Out Back

Plums

2012-02-18T09:47:00.017+10:30

I couldn't pass these up...

Plums...

@ .98c a kilo from the local supermarket.

I stewed them up for a yummy dessert,

and I cook them whole with the seeds left in and just pick them out later...it is a lot less work!

I dont eat plums raw, but I eat plenty when they are cooked :)

My healthy version of plums, natural yoghurt and weetbix :)

Hubby's not so healthy version of thick cream and icecream lol!

Yesterday our daughter brought around some more yummy goodness...plums and peaches. :)

So I guess I had better get busy...maybe some jam this time :)

Wishing you all a lovely weekend,

Ours is a hot one with 39C (102.2F) on both Saturday and Sunday!

xTania

Recipe Time - Date Square Slice

2012-02-15T09:17:00.015+10:30

Yummy Easy Peasy Recipe

Date Square Slice

Boil together

1 cup chopped dates,

4oz butter,

1 cup sugar

for 5 minutes.

Stir in 4 cups rice bubbles and mix well.

A little nutmeg improves the flavour (I dont add nutmeg).

Press into slice tin and put in fridge to cool.

Top with whipped cream, banana slices and coconut. Dip banana slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.

This is an all time favourite in our house...delish!

xTania

Odds and sods...

2012-02-09T09:28:00.015+10:30

Expanding my crochet skills by

making removable covers for my coasters, while adding a bit of colour around the place.

Front...

and back...

Some pretty daisy squares for a cushion...

And a couple of bookmarks...

In the garden...

Picking some capsicums...

Silver beet going to seed...

Planted some pumpkins...

Beetroot...

Baby apple cucumbers...

More capsicums on the bushes...

Zucchinis are still producing although a lot slower now and the plants are looking tired...

Picking carrots too!

A bigger apple cucumber hiding away under cover...

Snow peas...

The white figs are still plentiful....

The citrus are back

Oranges...

Mandarines...

Grapefruit...

And a new lemon tree...

This is the third one we have planted, but the other two died so hopefully we have more success this time.

So far so good...

From two piles to one.

The mulch is slowly being spread around our yard...

The trees are loving it...

An inch of rain recently has helped...

My turn to wash the soccer guernsey's.

My son now plays in the under 17's and so far his team, the Stirling Strikers are undefeated this season. Not bad for coaching themselves because there is no coach available...and having the team with the most girls on their side, there are three :)

I wonder what is happening in your corner of the world?

xTania

Around here...

2012-01-31T14:06:00.012+10:30

Tah Dah!

I have finished it!

My first ever granny square blanket...

With fancy edge and all :)

Some flowers...

for me from hubby...just because :)

The tree loppers are in town, so hubby rounded them up to get some mulch for our yard.

$100 got us this much...

A new toy for me...

(again from hubby, a bit spoilt I think)

bargain at 1/2 price

now I just need some spare time to play...

Have picked some figs...

these are white ones

chopped

cooked

fig jam!

The recipe is one my mum uses,

6lb Figs

4lb sugar

2 1/2 cups water

1 cup vinegar

Make syrup from sugar, water and vinegar by heating together then add the fruit. Cook for approx 3 hours or until the jam sets on a cold saucer. (I cooked mine for 5hrs) Place in sterilised jars while still hot.

Apparently the vinegar helps to preserve it longer.

And a very enjoyable Australia Day lunch

of Blue Swimmer Crabs....YUM!

Things have been very busy around here, catching up on jobs that haven't been done since the start of the Summer holidays, and a little craft happening too, that is while it is cool. We had a run of hot humid weather for over a week, I did not like it at all. Sitting in a puddle of sweat is no fun!

What have you been up to?

xTania

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY MATE!

2012-01-26T10:10:00.002+10:30

Recipe Time - Banana Cream Caramel Pie

2012-01-22T14:31:00.010+10:30

Thank you Sarah for introducing us to this yummy dessert.

This is a favourite in our house at the moment.

Please ignore the fattening factor, I only have a tiny piece, I promise lol!

What you need:

BASE

1 pkt of sweet biscuits, crushed (I use Butternut Snap Cookies)

about 150gms of butter, melted

1 - 2 Bananas

FILLING

1 tin of nestles Top 'n' Fill Caramel

about 250gms of thick cream

2 tblspns icing sugar

a few drops vanilla essence

Chocolate for the topping (I used flake)

What you do:

BASE

Combine crushed biscuits and melted butter, then press into 23cm pie plate.

Place in fridge to cool. (I dont do this bit lol)

FILLING

Slice banana on top of biscuit mix.

Then add the tin caramel

Combine cream, icing sugar and vanilla essence. Beat until thick and stiff.

Top pie with whipped cream and grated chocolate.

YUM!

Doing...

2012-01-19T10:45:00.038+10:30

I am supposed to be crocheting a granny square a day as a challenge to myself after reading this post over at Mum's Simple Living Blog. I thought this would help me get my granny square projects (I decided to make rugs) finished that I talked about in a previous post. I have collected my wool together, and found my crochet hook that mysteriously went missing, so no more excuses!

But...

I am starting a new project...

Just a simple knitted square x 20 to make a simple knitted quilt.

Just deciding on colours at the moment...

Oh and I have found a cute little Valentine's bookmark I want to knit up too :)

I am reading this book that I bought for myself as a birthday present back in December...

We had another visit from an unwanted guest!

I think hubby has a thing with shoes, he has a pair of mine on with little diamante's on them lol!

