tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1372428546183155302024-03-14T03:36:16.974+11:00Menucha nechonaA treatise on our moving and living on our new property, west of Grafton, NSW, Aus.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-73788634687994890312017-12-29T06:29:00.000+11:002017-12-31T22:27:09.579+11:00Moving to InstagramWe've decided that it's much easier to post more frequent updates on Instagram rather then continue the blog, so just as our place is evolving so is our social media output.<br />
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We've had about 170mm of rain over the last few weeks and its obvious from the growth we've seen from our fruit trees and vegie garden. It looks like we may get our first paw paws, grapes and pecans this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2017/i-VNHwH9P/0/e1ae3c73/O/_DSC0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2017/i-VNHwH9P/0/e1ae3c73/O/_DSC0011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frogs are lovin' the current stormy weather !</td></tr>
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We were away from the property for a few days last week so the verandah must have been a quiet and peaceful haven for the local wildlife. A shrike thrush obviously thought so because it built a nest right outside the front door. Every time we go outside he flies away so now we have had to use the side door to avoid disturbing him. Oh well. I guess its only for a few weeks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://photos.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2017/i-dMX6vkB/0/85845c4d/O/_DSC0048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://photos.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2017/i-dMX6vkB/0/85845c4d/O/_DSC0048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shrike Thrush nesting in a hanging pot, on the front veranda !</td></tr>
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We currently have 6 dragon fruit plants but only one is advanced enough to have flowers. Unfortunately we need two varieties to flower at the same time to achieve pollination so up the ladder I go to give them a hand. The flowers only open once and only at night so you have to be vigilant and using a paint brush transfer the pollen from one flower to the next. Hopefully we've been successful.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1cxSu-Mjv-kFhmroL6wDsBjjVMj7IofpurpzksE__3-9BRuUOWZ6xZyEvMCwufVVOr9VojsJtGvb9Lpx3fM6hdX72EibXz7qenPz8ZRzEFEH4Ew6TgRBwP3yHav7AcL-D_7jl_scEB4/s1600/download_20171227_205648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1cxSu-Mjv-kFhmroL6wDsBjjVMj7IofpurpzksE__3-9BRuUOWZ6xZyEvMCwufVVOr9VojsJtGvb9Lpx3fM6hdX72EibXz7qenPz8ZRzEFEH4Ew6TgRBwP3yHav7AcL-D_7jl_scEB4/s400/download_20171227_205648.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hand pollinating a dragonfruit.</td></tr>
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You can find us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/menucha.nechona/" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-33528675895195087682017-06-21T17:00:00.000+10:002017-06-21T17:00:57.797+10:00LANTANA !One of the jobs on the property that we feel is a priority is clearing lantana. This tenacious and invasive weed chokes the native vegetation, obstructs the view of the land and restricts our ability to walk the property. Aside from the cleared area around the house and sheds the whole property was covered in it when we arrived. It varied from sparse, to thick, to impassable. Since we arrived we have been clearing after it rains and the ground has become wet enough to allow it to come out more easily. So when we have long periods of dry, we leave it be because it's nearly impossible to pull up. When I say clearing I mean hand pulling each and every single piece of lantana.<br />
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That said, we have cleared three quarters of the property. The scaled map below shows the extent of land we have cleared. We have also done repulls of most of the areas which is essential to ensure that we keep on top of regrowth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY-LyGbZUssMxRMHeVHR4tFw9FMSZVAX8VEnfXLe0qMo5E3_IbAWA8rVDVDPNlabrM672HmZQZiIMXWn-28K5FRbrsGUhvLk4vbeeC_r1nFUdM_XpJp2NKPVLWt4pz9uz44j6UC7b/s1600/lantana+clearence+map.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY-LyGbZUssMxRMHeVHR4tFw9FMSZVAX8VEnfXLe0qMo5E3_IbAWA8rVDVDPNlabrM672HmZQZiIMXWn-28K5FRbrsGUhvLk4vbeeC_r1nFUdM_XpJp2NKPVLWt4pz9uz44j6UC7b/s640/lantana+clearence+map.png" width="451" /></a></div>
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We have seen kangaroos at our place regularly and across our property since we started clearing. When we arrived we never saw them. Other landholders who haven't been as fastidious with clearing report they never see kangaroos, I suspect it's because they can't travel through the stuff.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydsxH8i1N8eJJIjidGSuKHspUxpmDA8rQH70fmcLpsEy_BNDXkg_nbXagSH9nJg4nJ4Q4Exg57d-cOHFJSRcKer8_4v6KTNujmrozyHmV1R-ajFVIrwuDm_LjExyZdva-CJkAAPcn/s1600/P6210015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydsxH8i1N8eJJIjidGSuKHspUxpmDA8rQH70fmcLpsEy_BNDXkg_nbXagSH9nJg4nJ4Q4Exg57d-cOHFJSRcKer8_4v6KTNujmrozyHmV1R-ajFVIrwuDm_LjExyZdva-CJkAAPcn/s320/P6210015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lantana pulled and stacked, roots off the ground !</td></tr>
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One of the other joys is exposing pretty areas that were previously completely covered in the stuff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small waterfall in the creek, previously screened via lantana</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-58315636853994622252017-05-16T17:45:00.000+10:002017-05-16T17:45:29.386+10:00The start of our grove and much more...<h3>
The Start</h3>
We have an area in the back yard which was once a small dam filled with an invasive weed. The weed was a great additive to our compost piles as it added heaps of nitrogen and was a great mulch but we were concerned about the weed escaping during heavy rain and washing into the surrounding creeks. A friend of ours did a great job of filling in the dam with a front end loader.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2012/i-hVwNWVB/0/O/IMG_8793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2012/i-hVwNWVB/0/O/IMG_8793.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After filling the dam in 2012, thanks Steve.</td></tr>
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This will be the start of our grove. Over the last two years we have been scattering any spare green matter that I didn't want in the compost, like weeds or woodier stems which break down slowly and chook poo and horse poo to try and improve the soil.<br />
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Our grove is underway with 2 x native tamarinds, two finger limes a lemon and a black mulberry.<br />
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In 2016 we visited Daleys Nursery in Kyogle and purchased a few fruit trees to add to them. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumichama" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grumichama</a> and a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherimoya" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cherimoya </a> as well as another Macadamia.<br />
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Fast forward to 2017</h3>
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And one of the Tamarinds died, as did one of the native Finger Limes, the rest are doing well. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherimoya doing well., doubled in size !</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eureka, it's a Lemon !</td></tr>
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We've since added Dragon Fruits x4 , a Blood Orange. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Orange</td></tr>
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Around the yard</h3>
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Down in the netted Orchard we've also added 2 x Avocados (a Type A and a Type B) , a dwarf Mulberry and 2 more varieties of Figs. </div>
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We also added a Liquid Amber Tree to replace the two Oleanders that were in the back yard that we removed, </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liquid Amber</td></tr>
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as well as a Crab Apple for its bee attractant properties and it's fruit is full of pectin for jam setting.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banksia in flower !</td></tr>
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In the garden</h3>
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Winter is coming, some things are lovin' it, some not so much. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oranges getting close</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus getting closer to needing to be cut back (when they brown off)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bok Choi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Echinacea as a bee attract and Insect deterrent for naughty insects !</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Passionfruit, seeds courtesy of Trevor's Mum !</td></tr>
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<br />In the kitchen</h3>
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Toni has been busy as always, making her own Mayo, Rosella Jam and Sauces etc. Bread and Cheese of course, Mozzarella this time.</div>
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Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215395109444744940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-27365733386642165212017-04-30T06:16:00.000+10:002017-04-30T06:16:13.811+10:00Renovating !<h3>
Chainsaw</h3>
