Helps if I spell it right.. ignore that last topic haha

It’s February and still waiting for the baby…

bluegreen said:

It’s February and still waiting for the baby…

Is he overdue then?

We’re celebrating the start of my daughters 2nd trimester. That she is even still pregnant is fantastic :)

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

It’s February and still waiting for the baby…

Is he overdue then?

We’re celebrating the start of my daughters 2nd trimester. That she is even still pregnant is fantastic :)

that’s great HP. Yes, he is overdue. Will be induced tomorrow if no show by then.

I didn’t mention that on my ride on Tuesday, I visited an amazing lookout called Powers Lookout. While riding some mountain twisties I was aware from the corner of my eye some amazing views but could not afford to take my eyes off the road, so when I saw the turnoff to this lookout I decided I would go and see what had been teasing me. There was a short walk down to the lookout and that was OK, but at the end of the walk there were some steep stairs to get to a rocky outcrop where the platform was. I thought, that doesn’t look too bad so proceeded. Well the stairs were more telling than first apparent as my legs have been sore and wobbly since. But I must say that the view was worth it. An almost 360^o^ view across a valley with the patchwork fields of farms below you. A camera would never be able to do it justice IMO. But my legs! My legs! I really need to do something about my fitness!

bluegreen said:

I didn’t mention that on my ride on Tuesday, I visited an amazing lookout called Powers Lookout. While riding some mountain twisties I was aware from the corner of my eye some amazing views but could not afford to take my eyes off the road, so when I saw the turnoff to this lookout I decided I would go and see what had been teasing me. There was a short walk down to the lookout and that was OK, but at the end of the walk there were some steep stairs to get to a rocky outcrop where the platform was. I thought, that doesn’t look too bad so proceeded. Well the stairs were more telling than first apparent as my legs have been sore and wobbly since. But I must say that the view was worth it. An almost 360^o^ view across a valley with the patchwork fields of farms below you. A camera would never be able to do it justice IMO. But my legs! My legs! I really need to do something about my fitness!

A camera could do it justice if one stitched a panorama from several shots. I would have loved to have taken my camera to work this morning as the most multi hued sunrise from pastel blues to scudding showers and it is just too hard to describe without a photo. All the best shots happen when the camera isn’t with you.

As for your legs, try working in a tree nursery for a while. The 6,000+ sit ups per day soon get your legs fit.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

I didn’t mention that on my ride on Tuesday, I visited an amazing lookout called Powers Lookout. While riding some mountain twisties I was aware from the corner of my eye some amazing views but could not afford to take my eyes off the road, so when I saw the turnoff to this lookout I decided I would go and see what had been teasing me. There was a short walk down to the lookout and that was OK, but at the end of the walk there were some steep stairs to get to a rocky outcrop where the platform was. I thought, that doesn’t look too bad so proceeded. Well the stairs were more telling than first apparent as my legs have been sore and wobbly since. But I must say that the view was worth it. An almost 360^o^ view across a valley with the patchwork fields of farms below you. A camera would never be able to do it justice IMO. But my legs! My legs! I really need to do something about my fitness!

A camera could do it justice if one stitched a panorama from several shots. I would have loved to have taken my camera to work this morning as the most multi hued sunrise from pastel blues to scudding showers and it is just too hard to describe without a photo. All the best shots happen when the camera isn’t with you.

As for your legs, try working in a tree nursery for a while. The 6,000+ sit ups per day soon get your legs fit.

or kill me! lol!

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

I bomb the house every now and then just to get rid of wildlife that hides behind pictures on walls and other nooks and crannies lol

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

I didn’t mention that on my ride on Tuesday, I visited an amazing lookout called Powers Lookout. While riding some mountain twisties I was aware from the corner of my eye some amazing views but could not afford to take my eyes off the road, so when I saw the turnoff to this lookout I decided I would go and see what had been teasing me. There was a short walk down to the lookout and that was OK, but at the end of the walk there were some steep stairs to get to a rocky outcrop where the platform was. I thought, that doesn’t look too bad so proceeded. Well the stairs were more telling than first apparent as my legs have been sore and wobbly since. But I must say that the view was worth it. An almost 360^o^ view across a valley with the patchwork fields of farms below you. A camera would never be able to do it justice IMO. But my legs! My legs! I really need to do something about my fitness!

A camera could do it justice if one stitched a panorama from several shots. I would have loved to have taken my camera to work this morning as the most multi hued sunrise from pastel blues to scudding showers and it is just too hard to describe without a photo. All the best shots happen when the camera isn’t with you.

As for your legs, try working in a tree nursery for a while. The 6,000+ sit ups per day soon get your legs fit.

or kill me! lol!

Yes, the work does take some getting used to but it does keep one rather fitter than not.

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

Buggerdammit!

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

It’s February and still waiting for the baby…

Is he overdue then?

We’re celebrating the start of my daughters 2nd trimester. That she is even still pregnant is fantastic :)

that’s great HP. Yes, he is overdue. Will be induced tomorrow if no show by then.

Love to hear new bubbies are happening.

Thee’s Estate said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

I bomb the house every now and then just to get rid of wildlife that hides behind pictures on walls and other nooks and crannies lol

We bomb our house too. The beauty of having a small house is that it is easily done.

Where has everybody been today? Pretty quiet in here – took me all of a minute to catch up…

I know I’m a late contributor today. Appointments in town started early in the day hence my late postings.

Not much news of any sort. The weather has improved so the outside jobs are being done.

We are using egg plant ATM. I am able to eat it if I drown it in bacon and parmesan and the like.

The garden is a bit bare of vegetables actually. The zucchini have rotted in the ground so they’re gone. Still have some revived leeks growing strongly. They were also victims of the dreaded echidna.

D is designing a whole new vegie area. Hopefully with less fences and less gates. He can’t dig up the whole area because somewhere under there is a wallaby carcase. I hope he knows exactly where it is.

hortfurball said:

Where has everybody been today? Pretty quiet in here – took me all of a minute to catch up…

It’s been a madhouse here. Met a lady from a recycling fb group. She is sooooo funny, had me in absolute stitches. We went to a cafe for a coffee and more laughs..my friend ordered for the both of us and being funny, said it was a blind date and she’d just met me. So the attendant thought we were a gay couple and started asking us questions. I couldn’t speak for gigging..

Chook patient medication time now. I’ve lined them up! hehe.

hortfurball said:

Where has everybody been today? Pretty quiet in here – took me all of a minute to catch up…

been to the induction of our new parish priest

Morning. I’ve been on the phone to a ‘talker’.. you dare ask how are they and they tell you..for hours! lol. I had to practically hang up on them.
Max has an appt’ at the vets to check his ear is healing, and it is.
Chooks all good too.. no sneezes or snuffles. yay :) One of the 3 week old baby chicks is a male and he was testing his authority by bullying the other chicks. The tiny bully was chasing the others and pecking their head feathers ..so I embarrased him. I held him upside down by the legs and showed him to the other chicks and held him like that for a moment. By doing they lose face and wont bully again.
I rule, and bullying is not allowed lol!

Happy Potter said:

Morning. I’ve been on the phone to a ‘talker’.. you dare ask how are they and they tell you..for hours! lol. I had to practically hang up on them.
Max has an appt’ at the vets to check his ear is healing, and it is.
Chooks all good too.. no sneezes or snuffles. yay :) One of the 3 week old baby chicks is a male and he was testing his authority by bullying the other chicks. The tiny bully was chasing the others and pecking their head feathers ..so I embarrased him. I held him upside down by the legs and showed him to the other chicks and held him like that for a moment. By doing they lose face and wont bully again.
I rule, and bullying is not allowed lol!

So that’s how you punish a chook. You shame him. I used to use that tactic with my kids. It worked too.

Things are a bit boring around here. More medical stuff to do today. I’m sure Dr. see me coming.

Our Philadendron saloom has fallen over. Well one trunk has. It’s now covering the path down the side of the house so it has to be removed. I’m going to see if we can dig it out and transplant it somewhere over near the gully. Lots of room and shelter over there.

pomolo said:

Things are a bit boring around here. More medical stuff to do today. I’m sure Dr. see me coming.

Our Philadendron saloom has fallen over. Well one trunk has. It’s now covering the path down the side of the house so it has to be removed. I’m going to see if we can dig it out and transplant it somewhere over near the gully. Lots of room and shelter over there.

wouldn’t it regrow from a section of it, rather than dig out the whole thing?

pomolo said:

I know I’m a late contributor today. Appointments in town started early in the day hence my late postings.

Not much news of any sort. The weather has improved so the outside jobs are being done.

We are using egg plant ATM. I am able to eat it if I drown it in bacon and parmesan and the like.

The garden is a bit bare of vegetables actually. The zucchini have rotted in the ground so they’re gone. Still have some revived leeks growing strongly. They were also victims of the dreaded echidna.

D is designing a whole new vegie area. Hopefully with less fences and less gates. He can’t dig up the whole area because somewhere under there is a wallaby carcase. I hope he knows exactly where it is.

The phrase “victims of the dreaded echidna” has given me the giggles :) I can imagine it as the title of a murder-mystery novel!

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

I know I’m a late contributor today. Appointments in town started early in the day hence my late postings.

Not much news of any sort. The weather has improved so the outside jobs are being done.

We are using egg plant ATM. I am able to eat it if I drown it in bacon and parmesan and the like.

The garden is a bit bare of vegetables actually. The zucchini have rotted in the ground so they’re gone. Still have some revived leeks growing strongly. They were also victims of the dreaded echidna.

D is designing a whole new vegie area. Hopefully with less fences and less gates. He can’t dig up the whole area because somewhere under there is a wallaby carcase. I hope he knows exactly where it is.

The phrase “victims of the dreaded echidna” has given me the giggles :) I can imagine it as the title of a murder-mystery novel!

send the story to Jessica Lange.

Just came across this local news story about a giant chicken egg (with another egg on the inside):

http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/videos/Is-this-Australias-largest-ever-chicken-egg/8911/

The link is to a video. They talk to this lady about her chickens and show her beautiful garden. She’s in the Perth hills – I wish we could recruit her here! :)

bon008 said:

Just came across this local news story about a giant chicken egg (with another egg on the inside):

http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/videos/Is-this-Australias-largest-ever-chicken-egg/8911/

The link is to a video. They talk to this lady about her chickens and show her beautiful garden. She’s in the Perth hills – I wish we could recruit her here! :)

I have seen another instance of this before. Poor chook!

Evening, another busy day. Max’s ear is fine, infection gone but a little inflammed so we’re onto the anti-inflammetry tab now.

I raided the garden for eggplants tomatoes capsicums thyme and basil, and with my garlic, I made ratatouille.The man had his as a side dish with meat, but I had some on crustry bread a la bruschetta. It was sooo yummy!

I also picked up a box of 8,800 labels for $10. Now to label everything LOL

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Things are a bit boring around here. More medical stuff to do today. I’m sure Dr. see me coming.

Our Philadendron saloom has fallen over. Well one trunk has. It’s now covering the path down the side of the house so it has to be removed. I’m going to see if we can dig it out and transplant it somewhere over near the gully. Lots of room and shelter over there.

wouldn’t it regrow from a section of it, rather than dig out the whole thing?

We are only going to remove the fallen section BG. It will be relocated but the main plant will grow on where it is.

bon008 said:

pomolo said:

I know I’m a late contributor today. Appointments in town started early in the day hence my late postings.

Not much news of any sort. The weather has improved so the outside jobs are being done.

We are using egg plant ATM. I am able to eat it if I drown it in bacon and parmesan and the like.

The garden is a bit bare of vegetables actually. The zucchini have rotted in the ground so they’re gone. Still have some revived leeks growing strongly. They were also victims of the dreaded echidna.

D is designing a whole new vegie area. Hopefully with less fences and less gates. He can’t dig up the whole area because somewhere under there is a wallaby carcase. I hope he knows exactly where it is.

The phrase “victims of the dreaded echidna” has given me the giggles :) I can imagine it as the title of a murder-mystery novel!

There almost was a murder. That little blighter gave us such a run around. We couldn’t figure out just what was causing the havoc in the gardens and what could possibly be digging such big holes. We never knew that echidnas loved to dig for worms and other earth critters. We believed they existed on ants. Wrong! How could we have lived for 60years and not known that? Well we know it now and so do you all.

bon008 said:

Just came across this local news story about a giant chicken egg (with another egg on the inside):

http://www.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/videos/Is-this-Australias-largest-ever-chicken-egg/8911/

The link is to a video. They talk to this lady about her chickens and show her beautiful garden. She’s in the Perth hills – I wish we could recruit her here! :)

Well that was a first for me.

Happy Potter said:

Evening, another busy day. Max’s ear is fine, infection gone but a little inflammed so we’re onto the anti-inflammetry tab now.

I raided the garden for eggplants tomatoes capsicums thyme and basil, and with my garlic, I made ratatouille.The man had his as a side dish with meat, but I had some on crustry bread a la bruschetta. It was sooo yummy!

I also picked up a box of 8,800 labels for $10. Now to label everything LOL

OK! I’ll ask. What on earth are you going to do with 8,800 labels? I know you’ll have a perfectly legitimate reason but I’d love to know what it is because I can’t even imagine. LOL.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Evening, another busy day. Max’s ear is fine, infection gone but a little inflammed so we’re onto the anti-inflammetry tab now.

I raided the garden for eggplants tomatoes capsicums thyme and basil, and with my garlic, I made ratatouille.The man had his as a side dish with meat, but I had some on crustry bread a la bruschetta. It was sooo yummy!

I also picked up a box of 8,800 labels for $10. Now to label everything LOL

OK! I’ll ask. What on earth are you going to do with 8,800 labels? I know you’ll have a perfectly legitimate reason but I’d love to know what it is because I can’t even imagine. LOL.

Jams sauces cordials freezer containers, ect. .. names of people at my vege swap that I cannot remember… I have pin sleeves to pop the sticker in, so no losing it lol.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Evening, another busy day. Max’s ear is fine, infection gone but a little inflammed so we’re onto the anti-inflammetry tab now.

I raided the garden for eggplants tomatoes capsicums thyme and basil, and with my garlic, I made ratatouille.The man had his as a side dish with meat, but I had some on crustry bread a la bruschetta. It was sooo yummy!
I also picked up a box of 8,800 labels for $10. Now to label everything LOL n

OK! I’ll ask. What on earth are you going to do with 8,800 labels? I know you’ll have a perfectly legitimate reason but I’d love to know what it is because I can’t even imagine. LOL.

Jams sauces cordials freezer containers, ect. .. names of people at my vege swap that I cannot remember… I have pin sleeves to pop the sticker in, so no losing it lol.

Warning – don’t go near HP or you’ll be labelled!

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

We had them recently, took two bombing attempts to get them out of the house. The whole town went crazy with them and I sprayed our yard as well as all our neighbours to get rid of them. Had to use Fortune 500 because the infestation was so bad, if you stood still for half a minute in my back yard you would literally be crawling with the biters.

shellbell said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

We had them recently, took two bombing attempts to get them out of the house. The whole town went crazy with them and I sprayed our yard as well as all our neighbours to get rid of them. Had to use Fortune 500 because the infestation was so bad, if you stood still for half a minute in my back yard you would literally be crawling with the biters.

Oh that sucks :( We are still ‘gearing up’ tossing old things, old dog wool blankets ect and we sprayd the inside of the house and between mattresses and robes with a surface spray to halt them temporarily. We don’t have carpet.
How do you spray the yard and what about fruit tree beds and vege beds? I don’t want to harm the good bugs either. Argh.

Happy Potter said:

shellbell said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

We had them recently, took two bombing attempts to get them out of the house. The whole town went crazy with them and I sprayed our yard as well as all our neighbours to get rid of them. Had to use Fortune 500 because the infestation was so bad, if you stood still for half a minute in my back yard you would literally be crawling with the biters.

Oh that sucks :( We are still ‘gearing up’ tossing old things, old dog wool blankets ect and we sprayd the inside of the house and between mattresses and robes with a surface spray to halt them temporarily. We don’t have carpet.
How do you spray the yard and what about fruit tree beds and vege beds? I don’t want to harm the good bugs either. Argh.

Whats Fortune 500? All the search came up with was lists of rich people.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

shellbell said:

We had them recently, took two bombing attempts to get them out of the house. The whole town went crazy with them and I sprayed our yard as well as all our neighbours to get rid of them. Had to use Fortune 500 because the infestation was so bad, if you stood still for half a minute in my back yard you would literally be crawling with the biters.

Use Eucalyptus oil.. also use garlic&chilli spray recipe alternatively.

Oh that sucks :( We are still ‘gearing up’ tossing old things, old dog wool blankets ect and we sprayd the inside of the house and between mattresses and robes with a surface spray to halt them temporarily. We don’t have carpet.
How do you spray the yard and what about fruit tree beds and vege beds? I don’t want to harm the good bugs either. Argh.

Whats Fortune 500? All the search came up with was lists of rich people.

Morning. A very normal Saturday is happening here and we don’t have to go anywhere for appointments. I’ve been jabbed, poked and prodded, xrayed and scanned most days during the week and I’m over it.

It’s a sort of sunny day. Off and on kinda. D is out there doing the last bits of mowing and I’m doing very little. Picked the last pawpaw for this season. It’s only a baby in size but I bet it tastes beautiful. Because new paw paw trees have popped up everywhere we should have a bumper crop next year. Providing the winter doesn’t turn too nasty. I picked a handful of beans and pulled one last white onion earlier this morning. The yakon is still going strong. I feared all the wet we’ve had might do it in but it’s still standing.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Evening, another busy day. Max’s ear is fine, infection gone but a little inflammed so we’re onto the anti-inflammetry tab now.

I raided the garden for eggplants tomatoes capsicums thyme and basil, and with my garlic, I made ratatouille.The man had his as a side dish with meat, but I had some on crustry bread a la bruschetta. It was sooo yummy!

I also picked up a box of 8,800 labels for $10. Now to label everything LOL

OK! I’ll ask. What on earth are you going to do with 8,800 labels? I know you’ll have a perfectly legitimate reason but I’d love to know what it is because I can’t even imagine. LOL.

Jams sauces cordials freezer containers, ect. .. names of people at my vege swap that I cannot remember… I have pin sleeves to pop the sticker in, so no losing it lol.

I knew I shouldn’t have asked. LOL.

shellbell said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. We have fleas. ARGHHHHHHHH!
The dog doesn’t, the chooks don’t.. they’re clean, just us people! most of us have bites and it isn’t mozzies, nor mites. Whats that saying.. if you lay down with dogs you get fleas..
That’s it.. tomorrow beds and bedding and wardrobes and house are going to get the treatment. We will make sure no gas pilot lights are on….don’t need that big of a bomb, lol.

