Samhain

Blessed Samhain for us in the southern hemisphere, and to those in the northern hemisphere blessed Beltane

I got this on the internet 

​

May all our harvest be bountiful 

In the garden

​today I woke up to bright sunshine. 

It looked so lovely I had to go out and enjoy it. 

I had purchased some organic blood and bone to feed the asparagus bed and put it to sleep for the winter 

The basil had overgrown and needed a hair cut badly 

Between these two beds I ended up with two full wheelbarrows of greens 

They were so full I had to ask hubby to come and empty them. 

He took them out back and let the chickens out to enjoy it 

I put a generous amount of this over the whole bed  asparagus are hungry plants, or so I’ve been told 

 I don’t know why I left that one branch of basil  I never notice it until now 

I also cleaned up the rhubarb and gave that a feed as well. It also needs some compost to top up the soil level 

I asked hubby to bring me some of the mulch. He did. Two huge wheelbarrows full. 

I thought it had composted more than it had. I put a thin layer over the blood and bone. I don’t know if it will hinder the asparagus trying to grow through as it’s still got large pieces in it  

The level has dropped in the bed and I really wanted to add compost to bring it back to the top. 

You can see the shovel, I was shoveling the soil from the big planters in to the asparagus bed. 

The pots will need fresh potting mix. 

I got a surprise. My pomegranate had finally produced fruit 

Not sure how ripe these are. I need to google. But hubby said the flower part at the bottom was brown 

I guess we will see when we cut them open 

Remember when I made the toppers for the tea towels? 

I knew I needed two sides for each. My brain said trace two of the pattern for each topper. But the other half of the brain said. You need two. So fold the fabric in half. They must of had an argument and weren’t communicating. 

I ended up with eight toppers. 

Four got used for the tea towels, and the other four got put to the side. I made them up and decided I’ll use them for hand towels in the bathroom 

While at the reject shop I purchased the four hand towels I needed 

I folded the towels lined them into place and sat down to sew. 

My machine just wouldn’t play ball. 

I had to finally admit defeat and take it to the sewing machine doctor 

The quilt shop I learned to sew quilts has a machine man pick up the sick machines. Take them home. Fix them then bring them back. 

I packed my machine, Elly the elna sewing machine, into a travel bag and took her down. 

We worked out that I had purchased her over 15 years ago!

Wow time flys.  

She’s been a good and faithful machine. 

So I left her and came back home. I then took my cheap little Aldi machine out and set it up 

The hole in the table is where Elly lives. Little Aldi doesn’t fit so she sits on the flat bit. 

Here they are all finished 

They are now added to the pile of things to go to the farm   

So after two busy days I’m tired, sore but so happy I had achieved all I did 

Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to finish filling the asparagus bed. Then I’ll organise the potting mix needed to refill the large growing pots ready for whatever I decide to plant in them 

Foggy start

​

This morning the fog was pretty thick 

It was actually worse than it shows. 

It didn’t burn off until after nine and now we have a beautiful sunny day  

Yesterday hubby asked me to organise getting the last six months of bank statements 

So off I go into Cranbourne to organise it at the bank. 

Stupid me 

I headed off at nine, thinking I’ll get there just as the bank opened its doors 

Again. Stupid me. 

I parked and went into the centre 

Walked to the bank and what did I see?

Its totally block off. They’re apparently doing “ renovations “

I have no idea why. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. 

I was not a happy camper 

So a little retail therapy, I decided, would help

I went into the reject shop. Because I’m a tight wad according to my family and friends. lol 

I bought all sorts of bits and bobs. Most of which I really did need. A few others to add to the stash. Like washing tablets. I have a whole bag in the cupboard under the sink but I thought I’d get another while I was there. 

I then decided I’d bite the bullet and get me some jeans. 

I’ve not bought proper jeans in over a decade. Real jeans are not something you can buy on line. You have to try them on. 

I walked in looking flummoxed, which the lovely young lass obviously saw. 

I asked her for help getting the right kind of jeans for me

My must haves 

High waisted 

Very stretchy 

And straight legged. 

None of these skinny teen jeans. 

She took me to the exact ones I needed 

I told her my size was 14-16

She said that these were so stretchy they advised going down a size. 

She gave me a 12

THEY FIT PERFECTLY 

I was happily surprised 

They had a deal buy one get the second one half price. 

Unfortunately they didn’t have a 12 in the other colour. I felt a Moment of panic thinking I’d have to go to another store to get the second pair. 

I did not

The second pair will be sent out to me

After the fiasco of the bank I was extremely pleased 

After I get home I sit down to ring the bank hotline 

Now we all know ringing the bank you have to prepare all your snacks, drinks, and to not be too far from the bathroom 

I got my card and rang 

Yup you go through all the please press this number dance only to be told at the end that there is a long wait because their  telephonists are all busy. They then suggest online banking 

So now, finally, have surrendered and have mobile banking on my phone 

I held out as long as I could 

Having said that. 

It was easy to download the app. 

Took minutes to set up and I was able to download and send all the statements in an email  to the workshop 

I rang wonderson and informed home that there were six emails from me to him. 