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Originally we had one "middle powered" saw but as anyone with a property knows, eventually you discover you need a large saw and a small saw. We managed to find a great bargain on <a href="http://www.gumtree.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gumtree</a> for a large petrol powered saw in immaculate condition and when doing some research for a small saw we decided to go with the cordless <a href="http://www.stihl.com.au/STIHL-Products/Cordless-Power-System/Cordless-Chainsaws/22182-1609/MSA-200-C-BQ.aspx" target="_blank">Stihl MSA 200</a>. Being on solar, the energy for this smaller one is essentially "free" from the sun. There's no pollution or carbon emissions as from two stroke engine (which are incredibly polluting). The gotcha was, with all cordless equipment the upfront cost of the battery but essentially you're paying all your fuel up front. It's very quiet, no muffs necessary, only needs bar oil and cut through this tree easily. Two thumbs up for everything aside from cost.</div>
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Renovating the Bench Seats</h3>
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We had two old bench seats, both were unusable but the metal ends were in good condition. One was aluminium, and one was cast iron! We finally decided to renovate them to make them useable and Wow! have they come up beautifully.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hno5fStGaZs/VbqvrxM9LhI/AAAAAAAAHyw/CHKzUBtmulk/s1600/IMG_20150509_152622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hno5fStGaZs/VbqvrxM9LhI/AAAAAAAAHyw/CHKzUBtmulk/s320/IMG_20150509_152622.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">old bench seat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Kt_H28q0Fg/Vbqvxv1gHtI/AAAAAAAAHzI/rbGBTMFNNDo/s1600/IMG_20150503_115428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Kt_H28q0Fg/Vbqvxv1gHtI/AAAAAAAAHzI/rbGBTMFNNDo/s320/IMG_20150503_115428.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ripping the wood (river redgum) to length</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyj7XgM_pwI/VbqvQx2W0PI/AAAAAAAAHxw/G28332bqM7Q/s1600/IMG_20150703_110739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yyj7XgM_pwI/VbqvQx2W0PI/AAAAAAAAHxw/G28332bqM7Q/s320/IMG_20150703_110739.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sanding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XYWJ6uUpBs/Vbqvtxj-OGI/AAAAAAAAHy4/l6BV8NZzAeY/s1600/IMG_20150509_152559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XYWJ6uUpBs/Vbqvtxj-OGI/AAAAAAAAHy4/l6BV8NZzAeY/s320/IMG_20150509_152559.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oiling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrsCCBOyPfg/VbqvnnEmiXI/AAAAAAAAHyo/eDqDD9TKB2Y/s1600/IMG_20150510_120213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrsCCBOyPfg/VbqvnnEmiXI/AAAAAAAAHyo/eDqDD9TKB2Y/s320/IMG_20150510_120213.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">finished and in place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Renovating Fireplace</h3>
<div>
The drum acted as an expansion chamber providing heating in the bedroom but it has seen better days (you can see the rust holes in the base below) so we decided it was time to replace it.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7beNDsmNoM/VbqwGVEs9YI/AAAAAAAAHz8/mY3RiwNz6wI/s1600/IMG_20150406_155508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y7beNDsmNoM/VbqwGVEs9YI/AAAAAAAAHz8/mY3RiwNz6wI/s320/IMG_20150406_155508.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Drum, looking worse for wear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
we managed to find a used 60l oil drum on Gumtree for $10 and got to work...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5belaCp_Zw/VbqwLLrsGxI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/rGvIGs3xpUQ/s1600/IMG_20150406_135207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H5belaCp_Zw/VbqwLLrsGxI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/rGvIGs3xpUQ/s320/IMG_20150406_135207.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Repurposed Oil Drum, holes cut and sanded</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2e7b-fWvqwE/VbqwH1acctI/AAAAAAAAH0E/Uj_Pv1tL7No/s1600/IMG_20150406_155333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2e7b-fWvqwE/VbqwH1acctI/AAAAAAAAH0E/Uj_Pv1tL7No/s320/IMG_20150406_155333.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and painted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hn2nU_5Gp-U/VbqwDZVn2TI/AAAAAAAAHzw/_NzpwyNoyyw/s1600/IMG_20150412_143415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hn2nU_5Gp-U/VbqwDZVn2TI/AAAAAAAAHzw/_NzpwyNoyyw/s320/IMG_20150412_143415.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fixing the flue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-37912610551843435752015-09-03T06:51:00.001+10:002015-09-03T06:51:24.897+10:00Bountiful harvestWe have been very slack with posting lately. We have been berating ourselves and this morning I decided to come upstairs to the computer and start a new post. Instead I found the below draft so I decided to publish this one and get cracking on another.<br />
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The last few months have been the driest any of the locals can remember and we have started to despair. Trev placed a stick on the edge of the dam and said 'I hope it doesn't get much lower. Then another stick further in as the water dropped and 'Oh bugger'. Yet another stick and we started the plans to bring water from the big dam on the other side of the property, a project that would cost $$$. Over the last few weeks, glorious, sustaining rain. The figs are plump and sweet.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-P45D2QZ/0/O/_DSC4278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-P45D2QZ/0/O/_DSC4278.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figs, proscuitto, blue cheese, balsamic 👍<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2014/i-NN4n42g/0/O/_DSC6169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2014/i-NN4n42g/0/O/_DSC6169.jpg" /></a></div>
Sausages and Mince (Crazy Trevs naming system)<br />
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<br />Tonihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10215395109444744940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-58306800380614456472015-01-01T21:34:00.001+11:002015-01-02T05:59:23.567+11:00new stuff<h3>
Luffa (or Loofa)</h3>
We're always exploring new things. Toni was given a few seeds for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luffa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">luffa plant</a> which she'd never encounted. Undeterred off she went and planted them. She now has heaps of her own home-grown luffas, what a thing. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-VMzhd6M/0/X2/_DSC5853-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-VMzhd6M/0/X2/_DSC5853-X2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Use it like a scourer in the kitchen, a loofa in the shower and when it wears out, throw it in the compost.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-jTRtVRK/0/X2/_DSC5866-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-jTRtVRK/0/X2/_DSC5866-X2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skin removed and dried, then you just cut them to whatever size suits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-sRh2L3r/0/X2/_DSC5881-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-sRh2L3r/0/X2/_DSC5881-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the end</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Rosella Jam</h3>
<div>
Another one we're trialing is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roselle_(plant)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rosella Plant</a>. Knowing it's imported and listed as a weed, we're keeping ours inside a netted enclosure to stop the birds spreading the seed We grabbed one from Daley's Nursery earlier in the year and it went crazy, </div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-jBTnPbz/0/X2/_DSC5855-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-jBTnPbz/0/X2/_DSC5855-X2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<div>
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<div>
producing enough in the first few months to make.... JAM... a few messages back and forward to Trev's Mum and there you have it, </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-Xn5cRCt/0/X2/_DSC5861-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-Xn5cRCt/0/X2/_DSC5861-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Finished product awaiting the taste test</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-57777305775448809932014-04-23T20:28:00.000+10:002014-04-23T20:28:56.186+10:00we're back Back from our sojourn to Cambodia. You can read more about that <a href="http://help-cambodia.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a> if you're interested<br />
<br />
We had some decent rain while we were away, about 170mm or so and a few more showers since we have been back. The rain was great as we had been in a drought, the locals saying they had never seen it this dry... now we have some green in the grass<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-SQNxJrR/0/X2/_DSC5854-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-SQNxJrR/0/X2/_DSC5854-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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that aside, our guest, Mark, kept the place looking great, the garden is still alive and thriving<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-Vzk2wVm/0/X2/_DSC5852-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-Vzk2wVm/0/X2/_DSC5852-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kale doing well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Toni has been busy in the garden, getting the beds ready with our home made compost and planting new veggies<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-PFRBPLx/0/X2/_DSC5849-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-PFRBPLx/0/X2/_DSC5849-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic just planted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-8hm7JrN/0/X2/_DSC5851-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-8hm7JrN/0/X2/_DSC5851-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The citrus is starting to show a tinge of colour, much looked forward to for yummy marmalade and plenty of fruit. The trees are well loaded this year, Oranges, Tangelos, Mandarins and Kumquats on the way<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-HSqkKZG/0/X2/_DSC5850-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-HSqkKZG/0/X2/_DSC5850-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Fruit with a hint of colour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Some of the new fruit we planted when we first arrived is getting close, the chocolate sapote has fruit, so we'll see how that develops. <br />
