This is our families new anthem as this is our new lifestyle on the land.
Gotta love parody music!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Looking for joy - I'm Farming and I grow it
With three children all up overnight and sick I need a bit of joy in my day and I thought I would share it as it might make you smile too.
This is our families new anthem as this is our new lifestyle on the land.
This is our families new anthem as this is our new lifestyle on the land.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Winter warmers - homemade soup
Today I decided to make soup for our mild winters day. It turned out incredibly delectable and I thought I would share my recipe - while I still remember what I threw in the pot!
1. Place all ingredients in large saucepan; bring to the boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered for 1.5-2 hours, or until shanks are tender.
2. Remove shanks from soup. When cool enough remove meat from bones, discard bones. Return meat to soup, stir until hot, season to taste.
3. Serve soup warm with your favourite bread for extra heartiness.
Easy and tastes great. This soup is full of rich and deep flavour that will leave you wanting more. What better way to warm a day and get a healthy serving of vegetables and meat.
Chunky and Hearty Soup
2 venison shanks (you could substitute these with 4 lamb shanks.)
3 medium carrots, chopped coarsely
2 brown onions, chopped coarsely
2-4 cloves of garlic, crushed
2 medium potatoes, chopped coarsely
1 medium sweet potato or kumara, chopped coarsely
2 celery stalks, trimmed, chopped coarsely
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1 litre (4 cups) of beef stock
500ml (2 cups) of chicken stock
1/2 cup of tomato paste
A shake of each, dried rosemary, oregano and thyme.
1. Place all ingredients in large saucepan; bring to the boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered for 1.5-2 hours, or until shanks are tender.
2. Remove shanks from soup. When cool enough remove meat from bones, discard bones. Return meat to soup, stir until hot, season to taste.
3. Serve soup warm with your favourite bread for extra heartiness.
Easy and tastes great. This soup is full of rich and deep flavour that will leave you wanting more. What better way to warm a day and get a healthy serving of vegetables and meat.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
THAT!! child
Does anyone else have that child? Is there a rule for which number child it falls on? Or if you only have one do they display that child tendencies as a role they must fill?
You all know that child I'm talking about.
The one that scuffs brand new $50 shoes in the first five minutes they are on their feet.
The one that would find the only dog poo to trod through in a 5km radius.
The one who cuts there own hair not once, not twice but three days in a row.
The one who packs up their friends and runs away from the house they are playing at to one of the others house and hides along the way so the parents can't find them.
The one that puts the cat in the shower every time they have one.
The one who rubs lipstick into the white carpet.
That child who has been told off FIVE times for doing the same thing but still looks at you blankly and says "What???" in a lost and vacant voice when you finally lose the plot.
The child who will wait until you have poured two drinks and then one for yourself, while they stand watching, you finally sit down to relax and then they ask for one!
The one who thinks fun is swinging from the new handrail and ripping it out of the wall.
That child who every time you go shopping just has to use the toilet!
Or the one who takes your friends children to the shed with them and plays with oil and petrol while you sit for a relaxing coffee with a friend.
The one who opens the door with a chair, while you are feeding the baby, and decides to walk to McDonalds.
That child that yells and screams any time the phone rings or you are out in public to make you look like the worlds flaky parent.
The one who breaks things in the first five minutes of wearing/owning/playing with.
The one who has no fear in the question they will ask total strangers - like "did your babies come out your bottom too?"
The one who pushes or hits your friends kids and then innocently denies it even when you were watching.
The one who drinks dishwashing liquid, bubble liquid, hand soap, washing powder or floor wash.
That child who eats a packet of contraceptive pills from the bedside table.
You all know that child right?
The one who makes you cry because you just don't know what to do with them anymore.
The one you attribute all your grey hairs to.
The one who makes you feel like you are failing as a parent.
Does it get better?
Do they grow out of it?
Will I forever find myself saying "Honestly! That child!!".
One day I know there will be that child stories that will be laughed over and shared.
Stories that you will tell when comforting friends over there very own that child.
Tales that will be told about you when you complain about your that child and your losing of sanity.