We had them recently, took two bombing attempts to get them out of the house. The whole town went crazy with them and I sprayed our yard as well as all our neighbours to get rid of them. Had to use Fortune 500 because the infestation was so bad, if you stood still for half a minute in my back yard you would literally be crawling with the biters.

We’ve been through the flea thing too but we won the battle eventually.

Happy Potter said:

Happy Potter said:

shellbell said:

We had them recently, took two bombing attempts to get them out of the house. The whole town went crazy with them and I sprayed our yard as well as all our neighbours to get rid of them. Had to use Fortune 500 because the infestation was so bad, if you stood still for half a minute in my back yard you would literally be crawling with the biters.

Oh that sucks :( We are still ‘gearing up’ tossing old things, old dog wool blankets ect and we sprayd the inside of the house and between mattresses and robes with a surface spray to halt them temporarily. We don’t have carpet.
How do you spray the yard and what about fruit tree beds and vege beds? I don’t want to harm the good bugs either. Argh.

Whats Fortune 500? All the search came up with was lists of rich people.

I bet Pomolo was on that list. :)

I seem to be rather sporadic in my posting lately. I am still here, but between work and watering (we had a grand total of 17mm in January, 11 of them on one day) the days seem a bit short.

This morning was a lovely 13 degrees when I got up about 6.30am and since then I have watered (surprise, surprise!), mowed (lots of gumleaves, a little grass, mulch mower) and tended some of the veggies and stuff. Dogs have been for a walk too. And I’ve done some cleaning. So this afternoon I will read and sleep, as it is heading up over 30 degrees now.

I took a photo of one of my experimental ‘mixed up’ beds this morning.

That is a blueberry on the left, which went down to about an inch of stick and then decided to emulate Lazarus. On the right is sweetcorn, interplanted with cornflowers for colour and picking, and with zucchini in the middle for ground cover. And then feral tomatoes popped up, so I have thinned them to just a few and I’ll let them grow too. I reckon that I will pick the corn and then the stalks will hold the tomato plants up until they are finished. I have not started picking tomatoes yet, but most years it’s a late start to the picking and a late finish. I have still picked in May some years.

pomolo said:

Morning. A very normal Saturday is happening here and we don’t have to go anywhere for appointments. I’ve been jabbed, poked and prodded, xrayed and scanned most days during the week and I’m over it.

It’s a sort of sunny day. Off and on kinda. D is out there doing the last bits of mowing and I’m doing very little. Picked the last pawpaw for this season. It’s only a baby in size but I bet it tastes beautiful. Because new paw paw trees have popped up everywhere we should have a bumper crop next year. Providing the winter doesn’t turn too nasty. I picked a handful of beans and pulled one last white onion earlier this morning. The yakon is still going strong. I feared all the wet we’ve had might do it in but it’s still standing.

Yacon will survive anything and re sprout. Where I dropped a little tuber it’s growing. But take the tubers out and it won’t grow back. I have 5 plants going and they are all great. Some get watered and some get only rainfall.

Thanks for the flea info.. apparently apple cider vinegar sprayed about will kill them too. I’ll do that for my mattress and couch. I can get some chilli’s and I will make a spray for the back yard.
Cheers

It’s so dry here the nature strip is brown crunchy grass. I have watered the veges and fruits enough and the lawn with grey water. We’re supposed to get some rain tomorrow.. fingers crossed.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Morning. A very normal Saturday is happening here and we don’t have to go anywhere for appointments. I’ve been jabbed, poked and prodded, xrayed and scanned most days during the week and I’m over it.

It’s a sort of sunny day. Off and on kinda. D is out there doing the last bits of mowing and I’m doing very little. Picked the last pawpaw for this season. It’s only a baby in size but I bet it tastes beautiful. Because new paw paw trees have popped up everywhere we should have a bumper crop next year. Providing the winter doesn’t turn too nasty. I picked a handful of beans and pulled one last white onion earlier this morning. The yakon is still going strong. I feared all the wet we’ve had might do it in but it’s still standing.

Yacon will survive anything and re sprout. Where I dropped a little tuber it’s growing. But take the tubers out and it won’t grow back. I have 5 plants going and they are all great. Some get watered and some get only rainfall.

I’m all ready for the yakon tasting and the replanting of the tubers.

Happy Potter said:

It’s so dry here the nature strip is brown crunchy grass. I have watered the veges and fruits enough and the lawn with grey water. We’re supposed to get some rain tomorrow.. fingers crossed.

I’ll cross mine for you too. Just so long as we don’t get any for a while.

Have a happy Saturday night.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

OK! I’ll ask. What on earth are you going to do with 8,800 labels? I know you’ll have a perfectly legitimate reason but I’d love to know what it is because I can’t even imagine. LOL.

Jams sauces cordials freezer containers, ect. .. names of people at my vege swap that I cannot remember… I have pin sleeves to pop the sticker in, so no losing it lol.

I knew I shouldn’t have asked. LOL.

50 dozen homebrew – lol.

justin said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Jams sauces cordials freezer containers, ect. .. names of people at my vege swap that I cannot remember… I have pin sleeves to pop the sticker in, so no losing it lol.

I knew I shouldn’t have asked. LOL.

50 dozen homebrew – lol.

they have been handy indeed for labelling food containers for GS.

Morning, a coolish week ahead. But with the cool change came only 3.8 mm of rain. I will continue my watering regime.

We’re getting on top of the flea problem finally, at least inside, no new bites on anyone. The bedding and couch got sprayed with a flea and egg stopper surface spray, and all skirting boards. The couch will also get a steam clean later in the week.
The gale winds yesty flattened a few things and I will re tie caps and toms. The tall silverbeet was flattened but will stand back up with a good feed and watering.

Re chooks.. the silkies are very entertaining. In the past week both mum chooks have been pinching each others chicks.. until there was a complete turnaround and each were looking after the others full broods.
Lin Lins single older chick Lucky is pretty well much on her own now though and she prefers to hang out with Daisy, the D’Uccle. They look so funny waddling about together. Hendrix is a real gentleman rooster looking after them all well and has stopped any squabbles. Lin Lin is his fav gal and she is getting fat eating his share.

Just a check in. Visitors arriving as I type.

pomolo said:

Just a check in. Visitors arriving as I type.

My unexpected visitors just left, more coming to see me later. I’m trying to do housework lol.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Just a check in. Visitors arriving as I type.

My unexpected visitors just left, more coming to see me later. I’m trying to do housework lol.

I did a bit of HW before my visitors arrived too. Can’t let them think we live in squallor.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Just a check in. Visitors arriving as I type.

My unexpected visitors just left, more coming to see me later. I’m trying to do housework lol.

I did a bit of HW before my visitors arrived too. Can’t let them think we live in squallor.

I didn’t get far with the housework at all. We had left overs for tea and then I made 9 litres of lemon cordial, dug up 11 kilos of spuds and Le Le is due home any time with a 10 kg box of limes from the market….

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

My unexpected visitors just left, more coming to see me later. I’m trying to do housework lol.

I did a bit of HW before my visitors arrived too. Can’t let them think we live in squallor.

I didn’t get far with the housework at all. We had left overs for tea and then I made 9 litres of lemon cordial, dug up 11 kilos of spuds and Le Le is due home any time with a 10 kg box of limes from the market….

Are you serious?

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

I did a bit of HW before my visitors arrived too. Can’t let them think we live in squallor.

I didn’t get far with the housework at all. We had left overs for tea and then I made 9 litres of lemon cordial, dug up 11 kilos of spuds and Le Le is due home any time with a 10 kg box of limes from the market….

Are you serious?

Yep. And now I smell like limes. I lerve the smell of limes on my hands. I sat and grated the rind from about 9-10 into a 350 ml container and then juiced them and poured the juice in with the rind and they’re in the freezer. Times 7 containers. It’s getting late and the juicer machine is too noisy for young sleeping, early risers, so I will finish them tomorrow.

Happy Potter said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

I didn’t get far with the housework at all. We had left overs for tea and then I made 9 litres of lemon cordial, dug up 11 kilos of spuds and Le Le is due home any time with a 10 kg box of limes from the market….

Are you serious?

Yep. And now I smell like limes. I lerve the smell of limes on my hands. I sat and grated the rind from about 9-10 into a 350 ml container and then juiced them and poured the juice in with the rind and they’re in the freezer. Times 7 containers. It’s getting late and the juicer machine is too noisy for young sleeping, early risers, so I will finish them tomorrow.

Are you hosting a dinner party for fifty?

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

hortfurball said:

Are you serious?

Yep. And now I smell like limes. I lerve the smell of limes on my hands. I sat and grated the rind from about 9-10 into a 350 ml container and then juiced them and poured the juice in with the rind and they’re in the freezer. Times 7 containers. It’s getting late and the juicer machine is too noisy for young sleeping, early risers, so I will finish them tomorrow.

Are you hosting a dinner party for fifty?

Hehe..just making cordials for the family and some close friends.. and this time it will last longer because kids aren’t allowed to take extra bottles to work to give to co-workers as they were doing, and didn’t they moan and groan when it ran out! They each take a water bottle of it to work. The man especially loves it. And juice for making lime curd for tarts and cake fillings, and sometimes on my morning toast :)
Busy tomorrow but then resting for a few days. I’m going to a lady’s in Gordon in a week or so (near Ballarat) to raid the fruit from 42 lillypilly trees! I’ll probably come back purple. I don’t climb ladders so what’s in my reach I will collect.

Well, at least one of us is up and alive. It’s only Tuesday so you can’t all be tired out and ready for the w/e yet.

It’s my day at the Centre and that’s a bit ordinary

Possibly going away for the week end. #1 daughter is competing in another triathalon and she wants us to be spectators. How could we rufuse? I depends on whether we can get the dog into the kennels overnight.

Hoping for a slightly cooler day. Yesterday was a killer. Rain is on the way for tomorrow. I suppose a few showers won’t hurt. We don’t need much though. 2 Abulilons have turned up their toes because the ground is still so wet from a couple of weeks ago. Michelia champaca doesn’t like it too wet either but the weeds love it.

pomolo said:

Well, at least one of us is up and alive. It’s only Tuesday so you can’t all be tired out and ready for the w/e yet.

It’s my day at the Centre and that’s a bit ordinary

Possibly going away for the week end. #1 daughter is competing in another triathalon and she wants us to be spectators. How could we rufuse? I depends on whether we can get the dog into the kennels overnight.

Hoping for a slightly cooler day. Yesterday was a killer. Rain is on the way for tomorrow. I suppose a few showers won’t hurt. We don’t need much though. 2 Abulilons have turned up their toes because the ground is still so wet from a couple of weeks ago. Michelia champaca doesn’t like it too wet either but the weeds love it.

Looks like we may lose some chiles because of the wet ground. Only one solution, build the soil up higher for better drainage.

Got the day off, so a looong weekend pour moi!

Hi Pom I’m still alive just busy, lol..
Sick rooster, again! I’ve been advised by a bird vet on what dose of the antibiotic to give him.. seems I wasn’t giving him enough before. So it double dose now by twice a day. If he doesn’t come good within 3 days his heads on the chopping block. I couldn’t get hold of a crop feeder syringe thingo, but managed to get the whole dose of medicaton into him with a dropper. He’s separated again.

Oh and I have a stalker.. a real fair dinkum 200 very nasty text messages stalker. But don’t worry he won’t be doing that again. I’m not alone either, there’s several people he’s been abusing. We have banded and made a complaint to the authorities. He was warned.
It’s all quiet again.

I have limes to finish juicing :)

waste not, want not…

Watermelon Rind Jam

pain master said:

pomolo said:

Well, at least one of us is up and alive. It’s only Tuesday so you can’t all be tired out and ready for the w/e yet.

It’s my day at the Centre and that’s a bit ordinary

Possibly going away for the week end. #1 daughter is competing in another triathalon and she wants us to be spectators. How could we rufuse? I depends on whether we can get the dog into the kennels overnight.

Hoping for a slightly cooler day. Yesterday was a killer. Rain is on the way for tomorrow. I suppose a few showers won’t hurt. We don’t need much though. 2 Abulilons have turned up their toes because the ground is still so wet from a couple of weeks ago. Michelia champaca doesn’t like it too wet either but the weeds love it.

Looks like we may lose some chiles because of the wet ground. Only one solution, build the soil up higher for better drainage.

Got the day off, so a looong weekend pour moi!

That’s an ‘ell of a long weekend if it starts on Tuesday!

Happy Potter said:

Hi Pom I’m still alive just busy, lol..
Sick rooster, again! I’ve been advised by a bird vet on what dose of the antibiotic to give him.. seems I wasn’t giving him enough before. So it double dose now by twice a day. If he doesn’t come good within 3 days his heads on the chopping block. I couldn’t get hold of a crop feeder syringe thingo, but managed to get the whole dose of medicaton into him with a dropper. He’s separated again.

Oh and I have a stalker.. a real fair dinkum 200 very nasty text messages stalker. But don’t worry he won’t be doing that again. I’m not alone either, there’s several people he’s been abusing. We have banded and made a complaint to the authorities. He was warned.
It’s all quiet again.

I have limes to finish juicing :)

Hope took took makes it. Stalkers by text??? How low can people go? I really worry for the future world.

Happy Potter said:

Oh and I have a stalker.. a real fair dinkum 200 very nasty text messages stalker. But don’t worry he won’t be doing that again. I’m not alone either, there’s several people he’s been abusing. We have banded and made a complaint to the authorities. He was warned.
It’s all quiet again.

Where did he come from? How did he find you? And how did you find the other people he was stalking?

pomolo said:

pain master said:

pomolo said:

Well, at least one of us is up and alive. It’s only Tuesday so you can’t all be tired out and ready for the w/e yet.

It’s my day at the Centre and that’s a bit ordinary

Possibly going away for the week end. #1 daughter is competing in another triathalon and she wants us to be spectators. How could we rufuse? I depends on whether we can get the dog into the kennels overnight.

Hoping for a slightly cooler day. Yesterday was a killer. Rain is on the way for tomorrow. I suppose a few showers won’t hurt. We don’t need much though. 2 Abulilons have turned up their toes because the ground is still so wet from a couple of weeks ago. Michelia champaca doesn’t like it too wet either but the weeds love it.

Looks like we may lose some chiles because of the wet ground. Only one solution, build the soil up higher for better drainage.

Got the day off, so a looong weekend pour moi!

That’s an ‘ell of a long weekend if it starts on Tuesday!

no it started on Saturday. I had Monday off too.

pain master said:

pomolo said:

pain master said:

Looks like we may lose some chiles because of the wet ground. Only one solution, build the soil up higher for better drainage.

Got the day off, so a looong weekend pour moi!

That’s an ‘ell of a long weekend if it starts on Tuesday!

no it started on Saturday. I had Monday off too.

I never had a job like that when I worked.

good morning, got CWA today then down to Melbourne to cuddle my grandson some more :)

what does the cwa actually do ?

trichome said:

what does the cwa actually do ?

they have lots of meetings! lol!

country Australia focused, they fundraise through various activities, support the country folk, lobby the govt. and keep old ladies off the streets!

the money raised go to disaster relief like the floods and various charities.

More here

pomolo said:

pain master said:

pomolo said:

That’s an ‘ell of a long weekend if it starts on Tuesday!

no it started on Saturday. I had Monday off too.

I never had a job like that when I worked.

got today off too.

will make an appearance tomorrow.

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Oh and I have a stalker.. a real fair dinkum 200 very nasty text messages stalker. But don’t worry he won’t be doing that again. I’m not alone either, there’s several people he’s been abusing. We have banded and made a complaint to the authorities. He was warned.
It’s all quiet again.

Where did he come from? How did he find you? And how did you find the other people he was stalking?

Good grief:(

thanks for that, i new it was more than tea and scones but didn’t know what exactly :)

Lucky1 said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Oh and I have a stalker.. a real fair dinkum 200 very nasty text messages stalker. But don’t worry he won’t be doing that again. I’m not alone either, there’s several people he’s been abusing. We have banded and made a complaint to the authorities. He was warned.
It’s all quiet again.

Where did he come from? How did he find you? And how did you find the other people he was stalking?

Good grief:(

Oh didn’t see this post. Just catching up..
met through my vege swap, and at first I thought I was the only recipient of the nasty messages and the man told him to back off. So he did. But then someone else made a comment about him not being present and another person replied that was great news.. and I heard the comment. We chatted about it and seems we all copped it from this one person.
Then he resurfaced as one of the people had a go at him. We don’t even know what started him off.. he has some perception problem.
But it’s all sorted now and he wont worry anyone again.

Happy Potter said:

But it’s all sorted now and he wont worry anyone again.

OK, who else envisaged a bunch of lady gardeners in sensible hats burying a body down the back of the garden?? It would have to be by the fruit trees, of course – not sanitary near root vegies!!

Busy busy day.. where was that rest I was going to get………….
Well it’s only me and youngest daughter for tea, so we are going out to at. We will find something good. Perhaps a paella between us, hmm.

bon008 said:

Happy Potter said:

But it’s all sorted now and he wont worry anyone again.

OK, who else envisaged a bunch of lady gardeners in sensible hats burying a body down the back of the garden?? It would have to be by the fruit trees, of course – not sanitary near root vegies!!

Hahahaha!!
We know about lime and what it does too ;)

Happy Potter said:

Busy busy day.. where was that rest I was going to get………….
Well it’s only me and youngest daughter for tea, so we are going out to at. We will find something good. Perhaps a paella between us, hmm.

Eat, even

I’m a stalker, I stalk the abc forums and this one too. ;)

roughbarked said:

I’m a stalker, I stalk the abc forums and this one too. ;)

Not enough blood an bone on you LOL

I didn’t have a stalker but I did have a rather scary obscene phone caller, when I was in my late teens or early twenties.:(

It must have been someone local because he only ever called when I was on my own, and he wouldn’t hang up so the connection wasn’t broken and if I picked up the phone to get help he would still be there laughing at me.

Telstra put some special diversion on our number so that it had to go through an operator and the caller had to identify themselves. He still got through!!!!

Mum rang them to see who he’d said he was but they wouldn’t tell us. They handle these things themselves.

He eventually stopped calling but at the time I was so glad I owned a very protective German shepherd.

And there was the time that a local brothel had a phone number only one didget different to MrBLs and mine.

They put an ad in the paper who then misprinted the phone number so it ended up as ours.

A couple nights of very disturbed sleep and we took the phone off the hook. LOL

Our friends all thought it was hilarious.

