Hello 2019

Will keep end plants for a little while.

Well what a year 2018 was, some I know will be glad to see it go. Having a blog though, allows me to look back on all the achievements we have accomplished in a year, and I must say I am quite pleased. There are times when I think nothing is done but yes I was busy.

For one thing the complete transformation of the front garden. It has gone really well, and the combination of cow manure and mushroom compost is the best thing. The tomatoes have done very well this summer.

This end needs to go

 I am going to pull them up and plant maybe 4 or so more to see us out till winter, along with the 2nd group that are nearly ready for picking.

New Tomatoes, I Always cover them against Fruit Fly.

 The first lot of carrots were fantastic, the 2nd nearly ready to pull but do you think I can get a third going. I  know it is the heat they like the soil to be about 20C but with the hot winds and hot days, not consistent, and by the time 30C comes forget about starting anything at all in open ground. I have also been struggling with  climbing beans which is surprising.

Zucchinni and cucumbers have done well and again planted a 2nd lot of yellow zucchinni and about to set seed for more cucumbers. Surprisingly I picked a hearting lettuce like Great Lakes recently, just a one off thing which I thought woudn't do well, but even in the heat hearted so might try that again.

New Yellow Zucchinni

Cucumbers and Dill

Best of all the Hollyhocks are blooming.

First time in growing and seeds from my best friends 90 plus year old mother who still works her garden. They are huge but so beautiful.

Hopefully 2019 will also see me getting some projects finished. Finish knitting a cardigan, paint the verandah and bathroom painfully still ongoing, set seed for winter crops, changing the craft area with some Ikea cube shelving, hopefully next week, who doesn't like going to Ikea!!!!!!

Camping at Alice Springs, but also some more mini camping especially if we can take Einstein.
Oh and starting a painting as a surprise present for someone, and making some cards to sell. I am also looking at getting the pavers lifted in the backyard and replacing with concrete. Hoping that will eliminate the weeding between pavers. Lawrence the gardener has to fix the steps anyway and is working on a plan.

Picked today the last of the Potatoes.

 The community garden of course is still on my mind and still deciding what role I will play. I haven't noticed the free time as such as been busy with visitors, but once a routine is established for this year will maybe fit in some time for the bushhouse and starting seedlings etc. rather than digging and weeding, I need to do that here as things have gotten out of control to a degree.

Astrology wise 2019 is a year of new beginnings, creative expression, and the start of a 7 year cycle, of forward movement. Well I will certainly do my best, especially also that our mortgage finishes in 2 weeks.  I look forward to this new year. What are your plans?


Happy New Year everyone, and my your dreams come true.

Till Next Time.

Saturday Was Friday

 Friday was supposed to be my washing day, everything, sheets, towels, clothing maybe 3 - 4 loads for the two of us, but I had to go and sit for 4 hrs. in front of KMart promoting the community garden, it was Market Day and we were invited along with other community-based and small traders.

Bit different stand this time. 

We sold all most $43 worth which is better than nothing but with 3 days notice not easy. Anyway back to the washing NOT DONE!!
By the time we got home it was nearly 2, a bite to eat, read the forum and now it is 4 and raining and cold so I lit the fire, so much for heavy cleaning day, well that is what Friday was, when  I was doing  Sidetracked Home Executive cards, lol seems to have stuck, one positive thought.

I  found them the other day, my cleaning cards, still haven't had a moment  though to look at them, but I have decided to start using them again to keep me on track, I really, really need too.

I was sitting in a family room, mess up to my eyeballs in junk. This is week 8 of the Grand Cleaning Plan I am doing with the Homemakers Forum, and 6 other rooms are clean of which I have locked the doors, OR Lightening will strike he who dares enter!!!!!...... but all the "miscellaneous" junk is here in front of me taking space looking like a version of hoarders. I have to sort it, find a spot, or put it with the other 8 boxes at the front door ready to go to goodwill, or my sisters garage sale, she wants it to make spending money for her holiday and figures I can give it to her instead, along with my sale day help, also.

My favorite cupboard between kitchen and family Room all clean.

Sat. then turned out to be Friday in the long run. Did 4 loads and hung it all out. Normally I just take the sheets off the line to remake the bed, but it has turned cloudy with a chance of rain, so I was forced to get more from the very full walk in linen press, although leaning from the doorway and reaching is all I could manage.

Arnotts Biscuit Tin Collection above the cupboard.