This one was 4ft 9inches and was waiting for me when I went to collect the eggs with my grandson...

We have large pieces of reinforcing rod (like what is found in concrete sleepers) that hubby made up and they hang at different spots around the veranda and yard. This makes it easy to grab one should we encounter a snake...

The attraction in the hen house would be the mice, even though I did find a hollowed out egg shell.

A very venomous brown snake, the third one this season!

Normally the ants do their thing with the carcass, but our neighbour the Goanna decided to have a feast on this snake.

The nectarines are ready again,

have been busy picking some at the end of each day,

and stewing them up for later use.

I stack these in the freezer...

17.01.12

It was 42.6C (108.7F) on this day,

and it produced the most spectacular sunset.

Wishing you all a fantastic day today,

xTania

Around here

2012-01-14T16:10:00.016+10:30

Firstly I would like to give a big WELCOME to my new followers!

There has been

some pretty skies...

tinged with smoke...

from the recent bush fire that is out now thanks to the helpful rain...

Hazy, smoke covered moon

Getting some work done...

Gotta love his shoe laces lol!

Smiley happy Millie dog...

She has barely any teeth left now, she has worn them all down and her tongue now hangs out quite regularly, she looks funny sometimes :)

From the garden...

Beetroot, capsicum, carrots, zucchini, apple cucumbers...

Grating the surplus of Zucchini's...

Measuring into one cup bagfuls...

ready for the freezer to add to stews, quiches at a later date...

In the kitchen...

I visited ANGLESEY ALLSORTS blog today and was inspired after seeing the pictures and recipe of her drop scones.

So I went ahead and cooked up some good old fashioned drop scones too, I have not had these since my grandmother cooked them for me many moons ago.

I used a recipe from one of my grandmothers cooking books...

(Manual of Domestic Art 1953, cost one shilling and sixpence lol)

Drop Scones

1 heaped cup plain flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup of milk (small half)

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. cream tartar

1 tsp. carb. soda (lumps crushed)

1 egg

Method ---Sift flour, salt, cream of tarter, and carbonate of soda. Make a well in the centre of flour and put in beaten egg, stir in a little flour (using wooden spoon). Add milk slowly, beating all the time. Beat 4 or 5 minutes. Grease the hot girdle (a frying pan may be used as a girdle), and put mixture on in dessertspoonsful (allow space between them). Turn the scones over and cook both sides evenly. Serve with butter or jam.

I have been a little absent from blogland lately.

This past week I have been helping a friend to clean out her ex husbands house after he passed away suddenly, sadly he was only 59 :(

Hopefully I can get back to regular blogging soon. Sorry I haven't had much of a chance to visit all my favourites and leave comments, I am getting there slowly though...I have a lot of catching up to do!

xTania

It's raining!

2012-01-07T12:27:00.004+10:30

I am happy to report that it has started raining,

so instead of seeing smoke in the hills all I can see is glorious rain...

We have a bush fire

2012-01-06T11:35:00.008+10:30

The hills in the nearby Flinders Ranges are on fire.

We are safe but a couple of little country towns and farms could be at risk. So far no casualties and hopefully it stays that way. The fire is burning in inaccessible terrain and is being bombarded with water from five water bomber planes.

This photo is from the ABC North and West facebook page

(Mary from Port Germain sent this photo of the fire near Port Augusta.

This photo was taken Thursday night (5/1) from Stirling North).

This was the view from our driveway yesterday...

For more information and pictures see the links below:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-05/wilmington-cfs-battles-ferocious-blaze/3760484

http://video.theaustralian.com.au/2183869594/Bushfire-out-of-control#.TwYsmVVzfY4.facebook

Hello 2012!

2012-01-01T10:06:00.003+10:30

May love and laughter light your days,

and warm your heart and home.

May good and faithful friends be yours,

wherever you may roam.

May peace and plenty bless your world

with joy that long endures.

May all life's passing seasons

bring the best to you and yours!

~An old Irish Blessing~

2011 Christmas snaps

2011-12-29T10:37:00.015+10:30

Now my house is quiet again, it is time to post some Christmas pics.

Daughter Kyla took most of these photos,

except this one...

Daughter Sarah and SIL Shane...

Daughter Talia with SIL Jarrad and grandson Blake...

Family shot of Me, son Jack, MIL Carley and Phil...

Another family shot, Me, Phil, Mum, Dad, Carley...

Now for the group photo...

This turned out to be a lot of fun :)

Phil decided it would be a good idea to take the group photo with the automatic setting on the camera. The thing was we hadn't used this feature before. So after 3 attempts and 3 fails we finally captured this one. By this time every single one of us was laughing...

L - R back: Kyla, Carley, Tania, Jack, Jarrad, Talia, my dad Charlie.

L-R front: Shane, Sarah, Phil, Mum Ronda, and Grandson Blake.

What we didn't realise was that it would take multiple shots so this was the result lol...

Here we are cheering because it finally worked...not knowing it was still clicking away :)

Me pointing and saying the camera is still taking photos...

After all the laughter had settled, Kyla took this photo of Phil and I.

The sunset at the end of CHRISTMAS day was lovely. The day was hot (32.6C, 90.7F) but we survived. Christmas Eve ended up being 43.7C (110.6F).

Onwards to 2012 now.

Once again we are having scorching temperatures for the rest of this week and weekend.