Bubba Louie said:

I didn’t have a stalker but I did have a rather scary obscene phone caller, when I was in my late teens or early twenties.:(

It must have been someone local because he only ever called when I was on my own, and he wouldn’t hang up so the connection wasn’t broken and if I picked up the phone to get help he would still be there laughing at me.

Telstra put some special diversion on our number so that it had to go through an operator and the caller had to identify themselves. He still got through!!!!

Mum rang them to see who he’d said he was but they wouldn’t tell us. They handle these things themselves.

He eventually stopped calling but at the time I was so glad I owned a very protective German shepherd.

Bloody hell, that would have been so scary.

I’m not scared of this little twerp.

Bubba Louie said:

And there was the time that a local brothel had a phone number only one didget different to MrBLs and mine.

They put an ad in the paper who then misprinted the phone number so it ended up as ours.

A couple nights of very disturbed sleep and we took the phone off the hook. LOL

Our friends all thought it was hilarious.

We have a similar number to a high school and sometimes get calls for them. Including irate parents ringing demanding to speak to Mr or Mrs So and So. Gees I’ve had some fun with that LOL

trichome said:

what does the cwa actually do ?

I’ll ask one too. What does a School of Arts do?

pomolo said:

I’m a bit upset because the blue Fescue, that we planted around my plinth, is dying I think. Has to be from too much water but it’s probably too late to shift them. They really set the plinth off well and I loved the look. Will rethink the whole setting if I have to go and buy new fescue. The plinth was my BD present last year and I have always wanted one and I just love the ridiculous word.

How about changing to Mondo or liriope?
Mondo grass would probably be more forgiving of wet feet, and it won’t die in the dry months with a little supplementary watering. Blue Fescue likes hot, dry summers and wet winters. It thrives in Perth (except in extreme heat) but your tropical conditions would be the reverse of what it likes.

If you particularly want a fine blue grass, Poa ‘Kingsdale’ might fit the bill. It’s native, and looks almost identical to blue fescue.
Or there’s Dianella ‘Cassa Blue’, which has thicker more strap-like leaves.

bon008 said:

Happy Potter said:

But it’s all sorted now and he wont worry anyone again.

OK, who else envisaged a bunch of lady gardeners in sensible hats burying a body down the back of the garden?? It would have to be by the fruit trees, of course – not sanitary near root vegies!!

ROFL! Glad my housemate’s out so there was noone around to hear me laughing at my computer just now…

Bubba Louie said:

I didn’t have a stalker but I did have a rather scary obscene phone caller, when I was in my late teens or early twenties.:(

It must have been someone local because he only ever called when I was on my own, and he wouldn’t hang up so the connection wasn’t broken and if I picked up the phone to get help he would still be there laughing at me.

Telstra put some special diversion on our number so that it had to go through an operator and the caller had to identify themselves. He still got through!!!!

Mum rang them to see who he’d said he was but they wouldn’t tell us. They handle these things themselves.

He eventually stopped calling but at the time I was so glad I owned a very protective German shepherd.

Wow, how freaky! That must have been a bit concerning (deliberate understatement)

Happy Potter said:

I’m not scared of this little twerp.

Not now that he’s 6 feet under and limed, LOL!

Happy Potter said:

We have a similar number to a high school and sometimes get calls for them. Including irate parents ringing demanding to speak to Mr or Mrs So and So. Gees I’ve had some fun with that LOL

My number is similar to a primary school on the other side of the city. I often get calls for them (presumably from parents), and they sound so confused when I tell them they’ve called the wrong number, like they can’t possibly have done, as they’ve called so often before…anyway, I’ve got it short and sweet now:“You dialled ****, you want to dial ****”

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

I’m not scared of this little twerp.

Not now that he’s 6 feet under and limed, LOL!

LMAO! spat my cuppa out of my nose!

hortfurball said:

pomolo said:

I’m a bit upset because the blue Fescue, that we planted around my plinth, is dying I think. Has to be from too much water but it’s probably too late to shift them. They really set the plinth off well and I loved the look. Will rethink the whole setting if I have to go and buy new fescue. The plinth was my BD present last year and I have always wanted one and I just love the ridiculous word.

How about changing to Mondo or liriope?
Mondo grass would probably be more forgiving of wet feet, and it won’t die in the dry months with a little supplementary watering. Blue Fescue likes hot, dry summers and wet winters. It thrives in Perth (except in extreme heat) but your tropical conditions would be the reverse of what it likes.

If you particularly want a fine blue grass, Poa ‘Kingsdale’ might fit the bill. It’s native, and looks almost identical to blue fescue.
Or there’s Dianella ‘Cassa Blue’, which has thicker more strap-like leaves.

Thanks for the interest HFB. Mondo we already have here and there. Same with liriope. Dianella must be native to our area because if pops up everywhere. Our fescue has done really well till all the rain happened and as our nurseries sell it I figure there is a fair chance it can be grown here if it’s high and dry. The Poa that you mentioned (I had a look on images)is too tall for what I want but it would be very suitable for another little project we have in mind. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hitting the coast today. Playing “tourist” for a few hours. You can get away with heaps if you’re a tourist.

Sun is back but it’s not going to be as hot. Humidity is still high.

Gotta get some weeding done today while the ground is still wet, but will probably end up playing in the puddles instead. Anyone for mud pies?

Happy Potter said:

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

I’m not scared of this little twerp.

Not now that he’s 6 feet under and limed, LOL!

LMAO! spat my cuppa out of my nose!

Yeh, that had me giggling away at my desk – luckily I wasn’t sipping tea at the time!!! :)

If the skies are clear at your place go outside and take a look at the big, fat, silvery moon. It’ll fix what ails you.

Morning. I’m off with friends op shopping and factory outlet browsing for the day. I don’t feel like going out but I promised them I would come.
The internet is finally back on after going out yest’ evening. Some big optus outage, it’s rare for this to happen with them.
And a silkie died on me. My fav buff silkie Golda. I was using a dropper to get antibiotics into her and it went down the wrong way. I stopped of course and let her cough and sneeze for a while, but then her head went down and her eyes closed :(
Don’t I feel like a heel. The 2 others I’m medicating are fine.
I had tears dropping for a chook.

Back later.

I’m back and had a lovely visit with my daughter and son-in-law and grandson but the trip didn’t quite go to plan. I took the bike down this time as everything had been running smoothly up till now but on the way it suddenly died. At first it seemed like a fuel problem as I had the RACV come (after having to add it to the membership over the phone) and he put more fuel in it and it started up again. Riding down the road again and suddenly it lost power and got slower and slower till I pulled over and this time I could smell hot oil and there was oil sprayed all over the back of the bike and the rear tyre. Rang the RACV again and I was closer to Seymour so had to wait for someone to come out with a flat top truck. It was after dark by the time they came and SIL had offered to pick me up so he was heading up from Melbourne while my bike was loaded on the truck and we arrived at the depot about the same time. The bike got left at the depot (locked in the workshop) and we headed back to Melbourne after a bite at Maccas. I left home about 4.30pm with an ETA of about 6:45pm but didn’t get there until 11:30pm. Didn’t sleep well that night but had a lovely day the next day. Because I didn’t have transport anymore I came home by train this morning instead of riding back this evening.

Train left on time and I got in a bit of a snooze on the way. My friend met me at the station and did a few errands before bringing me home. I asked if she wanted to go for a drive to Seymour with me and she said yes so she came back later and we went to the mechanic’s to collect the trailer and tie downs he offered to lend me and we had a nice chat while driving to Seymour and back. At Seymour the fellows at the depot loaded the bike on the trailer for me and then I took it back to the
mechanic’s. He turned it over with the starter motor and said there is no compression, so it is something like the rings or even a hole in a piston or something and that meant the crankcase was getting pressurised which is what caused the oil to blow out the breather box and all over the back of the bike. He is not sure when he will be able to look at it and I am going to have to save up a bit more money to pay him anyway so I am without my bike again :(

Just in case you are wondering the engine was done by my ex and not this mechanic so we know who’s fault it is!

Happy Potter said:

I had tears dropping for a chook.

that’s nothing. I was screaming and bawling my eyes out when l lost my ducks :(

bluegreen said:

I’m back and had a lovely visit with my daughter and son-in-law and grandson but the trip didn’t quite go to plan. I took the bike down this time as everything had been running smoothly up till now but on the way it suddenly died. At first it seemed like a fuel problem as I had the RACV come (after having to add it to the membership over the phone) and he put more fuel in it and it started up again. Riding down the road again and suddenly it lost power and got slower and slower till I pulled over and this time I could smell hot oil and there was oil sprayed all over the back of the bike and the rear tyre. Rang the RACV again and I was closer to Seymour so had to wait for someone to come out with a flat top truck. It was after dark by the time they came and SIL had offered to pick me up so he was heading up from Melbourne while my bike was loaded on the truck and we arrived at the depot about the same time. The bike got left at the depot (locked in the workshop) and we headed back to Melbourne after a bite at Maccas. I left home about 4.30pm with an ETA of about 6:45pm but didn’t get there until 11:30pm. Didn’t sleep well that night but had a lovely day the next day. Because I didn’t have transport anymore I came home by train this morning instead of riding back this evening.

Train left on time and I got in a bit of a snooze on the way. My friend met me at the station and did a few errands before bringing me home. I asked if she wanted to go for a drive to Seymour with me and she said yes so she came back later and we went to the mechanic’s to collect the trailer and tie downs he offered to lend me and we had a nice chat while driving to Seymour and back. At Seymour the fellows at the depot loaded the bike on the trailer for me and then I took it back to the
mechanic’s. He turned it over with the starter motor and said there is no compression, so it is something like the rings or even a hole in a piston or something and that meant the crankcase was getting pressurised which is what caused the oil to blow out the breather box and all over the back of the bike. He is not sure when he will be able to look at it and I am going to have to save up a bit more money to pay him anyway so I am without my bike again :(

Just in case you are wondering the engine was done by my ex and not this mechanic so we know who’s fault it is!

Your poor bike! Sorry to hear it is not well…

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I had tears dropping for a chook.

that’s nothing. I was screaming and bawling my eyes out when l lost my ducks :(

Still sad. Her chicks are looking for her but the man said they spent the day following the rooster about.

How are your ducks going ?

Home finally and I’m stuffed, my feet are killing me. We walked for half the day. I got some bargains though, inc’ a near new double breasted cashmere coat for $9.
It’ll be an early night for me.

Sorry to hear about your bike BG. I hope it’s not too long before it’s on the road again.

Happy Potter said:

Morning. I’m off with friends op shopping and factory outlet browsing for the day. I don’t feel like going out but I promised them I would come.
The internet is finally back on after going out yest’ evening. Some big optus outage, it’s rare for this to happen with them.
And a silkie died on me. My fav buff silkie Golda. I was using a dropper to get antibiotics into her and it went down the wrong way. I stopped of course and let her cough and sneeze for a while, but then her head went down and her eyes closed :(
Don’t I feel like a heel. The 2 others I’m medicating are fine.
I had tears dropping for a chook.

Back later.

Awww. Poor Golda.

bluegreen said:

I’m back and had a lovely visit with my daughter and son-in-law and grandson but the trip didn’t quite go to plan. I took the bike down this time as everything had been running smoothly up till now but on the way it suddenly died. At first it seemed like a fuel problem as I had the RACV come (after having to add it to the membership over the phone) and he put more fuel in it and it started up again. Riding down the road again and suddenly it lost power and got slower and slower till I pulled over and this time I could smell hot oil and there was oil sprayed all over the back of the bike and the rear tyre. Rang the RACV again and I was closer to Seymour so had to wait for someone to come out with a flat top truck. It was after dark by the time they came and SIL had offered to pick me up so he was heading up from Melbourne while my bike was loaded on the truck and we arrived at the depot about the same time. The bike got left at the depot (locked in the workshop) and we headed back to Melbourne after a bite at Maccas. I left home about 4.30pm with an ETA of about 6:45pm but didn’t get there until 11:30pm. Didn’t sleep well that night but had a lovely day the next day. Because I didn’t have transport anymore I came home by train this morning instead of riding back this evening.

Train left on time and I got in a bit of a snooze on the way. My friend met me at the station and did a few errands before bringing me home. I asked if she wanted to go for a drive to Seymour with me and she said yes so she came back later and we went to the mechanic’s to collect the trailer and tie downs he offered to lend me and we had a nice chat while driving to Seymour and back. At Seymour the fellows at the depot loaded the bike on the trailer for me and then I took it back to the
mechanic’s. He turned it over with the starter motor and said there is no compression, so it is something like the rings or even a hole in a piston or something and that meant the crankcase was getting pressurised which is what caused the oil to blow out the breather box and all over the back of the bike. He is not sure when he will be able to look at it and I am going to have to save up a bit more money to pay him anyway so I am without my bike again :(

Just in case you are wondering the engine was done by my ex and not this mechanic so we know who’s fault it is!

I wouldn’t like the thought of being stuck out on the road. Glad you you made it safely.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I had tears dropping for a chook.

that’s nothing. I was screaming and bawling my eyes out when l lost my ducks :(

Even if they aren’t pets I can get upset. We had a dead Plover in the yard the other day. Not a mark on it but I wonder why it died. I suppose they do grow till old age sometimes.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

I had tears dropping for a chook.

that’s nothing. I was screaming and bawling my eyes out when l lost my ducks :(

Still sad. Her chicks are looking for her but the man said they spent the day following the rooster about.

How are your ducks going ?

the new ones have settled in very well thank you :)

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

that’s nothing. I was screaming and bawling my eyes out when l lost my ducks :(

Still sad. Her chicks are looking for her but the man said they spent the day following the rooster about.

How are your ducks going ?

the new ones have settled in very well thank you :)

Good to hear :)

Saloom got cut back today. Have a huge trunk with roots to replant over near the gully. D cleaned it all up and now we can get along the path better than ever. I hosed the path this arvo and it all looks lovely. Only the one job done today but had to wait till the sting went out of the sun.

Hello. We seem to have had quite a bit or rain, BOM weather observation station reports notwithstanding. They say we haven’t had rain. Indeed we have…quite a bit of the driveway gravel has migrated to the gate end, and our driveway is almost, but not quite, flat. And there are ‘waves’ of leafy debris in the backyard. But as I didn’t get home until 8.35pm, it will have to wait until tomorrow for me to examine the area more.

Walking and gardening planned for tomorrow, although I think the first job might be tidying up that driveway with the metal rake.

bluegreen said:

I’m back and had a lovely visit with my daughter and son-in-law and grandson but the trip didn’t quite go to plan. I took the bike down this time as everything had been running smoothly up till now but on the way it suddenly died. At first it seemed like a fuel problem as I had the RACV come (after having to add it to the membership over the phone) and he put more fuel in it and it started up again. Riding down the road again and suddenly it lost power and got slower and slower till I pulled over and this time I could smell hot oil and there was oil sprayed all over the back of the bike and the rear tyre. Rang the RACV again and I was closer to Seymour so had to wait for someone to come out with a flat top truck. It was after dark by the time they came and SIL had offered to pick me up so he was heading up from Melbourne while my bike was loaded on the truck and we arrived at the depot about the same time. The bike got left at the depot (locked in the workshop) and we headed back to Melbourne after a bite at Maccas. I left home about 4.30pm with an ETA of about 6:45pm but didn’t get there until 11:30pm. Didn’t sleep well that night but had a lovely day the next day. Because I didn’t have transport anymore I came home by train this morning instead of riding back this evening.

Train left on time and I got in a bit of a snooze on the way. My friend met me at the station and did a few errands before bringing me home. I asked if she wanted to go for a drive to Seymour with me and she said yes so she came back later and we went to the mechanic’s to collect the trailer and tie downs he offered to lend me and we had a nice chat while driving to Seymour and back. At Seymour the fellows at the depot loaded the bike on the trailer for me and then I took it back to the
mechanic’s. He turned it over with the starter motor and said there is no compression, so it is something like the rings or even a hole in a piston or something and that meant the crankcase was getting pressurised which is what caused the oil to blow out the breather box and all over the back of the bike. He is not sure when he will be able to look at it and I am going to have to save up a bit more money to pay him anyway so I am without my bike again :(

Just in case you are wondering the engine was done by my ex and not this mechanic so we know who’s fault it is!

Obviously something was not checked properly or overlooked. It only takes one weak point to cause a chain reaction in an internal combustion engine.

buffy said:

Hello. We seem to have had quite a bit or rain, BOM weather observation station reports notwithstanding. They say we haven’t had rain. Indeed we have…quite a bit of the driveway gravel has migrated to the gate end, and our driveway is almost, but not quite, flat. And there are ‘waves’ of leafy debris in the backyard. But as I didn’t get home until 8.35pm, it will have to wait until tomorrow for me to examine the area more.

Walking and gardening planned for tomorrow, although I think the first job might be tidying up that driveway with the metal rake.

Must have been a heavy downpour. Very nice whatever way it comes.

Yes I’m here. Thick fog earlier on and now it’s sunny. Storms predicted for this afternoon. Maybe. Maybe not.

I picked a basket full of passionfruit yesterday. They look beautiful so I will be defleshing them today. Always try to have some passionfruit pulp in my freezer. It’s handy to add to different sweets. The vine is having another flush of flowers so hopefully I can repeat the pulping again in a little while.

I am still struggling along with my one rhubarb plant. I have to decide whether to get some more crowns or just give up altogether. One plant isn’t enough to be of any use.

Time to find some brekky then it’s the ironing. What fun!

I’ve had to go nuclear on the weeds. We both put in time and a serious effort simply pulling and chipping away, but last weekend’s rain and the hot sun all week has meant every weed and his dog have appeared, so the poison came out late last night when the ducks were in bed, and early this morning in areas where they will not go today. I don’t like doing it, but I was fighting a losing battle.

No rain here expected until Wed or Thursday, but that is okay, we still have puddles, but they are slowly drying up. I ran over a snake with the lawn mower during the week. I felt bad about that, it wasn’t an aggressive poisonous snake and it was a good size for its breed. I saw him last weekend sunning himself on the road and I thought he wouldn’t last long out there…

GF is adding another feather to her cap, she has purchased some framing tools and some mats and mouldings and is now framing her own work. That will improve her profit margin. She has been selling a few pieces since last July and has a solo exhibition coming up in May. While she says it is a joint exhibition with myself, I will purely be adding just a few photographs, and GF can be the star of the show. I need not pursue the dreams of an artist, and besides photography to me is not art, to me, its all about capturing a moment. Just freezing some time and turning a 3D thing into a image. To me it is more science then creativity.

pain master said:

GF is adding another feather to her cap, she has purchased some framing tools and some mats and mouldings and is now framing her own work. That will improve her profit margin. She has been selling a few pieces since last July and has a solo exhibition coming up in May. While she says it is a joint exhibition with myself, I will purely be adding just a few photographs, and GF can be the star of the show. I need not pursue the dreams of an artist, and besides photography to me is not art, to me, its all about capturing a moment. Just freezing some time and turning a 3D thing into a image. To me it is more science then creativity.

go GF!

