Our first road trip and sleepover

Our first traffic jam.

 Are we there yet?

  Nothing like the feel of sand in your paws - our first beach experience.

This water tastes funny...

 

Not sure about being tied up all day and sleeping in a garage - would much rather be jumping over the tiny fence and running around in the bush. It was nice to have our own paddling pool to drink from though.

 Plus the bones, shade, and our comfy beds.

 Home again - but we don't want to get out - can we go somewhere else?!

It is still winter, right?

I had to check the calendar, because for the last 2 days I've been outside working in the garden in a t-shirt and jeans in gorgeous sunshine. Temps have been up around the 16/17. Crazy! Although (of course) it's predicted to be back to 12-13 and raining in time for the weekend...phew!

Here's a few garden snapshots:
Rooster and hen - why do they always hang out (and poo) on the verandah?! and Yolki hiding amongst the jonquils

Freddie and Lily doing what they do best....sunbaking :-)

The passionfruit has done very well since we extended it's bed - over winter potatoes by the fence and giant red mustard (self seeded) in the foreground. I planted the garlic 7 days ago eh voila! All cloves were grown here last year - it's the first year I haven't bought any garlic to plant...yay me!

I spent quite a bit of time turning garden beds from this.......to this

and then to this.  I'm not going away for 10 weeks again!!  It is too much work  :-)

Freedom for Freddie!

FINALLY!

After 15 weeks, 2 cruciate ligament surgeries incl arthroscopy (each with an 8 screw titanium plates), 3 lots of x-rays, 6 local vet visits, 6 day trip to Melbourne for the specialist vet surgeon (5am starts and 8 hrs driving each time), and unmentionable credit card bills, Freddie got the all clear to "be a normal dog again" yesterday. Hurrah for no more being tied to a tree, and no more being on a leash outside the house! Hurrah for being allowed to jump up into the car, on the sofa and on the bed! Hurrah for no more "barking all day cause I'm bored".

I've been so impressed by his recovery from lame to walking normally almost overnight with the surgery - it made the recovery period harder as he seemed to feel just fine after about 3 days. He'll never sit "like a lady" again due to the knee realignment, but he is walking and running with no limp in either leg and no signs of discomfort. That's the most important thing.

 What a nice Christmas present for everyone!

Cow Watch 2010

Hours of fun for all the four-legged family members.

Don't know about you, but I reckon this cow's pregnant...either that or she's been over-eating in a big way LOL

Cute baby steak...

What did you do today poochies?

We sat outside the shed ALL day waiting for the bunny to re-appear. It didn't.

Hilarious!

Learning to share

When it's 8 degrees outside then learning to share the fire is the only option!

Dusty dog

So dusty that he almost blends in with the floor!!!!!!!

Doggie Delights

We ran out of dog biscuits yesterday, so after seeing a recipe for home-made treats on Aussies Living Simply (Thanks Roquen) I decided to try making some. We had a jar of peanut butter in the cupboard that would never get used otherwise!

Peanut Butter Treats
Ingredients:
2 cups whole-wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup skim milk

Cooking Directions: Preheat oven to 190 degrees. In a bowl, combine flour and baking powder. In another bowl, mix peanut butter and milk. Add wet mixture to dry, and mix well. Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface and knead. Roll out to 1/4-inch thick and cut out shapes. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Cool on a rack then store in an airtight container.

And here's the results.....star shaped because after all, it's nearly Xmas. They are a hit with the poochies too.

Recovering from jetlag - Jerry style

Pigs, Dogs and Cabbages

What do these things have in common? Nothing!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it..er..sleet

Almost as pretty as the real thing - but without the slushy mess!

It was also pig exchange day - bye bye 4 large blacks, hello 7 (!!!) large black/saddleback crosses. They're the ones with the pinky-white patches on them. More photos of them when the sun comes out again!

Oh, and in between all this excitement I made 10 jars of Seville Orange Marmalade with Whiskey. Worked out about $1 per jar - bargain!

Saturday 12th

Today the dogs sat around all day, admiring the autumn colours...


...while I got on with making some curtains for the kitchen to try and keep the warmth in come winter. It's only take 2 years to get around to it!!!!

Move over Baywatch...

it's time for Sheepwatch!

Latest family snaps

Freddie (L) and Lily (R)

The attractive sleeping poses of Freddie

What can I say - the boy is all class!!

December Garden Update

First, a few family photos!


So far the garden is coming along well - with just enough rain to keep it ticking along. I've been really impressed with how well the mulch keeps the water in the beds.

The berries are out of control! So far we have picked about 4 kg of brambleberries (L and centre), and it's promising to be a bumper year for the raspberries too



L to R - Violet Queen bean, Cherry Tree, Rhubarb (rhubarb, rhubarb!)




Some of this years garlic crop hanging up to dry (no vampires at our front door!), and the first of the corn has come up.


I'm hoping for a bumper year for tomatoes - here are just some of the plants we have growing under Jerry's Kew-garden-esque bird netted tomato house