Today 34C (93.2F),

Tomorrow Friday 38C (100.4F)

New Years eve Saturday 40C (104F)

New Years Day Sunday 43 (109.4F),

Monday 42C (107.6F),

Tuesday 40 (104F),

Wednesday 41C (105.8F)

Eeeeekkkk!!

We were going to go away for a few days but cant now because the garden and animals will need to be taken care of. The swimming pool will be put to good use I think :)

So wishing everyone a Happy New Year where ever you are.

xTania

Merry CHRISTmas!

2011-12-23T10:44:00.019+10:30

We are puffing and panting as the weather is handing out it's Summer best this CHRISTmas. It has been very hot all week and I am so tired...

37C yesterday (98.6F),

39C today (102.2F),

41C (105.8F) tomorrow (CHRISTmas Eve)

and 37C (98.6F) on CHRISTmas day!

I suppose that is better than the 42C (107.6F) they forecast earlier in the week. Not much fun when there is so much to prepare, but we will get there. CHRISTmas lunch will consist of cold meats and salads, followed by my Mum's favourite CHRISTmas pudding and brandy custard YUM!

I want to wish everyone one a very Blessed CHRISTmas and a may 2012 be all that you hope for...

Love, peace and joy to you all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!

Today's Pickings

2011-12-15T11:00:00.009+10:30

From the garden today I picked a quiet a few tomatoes, 2 apple cucumbers, 2 zucchini....

and the apricots are ready, dont know that I am ready for them though!

Anyway they are chopped and cooking on the stove now...

Just a quick post as things are pretty busy around here...

I have been concentrating on getting fit and healthy again so that means less time spent on the computer. I have lost 2 kgs (4.4lbs) in the last week and I am 2 kgs from my healthy weight range. Lots of meal planning, jogging/walking and a variety of other exercises happening at the moment, and I feel great! Exercise is so good for us!

I haven't prepared much for CHRISTmas yet, once again it will be done at the last minute. This year it was decided by all that only the children will receive gifts as it was becoming way to expensive to buy for everybody...

Not long now :)

Go Anna Go!

2011-12-08T10:37:00.009+10:30

Can you see him?

What about now?

A little closer...

And closer...

he didn't run...

the closer we got...

this fella is about 28 inches long...

and has taken up residence out in the chook yard,

and has a nice big hole out there that he has made his home...

He had better not develop a liking for eggs...

even closer...

what a poser!

well maybe you are getting too close now!

What more photos?

Haven't you seen a handsome Goanna before?

This on the other hand is not at all handsome!

This fella was living in the chook house having a nice feast of mice...

He is a brown snake (very venomous) and was about four foot long!

We left him there for a few days to thin the mice out but it was getting too dangerous for us to venture out into the chook pen to feed up and collect eggs...

Sorry Mr Snake...

This is the second snake to visit this year...

Thank you to hubby for taking these photos, I was long gone lol!

Take care,

xTania

A close call...

2011-11-29T20:09:00.014+10:30

The hot day yesterday brought with it some very strong hot north winds that caused a bush fire in our town. See here

We have heard that the blaze was caused by an electricity transformer blowing up with the strong winds. About 2.30pm our power went out with a bang when the wind suddenly got stronger.

Here are a few photos we captured of the fire, but for obvious reasons we couldn't get too close.

I captured this one on our arrival at the scene with my mobile.

We thought the local primary school was alight, but it was only the big trees surrounding it that was causing all the smoke...

The fire started in this vacant paddock,

and quickly spread.

It jumped the road and got into trees and grass on the other side. Behind the trees there are houses, and to the side there is a primary school and kindergarten...The trees border the school boundary.

About 150 houses were evacuated...

including the school children...

The fire was under control within an hour and monitored all night.

The cool change is here now thank goodness...

There was another bush fire that caused a bit of concern to the township of Gladstone, which is about 131 kms (81 miles) away from here. It was threatening the town and the local grain storage at one stage, but is also under control now.

A bit worrying for the up coming Summer that isn't quite here yet...

Pickling beetroot

2011-11-29T08:54:00.012+10:30

The beets are done...

Using a recipe found here...

I am very pleased with the results,

and they taste so good!

We are going to plant some more beets and hopefully get a second crop. It is a bit risky planting them this late with the heat, but a risk I will take.

Some of you asked how I manage to grow veggies in the heat. This year we have put in wicking beds like found here and here and got the plants in early so they were well established before the heat arrived. We also have shade cloth to pull over if needed, which we haven't had to yet.

Yesterday was 38C (100.4F) and today is the same. Trying to sleep with a 25C (77F) night was fun!

Wishing you well,

xTania

Today's Pickings

2011-11-27T10:43:00.010+10:30

I picked from the garden this morning,

heaps of zucchini's, some beetroot, one apple cucumber, two cauliflowers and seven tomatoes of varying sizes...

Now I can get busy this afternoon and finally get my beetroot pickled,

I have been waiting for more to be ready so I can add to this lot....

Hotting up here again with today 35C (95F), and reaching 38C (100.4F) by Tuesday...

Wishing you a lovely Sunday,

xTania

Keeping busy...

2011-11-22T13:55:00.022+10:30

Things are busy here at the moment...

We are pulling up old carpet and preparing for the new to arrive.

Should be here any day now,

it had better be lol.

We removed the furniture from each room, and had to manoeuvre it around to different parts of the house.

Pulled up the old stuff and the underlay, then all the staples had to be pulled out and the 20 years of red dirt vacuumed up.