Just because you see your photography as science, that doesn’t mean the results don’t appeal as art.

bluegreen said:

pain master said:

GF is adding another feather to her cap, she has purchased some framing tools and some mats and mouldings and is now framing her own work. That will improve her profit margin. She has been selling a few pieces since last July and has a solo exhibition coming up in May. While she says it is a joint exhibition with myself, I will purely be adding just a few photographs, and GF can be the star of the show. I need not pursue the dreams of an artist, and besides photography to me is not art, to me, its all about capturing a moment. Just freezing some time and turning a 3D thing into a image. To me it is more science then creativity.

go GF!

Just because you see your photography as science, that doesn’t mean the results don’t appeal as art.

I am really stubborn on this one. And on some photography websites, I may have peeved a few people off. I think I have a sound argument. But I understand what you are saying, and I too have my photographs (and others) hanging on my wall as I would a painting.

pain master said:

bluegreen said:

pain master said:

GF is adding another feather to her cap, she has purchased some framing tools and some mats and mouldings and is now framing her own work. That will improve her profit margin. She has been selling a few pieces since last July and has a solo exhibition coming up in May. While she says it is a joint exhibition with myself, I will purely be adding just a few photographs, and GF can be the star of the show. I need not pursue the dreams of an artist, and besides photography to me is not art, to me, its all about capturing a moment. Just freezing some time and turning a 3D thing into a image. To me it is more science then creativity.

go GF!

Just because you see your photography as science, that doesn’t mean the results don’t appeal as art.

I am really stubborn on this one. And on some photography websites, I may have peeved a few people off. I think I have a sound argument. But I understand what you are saying, and I too have my photographs (and others) hanging on my wall as I would a painting.

I get what you mean. It’s a passion.

So, now I’ve checked the gauge in daylight….55mm, some drowned spiders and some gunge. Nice. I’ve raked the gravel back from the gate, so you can swing the gates open again properly now. And I’ve cleared out the stormwater outlet….we don’t actually have gutters or even a table drain here, our stormwater off the roof (what doesn’t go into the water tanks) runs out a pipe in front of the house, over the road and into the local gardens. I have built up a little ephemeral stream garden with some rocks there to break up the flow so we don’t develop a canyon. But it does collect leaves from the deciduous trees in the park. And I hadn’t cleared them for a while.

Still around, PM?

I posted those parcels of clothes this morning :)

bon008 said:

Still around, PM?

I posted those parcels of clothes this morning :)

Oh cool! Hope it wasn’t crazy expensive for you! But the good news is that they will go to some wonderful people who need it more then your typical Australian Op-shopper.

Morning. I’m out for the day at the Heritage Orchard for our Budding Day. We’re having a cake stall to raise funds for gardening tools and I went to town baking. I’m up to my neck in coconut ice, mini rock cakes and cake pops. All gift wrapped in cellophane with an ingredients label and all neatly packed in a stackable slice trays.
I will stay as long as I can, but my spinal arth’ is playing up so I won’t be running about too much. It really is one thing that stops me in my tracks.

The creature from the pumpkin vine hasn’t revisited it overnight. It was raining so there’s a clue. Me’s thinking mice now, except they’re not eating the fruit… They have some lovely gormet bait anyway.

Happy Potter said:

Morning. I’m out for the day at the Heritage Orchard for our Budding Day. We’re having a cake stall to raise funds for gardening tools and I went to town baking. I’m up to my neck in coconut ice, mini rock cakes and cake pops. All gift wrapped in cellophane with an ingredients label and all neatly packed in a stackable slice trays.
I will stay as long as I can, but my spinal arth’ is playing up so I won’t be running about too much. It really is one thing that stops me in my tracks.

The creature from the pumpkin vine hasn’t revisited it overnight. It was raining so there’s a clue. Me’s thinking mice now, except they’re not eating the fruit… They have some lovely gormet bait anyway.

saw your picks and that looks like what those big slugs are capable off !!!

Thee’s Estate said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. I’m out for the day at the Heritage Orchard for our Budding Day. We’re having a cake stall to raise funds for gardening tools and I went to town baking. I’m up to my neck in coconut ice, mini rock cakes and cake pops. All gift wrapped in cellophane with an ingredients label and all neatly packed in a stackable slice trays.
I will stay as long as I can, but my spinal arth’ is playing up so I won’t be running about too much. It really is one thing that stops me in my tracks.

The creature from the pumpkin vine hasn’t revisited it overnight. It was raining so there’s a clue. Me’s thinking mice now, except they’re not eating the fruit… They have some lovely gormet bait anyway.

saw your picks and that looks like what those big slugs are capable off !!!

Slugs leave tracks.

Arvo all,
I have spent the last few days sorting out my neglected garden. It’s looking a lot better, free of weeds and pruned and trimmed. Just got the hedge to clip and the raspberries to prune and I can have a break from it. Everything in pots has either been repotted or top dressed and I’m glad I finished that, it’s a rotten job.
We got quite a bit of rain too, which was very timely, thankyou Huey!

Orchid40 said:

Everything in pots has either been repotted or top dressed and I’m glad I finished that, it’s a rotten job.

par for course here.

not rotten at all.

Orchid40 said:

Arvo all,
I have spent the last few days sorting out my neglected garden. It’s looking a lot better, free of weeds and pruned and trimmed. Just got the hedge to clip and the raspberries to prune and I can have a break from it. Everything in pots has either been repotted or top dressed and I’m glad I finished that, it’s a rotten job.
We got quite a bit of rain too, which was very timely, thankyou Huey!

All the rain missed me over the past few days , oh well maybe next time around ?

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

Everything in pots has either been repotted or top dressed and I’m glad I finished that, it’s a rotten job.

par for course here.

not rotten at all.

helps keep the tuck shop arms in order LOL

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

Everything in pots has either been repotted or top dressed and I’m glad I finished that, it’s a rotten job.

par for course here.

not rotten at all.

It’s alright for you young things who are still used to hard work! LOL

Evening all :) What a day, busy busy. My little cash box on the orchard table filled in no time from selling trees, bud grafting fees and refreshments.. I have to get a bigger cash box!
I got to sit in the shade with an easy job just chatting to some very interesting people and I had a ball :D

I’ve finally finished medicating the chooks that were sick or starting to get so, mainly adults, and they are looking much brighter.

I’ve just picked a load from the garden and some huge tomatoes and eggplants. There’s calls for ratatouille again so I will make a batch and freeze some of it. Soon.
Drs appointment tomorrow re my back. I’d say I’m in for an updated xray and/or scan and see whats happening with my spinal prob. I can’t fully straighten up or my leg goes numb and tingly but painful at the same time. Never had that before. I think they’ll forever be putting my poor ole bod back together. Thank God for good docs.
I didn’t get much sleep last night for pain but I was too sleepy to get up for panadol, it was like I was dreaming it. Cuppa tea then hit the pillow and lights out for me, with mild pain meds.

hope they can sort out your back HP. Sounds like some inflammation on a nerve or something there.

Orchid40 said:

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

Everything in pots has either been repotted or top dressed and I’m glad I finished that, it’s a rotten job.

par for course here.

not rotten at all.

It’s alright for you young things who are still used to hard work! LOL

I’m 59 years young and still do 6,000 sit-ups per day on average.. amongst a lot of other exercise.

the bunya nuts are dropping again. last year I collected some, went through the extensive process of peeling the fleshy part off the shell, boiling them up and then removing the woody shell, only to find they were hollow! No kernels! I have picked up one so far this year and the first thing I did was make sure there are kernels and there are, so now I can find out if they are worth all the trouble. I was out watering this morning and a car stopped and they picked up another two cones. Damn! Missed out on those ones!

pain master said:

bon008 said:

Still around, PM?

I posted those parcels of clothes this morning :)

Oh cool! Hope it wasn’t crazy expensive for you! But the good news is that they will go to some wonderful people who need it more then your typical Australian Op-shopper.

Less than I expected, actually :) Really glad I finally got it done – that’s one less pile of stuff in the house, and one more patch of clear floor!

Arvo. I had to wait until I got a new keyboard to get online. A couple keys and num keys didn’t work. There’s no stopping me now. I got a haircut while I was out.. feels sooo much cooler. The man is busy making an area for silkie chooks behind the mosaic shed. It’s perfect and will keep them dry. If it ever rains again lol. He’s going to put a door on the side of the shed at the mini orchard end so they can hang out under those trees for shade :)
He hasn’t much work at the moment, so doing a few things about the place that I would have otherwise done.

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

ouch!

Hi all. The Pomolos are home again. Had a lovely sleep over at Bribie Island. Saw the triathelon runners sweating it out. Darned if I can understand why they do it.

There was an inch in the rain guage when we arrived home. A storm passed over through the night apparently. We’ve just had another on this arvo and there is another on it’s way. Fortunately we happened to miss the hail and the really serious winds but don’t know how this one coming will shape up. All sorts of warnings on BoM. No need for hosing for a few days anyway.

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

You at it again HP?

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

roughbarked said:

par for course here.

not rotten at all.

It’s alright for you young things who are still used to hard work! LOL

I’m 59 years young and still do 6,000 sit-ups per day on average.. amongst a lot of other exercise.

Well you’re 13 years younger than me! I remember having boundless energy that long ago. That’s an awful lot of sit ups too!

Orchid40 said:

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

It’s alright for you young things who are still used to hard work! LOL

I’m 59 years young and still do 6,000 sit-ups per day on average.. amongst a lot of other exercise.

Well you’re 13 years younger than me! I remember having boundless energy that long ago. That’s an awful lot of sit ups too!

Gosh. I never did even 1 sit up when I was a teenager.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

You at it again HP?

Yep! but not unexpected as I was told years ago this will prolly happen. Just that I expected I’d be nearer age 70, not 55. O well. My back is the only place that doesn’t have a surgical scar.

I have some easy jobs to get on with for now. I’m organising an April Fruit Day for the orchard for the 1st of the 4th. This is gunna be fun :)
And dealing with people who have strange beliefs.
I picked a big bunch of parsley for a friend who asked for some for a pesto recipe and I wrapped it up a la flower bouquet. This upset an older Maltese vege swap member who said to give parsley in such a manner is bad luck. Unless I ask for money in return, or freeze the parsley. So when I gave it to her she gave me a tenner. Older member now happier.
I’m not Maltese, nor is the girl. I will slip it back to her on sat at the swap. Shh lol.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

You at it again HP?

HP, the “Six Million Dollar Woman”.

Bubba Louie said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

You at it again HP?

HP, the “Six Million Dollar Woman”.

Hehe.
That’s what it’s gunna cost.

The creature from the pumpkin vine has been found. I snuck out the back with a torch and came eye ball to eyeball with a possum. It scared the utter crap out of me..those huge eyes! I stepped back in fright and stood on a big snail. Nearly had a heart attack! LOL.
I’m so glad I didn’t let Max out with me. It thundered across the neighbours shed and dissapeared. I have plenty of old bird netting so I will get the man to help me net the vines tomorrow.

I s’pose it will start on the apples then! lol!

Orchid40 said:

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

It’s alright for you young things who are still used to hard work! LOL

I’m 59 years young and still do 6,000 sit-ups per day on average.. amongst a lot of other exercise.

Well you’re 13 years younger than me! I remember having boundless energy that long ago. That’s an awful lot of sit ups too!

My last boss is exactly 13 years my senior. It is only this year that he has started to slow down enough for me to keep up.

Happy Potter said:

dealing with people who have strange beliefs.
I picked a big bunch of parsley for a friend who asked for some for a pesto recipe and I wrapped it up a la flower bouquet. This upset an older Maltese vege swap member who said to give parsley in such a manner is bad luck. Unless I ask for money in return, or freeze the parsley. So when I gave it to her she gave me a tenner. Older member now happier.
I’m not Maltese, nor is the girl. I will slip it back to her on sat at the swap. Shh lol.

it is also very unlucky to transplant parsley.

My pesto recipe contains no parsley, by the way.

Happy Potter said:

The creature from the pumpkin vine has been found. I snuck out the back with a torch and came eye ball to eyeball with a possum. It scared the utter crap out of me..those huge eyes! I stepped back in fright and stood on a big snail. Nearly had a heart attack! LOL.
I’m so glad I didn’t let Max out with me. It thundered across the neighbours shed and dissapeared. I have plenty of old bird netting so I will get the man to help me net the vines tomorrow.

I s’pose it will start on the apples then! lol!

well there you go. strange it wasn’t eating the fruit though…

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

The creature from the pumpkin vine has been found. I snuck out the back with a torch and came eye ball to eyeball with a possum. It scared the utter crap out of me..those huge eyes! I stepped back in fright and stood on a big snail. Nearly had a heart attack! LOL.
I’m so glad I didn’t let Max out with me. It thundered across the neighbours shed and dissapeared. I have plenty of old bird netting so I will get the man to help me net the vines tomorrow.

I s’pose it will start on the apples then! lol!

well there you go. strange it wasn’t eating the fruit though…

Maybe it had a toothache? :P Maybe it’s not game to step one foot closer to fruits because it’s aware of a dog that jumps? After I went to bed then it proceeded to run across the roof tiles, sending Max into a frenzy. I finally got to sleep at 3 am.
There’s 2 lovely big almost ripe pumpkins that are just starting to turn yellowish. They’re mine…

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

The creature from the pumpkin vine has been found. I snuck out the back with a torch and came eye ball to eyeball with a possum. It scared the utter crap out of me..those huge eyes! I stepped back in fright and stood on a big snail. Nearly had a heart attack! LOL.
I’m so glad I didn’t let Max out with me. It thundered across the neighbours shed and dissapeared. I have plenty of old bird netting so I will get the man to help me net the vines tomorrow.

I s’pose it will start on the apples then! lol!

well there you go. strange it wasn’t eating the fruit though…

Maybe it had a toothache? :P Maybe it’s not game to step one foot closer to fruits because it’s aware of a dog that jumps? After I went to bed then it proceeded to run across the roof tiles, sending Max into a frenzy. I finally got to sleep at 3 am.
There’s 2 lovely big almost ripe pumpkins that are just starting to turn yellowish. They’re mine…

had a possum or something running over my roof last night too, a couple of times just as I was dropping off.

My pumpkins are a bit of a puzzle. They were seeds from the same packet, but the fruit is totally different. I planted out two vines and one has produced a fairly typical pumpkin, but the other is growing a dirigible! It is huge and elongated but fat and quite smooth. I’m wondering if it might be one of those spaghetti squash you lot have talked about, it doesn’t look like any pumpkin I have seen before. The plants have only managed one fruit apiece but as they have mainly had to fend for themselves with only a bucket of water thrown at them every now and then I am not surprised, although the vine with the dirigible did have lots of female flowers some of which I attempted hand pollination. Maybe the blimp stole all the nutrients and prevented any others growing?

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

well there you go. strange it wasn’t eating the fruit though…

Maybe it had a toothache? :P Maybe it’s not game to step one foot closer to fruits because it’s aware of a dog that jumps? After I went to bed then it proceeded to run across the roof tiles, sending Max into a frenzy. I finally got to sleep at 3 am.
There’s 2 lovely big almost ripe pumpkins that are just starting to turn yellowish. They’re mine…

had a possum or something running over my roof last night too, a couple of times just as I was dropping off.

My pumpkins are a bit of a puzzle. They were seeds from the same packet, but the fruit is totally different. I planted out two vines and one has produced a fairly typical pumpkin, but the other is growing a dirigible! It is huge and elongated but fat and quite smooth. I’m wondering if it might be one of those spaghetti squash you lot have talked about, it doesn’t look like any pumpkin I have seen before. The plants have only managed one fruit apiece but as they have mainly had to fend for themselves with only a bucket of water thrown at them every now and then I am not surprised, although the vine with the dirigible did have lots of female flowers some of which I attempted hand pollination. Maybe the blimp stole all the nutrients and prevented any others growing?

This possum wears hobnail boots I’m sure.
Sounds like you got mixed seeds. Look up images of different pumpkin types to help you ID it. I have a 10 lt container with a tap that sits near the base of the pumpkin vine and drip feeds it. I fill it with water and a cup of liquid manure every couple days.

Just got my Valentines Day pressie, although he swears he didn’t time it to arrive today. A pasta maker/ extruder attachment for the kitchenaid machine. I can make all the shapes without overworking my hands and shoulders.. now I can do more. Hahahaa. :D

Happy Potter said:

Just got my Valentines Day pressie, although he swears he didn’t time it to arrive today. A pasta maker/ extruder attachment for the kitchenaid machine. I can make all the shapes without overworking my hands and shoulders.. now I can do more. Hahahaa. :D

I just love the way he can think of making things easier for me and thinking of his stomach at the same time LOL

He assures me we will go have a lovely meal out tonight :)

Gawd, pills for me and pills for the dog..I hope I don’t get them mixed up or I’ll be flamin barking.

Happy Potter said:

Just got my Valentines Day pressie, although he swears he didn’t time it to arrive today. A pasta maker/ extruder attachment for the kitchenaid machine. I can make all the shapes without overworking my hands and shoulders.. now I can do more. Hahahaa. :D

very nice :D

Happy Potter said:

Gawd, pills for me and pills for the dog..I hope I don’t get them mixed up or I’ll be flamin barking.

I’ve got pills I take in the morning and pills I take in the evening, and every now and then I catch myself getting the wrong ones out. One day I am going to get them mixed up for sure.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Gawd, pills for me and pills for the dog..I hope I don’t get them mixed up or I’ll be flamin barking.

I’ve got pills I take in the morning and pills I take in the evening, and every now and then I catch myself getting the wrong ones out. One day I am going to get them mixed up for sure.

You be careful. I always double check before I pop it in my mouth as I’ve had mix ups before. Although not with the dogs pills lol.

Awwww. I have to boast :D
A note from my daughter Katie.

Happy Valentines day mum!!

