Coming down

Christmas has come down outside 

I washed the little white tree so once it’s dry it belongs in the black tub. Then they will all be stored in our little shed 



Until next year 

Still so much more to pack. 

That’s another job for another day. 

The in between

This morning we had a big sleep in. We were both really tired and needed it. 

Then a quick trip into town to buy a few more tubs, I pack Christmas stuff in them. 

Picked up some meds and then home again before to got too busy 

Then into the garden to see what needed harvesting 

The usual suspects zucchini, and beans 

I cut up the zucchini. Top and tailed the beans and snapped them into bite size. 

Got all the small potatoes, as these are less likely to last long. And finally half a pumpkin that was left over from Christmas lunch. 

All these were cut up into roughly the same size and split into four bags. 

They are now in the freezer ready for winter slow cooker meals 

I totally forgot to take a picture 

The rest of the zucchini was grated and salted and will be made into more mustard pickles 

All scraps are now being enjoyed by the chooks 

The week between Christmas and new years is always a tad strange. 

You never know what day it is   

Not that it matters.  Hubby is off work and my days are all dictated by what needs doing and what I want to do 

Now the day is warming up. I think I’ll make something yummy to eat with my apricots straight off the tree. And some left over fruit in the fridge 

I’m thinking crumble. But I’ll check out Pinterest and see. 

Enjoy your in between 

Wordless Wednesday

Christmas 2023

Christmas Day was a quiet day with just my parents here. 

But today was my family’s Christmas and it was loud and chaotic 

The girls had a ball playing and eating. 

Playing and watching television 

And playing lol 

It was the perfect day 

Christmas is now done and dusted 

I’m one exhausted but very happy grandma 

Christmas Eve

Harvesting and processing of vegetables for use in the slow cooker over winter 

These bags have zucchini. Button squash and beans 

Used the silver beet to make spanakopita to have tomorrow during Christmas lunch 



Have picked heaps of apricots. And there are still more on the tree. Netting it sure has paid off 

We will have some fresh. 

I cook some down and freeze for crumbles when ever we feel like something yummy 

I light even harvest some of my rhubarb and mix them together. 

Apricot and rhubarb crumble or pie in a cold winters night sounds like a great way to warm up 

And yesterday our fridge decided to give up the ghost 

Thankfully it didn’t wait until Christmas Day! 

Hubby bought a new one. We installed it and transferred all food. 

I found a photo from 11 years ago and that fridge was in to. So i  guess we did get our money’s worth from it. 



I’ve done all the prep I can for tomorrow 

Fresh fruit and salad stuff was purchased this morning 

I have my parents over for Christmas lunch tomorrow 

And my kids on Boxing Day 

Good thing I’ve got lots of chilled wine in the drink’s fridge lol

Don’t stress everyone. It will all be ok

Merry Christmas y’all 

Busy busy

It’s been a busy time in the nest 

Swimming 

Doctors 

Coffee with the gang 

Cooking 

Cooking 

Cooking 

Yup. Lots of that. 

Thursday had lunch with my newest friend 

Whom I meet for the first time in Dublin and only lives 

Twenty minutes away from me 

Friday was ana day and boy was she full of beans. 

Then we all went to mrs Claus house, that’s what I call her, 

And had Christmas drinks, eat and laughter. 

I was able to get a picture of all three girls 

This is out on the deck of mrs Claus home. 

Dianne is the one who has encouraged me to get into the full swing of Christmas 

And everytime I see my girls eyes light up. I am so very grateful she did. 

Currently resting   As I have a big day of tidying up 

Ready for the coming few days. 

A big merry Christmas to those that celebrate 

Happy holidays to those that don’t. 

And to all. May there be peace in your homes

Solstice

A blessed Litha to all in the Southern Hemisphere 

And to those in the northern hemisphere 

A happy Yule. 

May we all be blessed 

Produce

Harvested these this morning

There are still more to bring in. But I can’t twist to get in to get them. So I’ll send hubby out to do that 

Beans are growing 



Strawberries 



Spaghetti squash. They’re in big pots and the fruit is on the ground. This was the best shot I could get without bending 



Baby ears of corn 



Little green tomatoes 



Baby cucumbers 




And eggplant flowers 

Or if you prefer. Aubergine   



After all that rain we had. I didn’t bother watering. But the wicking beds were dry. So I’ve topped them up 

And gave the big pots a good watering 

Looking forward to eating fresh from the garden and preserving for later use. 

The never ending cycle of food production 

sacroiliac joint and lumber spine

Have seen The spine specialist and viewed the scans. 

As usual for me it’s not a cut and dry issue 

My lumber spine section is not good at all 

The three lower vertebrae are almost bone on bone. Especially L5

Lots of inflammation causing lots of pain. 