He thanked me and said he would print them out shortly 

Now. If men did what we asked them to do as quickly as I did. Well. There would be no such thing as nagging 

Don’t you agree? 

Product review

​one of the reasons I cannot get. Good nights sleep, is restless legs syndrome 

It’s almost like they belong to someone else or that they have their own brain. 

It’s hard to explain, but the odd feeling does make it hard to sleep. 

While scrolling, big brother sent an advert to my wall

They promised to relax the stiff muscles and help with the “ restless legs “

At this point I was prepared to try anything 

I orders some and they arrived yesterday 

Unfortunately I got some stock standard black, but I strapped them on full of hope, but not really expecting much. 

I hoped that at least it would feel good just to get the massage 

I was wrong 

There are three settings 

Sooth relax

Knead activate 

And 

Lift massage 

There are also three strengths and three heat settings 

I tried them all!

I can tell you that the knead and lift settings, when you have them in high, really do massage your muscles deeply 

When I first tried it. It was very painful 

The sciatica nerve that runs down your leg was very tight and sore. 

By the time I had run through the options, and I had endured the pain. It was very much improved 

And I am pleased to report a definite improvement of the restless legs 

Unfortunately I was so tired I fell asleep sitting on the couch. So I wasn’t tired enough to go to bed at a decent time. But, I did go at midnight and fell into a deep sleep almost instantly 

And stayed asleep until 5.30 am. 

I fooled myself and closed my eyes again hoping I’d go straight back to sleep. 

I did and the next time I opened my eyes it was 7.30am

Today I’ve not felt like a zombie walking around, and got a few jobs Ive been wanting to do done. 

I even was able to pull the hose out of its winder and watered all the pots out front 

I’ve not been able to do that for a while now. Pulling that long hose really hurt my back, legs and shoulders 

So. If you suffer from sore, tight legs or from restless legs, I highly recommend it. 

Even though I saw the advertisement on Facebook I checked the price of one on Amazon. 

It was a bit cheaper than the advert price. The price was in US dollars and when changed into Aussie dollars it was very expensive. 

Plus, with Amazon I got it delivered the next day 

I’ve also ordered a similar product, but for ankles and feet. Hubbys geet are terrible. Sports injuries and arthritis making them very painful 

I’m hoping that it will give him some relief 

Once they arrive I’ll get his opinion and of course I’ll give them ago too, for my opinion and I’ll report on those as well. 

Do you have any massage appliances?

Do they help you? 

If you have any good ones let us know. Who knows it might be able to help someone with an issue 

Sunny Sunday

​today was a glorious sunny day 

It felt more like spring than autumn 

It was a perfect day to dry washing on the line 

Not sure how much longer this weather will last. So I’m making the most of it 

I watered the seedlings . They are actually growing really really well

We have had some frosty mornings.

Usually the pepper plants would start to show damage, but they’re looking very healthy  I’ll still add another layer of netting before winter really arrives 

Meanwhile hubby finally started putting down cardboard and mulching on top to keep the weeds down in the little orchard 

He whipper snipped all around. The weeds had grown almost as high as the trees. You can see the grass in the chicken run  that’s how long and lush it was. All that chook poop is a great fertiliser 

When we first planted the trees a couple of them were strangled by weeds, and rabbit damage  

They were short stalks. The rabbits had eaten them down, which was why they weeds “ killed “ them

Hubby pulled them out to throw away 

But I saw some green. I planted them in pots and tended them like they were in intensive care 

They survived 

It’s taken a couple of years but they are healthy and lots taller, ready to now be planted back out. 

We will wait until the rains arrive, and become more regular before we do that 

Job done. Definitely looks much better 

After hanging out the washing I put another load in, then headed off to art

By the time I got back one load was ready to be brought in and the other to be hung up to dry 

The girls running around very happy  

Particularly one of the red girls  she was the roosters favourite girl in his haram 

She had a bald spot on her back  but now they’re growing back 

If you make the picture bigger you can still see the damage 

We finally sat down to watch the farming show and relaxed for the rest of the day. recharging our batteries for another week. 

ANZAC day 2026

​

Lest we forget 

Sunny days

​today it started foggy and cold but soon blossomed into a beautiful sunny day 

We were watching Peppa pig. Ana and I had a conversation about dinosaurs 

I asked if she wanted to go see some dinosaurs and she was excited 

Walking distance from home is a place called crystal world. 

I worked part time there many years ago

Not only do they have crystals, but lots of dinosaurs 

So Georgia was strapped into the pusher and we headed off. 

I have taken Ana there when she was little but she doesn’t remember. So it was all a brand new adventure 

Georgia happily sat in the shade playing with her toy. She looks asleep here but she wasn’t. Just grandmas timing 

We went into the shop where Iran into two people I used to work with. 

We walked around so Ana could choose some crystals. She chose three. We also found little metal dinosaurs that look like they’re made of gold 

She settled on two.  A triceratops, we both said it was our favourite and a pterodactyl. Yes I had to google how to spell that lol

We headed back home chatting about the dinosaurs. 

