first thing I did after making sure the livestock were all happy and accounted for was to go tot he vegetable garden. I'm glad I got home in time to enjoy these late sunflowers while they were still in the happy stage. Sunflowers always seem cheery and welcoming until they become heavy with seeds and droop their heads. The summer/ early autumn vegetable garden can become a bit wayward in no time so there is a lot of tidying and harvesting to do now we are home.

Being away from home always makes me ponder. Ultimately I always come up with the same answer, that this place is where I want to be. It doesn't take long for me to miss the work, the sounds, the peace and the complete darkness in the night. The city always seems to have a glow and I find it hard to sleep soundly. Having said all of that, I am willing to pick up and head off at a moments notice if Tom needs me there.
I'm glad to be back.
Tracy

Change afoot

Changes are afoot here on the farm. Our son has had word that he has been accepted into the Sydney University veterinary science course and he will be heading to the city in the not too distant future. It will be a big adjustment for him and for us too. It hasn't been possible to make plans for his move until we knew for sure. Now it is full steam ahead. Our financial situation will certainly change and I'm more glad than ever that we are debt-free (for the time being).

It is still hard to imagine that life as we know it here is going to be different when as is the case, life goes on day by day with the usual activities. Today and yesterday have been honey days. With about 20 kilograms of honey now in drums and jars. Dealing with the wax is my task tomorrow. I also had a great seed sowing day too. The warm weather that we are finally having (in the days at least) has prompted me to put a few more things in the ground.

Tracy

Catching my breath

Home again after a trip of almost 1800km in a couple of days. We arrived home Saturday afternoon and I have now caught up on things around the farm including moving ewes ready for lambing and now it is time to catch my breath. Though I still haven't had much of a chance to get out into the yard and garden to do too much. Although the trip was long and tiring, it was good to see some other parts of the state. We left behind wet, windy weather and our very green valley and headed south west. Our region doesn't grow the same broad acre crops so it was interesting to see the gorgeous colour of the crops almost ready to be headed.

Tim did the bulk of the driving and I got to be navigator and crocheter for the trip. I worked on some gifts for Grace and Hope because they stayed behind and it is all very top secret.

We must look like the most unlikely characters when travelling. No cafes or fast foods stops, just the old air pot which works like a charm and my favourite retro picnic basket. There are so many pretty road side rest areas around.

The boys also like to do a bit of exploring and treasure hunting during our breaks.

The late lambing ewes are fit to burst right now and there should be a few babies to blog about soon. Our male turkey has even decided to get in on the act and is sitting on eggs. I thought he was feeling unwell but he seems fine just doing his bit for gender equality.

Tracy