Harvest

Finally took a couple of photos of some of my harvest. The yellow zucchinis have been growing so fast, that I have given away almost half of them. The other dozen or so onions are tied by their stalks in the corner of the kitchen. The silverbeet has been amazing - it just grew and grew and grew! We have been having lots of Spinach and Feta Pie for lunches here - Yummo!!!

Tonight I harvested my first ever crop of Peaches. 2 fell off last week and Andrew ate them before I could get to them, then I picked the other 5 tonight and put them in the fridge. I can't believe a little barely 2 foot high peach/nectarine mini tree could produce so many in it's first year??? Can't wait to see what it does next year.

It is so unreal to be able to grow your own fruit and veges. I have grown veges before but the fruit trees I planted in Queensland would only be baring fruit now for the lucky people that live in our old house. Hope the mangoes are yummy for them??

Thanks to Susan for her comments, you are one of my regular commenters!

Thank you to Kez for coming out of lurkdom - I have been to check out your blog, so I will comment on yours too soon!

QUOTE:
What lies behind us and what lies before us is insignificant compared to what lies within us.

And with that I am off to read some really cool scrapbooking books, my sweet friend Susy just popped in to lend me! Nighty night!

I wonder who you are??

Every time I log in to my blog I am amazed that the counter has gone up again. Yet there is often no comments. Who are you? Who are the people who read my little blog? Please take the time to tell me who you are. I really would like to know.

Thank you to Beverley for her words of wisdom regarding my to study or not problem? I think I will take another year to enjoy my boys and all that it entails before making any serious decisions.

QUOTE: Never let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

And so on that note I am going to continue to do what I can do!!

Tonight is planning night for Cub Scouts. The lovely Di is coming for dinner - Tacos - everyone's favourite! After which we shall dig into the books and come up with hopefully lots of fun activities for the kids to enjoy.

I really must get some photos to share with you..... tomorrow is another day!!

Told you....

that the quiet times were over! I haven't blogged since Sunday and here it is Wednesday already - what happened to Monday and Tuesday???

All that pottering in the garden was great for the garden but not for me! I have hurt my back and every now and again it grabs and ouch it hurts! I did shovel a trailer load of soil all by myself - didn't hurt then but still hurts now! Ok enough whining - I'll live.

QUOTE : After you have worked hard to get what you want take the time to enjoy it.

This is what I am doing in the garden, just sitting and enjoying, although a bit warmer here today so I have looked out through the window!

QUOTE: Nothing is so exhausting as indecision and nothing is so futile.

I have some decisions I need to make at the moment. One is.... do I go back to Uni for some more study. If I want to keep my registration as a teacher in Qld, I have to do some teaching or some study I think? It is all a bit unclear at the moment. Well I really can't do any teaching at the moment and still be home to do the school thing with the kids. SO no decision really is there - more study!! What will I study though?? More education - early childhood, literacy, special ed??? Arrgh someone tell me what to do??

QUOTE: You are as happy as you make up your mind to be.

Ok I am happy and I am off to do some scrapbooking!!!

Still pottering..

Yep went out to the garden and have been there for 2 days. Those weeds sure do grow when there is a little rain!!! I have been picking zucchini, onions, strawberries, peaches, blueberries and silverbeet. Then there will be a lull in the picking as I haven't anything much in that is due to fruit soon. Gotta do so much at the moment becasue things will get busy again real soon!

About to start again with Cub Scouts and Homeschool Get Togethers, that always fills in a day or 2 a week.

In about 10 days we are off to our annual beach holiday at Middleton. We will have 2 weeks away so I need to find people to care for the animals and garden for then. While we are away we will duck into Adelaide to collect Mum from the airport. She usually comes to stay for about a month, so there will be another trip to Adelaide in the middle of next month to return her.

Yep the quiet times are over!

Here is my quote for today:
I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it. -- W.C. Fields

My Gorgeous Friend

Susy sent me some very fine quotes this morning so I am putting up one of them today.

There is a time for many words, and there is also a time for sleep. Homer

I know lots of friends who are doing extra sleeping at the moment. I think it is because of the school holidays - they can sleep in! Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could use that extra sleep to get you through the busy times!!!

Speaking of friends - it is my bestest friend's birthday today! She turns 1 today - well they say life begins at 40 - so this year she is 1!! I spent over 2 hours on the phone to her - it was just like old times - nattering away about anything and everything! Some days I miss her so much! If you get to read this Vicki (she isn't very computer literate!!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

And on that note I am off to potter in the garden for an hour or so.

