tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19483976222431478772024-03-14T14:24:15.820+11:00ivy nestTaniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.comBlogger507125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-10232745528035828702016-01-20T11:24:00.000+11:002016-01-20T13:00:55.845+11:00ChangeDear Friends,<br />
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It has been awhile. Almost two years. To all those who took the time to reach out to me over this time I send you a warm thank you. Please forgive me for my lack of replying.<br />
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Typing into Blogger right now (I couldn't even remember my password!), I am feeling like a stranger in a strange land. But it does bring back memories. Blogging was a big part of my life for several years, and during that time, it was probably my biggest link to the outside world. In many ways I do miss that. I remember with fondness the online friendships formed and the kind words which were so encouraging. Several times I have written draft posts, but it just didn't seem the right time.<br />
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Thank you Stephanie, your email this week finally prompted me to get out there and have a go at posting some sort of explanation. <br />
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I guess in a way, blogging felt that it had run it's course. Life and change just seemed to take over, and for me, blogging had lost it's sparkle.<br />
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Later in the year that I posted my last post, my Father-in-law suffered a heart attack, and his life was never to be the same again. We felt we needed to be much closer than the four hour drive away. So in late 2014 we put the house on the market, sadly gave away our animals (but not our dog!) to locals we knew, and prayed about it all. The house sold within 3 days of being on the market.<br />
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In our search for a new home, we discovered that the area we were moving to was a completely different market and far more expensive. As it turned out we could afford an old fibro house on a large town block. It was in poor condition, but had been built solidly, and still retained it's old features. A plus was that it had enough bedrooms for everyone, plus a room for sewing. At just a half hour from the in-laws and in a pretty little town, it was the answer we were looking for.<br />
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So we spent all of last year renovating (ourselves) and virtually clearing the third acre block. The renovating seems to be an on-going thing, but we do have all the bedrooms, dining and hallway done. Work is fairly slow when you are doing it yourself. Painting has become my second job to homemaker. I will admit though, that last year was one of the toughest of my life.<br />
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Nevertheless we have all settled in well to the community here. The kids have made friends, we have wonderful neighbours and we get to spend much more time with extended family. <br />
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But let us go back to the subject of blogging. I think my blogging time, in a sense, reflected the search for truth and a search for meaning in my life. I had much satisfaction in homemaking, enjoyed the challenges and was constantly inspired by the blogging community. <br />
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Yet somehow I was still restless deep within my soul. I could not find true peace amongst the balls of wool, the current dress I was sewing or in the latest batch of homemade washing powder. Don't get me wrong, these are good and satisfying things in their own right. But they did not bring me any lasting happiness.<br />
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Some of you knew that I grew up as a Jehovah's Witness and left in my early twenties. This experience had poisoned any relationship I had with God. So for 12 years I had been seeking meaning elsewhere. Not only in exploring a more simple, wholesome lifestyle, but at times I had casually looked into Buddhism, yoga and the teachings of Deepak Chopra. But I just didn't connect with it.<br />
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During 2014 something prompted me to pick up an old King James bible that I collected during my op shopping travels. I was soon reading it every day. I had never read such beautiful words as these. I soon began searching online for answers. In my quest to find out the truth I had to undo many years of false teaching.<br />
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I was so shocked that I had spent my life believing in a different Jesus. The Jesus of the King James bible was God. What a revelation that was. This was totally contrary to the teachings I had grown up with.<br />
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That was well over a year ago now, and accepting Jesus Christ as my saviour was a slow (and sometimes lonely!) process over this time. But I know now that I have found true meaning in my life. I have a found that our Lord Jesus will give us joy unsurpassed by any other source. I have seen him answer prayers and he has given me strength at very low times. At times I have opened my Bible to a particular verse that has been an answer to a prayer. That I had just been praying. None of this is possible without the work of the Holy Spirit.<br />