Now this is what I like to see,

A man with a vacuum cleaner :)

Lots of echos in the house now, it is amazing how the carpet dulls the sound...

The blue cord going across the lounge area is the internet for our son. It goes all the way up to his room. Hubby is supposed to be running it under the house soon so it is out the way...

The flooring creaks a lot so hubby is hoping to stop most of the movement by putting some screws in the places where they are the noisiest. No burglar can sneak in this house and be unheard lol!

The furniture has just been plonked anywhere for the moment...

So I have a house that is in disarray, hopefully not for too long, but by the sounds of it could be a week or so yet...

A good chance to have a good clean out and work out what we really want and what we really need...

And my little friend the gecko (well I think it is the same one) was back yesterday, this time in another spot...

It is a wonder the birds dont eat him...

Must be well camouflaged...

Just received the phone call for our new carpet to be laid on the 2nd of December...

So a little longer to wait than I had hoped but at least it will be in by Christmas. My birthday is on the 1st December so it will be a nice present :)

What are you busy with this week?

xTania

Too Hot for Lizards

2011-11-18T06:35:00.008+10:30

41 (105.8F) Hot degrees today...

Yesterday was 39C (102.2F)

This little gecko must have thought he found a nice cool spot...

He or she was quite happy for me to take some pictures...

The fiery sky at day's end yesterday...

There is a bush fire burning in the nearby ranges, hopefully there are no strong hot winds today, although I think they are predicted...

The good news is that there will be a cool change tomorrow...

Hotting up for November

2011-11-13T14:39:00.013+10:30

It is nearly swimming pool weather.

The season has been mild so far but now the heat has arrived. Hubby had this lovely green mess to clean up in our pool. He took the cover off to discover all this algae had formed even though through Winter he had treated and cleaned the pool a couple of times! Maybe it is because the hot weather is late this year and the pool would normally be ready to use in late August...

But after a frustrating day of trying to figure out how to get rid of the green problem, he finally worked it out with the help of YouTube.

It is now ready to go!

Today is supposed to be 37C (98.6F).

The hot north wind is blowing quite strong and it is a good day for staying indoors.

The temperature for the rest of this week is quite hot too!

I am hoping that the radio weather person has got it right for the long range weather forecast for Summer. He is suggesting that November will be a hotter than normal month, but December and January may bring more above average rain than usual, which should keep the temperatures lower.

These are the temperatures expected for this week as forecast by willyweather

Sunday 37C (98.6F)

Monday 33C (91.4F)

Tuesday 37C (98.6F)

Wednesday 29C (84.2F)

Thursday 33C (91.4F)

Friday 37C (98.6F)

Saturday 38C (100.4F)

So looks like Wednesday we get a bit of relief from a cool change :)

Off to check my veggie garden now to see if it needs the shade put over.

Have a great day everyone!

11.11.11

2011-11-10T18:28:00.014+10:30

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

"What Happy Is"

2011-11-06T10:42:00.004+10:30

I found this catchy little song on YouTube.

Have a lovely Sunday...

Trick or Treating

2011-10-31T17:37:00.012+10:30

My grandson dressed up for Halloween today ...

I think he looks great!

(Thank you Karen for this photo)

A good weekend

2011-10-30T18:57:00.012+10:30

Some dog play...

homemade dog food...

My new, used wheel barrow that hubby spruced up for me today, it needed a new wheel..

Hippeastrum's looking beautiful

Lacey coriander in flower,

so pretty...

The lettuces in containers are doing well, just wish the sparrows didn't enjoy them so much lol.

In the veggie garden...

Lettuce...

Capsicums starting to flower...

sugar peas have sprouted...

more lettuces...

Apple cucumbers...

in flower...

wont be long now

Potatoes are getting tall...

Beetroot

I think they may be ready...

YUM!

Zucchini's...

have started picking these already...

Carrots...

Tomatoes...

getting bigger and fruiting a plenty...

Some of the zucchini's...

What did you get up to this weekend?

Under Attack? No The Roulettes drop in!

2011-10-29T12:07:00.009+10:30

With the sounds of a drone going on outside while I was sitting here, my first thoughts were a plane in trouble. Then the sound went away...

Hubby rang excitedly (he is on the train working locally) and said quick go outside there are planes on show doing tricks...

A mad rush to get the camera, oh no got to change the lens first, call son to have a look, race outside to find a good spot to see them...so hundreds of photos later I have picked three to share.

It's the Roulettes, how good is that?

Right in my back yard.

Apparently there is an air show at the local airport today, who knew, but I do now lol!

Just passing through...

2011-10-28T20:00:00.006+10:30

A couple of interesting visitors passed through today.

Not sure if they are a couple, but the one behind was very keen to follow the one in front...

We have had quite a few of these Shingleback Lizards around this year. They are pretty big ones too.

Out With The Old, In With The New

2011-10-22T11:33:00.008+10:30

Before...

After...

What a difference it makes!

Sorry I am a bit quiet in blog land but I am a little busy at the moment...the whole house is being de-cluttered and cleaned, starting with the kitchen...I am loving my new benches :)

I will blog about my big de-clutter a bit later...

Wishing you all well,

xTania

On my mind - A winner

2011-10-14T14:30:00.009+10:30

Joining with Down to Earth's On my Mind

I have been entering in a few giveaways lately, and was successful in winning these lovely Christmas fabric pieces from Robyn @ Stitchin' time.

