Random Garden Pics

Lucky chick and Duke enjoying the stones warmed by the sunshine, while Mrs Brown contemplates chicken nirvana (the vege patch) on the other side of the fence.

Cauliflower, and one very long heirloom white carrot (I have size 8.5 (AU) / 6.5 (UK) feet!!)

Rest in peace, Fred O'Connell

Remembered always with love.
Our lives were richer for knowing you,
and will be poorer for your passing.

"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight". ~Khalil Gibran

Busy Weekend

It was all go on the 'farm' this weekend! First we had to dismantle a shed to make room for the planned new chicken area. The shed will be moved and re-assembled somewhere else.

Next, relocate 2 plum trees and plant a dwarf nectarine - and chicken proof them!

Then it was time to build a new garden bed using some colourbond we recycled from the tip. We filled it with home made compost (well, chicken made, plus some old soil!!)

And then it was time for a nice glass of wine and a lie down!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Soap

Yesterday I managed to find time to make another batch of soap. This time I used a blend of olive, sunflower, apricot kernel, almond and castor oil - and used red clover tea rather than straight water. It's scented with rosemary oil - and has some bits of rosemary through it.

It has a paler, creamier colour than the last batch - and smells quite nice already. I used old milk cartons as moulds, which was very effective - and lends itself to my rustic shapes!!

The honeyeaters are back - in force

I counted 5 at one time (before I had the camera ready).....

What's for dinner?

Inspired by a recipe for beef and ale pie posted on Aussies Living Simply (thanks Ellice!) I decided to make beef and ale casserole for dinner. Preparation took 15 minutes

• A quick trip to the garden for a turnip, carrots, parsley and thyme - pick up some garlic from the shed on the way back.
• Out with the trusty crock pot and turn it on to low
  
• Toss the beef cubes in flour and mustard, then brown - add to the crok pot
• Fry onion and garlic briefly, then add water and vegemite and simmer for a few minutes then into the crock pot.
• Add home made Worcestershire sauce, turnip, carrot, parsley and thyme, a good grinding of pepper and a bottle of Beechworth Celtic Red Ale from the local brewery
• Put lid on crock pot and ignore until dinner time!