Tag: lifestyle

Late autumn farm babies

May 25, 2018

The babies are still being born on the farm before the real chill sets in. We have had a couple of calves over the last week, a handful of lambs, and a few bunnies. All are doing well – we just got a load of lucerne to keep the all well fed over winter.

Life on the farm is great now we are in the house. The new road and carpark gives us somewhere to put our cars, and visitors don’t need to park in the paddock any more! The feed was delivered straight to the shed and the driver loved our new road.

Adding a picture of my cute little bunnies who will hopefully have their new bunny courtyard ready to move into shortly.

BabyBunnies

Moving in the babies…

March 26, 2018

Remember those aloes I saved out of the garden in February, two of the best have been promoted to cheering me up – by greening the bathroom! The pots don’t exactly match – but then again, I am no interior decorator / designer. I am just happy if I can keep the plants alive and somewhat green.

My addiction to green things does not just stop at two though… I picked up an awesome stand at IKEA on the weekend – my first ever visit. The succulents that I saved from the garden in February have found a new home. There are a few empty spots – but I will hopefully fill them up as my gardening skills improve (I have been known to accidentally kill Devil’s Ivy – not sure how). I definitely need to get advice on those peace lilies. Check out my indoor plant stand below.

Ensuite_Babies

I am also wondering if my room mates will notice the greening of the kitchen? They don’t get indoor plants – or why I might enjoy them. Maybe they will be more appreciative of some green in winter. The lucky bamboo definitely needs some training…. In the meantime, I will keep the indoor green creep, slowly so that they also become part of the furniture.

kichen_baby

Introducing Ghost and Shadow

March 2, 2018

Our farm now has two Maremma pups to look after the cows, sheep and bunnies. Shadow is a lot bigger than Ghost was at the same age. But then again Sparky was a big pup and now he is an example of a petite German Shepherd.

When Shadow first came home even the baby bunnies terrified him – and the cows, they had him climbing onto my shoulder. Then again, Ghost was the same with the cows at that age. Ghost still makes me drive the car into the yard to pick her up rather than walking past the cows.

I am currently in the middle of crate training him for ease of transportation and will introduce him to the animals slowly. His previous owners assured me that he has been raised around sheep, chickens and cows….. so should be good.

Below is a picture of Ghost at the same age.

Ghost_puppy

Saving Succulents

February 21, 2018

With the house nearly finished, it is time to start to start to think about the gardens. For the last several years we have had a large garden in front of the house – but given my lack of green thumb and frequent water shortages – it is a bit if a mess. I have been told that I need to start over.

But starting over from scratch seems silly – there are plants that I love. I need to save them one by one. The first, aloe vera, seems useful to keep around  – and after several years it has multiplied like crazy. But the hot and dry weather seems to be trying it very best to kill it.

GardenAloe

So I am going to separate and plant as many as I can before the bulldozer comes in. It seems to be taking well to the pot.

Another plant I am saving seems to be growing prolifically – but the cows love it. They heave eaten it back to dirt several times but it continues to come back. This is great because it is one of my favourites. I am told that it is also an adequate salt replacement when dried, something I can add to my soups. It has a little red flower that the bees love – and it is native! Don’t know its name though.

unknown succulant

Although it is not a succulent, I love rosemary and have been taking cuttings from the well established bush. The twelve I planted last year are going very well, so lets hope this lot of fifteen do as well.

15rosemary

The great ginger experiment

February 4, 2018

Recently I have been consuming a lot of ginger – fresh ginger root. I have been going through at least 500g a month if not more. It is not because I am fond of ginger, I don’t really like the taste, it is because of the supposed health benefits.

Health benefits supposedly include:

  • lower blood sugar
  • lower cholesterol
  • weight loss
  • fewer and less severe colds

So I take it in a tea every morning and evening  with lemon, honey, and apple cider vinegar. I am getting on in years and it may be a good idea to start looking after my health, besides as a chocoholic anything that lowers my blood sugar is a good idea.

But fresh ginger root is expensive! So I thought I would try and grow my own. So I mixed some well draining soil and stuck a few old and sprouting ginger roots – they aren’t from the nursery and have seen better days. I guess all I can do is keep watering them and cross my fingers.

The containers and bucket lids are upcycled – if this works….. well, the great ginger experiment will have been a success!