Sunday, July 24, 2011

Day 9: Two additions to the poultry family




I now have two more hens which I picked up from a farmers feed and seed place just outside of town, now I'm trying to find names at the moment they are Henny Penny and whitey (not very original) can you help me out

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

My Sour Dough Again


Well the second try with just white flour and a little bread improver made a big difference. Not so heavy. It still takes along time to proof, basically all day. Very little kneading though, so if you are at home all day it is no problem, and you just cook it the next day. Next time I think I will rise it in the oven covered on the lowest my gas oven can go, cover the dough and leave a container of water in the bottom of the oven. I'll let you know

Family visits


It was lovely having my brother visit. He has great ideas with cooking from his past work. He left today - he is rather itinerant so who knows when he will be back. I live in another country from where most of my family members live (apart from my immediate family). I do miss them all but I know they are all close to my heart and I think of them often. I think the older we get the more we think about our past history.

Room Changing


I always think if your house is organised or reorganised you feel ready to face any problems. I changed our office into spare room and now spare room is in where the office is. The little back room is separate from the rest of the house. The dog isn't allowed in the house but this room is near the back porch so is not really part of the main house. I can view the whole back yard clearly. See the dog make sure she isn't up to mischief. This will be the room I can do my own thing (my husband likes watching sport on TV). Like sewing, I have my ironing board set up here too. It is a small room so easy to keep warm. It was freezing in Toowoomba yesterday but I was hot as toast in my little room. I'm thinking of putting a small couch in there as it would be ideal and peaceful for reading.

Weekly wash for Rosie


Yesterday Rosie had her first shampoo. Does anybody know any tried recipes for dog shampoo? She was unsure at first. I showered her in our shower which needed a complete clean anyway. I use lemon scented vinegar for the bathroom and orange scented vinegar for the kitchen. I peel the orange or lemon and leave peel in vinegar for 3 weeks.

Day 8: Another walk




I'm about to go for another walk in the neighbourhood. Here are some photos to show the beautiful place I live in - here in Toowoomba. Although it has been very cold lately. Close to zero degrees Celsius in the morning. Rosie is walking better

Monday, July 18, 2011

Work around the house


It was time to make some more laundry liquid. This recipe I found on Down_to_Earth Blog. 1 cup of grated pure soap dissolved in 1.5L simmering water then add 1/2 cup of Borax and 1/2 cup of washing soda, add all this into a 20L bucket and fill with water and stir.
I make this up about every 3 months and costs about $4 and is better for the environment.
We also puppy proofed the back yard, which took alot of effort on the part of my husband - he is very kind considering it was me who wanted the puppy. We often disregard the sacrifices our partners make for us. He spent many hard hours filling in the gaps and strengthening the fence.

Last Weekend


On Saturday Alister and I went to the coast (Alister had some work) I visited a girlfriend and met up with my daughter as well. So I had a lovely weekend. Friends are a very important part of my life. We learn so much from each other, living so far away from them makes me appreciate them even more.


My daughter is working on the coast and studying in Brisbane. I miss her very much, it is always good to catch up with her, the older we get I think the closer we become.

Day 7: My Sour Dough Success

The bread, even though took along time to proof (6 hours) it was worth it in the end!

Friday, July 15, 2011

continue my walk



There is always something interesting to look at and I do feel stimulated when I return

Day 6: Walking in the neighbourhood


Walking in the neighbourhood is not only good for the puppy, exercise for me, able to look at beautiful gardens but some things make you laugh like this puppy I saw over the fence. Won't the owner be surprised!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Puppy School


Rosie went to puppy school last night. At first she was very shy and even snarled at other dogs for sniffing! But after a while she got used to the idea. She wasn't as playful as the others maybe next week she will join in more.