Community Service

I have done mine for this week. The Cancer Council Branch that I belong to, and am the Secretary for, does some catering. We are most often asked to cater for funerals. Today was one of those days. I was up early to bake some biscuits and then to the hall to set up the food, urns and tables. We served tea and coffee to over 130 people and then cleaned up the place after. All in all it was about 4 hours of work. The most amazing thing about the ladies that I do this with is that they are all busy women but go out of their way to do this for other people without a whinge. They would have to be the most selfless group of ladies I have ever known and I have been involved in a lot of organisations and volunteer groups. Anyway it was a sad occasion but cheerfully done!
This afternoon I have gotten the ball rolling to organise a school reunion for the class of 78. This is my Year 10 class from the little country school I went until I had to go to Boarding school for year 11 and 12. Some of these people I went to school with for 10 years and haven't seen since??? Won't that be interesting to meet up with them again? I am very much looking forward to it.
Found some very cool quotes on Ali Edwards' blog - hope she doesn't mind if I reproduce them? Heck she will never know will she?

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to be become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs

And for yesterday when I was too busy to blog.

And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. - Anais Nin

Ok, I am off to potter in the vege patch - hooroo as Don Burke would say!!

Just a quote

50 years from now,
it will not matter what kind of car you drove,
what kind of house you lived in,
how much you had in your bank account, or what your clothes looked like.
But the world may be a little better
because you were important in the life of a child.

My younger son had the simple pleasure of going to the movies with a friend, complete with some lollies and a drink. Thank you to Joseph for going with Daniel, he really enjoyed it.

And what did I do while I was free from having a child to care for? I went grocery shopping - how dumb am I?? I honestly could not think of anything I wanted to do without him. He is my almost constant companion as the bigger one doesn't need me as much. What will I do with myself when this one doen't need me as much??

Ok gotta go watch some Spongebob! See ya later.

Silly Sunday

There are holes in the sky
Where the rain gets in;
But they're ever so small
That's why rain is thin.
Spike Milligan

I had a quiet day again today. Did some more in the garden - love the cooler days, 25 instead of 40+.

Off to watch my new favourite show -"So who do you think you are?" on SBS. It traces the family tree of some famous people. Very interesting, sometimes emotional - makes me want to go back and do more on my family tree. Wonder if I have time to do that???

It is on - gotta go!!

And again

Yep I am back - twice in one day. Gotta keep up with the daily thing.

Today has been a nice quiet one. I did some shopping - fruit and veg, Target and the local vinnies. Best bargain was a pair of pj shorts for Gregory - not at Vinnies but at Target - when the girl scanned them they came up at 86 cents - she didn't even bat an eye!!! BARGAIN!!!

Then it was home to wash clothes and make lunch - more yummy nori rolls! Mmmm. my favourite at the moment!

2 of the boys went to the movies to see The Waterhorse. Was very good by all acounts!

Spent some time scrapping then some time in the vege patch digging and pulling up weeds. I am so impressed with the size of my peaches - I will have to take a photo!

Anyhoo some one else wants the computer - what's new??


I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap. -- Bob Hope

Ooops missed one.......

day of blogging that is. So here is the quote for Friday:

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury; and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable; and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasion, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
William Ellery Channing

I found it on Ali Edwards blog and couldn't not use it for my blog! Catch you later.

I've been scrapping!

I have completed a couple of layouts and finished a couple of mini albums. I can't share the little albums as they have too many other people in them. Don't want someone to get cranky at me blogging photos of their kids so you just get to see mine. The first is a Scraplift of Helen Williams, from her blog. It was lots of fun. Copying the lines and then colouring them in with watercolour pencils and adding the water to make them look like paint. It is obviously a photo of Gregory. Taken in November 2007.
The second one is a layout using the sketch of the month from Country Papercraft. I love to use sketches - it takes the hard work out I reckon. Thanks to Leonie for posting these sketch ideas. She is doing 2 a month if you want to join in, go to www.countrypapercaft.com.au and follow the links to the forum. The photo is of Daniel taken in November 2007.


My quote for today.......................
The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children. Elain Heffner.

As a mother, I have to say that being a mother is the hardest work I have ever had to do but the pay is so worth it!

I have an almost 14 year old son who still chooses to walk up and give his mother a hug any time of the day! I have a 10 and a half year old son who likes nothing better than to sit with his hot chocolate while I have my coffee and chat about his day, mostly about his latest Lego creation. These days are so precious to me, so I am taking it slow at the moment and enjoying them!!

Hope someone has hugged you today just because!!

Daylesford Album

Here is another photo I took while over at Daylesford in December last year. I have spent the day working on my mini album of our trip there. We were at a homeschool camp but I hardly saw the kids - they were off enjoying their friends' company while I enjoyed mine - so the album has lots of scenery shots.

Today's quote: Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. - Chili Davis.

Hope you all had time to play today?

A favourite

photo of mine at the moment is this one. I took it while we were in Daylesford. At the end of the Lake there is a old wooden bridge crossing the narrow stream. I have been thinking of making this one my background on my computer, especially in the heat of summer. Just looking at it makes me feel cool and quiet.

Speaking of quiet, that is the sort of day I have planned. Nothing major to do, just chill out and enjoy the day.

Today's quote fits the photo above.....

