a farm child

Yes it's true. A farm child is adding to this equation of farm wife and farmer. We are due on the 20th February, and I will try to get a copy of the ultrasound picture up sometime soon. So reason for my aforementioned sickness - quite extreme nausea and tiredness hve led to very low activity levels. I am definitely not doing 10000 steps every day...the farmer has also taken on the culinary mantle as I retch on walking into the kitchen which is turning out to be quite effective 'conditioning' for those of you who studied psych at uni. So while we are very thankful for this new life, we are eagerly awaiting 12 weeks when I may be able to tolerate the smell of cheese again. All of my predictions about how I would feel when pregnant are not coming true...it is definitely about being in the moment at this stage. We are expecting a visit from sister, brother and cousin next week to improve the social situation around here - looking forward to having friends to be with.

drought but not out

I read in some article that the zone we live in should soon be eligible for dry season assistance, as we are said to be in a bit of drought. Forecasts for next year are apparently not great. So without getting too morbid I have been thinking about what this means. But for now I am still sick - a long time now - and not puttting many coherent thoughts together. Hope to be back on the wagon soon.

tinned corn and mince

I've always thought dishes with tinned corn were beneath me...until now. I have come to appreciate the mondayitis that comes with not having grocery shopped properly for 2 weeks or so and being far from any food seller. So tinned vegies, mostly corn, it is. And as we've had a cow that needed freeing from this life, mince (all 110 kg of cow converted). Any ideas for brilliant combinations...

mary had a little lamb

Or rather Kath had 8 little lambs as of this afternoon. They're ensconced in the chook pen. We have lost a few lambs as the mums have not had enough feed and water. So the three oldest have ribbons around their necks, to identify them. So my blogging absence has been partly about gradually acquiring 8 lambs, as well as just returning from a fabulous crafternoon/weekend at Williams. Many things learnt. Hope to do it again. Off to laugh tonight at the comedy festival roadshow - we both need a bit of that around here at present.

animal vegetable miracle

I've just started reading this wonder of a book. After experiencing the death of ray charles this morning I read Barbara Kingsolver's first recommendation. Never name the baby animals as I presume you then won't want to kill or eat them. I would tend to agree. Curious George is alive and well although I would be hesitant to kill something I have bottlefed like a baby. Otherwise this book has so many parallels with Australia and our lack of cuisine identity. Still thinking that joining the Slow Food movement would be a good thing on many fronts.

curious george and ray charles

curious george and ray charles are the new two members of the family. they are orphan lambs. ray charles had his eyes half pecked by a crow and now alternates between standing still looking forlorn and bumping into things or falling down holes. curious george is hungry ALL the time.
we have just farewelled some friends who came for a stay - i could get used to company. i have some more visitors on the horizon so looking forward - july and november.

a country gathering

here's a birthday invite i got the other day - love it!

You know how we've said we must catch up.Well, we will. Instead of fighting the crowds for a bit of yum cha, why don't you come over for a textural marvel.? You'll get messy hands,top heavy heated up and a big, glossy lipped grin and chin.!!!Chunks of dough, herbs,onion,
figs,chorizo and the like,all topped with oozy,gooey cheese's. Yep,thats right mate, it's a's birthday on tuesday 10th June. So lunch at my place for a 10.30ish start.Bring the vino.We're going to cook a pizza or 10.It doesn't matter how late or early you are just join the mob!Please rsvp. Some things are best done in crowds.Some things are funny and irreverent and also taste good.Some recipes just seem to suit our bush lifestyle. So don't worry about the day before or the day after ,just join the mob,tell worn jokes, watch the rain and catch up. We really must.
P.S- the birthday girl insist's no present's or she will knock your teeth out!!!