One box down

​today I finished processing the second half of the box of tomatoes 

Instead of putting it all into the big stock pot I divided it between two pots 

They boiled down quickly and I actually got these a better consistency. Much less liquid. 

I did use the stock pot to boil the tall bottles. 

Another large pot was used for the shorter jars 

Here they are. Cooling down. 

Hopefully by tomorrow they will be sealed 

This evening I’m working on the cardigan for Georgia. 

Once the sleeves are done all I have left to do is add buttons. 

That will be the fun part.  Choosing the buttons that will compliment the pretty yarn 

Mummy has messaged that poor little Georgia has an ear infection and had a fever. 

She can’t go to daycare with a fever so a bonus day with grandma 

It will be nice to have a special one on one day. Hopefully grandma cuddles will make her feel better. 

Canning time

​well it’s more jar-ing than canning. But I’m sure you know what I mean 

I found someone selling boxes or organic tomatoes for $25 a box. 

I sent hubby along to get two boxes 

About half of the box ended up in the big pot. 

Once the sauce got to the, it looks like watery tomatoes, I poured it into a nonstick pot. It’s about half the size of the stock pot 

After boiling it for a few hours I put it into washed and sterilised jars 

They’re currently back in the cleaned stock pot being boiled again 

They will stay in the water bath boiling for about half an hour  I’ll then turn it off and they can stay there until the water cools enough that I can put my hands in 

They will finish cooling on the bench. 

I love hearing the pop of the lids as they seal 

I also made five bags of beef stock. 

Those bags and the chicken ones are now safely in the freezer 

This is the sauce or similar to this that I buy. Usually it’s whatever is on sale 

So my five jars are worth around four dollars each. 

That’s $20 approximately 

Since the box cost $25 I’ve pretty much covered the initial cost. Now all the rest of the sauce from this box is free 

There is still a good half of the box left 

I’m pretty happy about that 

Got to love a bargain 

Fuel crisis

​Today Ana and her parents had an appointment at the school down the road from us. 

It’s the school her daddy and aunt went too. And hopefully she will start attending next year  I know  how is she old enough to be starting school next year 

The appointment was at 11oclock. 

The original plan was daddy would come in the morning as usual, with the girls 

And mummy would arrive in time to go to the meeting. 

But then the mango Mussolini did what he does and now the whole world is in a fuel crisis 

So plan B 

Mummy was always going to work from home today. But instead of using two cars, the whole family arrived this morning. 

She set up her work space and got into it. 

Meanwhile I did what I normally do on a Friday. 

The bonus was. I didn’t need to heat milk and feed Georgia. 

She could drink straight from the tap! 

I was able to spend that time with Ana 

We started with Ana having a small area of floor space to colour in and do some drawings. 

She eventually spread out as more and more of the craft supplies were added to her “ work space “

I’m still trying to get her into the habit of putting small things away so that when Georgia starts crawling we won’t have any accidents. 

She is pretty good now. Just a few instances where the offending objects were hidden behind her or she was sitting on them 

Georgia was much happier to sit in the play station  the seat can spin round and give her lots of views of her surroundings 

But she’s not quite strong enough to move it 

Ana was showing her sister all the different toys we have added for her to play with 

After lunch, stewed fruit, I gave her some baby rusks. These pretty much dissolve as soon as saliva hits it. 

Still grandma was right there the whole time 

Yesterday I got my stock pot out to make, funnily enough, some stock lol

I boiled one of our home grown and processed chicken. 

No. Not the rooster. He’s still walking around. 

I boiled the whole chicken until it was well and truly cooked. 

I then took it out to cool and then took all the meat off the bones chopping it all into bite size pieces 

I then placed all that meat into a smaller pot with some of the stock,and  egg noodles 

Once the noodles were cooked I let the whole thing cool while I got the egg and lemon mix ready. 

I added that to the pot and mixed well until the egg cooked 

This is the Greek chicken soup. I think traditionally it’s made with rice. But I do the noodles as well. Just for a change. 

Once completed cooled. I left it over night so that I can skim any excess fat from it. But I didn’t have to. 

I’ve bagged it up and it’s now in the freezer I ended up with six of these bags.  Once frozen I can take the baking dish out and just leave the bags in the freezer. 

