Shop Local

So much has happened in the last fortnight that I don't know where to begin.
We've spent two weekends out of the last four at the farm - the last one being disastrous for Jack who was ill AGAIN with teething, flu, conjuctivitis and fevers of 40 degrees. I spent four days with him sleeping in my arms in the armchair in front of the fire or in our bed. We ended up in the surgery at Batlow with him and I met lots of locals who were so kind as to be concerned for him. Even going so far as to ask his grandparents in the street the next week how he was! Small towns are wonderful. Shop local I say. If you don't then don't expect the business to be there when you need it. Batlow has an amazing doctor who has two surgeries and gets locum/student doctors in from the big city, regularly. True blue battler he is. And if those snobby city doctors don't want to work in the country they don't deserve the food to land on their plates from the country farmers. I digress.
We had a great time though with DH's brother, sister, partner (who drove 13 hours from the Barossa Valley just to see us). Ever played trivial pursuit with three siblings who think they know everything? Really funny. Throw in a few bottles of wine, two spouses who object to their knowing everything and you have a really LOUD game!
DH took me shopping today - bought me some beautiful clothes. And last night he came home with a bunch of roses - all different colours and scents - red, pink, orange, yellow, white and watermelon. Beautiful. How lovely is he? This morning I showed them to DS who smelled each rose ever so carefully. I am proud to say that my DH is a malborough man/snag and my DS is a snag in the making. Does anyone know what a marlborough man is besides me?
And I've dobbed myself in for my first EVER ATC swap card thingy. How could I resist a theme of 'fruity'? Me, the orchardist's wife, doing a fruity ATC - Its the principle of the thing.

Madge

sharing my art at last

sharing my art, at last. This was a wish for my friends' little girl - it was a naming day and we were asked to make a wish for her. We wished that she would learn to love nature (apt for farmers!). The little girl is my DS' girlfriend - he actually picked a flower and gave it to her in her cradle... what a beautiful little boy. Bizarre placing of photos - first attempt out uploading multiple pictures so please excuse the mish mash!

Madge

Here I am (left) with my beautiful girlfriends, Donna and Bron, in Batlow for another Easter of relaxation, farm frolics and food. Easter 2005

Galahs

I had a moment of clarity today. It was as my bus was pulling into the bus stop on the way home... I saw a guy standing at the bus stop wearing a pale green jumper with 9 pink and white Galahs knitted into the pattern.
Now, my father has just such a jumper, except that it has an englishman with a rifle and two hunting dogs on the front. He wears it to make a statement (he wears it to church, he wore it to a parade at Duntroon, I think he wore it to the Pauline Hanson rally) and even though its nearly two sizes too small he still wears it proudly. And I am so curious about that man at the bus stop... is he also wearing it to make a statement? who knitted it for him? did he pick it up at the op shop or did he order it? does his wife like it? Why Galahs? Why not Rosellas or Crows? What football team is affiliated with Galahs?
He's obviously NOT an orchardist.

Madge

Fresh Air

We spent the weekend down at the farm again, three days of fresh air, cold nights and wood fires. DH spent it chopping wood for the oldies and the tenants. We have a part of the property which we call ‘the timber block’ – it is all bush and gum trees and after a bad electrical storm about 8 years ago (and others) we have plenty of ‘dead’ wood that can be chopped up and used for heating. DS was excited by Kathy’s dogs (our fantastic tenant in the cabin) and the tractor driving – he can now move the steering wheel and sits in front of DH on the seat and goes everywhere with him. I cooked up a storm for the FIL who is still on his own and pleased to see us arrive.

I’m sure people are beginning to think I am snobby and brag about the farm all the time, but it is my life. It’s not glamorous and there’s no money in it, and we spend every spare moment there – how we wish for a holiday at the beach!