Gone By .....so fast......

Where has that 10 weeks gone............ summer has been and gone............ and what have I achieved.......... not much for myself........... the heat........... how I hate the heat....... I actually hide from the heat.......... and this year, in reality, was a lot milder than previous years............ but I still hid from the heat - when I could.

 

 

lots of time spent with this little man

 

and this young lady - of to high school this year, turning 12 in a weeks time and spends way too much time looking at screens!!

 

the working men!

 

the little brother she doesn't have, and the big sister he doesn't have! - as usual this 'getting along' only lasts a short time just as if they were brother and sister, and they are looking for each other when the other isn't here!

 

heading out to feed the sheep after a day care - the grin is because he is going driving with pa-pa!

 

such an inquisitive little boy - loves sewing pins and sewing machines

 

 

the start of my mulching machines!

 

the first of the homes for the mulching machines. The plan is to have 3 of these moveable pens with chooks/chickens in them - move them each day and mulch with cardboard and straw as I move them - I just might get on top of this mulching drama and beat the weeds yet - at the very least I will have more eggs and fertilised ground! And yes I have put that pen together myself - in the 40 degree heat with the sticky flies as company!! Another one waiting to be done.

 

 

Summer - no feed on the ground

 

twice a day these are my best friends! - that is until the Lucerne hits the ground then I am forgotten - hopefully some temporary yards being put up today and the paddock sewn down tomorrow with some sort of green feed for them

 

Now this is what 'wasted space' looks like!! he terrorises the big horses, will have a 'testosterone battle' with any male of any sort and he doesn't even reach a metre in height - of no practical use what so ever - a typical 'little man syndrome' specimen!! And he doesn't even belong to anyone within these four wall - he is my DIL4's. Ah well he does give me a laugh when the big horses are galloping around the paddock and he is trying to keep up with them - an impossible task mind you - he meets them half way up the paddock on their return gallop!!

 

 

two of my other friends - we would be living in a jungle of grass and weeds without either of them. I don't mind sitting on the mower - good thinking time - great feeling when you look over the completed area. Not so in love with the mulching but it does give a feeling of accomplishment when an area is finished - hasn't happened a lot this year. Cooler weather now so maybe a little more will get done especially with the mulching machine chooks in action!

 

Early mornings and late afternoons have been spent watering, watering, watering - and there have been results.

 

flowers here and there which does make a mess look a little bit less of a mess.

Below you can see the fruit trees in a sea of damned roly poly - a burning job in April; 

the easiest thing to grow here are doing really well - cathead!!! just wish they were something that brings in hesps of money - I would be a millionaire!!! Self sown pumpkins - going great guns with very little care!

 

 

Back in January when I lost my mind for a few days (because there is no other reason that would make me do it) I actually bought trees and shrubs from a nursery that is closing down (great specials - less than half price) - they of course were root bound and in dire need of planting ot - but in the middle of our summer - jeez Kerrie where was your brain that day - left it at home did you. WELLL....... I planted them out, mulched them up and watered them every damned morning and GUESS WHAT - they have all survived - three cheers for me!! Now to just get them through the first winter and the frosts and they should be good!!

 

Crab Apples, Gingko tree and magnolias - yep my brain was replaced by rocks that day - but the magnolias are actually surviving well.

 

I gave up on the vegie garden - sad derelict site it is - starting to work on it now for the winter vegies; the basil however has done really well.

 

some preserving continued when I was hiding from the heat - gave up after a while as I had a year of failure - bottles were not sealing - I have enough to last me through until next year - hopefully will be better organised and set up and have more success next year!!

 

 

Yesterday was mum's 84th birthday ( and the Sydney harbour bridge's 84th birthday - thought you could do with a little bit of trivia). The photo above was from 2 years ago - she does love her ice cream and anything sweet! My sister and I took her to lunch at the local Leagues Club. She loves going somewhere for a meal. She has probably forgotten about it today but it was nice to spend the time with her. We see her everyday but 84 is special and we know we are fortunate to have her here with us still.

 

So that is where the last 10 weeks has gone - no craft or sewing, occasionally I have crocheted a row or two on my blankets - but nothing else creative. The weather has taken a turn to the cooler side which is wonderful - so although there are still busy times outside there will be more time to actually feel like doing some sewing etc.

 

I have been reading everyone's blog posts - but not commenting - I now have a new laptop and fancy schmancy internet thingy so hopefully that will encourage me to make more comments and posts - internet was so slow and computer would shut don for no reason except that it is old and had it.

 

Until later in the week when I do my next post - take care and have a fabulous week!!