I’ve got one more chicken to do and some big beef bones, again raised here, and I’ll make beef stock 

It  will save me having to buy lots from the supermarket during winter. I do use quite a lot of stock in my cooking

And finally I used one of Georgias body suits to measure the cardigan I’m making 

The yoke looks to be a perfect fit. 

I’ve measured the length of the body and the arms. I can now continue knitting 

Between that and making more hexies I’ve got enough to keep me busy during the evening while hubby watches all the sports he can 

Winter has definitely arrived. Last night I lit the fire. I wanted the place nice and warm for the girls today.

It’s been going all day and we needed it. 

There is a very cold blustery wind blowing from the south. There is nothing between us and the South Pole except for Tassie. It’s not big enough to block all the freezing winds. And I live about 45 minutes from the bottom of Victoria 

So that’s it for now. I’m sure plans will chop and change now to save on excessive driving and using all the fuel we have. 

The government has talked about a maximum amount limit anyone can buy

I fear this is going to get much worse before it gets better. 

Readying

​I’ve been having a strong urge to get the nest ready for winter. 

So yesterday I began cleaning and organising the kitchen pantry. 

I have been putting this job to the bottom of every list I have. 

I’ve told(fooled) myself that just doing bits and bobs every now and again was fine. 

It wasn’t 

I started from the ground up. 

I had stuff everywhere. I cleaned the floor and started organising everything into groups 

Because I’ve not done a thorough clean and stock take. I had no idea what I did have, how many I had and how old they were 

I had been just shoving things wherever they fit. Telling myself that I’d organise it later. 

Let me just say

I do not need to buy pasta for the rest of the year!

This, lazy Susan, is used inside the pantry with bottles of spices in it. When it’s all clean and organised, it’s easy to spin round and find what you need. 

Again I had been buying spices because I had thought I had run out. 

I hadn’t 

I had just kept piling new bottles of spices in front and around it. Making it hard to spin round 

Not only that. My pantry kinda goes deep vertically into the wall. Not  only is it hard for someone short like me to actually reach in that far, but the twisting motion I needed to use was something I couldn’t do. Not with my back injury 

Again I kinda just threw whatever I had into the back. 

I had four largish bottles of Italian herbs. All four had been opened and used. I decanted them all into just two bottles 

Saving space and logging it into my brain that I do have those herbs. 

Having organised it all the lazy Susan can once again spin freely 

I also grouped the spices into those used for cooking meals. and those used in baking. 

Yes. I did paint those flowers. Many, many years ago.  At least 25 but probably closer to 30 years ago. 

I was taking a folk art class once a week while my children went to Primary school. 

The job took hours. All day really. 

I had to take many breaks. 

But eventually I finished 

All clean, sorted and organised 

Unfortunately that kind of finish me off. 

I had to take extra pain meds,  and today I can hardly walk. 

But it’s done. And I’m very pleased at the results 

It looks like I won’t need to do any large shopping trips for a while now 

Wordless Wednesday

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Thankfully avoided

​my headache that was threatening to become migraine did not happen 

I know I’ve got one coming because I start to see little flashes of light. If it progresses to full blown migraine. I have actually lost me sight. 

Thankfully that’s only happened about a dozen times in my life. I usually just get nauseous and eventually I throw up and then it starts to slowly get better 

I have no idea why. 

But my plan of not doing much, and sitting silently in a dark room helped. 

Today I got up feeling much better. Just a slight headache that felt like I’d been out have a wild time. 

I cleaned the kitchen first. Dishes were left in the sink I just couldn’t deal with them last night

Two loads of washing, currently drying on clothes horses in the craft room. It muggy outside and clothes just don’t dry. I’ve got the fan going through the clothes. That speeds the drying process 

When I sat down to sew. I realised that I needed more hexies. This is all I had left 

So back into the scrap pile. 

I ironed all the pieces I chose and then proceeded to cut out the squares 

I tried to get many different colours 

I sat down and started pining 

I only did as many as I could with the pins I had. 

I’ve cut them into shape and started sewing them, ready to add to the quilt top 

Dinner was pasta in pesto with feta. 

I add the feta while it’s hot and stir through. It makes it melt and turns the whole thing creamy 

I’ll clean up and have a hot bath, put my pjs on and continue to sew. While hubby takes control of the remote. 

