A Berry Good Day.

Its raining, its pouring. Well not quite, it's sprinkling at the moment. The few heavy falls we had overnight were much needed  though it rained on the parade (s'cuse the pun) of a couple of family members who were hoping for a motorbike ride today.

For me, it's tucked up inside and having a quiet day I think. The dog is curled up in her little bed beside me in the office and it's looking like it could be time to put the fire on soon.

I made a Berry Clafoutis a few weeks ago; might just make another for desert tonight. It's a nice warm desert on a cold and rainy night. Lovely with cream or ice cream.

Can recommend this Banana and Raspberry bread.
I was very good and had just one - no - two pieces. I sliced the rest and individually wrapped half and popped them in the freezer. It freezes beautifully.





Ingredients.
150g butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
2 cups S.R. flour
1 T.spoon baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup raspberries (fresh or frozen. - thaw frozen on  paper towel before using)

Method.
Preheat oven to 180c.   Grease and line loaf tin.
Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating mixture after each egg.
Stir in mashed banana. Sift flour and baking powder over banana. Stir until just combined. Add raspberries.
Bake for 45-50 minutes. Check skewer comes out clean. Cool in tin for 10 minutes then lift out and cool on wire rack. YUM!

Mid-Winter???

Arrggghhhhh!! Don't you hate it when you write a long post and it disappears into the ether!? I've been up since 4am so I guess I can excuse myself - I obviously hit the wrong button.

It's hard to believe we're in mid-winter as the weather has been gorgeous; 24 here yesterday! We've had weeks of day time temps of around 20c and though it dips overnight it hasn't been too bad. Winter popped in for a quick visit the night before last- it was only 2c here so quite chilly when I got up. We had a small frost, only the second since we moved here almost 4 years ago. It can get cold enough but seeing we live on a rise or at least a small hill, usually a breeze keeps the frosts away. I remember growing up in an area where the ground would be thick with frost and the water pipes would freeze overnight! Our hands and feet would sting with the cold. My father told me oranges need a couple of good frosts to sweeten then so I was thrilled to see the white ground. No frost today though; it was 11 when I got up and it's quite windy.

Our mini frost.












It was a perfect yard day yesterday so edges were snipped and I whizzed about for a few hours on the "dear oh dear" (the John Deere ride -on mower) We got a trailer load of "woof wood" (Mark says that's the noise it makes when it catches alight. lol) and it's all stacked ready to go. We moved branches that had been blown down by a wind and stacked it ready for a bonfire. We might wait until Jordan returns from Canada and have the family out for dinner and a sit around the fire.

We had a guy move the container for us this week in preparation for another shed to be built. There's always something going on!

Today is gardening, planting and making a few pizza bases to freeze. In this weather I usually sit the dough in a window to rise. :) The wind has gotten up quite strongly now though the sun is still out and a visitor who's just dropped in for a morning coffee tells us the weather is supposed to turn nasty this afternoon. Best finish this and get outside to start the day.

Week's End.

After much ado with a new computer and printer/scanner we're back up and running. (Thanks to our son - yet again!!) Technology really hasn't come that far if the equipment gets more difficult to use instead of easier!

I'm able to load some of the photos I'd taken to go with the previous post. :) The vegie stock and quick fruit cake mentioned are here as well as one of a little visitor we had a few months ago. He spent a few days with us before moving on. Hopefully he'll drop in again.

It was lovely to watch the sun rise on this brisk autumn morning. It doesn't matter what the time of year there's always something to enjoy and appreciate. That got me thinking about how different we all are and how enjoyment varies from person to person. We love the peace and quiet of where we live. The wildlife, the scenery and generally just living a simple life that's very focused on enjoying each day. However some people find their peace and enjoyment in the middle of a busy city or by the ocean or a lake. We can find a quietness of spirit in the most unusual places; it all depends on our individuality. None is better than another. We have this perception in society that "different" is wrong or somehow not good enough. Different is just different. In it's most simplest form the definition of "different" is unalike or dissimilar.

I personally love the city; I love the vibrancy, the easy access to whatever I need or want. I think Sydney and London are two of the most fabulous cities around and yet the quietness of the countryside is what I need to live a truly authentic life.

