'Round and 'Round the Garden

The house garden continues to both frustrate and delight. I had taken to coming home from work and doing an hour or two or a section each afternoon but recent developments (ie volunteering to do the decorations for the Grade 12 formal) have overtaken that.

Doug reminded me that I should be able to operate the individual sprinkler systems (there's 18 of them) manually by turning them on from the control boxes situated throughout the lawn, saving me the tedium of moving 6 hoses, 5 times a day. I put no. 15 on when I went to work and no. 17 on when I left after lunch to go back to work. Both blew joins and gallons/litres an awful lot of water was wasted. However, if I go around repairing all the blowouts, being able to have the entire system working, albeit manually, will be an enormous time (and mind) saver.

 This is the rose on one of the roundabout arches. It's name is on the tip of my tongue, I know it really well, but it's just out of reach. I think there's three words to it. It's flowers are so dainty and so pretty.

 The jacaranda is beautiful, laying a purple carpet on the ground. The Uni students had best be well into their studies.

 Plenty of aphids about. 

 This is the wild corner of the yard; it's a jungle in there.

 These guys aren't really allowed in the yard; they just don't know it...and if they do, they ignore the rule.

 The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

This is Drew, Studying

Here is Drew on the weekend, trying to convince me he was hard at work, studying!

 Yes, this is more like it. It's probably Sophie or Bree or Fran that he's chatting to. I had to take his ipad and mobile off him so he wasn't constantly distracted.

Last Friday was the official last day of lessons; (nearly) all the P platers took their cars and had a photo opp - that's my car covered in kids, even someone on top. There's a better photo taken from up high if I can get my hands on it. It's been an exciting time for the kids; nerves about exams, anticipation about actually finishing school, excitement about Schoolies. If as much effort went into their stuyding and assignments as what has gone into planning and organising their Schoolies week, they'd all be brilliant students.

 He has no idea what he's looking at/for.

Drew and JB bought their favourite teacher, Mamma Caff, some flowers and carrots (?). They have a running joke with her about a certain outfit that she wears that reminds them of, well, carrots.

 I think these modules were supposed to become desks or tables but something went wrong with their design so the kids made good use of them.

These last few weeks have gone by incredibly fast. Drew has enjoyed them but is feeling a little sad about the impending END.

The Garden

I can't really think of anything original any more for my permaculture post titles so will just have to stick with "The Garden" for the next little while. I spent hours over the weekend working out there...and I got a new gate built and a completed second layer of goat proof (at this stage) chicken wire erected courtesy of Gibbo and Andrew DJ.

I planted baby carrots, thai basil, strawberry, lettuce and radish.

The boys also put two layers of netting on my second round pen. This is one very expensive rooster so I'm hoping he's well protected behind there from marauding Reynards.

 The bok choy and asian greens are enjoying the heat. Unfortunately, the caterpillars are enjoying them so I need to fix that.

 The pumpkins are coming.........in fact, they're everywhere. Megan squeals with delight when she finds one (which is quite often).

 An unwelcome visitor.

 Carrots (on a funny angle). I can grow magnificent carrot tops and carrot heads but when it comes to carrot bodies...no way. I guess the soil isn't friable enough and I end up with very fat, squashed up carrots - that still taste great.

 The zucchinis have been really fat this year, maybe something to do with all the rain (followed by erratic watering by me). 

 I throw a couple of spinach leaves in to the young barnevelders each morning; they go balistic over it and it disappears in seconds.

 Two of my garden helpers (!!?). One had come out for a break from studying; the other leads a charmed life (actually, they both do!).

 The handbag dog.

 Wild tomatoes still growing.

 A new strawberry plant, purchased because the baby goat got in and wrecked the last one.

 Zucchini, wild toms and my first two baby cucumbers.........and a tiny pumpkin on the way.

Happy Birthday Sliprail

Two Years Today :)

First Post November 3,2008

The Evil Pumpkin

Drew went to Sophie's and they carved pumpkins. This is one of his.

Playing Ladies

Today I'm going to a Melbourne Cup Luncheon, my first ever. These occasions are really not my thing but I wasn't forceful enough when asked to attend - my aawwhh/I don't think so/maybe/I'll get back to you somehow became a definite yes. So I'm going, wearing the dress I originally bought for formal but Drew isn't a huge fan of it so I've swapped and decided on something else for formal.

Just to throw a spanner in the works, there's 20 people coming to the feedlot for lunch today. I've organized and prepared as much as I can and the girls in the office are going to finish the prep and serve. The visitors are our biggest clients so we couldn't really put them off. G is away too, flew to Emerald this morning.

Well, I'll let you know how the day goes and whether my donkey won or came last (quite likely).

9.15pm - Horse No. 8 won - my favourite number. I had no idea what horses were running and there was so much noise going on that we missed the jump start! However, I managed to jag No. 8 in a $2 sweep and won $12. The luncheon was incredibly well organised and presented with some neat little touches. I was very impressed with the ladies who co-ordinated everything; they deserve congratulations. I expect they will have made a bucket load of money for the three kindergartens in town. Well Done, Ladies.

Here's what I wore................Drew took some photos when we all met up again at home after 5pm; we had a bit of fun in the garden. I love this dress.........at least it's different, not exactly your regular frock. The boys (ie Gibbo and Drew) can't really come to terms with those sleeves but Meg and I really like them!!

 Are they tuckshop arms or just skinny ones?