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Just recently my husband also came to Christ, and we are working now as a family with our lives centered around Jesus. It has been an uphill battle in some ways, but with God all things are possible.<br />
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We have started attending a friendly local Christian church. We know that this is only a small part of our worship, and have no intention of identifying ourselves with a certain denomination. It is all, and I cannot emphasize this enough, it is all about our personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.<br />
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You may see why it has taken so long to post again on here. This post may not be a popular one. However I felt I owed it to my readers to finally give an explanation. I am sorry that it has taken so long. I know how some people may see this, and yet I would once have seen it in a negative light also. I used to cringe at stories such as these. And yet here I am. After much searching I have found the real Truth.<br />
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There has not been any time for sewing or knitting during all this moving, renovating and Bible reading. But I do hope to take these up these (rusty) skills again soon. I am very appreciative of all that I learnt from my readers and fellow bloggers during my time on here. I still believe that homemaking skills play a very important role in making a peaceable home for our family. Our homes need to be a place of refuge in this insecure world. I wish you all peace within your homes.<br />
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<i>"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light".</i></div>
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<i>Matthew 11:29, 30</i></div>
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-70936813506394550612014-07-03T09:15:00.003+10:002014-07-03T09:22:04.778+10:00from the kitchenHello!<br />
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I'm not sure anyone if anyone is still checking on this little space. The longer one is away the harder it feels to break the ice. Why does time fly by so quickly these days?<br />
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But we won't harp on that.<br />
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I thought I'd show you a few snaps taken in the kitchen. My camera too, has been sorely neglected of late.<br />
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Nothing fancy in the kitchen these days. I tend to make the same things over and over. If something works and you don't need a recipe, just intuition of substituting what you have on hand, then that is something worth coming back to. Which is about as fast food as it gets around here. I rarely try new recipes these days, but for awhile there I made a point of trying a new one every week. Goodness knows I have far too many recipe books. May as well use them. <br />
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Now this is an old shot from months ago. The mushrooms are long gone around here, but I couldn't not show you, it was the best season I have seen since I was a kid. These are from my in-law's property down the road. Found tucked away in the bush behind the paddocks. I will be back next year to try my luck.</div>
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Which is best cooked simply with butter and parsley.<br />
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Experimenting with spelt flour and potato gnocchi. (Though next time I may stick to ordinary flour as these were a little too soft). I always get extra "help" making gnocchi these days. The discovery of a long ago purchased potato ricer made the whole process much easier. <br />
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A suckling pig, bought from a local free range farm for a big family feast. Stuffed and rubbed with fennel seeds, garlic, rosemary, olive oil and salt courtesy of Nonna. All day on the spit roast and several days worth of meat. Food really does bring family together.<br />
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Apple cake.<br /><br />
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It feels good to be back. I missed my little outlet into the world of like minded souls.<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-76169713017251194962014-05-12T08:24:00.001+10:002014-05-12T08:24:47.261+10:00ordinary days<br />
I hadn't meant to be away for long. School holidays came and went. Although I was home, and it was both enjoyable and busy, unfortunately any well meaning intentions to blog flew out the window. Then I lost the internet for a week. Strangely enough I think it was what I really needed. I started and finished a novel. The house looked tidier than it had in years. I did some sewing. I started a new knitting project. I felt so productive. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learnt from that week.<br />
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I think the hardest part about coming back to a blog when you've been away is breaking the ice again.<br />
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So I'll let the pictures do the talking today, just so that I can ease myself back into it.<br />
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The fire is on and a white fog envelopes everything outside. Ugg boots and an op shopped polyester fleece dressing gown are keeping me nice and cosy as I type. Dirty floors and extra washing are inevitable after the weekend. Which reminds me that the flannel sheets need to go on the bed today. It looks like today will be an ordinary day of cleaning up after the weekend. Ordinary, but good, I hope.<br />
