tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65839672567942339972024-01-18T16:12:11.486+11:00The Duck HerderUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger428125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-22669446710617534182013-07-05T09:12:00.000+10:002013-07-05T09:12:05.014+10:00Teach cows to eat weeds<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/15461009?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
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Cleaning up my emails this morning I rediscovered this little gem. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-51342128934981253082013-07-04T17:49:00.000+10:002013-07-04T17:49:27.968+10:00Taking Shape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, things are taking shape with the new princess mitxe. Behold new swept back handlebars. We are at a bit of an impasse until some new brake levers materialize. Just to be clear, it is VERY UNSAFE to ride a bike with no brakes. Just ask Mr Duck. We were playing around in the street zooming up and down enjoying the new swept back handlebars when the old brake caliper dropped off the bar and well, things come to a pretty abrupt stop when once spokes one's self. <br />
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Some nice Schwalbe Marathon tires arrived today along with some puncture resistant tubes and the handlebars........I think she looks pretty neat. But she needs a name. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-67009818723969458072013-07-01T17:41:00.001+10:002013-07-04T17:53:29.888+10:00Little tendrilsI cried at the Telstra shop today. Not because my phone is broken. Not because it has to be sent away so the little men can fix it. I cried that I would be losing all those old text messages from my Dad. <br />
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It really was kind of funny. There I was being all functional and grown up getting my phone ready to send off while the nice young boys were setting up my courtesy phone and then......while shutting down and logging off what seemed like a zillion services, networks and apps I casually asked if this process would mean that I would lose all my texts.<br />
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Well, that did it. <br />
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<i>I'm sorry</i> I sobbed, tears streaming down my face, <i>my father recently died and I just realized getting my phone fixed means I have to let go of his text messages</i>. The nice young boys were a bit taken aback but also very kind. They even passed me a box of TISSUES bless their little GenY cotton socks.<br />
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It's the little things isn't it. I am trying to stay open and just let the million little tendrils of Dadness entwined in my life recede and drift away. But some things make me want to hang on with white knuckles.<br />
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Did I ever tell you how much I love you? <br />
Three lines of so. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-22557225248263963842013-06-30T18:48:00.002+10:002013-06-30T18:53:45.599+10:00New addition<br />
Does anyone remember Spokesman Cycles on Lonsdale St in Braddon? They had a bit of a cult following in the ONC.<br />
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And now I have my very own.$150 how cool is that? <br />
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She needs some lovely swept back bars, and some mudguards.......perhaps a basket or rack.....but not too much else. She is in pretty tip top shape considering her age........probably late 70's early 80's. She is purrrdy.<br />
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Welcome home sweetie.Queenie and Selena, meet your new sister.........Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-62993663201602818492013-06-27T11:44:00.000+10:002013-06-27T11:44:06.732+10:00Holly Crap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Julia. I love that you can knit. I think you look great with glasses. I had to get reading glasses too this year. I really want to say thank you for being our first girly prime minister. I think you did a great job in very very trying circumstances. I think you had to work with a lot of pricks. I can say that on my blog now because my Dad is dead and can't read it anymore.<br />
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Anyway. I just want to say thanks. I really hope you get to have a bit of a lie down and a rest, and that you get lots of cups of tea in bed for a while. Perhaps you and Tim and Reuben can go hang out at the beach for a while. Or go camping. Or go stay in the shed on that little bush block Tim bought. <br />
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I really hope you get some time to recover and rest up and have some fun before you get onto the next big thing. You are really awesome.<br />
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Lots of love<br />
