Did i miss December?

Whoops, i missed December...how'd that happen!?  Oh I KNOW!  It was a month long flurry of birthdays, anniversaries, ear infections, coughs, house moving, Christmas markets and Christmas!!! 
Yes, yes i did say house moving...again...(i'm starting to feel like some previously undiscovered Gypsy genes are trying to break out!)

Things have been just a tad hectic, and with children that didn't take to the move like good Gypsy kids should, both with coughs, and no one sleeping...well, you know, priorities!
At least i got my Christmas shopping done...on the 23rd of December...at 9pm...

You know what though, Christmas was Awesome!  It wasn't a year to start traditions, (or purchase a tree...magical mum fail 101) or decorate, or host feasts, but we were together, and that made it magic enough :)  My children also got spoiled rotten, so there's that!

And over the last few days we've just been relaxing, going on 'jungle adventures', hanging at home and just getting back into routine (also, unpacking boxes...sooo much to unpack).  The boys are enjoying their new back yard and having their own rooms, we're enjoying prepping the gardens and welcoming our first veges, and everyone's just taking a breather really!

 

Now, sitting in my armchair, with chip and dip, watching my favorite 'Alaska - Last Frontier' episodes(I love Jane, she's hilarious!), i'm remembering 2014, and thinking of what i want to achieve for 2015 (Move to Alaska..?)  There's just something wonderful about having a new year, full of potential stretched out in front me! 

 

 Goals are Coming!!

(and photos...as soon as i unpack my camera!)

Source

Renee  :)

Avocado and a Cure for Snails!

*First up, Avocado is not a cure for snails!  I just couldn't find a niftier title for the post!*

Over here in our lil world, we've started working toward our dream of having a reasonably self sufficient homestead...(I know!...we are currently minus the actual homestead...baby steps folks!!)  Part of working towards this dream is maintaining a year round food supply, and so we're slowly working on the art of not killing off our wee vege garden!

We're also learning what it takes to start growing a bigger variety of fruits and vegetables, during different seasons, and how to protect everything from pests in a reasonable friendly way.

We currently have (in our wee urban gardens) Spinach, lettuce, rocket, courgette, cucumber, strawberries, raspberries, blue berries, blackberries and a passionfruit vine.  Our baby trees are apple, mandarin, lemon, feijoa, loquat and coffee!

All are currently alive, although the passion fruit vine and coffee tree are looking like death warmed up a tad under the weather.  Given the circumstances (aka my children and my totally Not Green fingers) they're all doing great!

And so the next challenge...Avocado Trees (Otherwise known as Trees of Deliciousness!!)!
After a bit of googling i found some do-able instructions here!  Did you know that some avocado trees will never produce fruit!?  Me either, and they can take anywhere from 4 to 15 years if they are going to! (Also didn't know that an avocado pit had a top and bottom)

First up, the equipment....Check!

Figuring out top and bottom...I was fortunate enough to have a couple of very obvious pits!!
If you're not that fortunate....ummmm, your on your own?!

Spearing them with the tooth picks....Broke numerous tooth picks and also stabbed myself in the finger...I will never be a hunter.

All spiked and ready to go! (I did mine on an angle too)

In goes the water, and into a sunny spot!!...Now to wait...and hope...

And now, our second attempt at snail prevention!!  We began the snail war by using salt (salt around the plants dries the snails out as they creep over it), which is really quite effective...until it rains...
And then i remembered a wee tip that i read a while ago about using sharp things like crushed egg shells.  The snails can't slither over the sharp edges so they stay away....hopefully.

Olly had other ideas about shell placement....

 and level of crushed-ness....

We got there in the end though!

And now our seedlings look like they were a part of some weird alien crop circle gone wrong....but that's fine...if it works!  I shall keep ya'll posted....'cause seedling/snail watch is certain to have some of ya on the edge of your seats waiting for news... ;)



Renee  :)

This Other Kid!

Odge-podge, Olly-pop, Ham...
Fav' words..."My Don't Want!" Followed by a pout and folded arms
A chatter-box on the phone
Waves to everyone...and will continue to wave till someone waves back
Social Butterfly
Snuggle bug....

Early bird...Sometimes ridiculously early
Chuggingtons fanatic
Lover of anything his brother has
Lover of any food anyone else is trying to eat...mums always looks best
Dancer
Inherited most of the clumsy genes on offer, doesn't let that deter him
Melter of mummy's heart, and also good at securing a spot as Favourite, with his chubby lil' cheeks! (Of course i can have two favourites!!)

Awesomeness runs in this family!!

Ps:  Don't forget to enter our Awesome giveaway!!!  Follow this link and get entering !!


Renee  :)

Dreaming..

A simple home, with a porch made for sipping coffee, watching the sun rise over the mountains.
The great outdoors for a backyard with trees to climb, streams to build dams in, rivers to fish in.
Gardens for miles, with enough fresh produce for my family and extra for anyone who needs it or wants it.

An open fire to gather around on a chilly night, to play, to sing, or just relax with a book.
A cow, sheep, chickens and of course a family pup...maybe a cat or two.
Meals made from scratch, a kitchen wafting smells of herbs and fresh made bread.
Fruit trees for all seasons.

Bird calls in the morning, cricket songs at night.
Kids playing and hollering battle calls during the day.
Lessons in life and nature.
Family rambles, nights in tents and sleeping bags.
Writing letters and posting them.  Developing photos and making books to send too.

Neighbours that are close by, and also close.

Impromptu gatherings, sleep overs, picnics, music and games.

Time. To relax and just be.  To spend with the important things in life.

 

Dreaming...but also living life now, with purpose, and loving each and every moment, inching slowly towards that dream.

source

Renee  :)

Giveaway!? Don't mind if i do..

This month i've jumped on the Giveaway bandwagon thanks to the awesome Amy from The Farmers Wife and the lovely ladies you see linked below!!

$145....Yes Please!!!

So, go get yourself entered/entertained/possible richer!!

YUSS!!!

(Thanks Amy!!)

With the holiday's coming up faster than fast, 

this giveaway is really perfect!

145 extra dollars to buy something totally rad for your hubs, or kids, or yourself! 

Yes. Definitely spend it on yourself. 

What I am trying to say is that you HAVE to get entered to win this money.

Because when is free money a bad idea?

The answer...if it's drug money. Bad idea.

This however is clean.

Extra clean free money for you... for following these beautiful ladies:

Mary | Lindsay | Renee | Chelsea | Chelsea

Amy

Karli | Trish | Megan | Karissa | Rebekah

Seems like a win all the way around. 

Get on it. Show them some love.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ALSO if you'd like to be a part of the next group giveaway, hop over to my advertise page HERE. Any ad spot gets the opportunity to join in with the giveaway. :)

Renee  :)