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I found this little assortment outside. The girls must have picked them and left them there.<br />
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Valley view.<br />
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School holiday soup lunch.<br />
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Painting with cut potatoes.<br />
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Pretty compost.<br />
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Holiday reading from my own childhood books.<br />
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From the garden.<br />
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Baking.<br />
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As above.<br />
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May your day be an ordinarily good one too. See you soon.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-7600797130055918712014-04-02T10:40:00.002+11:002014-04-02T11:02:22.537+11:00from the mending basket<br />
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I hadn't really felt much like sewing over Summer. A few halfhearted attempts ended in a couple of disasters, so I thought it better not to try to push it while my heart wasn't in it. I knew that eventually I would feel like sewing again, that the interest and enjoyment I once felt would return. It always does eventually, doesn't it? As Summer turned into Autumn and life calmed down somewhat, I did feel that pull to get back to the sewing machine.<br />
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The biggest hurdle was that darn mending basket sitting at the entrance of my bedroom as a glaring daily reminder. So one rainy day I tackled it. It took about 3 days on and off, and then it was done. Not so hard afterall, but the seemingly unsurmountable sewing hurdle has been accomplished.<br />
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After the usual sock and tiny hole t-shirt mending (what is with t-shirts these days?), there were a few patches (you might recognize the fabric from <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/bloomers_5.html" target="_blank">here</a>) to sew on some jeans for Violet, an adult dress and skirt to convert into skirts for Violet, and a dress for myself to take in. I couldn't resist the $5 dress sale at the local op shop and I had a feeling this dress would be easy to take in. I don't know about you, but I just can't pass up a good floral. With no zipper, and only the bodice being lined, it was thankfully quite easy to take in. But I'm still wondering if I can get away with a dress that short.<br />
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My <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/finished.html" target="_blank">quilt</a> had long been waiting for some kind of closure. Poor thing had been sitting in the mending basket for some time. Me being the lazy sewer that I am, popped a few lace ties on, rather than time consuming buttonholes. As I hadn't had it on the bed for so long, it feels like a new quilt again.<br />
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I also came a across a whole bundle of half finished dish drainer towels (last batch seen <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/see-need.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I'd started them about 6 months ago and I had wondered if they would ever get finished. I had roughly put together some vintage tea towels backed with old towels. Isn't it funny the drama you can have with the simplest of things? I guess that's what happens when you don't measure properly and try to skip the pins. The first one I finished I had to unpick an entire row and broke two needles. Not fun. But after that things went pretty smoothly and I finished them before school pick-up.<br />
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My mental sewing space now appears to be cleared and I feel ready to move ahead with some bigger and better (hopefully) projects.<br />
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Does this happen to you? Do you too suffer from mending basket/unfinished project guilt?<br />
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What projects are you working on?<br />
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Or have you been taking a break too?Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-11762529282145117292014-03-25T11:31:00.000+11:002014-03-25T11:31:40.790+11:00the milking routineA few of you have been asking how the cows were doing, so I thought a cow devoted blog post was in order. Last week was a busy one and it got away on me without being able to spend time on any post. But with a (thankfully) dreary wet day outside it is the perfect excuse for a little blogging update.<br />
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Bessie has been with us around 6 months now. She has been good to us beginners, and although there was plenty of learning for both us and her in the beginning, being a first calf heifer and all, I think we really did get into a good routine. Of course there was much trial and error, but I think we really have got the hang of things. At least in the milking department.<br />