But for now I am in the season of life where that child does things daily, if not numerous times a day. Some days I have to laugh because I can't cry or yell anymore.
I do love that child as much as all the other but that child sure tests my ability as a Mum!
nb: not all of these scenarios are from my real life 'that child', I have taken the liberty to share other people's that child experiences so that we all feel like we are normal.
You all know that child I'm talking about.
The one that scuffs brand new $50 shoes in the first five minutes they are on their feet.
The one that would find the only dog poo to trod through in a 5km radius.
The one who cuts there own hair not once, not twice but three days in a row.
The one who packs up their friends and runs away from the house they are playing at to one of the others house and hides along the way so the parents can't find them.
The one that puts the cat in the shower every time they have one.
The one who rubs lipstick into the white carpet.
That child who has been told off FIVE times for doing the same thing but still looks at you blankly and says "What???" in a lost and vacant voice when you finally lose the plot.
The child who will wait until you have poured two drinks and then one for yourself, while they stand watching, you finally sit down to relax and then they ask for one!
The one who thinks fun is swinging from the new handrail and ripping it out of the wall.
That child who every time you go shopping just has to use the toilet!
Or the one who takes your friends children to the shed with them and plays with oil and petrol while you sit for a relaxing coffee with a friend.
The one who opens the door with a chair, while you are feeding the baby, and decides to walk to McDonalds.
That child that yells and screams any time the phone rings or you are out in public to make you look like the worlds flaky parent.
The one who breaks things in the first five minutes of wearing/owning/playing with.
The one who has no fear in the question they will ask total strangers - like "did your babies come out your bottom too?"
The one who pushes or hits your friends kids and then innocently denies it even when you were watching.
The one who drinks dishwashing liquid, bubble liquid, hand soap, washing powder or floor wash.
That child who eats a packet of contraceptive pills from the bedside table.
You all know that child right?
The one who makes you cry because you just don't know what to do with them anymore.
The one you attribute all your grey hairs to.
The one who makes you feel like you are failing as a parent.
Does it get better?
Do they grow out of it?
Will I forever find myself saying "Honestly! That child!!".
One day I know there will be that child stories that will be laughed over and shared.
Stories that you will tell when comforting friends over there very own that child.
Tales that will be told about you when you complain about your that child and your losing of sanity.
But for now I am in the season of life where that child does things daily, if not numerous times a day. Some days I have to laugh because I can't cry or yell anymore.
I do love that child as much as all the other but that child sure tests my ability as a Mum!
nb: not all of these scenarios are from my real life 'that child', I have taken the liberty to share other people's that child experiences so that we all feel like we are normal.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Happy Red Nose Day - minus the noses...
In support for Red Nose Day the kids school, DPS, did an end of term red themed fun day. They do some really cool things to support charities and the community and this is just another example of Quack and Jaybugs lovely little school environment.
Here are a few pics I snapped before the kids hit the bus this morning.
Please note my goofy-ness is to prove to the children that a good cause must be supported!
Red Nose Day supports and raises funds for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and supports families and communities in the desperate time of need when SIDS occurs.
Here are a few pics I snapped before the kids hit the bus this morning.
Please note my goofy-ness is to prove to the children that a good cause must be supported!
Red Nose Day supports and raises funds for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and supports families and communities in the desperate time of need when SIDS occurs.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Introducing.... Jagger
We welcome Jagger to his forever home in the country.
He was born 13th May 2012 (mothers day and Jaybugs birthday!) so he is only 7 weeks on Sunday.
He is a pure breed Miniature Fox Terrier.
Jagger is our first animal for the farm.
I'm sure there will be many to follow in his steps.
We will have lots to learn
and are looking forward to lots of energetic moments with our little man.
Squeak is smitten after only mere hours and is calling him "my puppy".
I'm sure you will see a lot more of these two to come.
We can't wait for the other two to get off the school bus to meet Jagger,
so you're lucky if you get to meet him before they do!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Coconut Peach Shortcake
I borrowed this neat little book SWEET! by Sally Wise from the library. I thought I would start this the Coconut Peach Shortcake as it was a simple recipe and I had everything in the pantry - bonus!
