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Life on two acres of arid dirt, on the edge of the Australian outback.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Gate Gossip - Max Fatchen

Another Australian poem, taken from one of my children's books back when they were at school.


Gate Gossip

I like our gate,
Its sturdy charm
That guards the entrance
To our farm.

It's nice when shut,
Or open wide,
To sit upon
Or sit astride.

But gates are there
With things to do
Like letting sheep
And cattle through.

Our gate has bars
With several bends
From careless cars
Of farming friends.

The gateposts lean,
A little tired,
With fences stretching
Rusty-wired.

A country gate
Is surely best
To prop a farmer
For his rest.

With one foot up,
And elbows flat
Now who could pass
A man like that?

While every bit
Of iron will ring,
With all the
Rural gossiping.

The magpies fly
To sunset tree.
A voice impatient
Calls to tea.

Then whistling,
Home the farmer goes
As gate
And conversation
Close.

by
Max Fatchen
A Paddock of Poems

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Winter Wednesday

Joining with HAZEL for Winter Wednesday.

This is what I like about Winter.

Fleecy sheets...

and nice warm blankets...


added to the beds...




Today however is more like a Spring day with lovely warm sunshine and 23C (73.4F)

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Porcupine Meatballs - Pressure Cooker Style


This recipe is for Heather at Cook.

And anyone else too lol!


I prefer to use a pressure cooker rather than a slow cooker because most one pot meals only take about 15 - 20 minutes and they are done. The meals are so good and full of flavour.

My pressure cooker....


The cooked meatballs...



Porcupine Meatballs


Ingredients

500gms mince

1 onion, finely chopped

pinch herbs

3/4 cup uncooked rice

1 tin tomato soup (400gm)

1 tin of water


Method

In a bowl mix together onion, mince, herbs and

rice. (I use my hands for this)


Form into small balls


Place soup and water into pressure cooker and stir

together.


Add meatballs and pressure cook for approx 15

minutes.


* please note that pressure cookers may

vary so these instructions may be different to other

pressure cookers.


Enjoy!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Out Back - Henry Lawson


I love Australian poetry and verse.


I am sharing this one, as it is titled with the same name as my blog. It was found here


Henry Lawson is a famous Australian Poet and writer.


Out Back


by Henry Lawson

The old year went, and the new returned, in the withering weeks of drought;
The cheque was spent that the shearer earned, and the sheds were all cut out;
The publican's words were short and few, and the publican's looks were black-
And the time had come, as the shearer knew, to carry his swag Out Back.

For time means tucker, and tramp you must, where the scrubs and plains are wide,
With seldom a track that a man can trust, or a mountain peak to guide;
All day long in the dust and heat- when summer is on the track-
With stinted stomachs and blistered feet, they carry their swags Out Back.

He tramped away from the shanty there, when the days were long and hot,
With never a soul to know or care if he died on the track or not.
The poor of the city have friends in woe, no matter how much they lack,
But only God and the swagman know how a poor man fares Out Back.

He begged his way on the parched Paroo and the Warrego tracks once more,
And lived like a dog, as the swagmen do, til the western station shore;
But men were many, and sheds were full, for work in the town was slack-
The traveller never got hands in wool, though he tramped for a year Out Back.

In stifling noons when his back was wrung by its load, and the air seemed dead,
And the water warmed in the bag that hung to his aching arm like lead.
For in times of flood, when plains were seas and the scrubs were cold and black,
He ploughed in mud to his trembling knees, and paid for his sins Out Back.

And dirty and careless and old he wore, as his lamp of hope grew dim;
He tramped for years, til the swag he bore seemed part of himself to him.
As a bullock drags in the sandy ruts, he followed the dreary track,
With never a thought but to reach the huts when the sun went down Out Back.

He chanced one day when the north wind blew in his face like a burnace-breath.
He left the track for a tank he knew- twas a shorter cut to death;
For the bed of the tank was hard and dry, and crossed with many a crack.
And, oh! it's a terrible thing to die of thirst in the scrub Out Back.

A drover came, but the fringe of law was eastward many a mile:
He never reported the thing he saw, for it was not worth his while.
The tanks are full, and the grass is high in the mulga off the track,
Where the bleaching bones of a white man lie by his mouldering swag Out Back.