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A proper routine has evolved and every morning I drive out to the property. Bessie waits at the fence, often sitting chewing her cud. By this I would know that all was well. On her heat days however, she would be nervously pacing around inside the stables and I would have to coax her out with some good hay. The stables would get cleared of manure, hay brought down from the small shed and her mixture of pollard, barley, sunflower seeds, chaff, beet flakes and minerals made up for her morning and evening bucket. The water is checked and I may have Jerry cans of water with me if there has been no rain. <br />
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The morning bucket gets emptied into the feed bucket in the milking bails. I would then get all the milking equipment ready, stool out and get Violet out of the way behind the gate.<br />
I then let Bessie in, who had been making her "foghorn" noise for the past ten minutes or so.<br />
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Cows are such a creature of habit which really makes the whole milking process fairly easy in the end. It may take awhile to get there, but in the end you have a cow that willingly walks in, happily eats her grain, lets you bolt the headpiece into place, put a chain behind her to keep her from swinging from side to side, and then a rope tied to keep her leg back. Of course you may not need the leg rope, and I likely don't really need it anymore, but I view it more as an insurance policy against losing a bucket of milk. Of course one day Bessie swung her <i>other</i> leg and caught the bucket and I lost a hard earned three litres. But you live and learn and you get to anticipate any major shifts in that department.<br />
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I then brush Bessie's udder and surrounding area to get rid of any muck. Her udder is then washed with a soap and vinegar mix, dried and then each teat squirted into the ground to get rid of any bacteria. Coconut oil is then coated onto each teat and we are ready to go.<br />
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At first milking was terribly difficult. It takes time to learn the best way to milk the teats, and let me tell you that not all teats are created equal. Each teat in my experience ranges from easy to difficult. Bessie's front teats are fairly long (still not long enough to get a complete hand around, but almost) and the milk now comes out quickly and easily. The back teats, however, are small and the milk comes out at a much slower rate. They are hard work those small teats, and you must use your thumb and two fingers, like a stripping action, and they don't produce as much milk. Over time though I have become pretty fast at milking, and I wouldn't really consider a machine at this point. It takes me about ten to fifteen minutes to milk now. It saves all that machine cleaning too.<br />
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In the beginning we were lucky to get about two and a half litres each morning, but as the months went by, and Bessie slowly gained weight, we were up to 4 to 5 litres each morning. After such a dry summer of virtually no grass, and all feed having to brought in (mostly oaten hay), we did get some small green growth after the rain. The cream line was remarkable. In some bottles the cream was a third of the bottle. As you can imagine, this was very exciting! Well, I was excited anyway.<br />
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Then when we've got all the milk we are going to get, I carry the bucket into the feed room, Violet lifts up the lid and we pour the milk into a filter sitting inside the milk can. Fortunately the feed room is nice and cool and we leave it here until we leave. Once we get home I again filter the milk into Mason jars and it is popped into the freezer for a few hours to cool down rapidly.<br />
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After milking is done, the hay is carried out, Bessie unbolted and when she is ready she heads out to her hay. I often give her a brush down at this time and tell her what a good girl she is. Bessie is not one to really enjoy a pat, but she will tolerate it. She is mostly all business, but she is a good girl. The calf is then let out and he often tries to scavenge some of the milking grain.<br />
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I then clean out the calf room, top up water and with a quick check over we are good to go. In the evening Daniel will pass through on this way home from work. He will feed the evening bucket and feed the calf in his "room" where he willingly goes each night.<br />
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We've found calf sharing to be very good for us. We can have the weekends off from milking, and skip a day here or there if the day is going to be terribly busy. It feels more humane to let them be together and they are company for each other. Of course it is not all smooth sailing and our calf has acquired a bit of an attitude in the past month or so. He has grown into a good sized calf, and when the time comes he should make a wonderful rose veal. But for now we try to make his life as pleasant as possible.<br />
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But as I type this we are missing our wonderful raw milk (Incidentally some of us have caught colds for the first time since we were on the raw milk). Bessie is currently visiting a pure white Hereford bull, and has joined his herd for the past two weeks, with the calf by her side. We drive past them most days and all seems to be fine. Our calf is enjoying many calves to play with. Hopefully another week will seal the deal.<br />