Thank you Robyn, they are just lovely. I am thinking of making a table runner with the fabric just in time for Christmas...

I am also a winner on another matter. My visit to the Breast Clinic yesterday has proved to be a happy one, having been cleared from having any signs of breast cancer. Today I feel so relieved and have promised myself to keep eating healthy and exercising. Now that my shoulder is improving I am able to resume my exercise regime...

It's a happy day for me :)

Hope your day is a happy one too!

Our First Day Out

2011-10-06T13:52:00.005+10:30

One week old today,

and we are out exploring our world...

On My Mind - Cushion or Blanket?

2011-09-30T10:36:00.014+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's On My Mind

On my mind today is this crocheting project that I started a few years ago.

I am shocking in the way I start many projects and never finish them.

I originally thought I might make a blanket with these granny squares, but out of laziness I decided to sew a few together to make a cushion cover. Now I am thinking that it would still look great as a blanket...

Here are the nine squares I sewed together and rested on another cushion...

I have some more granny squares to finish off with the green border, so I might just do this first and lay them out to see what it looks like as a blanket. If I like what I see I will continue on making some more squares.

I also found some other granny squares that I have made at some point, can't even remember what I had in mind to do with them. I was thinking I might put a border on these and crochet flowers to put in the middle and these can become a cushion cover.

What do you think?

*Update from yesterday's post...we have six little chickens and we have rain :)

Chickies and veggies

2011-09-29T11:33:00.010+09:30

The new chicks are hatching, right on time, 21 days today.

The first one appeared yesterday.

I put 6 eggs under the bantam and so far there are 4 chickens. Hopefully the other two hatch out today. Bantams make the best incubators, we always have success with chickens when they go broody.

The garden is doing well despite the foul weather we have had this week. We didn't end up with any more rain, just a ton of dirt that needs sweeping up.

Beetroot...

The first time I have attempted to grow these.

Cabbages...

A few grub "chews" on them but still okay.

Self seeded bok choy...

Broccoli...

I had trouble with some birds eating a couple of plants down to the stalk,

hence the netting over the bed.

More beetroot among the broccoli...

Spring onion in flower...

Zucchini starting to spread...

Baby zucchini already forming, but I dont think there are any male flowers yet.

A stray potato plant came up in the zucchini bed...

Capsicums...

Lettuces...

The carrots are up...

I planted seeds that were out of date by 3 years, but they still germinated.

The new garden bed for the tomatoes...

Trying my hand with potatoes this year...

Apple cucumbers...

The garlic is finally taking off.

I had to remove them from where they were and plant them in another bed because I had them growing near the peas and they are not good companion plants.

Silver beet is still doing great...

The chooks are getting a daily picking from these.

Our garden from the entrance. I am still waiting for more garden beds to plant out pumpkins and melons...

Take care and have a great day!

This and that

2011-09-28T13:57:00.017+09:30

3.30am this morning I was woken by very, very loud thunder and the sky lit up with constant flashing of lightening...

Then down it came.

and it was loud...

First a bit of hail then a bit of rain,

not much just 2.5mm (10pts).

Today the weather is a real "hang on to your britches" kind of day.

Very strong winds that will hopefully be followed up with a bit more rain.

There is a severe weather warning out for South Australia.

This week I have been happily just doing the things I like to do,

like knitting and crafting.

Making dishcloths is a favourite and I also tried a knitted scrubbie made with a plastic type string. I haven't tried it out yet but it should work okay as it is very scratchy.

I made this dishcloth last night and I am happy with the way it turned out and I like that it is fairly large.

The breast cancer ribbon has been in my thoughts a lot lately since finding a lump just over a week ago. An ultrasound followed, and now an appointment with the breast clinic in Adelaide for more tests very soon. I am trying to remain positive, although it is difficult with breast cancer on both sides of the family...

My first attempt at making some mittens/fingerless gloves.

Some recycling like what I found here

Thank you to Tania at Ivy Nest for recommending this site.

I will collect up some more tins to paint and then get some pretty plants to put in them, I am thinking herbs rather than flowers, so we will see :)

And a nice slice recipe thanks to Inner Pickle

A lovely place to visit...

Recipe can be found here

LAZY LADY

Ingredients

125g butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

2 tbsp cocoa

1 cup self-raising flour

½ cup desiccated coconut

Method

Make this in one saucepan, save the dishes. Melt the butter, stir through the sugar and then egg. Stir through the cocoa and then the flour and the coconut.

Spread in a slice tin and cook 15-20 mins at 180°C.

Ice while still hot.

Icing:

1 cup icing sugar

2 tbsp cocoa

2 tsp softened butter

1½ tbsp milk

Mix all together in a bowl and spread on top of warm slice. Sprinkle with coconut.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

On My Mind - What to do?

2011-09-23T10:11:00.008+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's On My Mind

There are a couple of things on my mind today,

and this is one of them.

We have this area of lawn, that I refuse to water anymore. Our water bill has sky rocketed lately costing way too much to keep on watering just for looks. This is basically the only area that is green around here in Summer and it is always refreshing. We have another lawn area around the clothes line that also needs to be replaced with something else, that is not getting watered either.

The powers that be forget that we live in a very dry area with very little rain and we are punished for trying to keep things alive. Other areas get rain once a week or fortnight, we get not a drop for months....I have been carting rain water to the laundry for our washing and the kitchen for our dishes as the house is not connected up to the rain water tanks yet. We need to get a plumber in to do some work...

