February/March

The last two months have passed by in a blur and I can't believe that we are already one third of the way through the year.

The offer of a new job meant a sudden (but not totally unexpected) move to Queensland for my eldest daughter and her family at the end of February.

 I was sad to see them go, but excited for them at the same time as it is something they had been talking about doing for a while now. I did get to spend an extra week with my granddaughter, though while her parents went on ahead to set up their new home. Saying goodbye to her was especially hard.

February also saw the passing of Ruby, I have no idea what the cause was but she is missed.

In March family and friends gathered to celebrate the 21st birthday of these two beautiful babies.

It's hard to believe looking at them today that when they were born they weighed a tiny 1430g (3lb 1oz) and 1465g (3lb 2ozs). I am incredibly proud of the young women they have become.

I continue to make my own bread, sometimes it's a hit, sometimes it's a miss and sometimes it's just peculiar.

After 3 months of making only bread I thought that it was time to try something slightly different. Pizza dough, so much easier than I thought it would be.

 I have been making my own soft spread butter for awhile now and it is so easy to do. I'm not sure that it is cheaper than store bought butter but at least I know exactly what goes into it.

 The cooler nights have meant that we have been able to enjoy some really beautiful sunsets the last few weeks.

 I will be back soon with a garden update.

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Hello 2014

Well, here we are, the first day of a brand new year, time to wipe the slate clean and start anew. And as it's the first today I thought I would share a couple of firsts with you.

The first loaf of bread,

made in my shiny, new breadmaker which was part Christmas present, part birthday present, (my birthday falls on the 19th).

And the first of what I am sure will be many bowls of ice cream made in the ice cream maker that my youngest daughter Samantha picked up at the Boxing Day sales.

I know it doesn't look very appetising (bad lighting) but trust me, it was good.

It was rich and creamy and very chocolaty but I think I will cut back on the sugar next time as it was just a little too sweet even for me.

I am hoping to add to my list of firsts this year with cheesemaking being top of the list as well as making my own soap which I have been putting off as it scares me a little bit.

It was hot here yesterday and we are in for the same again today. The weatherman has forecast rain for today and tomorrow and I am really hoping that they have got it right, because not only could the gardens do with a good soaking, my rainwater tanks need replenishing as well. In the meantime we are all trying to stay cool anyway we can.

The chickens spend most of the day under the coop where it is about five degrees cooler, I also put a frozen bottle of water in their drinking water and a dish of water for them to stand in.  

Grace cooling her heels.

Keeping our rabbits cool is our main concern on very hot days as they can overheat very quickly, one way we do this is to freeze bottles of water to put in their cages.

Willow snuggled up to her ice bottle.

And of course we can't forget about our feathered friends.

Well, that's it, my first post for the new year. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and I hope that it turns out to be a very good one for all of us.

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