Day 5: Rearranging the chook pen



I was up early to go to my 2nd job. It only took an hour and a half so back in time to take Rosie for a walk. Alister brought home some fencing from his work to put around the vege garden. Hopefully that will stop the puppy from running wild all over the garden. Leonie (the new bantum hen) has settled in.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Day 4: Collecting Betty's replacement



What a great day! Up early to pick up Betty's replacement - Betty died after the puppy decided to treat her just a little too roughly! Leonie is beautiful and Barry is sooo excited!
This is the lovely lady that sold me Leonie (a partridge bantum)
Her managery of chooks and dogs were amazing!
Here are some photos

Monday, July 11, 2011

sourdough


I have transferred my sourdough brew in a glass jug - much easier to look after, good advise from Rose (another blogger). It is looking good - I also put a sultana in it so I'm looking forward to day 14 when I can use this raising agent. Every day I put in 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of flour after taking 1/2 the mixture out. Happy baking my friends

Day 3: What a weekend!




Welcome back. Thankyou for joining me again. Well what a weekend. Unexpected guests arrived. My children - Sam, 21, he is on a semester break, Kelly, his girlfriend from Canada and Melissa. It was a lovely surprise. Unfortunatley I worked over the weekend at the hospital. But they were able to entertain Rosie, the puppy.
Rosie is going to visit the vet for the first time, we walked longer than usual yesterday, every day I'm able to walk longer with her, and we came across a local vet where I made the appointment.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Day 2


Well what a day it was yesterday.....
Alister had to go and have a lie down, he got a little squeamish
At the moment it is freezing, beautiful blue sky but only about 6 degrees!
Rosie is at my side in her bed. She had a good night sleep - we both woke at 6am which I am grateful for and we went for a walk, this time she was able to walk the block - she hasn't got got the idea about the lead yet
After her walk and my shower we both sat down to some porridge. She wasnt so keen on it and most of it ended up on her towel - oh well Barry (the rooster) was happy about that considering her wife was killed the day before by Miss Rosie!
I work at the hospital this afternoon so it will be interesting if Rosie behaves without me around
I finished the draught excluder (snake) yesterday, it took a while to stuff the snake with sand but it has worked out well I will include a photo - now I have 6 more to make and next week I'm making curtains. The landlord said this house was insulated - I'll do my best to stop the draughts then the house might be at least warmer than outside LOL. Old houses are nice, great ambiance etc but they can be bitterly cold unless you sit over the heating all day - just imagine harm to the environment and cost!
Hope to make some bread before I go to work - tried out a new recipe yesterday - instead of kneeding the dough you slam and fold for ten minutes - sounds weird but it worked brilliantly, if anyone is interested in this recipe let me know

Thursday, July 7, 2011

fridays photo

Well you would never think she would hurt a fly but she has just torn to shreds my little bantum - I am soooo upset - more with myself than her. Dear me alot more training to be done and another hen to buy! Anybody selling any?

Friday the 8th July Day 1 of my blog

Well I have never had a blog before. I guess it is like a diary but for all to see!!??Not sure if it is for me but we shall see.
My dog just killed my only hen - how is that for a tragic start!
My husband, Alister and I were having breakfast - he was about to go to the Gold Coast for the weekend, when we heard this terrible sqreechl - it was a chook. We both ran out. Couldn't see them, in the meantime the new puppy was enjoying her catch, by the time we found them the hen was bearly alive. While Alister held her, almost throwing up and fainting at the same time, I stitched her torn body up with needle and thread - being a nurse prepares you for these situations I guess. I wrapped her up warm - she could move all limbs and flap her wings so I thought she could cope. I gave her a few sips of sugary water and an hour after the incident she opened her eyes as if to say "Nice knowing you" then she died. I am so sad. I thought if I was really strong I could turn her remains into chicken stew - but no, I put her in a box and buried her. My fault entirely - I thought I could trust her as yesterday - first day for her at home (13 weeks old) she was so good - didn't even chase them, and the previous owner said she would probably just round them up. Well not to be. Well if anyone bothers to read this first instalment of my life they will probably not bother again. Tomorrow if you dear I shall tell you a little about myself.