Then I went mad and vacuumed the whole house, and washed the floor. Just moved all those pesky to sort boxes out of the way, or dumped upwards on something. The phone rang and in my haste tripped over boxes and fell flat on my face, with phone in hand, rolled over and answered it. "This is Mr X I forgot the password to my computer your husband just picked up, so how are you today."
"I just fell over and lying on the floor thinking about broken bones." .... SILENCE..... poor guy... he finally asked " are you all right" and I was but I lay there in shock after I hung up, trying to remember said password so I could write it down.

My knees hurt in case your wondering, must have landed on them on a box, before I fell forward, and my wrist is sore. Luckily nothing broke, my bones border on the thin density line, hip being the thinnest.

Pea, Ham and Veg Crockpot Soup

Anyway after a sturdying coffee, sorted out the toilets, does any one do swish and wipe these days? Made the bed, found different towels, and a new mat. Then I really must have knocked my head because I put the crock pot on with some pea and ham soup, started some bread to rise, and  waiting for a whole of orange cake to bake, so I can take it tomorrow for morning tea at the community garden.

Feeling very clever because now I can find the appropriate cleaning cards and write the date that vacuuming and cleaning are done. Routine has BEGUN!!

Till Next time.

Front Garden Renovation Begins

Slowly and surely the garden is being transformed. We started on the part in front of the glasshouse, being the easiest and smallest area. John had to get crusher dust to re-lay the edging bricks.

Contemplating the next step

Channel dug and crusher dust being laid.

The two bricks high is wonderful for sitting and I am sifting the soil for nut grass and lumpy bits. The soil on this side especially the fence line wasn't the best as at one stage  it was our pathway to the front door. How things have changed over the years.

Digging up the plants

Considering what to do with the chilli on the left and waiting on the marigolds to seed.

The edging comes in one big, one medium and one small. The landscape salesman was very pleased when we came in with our order as someone had returned just the large ones so it was a relief for him that we bought them, and ordered the others as well.

New ones certainly stand out from the old.

I am thinking of getting a delivery of mushroom compost, when the time comes, as I read this was much better than vegetable mix, as most of it was bark. This means I can incorporate it along with some cow manure into the soil, which will give it a lot more body. Mushroom compost is made up of hay, and organic fertilizers, and although spent makes a great soil booster.

We put all the crusher dust in the first bed, space is very limited.

Progress to date.

The two tin oval beds will go on the left hand side edge. We just have to work  out how to lift them without having to dig  all the soil out.

Playing with the space again.

 Meanwhile we have started chipping away at the other side.

 Carrots going to seed.

 At the very front, before picture

As the beds from the nature strip to the edge is 1.2 metre wide including the bricks we have had to move what is there back slightly. This will make it easier to reach across and weed. Most of the plants are permanent, along the fence lines on this side, roses, dahlias, hippeastrums, azaleas, ferns.

Start of the channel.

We were hovering on making the wooden beds into wicking ones, but there can be a problem with a soil fungus due to humidity of keeping water in the bottom layer. The fungus once in the soil is extremely hard to get rid of, so in the end have decided against it. They are good in dry areas like Adelaide, but in a humid area I don't want to take the chance.

Up to the crusher dust being laid.

We cannot do much more till the other bricks turn up. Other than destroying the rest of the garden. One big problem is where to put all the dirt. I do not want to fill any beds without sifting first due to the nut grass. No where to put it all into one big pile either unless it is the driveway.

My 10yr. old Grandaughter in Sydney has started following my blog recently so a special hello to her. Show dad the progress Miss J. he doesn't know.

 Till next time stay safe and cool.

Goodbye 2017

The last week of the year for me is always a time of reflection on the year itself and a time to get organized for the next year. As I wrote on the forum I moderate for, in numerology 2017 was a year to break away from our comfort zones, and leap headfirst into new roles and circumstances, with plenty of challenges and opportunities, trailblazing and finding new directions. Well it certainly describes my year.

Happy moment with my sister waiting in line for the opening of the Kaiser Store.

 I am back home, from a fortnight in Sydney with all the family. John put in a new kitchen for our daughter, and helped make new garden beds for our 2nd. son. We spent time with all 8 grandchildren at once, skyped with our youngest daughter in America. Had 20 plus people for Christmas Lunch, went and saw Star Wars at the cinema, a family boxing day tradition. Celebrated our youngest son's birthday on the 27th Dec.  Not surprisingly  I have come back tired, not used to all the noise and going ons.

One big mess, typical of all the gardens

The garden is a mess, having rained several times followed by heat, but I am just leaving it till I regain a bit of strength. Next year it is undergoing a complete change.
I also have to still start organizing my garden to do list and vegetables to grow next year, hopefully a start date of March depends on how we go changing the garden.

Yellow flower is parsnips going to seed never had that happen before, white is perpetual leeks.

