Quiet Days

Hi – How is everyone doing with their slower lifestyles – if indeed thats your case?
The weather here has turned pretty cold. I think there must be snow somewhere judging by the feel of the wind today!
Had the fire on all day!
Actually I did the Good Wife Thing and got up early to set and light the fire so Jeff would have a warm house to come home to – its his birthday – but it went out!!! It was going really nicely but just burned too quickly between lighting and him getting home.
Damn.

I really did not do a good job with my tomatoes!
Yes, they are producing and ripening but I gave up on looking after them long ago – now they are a jungle, sprawling on the ground and the cold weather has brought the slugs/snails back.
Still plenty to pick though even if they are going manky (The plants not the fruit)

Months and months down the track, the crazy tall capsicum plant ‘Mad Hatter’ has started with its fruit going red!

I had one in a salad yesterday and they are lovely and sweet!

Still plenty of zucchinis. I hadn’t checked for a while…. oops

The other night I sat in front of the telly (Stargate Atlantis lol)(The most super awesome thing about that show is that no matter where one goes in the galaxy – everyone speaks English (except the super bad guys)) and chopped all the tomatoes I had been collecting, put them on the stove and cooked them.
Nice lot to store in the freezer.

Yesterday evening I hear quite the racket outside and upon investigation, found a family of black cockatoos feasting in the apple tree!! Parents and a squeaking young one that got fed applesauce on the odd occasion! So funny to watch.
Hows the cheek of them!!! This fellow flew over the paddock with apple firmly clamped in beak!

I love these birds!!

So – thats quite the hint to get my behind out there and pick the remaining apples so we have some on hand this season!
The rotters often just take a bite or two out of each one!

They’ve not done a bad job really!!!
I bet the possums are coming in at night and gorging themselves silly too.
The European wasps have joined in the fun as well (Not fond of those – invasive bitey things – not to mention complete jerks)

Pip came out for a bit with me as there was a bit of time without rain.

Not a bad haul… will cook and freeze some and share others

I think I mentioned in a previous post that our other apple tree was about dead. This one looks to be on its way out as well.
I guess we should decide about removing at least the fully cactus one and replant something.

I’ve been out the back slug hunting with Support Chook – now its pouring again. She is pretty good at going into her shelter though. Its a bit horrible out there right now!!
Daylight savings has finished – and the days are shortening more noticeably.
Don’t think we’ll get that late summer I was all keen on!

I haven’t been back to the supermarket since I did my ‘last’ shop.
I was thinking of getting the milk delivered. There is a local mob who do it which might be a smart move. As long as they come up as far as us – which they might not.
Note to self… investigate!
Sharon should be in midweek to collect carrots, apples and other fresh food.
She sourced me some carrot seeds and is going to barter with farm fresh butter… so thats pretty handy! They will also be dropping off firewood sometime soon as we bartered a big macrocarpa log a while back for it.
So lucky to have the ability and connections to do this kind of thing!

Stay safe, stay happy
Cheers