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The newer fruits we planted at the start of this year are all alive and doing well<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-dCgSMhn/0/X2/_DSC5858-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-dCgSMhn/0/X2/_DSC5858-X2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon Fruit getting a move on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-Z9775Fp/0/X2/_DSC5857-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2014/i-Z9775Fp/0/X2/_DSC5857-X2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulberry, 4 months old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Some more rain would be nice as the drought took a real toll on our dam, so to get through the typically drier winter and a predicted <a href="http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/el-nio-likely-this-year/2696139.aspx?src=rss" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Nino</a> more would be nice before we head towards another drought ! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-33135351446532552452014-01-13T22:51:00.002+11:002014-04-30T16:26:13.276+10:00summerWhile summer is heralded by the heat, several things remind us of Summer. Some are great, like being able to enjoy swimming in the river, some that are annoying like the noise from the Cicadas is a constant reminder of Summer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/MTB-Trails/2013/Nymboida/i-q869QKf/0/X2/PC210042-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/MTB-Trails/2013/Nymboida/i-q869QKf/0/X2/PC210042-X2.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hatched Cicada Larva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Luckily they are only bad about once every five years when the larva come up out of the ground to mate in the trees and the snakes start to move about. I found this Night Tiger (Brown Tree Snake) on the upstairs windowsill.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-CfW385h/0/X2/_DSC3916-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-CfW385h/0/X2/_DSC3916-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Night Tiger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We caught it and released it in the bush the next day.<br />
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But Summer also brings the garden to life<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-zwcbQ92/0/X2/_DSC2341-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-zwcbQ92/0/X2/_DSC2341-X2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asparagus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
and always brings plenty of fruit<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-jP745Mc/0/X2/_DSC4050-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-jP745Mc/0/X2/_DSC4050-X2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion fruit and Strawberries for breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-v5hrfTr/0/X2/_DSC3907-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-v5hrfTr/0/X2/_DSC3907-X2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry Jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Extra strawberries made into Strawberry Jam<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-57260544180182917192013-11-12T21:51:00.000+11:002013-11-12T21:51:00.202+11:00Yum ... feta and wtf is that !<h3>
Yum ... feta</h3>
We decided to try some Feta with a few herbs in oil. Soaked for a few days.. wow. Awesome, as opposed to the goats milk feta from a previous blog post !<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-W4q7BnH/0/X2/_DSC2452-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-W4q7BnH/0/X2/_DSC2452-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work with the feta in flavoured oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Hotter</h3>
This year we didn't have a Spring to speak of and it's been quite hot. Trying to live with a low environmental footprint, we have no A/C etc and on a warm day (as it was on Sunday !) it reminded me of how effective the mud brick construction and closed windows are at keeping the house cool on such a hot day. I took this photos of the thermometer proving the point.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-PB4M68v/0/X2/DSC03367-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-PB4M68v/0/X2/DSC03367-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Temp ion the LHS; Outside Temp on the RHS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
36.9 outside and 26.1 inside. Nearly 11 degrees difference. We had just got back from a swim on the nearby Nymboida Rv, so we enjoyed how cool it was inside, amazing difference !<br />
<h3>
Fruit Fly</h3>
We tried a different method of fruit fly control this year involving traps for male adults on fence posts and enclosures and spraying organic deterents on the tree trunks. We can report back it didn't work at all and sadly we lost all our fruit. We cleaned the peaches and nectarines off the trees the other week, and this week the apples off our two trees. We need to cook them in garbage bins in the sun for a few days :( Next year we will bag them individually, as much as we can, it's the only process that seems to work)<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-nPhbLnf/0/X2/_DSC3392-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-nPhbLnf/0/X2/_DSC3392-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit fly stung apples</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Weird Lookin' !</h3>
No I am not talking about me but in the process of stripping the fruit fly stung apples off the tree we came across this unlikely looking fellow<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-SmNrBDX/0/X2/_DSC3369-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-SmNrBDX/0/X2/_DSC3369-X2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Macleay's Spectre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Wow.. what a beauty, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extatosoma_tiaratum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Macleay's Spectre (<i>Extatosoma tiaratum</i>)</a>, a female I believe, from all it's thorns. No they don't bite or sting and prefer Eucalyptus leaves (like a Koala !). She must have got lost on her way to the Gum Trees ! She was perfectly camouflaged and even waved about, when the leaves moved in the breeze.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-19566872206084778532013-11-04T17:25:00.001+11:002013-11-04T17:25:20.639+11:00the stink !<h3>
You Drongo !</h3>
We know when we start to see these around<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-wgtP793/0/X2/DSC_5559-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-wgtP793/0/X2/DSC_5559-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spangled Drongo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
that we will have these on the citrus.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/Fauna/i-2BBW45G/0/X2/DSC_7923-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/Fauna/i-2BBW45G/0/X2/DSC_7923-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aptly named Stink Bug, 4th instars Nymph stage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sure enough..... there they are, <a href="http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_stinkbugs/BronzeOrangeBugs.htm" target="_blank">Stink Bugs</a> ! and it's time to spend a few hours picking them off the trees.<br />
<br />
Being sap suckers, they can do quite a bit of damage. We usually do 2 rounds, about 2 weeks apart, collecting 100's each time by hand, into a bucket of water with some washing liquid.. Only takes about 90mins a time, so not too bad but you need to make sure they don't spray your eyes, bad enough on the face with the sting from the acid (and the stink !) Washable gloves, long sleeves and protective eye glasses are definitely the go !<br />
<br />
Apparently the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spangled_Drongo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drongo</a> eats Stink Bugs, not a discerning palette' I guess but unfortunately (or fortunately) most of our citrus is under netted cover to stop predation from mostly possums but this has the unfortunate side effect of stopping the Drongo from getting at the bugs.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Something New</h3>
<div>
We used to often see in Cambodia, raised wire platforms 1.5m off the ground, covered in cucumbers etc which sprawl across the wire providing shade for plants grown underneath. We thought we would try that over here in Summer. We found an old Aluminium door frame, covered it in chicken wire and <a href="http://www.alpharubicon.com/prepinfo/usingwirerh.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cobb 'n Co Hitched</a> it to four support posts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-HnzM9gB/0/X2/_DSC2339-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-HnzM9gB/0/X2/_DSC2339-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The plants will trail up the support legs and provided shade for less tolerant veggies underneath, well that's the plan ! We'll see how it goes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-18339202787512414532013-10-23T23:06:00.003+11:002013-10-23T23:06:48.528+11:00updates<br />
