Garden:
Have one little broccoli head finally beginning to grow so hopefully the others aren't far behind. Still no sign of the garlic. Received some more herb seedlings - so need to pop some parsley in (I must be the only person who doesn't have any!)
Harvesting:
Herbs!
Chickens:
Over the past few days I've now wormed the girls. Then the next day Peach laid an egg! Woohoo! Unfortunately it couldn't be eaten due to the worming medications. Yesterday I realised that Moon (the sick chicken) probably has coccidiosis so phoned around some local places to see who stocked medication for that. No-one! So had to drive up country a little bit to real Farming Territory to get some. Met a very knowledgeable bloke who was great with helping me problem solve the issues going on. Was reassuring to talk to someone in the know. So they are onto day 2 of those medications. She's a hungry girl so hopefully that's a good sign. Just very lethargic the rest of the time which is likely the coccidiosis.
Home sweet home:
Did a bit of decluttering and sorting in our wardrobe as part of this week's Flylady zone and found some more old t-shirts for my rag-rug. I've added in the left over pillowcase scraps from making the picnic mat and it's looking quite good! Still a way to go though.
June 26, 2009
June 22, 2009
Patchwork Picnic Mat
This afternoon I found some time to cut out the squares (from old pillow slips and a few pieces of Danielle's clothing that no longer fit) and got sewing! Was really quick once I'd done the cutting. Initially I was going to back it with some polar fleece, but then decided it would be more portable if it just had a sheet as the backing and top stitched the patchwork onto it. I can always add the polar fleece later if needed.
June 21, 2009
Chickens
My poor older girl Moon has scaly leg mites. Yuck, poor thing. I feel so bad that I hadn't noticed anything amiss until I was sitting watching them on Friday as they were hanging out in the sun. I've spent so much of this year being distracted on other things other than the garden that I haven't really paid the girls much attention. In the morning they are fed and let our to roam for the day before I head down in the late afternoon to feed them again and shut them in for the night. I noticed Moon looking very quiet and a bit wobbly on her legs and realised something was up with her. On observing her I noticed her poor nobbly legs.
So a bit of googling had me rushing out after lunch to get some mite powder (they've been so good at dust bathing that they don't seem to have these sorts of mites) and vaseline. In the meantime I bought down a bowl of warm soapy water and washed her legs down and put some olive oil on her legs. Then after returning with our goods I dusted her all over (although she appeared to be ok as far as her feathers and skin goes) and then slathered vaseline all over her legs and pushed it under all the scales in the hope that it will smother the horrible mites.
Today we moved the coop and scrubbed down the nesting box and perches. I then poured a jug of boiling water into the nesting box (not sure if that would penetrate any eggs that had fallen into the cracks of the wood or not though), threw in a bowl of water with tea tree oil in it, let it dry and then dusted it down with the mite powder and reset in the clean coop. I re-dusted the girls and re-vaselined their legs in their clean enclosure.
I found this site with good all-round info that was also confirmed elsewhere.
So a bit of googling had me rushing out after lunch to get some mite powder (they've been so good at dust bathing that they don't seem to have these sorts of mites) and vaseline. In the meantime I bought down a bowl of warm soapy water and washed her legs down and put some olive oil on her legs. Then after returning with our goods I dusted her all over (although she appeared to be ok as far as her feathers and skin goes) and then slathered vaseline all over her legs and pushed it under all the scales in the hope that it will smother the horrible mites.
Today we moved the coop and scrubbed down the nesting box and perches. I then poured a jug of boiling water into the nesting box (not sure if that would penetrate any eggs that had fallen into the cracks of the wood or not though), threw in a bowl of water with tea tree oil in it, let it dry and then dusted it down with the mite powder and reset in the clean coop. I re-dusted the girls and re-vaselined their legs in their clean enclosure.
I found this site with good all-round info that was also confirmed elsewhere.
A new family tradition is born
While at the library the other day I thought to have a look for a book I've been meaning to get out for a while after having a recommendation for it. Celebrating the Southern Seasons - Rituals for Aotearoa by Juliet Batten. It was perfect timing with Matariki a few days away.
So we spent the morning preparing for our Winter Solstice/Matariki dinner that we had decided on having tonight (the rising of Matariki is actually on the 24th). As a part of reconnecting with nature over the past year, we have been focusing on observing seasonal celebrations. So we talked about the winter solstice as being the shortest day of the year and from now on the days will get longer as summer will once again come around. Matariki is the Maori New Year, which occurs on the first new moon after the rising of Mataraki (a constellation) in the eastern sky at dawn.
Danielle collected flowers this morning and wanted to make a crown.
A basket of items to use for our decorations.
Adding some decorations. Suns and stars on the window, and lanterns in "sun" colours.
The table had a bowl of "sun" fruit (mandarins) and a bowl of "stored food for winter" (nuts and dried fruit). The candles were in "sun" colours.
Preparing the feast.
