Yabbies for entree

A weekend in Minyip usually means a day of mowing for Bill.

And the marshmallows up the back in Dad's old vegie patch had reached jungle sized proportions. In fact we couldn't even walk through the gate. So Bill was kept busy.

 

I still came home with some pomegranates and a bucket full of almonds that the birds hadn't already mutilated. I even cut some branches to take cuttings of the pomegranate tree. 

Not sure whether Dad would be happy about that or not. He never used to let me take the fruit, let alone a couple of branches!

Oh and some figs, which I made into jam.

 

 

 

Sunday lunch started with yabbies. Thanks Uncle Den. We had all forgotten how delicious they taste and we loved that you even brought the special dishes and lettuce cups.

 

 

Marce needed to leave early. 

 

We gathered for the group photo which always takes a while. Everyone needs to sort out where they want to stand.....

Nana needed to inspect Ned's hair first.

Then Farmer Bill arrived.....

 

Then it was my turn but we were all over it by then. Way too hot .

 

We love that Raylene and Ned have the same gorgeous curls.

 

Jake got to show us what he'd spent his Xmas money on.

Out the front on the road...... of course.

 

 

 

 Around the garden path this week.

Vibrant purple aster.

 

Golden delicious apples looking golden.....and delicious.

 

Sedum 'Autumn Joy'.

 

 

 

 

The cracks in the rose garden paths are getting wider and the frog pond is empty now. We desperately need some rain.

 

 

Mmmm, night time visitors. At least they seem to stick to the paths.

 

 

 

These beautiful crabapples are all that's left after the birds decimated the others. I think it's the crabapple 'Gorgeous'. A perfect name.

Because the leucadendrons have been so spectacular here, I thought I'd try proteas in the Ruby garden ( the original Ruby garden plantings have all turned their toes up).  I've tried proteas at various other times but they have never done very well. Time to give them another shot. In fact I may even go back and get another one or two ( that's how confident I'm feeling this time!)

We emptied the first lot of castings from the worm farm onto the garden.

I'm not surprised it's called gold dirt.

I am loving the process of vermiculture and the simplicity of it all. 

 

The red stems of this sedum make it a bit different from Autumn Joy. I think this one is called sedum Matrona. They are both worth their weight in gold in the rose garden for their toughness under trying conditions.

Little soldiers standing very tall.

Nerines.

 

 

 

Exmouth beach long weekend for this little gang.

 

 

"This is beautiful Mum." Views from the lighthouse.

 

Thanks for the blackberry jelly Brian.

 

We'll need to clear a shelf in the pantry soon for our preserves collection!

Tonight's sunset.

 

Enjoy the long weekend everyone. 

Hope you get to do whatever makes you happy.

 

 

 

 

 

Uncle Bob

Uncle Bob turned 90 on Monday.

 

 

 

We had such an enjoyable afternoon celebrating with him at the golf club in Donald.

 

 

 

 

His family are so proud of what he has achieved so far.

Sue, Cheryl and Debra ......and Uncle Bob's sister, Pat.

 

 

 

He and Aunty Peg ( who sadly passed away last August ) and their kids were a huge part of our lives when we were growing up. Our families spent many hours together just doing what family friends do.

He has a wonderful, positive outlook on life and strongly believes that you get out of life what you put in. 

He plans to jump out of an aeroplane on March 25!

Four generations of the family will make the jump together.

Uncle Bob with Mum.....

 

.....and Dennis.

 

Miss Symes celebrated with us too.

She was my Kindergarten teacher and lives in Donald now too.

 

I found this kinder photo this afternoon. 

I'm the one peeking round the big, tall boy with a bow in my hair.

I look very small. Maybe I just happened to be there that day with Dianne. 

Dianne is in the front row with her hand in her face.

Miss Symes is nowhere to be seen.

 

Not sure what plans you have in mind for your hundredth birthday Uncle Bob, but when I saw this, I couldn't help thinking of you.

Hehe....just kidding. On second thoughts......???

 

At Frogpond farm last week.....

Farmer Bill has been building again. 

It's a sun protection structure for the worm farms at Helen's school. 

He started constructing and painting at home over a number of days using bits and pieces of salvaged timber....

 

 

......and yesterday we trailered them across to the other side of the city to set them up in the school garden ( in 38 degree heat)! The garden is in full sun all day ( which is wonderful for the garden beds ) but the worms need shelter and shade. These photos were taken at 5 pm.

 

Then it was off to the beach to cool down with Amy, Sarah, Helen and her sister Claire. 

 

Some of us frolicked.

 

Some of us even got properly wet.

 

But most of the time we just paddled.

 

Thank you girls. We loved it. And the pizzas were delicious.

Last week I made strawberry rose petal jam using Jamesy's strawberries.

 

 

And Helen made tomato sauce.

 

The dogs have returned home after their three week holiday.

 

They made themselves at home as they always do.

 

 

Around the garden path.

 

And the box of bulbs still sits in the potting shed crying out to be planted.

I didn't want to plant them while the dogs were here ( I have a feeling that the bulbs of belladonnas are poisonous ).

 

A new aster for the cottage bed to join the purple one I planted last year.

 

Amy bought an olive tree for the orchard.

 

I think these are nerines that I separated last year.

 

 A pumpkin at last. Way too many male flowers and not enough female flowers.

 

 The pinkest pink I ever did see!  It's called Escapade.

 

Our little Pilbara boys.

Sam and Flynn looked after each other last week.

 

Kiann was in Perth with Archer for a few days.

They visited Uncle Angus and Nana Deb at the hospital.

 

 

My library pile.

 

Have a great week everyone. 

PS And please remember what Sue said Uncle Bob!!!!!!!

      Wasn't it something like this?

 

Mmmmmm, something like that! 

No second chances though.

We will be thinking of you all.