Garden News & 8 Years of Blogging,

Thank you for those who have been with me for the past 8 years ,  I never thought I would last this long. This is the 415th blog piece, if you had told me that in 2015 I would be writing so much, it would have been hard to visualize.

 I have decided now to  write monthly, and see how that goes. Hopefully I will have something to talk about other than the garden and beans, a case of slowing down and not being as active in the wider world..

At least with some spare time, I will try and get back to scrap booking.  Our eldest turns 50 next year and I really need to finish his scrapbook, I haven't done any work on them, for over a year. 

My birthday is Friday and we will celebrate it at Anchors Wharf  restaurant, for lunch. I haven't been for several years since mum died, but they also closed because of the flood we had last year.

Taken from the River Side

 Hasn't it been cold this last week, even in sub tropical we have had a couple of minus figures. Thank goodness for electric blankets, and my fire.

The mandarins have been changing colour, because of it, and I have watched them go from green to orange in June. Yesterday I picked one and it was very juicy, and sweet.

 Took the lemons while I was at it. I keep wanting to make lemon butter but still haven't got around to it, so leaving them on the tree, until I work out what to do with them.

It hasn't rained at all, so after my caravan club social meeting yesterday, which I only went in to take the sign on forms and left after an hour, I decided to water the back area, and took more pictures of what is coming along.

Red Nasturiums

Jonquils

Taken up close this time the Poinsettia and Argave flowers.

The back roses need pruning and spraying, as have white powdery mildew on them, although I have finished all the front ones.

I really need to get down there and sort out the new configuration of the back, before the weeds really start growing. Lots of cardboard and mulch ready for the garden beds and then get some new plants for them, most likely flowery things. I was thinking of  working there today but it is windy and the "feels like" temperature of 11C is putting me off.

Snow drops starting to come out. Came from my parents house when we moved up here 40 years ago.

Our eldest daughter arrived yesterday from Sydney, and  I will give her a few days to catch up  on sleep, she hasn't been well with a flu bug, and is a special Ed Teacher, which is hard enough,  plus I have another dentist appointment Monday a third one, with one more to go as a result of a full mouth xray.

 There hasn't been one day I haven't had to travel into town this last week, so glad for today and no where to go.

 Tuesday she wants to check out the new small Mazdas, and test drive one, so I will join her at the resort for a couple of days then. I also would like a smaller car and interested to see what they are like. My Subaru is now 5 years old, but I would prefer something smaller like my old Mazda 323, but at the time they were noisy and not as modern with all the gadgets like being able to answer your phone while driving. 

Basil growing  wonderfully in the glasshouse because I was clever not to put it in the cold garden.

I have also started another paid online class with 50 videos mind you, on painting flowers and really loving it so far. It is very in depth and just what I need.

Lets see if I can do a 9th year

Till Next Time.

Prepping for a Cocktail Party & Wedding Anniversary.

I celebrated our 49th Wedding Anniversary on the 16th, alone. Well Miss P turned up which was good at least I had company, but John went off to his Dr. friends 2 1/2 hrs. away to fix the computers. He would have had a lovely catered lunch with wine and good company, I had been thinking of a picnic  down by the river.

These lovely flowers turned up in the afternoon, I think this was the first time we weren't together for our anniversary which was disappointing as no celebration.
 

On the other hand I have been busy as usual, two of the children will be turning up Wednesday or Thursday, so madly trying to finish the hall walls. I should finish off the first coat today and the 2nd. on Monday hopefully, as it is a lot of work.

Nearly Finished

Yesterday morning, while cool, I cut the hedges as they were getting a bit overgrown. The Gazebo is going to be turned into a Christmas Eve Party area. As our DIL is having a Christmas Dinner around 6 or so, I decided that a cocktail party was in order with finger food and an opportunity to hand out the Aunty/Uncle and Grandma presents. Miss C turned 18 in Oct. (hence the cocktails) and Miss G is 20 in February, so something different for them. I have been cooking and freezing all sorts of things in readiness. By request there will be 3 cocktails, Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, and a Kahula chocolate, banana one known as a Monks Bum.. lol. The kids are having a mock version with orange juice

Having a  Christmas lunch for the first time in many years, is also something new, as it is a long wait till Dinner, so having lamb with a variety of salad and plum pudding. Not too much with a 2nd meal later, otherwise it will be a  pretty dull Christmas day. 

Miss P is trying to earn extra money so she is coming again Monday, and I will get her to help me clean up the rest of the garden in this area and put out some chairs, tidy the gazebo, and maybe get out the plates and cutlery etc.. 11 family in all.

Maybe then I can fit in cleaning the rest of the house lol.

Taken back in March this year of the sample.

The good news is now that the Qld. border is open we can FINALLY collect our caravan. The appointment is 10am Tuesday, so John, who had a covid test as required, is going up Monday, staying the night somewhere, then picking it up after a 2hr. go over. I didn't want to go as not having the covid test and  nothing much I could do as we can't stay or anything and really I haven't got time for it.

