It's been a year since I last updated this blog-and it's been quite a year!

Introducing our newest grandchild (#8)-our 6th grandson, Kayden Oliver born 18th March and weighing in at 10lb 4oz. He is the son of our daughter Chloe and her fiancé, Brent. Big sister Isabelle is thrilled with her new brother. :)

 

Grandchild #9 is due in a few weeks. :)

Missing.....

...my blogging mojo.

 

I'll return just as soon as it does!

Grieving for Gran...

Today we lay to rest our beloved Gran- my husband's Grandmother. She passed away last Sunday evening. Until recently she lived at home-but time took it's toll and she moved into respite care after a heart attack some weeks back.

She was a Great-grandmother of 12 and great-great grandmother of 7...meeting out two youngest grandchildren in the week prior to passing.

Gran taught me a lot-about relationships and family; about how to enjoy and appreciate each day. One of 10 siblings, she lived through the Great Depression and knew how to live within her means.

Dancing the night away in her younger years, she also loved sport ( being VERY competitive in nature), cooking and cards.

Cognitive until the end, I adored those opportunities I had to chat with her-discussing the differences and similarities between our two generations.

RIP Edna Barbara Saunders ( nee Arnott).

Prodigal returns...albeit briefly!

Whoops- a 3 month hiatus from blogging crept up unexpectedly! Real life has been happening-with all it's ups and downs...we have welcomed two new grandchildren: Thomas on October 31st ( 2nd son for our middle child & her husband) and then on December 16th Peyton arrived ( 4th child & 1st daughter for our eldest & his fiancée). We now have 5 grandsons and 2 grand daughters to love!

We have bid goodbye to a friend and have our elderly ( 95.5yr old) grandmother transitioned into fulltime care. We have celebrated birthdays & milestones with family & friends.Swings and roundabouts, such as life always brings.

From our family to yours...we hope that your festive season has been all you could wish for and that the New Year brings a full and productive life to you all. XXX

Thomas Scott-all 9lb 14oz of him!

Peyton Rose-weighing in at a healthy 8lb 6oz at 38 weeks gestation. :)

Busy,busy,busy....

Just quickly popping in with an update.

* Today we divided our back section ( 40m x 13m) into 3 yards using star pickets and stock wire. We have two meat lambs coming tomorrow and we will use the 3 yard system and allow them to strip graze one section before moving into the next and so on.

* I've planted a Lapin Cherry tree, a peacharine, 8 white carpet roses and some variegated grasses. Plus sown carrots, radishes, beetroot and some more lettuce.

* My employment has been insanely busy-but I'm off to a professional conference in New Zealand next week and will go over a couple of days earlier for a few days sightseeing first.


Back soon. :

Home harvests..

With busy times at the moment, it is heartwarming to walk out to the vegie garden at the end of the day and harvest items for that night's dinner.

Sunday's harvest:broccoli, small cauliflower, young cabbage, snowpeas and eggs.

This mornings forage: Cauliflower,4 eggs, kale, asparagus & one shallot

 

 

Budget dinner when two of the grandsons were here on Friday night consisted of beef & vege casserole topped with herby cheese dumplings.....grandson #2 went home and told his Dad that I fed them ducklings!

 

 

Simple soup....

 

Our weather here is having one last wintery fling and as such casseroles & soups are appreciated. This is one of the easiest and cheapest soups to make-especially for those out there who are a bit unsure of which vegetables to toss together.

 

 

Simple soup.

 

1 packet of soup vegetables ( $2 at my local supermarket)

1 400g tin diced/crushed tomatoes ( 80c)

2 litre Chicken stock ( home made or made with stock cube/powder)

 

*Chop vegies into large chunks-peeling the onion, swede and parsnip first. Peeling the potato and carrots is optional.

 

* Toss into a pot and add the tin of tomatoes

 

* Rinse the tomato tin with chicken stock and add to pot.

 

* Pour the rest of the stock into the pot and simmer until vegies are tender.

 

* If you want a more liquid soup add more stock or water.