My planner this year is going to be the Happy Planner style. Even though I completely designed up planner pages for the forum I am not going to go with it. I have stickers, and left over pages to use up on this bigger style so downloaded a weekly one to print and have now put it all together. I am still sticking with my favorite organizing chart by weeks here 52 weeks to an Organized Home   that I have done now for 4 years.

Chose an undated one, and bit bigger than A5

 2018 will be a year of projects to finish, both the house, garden, and craft as I get older I am now looking at easier, and while I am still able get us there. Declutter is a big one, paying off the mortgage, a new car as mine is now 15 years old, and that is  just to start with. Hoping your plans for 2018 are coming together as well.

Happy New Year Everyone, and Happy Birthday to my Sister, it is on New Years Day, love you lots.


  Till Next Time.

Free Garden Planner

Well an other busy week has gone by in this neck of the woods. I was surprised to see our Azaleas out this week as I remember when being a wedding co-ordinator with a local Golf Club and where hundreds of Azaleas bloomed in the first 2 weeks of September, the most popular days of the year for booking early. July just seems a tad to early.

The daffodils are well on there way now and so bright and cheerful in the garden, as the odd one is scattered here and there, along with jonquils.

That triggered me to start looking at some more seeds to plant, plus the weather has been lovely and warm during the day, although cold at night. The soil is heating up nicely.

My wet seed table

Problem is there is just no more room on the seed table, so out will come the meat trays and I keep just a little water in the bottom. This eliminates having too check daily and the soil keeps moist for the seedlings to grow.

Years ago I made a tiny booklet using A4 paper, for what to plant indoors, direct and transplant in seedlings. Specifically for this area of sub tropical. Went through the Gardenate website and jotted it all down. I have been handing this out to the new growers at our community Garden so I thought I would put it on  here for those interested in making one.


Mini Year Long Garden Planner

Complete Book ready for stapling

Print it to A4 pages odd on first side the evens on reverse side. Cut in half and then fold in half. Sew together or staple.

Printed pages -  double sided

Cut and Read to put together.

I hope you enjoy using one of these. Keeping them every year with notes also helps you plan.

Till Next time.

Digging for Health and Happiness

Well it has now started officially our crowdfunding campaign. What a week. Interviews with the local paper and we got on the front page. Article in the Advocate

Interviews with the ABC and another photo for their facebook site, and booked in for 2AirFM next week, a local community radio in their gardening section.

Collection Tin

A huge day yesterday at the Sawtell Chilli Festival, talked our heads off and a little hoarse today. So tired last night. Collected $95 in loose change from the people in the street.

Window We Stood in Front of All Day

Then the normal monthly meeting at the grounds, which is the first time there, after having them in a hallway in a hall. 22 people turned up, with 6 new members and 4 garden beds rented. So a good start. Now hoping the campaign will take off as a little slow, and everything rides on getting  a pavilion.
I was a little worried all week, as we have had a bit of rain but the day turned out lovely.
With all the printing of handouts, blowing up balloons, and gathering everything it is a wonder I had anytime to myself. There is a donation emblem now thanks to our youngest daughter if you would like to help us.

Only took 2 weeks for this to happen

 It  was just wonderful to go out to the garden,when I found a spare minute, and plant the new peas I had been growing in the pots, .

New Snow Peas Planted

Finally planted the last rose as well a Peace climbing one.

Planted in the Corner of Front Fence.

Cleaned up a few areas.

Flower and bulb bed.

Rescued my metal bird under all the foliage, and found some more sweet potato hidden, It is what you get with a rambling vine, never know where it sets roots.

The Metal Bird

The end of the week and I am quite tired. Early night again, the weather has turned quite cold as well so enjoying sitting by the fire.

This week Photobucket which I use to upload quite a few photos from my tablet in organized files, so I can work on the PC easier have decided to ban 3rd party hosting which means any uploaded to this blog. A lot of bloggers are very angry, as  up to 14 years of photos have been banned without any warning, so excuse any non photos as I go through them and replace them all. Not going to pay the $400 to un-ban them.  Not an easy task after only two years.

Till next time

Do You Know Where Everything Is? - Free Printable

Do you know where everything is? Whether it is boxes under the bed, or bags of  wool, or material stuffed in the linen closet, preserves in the garage, presents at the top of the wardrobe, having an organised list is what you need.

This will take a bit of time to do but allocate one day a week to pull out these boxes giving them a label like Bedroom - Box 1, Box 2 etc. and jot down all that you have hidden under the bed. It helps to also label the box with a sticker on top or the side depending how you look at it. If you tell someone else "it's in box 3 under the bed",  they will instantly know once they get down on their knees, lol ,and look.

