Clearing and cleaning

Today is predicted to be hot. I needed to start clearing away all the summer plants, weed and top up with compost 

As you can see. Even though I had started , note  the pile on the lawn. It was still a nightmare 

 I had to be careful not to pull up the asparagus while clearing the self seeded tomatoes 

They had overgrown into the basil and over the rhubarb and strawberries 




It was hard work so I enlisted the help of hubby who cleared away the piles of greenery. Some to the chickens, and some to the stock. 

Of course while clearing we found over sized zucchini’s and other squash. They also have been cut up and feed to them 

I’m now indoors with a cool glass of water resting. 

I’m very glad we have leftovers for dinner. 

Another Monday

While I was away hubby harvested our capsicums 

I decided I’d make stuffed peppers 

There are quite a few so we will have left overs for tomorrow 

In between cooking and washing I continue to work on the cardigan 



Only one and a half sleeves to go 

Might be finished by tomorrow night. 

Home

Last night at the retreat it was Sharon’s and my turn to 

Cook dinner. 

You know the rule. Never try a new recipe for the first time for guests. 

Well Sharon obviously had not heart it. 

The original plan was she was going to colon butter chicken. Something she had made many times 

But. 

Her daughter the chief gave her a “ better one”

Let’s just say. We were laughing and trying to time everything and getting into quite a state. 

We finally were able to ring the big bell to call all upstairs to eat 

It was absolutely beautiful despite our incidents and enjoyed by all 

Suffice to say. 

When you have a group of mature women these things are true

The place is always spotless 

You will never go hungry 

And there will always be plenty of laughs 

I was welcomed very warmly, I’ve learned quite a lot. 

I have a new crochet pattern and a new quilt idea to make 

And if it’s possible I’ve been invited to come again next year. 

It was a great weekend. 

Day one

I’ve woken up. Showered and now playing on my devices. 

There is only one other awake and she has gone walking 

I’m not lol 

Deb and I got here just after nine. I met all the ladies but I cannot remember them right now. I’m sure by the end of the day I’ll remember at least a few 

They are all very nice and welcoming 

This is the downstairs. It’s very nicely set up 

My bedroom is the closed door I’m sharing with Deb. 

She had a very long day yesterday and will probably sleep in 

Another of the ladies is now up. Sharon. I’m partners with her for Saturday nights dinner. 

Slowly they’re all waking up. Definitely time for coffee. I’ll pop the kettle on 

Packing

Tonight I fly the coup and go on a crafting weekend with nine other ladies 

I only know the one. She’s the organiser. She will be picking me up around eight tonight 

I’ve also got food.  We are all rosted on for meals. My partner, whom I don’t know, has volunteered to do but all tne ingredients for our meal. 

I’ve been consigned to papadums, we are having an Indian chicken dish, biscuits ( cookies) to have with coffee, and lollies (candy). 

This all has to fit in her car. Fingers crossed 

We all had to make,or buy something simple. They will be put into bags and we each get one as a gift bag. 

I can’t wait to see what everyone has come up with 

I’m taking my sock knitting box, everything I need is in that. 

A bag of acrylic yarn. So if I fancy I’ll make more Izzy dolls

And of course the current cardigan I’m working on 

But if none of these interests me. I prepared some stitching 

I cannot tell you long this pattern has been sitting 

It was mixed in with ones I had already finished so I’m using that as an excuse 

I used my light box and traced the pattern on. The pen is one that vanishes when ironed 




I used the scrap pieces of fabric to draw them on. I’ve also got the iron on stabiliser to help it all stay nice for me to work with 




This is the packet. They turn it into a quilt 

I won’t follow their pattern. I sort it out as I go along I will use it as a guide. 



So I’m packed and ready to go. 

I’ve got hubbys washing up to date 

I’ve got chicken wings left over from last night for his dinner 

And the house is nice and tidy. He really won’t have to do much except feed himself for three days

I hope I enjoy the weekend. I really need to have a nice relaxing break. 

For Breanna

I finished Ana’s cardi. It turned out well I think. 

I like them a bit longer to keep the back warm 

I had the perfect buttons for it. 

I got these at least seven years ago from a craft show in the city. They were selling packets of buttons for only a few dollars. I stocked up. 

I’ve now made a cardigan for the new baby, and Ana. 

Melody took the cardigan I made for myself. It fitted perfectly. 

That means the only one who I haven’t knitted a cardigan for is Breanna. 

I’ve now started one for her. 

The same pattern as I used for Ana’s, except I’ve cast on double the amount of stitches 



I do have more of the yarn I used for Ana’s   But I wasn’t sure it would be enough. I search my stash for something that that would match and found this pretty orange yarn. 

I’ll knit the yoke in this and the switch to the other yarn when I separate the sleeves. 

If I don’t have enough to knit it long enough I’ve got more of this. 

I just hope it looks nice. It might be a tad big. But it will be snuggly warm and she will grow into it 

No harvesting as yet today. I met the girls for coffee 

I woke this morning with my back feeling a tad tender. I think a day of rest is needed. 

Day two

Harvesting and clearing continued this morning 

More tiny tomatoes. Three eggplants, silver beet and beetroot greens 



Big tomatoes 
Onions, leeks and a couple of large zucchini 




I also found some large cucumbers. These were chopped up and feed to the stock. The steer particularly likes the zucchini 




I decided to cook up most of the produce as it takes up less room in the freezer 
There were way too many ingredients to use in my large pan. 
So the little tomatoes and two of the eggplants were just put into a bag to freeze 

This is really nice to use in spaghetti sauce 



The rest was cooked down and they filled these four containers. A perfect portion size for use in the slow cooker 



It’s now one in the afternoon. The kitchen is clean and I’m exhausted. 

Now for more knitting and Vikings. 

I should have the cardigan finished in a little while. Only half a sleeve to go