<h3>
Dragon Fruit</h3>
The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitaya" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dragon Fruit</a> has been going gangbusters, it seems like it gets bigger every day !<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-SRgFQhk/0/X2/_DSC2091-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-SRgFQhk/0/X2/_DSC2091-X2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planted in mid September</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-gwxn4Kj/0/X2/_DSC2344-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-gwxn4Kj/0/X2/_DSC2344-X2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late September</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-HpSVbwj/0/X2/_DSC2447-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-HpSVbwj/0/X2/_DSC2447-X2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20 October</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Cheese</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-9SbkF47/0/X2/_DSC2428-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-9SbkF47/0/X2/_DSC2428-X2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feta from organic Goats Milk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The great cheese experiment continues. We have been giving some consideration to getting a goat and one of Toni's friends has some and sold us some of her milk. Goats milk is an acquired taste, a taste I have not acquired, I disliked it... alot. Toni did her thing, waved the cheese thermometer over the pot, said the magic words (shaboozle, shabazzle) and BAM ! Goats cheese feta ! Awesome. but now the bad news, it tastes terrible. Once again, an acquired taste. Genuine feta is supposed to be made from goats or sheeps milk but obviously our palette prefers cows milk. We sold the Feta to a local lady who loved it, so the cheese itself was not bad just not to our taste. We hope to source a local cow to give that a try at some stage. Until then we'll continue using the supermarket milk. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Meals from the Garden</h3>
<div>
Breakfast was eggs, and fruit. White Mullberries, Strawberries and Peppino's. all picked this morning, along with a few "bum nuts" from the hens yesterday. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-V5qkfWv/0/X2/_DSC2429-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-V5qkfWv/0/X2/_DSC2429-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Lh9XR3s/0/X2/_DSC2431-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Lh9XR3s/0/X2/_DSC2431-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luscious !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-13879284122078491442013-09-27T13:46:00.000+10:002013-09-27T13:46:56.559+10:00Hot, hot, hot...The first half of the year it wouldn't stop raining, since July it hasn't rained much to speak off and is very warm. I am not saying climate change... DOH ! I just did but what the hell, something is screwy ! August was in the lowest 10% of driest months ever recorded apparently.<br />
<br />
Warm dry weather brings an increased fire risk, as this screen grab of the aptly named (no pun intended) "<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.rfs.fnm.nsw&hl=en-GB" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fires Near Me</a>' android app displays<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/Misc/i-zvTmfGK/0/X2/Screenshot_2013-09-11-08-59-28-X2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/Misc/i-zvTmfGK/0/X2/Screenshot_2013-09-11-08-59-28-X2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Fires Near Me" android app screen grab from 10/09/2013</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
if it looks like 1/2 the state is on fire, well, it is ! but this is so early in the fires season it's astounding. Toni is in the local <a href="http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rural Fire Service</a>, who do a great job. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Other/Miscwhat/i-tt3dTb5/0/X2/_DSC1898-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Other/Miscwhat/i-tt3dTb5/0/X2/_DSC1898-X2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toni, before her new clothes get used "in anger"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
She is there for community involvement and to learn, lets hope she stays safe !<br />
<br />
<h2>
Climate Change</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/files/2013/01/art-weather-620x349-300x169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/files/2013/01/art-weather-620x349-300x169.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2012 summer, a new colour scale was needed for hotter temps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><b>Scientific American</b></i><br />
<a href="http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/2013/01/13/its-time-to-accept-the-facts-about-climate-change-and-move-on/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">It’s time to accept the facts about climate change and move on</a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>"When David Biello asked last week “what will it take to solve climate change?”, my initial reaction was that we should start by agreeing on what we know about climate change – facts as determined by scientists around the world. After that, we can have rational discussions and spirited debates about how to most effectively curb greenhouse gas emissions."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<i><b>ABC News</b></i><br />
<a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-15/un-group-links-heatwave-to-climate-change/4464838" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">UN group links heatwave to climate change</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The United Nations's (UN) chief climate science body says there is no doubt last week's extreme heat in Australia is part of a global warming trend.</i></div>
<br />
Being an advocate of evidence and facts, I realise the danger of climate change. Watching <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RInrvSjW90U" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this recent lecture</a> by Professor Kevin Anderson drove it home even further.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RInrvSjW90U?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Those of you that get this via email may have to come to the webpage to click the link if you do want to watch it, it's probably the best wake up call I have ever seen or read. Appropriately he says it's too late for supply side changes (ie government to mandate via market driven mechanism eg carbon tax etc) to do anything to stop > 4c, if there is to be a chance of even holding 4c, demand side change has to occur. remember this was last year, and nothing changes. Look to the recent Australian election for proof of that that and no, I didn't vote Greens ! <br />
<br />
A recent survey indicated most people were happy to accept > 4c when asked, as they didn't think it that significant... that clearly points to an issue of not understanding the consequences. The difference in temperature between the last ice age and now was only about 5c degrees.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Lack of "alarm" ? </h2>
There was a recent op-ed in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/10/science/a-climate-alarm-too-muted-for-some.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New York Times</a> raising concern again over the seeming complete lack of alarm. Along with <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2013/09/10/the-daily-mail-is-wrong-the-earth-keeps-warming/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Forbes</a> magazine, that bastion of American business that had an article headlined "The Daily Mail Is Wrong: The Earth Keeps Warming" and this bit caught my eye, especially in relation to my comment about this winter being "hot" and last winter being "cold"... <i> "when you’re looking at long term trends in climate, you have to look at just that – the trends. Not the year to year noise"</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skepticalscience.com/graphics/Escalator_2012_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://www.skepticalscience.com/graphics/Escalator_2012_500.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://skepticalscience.com/still-going-down-the-up-escalator.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skeptical Science</a> Temperature "escalator"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The science is unequivocal, as the years roll on, some being wetter then average and some being drier, some being colder but most being hotter, groups like the volunteer RFS will be under extraordinary pressure because hotter and drier is the very thing that turn bushfires into infernos.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-10598286910807811602013-09-17T15:21:00.000+10:002013-09-17T15:21:10.915+10:00New arrivals<h2>
Chickens</h2>
We have been trying to slowly build up our stock of chickens so it was great to receive some from a local who was moving away. 12 Barnevelder chickens and their Mum<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-THPJK6R/0/X2/_DSC1984-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-THPJK6R/0/X2/_DSC1984-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mum and babies admiring their new accommodation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Dad came as well. The normal fighting happened when a new rooster was introduced, we clipped both their spurs first and there wa s hiug brawl until the "pecking" order was established.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-QdqbnJh/0/X2/_DSC1973-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-QdqbnJh/0/X2/_DSC1973-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet "Chuck", named after his namesake "Chuck Norris"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also had one of our own go broody about the same time, so we placed a few eggs under her and waited<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-K4jLJPJ/0/X2/_DSC2089-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-K4jLJPJ/0/X2/_DSC2089-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby chicken hatching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