At least I can now quickly empty the dining room table of  caravan stuff  if I need it Christmas Day. 

That's all for now, really busy

 

Till Next Time  

 

Painting the Laundry/Office, Blog Anniversary

 Once upon a time the room I painted this week was supposed  to be my Laundry/ Sewing room but it became the office. A wall was moved and tiny laundry of washing machine and sink, pushed back when the new kitchen went in, but the pine wood was only half painted so I finally got to it  this week. It wasn't easy either, climbing up and down an 8 foot ladder as it was not good for my knees, that at some time need replacing.

 The whole house is pine lined, or brick walls, very 80's and now very dark.

This wall was the hardest being so high.

The gaps between boards now have to have a piece of flat wood to cover, John's job.

 I could have done the ceiling,  as I could reach it, and would have been far easier than having to cut in to it, though I was a bit nervous hanging in the middle section without the comfort of the cupboards and walls. So decided my knees weren't going to take it again at this time anyway. It requires 3 coats of paint plus filling holes,  and  throbbing  knees at night a big clue. If you are wondering why we don't get in a painter, next door had her kitchen roof done twice the size of this laundry/office and probably 10 years ago now, cost $5000.00. So I plod along as best I can. 

My side of the room. The gap between cupboards and ceiling, had all empty boxes, in case we sold something on ebay, so I got rid of them all. Been there for years. 

Piece of wood for this wall painted and ready.

The room is much lighter and when we have paid for the caravan, will pick out some white blinds to finish everything off. It would be a nice room if Johns's clutter wasn't everywhere, but such as it has always been. At least while everything is off the floor for the moment I was able to wash it thoroughly. 

Johns side of the room, pretty typical. 

 Miss P came over yesterday and we emptied out some of the top cupboards and sorted it all out. Nice to have a young one climb the ladder. Master J helped Grandpa move the cut up fence palings, while John was cutting it up for the fire. As his twin Miss V came last time it was his turn, they both love their bribes, wages for working. Someone had pulled an old fence down as John was driving past so he went back with the trailer and filled it up.  

Very impressive wood stack I must say, thanks to John.

  I took the time to teach Miss P how to steam a pudding  in a cloth. One of those skills not taught anymore I would imagine. I chose my favorite recipe mum gave me called American Plum Pudding. Strange name as there is no plums but a couple of cups of dried fruit and so, so easy to make. Every Christmas I made it and filled it with money that I boiled and wrapped in alfoil then put in the cake. Surprising how a few children can still have pudding after a big Xmas lunch. Last year was the first time in 48 years that I didn't make it.

 Sent half home to mum for afternoon tea. Very delicious with a bit of cream. No eggs, so good for Miss G who is home from University, and sleeping off the tiredness from very late nights, on end of term projects, poor thing. I know how she feels been an exhausting week for me also, and in bed very early.

Very proud of my little apprentice, she is coming along well in her skills in cooking and gardening.

It has been a wet overcast week, but today the sun is out and the garden is very green and bountiful. I put some seeds to grow in the glass house, as it is time to start thinking what I will replace the broccoli and cabbages with, which are doing really well and pickable, but more about that next week. 

Wednesday 7th. is my birthday and this means the anniversary of this blog. 6 years have gone by, hard to believe I have kept it up so long. Not terribly popular, but it is great to look back on for me of all that I have accomplished over the years, and a reminder of planting times in the garden.

 A BIG, BIG thank you to those who do read it, it is basically why I keep going.

 It also usually means that our eldest daughter arrives for her annual holiday at a local resort, but she had to cancel as had a nasty cold and also Greater Sydney was in lockdown. Usually we celebrate together on the day, so I am disappointed at not seeing her again.

7th. year of blogging here we go.

Till Next Time.

Community Garden Christmas Party & A Surprise.

 On the 2nd. attempt we finally got to have the Pizza Party for the Gardens. The rain has finally stopped except for the odd drizzle now and then, and the weather once more is hotting up. I think about 25 attended so it was a good night. Taught everyone how to make pizzas properly as last year I was sick and it was a bit of a disaster. Luckily though the dough was donated so didn't have to fuss with that. John cooked all night. 

The little pizza oven was part of a grant and we have used it 3 times now. John has earnt the SCCG nearly $100,00.00 in grants as well his dedication to attending 3 days a week plus, and has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year, and yesterday received a letter to attend the ceremony, along with a few others. We haven't heard anything about Sawtell of the Year yet which is New Years Day, probably can't get both.

 

We had extra dough over so I turned it into a Loaf the next day. 

 The rest of the week I have spent wrapping presents, shopping, dodging the rain and as I am not sleeping well catching up on that, which wastes an afternoon as far as I am concerned, and very annoying.

This week I will do some packing and cooking to take with me etc for Christmas in Sydney. Covid has hit again there, but we are an hour away from it, so feel we will be ok, certainly not going anywhere that is for sure. 