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Duckie.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-8986910766812210102013-06-24T16:41:00.001+10:002013-06-24T16:43:57.258+10:00Miss you Bobby - three lines of so. <div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-79428757007887336832013-06-21T19:53:00.001+10:002013-06-21T19:55:47.931+10:00Sky Light Canberra<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/66865182" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://vimeo.com/66865182">Sky Light Canberra</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/gcnelson">GCNelson</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
This is where I live. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-83784528632770197672013-06-21T09:54:00.002+10:002013-06-21T09:54:58.499+10:00Back on the wagon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBsLT3foeMqzgfEHvnUknJAsPczef-YKgAe8DLJwrkUBIIRjqNmMu7x5Z4boqrCHJORqDX7EqBOpbIsdH9Vpx_yDou5KcI4hi5OWwqLjtkXdm4pWehK0TSQjLxnvogfQ-Fj643HUycJ8/s1600/Louie+frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBsLT3foeMqzgfEHvnUknJAsPczef-YKgAe8DLJwrkUBIIRjqNmMu7x5Z4boqrCHJORqDX7EqBOpbIsdH9Vpx_yDou5KcI4hi5OWwqLjtkXdm4pWehK0TSQjLxnvogfQ-Fj643HUycJ8/s320/Louie+frost.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hello blog. Golly. That life thing. It keeps happening. Blog - meet Louie. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-86037317425728454582012-10-08T12:23:00.000+11:002012-10-08T12:23:26.273+11:00Ginger Champagne is GO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
OK, so Eileen and I spent Saturday afternoon inpromptuly batching up 42 liters of ginger champagne. This is GOOD STUFF. Well, it will be in 9 months time......<br />
<br />
There is another 25 litres of Kiwi Melomel doing a secondary ferment on the bookcase in front of my desk. I am waiting for this to slow down enough to bottle....Its a delicate balance.....too much fermenting left to do after bottling means exploding bottles and popping corks.....too little and the melomel is still, just enough and we have lovely spritzy bubbles! There is no science to this with wild fermentation - just gut. Trust your gut. Wait for the planets to align and for the creative tension in one's tummy to go still and clear and say "It is time" <br />
<br />
All through the house I can here the gentle "glub..........glub......" from 4 different airlocks.<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-34368858587969817682012-08-16T14:08:00.001+10:002012-08-16T14:12:20.649+10:0020,000 tiny deaths in the family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCd1b1rru15lyf-7-tVj0Idi7iNQQbMfy1YTe437CPypgtISPvLG4STNO34qEundIGH3JwMRoVL_iYhEfcN_MSRyqpK9LXL4GqbvlhCP-u08aB2M7u81JOcxzCxHSdNI5bHhaJEUt4wY/s1600/dead+hive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCd1b1rru15lyf-7-tVj0Idi7iNQQbMfy1YTe437CPypgtISPvLG4STNO34qEundIGH3JwMRoVL_iYhEfcN_MSRyqpK9LXL4GqbvlhCP-u08aB2M7u81JOcxzCxHSdNI5bHhaJEUt4wY/s400/dead+hive.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
OK, so I have some sad news I have been saving up.......we acknowledge the passing of Dear Queen Malina on the Front Deck and 20,000 of her best friends.<br />
<br />
The girls didn't make it though winter.......<br />
<br />
The forensic investigation is considering a number of possibilities.......when I checked the hive just before winter, I noticed a few strange things....there had been a massive die off of worker bees.....lots of their dried out bodies up above the queen excluder......and most of the extra honey stores I was planning on harvesting were gone.......I put this down to a wee bit of poisoning.......Mr Duck had oiled the decking around the hive, AND there had been lots of resealing of the roads in the suburb.....both of these could have set the girls back a bit.<br />
<br />
Also, during this little peek I saw HRH Queen Malina herself! This was unexpected as I had assumed she would have been replaced by a daughter long before now.....she is a almost three years old. I was NOT expecting to see her little white dotty back at all. <br />
<br />
So it is possible she was failing as the hive went into winter.......and that there were perhaps not enough girls in the hive or honey stores to get them through......<br />
<br />
<br />
Anyhooo, the hive is empty and silent. <br />
<br />
When I get around to it I will take the hive apart and check it more thoroughly, and get it ready for a new swarm in the spring.<br />
<br />
Amen. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-27033461100836001182012-08-15T19:17:00.000+10:002012-08-15T19:17:07.689+10:00Winter Greens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4mn-1reYbfNxJrrRFBnr2Ubb4lHDUjIx4nTJV0TMJulMA0krrz60oYFYnqU-ScpEMQrSRjkLoNnqHF5AvWhf1MbxITXtbJUIOszujEEvA2npPe43mPgP1XiWg3TOO_M-emXvee_R5XM/s1600/food+factory+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4mn-1reYbfNxJrrRFBnr2Ubb4lHDUjIx4nTJV0TMJulMA0krrz60oYFYnqU-ScpEMQrSRjkLoNnqHF5AvWhf1MbxITXtbJUIOszujEEvA2npPe43mPgP1XiWg3TOO_M-emXvee_R5XM/s320/food+factory+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
OK, so remember those wicking garden beds I was putting in.......well, they were great over summer and have been even better over winter. The covers are actually pretty good at keeping the frost out and the warmth in. <br />