Anyway getting back to this area. We are thinking of paving this and closing it in as an area to sit under and relax...Fake lawn is not an option because it gets too hot and cant be walked on. Our swimming pool is located just to the left.

I suggested putting more veggie beds up there, but I dont think hubby liked that idea..."how many veggies do you need?" was his response. I figure if you are going to water it may as well be something edible hey? I have already replaced my inedible pot plants with herbs...

What's on your mind today?

On My Mind - Feeling Cosy

2011-09-16T19:33:00.016+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's - On My Mind today

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here from your blog by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back here and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

On my mind today is this tea cosy.

I am running late for this post today, but I finally got to finish my tea cosy tonight...it has been a busy day.

I was taught to knit by my Mother and crochet by my Grandmother. I dont consider myself much of a knitter but I have had all these leftover balls of wool lying around, so thought I might seek out some of my crafty talents and put the wool to use.

I went on the web to track down some lovely knitting patterns to follow. The one I used is a mixture of two different patterns. I could not work out how to do the flowers so in the end I just figured out my own pattern to use. I am pleased with the results, the cosy is knitted and the flowers are crocheted.

I found a couple of vintage tea cosy patterns in a magazine that I have here, dating back to 1958. So I think I might try making these on my next attempt. I also found one with chickens on it, so have been fiddling around knitting tiny chickens...

"Chook Pecker"

2011-09-15T13:41:00.022+09:30

Our new chook feeder arrived in the post today...

(sorry about the blurriness, I forgot to change the lens on camera lol)

We ordered this funny looking spring thing off eBay...

It came all the way from Bristol, UK ,

total cost $17.00

Then we took a 20litre bucket with lid

and fitted the "Poultry Pecker Spring Feeder" into it...

And filled it with wheat.

Wa la!!

Hopefully it keeps the pesky little sparrows, mice and pigeons at bay...

We have it hanging off the ground in the chook pen , high enough for the chooks to reach but too high for any "others".

We are on watch now to make sure the chooks are using it properly. They are able to see the wheat and all they have to do is peck the spring and the grain will fall to the ground...

Lets hope it will work!

And here is one of our little bantam girls, she is busy for the next few weeks keeping six "hopefully" fertile eggs nice and warm...

The weather is warming up to a nice warm weekend ahead, 34C (93.2F). Time to test how long I can go without putting the air conditioner on. My aim is to keep the heat out by keeping the house shut up and the block out curtains closed.

Wishing you all a lovely day!

No Words Needed....We Will Never Forget

2011-09-11T22:29:00.003+09:30

On My Mind - Lavender Cleaner

2011-09-09T10:29:00.005+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's: On My Mind today...

On my mind is this pretty Lavender Cleaner. I am pleased with how it turned out, with it's lovely smell and colour, and I cant wait to try it around the home...

Just a jar of vinegar with lavender flowers and stems added.

Recipe can be found here

Life in Port Augusta...

2011-09-07T22:30:00.014+09:30

I wanted to share this promotional video with you all of the place where we live.

Thank you Therese for sharing this link.

I also found this You Tube clip using a song called "Life in Port Augusta" sung by Steve Grace.

There are lots of train pictures...

Port Augusta was once a thriving railway town. The railways are still an important part of the town today, although on a smaller scale.

My hubby is a driver of the big freight trains...a job he really enjoys :)

Show us your Cosy

2011-09-06T20:29:00.012+09:30

I decided to have a little fun and join in with Suzanne at Enchanted Moments

She would like to see our cosies!

So here are mine...

This one I use the most, I knitted it up last Christmas using some scrap wool....

And this little vintage beauty belonged to my grandmother...

Do you use a cosy?

Maybe you would like to share with us too...

How do you hang the washing?

2011-09-01T19:52:00.006+09:30

These past two weeks since my surgery hubby has been doing the washing...when I went outside this morning I just had to go back and grab the camera!

This is how hubby hung out my blouse lol!

The Op Shop

2011-08-30T17:28:00.005+09:30

Another op shop visit last week yielded some more goodies.

A pretty blue chenille bedspread,

an EasiYo at last...

I have been trying to get hold of one of these for a while, so I can make my own natural yogurt.

Some Pyrex dishes I hope to use for pies,

and a cute little jug...

Have a great day everyone :)

A Busy Weekend

2011-08-28T10:09:00.012+09:30

Apricot blossom...

Nectarine blossom...

We got busy yesterday and planted some seedlings in the veggie garden.

Cauliflower...

Broccoli

Zucchini

Planted some lettuces in containers. I think the heat here in summer will be too harsh for these to be out in the full sun of the veggie garden. I have also planted some seeds of nasturtiums, corn and two types of cucumber, apple and Greek.

This is where our garden is going to be extended.

The before photo...

We came up with the idea to pull the large salt bushes out with a chain hooked up to the 4wd.

Out they came...

Bit by bit...

With help from Millie...

Until most of it was gone...

Our citrus trees got a pruning by hubby this morning as the branches were touching the ground and the ants were venturing up, and we dont want them to spread white scale.

This is the fruit on the branches that were cut off...

Any ideas to use the grapefruit up?

Hope you are having the lovely weather we are.

Here it is 24C today and hotting up to 29C by Friday...

In the Garden Today

2011-08-22T11:59:00.011+09:30

Potatoes in waiting...

I am hoping to use these potatoes to grow my own. I have picked out some with eyes on.

some coriander...