After lunch. Georgia slept, in my arms, and Ana watched more dinosaurs on YouTube 

Soon daddy arrived to take Ana to her swimming lesson. About an hour later mummy arrived to take Georgia home. 

Another Friday done. 

They’re flying by 

Organising and preparing

​lately my life has been all about cleaning, winnowing and organising 

Yesterday I got my scrap tub out because I needed more squares cut out 

This is what I took out to iron and cut. 

They’re either small pieces or a fat quarter that is a colour I don’t particularly like, or one that would be hard to match for a large project 

In this bag are strips that are the correct width for binding  

When I need some binding I’ll sew them into one long strip  long enough to do the whole quilt 

This next bag had smaller pieces that I have big plans for  

Stay tuned for that 

After cutting all the squares, this is what was left to throw out 

A tiny tiny container of little bits of scraps 

Starting to pin a hexi on each square 

This bag is full of all the pieces cut from each square to give it the correct shape, 

Making it easy to stitch into the hexi shape. 

I’m going to keep it all. Just so I can see how much was left after finishing the quilt top. 

So far, for how many hexis I’ve made. And how much of a dent I’ve made into the stash pile, is isn’t a lot of waste. 

This makes me very happy 

Hubby has left to stay thd night at the farm  he’s getting a second quote for the stand alone solar power 

Today is a lovely warm day  I don’t need  fire to keep warm

But, as I do not go out after dark when I’m home alone I needed to get the fire and the firewood ready in case I do need to light it 

The box and the two plastic tubs are full of wood ready to use if I need 

I’ve also cleaned the fireplace and got it ready to light 

If it gets cold tonight I’ll lite it but  more than likely it will get lit tomorrow so the house is nice and warm for the girls 

I did my weekly shop using door dash 

One order from woolies and one from Aldi  

I needed fruit and something easy to make for lunch tomorrow 

I took the fruit that was slightly past their best and instead of giving it to the chickens 

I used the good ones and cooked up a jar of jam 

There’s blackberries, raspberries and some strawberries in here  

One jar of yummy berry jam 

The fruit that wasn’t good enough for the jam is going to the chickens 

I’ve got some stale bread to give them as well

They love these little treats  and it keeps them busy while I collect the eggs  

Now the rooster is gone it lovey to go in and chat with the girls 

So now your all caught up

I’ll definitely rest today so that I’m ready for tomorrow 

I wonder what we will get up to together 

Wordless Wednesday

​

Sewing

​this morning I started in the craft room  I wanted to finish those hand towels 

The machine was giving me grief so I pulled out the new cheap one from Aldi. 

I got it organised on the dining room table and started to wind a bobbin for it 

I realised that the quilting machine wasn’t winding the bobbin properly. 

After finishing the towels I wound some bobbins on the new machine and I’ll see if that makes any difference. If it does I’ll buy one of those small bobbin winder thingies

That’s the technical word for it 

My machine all ready to go 

I need to find a name for her. 

My quilting queens name is Elly elna 

Yeah not really original. But I do like it 

Since I bought this at Aldi I think I need an old fashioned name starting with A 

Suggestions welcome 

The four hand towels are done 

The have chickens on them, not that you can see them right now  

They will match these 

I also have one long mat in the set 

Even though my chickens will be far away safe at home, I’ll still think them while I’m away 

After all that I vacuumed all the tiled floors and moped them. 

I still need to vacuum all the living areas. I’ve got the vacuum out and that’s where it’s staying right now 

I need a rest 

I’ve been cutting my expensive meds by half. The doctor was happy about that. Unfortunately the pain is now constantly breaking through the barrier 

It’s still way less than before the medication, but definitely can feel the difference 

I’m on 12 tablets a day!

So cutting two out has to be better for me. 

Included in that number are the vitamin D and melatonin tablets. I hope to only need those for a few months. 

I feel like I’m rattling as I walk around 

The situation will be monitored and if I have to up the meds I will. 

I guess we will see 

Home

Yesterday I wanted to make some kitchen hand towels that you can hang on your oven ​or anyplace really that has a handle 

I had made them before and I had made a pattern but I couldn’t find it. 

It’s wasn’t hard making another one 

I made this one out of cardboard. Hopefully it will be easier to find. 

As you can see I’ve got two tea towels with chickens on them  

They match the rugs I bought for the kitchen 

These are for the farm house 

I needed help choosing the fabrics 

So I took lots of photos and asked my friend, who lives in Queensland, 

To help. 

We both liked the greens. 

I wanted to use fat quarters that had some pieces cut out. 

I didn’t want to use large pieces of fabric. Those can be used for bigger projects 

The fabrics we chose came from the fabrics that I got from the lovely old lady. 

She had cut bits of them for whatever it was she was making 

I’m cutting the tea towels in half as they’re long. So o needed four topper’s 

In my head I knew each towel needed to pieces of fabric 

So I traced two pieces each. 

But my brain told me to fold the fabric 

So I ended up with eight toppers 

I did sew those as well. I’ll use them to make Christmas presents. 

I do like to start early. 

Hubby arrived home around five. 

He has taken control of the remote so we are currently watching a football show 

Yep. Back to normal.