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We have had cut and come again lettuce pretty much all winter....... <br />
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And for the first year I have grown valeriana or corn salad....It is really only getting a kick along now. I think I planted it a bit too late.......<br />
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And this is something new.....miners lettuce. It is really nice to eat and has the same cut and come again characteristics that are so valuable in winter.......<br />
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Baby spinach has been crisp and sweet. I have just planted some more rows of seeds in the spaces. Its not too late to get a second crop of spinach in the ONC. <br />
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<br />
Yummi. What a great selection for my green smoothies and salads each day!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-67328085940150798952012-07-27T16:28:00.001+10:002012-07-27T16:29:16.303+10:00Enough already. I came across this interview with Vicki Robin of "You Money or Your Life" fame. Downloaded the book onto my magical Kindle......<br />
<br />
Goodness. It has triggered a bit of serious soul searching and deep reflection. I know I am probably the LAST humanoid in the elegant frugality blogosphere to discover YMOYL but you know...better late than never!<br />
<br />
Things I have discovered so far:<br />
<ul>
<li>I have some seriously $^@&ed up deeply held beliefs about money, work and what it is for.....ever as a free range chook. </li>
<li>I have enough. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
I REALLY do have enough stuff. <br />
<br />
Anyhoo, I feel deeply inspired and almost giddy with anticipation. I feel like my eyes have been OPENED. <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/I8lz13SWZ5w" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In other news, and in homage to all things wonderful and free, I started making Kiwi Vinegar today with some of the very last squishy kiwis. Its only been a few hours, but it is ALREADY smelling divine. <br />
<br />
Recipe adapted from the pineapple skin recipe from <a href="http://www.wildfermentation.com/wild-fermentation/" target="_blank">WILD FERMENTATION</a> by Sandor Ellix Katz. <br />
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<br />
Ingredients are:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 liter rain water</li>
<li>60 gms sugar</li>
<li>Squishy Kiwis</li>
<li>2 weeks. </li>
</ul>
<br />
How much does 1 liter of Boutique Organic Kiwi Vinegar cost to make?<br />
<br />
However much 60 grams of white sugar costs.<br />
<br />
Now that is elegant. <br />
<br />
In other news, I am going to a Christmas in July well August celebration tomorrow night. In line with my new frugal elegance, I made 8 little jars of moisturizer to give out as presents. <br />
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<br />
<br />
Well, that's Friday and that is all.<br />
<br />
Have decided not to spend any money this week. Given that I have ENOUGH and all. Except on food. And some unavoidable work travel expenses while I am in FNQ later this week.<br />
<br />
Gook luck me!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-66878829502531588532012-07-15T20:29:00.001+10:002012-07-15T20:33:29.315+10:00Formic Acid and BAS statements<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo1xiYCzPySOp7Ukt08VlVLZ1CUOdFHkGaC0AABEG8cY9_spFadxeSuj_bNQVOcDjc8CFMQ5ujWiiilK0M8YI9JOaaec8NkGrskBcTZUNgfdl9gofFUtxPqB-kGVPZIIm0WjqYHRUD-Q/s1600/ziva+bas+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieo1xiYCzPySOp7Ukt08VlVLZ1CUOdFHkGaC0AABEG8cY9_spFadxeSuj_bNQVOcDjc8CFMQ5ujWiiilK0M8YI9JOaaec8NkGrskBcTZUNgfdl9gofFUtxPqB-kGVPZIIm0WjqYHRUD-Q/s320/ziva+bas+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the down sides of being a free range chook is the requirement to produce a BAS each quarter. Here is Ziva helping me to sort my receipts out....... <br />
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In other news, ANTS discovered the Kiwi Melomel. Big long trail of ants climbing up and going in, no ants coming out, lots of ants floating on the top.<br />
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I fished as many as I could out.....and anyway it was time to get all the fruit out so I strained the whole lot into a new carboy....and capped it off with an air lock. Perhaps the judicious addition of some formic acid in the form of deceased ant carcases will only help....? who knows. <br />
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The crochet cardigan is going nicely thank you. The ducks have picked up their laying - YAY GO DUCKS.<br />
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I met the lovely <a href="http://bredbovalleyviewfarm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mr and Mrs Bredbo Valley View Farm </a>at the farmers markets today. They had a little trailer fill of cute little show and tell piggies. SWOON.<br />