they are laying prodigiously at the moment, so what to do with excess eggs, plenty of passion fruit and lots of strawberries ? PAVLOVA !<br />
<br />
A stack of them<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-k2mt4wM/0/X2/_DSC2014-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-k2mt4wM/0/X2/_DSC2014-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three flatter layers to form a sandwiched stack</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-jqDb6cJ/0/X2/_DSC2025-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-jqDb6cJ/0/X2/_DSC2025-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum, it didn't last long !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
the other thing we are just trying is pickled eggs. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FtXBPHT/0/X2/_DSC2163-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FtXBPHT/0/X2/_DSC2163-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First test batch of pickled eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This lets us have them later when the hens are laying as many and also allows us to take them hiking, camping etc where we have no access to refrigeration.<br />
<h2>
Garden</h2>
<br />
The garden is still producing,<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-XgrnSx8/0/X2/_DSC2224-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-XgrnSx8/0/X2/_DSC2224-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garlic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-wP2F3Tk/0/X2/_DSC2228-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-wP2F3Tk/0/X2/_DSC2228-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions, Spring Onions and Leeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-SMnzx9N/0/X2/_DSC2225-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-SMnzx9N/0/X2/_DSC2225-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Broad Beans</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-7VVNfLt/0/X2/_DSC1965-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-7VVNfLt/0/X2/_DSC1965-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Snap Peas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-BNX7NTp/0/X2/_DSC1788-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-BNX7NTp/0/X2/_DSC1788-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
plenty of other vegetables as well at the moment; carrots, beetroot, broad beans, peas, choy sum, snow peas as well as fruit; Peppinos, Tangellows and Limes.<br />
<br />
and a random photo of the beautifully ethereal morning in the mist<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-2VZBBKm/0/X2/_DSC2069-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-2VZBBKm/0/X2/_DSC2069-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front the front door</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-87655633726287335842013-09-16T01:16:00.000+10:002013-09-16T01:16:05.216+10:00warmer weather..The warmer weather has continued, with a brief interruption for a cold burst to remind if of winter. It has started to dry out a little now. to be expected over winter but strange after seemingly endless rain since late January.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Don't drink the water !</h3>
A trip recently to Brisbane to visit my mother reminded me of the "weirdness" of urban living<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjUcKO5GMeAaPN6Pgm0oQxBMvqf6HJYr5TuWQACI1KR088cl57P6-3vWcKGzztQT_VdIFQBsoywlwaOyU-TUERmPU_TvE9u3HcmUsPKUAVzviK8cUDCER_GNsOg0_m9WuxLE09icT/s1600/2013-08-18+08.34.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjUcKO5GMeAaPN6Pgm0oQxBMvqf6HJYr5TuWQACI1KR088cl57P6-3vWcKGzztQT_VdIFQBsoywlwaOyU-TUERmPU_TvE9u3HcmUsPKUAVzviK8cUDCER_GNsOg0_m9WuxLE09icT/s400/2013-08-18+08.34.58.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what what what .... what ?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The pollution makes the rainwater unfit for drinking, never mind breathing it in every day... I guess you get used to the smell. not sure how good it is for you though with recent reports having "invisible" <a href="http://www.medicaldaily.com/childhood-asthma-and-autism-linked-air-pollution-children-and-fetuses-among-most-vulnerable-247592" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pollution</a> linked to asthma and autism development, I guess a good enough reason not to drink it ?<br />
<br />
<h3>
Early spring ?</h3>
<br />
The flowers are still flowering, with native bees everywhere, working... like bees I guess !<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-PNpZjsZ/0/XL/_DSC1826-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-PNpZjsZ/0/XL/_DSC1826-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocket flower with native bees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
the parsley is doing well<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FZBTvFQ/0/XL/_DSC2086-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FZBTvFQ/0/XL/_DSC2086-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parsley in the herb garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Strawberries are on the table regularly for breakfast<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-BNX7NTp/0/X2/_DSC1788-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-BNX7NTp/0/X2/_DSC1788-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
but the pests start to come out, the Cabbage Moths are out 'n about<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-HLjNHr3/0/XL/_DSC2074-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-HLjNHr3/0/XL/_DSC2074-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
but the birds are fluttering<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-2X2zvZh/0/XL/DSC_5192-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-2X2zvZh/0/XL/DSC_5192-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azure Kingfisher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-7FZ9HfP/0/XL/DSC_5372-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="332" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-7FZ9HfP/0/XL/DSC_5372-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iconically Australian !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-T6jkh7Q/0/XL/DSC_5289-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-T6jkh7Q/0/XL/DSC_5289-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Satin Bowerbird raiding the Cherry Guava Tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The garden is in it's winter phase but still productive, we; wary of this early spring and have held off a little in case the recent cold snap is repeated<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-37916952625110318762013-08-11T12:11:00.000+10:002013-09-13T13:53:59.124+10:00New things<h2>
Damper</h2>
<br />
We were doing some burning off the other day and Toni was inspired by our friend Steve, the "Damper Guru", to try her first. So off she went, and made a savory <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damper_(food)" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Damper</a> using her home made cheese and some garlic.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-RbhTKR7/0/XL/_DSC1735-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-RbhTKR7/0/XL/_DSC1735-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
It went down a treat with her home made sweet corn soup, done on the top of the wood heater<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-25BxkCH/0/XL/_DSC1728-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-25BxkCH/0/XL/_DSC1728-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made Sweet Corn Soup (cinnamon scrolls and bread proving at the same time)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
Sorrel</h2>
Always learning. For the longest time we didn't really know what this was<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-WTdWXRX/0/XL/_DSC1711-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-WTdWXRX/0/XL/_DSC1711-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorrel in the garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's always been there in the garden, turns out it was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorrel" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sorrel</a>, who knew ? Not us.. until now !</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-89401135481765220592013-07-23T19:56:00.002+10:002013-07-23T19:56:50.657+10:00time for an update<h2>
Bloosoms</h2>
the winter so far has been fairly warm and the fist of the buds are out for the Peaches<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-Qw7Hjs9/0/XL/_DSC1754-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-Qw7Hjs9/0/XL/_DSC1754-XL.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peach blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nectarines and Apples<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-gdgtLDM/0/XL/_DSC1761-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-gdgtLDM/0/XL/_DSC1761-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Blossoms</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Apples have never been particularly successful, I am told our "monsoon" weather pattern is the main reason, that is, wet summers and drier winters. We'll see how they go this year as we've had a wetter than normal, albeit mild winter.<br />
<br />
<h2>
Weeds</h2>
