Prepping for winter

Harvesting constantly now. But starting to get one of these or just a couple of those. So most now get processed into sauces for pasta and slow cooker meals 

We still are getting lots of tomatoes so their the basis for the sauces. In here is one zuccini, one finger eggplant beans and some okra my father gave me from his garden also red Spring onions and some little leeks. So everything is home grown 

Here they are ready to go into the freezer. Love putting away food for the winter. Makes me feel very organised, frugal and connected to the women of the past who had no choice but to do this every year.  Our grandmothers and great grandmothers were really amazing women to survived all they did. 

And here is some silverbeet,  I just lightly cook it in some water and once it's drained and cooled add a little olive oil salt and balsamic vinegar. Very yummy. Will be eating this for dinner tonight 

How are you going with your garden?  

We are getting more storms now so I won't have to water again which is always a bonus lol 

See ya xxxx

Day in the city

We spent a good part of the day in the city yesterday. We wanted to make sure we got a park as it being Australia Day and the tennis we knew it was going to be packed. 

We went into crown casino to have a look around. As neither one of us likes to gamble we just walked along looking at things. 

This was the display at the main entrance.  Chinese New Year is approaching and next year is the year of the monkey. 

Here is the monkey. Looks a bit creepy I think lol 

And here we are enjoying a fool drink at one of the many places along the Yarra river. We really do live in a beautiful city. But as I grew up here I just don't appreciate it as much as a tourist would I don't think. 

So that was they huge day we had yesterday. Very tired today. But oh so worth it. 

See ya xxx

Mrs Browns boys

Tonight we saw the latest show of mrs browns boys. Our son and daughter in law bought us the tickets for Christmas. 

What a great show. And after we meet the whole gang. 

If you have the chance. See them. They're fantastic. And so very friendly. 

Australia Day 2016

Have a great Australia Day everyone. Eat drink and be merry. 

But most of all remember what it means to be Australian. We are all in this together. Let's keep this country one of the best in the world, be kind to one another and remember mateship. 

Most of all stay safe 

See ya xxx

Quiet Sunday

Last night I was at the engagement of these two young people. My nephew Alex and Crystal.  They are high school sweethearts. And have grown up together.  I wish them many happy years together. So today I was very tired and sore because of the late night 

 I only did the bare minimum. Hung out towels under the back Porsche as it was lightly raining when I hung them. 

And spent most of the day working on my granny squares. As you can see they are not traditional. A little spin on the standard pattern.  I hope they look good onced they are joined. 

So it's been an easy day and I'm saving energy for Australia Day on Tuesday. But I'll tell you more about that latter 

Hope you all had a great weekend. 

See ya xxx

A non traditional way

Today I'm doing another batch of sauce to freeze for use in the slow cooker when the weather turns cold 

I gather whatever is ready in the garden so each batch is slightly different depending on what's grown 

I use these to freeze my sauces. You get them at the cheap dollar stores and can be washed and reused. Also they stack in the fridge. 

After prep of produce I cook them up. Not too long. Just so the tomatoes get juicy and the zucchini and beans just kinda blanch. And put  in these containers seal and freeze. I have never had a bad batch. When winter is here. I take out  meat and a container to defrost add to slow cooker with any additional ingredients I want and viola. Dinner is taken care of. 

Best part is. It's  full of the goodness of summer in every bite. 

See ya xxx

RAIN

We have another day of rain. Our second this week. And it's a wonderful sound. Not too heavy. Just nice and steady so the ground is soaking it all in. 

The plants are loving it. I don't water this garden. It got roses in it that have been established for over ten years so they just survive in what ever the heavens provide. 

Even our paddocks are greening up. It was very very brown just over a week ago. 

So this second lot of water is very welcome. No matter how much you water fruit trees. They really come alive after a good soak of rain  

What's the weather doing in your part of the world?

See ya xxx

Back into it

The rug in the loung was looking kinda sad. Vacuuming just wasn't enough

So outside on the sunny and hot day we went. Tools needed a clean area big enough to to work in, a bucket with soapy water. I just used my normal washing liquid from Aldi. A hose 

And a broom. I found the back of the broom worked better  then wet soap and scrub. 

Also needed. Bear feet!

Then this next bit you need help. So I rang the workshop and whoever answers wins. This time it was Dale lol put onto clothes horse. A large one. And rinse. Then rinse and keep rinsing until it runs clear. I'll leave it out there until the sun goes down then move it under cover. It's going to be warm the next few days so it won't take long to dry. 

Now to vacuums the house and clean the shower   Never ending really. Oh well. It adds to my steps. 