I think wherever you live or whatever life you have chosen for yourself if you see each day as an adventure and something to be really appreciated you can't go far wrong. :)

Vegie stock brewing.

  Finished product; a freezer full of yummy, fresh additive free stock.



                                   
                                 
                                                 Quick fruit cake.

                                                                               Our little visitor.

'ere I is.

Just popping in to say hi. As you know I initially started this blog, not only as our record of our tree-change but also to keep distant friends and family up to date with what we were up to. I sat and read through the entire thing the other day and and frankly (yes at risk of sounding quite self - indulgent) I really enjoyed going over not only what I'd shared, but also the other memories it evoked.

So I've decided to continue with my ramblings for a time. Eventually I'll have it printed in book form so when Mark and I shuffle off the kids and F.G.C.'s (future grand-children)  will have a reminder of us and our decision to live " The Good Life".

Today I'll be in the kitchen for a little while. I have a fruit cake in the oven to cut up into portions and freeze.  A friend gave me the recipe and its just so ridiculously easy.

Soak 1 kg mixed dried fruit in 500 ml iced peach tea overnight. Mix in 2 cups S.R. flour and pop in a lined tin and into a preheated oven 125c for 2.5 hours. Now how crazy is that??!!!

 I also have some vegetable stock simmering, courtesy of veggie scraps. I just freeze bits and pieces; ends and small bits of carrots, turnips, pumpkin etc; tops off celery, really anything in the veggie line and pop it into a ziplock bag in the freezer. When I have enough, into a pot,cover with water, a few bay leaves, seasoning, bring to a boil, simmer for an hour and Bobs your uncle. Some gorgeous stock. I freeze in 1 cup quantities but like a lot of other things you can pop some into ice cube trays so you have a smidgen for whatever. Since we grow most of the veggies it's not only very economical but covers my pet obsession - I know what has gone into it. :)

The chickens will get the left-over veggies, along with the days scraps so its a win - win all round.

Onto some more Basil Pesto now, this one with cashews instead of pine nuts. Yum!!  I made some earlier in the week but its all promised so I need to get some more happening.

I've been taking photos as I've gone along but for some reason my new laptop isn't reading the SD card. :(

Will try to sort that out and will post them when I can.

Off to pick some basil. Have a good day.

Tuesday.

It's been a rather hectic four or so weeks. So much has taken place it takes our breath away sometimes.

Our kids have returned safely from Europe with amazing stories and adventures that have given them such a taste for more travel. It was lovely to see them come through the gates at arrivals, tired but happy.




The weather continues to be unpredictable. Thankfully the fires have abated; that photo is sunrise on a rather smoky morning. We've had some crazy heavy rain storms and the tank is now full again; for now! It's pouring at the moment and thunder is rolling around the mountains. Morning storms somehow always sound threatening.

All the vegies survived a hectic hail storm and we're harvesting some gorgeous tomatoes, lettuce and beans already.

We've been getting a lot of work done about the place. My wonderful bird tree is no more. It was dangerously close to the house; a big no-no in the wild winds we've had and also a fire threat. We had an arborist take a look and he found two Bracket Fungi. Given that the tree was huge and they can drop limbs in dry times; this could be doubly dangerous. The fungi eats the tree and makes the inside sort of like polystyrene. We felt  sad to see it go but really had no choice. That afternoon the birds came circling around looking for it and screeched their own dissatisfaction with the situation.

The ground here is very rocky and the former owners seemed to delight in piling up rocks all over the place. Some of them are as large as a mini minor and as gorgeous as they are we don't need all of them here. We had a wonderful man named Clive come the other day. Clive brought his little backhoe thing and moved tonnes of rock to the front of the property to be picked up and trucked away. We picked well as Clive is also an artist and came up with some great landscaping ideas for around the septic system and down the back corner where the secret garden will (one day) be built.

I've been thinking hard about the direction of this blog. I've enjoyed recording the first few years of our tree change. It's a lot of fun to go back over it myself and remember the beginnings of our adventure. However I'm feeling I want it to go in another direction now. The adventure will continue of course; living here has stretched us and taught us heaps - and not just about growing veggies either :) We're not going anywhere; we love where we are and what we do.

I'm sure I'll pop in occasionally though. For me this blog is like a dear friend whose company is best enjoyed with feet up and a cuppa in the sun. :))

Our Wednesday.