For those interested in edible and useful "weeds" we came across this a few months ago<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eatthatweed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/weedsbookcover4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.eatthatweed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/weedsbookcover4.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
We've found a couple of the weeds mentioned and plan to use some in various salads etc<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FRvLZ7D/0/XL/_DSC1753-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FRvLZ7D/0/XL/_DSC1753-XL.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dock, found growing in the Orchard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
You can get a copy <a href="http://www.eatthatweed.com/edible-weeds-book/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> if you're interested. Interesting book. We just wish we could find something on Fungi, as we have so many varieties on our property with no real idea as to which ones are edible. Anyone know of a foragers guide to Fungi in Australia ?<br />
<br />
<h2>
Cheese...</h2>
<br />
is going great,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-pWfK2n5/0/XL/_DSC1594-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-pWfK2n5/0/XL/_DSC1594-XL.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly made Feta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feta and Ricotta only at the moment. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neufch%C3%A2tel_cheese" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Neufchâtel</a> is the next cheese to try. You can read more about the great cheese factory <a href="http://menuchanechona.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/cuisine-and-cookin.html" target="_blank">here</a>. It sells well when Toni takes it to the Farmers Market and overall the feedback has been positive. After watching her idol <a href="http://www.rivercottage.net/about/meet-hugh/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall</a> on <a href="http://www.rivercottage.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">River Cottage</a> the other night, now she wants her own Cow... mmmm<br />
<br />
<h2>
Baking</h2>
Cinnamon Scrolls<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-pNHB6VR/0/XL/_DSC1723-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-pNHB6VR/0/XL/_DSC1723-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just before going in the oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
were recently added to the home baked menu, love 'em !<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-25BxkCH/0/XL/_DSC1728-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-25BxkCH/0/XL/_DSC1728-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breads and Scrolls proving near the fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stored in the freezer, they are easily reheated over the fire in a small metal pan. No Gas or electricity (even though we're 100% renewable) needed !<br />
<br />
In fact, I am off to heat one now ! Ooo 'roo !Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-39566644038865759762013-07-03T16:38:00.000+10:002013-11-04T15:39:54.221+11:00and again with the cookingWhen life hands you lemons, make lemon cheesecake. There are a couple bush lemon trees on some public land just down the road that are currently full of lemons<br />
<br />
Using the recipe below it's quite easy<br />
<br />
<h3>
Easy Lemon Cheescake</h3>
<h4>
Ingredients</h4>
397 grams sweetened condensed milk<br />
80 grams butter<br />
300 grams cream cheese<br />
285 ml of thickened cream that's been 1/2 whipped cream<br />
4 large lemons<br />
biscuits (crushed for the base)<br />
<br />
<h4>
Procedure</h4>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Take a loose bottomed cake tin, melt butter slowly on stove and add the crush biscuits. Once the butter has been absorbed, turn into the tin and pat down gently and refrigerate.</li>
<li>For the cheesecake mixture, place the soft cheese into a mixing bowl and start to soften with an electric mixer add the sweetened condensed milk slowly, this will ensure no lumps from the cheese remain</li>
<li>Then add the cream</li>
<li>Squeeze the lemons</li>
<li>Add the lemon juice to the bowl a bit at a time & you'll find the mixture starts to thicken</li>
<li>Once all of the lemon juice has been added then transfer this to the biscuit base and refrigerate for an hour. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
We added some grated lemon rind to get a but more tang !<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-JkcJd3h/0/XL/_DSC1714-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-JkcJd3h/0/XL/_DSC1714-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy lemon cheesecake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Long time blog followers ha ha ha ! May remember we had a visit from our local superhero, <a href="http://menuchanechona.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/superfixerupper-man.html" target="_blank">Superfixerupperman</a> the other week, lucky we did as we used the repaired pan for the cheesecake above.!<br />
<h3>
Lemon Delicious</h3>
on the topic of desserts, we were at a friends house a week ago and they made a "traditional" Lemon Delicious or Baked Lemon Pudding. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-QvDMpr9/0/XL/_DSC1686-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-QvDMpr9/0/XL/_DSC1686-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Delicious borrowed recipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They had no lemons and made it on limes, equally "delicious". We have plenty of lemons, so off Toni went again</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-mSfxwf4/0/XL/_DSC1688-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-mSfxwf4/0/XL/_DSC1688-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Delecious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<div>
Served six it said... mmmm :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
and Sweet Potato Soup</h3>
<div>
You may remember a couple blog posts ago <a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-mSfxwf4/0/XL/_DSC1688-XL.jpg" target="_blank">about the sweet potatoes</a>, well after boiling away on the stove,<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-L9rbmxK/0/XL/_DSC1616-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-L9rbmxK/0/XL/_DSC1616-XL.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stove is heating the cottage, heating water for the dishes (rainy day, no solar) <br />
and cooking the soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
this is the end result, after it goes through the blender for 20 seconds (renewable solar energy used for the blender !)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-hVm5RWz/0/XL/_DSC1619-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-hVm5RWz/0/XL/_DSC1619-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made bread with sweet potato soup, parsley from the garden <br />
and some grated Granna Pedarno cheese</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-5220638185391292172013-06-26T19:44:00.001+10:002013-06-26T19:44:41.639+10:00Garden !<h3>
Macadamias</h3>
Seem to have come along this year, we had been getting 6 or so macadamias at most but we cleared the base of grass (again) but instead of using mulch which the chooks destroy, we used hessian weighted down with rocks and made sure to give them plenty of nitrogen via a homemade chook poo "tea".<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-LMJtMRr/0/XL/_DSC1641-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-LMJtMRr/0/XL/_DSC1641-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-xwwxxwb/0/XL/_DSC1678-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-xwwxxwb/0/XL/_DSC1678-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husks removed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Just waiting for them to cure so the nut kernel comes away from the shell. The husk went into the compost to be reused.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Strawberries</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-47Q9LCh/0/XL/_DSC1713-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-47Q9LCh/0/XL/_DSC1713-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries are starting to come through</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Peas n' Beans</h3>
<div>
Winter has seen the gardens bounty reduce but the peas 'n beans are coming along nicely. with a little TLC of course</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-7TSG4Lv/0/XL/_DSC1628-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-7TSG4Lv/0/XL/_DSC1628-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelling Peas and Beans with trellises ready</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Dpx87ft/0/XL/_DSC1627-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Dpx87ft/0/XL/_DSC1627-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TLC on the snow peas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Resting the garden beds</h3>
<div>
A couple beds are rested, so horse manure is heaped onto the bed and the worms come up through the soil and do the hard work. Gardening is similar to mining, the plants extracting all the minerals from the soil, so those minerals need to be replaced. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-b9GjxKd/0/XL/_DSC1623-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-b9GjxKd/0/XL/_DSC1623-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse manure heaped onto the bed and spread</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
weeds are keep under control with a layer of recycled newspaper (we collect it from the newsagent, we don't buy the Newspaper at all) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-LrKjqCx/0/XL/_DSC1625-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-LrKjqCx/0/XL/_DSC1625-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newspaper laid over the spread horse manure</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