And...unfortunately I accidentally deleted the lovely photo of our food-laden, candle-lit table. Ah well. lol.
So we spent the morning preparing for our Winter Solstice/Matariki dinner that we had decided on having tonight (the rising of Matariki is actually on the 24th). As a part of reconnecting with nature over the past year, we have been focusing on observing seasonal celebrations. So we talked about the winter solstice as being the shortest day of the year and from now on the days will get longer as summer will once again come around. Matariki is the Maori New Year, which occurs on the first new moon after the rising of Mataraki (a constellation) in the eastern sky at dawn.
Danielle collected flowers this morning and wanted to make a crown.
A basket of items to use for our decorations.
Adding some decorations. Suns and stars on the window, and lanterns in "sun" colours.
The table had a bowl of "sun" fruit (mandarins) and a bowl of "stored food for winter" (nuts and dried fruit). The candles were in "sun" colours.
Preparing the feast.
And...unfortunately I accidentally deleted the lovely photo of our food-laden, candle-lit table. Ah well. lol.
June 15, 2009
Independence Days Update
Garden:
Finally got some garlic cloves into the ground. Will do another lot in a week or so (shortest day). I also bought a few packets of seedlings from the supermarket last week so have popped in some more brassica's, lettuces and spinach.
My mum gave me some more seedlings she'd rescued from her BIL's herb nursery. So I planted out some more sage and spinach.
Home sweet home:
I'm pretty much Flyladying again (let's see how long that lasts!). I'm certainly not as methodical as what they suggest, but it helps me work on little areas frequently rather than deciding on spending a whole weekend doing about 2mths worth of deep-cleaning.
I felt the urge to rearrange - again... This time it was the front porch and the laundry.
Stocking up:
I did a big grocery shop last week to keep our pantry and freezer full! Feels so good. Of course, I need to make sure it actually lasts the month that I've bought for instead of eating it all in 3wks...
Last night Simon and my step-dad went and picked up a couple of lambs from their farmer friend who owes my parents some money for a vehicle - but they're quite happy to receive payment in meat. So Simon spent this morning processing that for the freezer. I also made up a large pot of stock that is now frozen in litre sized containers.
The day was sunny...
So the kids spent half the day outside while Simon spent the afternoon chopping and stacking our new lot of firewood (I was out doing a bunch of errands I'd been saving up including replacing our stolen recycling bin grrrr). I then took the kids down the road for a ride on bikes (Danielle is just getting the swing of riding her two-wheeler (with trainers) so we'll try and do that more often).
Community:
I received a newsletter in the mailbox the other day from our local Residents Group. I belong to it but have not been to any meetings in the 2yrs we've belonged. They put a call out for interested parties to let them know if we'd like to be responsible for a fruit or nut tree on our front grassed area next to the road. They are working with the local council on planting up our area with edible fruit/nuts. Totally into that.
Saturday night a friend came over and we walked down to the local cafe for dessert and a glass of wine. A lovely night for a walk too - and surely all part of supporting our commuity? Seemed that winter had taken a hike for a few days (we've even had a few nights where it's hit 5pm, sun had been shining and warming the house and we hadn't even thought of putting the fire on, no super cold over night temps and so didn't bother - tonight is one of them!).
Finally got some garlic cloves into the ground. Will do another lot in a week or so (shortest day). I also bought a few packets of seedlings from the supermarket last week so have popped in some more brassica's, lettuces and spinach.
My mum gave me some more seedlings she'd rescued from her BIL's herb nursery. So I planted out some more sage and spinach.
Home sweet home:
I'm pretty much Flyladying again (let's see how long that lasts!). I'm certainly not as methodical as what they suggest, but it helps me work on little areas frequently rather than deciding on spending a whole weekend doing about 2mths worth of deep-cleaning.
I felt the urge to rearrange - again... This time it was the front porch and the laundry.
Stocking up:
I did a big grocery shop last week to keep our pantry and freezer full! Feels so good. Of course, I need to make sure it actually lasts the month that I've bought for instead of eating it all in 3wks...
Last night Simon and my step-dad went and picked up a couple of lambs from their farmer friend who owes my parents some money for a vehicle - but they're quite happy to receive payment in meat. So Simon spent this morning processing that for the freezer. I also made up a large pot of stock that is now frozen in litre sized containers.
The day was sunny...
So the kids spent half the day outside while Simon spent the afternoon chopping and stacking our new lot of firewood (I was out doing a bunch of errands I'd been saving up including replacing our stolen recycling bin grrrr). I then took the kids down the road for a ride on bikes (Danielle is just getting the swing of riding her two-wheeler (with trainers) so we'll try and do that more often).
Community:
I received a newsletter in the mailbox the other day from our local Residents Group. I belong to it but have not been to any meetings in the 2yrs we've belonged. They put a call out for interested parties to let them know if we'd like to be responsible for a fruit or nut tree on our front grassed area next to the road. They are working with the local council on planting up our area with edible fruit/nuts. Totally into that.