An organized Garage from Bellaorganizing

I am myself sorting items then packing what I want back into a box, eg. sewing items. The box is marked "sewing items" but really I need to know exactly what that means, this is especially true for knitting wool, knowing what colours are in the box is a great help, without having to pull it down from the top of the linen press in my case and looking.

Its not a new idea, Sidetrack Home Executives had a similar system using their card system. Each Card represented a box somewhere, where as I am using this A5 page to put in my planner.

By jotting down each item eg. camping equipment and checking the box with the list, you will instantly know if the torch is missing.

 
Use this free printable below and record what you need for finding items at a moments notice.
This sheet can also be used for projects on the go, mending to do, UFOs, anything that requires finding. Should you have lots in the boxes, just fill in the whole page ignoring the "Box No" except for the first one.

Some Storage Suggestions are:

Seasonal Clothing
 Party or Picnic Supplies
Old clothes that are Heirloom like a Christening Gown
Arts and Craft  Supplies
Small Camping Equipment.
Stuff that belongs to Children that have left home
Sports equipment or skiing Clothes
Christmas Decorations
Christmas Gifts Purchased through the year.
Gift wrapping Supplies (include scissors and tape)
Old Toys and Books
Childhood Memories
Knitting or Sewing Patterns
Assorted Tools ( never lose the hammer again)


A5 Storage Document - Free Printable

 
 If you have any ideas please let me know. I hope you find this helpful.

 Till next time.

Freezer Meals

I thought I would have a go at making Freezer Meals. I have seen quite a lot of information about how it saves time, when actually prepping for a meal at dinner time. So today even though it was 27C I made 20 meals, plus 3 of Chicken Kievs which I just divided up from a bulk pack.

Yesterday we went shopping and I bought:-

2 kgs. of mince
24 sausages
500 grms sausage mince
2.3 kgs of chicken breast
packet of bacon
2 kgs. of onions
6 pre made chicken Kiev
$5 packet of fresh mushrooms
Packet frozen puff pastry
Coconut Milk
Freezer bags
Extra Veg from the garden.

First thing I did was fill the laundry sink with hot soapy water. The laundry is right off the kitchen and the tub was very handy for washing frying pans, bowls, ladles  and my hands.

Then I cooked all the sausages, as all those meals just had a sauce added. Plus I did one for the crockpot, I  only browned them so that when they are heated up will all cook again.

Sausages and a Curry and Onion Sauce Started

In the end the sausages made 4 meals for the two of us.

With the mince I made two small meat loaves for either a roast or cold meat. Then 65 sausage rolls.

Rolling up the Sausage Roll Meat

Some with Poppy Seed and Others with Sesame Seed.

The Hot cooked chickens were cut in half and 3 halves, I froze, and the other we had for dinner with salad and chips. The chicken breasts, took the longest to make each meal, several curries, and  pasta sauce.
Most of these meals will be served with rice,  a couple can take pasta and also some with salad or hot vegetables.

Oven Prep for an Indian Curry.

I found the best way to fill the freezer bags was to put the hot food into a bowl first so as to cool off, then put it into a freezer bag, draped over a jug. Labels I did with my label machine hooked into the computer, that  the kids gave me for Christmas once. It is very handy.

Chicken and Cauliflower Alfredo Pasta Sauce.

Some of the meals were using pre-made sauces in a jar, or as paste that I added to. John is fond of buying them, even though most of the ingredients are in the garden, but  he never cooks them and I hate waste.

Filled Jug

The zip lock bags had a hanging device with them and luckily my cooking utensils are on a hook so found it very handy.

Freezer Bags are microwave safe.

Overall I was pleased with the amount I made, but found it quite tiring. I had planned to do a Tuna Mornay and some vegetable fritters with chickpeas and home grown veg, and some Tuna,feta and mint peas rissoles, but will do that another day, or make double when I do get around to them for a meal.

So in the end the meals were:-

2  x Curried sausages,
Tomato & Onion sausages for the crockpot 4 hrs cooking.
Malaysian Satay Sausage
6 meals of Sausage Rolls
2 Meat Loaves
3 x 1/2 roast chicken
Chicken and Cauliflower Alfredo pasta Sauce
Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom in  a Red Wine Sauce
Penang Chicken Curry
Butter Chicken Curry
Makhani Chicken Curry

A Days Work.

These will all keep at least 3 months, so when I have those tiring days, I will be set, just to thaw and heat and throw on some rice, pasta or make a salad.

Once frozen they will also be very handy for when we go camping.

I think I will go and put my feet up. Till next time.