See ya xxx

Day four. Going home

But first we went to Tahune air walk in the Tasmanian wilderness. 

It was really high up. And they moved so if you don't like hights might not be your thing

But I got great shots of the Huon river which is really low. Tassie is in drought. And it's the driest I've ever seen it and I've been there three times now. It was always so green. 

So after that lovely walk we headed back into Hobart and onto the airport where we had lunch and flew home. 

Baby girl and hubby picked us up and now I'm home tired and happy. 

So that was my birthday present from hubby. I had a ball. I hope you liked coming with us via cyber space. 

So back to reality. The washing machine is going with the second load. Animals have all been feed and watered and hubby is outside doing the gardens. It's going to be hot the next few days. So stay cool everyone and stay safe lots of fires in both tassie and Victoria 

See ya xxx

Day three. Bruny Island

Today we took a ferry to Bruny island. 

We drove around and explored the island and then in the afternoon we went on a cruise around the southern end of the island. The only thing between us and the South Pole was water. It was chilly 

Here is our guide. Very knowledgeable and funny 

This is the breathing rock it sucks air and water in and then blows it out. It did sound like breathing 

Some seals. Most are male in this colony. They were all laying around enjoying the sun. Some had wounds inflicted by the sharks in the area. Scary 

This was one of the other boats. There were four. All exactly the same 

One of the sites we saw. This is called the monument. Apparently it looks like a king on a camel. It does kinda, don't you think?

Then we ride the ferry back to mainland tassie. Very tired but very happy. 

Tomorrow afternoon we fly home. We might try and fit one more thing in. Or we might sleep in lol 

See ya xxx

Day two

Yesterday afternoon we drove up mount Wellington and saw some great views. Last time we were here it was snowing. It's a beautiful place. 

This morning we walked to the Salamanca market and then drove to the botanical gardens. Isn't this rose arch beautiful. Can you see the water?  I would never get sick of the views around Hobart. 

For those that watch gardening Australia on TV. This is the vegetable garden started by Peter Cundall. His catch phrase was " and that's your blooming lot". 

Driving around being a tourist and this is some of the locals we saw. They were just standing by the side of the road. Saying hi I guess lol 

So we have been busy and having a wonderful time. 

Tomorrow we are going to Bruny island and doing a cruise. That should add to my steps. 

See ya xx

Arrived Hobart

Here we are flying above the clouds. It was an early start to our day. Up at five 

Our room. So very cute 

The bathroom is very clean which I like very much. 

The view from our room. We are right in the city centre so lots of walking and shopping to do lol 

Resting now and then off to have lunch and continue our adventure 

See ya xxx

Just keep moving.

I've been keeping busy trying to keep active and eating right. I've now dropped five kilos and I'm a third of the way to my target weight. 

My Fitbit tells me my heart rate so I'm making sure I don't over do. I don't want a crash. 

Tomorrow we leave for our four days in Hobart and I can't wait. I'll be able to keep my activity level going and that will be a good thing 

Get ready for lots of pics

Enjoy the cooler weather I know I am

See ya xxxx

Getting creative

How are we all going with those New Years resolutions. I don't make any but I did want to lose those extra kills I gained back over the last few months 

15 kilos! Wow I was shocked. I haven't  been eating too much crap but I have been drinking a bit of wine. 

I recently watched a show called "the sugar movie". And was it an eye opener

So I've gone back to no sugar. And now I'm even more aware of the hidden sugars I realise my healthy eating was actually not so healthy. 

So today I was craving those yummy potatoe chips. Can't have those as they are high in fat and carbohydrates which turns to sugar so I pulled out these three ingredients from the pantry 

And made these. The flat bread is really low in carbs and sugars and a quick spray with the olive oil spray and some Caribbean spices. I cooked these in the grill until they were crispy  

They work so good I only had a little bit and I'm satisfied.  

I used two pieces and I've only had half of one! So this afternoon I will make a quick home made salsa and maybe indulge in more. 

Anyway I started eating better on January 2nd. And I've dropped three kilos. So hopefully I won't take long to get back to what I was. 

See ya xx

Gardening

I found these seedlings in Bunnings so I had to get them. I like okra but you just cannot get it here unless you go to a specialist shop and only then in cans 

More eggplants. These little fingers will hopefully produce quickly and ripen fast 

And adding to the orchard. This is a non astringent variety so we can pick and eat.again can't always but persimmon and when available are really expensive  

And here is my special chair with a creeper growing on it. Now should I leave it and just sit and enjoy or cut it back while I can? Thoughts please. 

Have a great weekend. It's almost here

See ya xx