Aloe Vera...

Parsley...

Broccoli seedlings ready to plant...

And some beetroot...

Oregano...

Mint...

I dont know what I do wrong, but I always have trouble growing mint.

Thyme growing wild...

The dwarf beans that the frosts nearly wiped out...

I have trimmed them back and am pleased to see they are shooting again...

Silver beet getting very big...

Some younger plants are going ahead after some recent rain...

The garlic is looking better now with a bit of warmth and sunshine...

Peas...

Broccoli is going to seed...

The bok choy has gone to seed, and I have planted some more silver beet in between...

Spring onions, springing into life...

Capsicums are coming along after a prune...

A few Quandongs (bush tucker) changing colour...

I have had some tomato plants passed my way, I am hoping I can resurrect them...

The progress after my surgery has been slow. It has taken me all this time to start to get on the mend. It will have been one week tomorrow. I have had more pain in my shoulder, but today it seems a lot better. I am hoping to get into the garden very soon if I can sneak away from hubby's watchful eye...

The weather is beautiful here, with temperatures in the mid 20's (Celcius) for the rest of this week...

On My Mind - New Appliances

2011-08-19T11:04:00.010+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's - On My Mind.

On my mind today is our new oven, stove top and range hood.

These came out on special because they were getting replaced with new stock.

In the kitchen, the appliances are not going to fit perfectly into the place of the older ones, so we are getting new bench tops as well. We are choosing colours at the moment, and I am going for a lighter colour this time as there is too much brown in my house.

In the kitchen is this timber post. It is a main beam holding up the roof of our cathedral ceiling. Only trouble is it has been giving us a bit of a headache because we want to replace the bench. This post sits on top of the bench. Under the cupboard the support continues through to the floor. The main beam is tech screwed from under the bench. We had to jack the roof up with acro props a few millimetres to prove that the post wasn't going through the bench all the way to the floor. Luckily it isn't!

All we have to do now is send in our choice of colour to the cabinet makers and then wait. The measurements have been done so hopefully it wont be too long a wait until I get to use my new appliances and nice new bench.

Helicopter tragedy

2011-08-19T09:59:00.017+09:30

We awoke this morning to the sad news of a helicopter crash in our region.

Three ABC journalists, have reportedly been killed in the crash.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-18/abc-helicopter-crashes-at-lake-eyre/2845962

Lake Eyre is situated about 400kms north of Port Augusta, and is in flood at the moment from all the rain in Queeensland earlier this year. Lake Eyre in flood is a spectacular rare event...some images can be seen here. Otherwise known as the Inland Sea...

Our thoughts and prayers for all the families of the three men involved with this tragic event...

Paul Lockyer

John Bean

Gary Ticehurst

RIP

Update - All good so far

2011-08-16T12:27:00.007+09:30

I am home already after surgery. I only have use of my right arm at the moment, I will be out of action for possibly three weeks...

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes, they are truly appreciated.

xTania

On My Mind - Surgery

2011-08-12T09:02:00.011+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's On My Mind today

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. To take part, post a photo on your own blog, write a short caption explaining it, and link it back to here by saying you're part of "On my mind". Please write a new post, don't link to an older one. When you've done that, come back and add a comment below, with a link to your blog.

On my mind today is a visit to this hospital next Tuesday

for Day Surgery on my shoulder...

I have been having trouble with a shoulder impingement/frozen shoulder for twelve months now. It is very restrictive so hopefully surgery is going to fix or at least make it a lot better, so I can use it more. I can't lift my arm higher than shoulder level. Apparently this is a common problem. I have tried a cortisone injection which helped a little with the pain but I haven't tried any physio because I am thinking the end result would be the same, and I would still end up with surgery.

Recipe - Anzac Cake

2011-08-11T11:38:00.015+09:30

Ourgangof7 posted this delicious recipe recently over at her cooking for the gang blog.

This cake turned out beautiful...and it tastes especially good too!

I think I will cook this on ANZAC day from now on...

ANZAC CAKE

1/2 cup Golden Syrup

125 grams Butter

2 cups Self Raising Flour

1/2 cup Castor Sugar

1/2 cup Coconut (shredded or dessicated your choice)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup Milk

Icing

60 grams Butter

1 teaspoon Honey

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 cups Icing Sugar

1 tablespoon Hot Water

Cake

Combine Butter and Golden Syrup in a saucepan, stir over heat until smooth.

Combine sifted flour, sugar and coconut in a large bowl.

Add syrup mixture and mix well.

Using an electric beater gradually beat in the combined eggs and milk.

Pour mixture into a prepared 20x30cm cake tin (I prefer to grease and line mine) and bake at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 30 minutes.

When done the cake will look a lovely golden colour.

On My Mind - The Garden

2011-08-05T09:56:00.009+09:30

Joining with Down to Earth's On My Mind.

This is a Friday photo feature that anyone with a blog can join. It opens the door to us sharing our lives through these photos and gives us all a new way to discover each other, and maybe form new friendships. Your photo should show something at home that you're thinking about TODAY.

I am thinking about my garden today.

Getting prepared for the fast approaching Spring.

I am waiting for hubby to put a couple more beds in the garden for me...

The garden is looking a bit bare at the moment.

I had a good crop of broccoli this year, without any bugs!

The sugar peas and spring onions are doing okay,

as is the silver beet so I have planted some more...

The garlic has been slow to take off, hopefully the warm weather will get them going.