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Thats it for a Sunday.<br />
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Amen.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-1238273974425546332012-07-10T16:07:00.000+10:002012-07-10T16:08:42.056+10:00deliciousTwo delicious things on this raining afternoon. Three if you count having a nap. Oh the life of a duck herding consultant!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhPNLtRNdrzD3uBhXrp41IniABVRtX_-i2SdOhVhm1eVIGJvLzC0eIVRYqQlxxYl-EzibcRofQizXoG0bGnLQoUw2C4K0fzZ6DLk1nIgvA5WHBe2SkwODY6eYb67H4vMsTpN5CU-gi6A/s1600/kiwi+melomel+day+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhPNLtRNdrzD3uBhXrp41IniABVRtX_-i2SdOhVhm1eVIGJvLzC0eIVRYqQlxxYl-EzibcRofQizXoG0bGnLQoUw2C4K0fzZ6DLk1nIgvA5WHBe2SkwODY6eYb67H4vMsTpN5CU-gi6A/s320/kiwi+melomel+day+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Behold the Kiwi Melomel on day 3. The froth has gone. I think the froth was mostly pollen from the honey and a result of all the swishing and stirring to get the honey to dissolve on a mid winter day. <br />
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And I have just ordered the yarn for a new project. How gorgeous is this crocheted cardigan! Gwynne from next door lent me the pattern. She has made the same thing but out of different wool. I fell in love with the colours as much as the pattern, so for once I am going to follow the pattern COMPLETELY and even use the SPECIFIED wool in the SPECIFIED colours! What fun to try a bit of compliance. How hard could it be? <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-39262611593835672112012-07-08T18:18:00.001+10:002012-07-08T18:19:52.186+10:00everyone loves kiwi fruitEnough already with the ranting. (sorry about that) <br />
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We are on the last few buckets of this years kiwi fruit. I know I do go on about how perfect these vines are for ONCian regions......BUT THEY ARE! What else gives you fresh beautiful fruit in the DEAD of winter. Kiwi fruit are BEST when they are left on the vine until late June or July. Of course, by this stage, EVERYONE in the neighborhood is after them. <br />
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Luckily bread trumps kiwi fruit, so it is easy enough to cajole the possums onto bread. But there was such a big crop this year there has been more than enough for everyone. <br />
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Mostly we just eat these fresh - tones of them every day. They also feature heavily in the daily green smoothie affair. AND this year I am trying them in my very first batch of kiwi hooch melomel. Yessiree folks. Its time for some more WILD FERMENTATION.We are still working our way merrily through bottle after bottle of cherry melomel (locally known as "cherry sherry") , sparkling wild plum melomel and um, I think that's it.) How on earth could sparkly kiwi stuff not work? <br />
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Above you can see 20 odd liters of water, honey and mushed up kiwis. Will keep you posted.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-56045188167595225412012-07-05T12:39:00.000+10:002012-07-05T12:39:00.925+10:00we eat weedsOK, So, we are still worshiping at the altar of green smoothies. Between the raised garden beds and the green house we have a pretty constant supply of lovely greens for smoothies and salads.<br />
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Two "weeds" that used to be problems in one of the raised garden beds are nettles and what I now know is CHICKWEED. Regular viewers will know that I have a long term love affair going on with COOKED nettles, so imagine how excited I got when I read somewhere that they go just fine in smoothies and that somehow magically whizzing them up gets rid of the stingyness. (where does it go?) <br />
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After a few cautious trials I can happily confirm this to be TRUE.<br />
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But onto the CHICKWEED. In winter, my raised garden bets get sozzled in THIS which I pull out and toss to the ducks who much it down happily (I should have known).<br />
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Turns out it is CHICKWEED. Which is also, it turns out, perfect for green smoothies.<br />
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So this morning's concoction was:<br />
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Flaxseeds<br />
Chia Seeds<br />
Bananas<br />
Kiwi (YES! OURS ARE FINALLY RIPE AND DELICIOUS)<br />
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And from the garden, freshly picked:<br />
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CHICKWEED<br />
NETTLES<br />
Corn Salad<br />
Parsely<br />
Lettuce<br />
Baby Spinach<br />