COCONUT PEACH SHORTCAKE
60g butter softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (nb. I used orange as that what was in the fruit bowl)
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
400g tinned or preserved peach slices
TOPPING
1 egg white
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
Heat oven to 180C.
Grease a slice tin (18x28cm)
Cream butter and sugar, add egg and whisk well.
Stir in lemon zest and milk, then fold in the flour with a metal spoon.
Drain peaches and pat dry with a paper towel.
Press dough into prepared tin and arrange peaches on top.
TOPPING
Beat egg white until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar and beat until soft peaks form again.
Fold in coconut and cornflakes.
Spoon topping over the peaches and bake for 30 minutes or until topping is set.
Cut into squares to serve.
Easy to make and great to eat - this is my kind of recipe! The book is filled with 260 fab looking recipes so I'm sure there will be more to come.
COCONUT PEACH SHORTCAKE
60g butter softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (nb. I used orange as that what was in the fruit bowl)
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
400g tinned or preserved peach slices
TOPPING
1 egg white
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
Heat oven to 180C.
Grease a slice tin (18x28cm)
Cream butter and sugar, add egg and whisk well.
Stir in lemon zest and milk, then fold in the flour with a metal spoon.
Drain peaches and pat dry with a paper towel.
Press dough into prepared tin and arrange peaches on top.
TOPPING
Beat egg white until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar and beat until soft peaks form again.
Fold in coconut and cornflakes.
Spoon topping over the peaches and bake for 30 minutes or until topping is set.
Cut into squares to serve.
Easy to make and great to eat - this is my kind of recipe! The book is filled with 260 fab looking recipes so I'm sure there will be more to come.
Monday, June 25, 2012
A new way of life - Buses
So its Saturday night and you've let the kids stay up late to watch Babe on 7. It's a great little movie, I remember it from my own childhood. And its over. BEDTIME.
Tucking in Miss Jaybug with a gentle reminded that tonight you have stayed up later than usual so it would be a brilliant idea to have a sleep in in the morning. I am met with a "Yep Mum, I will."
Next is Squeak. Okay so he is two but I still remind him and hope it sinks into his little growing mind. "No getting up early, you need some extra sleep". Hmmmm well hopefully he got it.
Quack is now sharing bunks in our new house (another post, another time) and goes to bed around 15 - 30 minutes after Squeak. So I get to be entertained with 17 Again. Its so wrong that Zac Efron's eyes are so mesmerizing.... Quack heads off to bed and receives the biggest encouragement of all. "ou have exceeded your bedtime by almost two hours. In the morning it would be a wonderful help to Mum if you would have some extra time in bed and not get up at the crack of dawn".
So its Sunday morning and it's 7am and..... the kids are all up fighting and screaming! Yep another failed lie in.
So roll around Monday morning. Bubba has to leave for work at 6am and that hideous 5.30am alarm goes off. Although I have been awake off and on for the last hour with the presence of a small person in the bed too. I drift in and out of sleep. I hear Bubba in his truck and hear the truck heading down the road.
Squeak rolls over and ARGGHHH!! "You're all wet!" "Did you wee my bed or your bed!"
Upon further inspection it turns out it is indeed my bed that is wet. Strip the bed, towel down for now - I'm not getting up at 6am when other children are sleeping. Duvet and sheets back on. Squeak striped and changed and back into bed.
All this activity must have invited the warmth of sleep again. Next thing I know Quack is racing down the hall and bursting into my room, ripping me from the comfort of soft, warm, pleasant sleep.
"Mum it's 8 O'clock!!!"
ARRRGGGHHH
The children now catch a 8.20am bus 2.8km from the house. So usually we would be up around 7am and all ready and chores done by 8am. But today it seems the sleep in advice of Saturday night has finally sunk in except it is now with consequence.