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So you might be asking if all this fuss is worth it? For many people it may not be. You really have to like cows. You need to be prepared for unforeseen costs. Feed and supplements are not cheap, but neither are vets, and fortunately we haven't had to have one out yet. Though her hooves have been booked in.<br />
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Owning a cow is a huge time commitment and it does makes it difficult to go away. We are still trying to work our way around this. I think many people are scared of such commitments these days, though in times gone by many people had a house cow. Most people around here grew up drinking house cow milk, but now they are few and far between. It can work, but it's not for everyone.<br />
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But I do think owning a cow is the ultimate food connection. Milk is no longer just milk. There is a real connection to this large gentle creature. With luck she will also give you a calf each year. The manure will keep your garden healthy. The milk, though, is plentiful and delicious. You will never be able to really enjoy store bought milk again. To me it now tastes tainted, and I am having a hard time of drinking store bought. Not to mention
slight sinus which I haven't suffered from in a long time. But this may
just be coincidence.<br />
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We will be moving Bessie and her calf to the village in the coming weeks. A large 10 acre river flat paddock is available, and there is also a back up smaller paddock should this fall through. I am keeping my fingers crossed.<br />
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Some of you may be asking about our calf <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/meet-shirley.html" target="_blank">Shirley</a>. I will try and take some photos this week with an update. She really is growing up.<br />
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Until then, I hope your week is a good one, and that those that needed the rain are getting some.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-24312524917217076862014-03-14T11:08:00.000+11:002014-03-14T11:08:01.612+11:00Julia's scarf<br />
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In the absence of anything crafty to post, I thought I would show you Julia's latest sewing project. She seems to have overtaken me in the crafting stakes lately, and perhaps I should be taking a leaf out of her book. She has taken naturally to sewing by machine, unlike her mother. Despite my own mother sewing often as a child, I was always too scared to learn. I remember avoiding the machine in the one term I did of sewing in high school. I still wonder how I passed that class.<br />
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I was pretty proud of Julia's latest effort, a scarf, of which the pattern came from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-School-Lessons-Machine-Projects/dp/1612120490" target="_blank">Sewing School</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sewing-School-Lessons-Machine-Projects/dp/1612120490" target="_blank"> 2</a>, a book that we bought her for christmas. She chose an assortment of floral sheeting she had in her very own little stash, and backed it with some Anna Maria Horner flannel that was in my stash. It always interests me to see which fabrics people mix together, and especially when that person is your 9 year old daughter. <br />
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I guided her throughout but she happily did all the cutting, pinning, ironing and sewing herself. Including hand sewing the loop hole by hand at the very end.<br />
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Perhaps my inspiration to get right back into something crafty may be sitting right in front of me. It does make me think that perhaps a small, uncomplicated project may be just what I need to get myself back into my sewing space.<br />
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Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-34985010152994122792014-03-06T13:13:00.001+11:002014-03-06T15:51:35.459+11:00a dry summer<br />
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Why hello there! You would be forgiven in thinking that I had forgotten entirely about this little neglected space. As life just became too busy around me, I found that the blog became far less important in daily life, and I kept pushing it far back into the list of priorities. Before I knew it an entire two months had gone past. Of course the longer you leave something the harder it is to come back to it. Where to start? What to blog about? You certainly become rusty in the blogging department and the words do not flow easily.<br />
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It is not easy to blog when you don't feel like yourself as much as you used to. When you start to question if this really is the best way to live. When you lose your motivation.<br />
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I guess a combination of things contributed to the way I was feeling this summer. It was a terribly hot summer, and we went for a long time without rain. I can only begin to imagine how hard this would be if your livelihood depended up on it. As it was here, my vegie garden, that I had such high hopes for this year, that I had spent many hours on, so much money invested in, potatoes, seeds and seedlings, withered up and died. I gave up the twice day watering when I realised that I was no match for this harsh windy Summer and that I could no longer justify using so much precious tank water. It is the first summer here that I had no tomato crop. Then despite the hard work of pumping water twice weekly and watering all the trees, we still lost several. The grass died and you could feel the crunch under your feet while walking around after dark. Because that was the only time it was pleasant outside. Drought can suck the life right out of you.<br />