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Yum yum.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-49434088436484611632012-07-04T16:54:00.000+10:002012-07-04T16:54:09.429+10:00Money Diet Debt ChallengeOK. SO. I am feeling very inspired after hanging around at <a href="http://manvsdebt.com/" target="_blank">Adam Baker's Man VS Debt website </a>In consultation with Mr Duck <b><u>I</u></b> am back on the money diet and <u><b>WE</b></u> have set ourselves a challenge to pay $20,000 in extra payments off the princess castle mortgage by the end of the calendar year.<br />
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Actually my goal is to pay off our house mortgage as soon as possible, but it makes sense to start off slowly and break it down into little achievable chunks. I think we owe just under $200,000. Not a lot by average standards, but WOW, wouldn't it feel great if it was a big FAT ZERO and we completely owned our happy home. Happy Christmas to US. <br />
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Those of you with a less irrepressible approach to high cash flow would already KNOW that there are two ways to make money......earn MORE and spend LESS. Usually I just focus on the first, but this time I am gunna focus on the second just as much if not more. <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/9XRPbFIN4lk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Here is Adam's TED x talk here.<br />
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My bible on the journey if Rhonda's <a href="http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">DOWN TO EARTH book</a>. I love this book so much.<br />
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Land of NO DEBT<br />
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Bring it on. <br />
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Yours in BIG LOVEUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-30173124592875081362012-07-04T13:22:00.001+10:002012-07-04T13:23:11.535+10:00To blog or not to blog.....That is the question. What is a blog for? Does it matter if you only do it now and again? A lot has been happening internally, but not much of it is coming out in words, or even pictures.<br />
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I think I will take the camera out for a walk and see what is happening in my life.<br />
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There has been quiet. And ups and downs. And people behaving beautifully. And people behaving badly. Just people doing their stuff. Frankly I am not a fan. <br />
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The duck.<br />
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OutUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-38145064000582064692012-06-18T16:56:00.002+10:002012-06-18T16:56:29.235+10:00my movie has been funded!So cool, the movie I backed on kickstarter has reached its goal and is going to get funded!<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="360px" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cranktank/im-fine-thanks/widget/video.html" width="480px"></iframe><br />
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I think I have watched this trailer perhaps 10 times and it still fills me with incredible joy and still makes me a bit teary.<br />
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Its not too late to become a backer and perhaps get your very own copy of the DVD sent out to you, or receive a free download........ <br />
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The internets. Making it so easy to connect and be part of good things.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-67202674549922584222012-06-05T06:26:00.000+10:002012-06-05T06:26:34.351+10:00Crochet with a Duck and a LlamaIt's on again folks.
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If you are a fellow ONCian who thinks they might just like to learn the
gentle art of CROCHET, well, Alpaca Magic is running another CRAZY ABOUT CROCHET course and you can learn to crochet from a duck.<br />
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This was such fun last year. The course runs over three Saturday afternoons from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. <br />
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The workshops happen in a sunny warm space at Alpaca Magic out at Sutton.
Dates for this year are:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Saturday 16th, 23rd and 30th June</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">From 1:00pm - 4:00pm</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">At <a href="http://www.alpacamagic.com.au/">Alpaca Magic</a>, 2771 Sutton Rd, Sutton.</span></b><br />
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<ul>
<li>Session 1 will cover the basic stitches, reading crochet recipes, yarns and basic Llama hugging techniques. </li>
<li>Session 2 will have you all ready to start on a lovely project of your choosing - perhaps a nice beanie or noodley spiral scarf.</li>
<li>Session 3 will see us finishing up our projects, leaning another new stitch and going 3D into the world of crochet flowers. </li>
</ul>
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Cost will be $160 for the whole three days including a cuppa, lots of
support and giggles and fun, enchanted encounters with the llamas and