I just wanted to take a second to say thanks for cooking AWESOME meals every night, thanks for putting up with my crap, thanks for always washing and folding the towels, thanks for growing our (your) own fresh fruit and veg (and spices and herbs etc), thanks for being the crazy chicken lady and keeping such healthy chickens that produce awesome eggs, thanks for making home made cordial, its the BOMB, thanks for always making my friends birthday cakes or food when I ask, thanks for being a great cook, thanks for being patient!! And thanks for being you…. I could go on… shall I? xoxoxox

Haven’t got a lot of time, I’m at work. But my belladonnas are out…..they must think Autumn has started already. They are going to ge a shock if we have another really hot day, aren’t they!?

Happy Potter said:

I had tears dropping for a chook.

Awww, HP, I totally understand, I also cried when I lost my Ruby chook.

I’m such a sook I cried hysterically when I found a juvenile rat caught in one of my traps by its front legs and I had to drop it in a bucket of water. I mean I wailed! The rats are a problem with the chook food (even with a suspended feeder) but I never wish suffering on any living creature…except sometimes for humans when they abuse animals or children.

Sorry to hear about your bike BG, hope it won’t be off the road too long for you.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

that’s nothing. I was screaming and bawling my eyes out when l lost my ducks :(

Still sad. Her chicks are looking for her but the man said they spent the day following the rooster about.

How are your ducks going ?

the new ones have settled in very well thank you :)

Oh so this was a recent loss BG? Foxes?

pain master said:

I need not pursue the dreams of an artist, and besides photography to me is not art, to me, its all about capturing a moment. Just freezing some time and turning a 3D thing into a image. To me it is more science then creativity.

There is a certain art to capturing a moment PM, some people can’t frame a photograph to save their life, others have an innate sense of balance or can learn it. Ok, it’s very different to the sort of skill level required to create an image/object from scratch but don’t discount the artistic factor entirely.

Shame about the snake :(

pain master said:

bon008 said:

Still around, PM?

I posted those parcels of clothes this morning :)

Oh cool! Hope it wasn’t crazy expensive for you! But the good news is that they will go to some wonderful people who need it more then your typical Australian Op-shopper.

Actually it’s not to benefit the op shopper, the proceeds of op shop sales go to the needy, usually those with intellectual disabilities, and it provides an employment opportunity also for those who are semi capable but wouldn’t get a look in usually. Op shops are generally run by two or three volunteers supporting a small crew of disabled people. The disabled crew gain a sense of worth and a (very) small paypacket.

Happy Potter said:

I can’t fully straighten up or my leg goes numb and tingly but painful at the same time. Never had that before.

Sciatica?

roughbarked said:

Orchid40 said:

roughbarked said:

par for course here.

not rotten at all.

It’s alright for you young things who are still used to hard work! LOL

I’m 59 years young and still do 6,000 sit-ups per day on average.. amongst a lot of other exercise.

Don’t you mean squats?

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

Oh dear…hope you have health insurance.

Happy Potter said:

Awwww. I have to boast :D
A note from my daughter Katie.

Happy Valentines day mum!!

I just wanted to take a second to say thanks for cooking AWESOME meals every night, thanks for putting up with my crap, thanks for always washing and folding the towels, thanks for growing our (your) own fresh fruit and veg (and spices and herbs etc), thanks for being the crazy chicken lady and keeping such healthy chickens that produce awesome eggs, thanks for making home made cordial, its the BOMB, thanks for always making my friends birthday cakes or food when I ask, thanks for being a great cook, thanks for being patient!! And thanks for being you…. I could go on… shall I? xoxoxox

Awww, sweet!

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

I saw my doc and he sent me to do a scan at radiology next door then I took it straight back to him.. a veterbra has slipped forward and I need a laminectomy procedure using some of my hip bone and some bolts and plates..
Arggghhhh!!!
I’m to see a surgeon at j. fawkner hosp early Mar.
I’m having a glass of wine or three.

Oh dear…hope you have health insurance.

Oh you bet. Our health insurance has almost become more important than food. I never know when I’m gunna blow another gasket.

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Still sad. Her chicks are looking for her but the man said they spent the day following the rooster about.

How are your ducks going ?

the new ones have settled in very well thank you :)

Oh so this was a recent loss BG? Foxes?

yes, foxes AFAIK.

Happy Potter said:

Awwww. I have to boast :D
A note from my daughter Katie.

Happy Valentines day mum!!

I just wanted to take a second to say thanks for cooking AWESOME meals every night, thanks for putting up with my crap, thanks for always washing and folding the towels, thanks for growing our (your) own fresh fruit and veg (and spices and herbs etc), thanks for being the crazy chicken lady and keeping such healthy chickens that produce awesome eggs, thanks for making home made cordial, its the BOMB, thanks for always making my friends birthday cakes or food when I ask, thanks for being a great cook, thanks for being patient!! And thanks for being you…. I could go on… shall I? xoxoxox

did you say YES LOL

Happy Potter said:

Awwww. I have to boast :D
A note from my daughter Katie.

Happy Valentines day mum!!

I just wanted to take a second to say thanks for cooking AWESOME meals every night, thanks for putting up with my crap, thanks for always washing and folding the towels, thanks for growing our (your) own fresh fruit and veg (and spices and herbs etc), thanks for being the crazy chicken lady and keeping such healthy chickens that produce awesome eggs, thanks for making home made cordial, its the BOMB, thanks for always making my friends birthday cakes or food when I ask, thanks for being a great cook, thanks for being patient!! And thanks for being you…. I could go on… shall I? xoxoxox

That’s lovely to recieve. You must have done something right with that daughter HP.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Gawd, pills for me and pills for the dog..I hope I don’t get them mixed up or I’ll be flamin barking.

I’ve got pills I take in the morning and pills I take in the evening, and every now and then I catch myself getting the wrong ones out. One day I am going to get them mixed up for sure.

I have early morning pills. After breakfast pills. Before dinner pills and bedtime pills. I certainly understand how you can get confused.

Happy Potter said:

The creature from the pumpkin vine has been found. I snuck out the back with a torch and came eye ball to eyeball with a possum. It scared the utter crap out of me..those huge eyes! I stepped back in fright and stood on a big snail. Nearly had a heart attack! LOL.
I’m so glad I didn’t let Max out with me. It thundered across the neighbours shed and dissapeared. I have plenty of old bird netting so I will get the man to help me net the vines tomorrow.

I s’pose it will start on the apples then! lol!

The little blighter!

I finally made it to the puter. Have had a busy day. (for me) The local Centre where I spend some time, got flooded with water from a storm we had yesterday evening. The water backed up into the ceiling and eventually came down the walls and flowed through 5 rooms of the building. What a mess! The carpets were soaked and all paper products (including in the office) were ruined. All caused from leaves blocking a down pipe.

We have had a storm 2 days in a row and each dropped around an inch of water. We are thankful but could have done without it flooding the inside of the Cantre.

Back to normal tonorrow. Nothing on the agenda………………yet.

pomolo said:

I finally made it to the puter. Have had a busy day. (for me) The local Centre where I spend some time, got flooded with water from a storm we had yesterday evening. The water backed up into the ceiling and eventually came down the walls and flowed through 5 rooms of the building. What a mess! The carpets were soaked and all paper products (including in the office) were ruined. All caused from leaves blocking a down pipe.

We have had a storm 2 days in a row and each dropped around an inch of water. We are thankful but could have done without it flooding the inside of the Cantre.

Back to normal tonorrow. Nothing on the agenda………………yet.

Sounds like you need an easy day/s to follow that up.

pomolo said:

I finally made it to the puter. Have had a busy day. (for me) The local Centre where I spend some time, got flooded with water from a storm we had yesterday evening. The water backed up into the ceiling and eventually came down the walls and flowed through 5 rooms of the building. What a mess! The carpets were soaked and all paper products (including in the office) were ruined. All caused from leaves blocking a down pipe.

We have had a storm 2 days in a row and each dropped around an inch of water. We are thankful but could have done without it flooding the inside of the Cantre.

Back to normal tonorrow. Nothing on the agenda………………yet.

building floods can be strange things. It is not unusual for say, the 7th floor in a multistory building, to flood and the floors above and below be fine. The water comes in through electrical conduits.

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

We didn’t end up going out for tea as I discovered the HWS has sprung a leak. I stuck a deep plant pot base under it and will tip it into the fernery several times a day. It’s just a drip at the temperature lever, but will need fixing asap. I cooked the sweet daughters best favourite (she has a few lol), paprika chicken. It was bluddy yum. We all love it.
I’ve changed all the chooks straw for fresh and powdered it for lice and scrubbed all their water containers and refilled, adding the apple cider vinegar. Cleaning the kitchen now and getting a start on 2 big boilers of bol sauce. Chopping veges and leaving them in a bowl in the fridge until tomorrow after I get back from quilting. A pasta making sesh tomorrow arvo as well and packing lasagnas and mousakas into the freezer. Kids are helping.
Then thurs/fri I have a large christening cake to do in the shape of a book, aka bible, and lot’s of fancy decos, for this sunday, and I’m getting $80 for it. I’ve had to increase the prices.

I had arvo visitors of a mum and her 2 young kids who came over to see Muffin Top, my crested polish chicken. It’s a mad looking chook. The little boy loved it and held it gently and blow me over with a feather he even spoke!! in just a whisper, he said ‘I love Muffin Top’. He is autistic and very rarely ever utters a sound, although he can say a few words. Mum was almost in tears. I’m going to let him take it to school in a little pet carrier for show and tell :)
I’ll clip a wing first as it can fly.

bluegreen said:

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

:D
Cooking?
What do you make with them?

Happy Potter said:

We didn’t end up going out for tea as I discovered the HWS has sprung a leak. I stuck a deep plant pot base under it and will tip it into the fernery several times a day. It’s just a drip at the temperature lever, but will need fixing asap. I cooked the sweet daughters best favourite (she has a few lol), paprika chicken. It was bluddy yum. We all love it.
I’ve changed all the chooks straw for fresh and powdered it for lice and scrubbed all their water containers and refilled, adding the apple cider vinegar. Cleaning the kitchen now and getting a start on 2 big boilers of bol sauce. Chopping veges and leaving them in a bowl in the fridge until tomorrow after I get back from quilting. A pasta making sesh tomorrow arvo as well and packing lasagnas and mousakas into the freezer. Kids are helping.
Then thurs/fri I have a large christening cake to do in the shape of a book, aka bible, and lot’s of fancy decos, for this sunday, and I’m getting $80 for it. I’ve had to increase the prices.

I had arvo visitors of a mum and her 2 young kids who came over to see Muffin Top, my crested polish chicken. It’s a mad looking chook. The little boy loved it and held it gently and blow me over with a feather he even spoke!! in just a whisper, he said ‘I love Muffin Top’. He is autistic and very rarely ever utters a sound, although he can say a few words. Mum was almost in tears. I’m going to let him take it to school in a little pet carrier for show and tell :)
I’ll clip a wing first as it can fly.

and all this with a bent back!

nice story about the little boy :)

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

:D
Cooking?
What do you make with them?

there is a variety of uses. You can make meal out of them and use it like you would almond meal etc. Chop and add to stir fries. Substitute for pine nuts in pesto.

On one site it says “So far I have used Bunya Nuts in soups, casseroles, quiches, pies, pastas, vegetables, desserts, cakes, biscuits, bread, damper, scones, pikelets, pastry, lollies and porridge.” so it is very versatile. I’m thinking Bunya Nut Shortbread sounds nice.

But really the main attraction for me is that it is free food landing right at my doorstep. On my budget I’m not complaining :)

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

I finally made it to the puter. Have had a busy day. (for me) The local Centre where I spend some time, got flooded with water from a storm we had yesterday evening. The water backed up into the ceiling and eventually came down the walls and flowed through 5 rooms of the building. What a mess! The carpets were soaked and all paper products (including in the office) were ruined. All caused from leaves blocking a down pipe.

We have had a storm 2 days in a row and each dropped around an inch of water. We are thankful but could have done without it flooding the inside of the Cantre.

Back to normal tonorrow. Nothing on the agenda………………yet.

Sounds like you need an easy day/s to follow that up.

And I intend to have one.

bluegreen said:

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

You take care wandering around under those trees BG. The falling cones have killed more than one person.

Happy Potter said:

We didn’t end up going out for tea as I discovered the HWS has sprung a leak. I stuck a deep plant pot base under it and will tip it into the fernery several times a day. It’s just a drip at the temperature lever, but will need fixing asap. I cooked the sweet daughters best favourite (she has a few lol), paprika chicken. It was bluddy yum. We all love it.
I’ve changed all the chooks straw for fresh and powdered it for lice and scrubbed all their water containers and refilled, adding the apple cider vinegar. Cleaning the kitchen now and getting a start on 2 big boilers of bol sauce. Chopping veges and leaving them in a bowl in the fridge until tomorrow after I get back from quilting. A pasta making sesh tomorrow arvo as well and packing lasagnas and mousakas into the freezer. Kids are helping.
Then thurs/fri I have a large christening cake to do in the shape of a book, aka bible, and lot’s of fancy decos, for this sunday, and I’m getting $80 for it. I’ve had to increase the prices.

I had arvo visitors of a mum and her 2 young kids who came over to see Muffin Top, my crested polish chicken. It’s a mad looking chook. The little boy loved it and held it gently and blow me over with a feather he even spoke!! in just a whisper, he said ‘I love Muffin Top’. He is autistic and very rarely ever utters a sound, although he can say a few words. Mum was almost in tears. I’m going to let him take it to school in a little pet carrier for show and tell :)
I’ll clip a wing first as it can fly.

A lovely story.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

:D
Cooking?
What do you make with them?

there is a variety of uses. You can make meal out of them and use it like you would almond meal etc. Chop and add to stir fries. Substitute for pine nuts in pesto.

On one site it says “So far I have used Bunya Nuts in soups, casseroles, quiches, pies, pastas, vegetables, desserts, cakes, biscuits, bread, damper, scones, pikelets, pastry, lollies and porridge.” so it is very versatile. I’m thinking Bunya Nut Shortbread sounds nice.

But really the main attraction for me is that it is free food landing right at my doorstep. On my budget I’m not complaining :)

Don’t forget to boil some in the corned silverside water. They are yummy and soft and floury.

‘and all this with a bent back!’
—————————————————-
I’m only slightly bent! haha. It’s when I stand stock upright my leg starts going funny. I’ve learned there’s certain things that I can’t do, like reach up to an overhead cupboard. That action sees you natrually arching back somewhat anyway. And that kills.
I would love a backless bar stool with castor wheels so I can whizz about the kitchen doing things whilst sitting LOL.

Bol sauce is bubbling away. I forgot to pick garden herbs while it was daylight so went out with the torch again..Max came with me for possum protection and he was growling at something underneath the comfrey bush.
I’ve had to do a mini fridge clean up too so I can fit the big pots in, and when the sauce stops steaming I’ll put them in wholus bolus and go to bed.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

You take care wandering around under those trees BG. The falling cones have killed more than one person.

Yikes! Get ya helmut on girl.

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

the new ones have settled in very well thank you :)

Oh so this was a recent loss BG? Foxes?

yes, foxes AFAIK.

Sorry you lost your ducks :(

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I have decided that I am not going to begrudge those two Bunya cones that someone else got yesterday. I collected a wheelbarrow load this morning. There are more out there this evening too but I suspect I now have more than my fair share’s worth. Guess what I am going to be doing this week?

You take care wandering around under those trees BG. The falling cones have killed more than one person.

Yikes! Get ya helmut on girl.

I get the ones that have rolled away from the tree. Got enough now anyway.

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

Oh so this was a recent loss BG? Foxes?

yes, foxes AFAIK.

Sorry you lost your ducks :(

yeah, thanks. I was pretty upset but HP sourced a couple of new ones for me.

Happy Potter said:

I had arvo visitors of a mum and her 2 young kids who came over to see Muffin Top, my crested polish chicken. It’s a mad looking chook. The little boy loved it and held it gently and blow me over with a feather he even spoke!! in just a whisper, he said ‘I love Muffin Top’. He is autistic and very rarely ever utters a sound, although he can say a few words. Mum was almost in tears. I’m going to let him take it to school in a little pet carrier for show and tell :)
I’ll clip a wing first as it can fly.

Those who have difficulty relating to other humans often don’t have the same problem with animals. I remember reading a story about how a pet dog helped an autistic boy to relate to the world through the dog.

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

I had arvo visitors of a mum and her 2 young kids who came over to see Muffin Top, my crested polish chicken. It’s a mad looking chook. The little boy loved it and held it gently and blow me over with a feather he even spoke!! in just a whisper, he said ‘I love Muffin Top’. He is autistic and very rarely ever utters a sound, although he can say a few words. Mum was almost in tears. I’m going to let him take it to school in a little pet carrier for show and tell :)
I’ll clip a wing first as it can fly.

Those who have difficulty relating to other humans often don’t have the same problem with animals. I remember reading a story about how a pet dog helped an autistic boy to relate to the world through the dog.

Yes :) I was so glad I had medicated for lice because the young boy was holding the chicks fluffy head to his face and rubbing it on his forhead.
I offered him the chick but he shook his head. (I was glad ‘cause I love it too, but I could part with it if he particularly wanted this one) His mum said he would like his very own Muffin Top chook, so we are contacting the breeder. I have a small JN 12 incubator. It’s a beauty! There’s 5 silkie eggs in it atm and they’re wobbling about, due tomorrow :)

Here I am. Just finished reading the three ladies posts. Would have liked to put my 2c worth into that conversation.

We have a lovely day here. A nice breeze to take the sting out of the sun. The washing is on and I’m ready to tackle some pruning.

D had to go to town for a blood test and wouldn’t you know, he managed to find a new plant for the garden. Came home with a yellow Ixora. I have never been an Ixora fan but this season they have been spectacular. We now have a red and a yellow. I have seen a creamy/white one and I’d like to get it. Don’t like the orange because it always looks like it’s faded. Maybe it would be better if it was planted in partial shade.

Our garlic vine is in full flower. It’s made it way up and over the Cotoneaster. Certainly makes the Cotoneaster look much better. It (cotoneaster) is in full shade so struggles to live well.

Hi there Hortfurball. I see you’re still trying with the cuties.

pomolo said:

Here I am. Just finished reading the three ladies posts. Would have liked to put my 2c worth into that conversation.

We have a lovely day here. A nice breeze to take the sting out of the sun. The washing is on and I’m ready to tackle some pruning.

D had to go to town for a blood test and wouldn’t you know, he managed to find a new plant for the garden. Came home with a yellow Ixora. I have never been an Ixora fan but this season they have been spectacular. We now have a red and a yellow. I have seen a creamy/white one and I’d like to get it. Don’t like the orange because it always looks like it’s faded. Maybe it would be better if it was planted in partial shade.