and mulch we make using a lawnmower and fallen leaves raked up and then mowed into the mowers catcher</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-mPQtzWJ/0/XL/_DSC1622-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-mPQtzWJ/0/XL/_DSC1622-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home made mulch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-smVhn6R/0/XL/_DSC1624-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-smVhn6R/0/XL/_DSC1624-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished bed, resting while the worms go to work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Still plenty of vegetable producing: beetroot, onions, carrots, broccoli, spinach etc but winter slows things down</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-5124487428185324532013-06-18T20:56:00.001+10:002013-06-18T20:59:04.874+10:00cuisine and cookin'Well, Toni has been cooking up a storm.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Cheese</h3>
She recently (for her birthday) was gifted a <a href="http://www.greenlivingaustralia.com.au/#cheese_making" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">beginners cheese-making set</a> to which she has taken too with enthusiasm, making her own Feta and Ricotta, very tasty to I must say.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-8HGhkmW/0/XL/_DSC1586-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-8HGhkmW/0/XL/_DSC1586-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the Feta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-d8CqGnv/0/XL/_DSC1589-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-d8CqGnv/0/XL/_DSC1589-XL.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decanting to a cheesecloth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-w6rpx94/0/XL/_DSC1708-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-w6rpx94/0/XL/_DSC1708-XL.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Draining for a few hours, to separate the Whey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Whey is then used to make Whey based Ricotta<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-pWfK2n5/0/XL/_DSC1594-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-pWfK2n5/0/XL/_DSC1594-XL.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Feta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-LbS5pN8/0/XL/_DSC1595-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-LbS5pN8/0/XL/_DSC1595-XL.jpg" width="322" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished Ricotta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Jams, Marmalade and Cordial</h3>
<div>
The citrus trees are heavy with fruit, and the marmalade had recently run out, so time to make some more ! Once again the Sally Wise book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Year-Bottle-Preserving-Conserving-ebook/dp/B004MPRWBE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371553073&sr=8-1&keywords=sally+wise+year+in+a+bottle" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Year in a Bottle</a>" is used:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-f8Wq4C4/0/XL/_DSC1694-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-f8Wq4C4/0/XL/_DSC1694-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion fruit Cordial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
and away we go, adding some of the frozen passion fruit collected earlier.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-L5K2H56/0/XL/_DSC1693-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-L5K2H56/0/XL/_DSC1693-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passionfruit Cordial</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Marmalade on the wood heater at night, no gas used !<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Tr3GrLw/0/XL/_DSC1696-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Tr3GrLw/0/XL/_DSC1696-XL.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marmalade simmering away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<div>
and we had some left over blackberries in the refrigerator, so why not some more Blackberry Jam ! Why not indeed<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-nFVh9mM/0/XL/_DSC1692-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-nFVh9mM/0/XL/_DSC1692-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry Jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
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</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-15554858629420174762013-05-30T17:38:00.000+10:002013-05-30T18:30:15.777+10:00Poo, glorious poo !<h2>
Poo, glorious poo !</h2>
<div>
We have been collecting ute loads of the stuff, by this I mean stuff from the back end of a horse, from the farm down the road. We have 3 compost bays, with new compost being started in the first (green material eg grass clippings, comfrey etc, brown eg dead leaves and horse manure)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Jjq4mqx/0/X2/_DSC1263-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Jjq4mqx/0/X2/_DSC1263-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning into the final bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
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<div>
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<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Csh6z4p/0/X2/_DSC1265-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Csh6z4p/0/X2/_DSC1265-X2.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the final bay, another week or two and ready to go !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As well as the stuff from the back end of the horse, we also use the stuff from the back end of the chicken , mixed in with some comfrey, it's left to "steep" and turned into a tea that is then diluted and used to fertilise the plants.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-x2RKFQT/0/X2/_DSC1255-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-x2RKFQT/0/X2/_DSC1255-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healthy legumes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Sweet potatoes</h3>
<div>
Harvested some more of the sweet potatoes today. Just have to dry them out and they can be stored for months !</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-zrQDpQR/0/X2/_DSC1563-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-zrQDpQR/0/X2/_DSC1563-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's sweet potato harvest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-58307729326911719072013-05-17T21:16:00.002+10:002013-05-17T21:16:24.446+10:00Autumn is in the air<h2>
Autumn is in the air</h2>
<div>
We went for a quick drive up the range to Armidale check out the colours of Autumn coming from tropical northern Australia I still find the colours gorgeous. A couple of the photo;s are in the slideshow below.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
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</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Lantana</h3>
<div>
We suffer this weed as does everyone locally as well as lots of Australia. So we have been spending 3 hours a day every second day for a couple weeks now on a binge to clear it. Hard work, as we're clearing manually</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/MTB-Trails/2013/Nymboida/i-GFtbv83/0/X2/P4270003-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/MTB-Trails/2013/Nymboida/i-GFtbv83/0/X2/P4270003-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toni beside a pile of cleared lantana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Citrus<br />
<div>
Is starting to come on, the small Silverhill Mandarin always seems prolific for such a small tree and it;s early fruiting, so they are all eaten first. The Mandarin in the chook yard<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-KV57n9z/0/X2/_DSC1543-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-KV57n9z/0/X2/_DSC1543-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mandarin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
and the Tangello in the chook yard<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-ZLD7GQD/0/X2/_DSC1541-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-ZLD7GQD/0/X2/_DSC1541-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tangello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
are doing really well and we have just started to eat them, the Kumquat's will go into Marmalade. They are supposed to b e an edible variety but you would have to be starving before eating them.</div>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Q4DQM9Z/0/X2/_DSC1539-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-Q4DQM9Z/0/X2/_DSC1539-X2.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kumquat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Butterflies</h3>
There are currently dozens of <a href="http://www.butterflyencounters.com.au/Black_Jezebel.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Jezebel butterflies</a> swarming over the Bottlebrush flowers, gorgeous little butterfly<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-NZ3XZh6/0/X2/_DSC1537-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Fauna-MN/2013/i-NZ3XZh6/0/X2/_DSC1537-X2.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Jezebel Butterfly</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-74262016465753856182013-05-12T22:47:00.001+10:002013-05-12T22:47:22.013+10:00Superfixerupper Man !One broken spring cake form pan surround<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-zj3r638/0/X2/P5120004-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-zj3r638/0/X2/P5120004-X2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