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When it doesn't rain the cows still need water, and pumping and fetching water becomes a huge headache. Having them 10 minutes away was not helping either, particularly when we had to buy their entire feed for the summer. I love my cows, I love the fresh milk, but I will not pretend that the whole experience has been an easy one. It has been a huge learning curve. Yet I still want to do it. I think an update post is due very soon.<br />
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Going back to the dry, I can now say that we were very fortunate this time around. It rained. Hard. Then it rained again. And again and again. We went from a dirt lawn to bright green grass. Everywhere. You can't underestimate just how much better you can feel when it finally rains. My thoughts are with those going through much tougher times, who haven't yet had rain, and can't afford to bring in feed. <br />
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Then there was the whole blogging thing. Sorry to say I had been keeping well away from the blogging community, becoming more drawn to the quieter, non-sponsored and less popular blogs. A click on an old favourite didn't always feel the same anymore. Amidst the new professional headers, wonderful photography and the sometimes bombarding sponsorship, it seemed easier at times to slowly fade away and put that blogging chapter behind me. I lack the time to experiment, funds and expertise necessary to try to perfect my photography or to stylise this space professionally. So I've just decided to do the best I can do. Homemade header it is. Blurry pictures it may be. <br />
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So I'm feeling better now. Ready to put this harsh summer behind and look forward to a cooler, greener Autumn. My favourite season. I thank all those who wrote to me out of concern, and I did feel missed. Just don't expect anything too fancy. My life is not fancy, and I always wanted to maintain an honest truth within this blog. The ups and downs are all part of life, and it would be a lie to gloss over that. So as long as you don't expect anything too flash, but just a little journal of this not so perfect life here, I hope to see you again real soon.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-82131475333061681202014-01-08T18:17:00.000+11:002014-01-08T18:17:06.899+11:00christmas holidays<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-re7KEJ1QRW4/Usz1B3jIRvI/AAAAAAAAJ1E/oQbn1LoY5Yw/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-re7KEJ1QRW4/Usz1B3jIRvI/AAAAAAAAJ1E/oQbn1LoY5Yw/s1600/DSC_0144.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/italian-christmas-pudding-cake" target="_blank">Nigella's Italian Christmas Pudding Cake</a>. Just like last year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet's Christmas stocking made up with a little old wool, needlework doily, ribbon and a little appliqued Liberty.</td></tr>
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Christmas came and went this year without too much of a fuss. Sure there was that dreaded last Christmas shop, a fair bit of cooking (but not nearly so much as in other years past), and many days spent at home both with family and just ourselves. There has been some adjusting and compromising along the way as we haven't had the liberty of time that we've had in previous years. Sad to say not much at all in the way of handmade. Though Violet did finally get her stocking on Christmas Eve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown paper, stamps we already had, string, bark, black marker and gumleaves made for budget wrapping this year.<br />
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It has taken almost three weeks to really get into the routine of holidays. Holidays should be easy, right? Well, it is nice to imagine that it will be, but reality often reveals a different story. Sometimes all that time together brings out the very worst in us. There were clashes (I felt like I did nothing but break up fights amongst the kids for 2 weeks straight), there was the annual analyze your life discussions, as well as stopping to count all the jobs that need to be done around the house.<br />
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So although I have a small pile of pretty fabric just sitting there waiting to be made into a summer wardrobe of sorts, my house is only half clean and I have a sore throat, I can happily say that we are just now beginning to get into the swing of the holidays and truly enjoy each others company. We've been enjoying homemade ice cream, allowing a few more treats than usual into the house (anyone else love panettone?), changing rooms around, long talks and having movie nights at home.<br />
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Funny, isn't it, that the week full of swimming lessons that I had been dreading has turned out the be the best week yet? But life is like that. Swimming lessons have gotten us all into the pool, with a coffee, lemonade or ice cream afterwards. Followed by a few lazy afternoons.<br />
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Our bottle fed calf has kept us grounded at home this holidays, but I think this has been a blessing in disguise. It has been good for us to just be at home doing home things.<br />