alpacas, course notes, your very own crochet hook and some practice
yarn.<br />
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EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER HELD A CROCHET HOOK BEFORE AND ARE ESPECIALLY
SCARED you are very very welcome. You will be able to buy beautiful yarn
made from the fleeces of the alpacas that live at the farm - home grown
fleece! Of course you are welcome to use other yarns of your choosing
because THIS IS ABOUT CROCHET LOVE. <br />
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What do you think? Prospective Gentleman Crocheters are very welcome - CROCHET IS NOT FOR SISSIES you know. <br />
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Enrollment forms are available from the <a href="http://www.alpacamagic.com.au/">Alpaca Magic website.</a> Is this a nice thing to do?<br />
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You betcha. <br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-57447869173634905302012-05-26T08:33:00.000+10:002012-05-26T08:39:28.059+10:00lives of quiet desparationHey internets. Its only 8:00am and already I have been moved to tears by three lovely things. How cool is life! How lovely is it to be ALIVE?!<br />
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Some of you may not be aware that earlier this year I did a very cool thing. (just as cool as green smoothies)<br />
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I gave up STRESS.<br />
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Yup. Just gave it up. Don't need it any more.<br />
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Since then, I have noticed (from my serene sea of calm) that people I LOVE LOVE LOVE catch and hold on to stress so so much and this makes my heart so sad. I notice the bad habits that I used to be very GOOD AT and COMMITTED TO being played out in my lovelies.....something happens at work, our staff do something stupid/dumb/mean/silly/REALLY STUPID, and somehow that becomes OUR problem, and we get STRESSED and distressed about things that really have nothing to do with us, and really, while we may be able to influence them/it/the situation, it really isnt something that we can change or fix (we can not actually stop stupid people from being stupid) and it doesn't actually need to affect US PERSONALLY and cause us distress......and headaches, and tight necks and force us to eat timtams and all the rest. <br />
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We CHOOSE to take things personally and get stressed about things.<br />
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Anyhoo, I choose LIFE!<br />
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My dear friend <a href="http://sherdie.com/" target="_blank">Sherdie</a> who I suspect is also on the verge of giving up stress blogged about this: <br />
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<a href="http://shouldiquittest.com/">Have you seen the Should I Quit Test? A free 5-min test to see if you should leave your job. </a><br />
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I scored 28 on a scale of 130 where 130 means you REALLY NEED TO QUIT YOUR JOB NOW. So I think this is a good sign I am kinda on the right track.<br />
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Other lovely things that happened today is that I became a kickstarter backer. <a href="http://kck.st/KM2I6v" target="_blank">I backed this film which means I am now a movie investor!</a><br />
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You might like to watch the short. It made me weep in a nice way. I think it is an important message.<br />
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Now what was the other lovely thing....<br />
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Oh, thats right....I am a big fan of the whole <a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/" target="_blank">hungryforchange</a> phenomenon, and this morning in my inbox there was this nice link to a clip about <a href="http://www.hungryforchange.tv/visualization" target="_blank">John Gabriel's book about weightloss. </a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AVsoGsrMcgI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Now I know I am someone who does not struggle with weighty issues, but I have friends that do and I think the whole hungry for change and john gabriel stuff is really really important. <br />
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Somehow, giving up stress, choosing LIFE, drinking green smoothies every day, spreading the word that its OK not to live a life of quiet desperation, giving yourself permission to quit your stupid job and start following your hearts desires and growing the things you want more of in your life, and loving your body and finding what it needs to feel safe and not be porky and being kind to our selves and each other and backing a project financially that I think deserves to happen which is also rewarding the project team for following THEIR dreams all on a Saturday morning before my greensmoothie points to a lovely Saturday methinks.<br />