Not much can be done about it. 

He seems to think that eventually the inflammation will burn itself out and pain will be much lower 

Unfortunately he can’t tell me if that will happen next week. Or eight years from now 

The second issue, for this area anyway. Is the joint is also very inflamed. 

This issue is one we can do something about. 

We are going to try and inject some cortisol into it. 

No guarantees.  Doctors just don’t like doing that do they? 

But it’s worth a shot. 

It worked for over 18 months in my shoulder. So I’m very hopeful  

Just some info in case you don’t know where all these things are. 

Still no strong meds offered. Just rest as much as you can. 

Keep swimming and walking. 

And take paracetamol and ibuprofen as needed. 

I will be going on a waiting list for back surgery. But he really thinks that it will go away 

All by itself 

Well not the damage. The bulk of the pain 

Fingers crossed the shots work and they decrease the amount of pain I have to deal with 

Still lots of living to do. Not to mention running around with the grandchildren 

For tigers mum

http://tiggerswee-blog.blogspot.com/

And anyone else who would like to try it. 

Very simple but so tasty 

Please post if you do make these. I’d love to see how they turn our 

Another Monday

Another week has begun. I did swim this morning. And then had coffee with the girls 

I came home and grated the zucchini from the garden, salted it well and got it draining 

After a few hours I made it into pickles   I love this recipe. 

It tastes exactly like the mustard pickles you buy in the shops. Only I don’t add corn

It’s awesome spread on a cheese sandwich. Yummy 

My old mixer went to heaven and I didn’t replace it. I’m still using the same hand mixer I’ve had

Since I got married. It was a gift! 

But I, unlike the mixer, get too tired standing there trying to cream butter and sugar

So I really needed a stand alone one. 

I really liked the ones they use on the great British bake off. But they’re almost 

Two thousand dollars. I can’t justify that for something I use a couple dozen times a year 

So I found this on Amazon 

$125.00 delivered. 

And it’s red. So it goes fast 

Nancy dropped in and we exchanged Christmas gifts. 

I gave her a bag, just like this one. That has pictures from our trip 

And some hand made Christmas decorations 



Tomorrow I see the spine specialist and find out what the scans show 

Hopefully I came home with a plane to get me to a place where I can become a little 

More productive, without having extreme pain. 

We shall see 

Another Friday

Where is the time going. It feels like it definitely on fast forward 

Ana put herself to bed today. She’s not been well so of course the second half of the dynamic duo also slept. Right near her pal 

After waking and having lunch we all went outside to visit the livestock 



We checked the veggie patch and decided we needed to harvest the potatoes 



Hubby thinks there is every bit of 20 kilos 



Not bad for the reject shop seed  potatoes 

Much better than the grow bags 

Chips anyone? 

Storm damage

My poor gladioli ate looking very sad. Laying over from the wind and rain 

Even the red which hasn’t fully bloomed is starting to lay down 



While talking on messenger to my friend, Shirley. She suggested I just cut them and bring them inside 

So that’s what I did. 

I don’t have a vase so this passata jar will do 



I’ll bring in and replace the dead flowers as the need 

So very pretty 

Little thing make me happy 

Meanwhile. The rain can now move on to where it’s needed please. We have had enough 

So mote it be 

Farm day

I let the chickens out this morning. Gave them their breakfast and then got a surprise 

One of the steers was in the back. I had no idea his he got in but he definitely did not belong in here 



As you can see. All domestic and wildlife get on at our place. Love and light y’all 



Turns out. Brisket, yes that’s his name, had just decided to go through the wire fence. Hubby had fixed it now 

We put up the electrical fence and both steers are now in here  the are not allowed in the section with the chicken coop and dam because they will damage them 

Hopefully the hot wire will keep them confined 



https://youtube.com/shorts/VxS9boL-8-c?si=u13HjLyj5KDii7hk

I’ve taken a short video so you can hear the sound of the frogs. 

Someone mentioned frog sounds. So here are my frogs 

Hopefully one of the links works for you 

Enjoy 

A perfect day

Friday began as usual with Ana arriving first thing this morning 

But today after breakfast we went to visit Dianne and her granddaughters 

The girls showed Ana all the Christmas decorations and brought out so many toys for her to play with 

Such lovely little girls and Ana had a great time 



We got home in time for her nap 

Grandma had a nap on the couch too. And needed it because later grandma and grandpa went off to Brianna’s kindergarten Graduation 



They performed three  songs and then donned their cap and gowns to receive their certificate 

Look how grown up she looks 



Grandma and Melody taking a selfie together 



Seeing all three of my beautiful girls today 

One blessed and very happy grandma am I