Our garlic vine is in full flower. It’s made it way up and over the Cotoneaster. Certainly makes the Cotoneaster look much better. It (cotoneaster) is in full shade so struggles to live well.

Hi there Hortfurball. I see you’re still trying with the cuties.

Hey Pom, yeah, just loaded them as links, seemed easiest in the end.

So why didn’t you put your two bob’s worth in? Doesn’t matter if you don’t agree, it’s all just opinion.
The Ixoras in Bali were awesome! The orange ones really looked great over there, and I’ve never seen such glorious cordylines! But then, I haven’t been to Queensland, and our hot dry summers in Perth are not really conducive to lush tropical plants. They live, they just don’t thrive.

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

bluegreen said:

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

Bring a chook in!

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

Bring a chook in!

the cricket makes less mess! lol!

I had chopped Bunya Nuts in my fried rice tonight :)

hortfurball said:

pomolo said:

Here I am. Just finished reading the three ladies posts. Would have liked to put my 2c worth into that conversation.

We have a lovely day here. A nice breeze to take the sting out of the sun. The washing is on and I’m ready to tackle some pruning.

D had to go to town for a blood test and wouldn’t you know, he managed to find a new plant for the garden. Came home with a yellow Ixora. I have never been an Ixora fan but this season they have been spectacular. We now have a red and a yellow. I have seen a creamy/white one and I’d like to get it. Don’t like the orange because it always looks like it’s faded. Maybe it would be better if it was planted in partial shade.

Our garlic vine is in full flower. It’s made it way up and over the Cotoneaster. Certainly makes the Cotoneaster look much better. It (cotoneaster) is in full shade so struggles to live well.

Hi there Hortfurball. I see you’re still trying with the cuties.

Hey Pom, yeah, just loaded them as links, seemed easiest in the end.

So why didn’t you put your two bob’s worth in? Doesn’t matter if you don’t agree, it’s all just opinion.
The Ixoras in Bali were awesome! The orange ones really looked great over there, and I’ve never seen such glorious cordylines! But then, I haven’t been to Queensland, and our hot dry summers in Perth are not really conducive to lush tropical plants. They live, they just don’t thrive.

I didn’t realise you were all still chatting away when I commented.

bluegreen said:

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

And aren’t they noisy during the dead of night?

bluegreen said:

I had chopped Bunya Nuts in my fried rice tonight :)

I can’t imagine it but you tell us how it tasted.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I had chopped Bunya Nuts in my fried rice tonight :)

I can’t imagine it but you tell us how it tasted.

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I had chopped Bunya Nuts in my fried rice tonight :)

I can’t imagine it but you tell us how it tasted.

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

I’m imagining something somewhat like water chestnuts…

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

I can’t imagine it but you tell us how it tasted.

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

I’m imagining something somewhat like water chestnuts…

they are not crunchy, so no.

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I had chopped Bunya Nuts in my fried rice tonight :)

I can’t imagine it but you tell us how it tasted.

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

did you not try a little on its own ?

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

I’m imagining something somewhat like water chestnuts…

they are not crunchy, so no.

Texture of…cashews? Taste like…water chestnut?

trichome said:

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

I can’t imagine it but you tell us how it tasted.

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

did you not try a little on its own ?

yes, but it is a bit hard to describe the flavour. Nothing like I have tasted before although some websites describe them being a bit like chestnuts (the tree kind) but as I haven’t tasted those I can’t compare.

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

I’m imagining something somewhat like water chestnuts…

they are not crunchy, so no.

Texture of…cashews? Taste like…water chestnut?

softer than cashews, more nutty than water chestnuts.

thanks :)

bluegreen said:

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

they are not crunchy, so no.

Texture of…cashews? Taste like…water chestnut?

softer than cashews, more nutty than water chestnuts.

Hmmm. ok then, that will have to do.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

And aren’t they noisy during the dead of night?

Elf caught a wild rat the other day with his hands….. did I tell you that????

Lucky1 said:

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

And aren’t they noisy during the dead of night?

Elf caught a wild rat the other day with his hands….. did I tell you that????

good grief. I’d be too worried about being bitten.

bluegreen said:

Lucky1 said:

pomolo said:

And aren’t they noisy during the dead of night?

Elf caught a wild rat the other day with his hands….. did I tell you that????

good grief. I’d be too worried about being bitten.

Oh he’d seen it the day before, so he had his old wielding gloves on hand. Snuck around to where Buddy is and the rat was in the bird cage. While the little fat bugger tired to get out by the feed bowl area. Elf grabbed it and of all thing brought it inside to show me. He was so egg-cited….lol

Only thing, the rat was dead. I think the elf’s hands crushed it with the deathly ( sorry about the pun) grip.

Lucky1 said:

bluegreen said:

Lucky1 said:

Elf caught a wild rat the other day with his hands….. did I tell you that????

good grief. I’d be too worried about being bitten.

Oh he’d seen it the day before, so he had his old wielding gloves on hand. Snuck around to where Buddy is and the rat was in the bird cage. While the little fat bugger tired to get out by the feed bowl area. Elf grabbed it and of all thing brought it inside to show me. He was so egg-cited….lol

Only thing, the rat was dead. I think the elf’s hands crushed it with the deathly ( sorry about the pun) grip.

oh! I find mice that get themselves stuck in the half inch bird wire on the cages. They get half way in through one hole then try to turn around through another and can’t manage the U-bend. They are usually dead by the time I find them although one did it in front of me and I had to kill it before it starved to death.

bluegreen said:

Lucky1 said:

bluegreen said:

good grief. I’d be too worried about being bitten.

Oh he’d seen it the day before, so he had his old wielding gloves on hand. Snuck around to where Buddy is and the rat was in the bird cage. While the little fat bugger tired to get out by the feed bowl area. Elf grabbed it and of all thing brought it inside to show me. He was so egg-cited….lol

Only thing, the rat was dead. I think the elf’s hands crushed it with the deathly ( sorry about the pun) grip.

oh! I find mice that get themselves stuck in the half inch bird wire on the cages. They get half way in through one hole then try to turn around through another and can’t manage the U-bend. They are usually dead by the time I find them although one did it in front of me and I had to kill it before it starved to death.

Its amazing how small an area they can squeeze through.

bluegreen said:

trichome said:

bluegreen said:

it was quite nice but without a distinctive flavour as it was only one of many ingredients. I think it is one of those foods that take on the flavour of what it is cooked in.

did you not try a little on its own ?

yes, but it is a bit hard to describe the flavour. Nothing like I have tasted before although some websites describe them being a bit like chestnuts (the tree kind) but as I haven’t tasted those I can’t compare.

There is the pine flavour though?

We hit the supermarkets today. It will be the usual whinge from beginning to end. Prices too high. Items moved to a different location. Some favourites out of stock. F & V hardly worth the effort. The long lines at the checkout. I can’t understand why we still shop there.

Because there isn’t anywhere else!!! That’s why!!!

Uh Oh! We’re in trouble. I’m pissed off before I even get there. LOL.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

trichome said:

did you not try a little on its own ?

yes, but it is a bit hard to describe the flavour. Nothing like I have tasted before although some websites describe them being a bit like chestnuts (the tree kind) but as I haven’t tasted those I can’t compare.

There is the pine flavour though?

not the same as pine nuts.

pomolo said:

We hit the supermarkets today. It will be the usual whinge from beginning to end. Prices too high. Items moved to a different location. Some favourites out of stock. F & V hardly worth the effort. The long lines at the checkout. I can’t understand why we still shop there.

Because there isn’t anywhere else!!! That’s why!!!

Uh Oh! We’re in trouble. I’m pissed off before I even get there. LOL.

I hate shopping too for the same reasons. Except I have many choices of shops, but they’re all the same.

Morning, just.
Diggin out spuds.. ok well 6 spuds… I’‘m tempting JJ to come over for tea with talk of lasagne and he can dig the rest of the spud up bed for me. Hubby puts the fork through them so he’s banned.
I’ve had visitors raid the eggplant bushes and take bowls of tomatoes and parsley in return for giving me a hand cleaning the big pots and the kitchen floor. I have ‘em all organised lol.

There’s 2 new chicks just hatched in the incubator and the other 3 have pipped and their beaks sticking out. Cheep cheep cheep.

Happy Potter said:

Morning, just.
Diggin out spuds.. ok well 6 spuds… I’‘m tempting JJ to come over for tea with talk of lasagne and he can dig the rest of the spud up bed for me. Hubby puts the fork through them so he’s banned.
I’ve had visitors raid the eggplant bushes and take bowls of tomatoes and parsley in return for giving me a hand cleaning the big pots and the kitchen floor. I have ‘em all organised lol.

There’s 2 new chicks just hatched in the incubator and the other 3 have pipped and their beaks sticking out. Cheep cheep cheep.

sounds like a good day.

I’ve been shucking (dehusking) bunya nuts. Going to try roasting some today. Yesterday’s were boiled which is the most common method being easier to shell (still difficult) and most versatile. I tell you what, they must the be ultimate in slow food. Bunya Trees have a bumper crop every three years apparently. Last year the one’s I tried had no kernel inside and were a complete waste of time. Once the cones fall you need to separate the segments and remove the nut from the outer husk minding you don’t get spiked (I have a hole in one finger where a spike found a hole in my glove.) You need gardening gloves for protection and a pair of pliers to peel off the husk. Then you cook them, boiling for half an hour up to two and a half hours depending on which site you read. Then with a strong sharp knife you make a slit in the shell which has hopefully softened by the boiling, minding you don’t slice your fingers, and extract the kernel. You can then chop, grind into a meal, slice or whatever suits your recipe.

Roasting over an open fire is also considered tasty. I’m going to try them in my cast iron pot as they can explode if your not careful.

The aborigines usually roasted them, or buried them in mud for 3 months then dug them up again to eat or ground into a flour for baking. Keeping them in mud (or the fridge in a sealed container) for a few months apparently produces a sweeter nut, as the starches turn in sugar I suppose. I’m going to try this too, in the fridge, not mud.

I’ve certainly got plenty to experiment with anyway. Will probably take some down to the next seed savers meeting as I am sure some of them will be interested in some.

Think I’ll start a special thread to let you know how my experiments go :)

Lucky1 said:

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

I have a cricket wandering around the house. It was in my bedroom last night and I have just spotted it again in the lounge room. Haven’t been able to catch it yet, it is too fast for me!

And aren’t they noisy during the dead of night?

Elf caught a wild rat the other day with his hands….. did I tell you that????

Ooh, bit risky doing that. I did the same with a wild mouse in my younger days – got bitten and my hand swelled up for quite a while. Wouldn’t try it again now that I’m older and wiser!

Lucky1 said:

bluegreen said:

Lucky1 said:

Elf caught a wild rat the other day with his hands….. did I tell you that????

good grief. I’d be too worried about being bitten.

Oh he’d seen it the day before, so he had his old wielding gloves on hand. Snuck around to where Buddy is and the rat was in the bird cage. While the little fat bugger tired to get out by the feed bowl area. Elf grabbed it and of all thing brought it inside to show me. He was so egg-cited….lol

Only thing, the rat was dead. I think the elf’s hands crushed it with the deathly ( sorry about the pun) grip.

Oh, welding gloves would do the trick :)

bluegreen said:

Lucky1 said:

bluegreen said:

good grief. I’d be too worried about being bitten.

Oh he’d seen it the day before, so he had his old wielding gloves on hand. Snuck around to where Buddy is and the rat was in the bird cage. While the little fat bugger tired to get out by the feed bowl area. Elf grabbed it and of all thing brought it inside to show me. He was so egg-cited….lol

Only thing, the rat was dead. I think the elf’s hands crushed it with the deathly ( sorry about the pun) grip.

oh! I find mice that get themselves stuck in the half inch bird wire on the cages. They get half way in through one hole then try to turn around through another and can’t manage the U-bend. They are usually dead by the time I find them although one did it in front of me and I had to kill it before it starved to death.

We had snakes getting stuck in the wire of our aviary, back in the day. Always a delicate operation to snip them out! Luckily none of them were ever seriously injured.

The Gardening Australia twitter account just published this:

“Countdown to Ep 1 of Gardening Australia- Sat 31st March 6:30pm (Rep Sundays 1:00pm) with new host Costa Georgiadis!”

What’s happened to Stephen?? I just looked at Costa’s Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Georgiadis) – apparently it was announced in December! Not sure how I missed that!

I love Costa, but I loved Stephen too =/

Remember when Stephen was new, they had some complains about him looking scruffy?? I wonder what those people will make of Costa.. hahaha!! :)

I can dig Costa.

Afraid Stephen made the hair on the back of my neck curl.

roughbarked said:

I can dig Costa.

Afraid Stephen made the hair on the back of my neck curl.

Any particular thing?

I must admit he did one thing that irked me – he would end a sentence in this half-laughing kind of way which started to bug me pretty quickly. Reminds me too much of the gardening presenters on commercial TV (especially BH&G) who speak in this laughing, patronising way all the time. But aside from that little thing, I was a big Stephen fan!

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

I can dig Costa.

Afraid Stephen made the hair on the back of my neck curl.

Any particular thing?

I must admit he did one thing that irked me – he would end a sentence in this half-laughing kind of way which started to bug me pretty quickly. Reminds me too much of the gardening presenters on commercial TV (especially BH&G) who speak in this laughing, patronising way all the time. But aside from that little thing, I was a big Stephen fan!

we will see how Costa goes, but, some of the presenters need to put out to pasture i reckon, need some younger blood in the show :)

bon008 said:

roughbarked said:

I can dig Costa.

Afraid Stephen made the hair on the back of my neck curl.

Any particular thing?

I must admit he did one thing that irked me – he would end a sentence in this half-laughing kind of way which started to bug me pretty quickly. Reminds me too much of the gardening presenters on commercial TV (especially BH&G) who speak in this laughing, patronising way all the time. But aside from that little thing, I was a big Stephen fan!

I don’t know, he’s probably an OK bloke and a reasonably good gardener but he just didn’t come across that way on TV.

bon008 said:

Remember when Stephen was new, they had some complains about him looking scruffy?? I wonder what those people will make of Costa.. hahaha!! :)

Indeed! I was wondering when the new season was going to start.

Happy Potter said:

Morning, just.
Diggin out spuds.. ok well 6 spuds… I’‘m tempting JJ to come over for tea with talk of lasagne and he can dig the rest of the spud up bed for me. Hubby puts the fork through them so he’s banned.
I’ve had visitors raid the eggplant bushes and take bowls of tomatoes and parsley in return for giving me a hand cleaning the big pots and the kitchen floor. I have ‘em all organised lol.

There’s 2 new chicks just hatched in the incubator and the other 3 have pipped and their beaks sticking out. Cheep cheep cheep.

Aww. New little peep peeps.

bon008 said:

The Gardening Australia twitter account just published this:

“Countdown to Ep 1 of Gardening Australia- Sat 31st March 6:30pm (Rep Sundays 1:00pm) with new host Costa Georgiadis!”

What’s happened to Stephen?? I just looked at Costa’s Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Georgiadis) – apparently it was announced in December! Not sure how I missed that!

I love Costa, but I loved Stephen too =/

Remember when Stephen was new, they had some complains about him looking scruffy?? I wonder what those people will make of Costa.. hahaha!! :)

That will be interesting. We’ve been wondering when GA would come back on. Thanks for the info bon.

just lost a piece of tooth. Not in pain as it is mostly filling anyway but can’t be sure that it will stay that way. Bad timing financially though :(

bluegreen said:

just lost a piece of tooth. Not in pain as it is mostly filling anyway but can’t be sure that it will stay that way. Bad timing financially though :(

Were you trying to chew the husk off a bunya nut? I’m only kidding.

I’ve been off Gardening Australia for years. Costa will make me try going back to it. Although the timing is quite bad, I’m usually still gardening at that time of day.

buffy said:

I’ve been off Gardening Australia for years. Costa will make me try going back to it. Although the timing is quite bad, I’m usually still gardening at that time of day.

Yes. Fancy putting on a gardening show when gardeners would be busy.

Happy Potter said:

Morning, just.
Diggin out spuds.. ok well 6 spuds… I’‘m tempting JJ to come over for tea with talk of lasagne and he can dig the rest of the spud up bed for me. Hubby puts the fork through them so he’s banned.
I’ve had visitors raid the eggplant bushes and take bowls of tomatoes and parsley in return for giving me a hand cleaning the big pots and the kitchen floor. I have ‘em all organised lol.

There’s 2 new chicks just hatched in the incubator and the other 3 have pipped and their beaks sticking out. Cheep cheep cheep.

OMG how cute! Great idea swapping food for work, the old barter system alive and well, LOL!

bluegreen said:

I’ve been shucking (dehusking) bunya nuts. You need gardening gloves for protection and a pair of pliers to peel off the husk. Then you cook them, boiling for half an hour up to two and a half hours depending on which site you read. Then with a strong sharp knife you make a slit in the shell which has hopefully softened by the boiling, minding you don’t slice your fingers, and extract the kernel. You can then chop, grind into a meal, slice or whatever suits your recipe.

An awful lot of time and effort for one kernel, hope they’re worth it.

bon008 said:

The Gardening Australia twitter account just published this:

“Countdown to Ep 1 of Gardening Australia- Sat 31st March 6:30pm (Rep Sundays 1:00pm) with new host Costa Georgiadis!”

What’s happened to Stephen?? I just looked at Costa’s Wikipedia page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costa_Georgiadis) – apparently it was announced in December! Not sure how I missed that!

I love Costa, but I loved Stephen too =/

Remember when Stephen was new, they had some complains about him looking scruffy?? I wonder what those people will make of Costa.. hahaha!! :)

OMG it’s the wild man of Borneo!

roughbarked said:

I can dig Costa.

Afraid Stephen made the hair on the back of my neck curl.

I only watched one Stephen episode, wasn’t the same without Peter, and the stupid things kept putting the show on when it was light outside so by the time I came in and then remembered it was on I only caught the last five minutes of it anyway. I normally don’t even think about TV until 7pm.

don’t even think about TV until 7pm.
…

there is always record or iview :)

bluegreen said:

just lost a piece of tooth. Not in pain as it is mostly filling anyway but can’t be sure that it will stay that way. Bad timing financially though :(

Bugger! How’d you manage that?

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

I’ve been shucking (dehusking) bunya nuts. You need gardening gloves for protection and a pair of pliers to peel off the husk. Then you cook them, boiling for half an hour up to two and a half hours depending on which site you read. Then with a strong sharp knife you make a slit in the shell which has hopefully softened by the boiling, minding you don’t slice your fingers, and extract the kernel. You can then chop, grind into a meal, slice or whatever suits your recipe.