We celebrated our 48th wedding anniversary on the 16th, and as usual, always wondering why do the years go by so fast. We had lunch at our favorite restaurant, by the river. It was certainly nice to leave the house this past week. We also had a spur of the moment lunch, the next day, with our ex sister in law and was great to catch up with her and partner, at another restaurant, also by the water. 

                                                         Surprise, Surprise!!

                                Janome S6 on special from Hobby Sew with bonus's,Workspace is 210mm/8.3″

I received a surprise this week as I ordered a sewing machine for my Christmas, Anniversary present, as better than the Bunnings card I usually get lol. 

They said it would be sent from Korea, which didn't worry me, no time now to sew, and lo and behold arrived Wednesday after confirming my address Monday by phone.

I know mind blowing!

It is very super modern with all sorts of bells and whistles. Even has a button for cutting the threads. My old machine is 25 years old computer driven and I wasn't expecting the upgrades this has, to that degree. Certainly going to take a while to learn. I am hoping to do some quilting with it to use up a large stash of fabric I have, from working at Spotlight years ago.

$400 worth of extras came with it as a bonus which is why I went for this one.

 Love the little pin cushion you put on top somewhere, and all these bobbins extra, plus the long extend table, and more feet. Look out 2021. A short no sound demonstration video if curious 

 

 

HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE CHRISTMAS DAY 2020 EVERYONE.

Till Next Time.

5 Year Anniversary of Blog

Hard to believe but yes 5 years of blogging. I started on my birthday which is in 2 days time in 2015.  I never ever thought I would blog for this long. In the beginning I was posting every 2 or 3 days but it got too much, so have successfully stuck with once a week.

It is never going to be a huge blog like some, as I don't really promote it at all. Mainly for the family and a few friends to catch up what we are doing. So I have taken you all on holidays,weekend trips, working in the garden and house, starting the Community Garden, being self sufficient, plus celebrating special occasions.
 

Cheers to all my Readers.

This post today is the 265th one. The most popular has been on top for some unknown reason, from the week I did it. So far there have been 33,244 views (some bloggers would have this in 1 year not 5 ) and the following are the top 5 and how many views in that time. So as you can see just a little blog in a big world but at least I am doing it, and great to look back, on what we have done.

A New Homemakers Forum Mar 4, 2017, 9 comments	2015
Renovating the Caravan - part 1 Jul 28, 2016	776
The Great Ocean Road Trip- Part one - Sydney to L... Mar 27, 2016	611
Sydney Weekend Shen Yun Feb 11, 2018, 6 comments	560
Renovating the Caravan - Part 2 Mar 20, 2017, 1 comment	336
These are the top 10 countries that have visited.
Australia 13253 United States 8428 Ukraine 1817 Russia 1732 United Kingdom 1077 France 680 Germany 600 Indonesia 488 Canada 454 Netherlands 305

Today though I have just come back from a breakfast/morning tea outing to Garden Mania, my present from my sister, along with a lovely pink quartz bracelet, and luckily our eldest daughter arrived from Sydney last night, so joined us. We will celebrate a luncheon on Tuesday the actual day.

Garden Mania Entrance

Shop from inside Restaurant at back of that .

Hard to believe and still a little scary to be out among the public. My sewing class has 3 others so pretty safe there, although yesterday I  sadly attended a funeral of one of the Community Garden Members.
Slowly, slowly looks like things are getting back to normal. I just hope the virus doesn't come to this area like it is in Victoria.

Breakfast what a great present.

Just a short one today.

 

 Till Next Time.

The Number 16 - Our Anniversary

Yesterday was the 16th of December, not unusual but it happened to be our 43rd wedding anniversary. In the morning I went and picked up mum from the nursing home and took her to a major shopping centre to get her haircut. Afterwards we had coffee at an outside cafe and I was  given the number 16 to put on the table. Coincidense ? I happened to mention it to our waiter who promptly said he had 9 brothers and 6 sisters, wow that makes ....16. I never thought much of that till the evening when we went out.

Cafe Numbers.

We decided to use a gift voucher at a local golf course for our dinner, nothing fancy really like a resort, but we dressed up and ordered our meal. Well they also use the cafe style numbering system and ours happened to be  you guessed it NUMBER 16.

 

 Anyway after dinner we decided to have a go on the pokies and put a dollar into a series of machines until something decent won. Which happened to be my favorite one, Gold Miner or something 

Yeeeee Haaaaa!

We would play these machines maybe twice a year if we go out to dinner. So we put $5 in and won a few bonus games. 

Pulling the money out, we just collected all the coins up and went home. John this morning counted them all up and guess what $16. Now  I am not into numerology but if anyone is I would like to know what that means. I do know that you add the number together therefore we get 7 and just to keep the coincidence going my birthday is the 7th of the 7th month. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

Carpet man came today and is laying it as we "speak"

Update on painted rooms next time.