What a mad morning. I heard a heck of a commotion in the entry and went to investigate. As most of you would know we have a swallow family that tries hard to come back to the portico and nest each year. We usually send them on their way by installing a fake plastic owl above the door for a few weeks. Well, I think they brought their extended family for a visit because when I had a look out the window there must have been at least 15 of them diving and swooping into the entry area. They took off when I opened the door and swooped around the yard for another 10 minutes, probably waiting for me to go back inside. It was a sight to see; they're so cute. Shame they're such dirty beggars!

Its been a busy but enjoyable few days. I've been in the kitchen for the most part which is something I really enjoy. I've been making a few meals for Mark to take to work; I know what goes into them at least. :)

 4 spaghetti bolagnaise, 3 Curried sausages and veggies, 4 Apricot Chicken and rice, 3 Salmon Mornay.
Banana muffins, muesli bars, pear cake, yoghurt and jellies all ready to go. They'll last for ages as he doesn't take a hot meal every day; salads are so easy to make and stay fresh in the fridge at work.With just a little bit of planning the next month is taken care of.

The veggies are doing well despite the crazy temps. It was 39c the other day and wind gusts up to 95 kmph. Its bushfire weather and I must be honest I get a little reluctant to stray too far from home when there are fires in the vicinity.

My daughter-in-law rang yesterday and mentioned it is only 10 weeks until Christmas. What!!!!! How did that happen? At least the gardens may be in a better position this year to provide something for our plate. We'll see how the temps go as summer makes its presence felt.

I've put a small tomato plant in a pot on the deck and it already has fruit on it. Love them!

Australian Grown.

The weather is all over the place at the moment here. Unusually hot weather at the end of winter and beginning of spring and now the days are milder and nights quite chilly again.

The gardens are loving the warm weather and are thriving. It's shaping up to be a great season for tomatoes especially this time - the last season was dreadful and a lot of people in the area were complaining about poor harvests.

With just our little patch it's hard to comprehend the heartache that the seasons can bring to farmers who depend on the land for their livelihood. With floods in one area, heatwave in another and snow all at the same time in another part of the country; not to mention economic downturns due to cheap and shoddy imports, its a tribute to their tenacity that they stay on the land as long as they do. This country use to be pretty well self sufficient and now our farmers are tossed scraps for their superior quality harvest because of the greedy multi-nationals. Not only do the men and women on the land battle with the elements, their determination and hard-slog is rewarded by a slap in the face.

We have a choice you know - we can fight this sell-out by growing what we can and buying local - refusing to eat crap from other countries that, by the way, do not have the checks and balances that we do concerning chemicals used in the production of food. Buy direct from the farmer if you can or get along to markets in your area. I was so impressed with the amount of farm shops on the North Coast when I visited my sister and brother-in-law recently. Among other things, on the way home I bought the most gorgeous avocados (4 for $5) and a fresh pineapple for $3 (with its top on - guess who's going to have a go at growing her own?!) The health of our families as well as our country depends on the choices we make. Don't think for one minute that you as an individual can't make a difference. A lot of " just one person" makes a whole lot of people! There is groundswell to support our farmers and protect our food production - do what you can in your little corner. Most of us who have gardens can't grow all that we want so we need to source the rest from ethical sources.

Our farmlands are already being sold to overseas interests who I can assure you, don't have our best interests at heart. If you want to grow your own but don't have a lot of room use pots. Stick some garlic in a pot, or a tomato plant; grow some herbs in your kitchen, swap what you grow with a neighbour who grows something else. Join a community garden. Buy Australian - as long as the company is Australian!!!! Become involved in what you bring into your household and put on your plate. Most people do more research into what TV to buy than what they put into their mouths.

Due to pressure and buying practises of the Australian people Woolworths has just announced they will be phasing out cage chicken eggs within 5 years. Most of us would like it to be yesterday not within 5 years.  It may be due to contractual agreements with the suppliers - I don't know - but it is a step in the right direction. All brought about because one person standing in front of the shelves in the supermarket thought about the cruelty to animals and what was healthiest for their family and chose a better product.  "Just one person"  -  did this time and time again. There must have been a lot of them because it's had the desired effect!!! Well done all you "just one person". :) It shows us all that things can change if we want them too.