I am racing around throwing uniforms at children, cereal into bowls and lunch into lunchboxes. I look over at the mircowave and discover our dodgy clock from The Reject shop is once again losing time! Its 8.22am!! Not 8.12am as the big red clock shows. (Note to self BUY NEW CLOCK)
So everyone runs screaming to the car - whilst I attempt to run a brush through Jaybugs mop. We are fling down the driveway and along the road when I see the first of the cars. The ones that belong to the other bus kids. I had been trying to convince myself with this lovely morning frost and fog that the bus would be driving slower and therefore we would make it.
Then the second car - fudge.
We arrive at the bus stop and no children or bus. Its okay Mum can still save the day! We will make it to the next stop. Off down the road again and we find the bus pulled over and we wiz in front, jump out making huge gestures to the drive to wait. Thank God for a good humoured bus driver. He is laughing as the kids make it to the bus door. I begin on my journey back home waving thankfully to the bus driver only to pass a second car with a DPS student also heading towards the bus!
So what, I hear you all asking, does sleeping in on a Monday morning and missing our bus look like!
Please note in my defence there is a load of washing pegged to the line and another currently washing...
Tucking in Miss Jaybug with a gentle reminded that tonight you have stayed up later than usual so it would be a brilliant idea to have a sleep in in the morning. I am met with a "Yep Mum, I will."
Next is Squeak. Okay so he is two but I still remind him and hope it sinks into his little growing mind. "No getting up early, you need some extra sleep". Hmmmm well hopefully he got it.
Quack is now sharing bunks in our new house (another post, another time) and goes to bed around 15 - 30 minutes after Squeak. So I get to be entertained with 17 Again. Its so wrong that Zac Efron's eyes are so mesmerizing.... Quack heads off to bed and receives the biggest encouragement of all. "ou have exceeded your bedtime by almost two hours. In the morning it would be a wonderful help to Mum if you would have some extra time in bed and not get up at the crack of dawn".
So its Sunday morning and it's 7am and..... the kids are all up fighting and screaming! Yep another failed lie in.
So roll around Monday morning. Bubba has to leave for work at 6am and that hideous 5.30am alarm goes off. Although I have been awake off and on for the last hour with the presence of a small person in the bed too. I drift in and out of sleep. I hear Bubba in his truck and hear the truck heading down the road.
Squeak rolls over and ARGGHHH!! "You're all wet!" "Did you wee my bed or your bed!"
Upon further inspection it turns out it is indeed my bed that is wet. Strip the bed, towel down for now - I'm not getting up at 6am when other children are sleeping. Duvet and sheets back on. Squeak striped and changed and back into bed.
All this activity must have invited the warmth of sleep again. Next thing I know Quack is racing down the hall and bursting into my room, ripping me from the comfort of soft, warm, pleasant sleep.
"Mum it's 8 O'clock!!!"
ARRRGGGHHH
The children now catch a 8.20am bus 2.8km from the house. So usually we would be up around 7am and all ready and chores done by 8am. But today it seems the sleep in advice of Saturday night has finally sunk in except it is now with consequence.
I am racing around throwing uniforms at children, cereal into bowls and lunch into lunchboxes. I look over at the mircowave and discover our dodgy clock from The Reject shop is once again losing time! Its 8.22am!! Not 8.12am as the big red clock shows. (Note to self BUY NEW CLOCK)
So everyone runs screaming to the car - whilst I attempt to run a brush through Jaybugs mop. We are fling down the driveway and along the road when I see the first of the cars. The ones that belong to the other bus kids. I had been trying to convince myself with this lovely morning frost and fog that the bus would be driving slower and therefore we would make it.
Then the second car - fudge.
We arrive at the bus stop and no children or bus. Its okay Mum can still save the day! We will make it to the next stop. Off down the road again and we find the bus pulled over and we wiz in front, jump out making huge gestures to the drive to wait. Thank God for a good humoured bus driver. He is laughing as the kids make it to the bus door. I begin on my journey back home waving thankfully to the bus driver only to pass a second car with a DPS student also heading towards the bus!
So what, I hear you all asking, does sleeping in on a Monday morning and missing our bus look like!
Please note in my defence there is a load of washing pegged to the line and another currently washing...
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