An awful lot of time and effort for one kernel, hope they’re worth it.

Obviously you have never held one in your hands. The nuts were obviously well worth all the aboriginal people to come together to feast under the Bunya pines.

hortfurball said:

bluegreen said:

just lost a piece of tooth. Not in pain as it is mostly filling anyway but can’t be sure that it will stay that way. Bad timing financially though :(

Bugger! How’d you manage that?

no idea.

buffy said:

I’ve been off Gardening Australia for years. Costa will make me try going back to it. Although the timing is quite bad, I’m usually still gardening at that time of day.

You just said that so much more clearly than I did!

trichome said:

don’t even think about TV until 7pm.
…

there is always record or iview :)

I don’t have a recordable DVD player. Dad gave my DVD player to me as a birthday present in 2010 and I haven’t had the heart to replace it yet (still too soon). Video recorder long disconnected and I’m not even sure if I still have the channels in analogue (or if I could find them) to record via video as I have a new set top box, and everything’s plugged in all differently to how it used to be. I can plug the video in to watch any old vids I haven’t updated to DVD but I haven’t bothered in over a year.

I don’t even know what ‘iview’ is?

OH has a big screen that records so I don’t see the point in buying anything else (I’m not a poster child for consumerism), I’ll just wait til we move in together, whenever that might be. I don’t want to ask him to record it for me because we usually stay at my place on the weekends because of my animals, so when we do stay at his place I don’t have time to catch up on missed TV, too busy working my butt off trying to make it look less neglected. It’s hard for him to keep up when he’s up here almost every weekend.

I’ll just have to try harder to remember it’s on. (or tell OH and he’ll remember for me!)

I don’t even know what ‘iview’ is?
…

www.abc.net.au/iview/

i have internet connected and use a computer for tv reception, i can record free to air tv or watch abc ivew or sbs on demand, just makes it more convenient to watch what i want when i want, not just when the shows are scheduled to air :)

Fridays child is loving and giving. I don’t think that’s me. I’m probably a Wednesday child.

It’s like a bomb shelter round here. D is using the shredder and it’s noisy and dusty and there are men working on the road at the bottom of the property and they have machinery that beeps, grunts and groans for hours and hours. They said they are doing flood repairs to the road but there hasn’t ever been any flood affecting that road since we’ve been here. I suppose it’s part of the Governments emergency plan to fix everything before the election in March. Even if it doesn’t need fixing. lol.

I’m doing some window cleaning today. You know…..those windows that you forget all about untill the sun gets on to them at some stage and they scream at you because they are so filthy. I’m no house cleaning Mrs Sheen anymore but sometimes you just have to bow to the dirt.

pomolo said:

Fridays child is loving and giving. I don’t think that’s me. I’m probably a Wednesday child.

It’s like a bomb shelter round here. D is using the shredder and it’s noisy and dusty and there are men working on the road at the bottom of the property and they have machinery that beeps, grunts and groans for hours and hours. They said they are doing flood repairs to the road but there hasn’t ever been any flood affecting that road since we’ve been here. I suppose it’s part of the Governments emergency plan to fix everything before the election in March. Even if it doesn’t need fixing. lol.

I’m doing some window cleaning today. You know…..those windows that you forget all about untill the sun gets on to them at some stage and they scream at you because they are so filthy. I’m no house cleaning Mrs Sheen anymore but sometimes you just have to bow to the dirt.

I’m running around patting myself on the back. I’m such a good girl. I’ve done one set of windows. Inside and out and the fly screen too. Don’t larf. That’s an achievement for me.

Now to find out if the midday movie is worth turning the teev on.

Blowin in and out. All things cake baking. 5 chicks hatched cute as, pics later. haven’t have 5 mins to scratch myself.

Goodonya Pom with the clean windows :)

got an appointment with the dentist on Monday to deal with the broken tooth. With an emergency voucher from the dental department of the hospital it will only cost $25 to make sure I am pain free.

bluegreen said:

got an appointment with the dentist on Monday to deal with the broken tooth. With an emergency voucher from the dental department of the hospital it will only cost $25 to make sure I am pain free.

Can’t complain about that anyway.

Finally get a break and a cuppa after making 2 big cakes and hundreds of sugar flowers and leaves.

Here’s the silkie chicks a few hours old, and one day old all fluffy and dry :)

Happy Potter said:

Finally get a break and a cuppa after making 2 big cakes and hundreds of sugar flowers and leaves.

Here’s the silkie chicks a few hours old, and one day old all fluffy and dry :)

OMG I thought baby chicks were cute but SILKY chicks are EXTRA cute!

bluegreen said:

got an appointment with the dentist on Monday to deal with the broken tooth. With an emergency voucher from the dental department of the hospital it will only cost $25 to make sure I am pain free.

That’s cool. I’ll have to try that trick next time for myself.

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

Finally get a break and a cuppa after making 2 big cakes and hundreds of sugar flowers and leaves.

Here’s the silkie chicks a few hours old, and one day old all fluffy and dry :)

OMG I thought baby chicks were cute but SILKY chicks are EXTRA cute!

And so small they all fitted on one hand. Cute personified

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day..
I just did a small calculation and I wonder why I’m not rich.. Must have made a lot of money for other people though. calculating how much money I should have earned for grafting during my life, the figure is $26,400,000

Vege swap today. I have to go raid my garden for goodies to take. Eggplants and rhubarb are growing for the town and parsley galore. I will put the parsley in plain brown paper bags so as to not upset the Maltese lady.

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day..
I just did a small calculation and I wonder why I’m not rich.. Must have made a lot of money for other people though. calculating how much money I should have earned for grafting during my life, the figure is $26,400,000

Yep I’m not surprised.
It’s not much different to baking cakes for a living. People think the ingredients don’t cost that much, but they don’t figure into that the amount of time one spends on making flour and eggs into a masterpiece.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

Happy Potter said:

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day..
I just did a small calculation and I wonder why I’m not rich.. Must have made a lot of money for other people though. calculating how much money I should have earned for grafting during my life, the figure is $26,400,000

Yep I’m not surprised.
It’s not much different to baking cakes for a living. People think the ingredients don’t cost that much, but they don’t figure into that the amount of time one spends on making flour and eggs into a masterpiece.

considering that on average if we spend $100 per day on simply living.. = $2,200,000 Let alone the cost of doing other things.

roughbarked said:

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day.. and $1 per graft

which is cheap. um, other news: the secret is out.. it’s a girl.

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day.. and $1 per graft

which is cheap.

If your maths is good you’ll have calculated that I worked on the figure of 150 grafts per hour which is conservative.

therefore, if you consider that I haven’t really grafted 8 hours/7 days, all of my life but that much of it required planting of trees, then the guffaws over in SSSF when I speak of having planted 6,000,000 trees.. are made from the mouths of the unaware.

roughbarked said:

therefore, if you consider that I haven’t really grafted 8 hours/7 days, all of my life but that much of it required planting of trees, then the guffaws over in SSSF when I speak of having planted 6,000,000 trees.. are made from the mouths of the unaware.

the thing is, I have also grafted them and trained the new shoot into what you buy at the garden centre.

they say it isn’t feasible, the figure of 6,000,000

but if I had time to do 26,400,000 then that leaves ample time..

roughbarked said:

therefore, if you consider that I haven’t really grafted 8 hours/7 days, all of my life but that much of it required planting of trees, then the guffaws over in SSSF when I speak of having planted 6,000,000 trees.. are made from the mouths of the unaware.

well I’m still in absolute awe.

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day.. and $1 per graft

which is cheap. um, other news: the secret is out.. it’s a girl.

‘Squeeels!!’ :D

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

got an appointment with the dentist on Monday to deal with the broken tooth. With an emergency voucher from the dental department of the hospital it will only cost $25 to make sure I am pain free.

That’s cool. I’ll have to try that trick next time for myself.

need to qualify (pension card etc.) and they do it this way because the hospital don’t have the staff to cope with emergencies as well as the 3 year long waiting list for non-urgent dental. Bit like the general emergency dept. No doctors on staff so the private doctors are on a roster.

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

work is work :)

roughbarked said:

um, other news: the secret is out.. it’s a girl.

looking good :)

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

work is work :)

Indeed. but just keeping up with the garden, is also work.. ;)

Happy Potter said:

Finally get a break and a cuppa after making 2 big cakes and hundreds of sugar flowers and leaves.

Here’s the silkie chicks a few hours old, and one day old all fluffy and dry :)

Adorable.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

Holidays are important too RB.

Happy Potter said:

Vege swap today. I have to go raid my garden for goodies to take. Eggplants and rhubarb are growing for the town and parsley galore. I will put the parsley in plain brown paper bags so as to not upset the Maltese lady.

Presumably your stalker won.t be there.

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day.. and $1 per graft

which is cheap. um, other news: the secret is out.. it’s a girl.

She certainly is. She’s pregnant too. LOL.

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day.. and $1 per graft

which is cheap.

If your maths is good you’ll have calculated that I worked on the figure of 150 grafts per hour which is conservative.

I hope you deducted stand down time for lunch and smoko. Just kidding.

She also has severe scoliosis and three crushed vertebrae from a rather forced paraglider landing.

Doing well, I’d reckon.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

which is cheap.

If your maths is good you’ll have calculated that I worked on the figure of 150 grafts per hour which is conservative.

I hope you deducted stand down time for lunch and smoko. Just kidding.

:)

took a fair bit off for that .. if you read it all ;)

Happy Saturday everyone. I’ve been busy weed wanding. D is getting the new vegie garden area ready for winter crops and he had 2 kookaburras (the latest babies by the noise they make) roaming around where he’s dug, eating worms and curl grubs. I think he’s feeling a bit like Dr Doolittle atm.

We are off to go and get some mulch hay in a minute. It’s cheap and once it’s been through the mulcher it makes good cover for the gardens. It’s mainly just to supress weed growth.

I’ll drop in again later on.

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

work is work :)

Indeed. but just keeping up with the garden, is also work.. ;)

just read something about an increase of kidney disease in people who work long hours in hot sun with insufficient water – I hope you keep your fluids up RB!

bluegreen said:

roughbarked said:

bluegreen said:

work is work :)

Indeed. but just keeping up with the garden, is also work.. ;)

just read something about an increase of kidney disease in people who work long hours in hot sun with insufficient water – I hope you keep your fluids up RB!

I drink lotsa Coopers .. er.. um.. no.. that’s a fail..

Good afternoon. I’d just like to say….if my tomato plants get any taller, I will have to take a ladder out for tying them. They are well over 6ft tall now. I’m just starting to pick now, so I hope to be picking for 3 to 4 months.

buffy said:

Good afternoon. I’d just like to say….if my tomato plants get any taller, I will have to take a ladder out for tying them. They are well over 6ft tall now. I’m just starting to pick now, so I hope to be picking for 3 to 4 months.

my stakes were only so high so my vines are hanging over the top of everything else, but I’m not complaining!

Good morning. I watered, even though there have been some “rain” spots. Now I’ll do some weeding. Then some food. Still digesting a large meal from last night. We had a sort of community dinner, where about 20 of us get together and everyone brings food. Of course, you have to try everyone else’s contributions, don’t you!

buffy said:

Good morning. I watered, even though there have been some “rain” spots. Now I’ll do some weeding. Then some food. Still digesting a large meal from last night. We had a sort of community dinner, where about 20 of us get together and everyone brings food. Of course, you have to try everyone else’s contributions, don’t you!

Sounds great :)

Morning. Just catching up. The christening cake is being driven to the parents house on a front seat passengers lap. I hope the driver, my daughter, doesn’t have to brake suddenly.

JJ is coming today to dig up the spud bed for me. I’m trading some for a bag of capsicums. I still don’t have caps yet. I think I need a big hothouse to get seedlings off to an earlier start. It’s on the wish list.
Brekky now then clean out little chicks brooder. They are so cute. They were falling asleep standing up but huddled together. It looked like a fluffy wobbling tennis ball with 10 legs and when one moved they all moved in unison lol. I gave some older chicks a small can of cat food and they went balistic over it. I get a lot out of watching them :D

bluegreen said:

buffy said:

Good afternoon. I’d just like to say….if my tomato plants get any taller, I will have to take a ladder out for tying them. They are well over 6ft tall now. I’m just starting to pick now, so I hope to be picking for 3 to 4 months.

my stakes were only so high so my vines are hanging over the top of everything else, but I’m not complaining!

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

buffy said:

Good morning. I watered, even though there have been some “rain” spots. Now I’ll do some weeding. Then some food. Still digesting a large meal from last night. We had a sort of community dinner, where about 20 of us get together and everyone brings food. Of course, you have to try everyone else’s contributions, don’t you!

You made me larf. We had 3rd night leftovers, last night. I’m over it. Actually looking foreward to lunch because we are having guests so it’s gonna be roast lamb. I’ve just finished making the dessert.

A big event for us because we never have a Sunday roast.

Happy Potter said:

Morning. Just catching up. The christening cake is being driven to the parents house on a front seat passengers lap. I hope the driver, my daughter, doesn’t have to brake suddenly.

JJ is coming today to dig up the spud bed for me. I’m trading some for a bag of capsicums. I still don’t have caps yet. I think I need a big hothouse to get seedlings off to an earlier start. It’s on the wish list.
Brekky now then clean out little chicks brooder. They are so cute. They were falling asleep standing up but huddled together. It looked like a fluffy wobbling tennis ball with 10 legs and when one moved they all moved in unison lol. I gave some older chicks a small can of cat food and they went balistic over it. I get a lot out of watching them :D

wonder if the summer has been too cool for your capsicums? they like it hot.

Happy Potter said:

buffy said:

Good morning. I watered, even though there have been some “rain” spots. Now I’ll do some weeding. Then some food. Still digesting a large meal from last night. We had a sort of community dinner, where about 20 of us get together and everyone brings food. Of course, you have to try everyone else’s contributions, don’t you!

Sounds great :)

It does doesn’t it? Wish our neighbourhood would go for something like that.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

buffy said:

Good afternoon. I’d just like to say….if my tomato plants get any taller, I will have to take a ladder out for tying them. They are well over 6ft tall now. I’m just starting to pick now, so I hope to be picking for 3 to 4 months.

my stakes were only so high so my vines are hanging over the top of everything else, but I’m not complaining!

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

my stakes were only so high so my vines are hanging over the top of everything else, but I’m not complaining!

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

yes I could, but there is always new flowerbuds at the tips and I think, don’t want to miss out on any tomatoes! lol!

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

my stakes were only so high so my vines are hanging over the top of everything else, but I’m not complaining!

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

Grow bush tomatoes. The tall varieties still get tall whatever you nip.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. Just catching up. The christening cake is being driven to the parents house on a front seat passengers lap. I hope the driver, my daughter, doesn’t have to brake suddenly.

JJ is coming today to dig up the spud bed for me. I’m trading some for a bag of capsicums. I still don’t have caps yet. I think I need a big hothouse to get seedlings off to an earlier start. It’s on the wish list.
Brekky now then clean out little chicks brooder. They are so cute. They were falling asleep standing up but huddled together. It looked like a fluffy wobbling tennis ball with 10 legs and when one moved they all moved in unison lol. I gave some older chicks a small can of cat food and they went balistic over it. I get a lot out of watching them :D

wonder if the summer has been too cool for your capsicums? they like it hot.

Reference to your Daily Mail link from yesterday?

bluegreen said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

yes I could, but there is always new flowerbuds at the tips and I think, don’t want to miss out on any tomatoes! lol!

I have the same problem when the time comes.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. Just catching up. The christening cake is being driven to the parents house on a front seat passengers lap. I hope the driver, my daughter, doesn’t have to brake suddenly.

JJ is coming today to dig up the spud bed for me. I’m trading some for a bag of capsicums. I still don’t have caps yet. I think I need a big hothouse to get seedlings off to an earlier start. It’s on the wish list.
Brekky now then clean out little chicks brooder. They are so cute. They were falling asleep standing up but huddled together. It looked like a fluffy wobbling tennis ball with 10 legs and when one moved they all moved in unison lol. I gave some older chicks a small can of cat food and they went balistic over it. I get a lot out of watching them :D

wonder if the summer has been too cool for your capsicums? they like it hot.

Yes way too cool. The air con days are rare.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

my stakes were only so high so my vines are hanging over the top of everything else, but I’m not complaining!

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

I would except I’m too busy chasing a pumpkin eating possum, training luffa vines, and keeping the rhubarb triffids to a respectable size.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

Mine too are bent over the top of the wire mesh they are tied to. They’d be tomato towers otherwise, and out of my reach.

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

I would except I’m too busy chasing a pumpkin eating possum, training luffa vines, and keeping the rhubarb triffids to a respectable size.

If you have any rhubarb crowns you want to get rid of, please send them north. I need more than one growing. 3 stalks do not make a pie.

Stuff to do but first I’m eating.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Morning. Just catching up. The christening cake is being driven to the parents house on a front seat passengers lap. I hope the driver, my daughter, doesn’t have to brake suddenly.

JJ is coming today to dig up the spud bed for me. I’m trading some for a bag of capsicums. I still don’t have caps yet. I think I need a big hothouse to get seedlings off to an earlier start. It’s on the wish list.
Brekky now then clean out little chicks brooder. They are so cute. They were falling asleep standing up but huddled together. It looked like a fluffy wobbling tennis ball with 10 legs and when one moved they all moved in unison lol. I gave some older chicks a small can of cat food and they went balistic over it. I get a lot out of watching them :D

wonder if the summer has been too cool for your capsicums? they like it hot.

Reference to your Daily Mail link from yesterday?

no, but it has been a relatively cool summer down here this year.

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

So can’t you nip the top out of them?

I would except I’m too busy chasing a pumpkin eating possum, training luffa vines, and keeping the rhubarb triffids to a respectable size.

If you have any rhubarb crowns you want to get rid of, please send them north. I need more than one growing. 3 stalks do not make a pie.

Noted :)
One grows so big the leaves can be reached through bird netting by chooks! That one will have to be removed.

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

Happy Potter said:

I would except I’m too busy chasing a pumpkin eating possum, training luffa vines, and keeping the rhubarb triffids to a respectable size.

If you have any rhubarb crowns you want to get rid of, please send them north. I need more than one growing. 3 stalks do not make a pie.

Noted :)
One grows so big the leaves can be reached through bird netting by chooks! That one will have to be removed.

I could do with another one, although I haven’t made much use of the one I have letting it settle in. I did have two but a cockatoo ate one! No hurry! lol!

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

pomolo said:

If you have any rhubarb crowns you want to get rid of, please send them north. I need more than one growing. 3 stalks do not make a pie.