If it’s something I’m not interested in I’ll put my earphones in and listen to true crime podcasts. 

For some reason. They calm me lol 

Enjoy your day and do what helps relax you 

Early start

​this morning I had to go into Cranbourne so I set my alarm for 7 AM. 

It was  foggy start to the day 

I got to the centre had coffee and then shopped for new bras. 

This is something you just can’t do online. 

After that I ducked into Aldi got a few items and went home 

It was a short trip really and I was gone around two hours. 

But now I’m home and I have the beginning on a migraine headache 

I really really can’t go out for long. 

I’m hoping this a blimp and not a setback. I’ve not been this bad in years. 

I’m worried that the fibromyalgia is  progressing. I guess I just have to wait and see. 

Goodbye sunshine

​I think this will be the last of the lovely weather now the equinox has passed. 

Our seven day forecast says that Wednesday our weather will  change drastically. Mid teens, overcast, and rain. I don’t mind that at all  

We have consistently had warm sunny days up to now. 

So I took the opportunity to get my bedding on the line. It might be the last time for a while 

I’ll enjoy smelling the sunshine for a little while. 

I also washed Teddy’s blankets 

He is becoming incontinent He is soiling his bedding two three times a month now 

I’ll keep cleaning him and his bed for however long I still have him 

He now spends most of the time sleeping in his crate. It’s definitely become his safe place. 

To wake him now I pretty much have to get down to his level and say his name. 

Trixie has become his carer. If I sleep in she will wake me to let Teddy out. She literally paws at me until I get out of bed, then she runs to his crate 

She also will go and bring him to me if I tell her too. 

She is an amazing dog. So intuitive 

And so caring. I forget sometimes that she can’t talk back. We have lots of interesting conversations lol 

Now that the washing is done. 

I need to cut out more three inch squares. I’ve totally run out.  

I went through my scrap stash and ironed all the pieces before heading to art. I’ll shortly go and cut them up. 

I plan for  the rest of Sunday to be a relaxing  one 

Mabon

​

Not September here in the southern hemisphere 

Autumnal equinox is now 

To our brothers and sisters in the northern hemisphere 

Blessed ostara 

May all our harvests be bountiful 

A tail of two days

​Thursday was wonderboys and Daughter in laws 10th wedding anniversary. 

I had the girls while they went for dinner on their own. 

I remember how exciting that’s was in days of yore 

They were only gone a couple of hours. Ana was supposed to sleep over. But wanted to go home. 

This morning they were back again 

Georgia slept on the couch for about half an hour, which gave me time to colour in with Ana 

I was sitting on the floor beside her  just in case  

I had finished Ana’s jumper and gave it to her Thursday night 

She loved it. 

Quote” it’s very colourful “

I’m so pleased it fits 

Today I got grandpa to put a play centre together for Georgia. I had to wait until she could sit in her own 

She was intrigued for a little while. But she was due a bottle and sleep 

So I got her out after a few minutes 

The days was pretty uneventful. Except for Georgia trying to bite everyone 

She has two front bottom teeth now. I’m thinking more are on the move

Daddy arrived and took Ana to swimming and then mummy came to pick up Georgia. 

Grandma has had a long soak in a hot bath. I think I might of fallen asleep 

I’m my pjs now and hopefully I’ll be in bed before midnight and fast asleep 

That would be nice for a change 

Making life easier

​going from the car to the painting shed isn’t a short trip. To make it a little more difficult there is a section that goes down pretty steeply. 

Going down isn’t too bad. But at the end of the lesson going back up is harder. Made even more difficult is my ever increasing paint box. 

As I slowly add to the collection, it gets heavier and heavier 

My solution 

To get a box on wheels 

You can see the tub I was  using and it work well for a while. 

But as it got heavier , making it hard to carry, it also got harder to find the paint I needed. 

So to make it easier I’ve got all the seperate colours in different bags. 

This has made it easy to do a stock take, I now know I don’t need any more whites. 

I also know I only have a few different purple colours and no pinks at all! 

It’s not vital I get those as judie, the art teacher has  many many colours in her stash 

Still, I’ll endeavour to get more colours of my own 

This is the bag with the  colours I’m currently using. The next painting is in monochrome, making it an easy choice 

Once that’s done, in a few months time I’m thinking, I’ll put these colours into bags and sort out what I’m using on the next project. 