For time means tucker, and tramp they must, where the plains and scrubs are wide,
With seldom a track that a man can trust, or a mountain peak to guide;
All day long in the flies and heat the men of the outside track,
With stinted stomachs and blistered feet, must carry their swags Out Back.


Do you like poetry?

Friday, June 24, 2011

Thank You Saving for Travel


I won this lovely in a giveaway recently.


It is very pretty and will be put to good use...

I have a timber tray that this will look great on...


Thank you Sft

xx


Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Winter Wednesday

I am liking our nice warm log fire, and I am very thankful for hubby who chops the wood (albeit with a stump splitter these days lol)

All this to keep me toasty and warm...



The fire is on,
it is a little cold today...


Joining in with Hazel today.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Life in the Country - Olive Oil Chocolate Cake

A big Thank You to A Farmer's Wife for posting about this delicious cake.

For the recipe for this yummy, moist, easy chocolate cake go here

Enjoy!


Thursday, June 16, 2011

I'm set now!



A new set of measuring spoons...


Every home should have some...


Do you?


Thanks Swannie :)

The Sentimental Bloke - Blog

Today I was listening to the local ABC Radio and they said they had some great pictures on their face book page.

Thought I would take a look as there were pictures of a Coal Train Derailment on this blog.

Turns out he has some fantastic photos of the Flinder's Ranges South Australia, which is nearby to where we live.

Would you like to see some beautiful scenery of Australia, then here's your chance. It might be dry and dusty with saltbush, but still beautiful. With the recent rains it it quite green in places with water in the creeks.


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Winter Wednesday

I am joining in with HAZEL today and sharing my Winter's morning with you all...

We were Minus 1 this morning.

No words needed...











Monday, June 13, 2011

Garden to Plate

Our first broccoli head is ready.

No chemicals used and no bugs...



A lonely sweet pea,

there are plenty of flowers, so it wont be long now.



Yesterday's pickings,

dwarf beans, broccoli and mandarins...



It sure feels good to have home grown food on our dinner plate. They taste so much better...

The pumpkin, beans and broccoli are home grown. (My apologies for hubby hoeing in before I got to take the picture).

Cant wait until all the veggies are the result of what I can grow.


Going out to sow some carrots seeds today.

xTania

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Old Hat Box


The Hat Box...


This was passed onto us by hubby's mother.

It was given to her by a family friend.


The latch still works perfectly...


The stamp on the bottom...


And upon opening is this...



a gorgeous top hat...

just like new...

in perfect condition...





Inside stamp on the hat

Christys London


Size 6 7/8

Small heads back in them days,

The hat doesn't fit any of us unfortunately...


But we did find a model for you...

Our friend "Swannie" obliged!

Hubby did some searching and found Christys London on the internet and sent them an email, but to this day they haven't replied...its been a couple of years now, so one would presume they are not interested. We were trying to find out just how old this top hat could be, as there is no date included.

Wishing you all a great day,

xTania


Saturday, June 4, 2011

More from the Op Shops

My visit to the Salvos yesterday...



old books,

some craft...



entertaining...



more craft...



A beginners cookbook...

I figured this should have some easy recipes in here,

and it does...



Just a housewife little book

with Christian verses...



some wooden frames...


perfect for this recent picture of my dad and mum...


This pretty plate was given to me yesterday by my MIL when I picked her up and dropped her down the street to do some shopping...
SCORE!

The stamp on the back.



A little worn in places but still a nice side dish...


Another...


and another...



pretty modern one...



Nice little glass bowl,

just the right size...


Not sure about this one.

This fabric has been made into a bag,

but I loved the colours...



Seer sucker table cloth in my favourite colour...blue.



And this beauty...


all hand sewn...

cross stitch

in perfect condition!

for $2.50

I couldn't believe it!

The lady that served me commented on it and wished she had known it was there as she would have taken it home herself.




Then on to St Vinnies

got myself some clothes for $1.00 each


A pretty apron...



and this table runner...



again hand sewn...




This old book...



and this one...


Have a great weekend,

xTania