Noted :)
One grows so big the leaves can be reached through bird netting by chooks! That one will have to be removed.

I could do with another one, although I haven’t made much use of the one I have letting it settle in. I did have two but a cockatoo ate one! No hurry! lol!

Noted too :)
The chooks have learned to push on the netting to get to the leaves. I’m worried I will go out to find a chicken with it’s head and comb stuck in bird netting, so it’s coming out. I don’t know why they do that as they get plenty of greens.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Noted :)
One grows so big the leaves can be reached through bird netting by chooks! That one will have to be removed.

I could do with another one, although I haven’t made much use of the one I have letting it settle in. I did have two but a cockatoo ate one! No hurry! lol!

Noted too :)
The chooks have learned to push on the netting to get to the leaves. I’m worried I will go out to find a chicken with it’s head and comb stuck in bird netting, so it’s coming out. I don’t know why they do that as they get plenty of greens.

mine used to peck at the rhubarb leaves at the old place with no harm. May not be a problem for them. Sounds like the netting might be a greater risk.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

I could do with another one, although I haven’t made much use of the one I have letting it settle in. I did have two but a cockatoo ate one! No hurry! lol!

Noted too :)
The chooks have learned to push on the netting to get to the leaves. I’m worried I will go out to find a chicken with it’s head and comb stuck in bird netting, so it’s coming out. I don’t know why they do that as they get plenty of greens.

mine used to peck at the rhubarb leaves at the old place with no harm. May not be a problem for them. Sounds like the netting might be a greater risk.

Yes. It’s going to be replaced with fine wire bird netting to keep sparrows out.

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Noted too :)
The chooks have learned to push on the netting to get to the leaves. I’m worried I will go out to find a chicken with it’s head and comb stuck in bird netting, so it’s coming out. I don’t know why they do that as they get plenty of greens.

mine used to peck at the rhubarb leaves at the old place with no harm. May not be a problem for them. Sounds like the netting might be a greater risk.

Yes. It’s going to be replaced with fine wire bird netting to keep sparrows out.

did a bit of a google and the general consensus seems to be not to feed it too your chooks. No one has reported a death due to their chooks eating rhubarb leaves but the oxalic acid leaches calcium so might affect egg shells and bones and someone said it can cause kidney problems. It is also cumulative so a small amount probably won’t hurt them but if they eat it regularly it might.

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

bluegreen said:

mine used to peck at the rhubarb leaves at the old place with no harm. May not be a problem for them. Sounds like the netting might be a greater risk.

Yes. It’s going to be replaced with fine wire bird netting to keep sparrows out.

did a bit of a google and the general consensus seems to be not to feed it too your chooks. No one has reported a death due to their chooks eating rhubarb leaves but the oxalic acid leaches calcium so might affect egg shells and bones and someone said it can cause kidney problems. It is also cumulative so a small amount probably won’t hurt them but if they eat it regularly it might.

a couple of sites mention it as a natural wormer. And it can be used as an insecticide on your plants so there may be something in this. I guess the trick is for them not to eat too much.

bluegreen said:

bluegreen said:

Happy Potter said:

Yes. It’s going to be replaced with fine wire bird netting to keep sparrows out.

did a bit of a google and the general consensus seems to be not to feed it too your chooks. No one has reported a death due to their chooks eating rhubarb leaves but the oxalic acid leaches calcium so might affect egg shells and bones and someone said it can cause kidney problems. It is also cumulative so a small amount probably won’t hurt them but if they eat it regularly it might.

a couple of sites mention it as a natural wormer. And it can be used as an insecticide on your plants so there may be something in this. I guess the trick is for them not to eat too much.

Yes read that too. It’s just a little nip off the leaves now and then but once the leaf was pulled so hard the stalk snapped, or wind snapped, leaving it against the netting and the chooks skelitonized it. I got a soft shelled egg the following week. I gave them some plain home made yoghurt mixed with layer pellets, advice from a poultry lady, and haven’t seen a soft shell again. I keep that rhubarb cut well back but need a stronger back to get it all out.

So, the watering is done, I’ve shifted the potted potatoes away from the Tommy Toe tomato tower and I’ve weeded and mowed some of my neighbour’s garden. I must be nuts. We have dogwire netting fences so the two gardens appear to run together, but she is away…..so I can tidy up the view a bit. She won’t mind.

stayed cool enough so far under cloud cover for me to go clean out the poultry pends and build up the compost a bit. all hot and sweaty now though.

Roast lamb was lovely for a change. Beats a toasted sandwich any time. Dessert was a hit and there is lots left over for us who crave sweets.

We had to start a watering regime this arvo. The Alamanda flowers are drooping on the plant. The ground is still damp about 30cm down but the top is dry. Anything that hasn’t had a chance to become established is suffering a bit. Temp got way above 32 and with 34 for tomorrow and worse on Tuesday hosing will take priority.

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

I just thought his keyboard was broken.

;)

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

based on 22,000 days @ 8 hours per day.. and $1 per graft

which is cheap.

If your maths is good you’ll have calculated that I worked on the figure of 150 grafts per hour which is conservative.

Cripes! You’d just be a blur of movement…

hortfurball said:

Happy Potter said:

roughbarked said:

I was looking forward to my holidays next month but yesterday the neighbouring orchardist dropped in and asked if I’d dwarf 6,000 blood orange trees and graft another 6,000 rootstocks to blood oranges.. That will cut a hole into my holidays. All I’ll be doing is working next door.

Aw c’mon you could knock that over by smoko.
lol.
I’m in awe of the number of zeros you often put behind the number of trees you graft and or bud, chop ect. Absolute awe.

I just thought his keyboard was broken.

;)

:)
just full of dirt and dead skin.

hortfurball said:

roughbarked said:

roughbarked said:

which is cheap.

If your maths is good you’ll have calculated that I worked on the figure of 150 grafts per hour which is conservative.

Cripes! You’d just be a blur of movement…

Actually I was T budding some pears and was told, you are only doing 200 per hour.. another grafter from another nursery was there and he said.. 200 per hour is OK nothing wrong with that. He looked at the boss and asked how many do you do? The reply was, 400.
I sad nothing but thought under my breath, well.. there is a speed difference between T budding pears and chip budding peaches that he isn’t paying attention to..

Truthfully I’d rather do 100 and know that they will all work than 200 and lose half of them.

Such speeds are not hand blurring movements. There are those who do 500 + The big difference in my mind is that I put on 200 tree buds, 198 of them grow. someone else puts on 500 and 400 of them grow.. My percentage is still better with room for improved speed.

I now have a new filling and a numb mouth. I fronted up to the dentist this morning and they said they didn’t have an appointment for me although they had received the voucher from the dental hospital. They suggested I try the other one across the road in case I had rang them by accident. It turns out that was the case but the voucher was still good so got the work done. I think I like this one better so will go back to him next time.

Afternoon. I didn’t quite make the morning.
Been picking apples and squeezing more limes, my ones this time. I’ve noticed a difference in the bought limes and my home growns.. mine have a much stronger lime scent. And pollinating pumpkin blooms and filling the vines manure drip feeder bottle. There’s fem blooms coming out left right and centre :)

Lin Lin my best silkie mum has been chasing her chicks away as per normal, but started pecking them and other chicks. Shes in the naughty pen on her own until she turns nice again. Hendrix is leading lots of chicks about, he’s so sweet.

Ouch BG. Rest day for you.

Happy Potter said:

Afternoon. I didn’t quite make the morning.
Been picking apples and squeezing more limes, my ones this time. I’ve noticed a difference in the bought limes and my home growns.. mine have a much stronger lime scent. And pollinating pumpkin blooms and filling the vines manure drip feeder bottle. There’s fem blooms coming out left right and centre :)

Lin Lin my best silkie mum has been chasing her chicks away as per normal, but started pecking them and other chicks. Shes in the naughty pen on her own until she turns nice again. Hendrix is leading lots of chicks about, he’s so sweet.

Ouch BG. Rest day for you.

Might do some sewing, but then again I might have a nap. The critter in my roof seemed to be trying the dig through the ceiling right above my bed last night! I tried thumping the wall, the ceiling and eventually opening the manhole in the laundry and leaving the light on which seemed to finally quieten it down. I was wide awake by this time though and didn’t get to sleep until the wee hours. Thing is I can’t work out how it can manage to make so much noise as there is quite a lot of insulation batts up there and I would have thought it would have dampened things somewhat.

Hello. Yes I’m late today and I haven’t got a note. Unless medical stuff is a good exscuse.

It’s very hot here. 35c on the verandah. Consequestly we are inside with the air con going full bore. I need to do some baking but I’m reluctant to put the oven on. Will research some sort of micro wave recipes.

I checked out PM’s Garicinia. Noted that HP is punishing her took took. BG has a numb mouth. Might go back to my book till it’s cooler ourside.

I’m here and dreading the heat that is going to hit us today. What’s even worse is that I have to go out in it. I would normally opt to stay hidden away in the air conditioning but it’s my day to be out and about.

Most likely severe storms this afternoon so perhaps I will be home earlier than was planned.

We are having an invasion of frogs at night. We have one large green tree frog that follows the same routine every night to get at the moths and insects that come to our lights. We’ve named him Fat Frog. There is another that hangs around the front security screen door for the same reason. We also seem to have a lot of Cooloola tree frogs. (I’ve just ID’d them) They are small and shy but it doesn’t stop them getting as close as they can to the flying insects.

These are just the ones that we can see. There are plenty of others that we only hear. Toads as well but I don’t think there as many of them as there used to be.

Good morning. We are only going for a mid twenties today, which I think is lovely. For my second day of leave we are going to take Mr buffy’s ute to have the tar spots removed from the duco, and while that is being done we will go to Casterton in my car to move furniture out of the kitchen so the builder can start relining some of the wall and preparing the floor for new vinyl when he is ready. He is going to do the job as and when he has time, as long as he is not working on a Wednesday when I am there for consulting. It will be nice to have a stove over there again. Not that there is time to cook when I am consulting, but for weekend overnights not having to think my food only around a microwave will be good!

pomolo said:

I’m here and dreading the heat that is going to hit us today. What’s even worse is that I have to go out in it. I would normally opt to stay hidden away in the air conditioning but it’s my day to be out and about.

Most likely severe storms this afternoon so perhaps I will be home earlier than was planned.

We are having an invasion of frogs at night. We have one large green tree frog that follows the same routine every night to get at the moths and insects that come to our lights. We’ve named him Fat Frog. There is another that hangs around the front security screen door for the same reason. We also seem to have a lot of Cooloola tree frogs. (I’ve just ID’d them) They are small and shy but it doesn’t stop them getting as close as they can to the flying insects.

These are just the ones that we can see. There are plenty of others that we only hear. Toads as well but I don’t think there as many of them as there used to be.

I had to laugh about the frogs. My Vic born and raised eldest daughter has discovered Q’ld has frogs and toads, and lots and lots of them! lol.

Another coolish overcast day. We are getting some rain by the weeks end apparently.
I have a boring housework day ahead. Mainly the kitchen but it will take all day, it’s a top to bottom clean.

There is a storm building, out near Menindee.. http://www.essentialenergy.com.au/content/stormtracker

hello. I have been in Benalla all day at the CWA Group Conference. Unfortunately I had a headache all day from the dental work yesterday but other than that it was good. My little apron got second prize (out of 3.)

roughbarked said:

There is a storm building, out near Menindee.. http://www.essentialenergy.com.au/content/stormtracker

That’s cool but did you look up our way? It’s just passed over us and we’re lucky it wasn’t too bad at the time. Someone’s coping it though.

Funny that you can see our area on your link.

bluegreen said:

hello. I have been in Benalla all day at the CWA Group Conference. Unfortunately I had a headache all day from the dental work yesterday but other than that it was good. My little apron got second prize (out of 3.)

I thought yours deserved first place. It was well made and clever.

pomolo said:

bluegreen said:

hello. I have been in Benalla all day at the CWA Group Conference. Unfortunately I had a headache all day from the dental work yesterday but other than that it was good. My little apron got second prize (out of 3.)

I thought yours deserved first place. It was well made and clever.

thank you. The first prize placer was pretty good too :)

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

There is a storm building, out near Menindee.. http://www.essentialenergy.com.au/content/stormtracker

That’s cool but did you look up our way? It’s just passed over us and we’re lucky it wasn’t too bad at the time. Someone’s coping it though.

Funny that you can see our area on your link.

Pom, I am not sure exactly where you live but I gather it is north of me somewhere. The Country Energy(Essential Energy) stormwatch is designed to track storms for better predictability of service repairs. It probably covers a wider area than the electricity company covers so as to make predictable tracking easier.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

There is a storm building, out near Menindee.. http://www.essentialenergy.com.au/content/stormtracker

That’s cool but did you look up our way? It’s just passed over us and we’re lucky it wasn’t too bad at the time. Someone’s coping it though.

Funny that you can see our area on your link.

Pom, I am not sure exactly where you live but I gather it is north of me somewhere. The Country Energy(Essential Energy) stormwatch is designed to track storms for better predictability of service repairs. It probably covers a wider area than the electricity company covers so as to make predictable tracking easier.

I’m up there over the Q’ld border. Around the Maroochydore/Noosa area. We have just had another storm but there wasn’t much rain. The sky (clouds) are doing weird things atm.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

That’s cool but did you look up our way? It’s just passed over us and we’re lucky it wasn’t too bad at the time. Someone’s coping it though.

Funny that you can see our area on your link.

Pom, I am not sure exactly where you live but I gather it is north of me somewhere. The Country Energy(Essential Energy) stormwatch is designed to track storms for better predictability of service repairs. It probably covers a wider area than the electricity company covers so as to make predictable tracking easier.

I’m up there over the Q’ld border. Around the Maroochydore/Noosa area. We have just had another storm but there wasn’t much rain. The sky (clouds) are doing weird things atm.

Used to be sorta Surfers Paradise but it is all Brisvegas now isn’t it?

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

Pom, I am not sure exactly where you live but I gather it is north of me somewhere. The Country Energy(Essential Energy) stormwatch is designed to track storms for better predictability of service repairs. It probably covers a wider area than the electricity company covers so as to make predictable tracking easier.

I’m up there over the Q’ld border. Around the Maroochydore/Noosa area. We have just had another storm but there wasn’t much rain. The sky (clouds) are doing weird things atm.

Used to be sorta Surfers Paradise but it is all Brisvegas now isn’t it?

Goodness me No! We don’t even associate with Bris or Surfers. We’re about an hour or 2 north of Bris but inland.

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

I’m up there over the Q’ld border. Around the Maroochydore/Noosa area. We have just had another storm but there wasn’t much rain. The sky (clouds) are doing weird things atm.

Used to be sorta Surfers Paradise but it is all Brisvegas now isn’t it?

Goodness me No! We don’t even associate with Bris or Surfers. We’re about an hour or 2 north of Bris but inland.

Ah, I haven’t been up there since 1970.. forget where it all is. besides.. both times I went through your part of the world.. I was asleep on a bus.

bluegreen said:

hello. I have been in Benalla all day at the CWA Group Conference. Unfortunately I had a headache all day from the dental work yesterday but other than that it was good. My little apron got second prize (out of 3.)

Well done BG. Sorry to hear you have a headache though.

We have just had our third storm this evening. This one was wilder and lasted longer than the others. More rain in it too. All is well and no damage even though it got pretty windy.

Storm number 4 about to let loose. I’m off to read in bed.

roughbarked said:

pomolo said:

roughbarked said:

Used to be sorta Surfers Paradise but it is all Brisvegas now isn’t it?

Goodness me No! We don’t even associate with Bris or Surfers. We’re about an hour or 2 north of Bris but inland.

Ah, I haven’t been up there since 1970.. forget where it all is. besides.. both times I went through your part of the world.. I was asleep on a bus.

You won’t sleep through it next time. I’ll be there to bang on the window.

Good drop Pomolo :) I wish we would get some of that.. not wishing too hard tho’.

Rushing as usual..chookies fed and 6 week old chicks on the lawn in a pen, silverbeet picked and given to all beaked ones. Tons of tomatos picked.. they cover my table. Sauce coming up.
I’m getting ready for quilting and made some egg salad sangers to share. And I spotted a baby calico goldfish in my pond..obviously the couple remaining ones have bred. I caught it and it’s in a fishbowl on my bench. I’m feeding it wrigglers.
Had to say no to an invite to Clean Up Werribee River Day.. I haven’t finished my kitchen yet!
Back later.

bluegreen said:

hello. I have been in Benalla all day at the CWA Group Conference. Unfortunately I had a headache all day from the dental work yesterday but other than that it was good. My little apron got second prize (out of 3.)

Quite a talented bunch of craftspeople on our little forum :)

Those bunya nuts sound fabulous. I wish there was a nearby tree. But knowing my drama filled life, I’d need a suit of armor, and an army tank, just to go near it, haha.

Horty I have an electric oven with a gas cooktop. Lerve my gas flame kettle, best cups of tea ever and electric kettles don’t boil the same. The man usually boils them dry, but he’s learn to put the timer on. I’d only had gas ovens before this one and it took a lot to get used to it.
It’s changed now though and I have to put the temp up as ‘something’ must have happened one day when GS was here and we were out. The door is adjar and doesn’t seal on one side and the top oven element bent down on that same side. Obviously a large deep tray or baking dish was put in, caught the element on the lip of the dish and the door wouldn’t close, so it was forced. Or something. We can’t work it out. Both the oven door and element need replacing.

Scones, the lemonade scone recipe is probably the best one, but the real trick is to mix it quickly and lightly.

Good morning. We have a fog this morning, but it is forecast for a 30ish day, so that won’t last. I have watered in anticipation and must go and pull some weeds now, before it gets hot enough to melt me out there.

I like electric oven and gas cooktop. I think it’s just because that is what my mother had.

Off to the coastal big smoke today. Medical appointment. What a lovely drive in the rain.

We will head off early and find a place to have lunch before the app. It’s all so changed down there. The Noosa we used to know is somewhere in the middle of all that confusion.

D planted most of the spring bulbs yesterday. Some of them were already showing shoots. Of course the Freesias don’t have time to draw breath between dying back and re shooting. He says that all the different varities are now segrigated but I’ll wait till spring to verify that. It’s amazing how easily bulbs get mixed up

Have a nice one you all.

Back inside, skin leaking badly……I sweat!

I’ve been at my ‘puter all morning. Got a new mobile and been trying to figure out how it all works and import contacts, calendars etc. from old mobile, iPod and Google account. Found the best way is to import all the other devices into the Google account and then connect the new mobile to that. Sort of virtual housework I suppose.