but why do we need to fix it... because it destroys cakes ! ahhhhhhhhh save us !<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-ShgNwsx/0/X2/P5120001-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-ShgNwsx/0/X2/P5120001-X2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ahh, what shall we do ? I know, lets call Superfixeruper Man.. he will save us<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-nMk5qfv/0/X2/P5120005-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-nMk5qfv/0/X2/P5120005-X2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
First things first, he needs to replace that shitty Husquvarna Cap but no time right now<br />
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Superfixerupper Man gets on the Batphone and calls up Private Pop Rivet and Major Makita. We need your help guys, the World is going to rack and ruin 'cause people keep throwing their stuff out.. we're drowning in an ocean of "stuff"... literally.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2012SEAsia/Cambodia/05Steung-Hav/i-ZnkfNkK/0/M/DSC_2931-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2012SEAsia/Cambodia/05Steung-Hav/i-ZnkfNkK/0/M/DSC_2931-M.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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All three Super friends meet up at the Fortress of Solitude, with Superfixeruperman doing all the work.. Private Pop Rivet and Major Makita laying around as per usual !<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-XpSWg3d/0/X2/P5120006-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-XpSWg3d/0/X2/P5120006-X2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh ! you have saved the spring form pan surround, Superfixerupper man, you are my HERO !<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FWg2W8p/0/M/P5120007-M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-FWg2W8p/0/M/P5120007-M.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
and the girls go crazy ! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/common/medialib/271/732449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://www.foxsportsarizona.com/common/medialib/271/732449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-88336558757845567022013-04-26T17:07:00.001+10:002013-04-26T17:07:21.237+10:00Organic Pork - Binderay Farm<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ae2YztiMHkCjWAoMZ7PW2Av58-vkvH3Xb1mVCJDmZIQlh01gUiFfvGA_TQhpsTrEKBhhPSfpAFFrAkJV5jd50NIz3vT1lZY7myjQ5sEiFLV-ZmAMB3-mbMKyypDtt9gDq_QQc6em/s1600/RIMG0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ae2YztiMHkCjWAoMZ7PW2Av58-vkvH3Xb1mVCJDmZIQlh01gUiFfvGA_TQhpsTrEKBhhPSfpAFFrAkJV5jd50NIz3vT1lZY7myjQ5sEiFLV-ZmAMB3-mbMKyypDtt9gDq_QQc6em/s400/RIMG0004.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luvin' it !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Local organic pork producer, Bondy from Binderay Farm has pork products available for purchase at the exclusive Lismore organic markets, the Grafton markets held each Thursday and our very own Nymboida growers markets held each fortnight at the Nymboida Hall. Some of his pigs are rare breeds and Bondy uses an old home recipe for curing his hams which you can sample before buying. All good reasons to support a local business.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-42723565766093281282013-02-24T00:37:00.001+11:002013-02-24T00:37:58.328+11:00More rain and more flooding<div dir="ltr">
More rain, bucketed down again. some of the surrounding areas rain related tidbits here</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://m.dailyexaminer.com.au/news/valley-prepares-floodwaters-rise/1767569/">As it happens: the Valley prepares as floodwaters rise | Clarence Valley Daily Examiner</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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The weather radar snapshot is telling</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-3kK2qdX/0/X2/Screenshot_2013-02-22-18-56-01-X2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-3kK2qdX/0/X2/Screenshot_2013-02-22-18-56-01-X2.png" width="384" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phone screen weather radar snapshot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
What a wet month, after late January early Februaries floods, detailed <a href="http://menuchanechona.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/wet-wet-wet.html" target="_blank">here</a> we received a whole heap more rain and while we might not have received quite as much as earlier in the month, it was much more intense, falling heavily in a short period of time</div>
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Here's the backyard</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-76bBtRz/0/XL/13615729085439-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-76bBtRz/0/XL/13615729085439-XL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back yard as a river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-MLSNXP4/0/X2/13615728780497-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-MLSNXP4/0/X2/13615728780497-X2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our creek overflowing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
So much rain it washed the bridge away ! The bridge had survived for 3 years and 5 or so floods, hopefully we can rescue it.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-MNJMnHn/0/X2/13615727944161-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-MNJMnHn/0/X2/13615727944161-X2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foot bridge washed away</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Here's where it used to cross</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-vhr2Tm6/0/X2/13615728129662-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-vhr2Tm6/0/X2/13615728129662-X2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creek crossing, sans bridge !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
and just walking down to the creek on the track was an ordeal of torrential water</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-KHxjj8q/0/X2/13615728404144-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/2013/02Floods-redux/i-KHxjj8q/0/X2/13615728404144-X2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
One of the disadvantages of solar and not being connected to the grid is not being able to get into the shed to to jobs using power (I have table tops, bedside chest of draws etc) needing sanding with the belt sander. Ahh well, caught up with several more movies and books ! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137242854618315530.post-83745077686846788922013-02-17T13:15:00.002+11:002013-02-24T11:18:26.379+11:00after the rain<h2>
After the rain</h2>
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some minor repairs were needed and a few things didn't survive, most noticeably the recently planted new <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamarillo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tamarillo</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-hTJPMDD/0/X2/_DSC1067-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-hTJPMDD/0/X2/_DSC1067-X2.jpg" width="276" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamarillo seedling went toes up</td></tr>
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but our wonderful neighbour Chantel provided us with another, we planted this one up on a large mound in the sweet potato patch to help keep it's roots a little drier. The orchard area can get a little damp with lots of water, which we had ! Thank you so much to our wonderful neighbour<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-jV2MSDP/0/X2/_DSC1065-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-jV2MSDP/0/X2/_DSC1065-X2.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tamarillio redux. !</td></tr>
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Some of the plants of course LOVED the wet, the Orange Jasmine went mad with flowers and it's wonderful perfume wafts through the house<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-SXNPDjL/0/X2/_DSC0986-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/Flora-MN/2013/i-SXNPDjL/0/X2/_DSC0986-X2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Jasmine</td></tr>
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<h2>
when life give you limes, you make lime cordial</h2>
The lime tree has gone into overdrive, producing a huge quantity of fruit, we have sold some and made Lime cordial, with the recipe sourced from Sally Wise's book <a href="http://www.sallywise.com.au/books/a-year-in-a-bottle/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Life in a Bottle</a> with others but we have way too many. It's a little sweet for us but previous attempts to make it less sweet (sorry for messing with the recipe Sally !) by using less sugar, ended in the disaster of fermenting cordial ! So we just squeeze more fresh lime juice in, to tone the sweetness down.<br />
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We also use them often just cut in 1/2 and squeezed into some cold glass of water. This was a favourite drink of ours whilst in Cambodia last year.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-KGrNdGL/0/X2/_DSC1061-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-KGrNdGL/0/X2/_DSC1061-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally Wise's book "Life in a Bottle" + excess Limes = Lime cordial !</td></tr>
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<h2>
Garden</h2>
the garden is on the go<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-wZ9ZmZG/0/X2/_DSC0581-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-wZ9ZmZG/0/X2/_DSC0581-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corn coming along</td></tr>
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and the chickens are on the grow<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-cvvnpP2/0/X2/_DSC0456-X2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://trevors.smugmug.com/Menucha-nechona/2013/i-cvvnpP2/0/X2/_DSC0456-X2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male = meat, female = eggs</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1