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big love everyone<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-61286106564595501382012-05-22T12:26:00.004+10:002012-05-22T12:27:23.990+10:00and another thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSg1eM-TwDG_cY6NAC8JhIL184kAtbZeJFa7GmKlUqIACqVaE4vsdd-M3JbhrkFWQY1l6GzSGMfPX8ppFhkZGo-XdG96g5-53Ql0QpQPxUAzCxZ3nD9nB-27j1e_lk5lAfJxU_FbgB5M/s1600/big+fat+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSg1eM-TwDG_cY6NAC8JhIL184kAtbZeJFa7GmKlUqIACqVaE4vsdd-M3JbhrkFWQY1l6GzSGMfPX8ppFhkZGo-XdG96g5-53Ql0QpQPxUAzCxZ3nD9nB-27j1e_lk5lAfJxU_FbgB5M/s320/big+fat+pumpkin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two posts in one day. Who woulda thought.......<br />
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I grew some fat arse pumpkins down at the community garden this year. Slyly offered the Couragnaut one........then he had to carry it.<br />
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Another made it to the St John Vianney Primary School fete for a "guess how much this crazy pumpkin weighs" fund raising competition. That one took two humans to carry.<br />
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Another one is basking resplendent and on display in our front garden. I noticed some little animal has been gnawing on it.....keep going buddy! <br />
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The other night over some drinks and a fire the gauntlet was laid down, the challenge was put out there......the Holder Community Garden is having a pumpkin growing competition next year.<br />
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Of course I intend to win.<br />
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<a href="http://www.atlanticseeds.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">So tell me, is $10 for a single super sized champion blood line pumpkin seed from parents who both topped 500kg too much to pay? </a><br />
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I didn't think so.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-83007764349720031892012-05-22T11:20:00.001+10:002012-05-22T11:20:28.170+10:00Apron SwapWe return now to regular broadcasting......... <br />
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Remember the apron swap? Well, in the end, I was super happy with my sewing achievements. This gorgeous thing safely made its way to Eileen in California. HOW COOL IS THAT! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh46CjIArdHsRIkeri2pa8luzsKUYwU_ezY5wq2ZNw3yDVioQGsakfp_HHP3Q_ShbX_j_mRxlTjEtzbBExNJMCs3e9ADG8F3nWqObRdPXBwT4W6TYezBD-9_ik0-7cjVhyd31FEV2Kcs/s1600/apron+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh46CjIArdHsRIkeri2pa8luzsKUYwU_ezY5wq2ZNw3yDVioQGsakfp_HHP3Q_ShbX_j_mRxlTjEtzbBExNJMCs3e9ADG8F3nWqObRdPXBwT4W6TYezBD-9_ik0-7cjVhyd31FEV2Kcs/s400/apron+front.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found the most beautiful 1920's reproduction apron pattern. Fellow ONCians, if you are interested, I am happy for you to trace your own version from mine, It is so lovely lovely lovely. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fihMCOzbrDLQcUe8JqIPRZz-6ibjcBylIFp7kAlVcEIbkeCBIrLpYdDZg-w14JCEnv5ImPX9xmx3JO7rm17Qv27oM7O4QUtrmXIFxJBMMTGPL4A1g3FMrPn4U2nt0u2A9VzeUHO8swc/s1600/apron+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fihMCOzbrDLQcUe8JqIPRZz-6ibjcBylIFp7kAlVcEIbkeCBIrLpYdDZg-w14JCEnv5ImPX9xmx3JO7rm17Qv27oM7O4QUtrmXIFxJBMMTGPL4A1g3FMrPn4U2nt0u2A9VzeUHO8swc/s400/apron+back.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Looking at these photos taken by Mr Duck just before I posted it off, I realize how much linear time has slipped by....that would be a T-SHIRT I am wearing, and those would be bright green leaves on the Kiwi Vine....which are still green, but with crunchy frosted bits on top and masses of ripening kiwis.......<br />
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So. I declare I can SEW. kinda. If you don't look too closely.......<br />
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AND, no photos yet, but I did receive the most gorgeous lovely apron from Eileen in return.<br />
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I love a good global swapping project!<br />
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Namaste.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-32249174453750121132012-04-04T12:19:00.000+10:002012-04-04T12:19:28.827+10:00Worshiping at the Altar of Green SmoothiesWell, it has been almost a month since I started worshiping at the altar of green smoothies. This was breakfast yesterday; banana, pear, apple,ginger and fresh from the garden: lettuce, baby beet leaves, parsley, carrot tops, black kale, and mint. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KTxfiu-r57r7IMeJoWCBeSoaVYs21IohKaYJnwkVkNC41iIXDkbtkn-aUSPbXNwEVBXDIaDxxwCZiram4cUUFHLmCmvZNr1YtXtnthhGvMvs2mMlP_WWtX_flsuC5CYtj6x-ptKqTIg/s1600/breakfast+green+smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KTxfiu-r57r7IMeJoWCBeSoaVYs21IohKaYJnwkVkNC41iIXDkbtkn-aUSPbXNwEVBXDIaDxxwCZiram4cUUFHLmCmvZNr1YtXtnthhGvMvs2mMlP_WWtX_flsuC5CYtj6x-ptKqTIg/s320/breakfast+green+smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is what it looks like all mushed up. DELICIOUS. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkdn-ZRLqG_LPMHfFKExjOm-twzK5aEakcngQ4oih8dYEgNGiAgV5rZKeymDj-BZErwOMebigz1fzwOp6D-Dha7_BLrCXCrDYB1AAtKjo44wYj7lIJV-iouPUSE_gaPCVdIjhNwgYA18/s1600/green+smoothie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkdn-ZRLqG_LPMHfFKExjOm-twzK5aEakcngQ4oih8dYEgNGiAgV5rZKeymDj-BZErwOMebigz1fzwOp6D-Dha7_BLrCXCrDYB1AAtKjo44wYj7lIJV-iouPUSE_gaPCVdIjhNwgYA18/s320/green+smoothie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today was chia seeds, cinnamon, apple, banana and a WHOLE LETTUCE. <br />