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

I have cool.......................

air but it is only about 25 outside anyway! It is supposed to be in the mid forties later in the week but I won't care 'cause my air con is fixed!!! Hurrah... hurrah... lots of happy dancing!!

Had a busy weekend. Spent a lovely girls day out on Saturday with Susy and Maria. We took off for Mount Gambier for the day. Visited 3 scrapping places and had a lovely lunch and afternoon tea. We scored some bargains - definitely a good day! What a way to spend the day, even if the car had a sheepy smell!! Thanks Susy!

Sunday was cool enough for housework so that is what I did - all day!!! Vacuuming, packing up Christmas stuff, mopping, washing, dusting, ironing - I now have a very clean tidy house and am allowed to do scrapbooking today - yayyeee. So back to it....

Quote:Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.

Children

This is a photo of my gorgeous big boy. He is almost 14 and is mostly a typical teenager. I find it very hard to get a decent phot of him. I caught him here while he was talking, after lunch on Christmas day.

Quote for today.
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men - Frederick Douglass 1817 - 1895

Only a quote today....

too dang hot to do anything else.

There are only two ways to live your life. One as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. Albert Einstein

With that thought I bid you good night.

A little bit naughty...

I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.' -- Eleanor Roosevelt

I love Eleanor Roosevelt's quotes she said some doozies!! She must have been an amazing woman!

Today is stinky hot - yep no air con man with the much anticipated part - they hope it will be here Monday - bloody better be!!!! Today only got to 39 not the predicted 40 - that is a blessing isn't it??? NOT!!!

A friend texted me and said they were coming through on their way to Adelaide - did we want to meet them at the swimming lake for a cool down before they went on their way. Most certainly I said! The breeze was cool enough and the shade thick enough for this fatty to sit and watch everyone else in the water - gotta lose some more weight so I am brave enough to venture out into the togs world! Anyway was lovely way to spend a couple of hours - came home to a late lunch and then lay down for a nana nap.

It was quite nice on the bed with the fan whirring - sleep..... not likely!! Decided to jump up and tidy Dan's Lego infested room. Put up the new shelves I had painted earlier in the week. He hates it when I say I am going to clean and tidy his room but after the inital whinge he joins in and helps me and is so happy in his tidy clean room after that we don't see him for days!! Well worth the effort of the cleaning on my part - a quiet happy kid - what more could a Mum want for??

I know a good coffee - finished that now too. Yum. I am so glad I bought Andrew a coffee machine for Christmas????

Okey Dokey gotta go revive the yard now and maybe splash myself as well. See ya tomorrow!

Three Out Of Three

days of blogging for the year - hurrah for me!

Have spent the day hoping that the air conditioner repairman would pull up out the front with the new part - it is going to be 40 again for the next 2 days!!! But no - haven't seen him! Poo Bum Wee - that means I'm gonna be awfully hot tomorrow!!!

Did some scrapbooking this morning - worked on my "Me Right Now" mini album for the local shop. Was enjoying myself for about 3 pages then did a crap one and stopped for the day!! Will share when it is completed.

Today's quote:
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury. -- Groucho Marx

An appropriate one for today - as Andrew and I have been married for 21 years today! I said last year -"you get less for murder!" Must be onto my 2nd consecutive term now!! LOL!!

Anyway hope you all had a great day - see ya tomorrow!

Happy Second Day of the Year

TODAY'S QUOTE : The cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good, spit it out.





It was pointed out to me that yesterday's quote was missing the fifth main food group - chocolate, so to rectify that the Irish Coffee has have chocolate sprinkled on top!!!





Yesterday we spent the day at the beach. It has been very hot here - 44 on Monday!!! We thought we had been transported back to Western Queensland. The best bit is that our brand new air conditioner went on the fritz last Saturday. The new part is still not here! Much cooler today though - only 30 - thank goodness!!





Anyway to get away from the heat off we went to Port Macdonnell. Yep it was cooler - about 25 and very windy. The only one who went for a swim was Daniel. I did stand in the water most of the time though - it was delicious!!

Windswept tussocks of grass on the foreshore.

Windswept dog, Pixie, on the beach.

Windswept Daniel playing in the sand.

And a perfectly happy seagull not fazed by the wind at all!!

And last but definitely not least -
Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law, Sheelagh.
Hope you had a lovely day! Pressie is on its way.

Happy New Year

Can you believe it - another year just beginning???

Lots of people talk of making resolutions.... I have been thinking about what mine could be but they are the same every year - have been for the last 20 years!!! Lose weight etc etc.

So I am not going to say them..... This year's resolution is to blog more! That's so easy becasue I haven't done a lot in 2007, so 2008 will be a breeze! LOL!!

I have been thinking of starting each blog with a quote - serious, funny or just plain silly.

So here is the one for today....

Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. -- Alex Levine

And with that I bid you all a Happy New Year. May it bring all you could wish for and more!