Sunday, April 15, 2012

FANCY PANTS [A NEW LOOK FOR AN OLD DRESS]


Hello, and what a gorgeous autumn day it is today! The sun is shining, and I keep thinking that this is my last chance at some sun. But then I was at the park on Friday, and I had a little tanning session (unintentionally). It was just such a beautiful day!

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

BOTTLING, PRESERVING AND ORGANIC VEGETABLE GARDENS.


This self-sufficiency thing is doing us well at our place. We've been preserving, bottling and enjoying our home-grown produce.

Pasta sauce, tomato sauce, tomato chutney, spicy chutney, plain tomatoes, beetroot... it's all happening here on our virtual River Cottage.


In fact, while we were away this last weekend, we had some friends come and house-sit. They've just moved to Mildura from North New South Wales, and were looking for a short break in Melbourne. Although they're old friends, they've not been to our home before. They loved it, and fell in love with our garden. In fact, just days after returning to their new home town, they called this morning to say that they were so inspired, they've purchased a weatherboard home on half an acre so they can plant and create their own vegetable garden!

How cool is that?


And while they were house-sitting, we were a few hours up the road at Rochester. We popped into one of their second hand shops, and my husband came out with not one box, but two boxes of Fowlers preserving jars.

He's still smiling because around 35 jars cost him just $25. Now, if you're in the preserving business, or just like those bottles, you will know that to buy them second hand, they are around $10 each. They're actually cheaper to purchase new.

But the man who owned this second hand store just wanted to get rid of them, obviously not knowing their value. This could only happen in a small Victorian town!

So, now we need to fill those babies with organic home-grown goodness, and I know just the place...


Do you grow your own vegetables? Do you preserve and use Fowler bottles?

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

EASTER IN PICTURES.


So, the Easter weekend is over. And it was fabulous, no?

The weather was warm (until it really, really wasn't), and it was extra long (in a good way). Full of family, friends, a road trip, a fabulous camping experience (without the actual camping), fantastic music, and a few other memorable bits thrown in for good measure.

Here are some of the highlights from where I stood:


Some posing.

A party on my arm (thanks to Fox in Flats).


The best ever kindy kids program at our state-wide church festival
(and 100 plus 4-5 year olds enjoying a safari experience).


 Some sunglasses funky enough for wearing.


A bit of reading. (Okay. QUITE A LOT.)


 Some flying.


Some dancing.


Some pretend sleeping (aww!).

How did you spend your long weekend?

Monday, April 02, 2012

THE FACE THAT MAKES ME MELT.


My heart seems to fit in all the love I have for my children. And I'm not sure how.
Because it grows every. single. day.

Sunday, April 01, 2012

FANCY PANTS [OP SHOPPED]


So, after last week's Fancy Pants edition, I'm now unsure about what season I am. I said I was Autumn, but then some of of my dear blogger friends suggested I might be Winter.