Saturday night a friend came over and we walked down to the local cafe for dessert and a glass of wine. A lovely night for a walk too - and surely all part of supporting our commuity? Seemed that winter had taken a hike for a few days (we've even had a few nights where it's hit 5pm, sun had been shining and warming the house and we hadn't even thought of putting the fire on, no super cold over night temps and so didn't bother - tonight is one of them!).
June 10, 2009
Into Winter
Hmmmm, not a lot to update on really!
Garden:
Nothing much at all! Thinking about getting my garlic in still...
Home sweet home:
Here is a picture of some of my new potplants. I've even decided to try growing some basil as well. This is the only sunny windowsill I have (aside from bedroom windows). A bit odd, since it's right beside my front door, but I like it. I also repotted one of my older plants and ended up with about 6 little plants that I'm just nurturing along a little before I decide what to do with them.
Have also rearranged things around in the house. The kids area is now to one end of the lounge (it's actually meant less mess IN the sitting area and since the other area is smaller they seem to not pull out more and more to fill every gap they can find!). Even though I haven't actually confined them to that area, it just seems to work better all round.
Dinner:
I set myself a challenge tonight to use up the vegetables that we have since we are due for our vege box delivery tomorrow. I had a fennel root that needed using up (what the heck? but I did find a recipe in the first book I looked in), some salad ingredients and a few other random greens and root veges. So I came up with roasted fennel and parsnip, salmon frittata (which used up the potato, pumpkin, spinach, onion) and a salad - and the kids ate carrot sticks while waiting for dinner to cook. I did pretty well, and not a lot left.
Keeping warm:
Well, we seem to have gone through more wood that we did last winter, so have ordered another load. I think the weather has been colder and wetter this year so far (or maybe I've just gotten softer!) so it's meant feeling cozier with the fire roaring. The general rule around here is though - on sunny days, even if there is a bitter chill to the air, I don't generally light the fire as we get the sun streaming into the bedrooms so tend to hang out down that end instead. Rainy days without sun means no other means of being warm (and the ambience of the fire chases away any blah feelings), so then we light the fire.
Craft/New Skills:
I have been hankering for a new craft. I've been admiring some really lovely rag rugs on Flickr over the past few weeks, so thought I'd give one a go. I'm using old t-shirts for this one (shame I had done a declutter as we went into autumn of all the old T's so may need to scrounge around for some more). It's really quick to crochet up, but the most time consuming part is cutting up the strips of fabric (can't really tear them since the fabrics are stretchy and thick).
My colours don't look as pretty as the ones I was admiring, but I'm quite pleased with it so far (takes a bit of guesswork to get it to lie flat - increasing or not just goes by feel and look).
Garden:
Nothing much at all! Thinking about getting my garlic in still...
Home sweet home:
Here is a picture of some of my new potplants. I've even decided to try growing some basil as well. This is the only sunny windowsill I have (aside from bedroom windows). A bit odd, since it's right beside my front door, but I like it. I also repotted one of my older plants and ended up with about 6 little plants that I'm just nurturing along a little before I decide what to do with them.
Have also rearranged things around in the house. The kids area is now to one end of the lounge (it's actually meant less mess IN the sitting area and since the other area is smaller they seem to not pull out more and more to fill every gap they can find!). Even though I haven't actually confined them to that area, it just seems to work better all round.
Dinner:
I set myself a challenge tonight to use up the vegetables that we have since we are due for our vege box delivery tomorrow. I had a fennel root that needed using up (what the heck? but I did find a recipe in the first book I looked in), some salad ingredients and a few other random greens and root veges. So I came up with roasted fennel and parsnip, salmon frittata (which used up the potato, pumpkin, spinach, onion) and a salad - and the kids ate carrot sticks while waiting for dinner to cook. I did pretty well, and not a lot left.
Keeping warm:
Well, we seem to have gone through more wood that we did last winter, so have ordered another load. I think the weather has been colder and wetter this year so far (or maybe I've just gotten softer!) so it's meant feeling cozier with the fire roaring. The general rule around here is though - on sunny days, even if there is a bitter chill to the air, I don't generally light the fire as we get the sun streaming into the bedrooms so tend to hang out down that end instead. Rainy days without sun means no other means of being warm (and the ambience of the fire chases away any blah feelings), so then we light the fire.
Craft/New Skills:
I have been hankering for a new craft. I've been admiring some really lovely rag rugs on Flickr over the past few weeks, so thought I'd give one a go. I'm using old t-shirts for this one (shame I had done a declutter as we went into autumn of all the old T's so may need to scrounge around for some more). It's really quick to crochet up, but the most time consuming part is cutting up the strips of fabric (can't really tear them since the fabrics are stretchy and thick).
My colours don't look as pretty as the ones I was admiring, but I'm quite pleased with it so far (takes a bit of guesswork to get it to lie flat - increasing or not just goes by feel and look).
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