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I think these things have changes my life. I feel zingy and I have more energy and the fog is lifting from my brain and I have lost 2 kg without even trying. Other weird things, I have LOST my cravings for naughty sweet cakes and deserts and bread and biscuits. They have just gorn......<br />
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Crazy stuff.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6583967256794233997.post-37350870452478726142012-03-30T21:10:00.001+11:002012-03-30T21:11:37.199+11:00Lacuna Sabbath Hooray. Today was a slothful devotional to the Lacuna Sabbath. I did manage to get out of my jammies by noon, but only barely. I did manage to finish a new crocheted beanie in delicious Noro Silk Garden yarn, a scrumptious indulgence. <br />
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Anyhoo, I know I have been tardy dear interwebs.........<br />
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So now for a quick update. Behold the first Austrian Oil Seed Pumpkin. Now, I am a FAN of the pepita......it is true and I was especially looking forward to seeing inside of this magical beast..........<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6xMfQN8YIY7Qie0gAewENTWaC1tHPFNgzJvq7AEmxeahtHUeG6Wz_QqLfilgvSBAWQ1dMG1Swe4_-Qb2UUi7jI1RZXpvPQ_gFErYYwNSgd-1kYaoxe3oit8Qc9DmEZZ3CvwAK1fmr_E/s1600/oil+seed+pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6xMfQN8YIY7Qie0gAewENTWaC1tHPFNgzJvq7AEmxeahtHUeG6Wz_QqLfilgvSBAWQ1dMG1Swe4_-Qb2UUi7jI1RZXpvPQ_gFErYYwNSgd-1kYaoxe3oit8Qc9DmEZZ3CvwAK1fmr_E/s320/oil+seed+pump.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the PLUS side, these pepitas are HUGE and DELICIOUS. On the down side, many of them have already germinated........which is a bit weird. Any ideas? I did have the pumpkin showy-offily displayed on the warmth of the kitchen bench for a week or so....perhaps too much warmth?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QZNbgcWAswd1lGpEu106mDs-5aJX56ByZ6mNuNuFCTkNmlSzaqNx20TLBZEsedGm3sUvWfnMVnfhv1EounwB5GpaPtndm2pghXwme9Goi6tTLVlWP2YAYi5Dot57-AZl4PzWKfL52pk/s1600/pepitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QZNbgcWAswd1lGpEu106mDs-5aJX56ByZ6mNuNuFCTkNmlSzaqNx20TLBZEsedGm3sUvWfnMVnfhv1EounwB5GpaPtndm2pghXwme9Goi6tTLVlWP2YAYi5Dot57-AZl4PzWKfL52pk/s320/pepitas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another downer is that this is one TASTELESS pumpkin......but with really tough and bitter skin......the flesh is OK in an insipid overgrown squash hide it in a casserole or curry kind of way, but even me who is a signed up lover of pumpkin skin was pretty keen to steer clear of that yucki bitter stuff..........<br />
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Would I grow them again? That depends on whether the other pumpkins from this vine have better pepitas......fingers crossed. <br />
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I have discovered the delights and wonderfulness of GREEN SMOOTHIES. Behold my breakfast, just before it gets whizzed........organic apple, pear and an assortment of greens from the garden. I love this stuff. <br />
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I am on the hunt for purslane......I am sure I have seen it growing in the garden and around the traps..... I am on a mission to identify and EAT as much as I can before the first frost........and have purchased some seeds from greenharvest so that if I grow it from scratch, I might better identify the stuff in the wild!<br />
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And I am thinking about chemicals. Dieldren to be exact, because I have a sneaky suspicion it is everywhere........Dieldren used to be sprayed around all over the place with gay abandon and strong government endorsement......just like DDT........anyhoo, Dieldren is something I regularly test compost for (mine and others) and let me tell you, even it you didn't put it in, it is there in the finished product, even if it is just a tiny whisper........it turns up in the most unlikely places..........<br />
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And if it was sprayed on your farm, or your garden, or your house, it is probably still there. In the soil. <br />
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sheesh. Sometimes its better not to know these things!<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6