My dwarf beans have suffered from the nasty frosts that we have had this year, and there is more frosts coming early next week...I do cover them but they have still been burned.

The capsicum bushes have been pruned ready for this years crop. I have been thinking about pulling these out and starting some fresh plants growing. This will be the fourth year from them...

And I want to try growing potatoes in a bag, I have been doing some research about this the past few days.

What is on your mind?

Wind, Dirt and a beautiful Sunset

2011-08-04T09:08:00.013+09:30

Yesterday the temperature reached 31C (87.8F) and we are still in Winter. Today is cooler with 23C (73.4F) but still a lot warmer than usual. We have had very little rain this year so things are looking dry, which is not unusual for this area.

Last year we were blessed with a lot of rain, but I dont think that is going to happen this year...

The blustery wind picked up the dirt.

But the sunset was beautiful...

Have a great day everybody!

Winter Wednesday - Not Quite

2011-08-03T12:16:00.011+09:30

Winter appears to have left us.

For the past week temperatures have begun to rise from the low 20's gradually up to 29C (84.2F) today!

It is a typical Spring day outside, with north wind and dirt! Maybe not a good indication of what our Summer will bring.

This is my Winter Wednesday...

Mandarins turned into

Marmalade

Yum!

For more Winter Wednesday fun pop over to Hazel's Blog.

On My Mind

2011-07-29T15:12:00.012+09:30

A collection of simple living books...

On my mind today has been concern for

the upcoming recession/depression that may be coming soon, and I want to be prepared if it were to happen.

We have no debt other than a small mortgage.

We have never been believers in credit cards so have not incurred debt with those.

We pay cash for all our purchases, if we dont have the money we go without, it is that simple.

So,

on with the stockpile...

I have a large cupboard to clean out this weekend to store some necessities in.

My list is ready...

Joining with

Down to Earth's

On My Mind

Winter Wednesday

2011-07-27T12:51:00.011+09:30

Joining with Hazel's Winter Wednesday today...

Warm Bellies and Winter Sunshine

Winter time

is when citrus fruits abound.

I love homemade juice.

I just squeeze them, add some water, some flax seed oil, and psyllium husks for extra fibre.

Give a good stir and drink.

And nice steaming hot porridge.

I like mine like this...

1/3 cup rolled oats,

3/4 cup water/milk,

some sultanas,

1 tspn manuka honey,

1 tspn LSA (linseed, sunflower & almonds crushed)

sprinkle of cinnamon

Cook gently altogether on the stove and serve.

Early Winter sunshine coming in through the window...

I have included some pictures of the leftover vapour of a plane that passed overhead while I was hanging out the washing.

It left an unusual pattern in the sky...

The sun shining on it produced a bit of a rainbow effect...

Don't know if you can see it that well in the pics...

21C here today, building up to 24C on Friday.

I can feel Spring, even though the nights are still frosty...

Easy Peasy Citrus Cleaner

2011-07-26T20:17:00.008+09:30

A new Trend?

Over at the Down To Earth Forum there is a lot of this going on.

3/4 fill a jar with vinegar,

and add citrus peel.

Leave to brew for 2 - 3 weeks,

bottle and

clean until your hearts content!

What you get is a vinegar cleaner with a lovely citrus smell...

This is my citrus brewing in the laundry window,

(please excuse the dirty window).

I have bottled orange, mandarine, grapefruit and lemon peel.

And put back into bottles when done.

I add some to a squirty bottle and top up with water or vinegar.

I had saved the recipe for doing this a while back from Penniless Parenting, but never tried it until nellymary over at Just like my Nan made posted about it.

Turns out that this is a really good cleaner, I have used it all over my house with great success.

It is very good when used on stainless steel and bathroom tiles, leaves them lovely and shiny.

If you have some citrus fruit, why not give it a try...

On My Mind - Wishful Thinking

2011-07-22T11:02:00.008+09:30

Wishing we were hitting the road

in our newly purchased caravan...

Joining with Down to Earth's

On My Mind

Thank You Everyone

2011-07-14T11:48:00.063+09:30

for all your kind comments.

I want you to know that you have lifted my spirits...

I have been feeling "blah" for a while, something to do with old age I think...

My continuing shoulder problem will be operated on the 16 August 2011, and hopefully that will be a lot better.

Ongoing problems that come with being a woman are driving me crazy, so hoping that will get sorted soon, maybe an operation there too!

I guess there is nothing too serious to worry about, so for now I will try to keep smiling...there are plenty of people worse off than me!

Time For A Break

2011-07-06T14:34:00.008+09:30

I am taking a blogging break for a little while due to some health issues that are weighing me down at the moment.

I will still be here in the background looking at my favourite blogs and leaving comments.

Hubby has started his own blog, titled Out Back Trains if you want to take a look. Mostly about trains....what else?

xTania

Rhonda Jean's Orange Cake

2011-07-01T23:30:00.008+09:30

I baked this today...

The recipe for this easy, yummy cake can be found here

Gate Gossip - Max Fatchen

2011-06-30T16:01:00.009+09:30

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.

Max Fatchen

A Paddock of Poems

Winter Wednesday

2011-06-29T10:07:00.014+09:30

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)

Porcupine Meatballs - Pressure Cooker Style

2011-06-28T09:27:00.016+09:30

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!

Out Back - Henry Lawson

2011-06-26T12:25:00.025+09:30

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?

Thank You Saving for Travel

2011-06-24T10:50:00.014+09:30

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