That way I won’t have to remember what colours I used. 

Especially as I tend to mix colours to make one I like. That’s harder to work out. I have to remember two colours, which everyone knows I’m terrible at  

Remembering isn’t my super power anymore 

The little green bag has my apron, a plastic plate I use as my pallet, a box of gloves to protect my hands, and my brushes 

It all fits nicely and I can even shut the lid. 

It’s here to remind me to put it back into my car. That’s where it lives. 

Otherwise I’m absolutely sure I’d forget to take it  

Hopefully this works and I’ll not have to carry it anymore 

My back and shoulders will thank me I’m sure 

Wordless Wednesday

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Finally rain

​we have had rain. Woke up to it and it’s been raining off and on all day

It’s light so it’s perfect. The very hard dry ground absorbs it beautifully. No flooding no puddles 

Hubby must of felt the changes because he spent Saturday getting the firewood ready for winter 

He has filled three of these crates

They’re easily placed right next to the house with the forklift. Saving our backs 

I actually left the house today. I know I’m surprised as well 

I met up with Claire for coffee and chat 

Our friend Diane is in the UK visiting family. We face timed her and it was just like she was there with us 

Modern technology is truly amazing. Growing up international phone calls. we’re very expensive. We had to wait till after seven in the evening so we could get cheaper rates 

Claire helped me find some doonas for the farm house. I needed four one each for the two beds. And two for the sofa beds 

I finally got home and except for cooking dinner, I’ve been busy stitching

The quilt top is growing nicely 

I’m spending the evening looking out at the rain, well until it gets dark. 

It really is a lovely sound. 

Friday funday

​The girls arrive as usual and grandma was ready 

The morning went really well, as it usually does 

Georgia had a bottle and went to bed. Perfect 

She only slept for 45 minutes but still is was time for me to give Ana some one on one time 

Ana and Trixie. They had just finished playing chase   

When and stopped Trixie had the zoomies and kept going. 

It entertained both the girls 

The two girls watching Gabbys dollhouse. Yes it looks like Georgia is getting into it as well. I’ll be hearing those songs for a few years yet 

Someone really wants to move. Trixie was just out of reach, and Georgia really wanted to touch her. She moved off the quilt simple by rolling around 

Ana was wonderful today  she happily amused herself while I was busy with Georgia 

She was even  a great help  she’s definitely becoming happier to share grandma time  grandpa arrived and started playing with her  but she asked me  so grandma got baby duty  he fed her a bottle while I had Ana time  

Daddy arrived and he took Ana to her swimming lessons. 

Mummy texted to say she was in her way. She suggested a Friday family dinner 

Absolutely. We had fish and chips 

When my beautiful daughter in law arrived she had a surprise for me

We were talking about printing patterns. I prefer to use a paper pattern 

But to do that I need to go over to the shed. 

So her surprise was 

A printer for me. 

She even helped set it up. I use it via an app. Very modern. 

While we were playing with the printer 

Ana started to colour in 

Once dinner and setting up the printer

Both girls were changed into their pj’s 

Cars packed and they headed off home. 

It was a wonderful day  

Winter is coming

​now I know I said I wouldn’t start any new projects. 

But, I’ve got all this pretty yarn and the girls need jumpers. 

This is an all in one, top down pattern. 

But it starts a little different. You start by knitting just straight across and then turn your work and knit across again 

It’s only after about a dozen rows that you join it in the round. You cast on extra stitches and then knit round and round. This shapes the neck

No short rows or constant counting 

This is it so far. I’m working in the pattern for six year olds hoping that it will fit Ana. I’ve asked mummy to measure her and send them to me.

I’ll then decide if it will fit. If it’s going to be too small. Well it will become Georgia’s 

The yarn is supposed to be 8ply, sorry not sure what size that is in USA terms. 

But it feels a little thinner. It might be because it’s so soft. 

Anyway. I can work on this during the day when I’m home alone. So I can count and work out maths. 

I can then sew in the evenings. I don’t need to think hand sewing so I can watch hubbys shows and discuss them without making errors 

He loves sports shows and car restoration programs 

I hope the girls like the yarn. I do love the ombre look.