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Sadly it may be the final week that we are together as Daniel may be back to work next week. But I'm hoping that we can bring just a little holiday feeling with us as we get back into the daily grind of life. The odd movie night and a few more ice creams may be just what we need.<br />
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I do hope you are all enjoying and have enjoyed your christmas and new years break. Happy new year!<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-54534452643724197422013-12-12T13:02:00.000+11:002013-12-12T15:07:21.164+11:00 meanwhile<br />
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Just to let you all know that we are still alive and kicking. A little tired, yes, at least on my part, but still here and well.<br />
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I wasn't intending to neglect this space for so long. But you know how life happens, and certain things just get put on the back burner.<br />
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So what's been happening in the meanwhile? Swimming lessons, soccer, sewing lessons, calf feeding, cow milking, two birthdays (Luca's 11th and Violet's 3rd), a gun license safety course, <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/still-breastfeeding.html" target="_blank">breastfeeding</a> finished as well as bed sharing done with (yes I still can't quite believe those last 3 things). Plus all the other thousand and one things that you can probably relate to. You know how crazy it gets at this time of year right? All those things that throw you out of your normal routine?<br />
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I'm afraid I'm so terribly disorganized this year that christmas is going to be a last minute affair. I haven't done christmas shopping, I haven't sent cards out yet and I haven't even put in my christmas ham and pork order. I know, what is the world coming to? But I am optimistically hoping that it will all fall into place with minimum effort (perhaps a little too optimistic!) Please tell me I am not the only one!<br />
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While we see the end of daily swimming lessons today, and school finishes up next week, not to mention the extra hours Daniel has been working to wrap up his business for the end of the year, we are hoping that things will go down a notch in the next week or so.<br />
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Afterall, it can be easy to get caught up in the whole "getting everything done just right" before christmas, but what really matters is relaxed time together, some good, not necessarily complicated food and a few simple presents. I've let go of the online shopping for christmas this year and I will be shopping locally for presents. In the past I have thought it was the right thing to buy online from ethical companies, and I still believe this can be a good thing. But I have seen local small businesses struggle in our small town, with many closing, and while they may have the general Made in China products for the main part, it somehow feels right this year to be supporting the local shops.<br />
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Our christmas tree only went up this week, and although this is usually my domain, and I am sadly a little controlling about how the tree <i>should</i> look, I let Julia take the reigns this year. So yes, our plastic white (that is beginning to yellow) tree is decorated to the hilt this year, complete with tinsel and every decoration that we own, but I'm loving it in all it's tacky glory.<br />
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I had grand plans to knit dishcloths for teacher's gifts and gift fillers this year, but the cotton is still sitting there and I don't think I'm going to get that done this year. But you never know. Otherwise I guess it's not too late for a few biscuit batches?<br />
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In the world of craft I actually managed to finish a few things of late. Okay, only one actually finished. I have almost finished Luca's cardigan, bar the zipper, so let's hope it still fits come next season. I think it will. I will hopefully get to Ravel it soon enough. The other completed project is another <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tank-top-sewing-pattern-downloadable-pdf" target="_blank">Wiksten tank</a> (the last one I made is blogged <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/the-summer-wardrobe-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and I wear it to death), made up with some op shop cotton voile. I love this pattern. It is fairly quick and easy and such a great cut. I added the pocket this time. Certainly quite forgiving on muffin tops.<br />
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All three of our bovines are doing well. <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/our-family-cow-update.html" target="_blank">Bessie's steer calf</a> is perhaps doing a little too well, and at 4 months now we are contemplating weaning him over the holidays. We're getting a little greedy for some more milk, especially since Shirley enjoys her little share every day, mixed with her milk replacer. Speaking of <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/meet-shirley.html" target="_blank">Shirley</a>, she is doing quite well, and at almost 7 weeks now, has settled into our house and our hearts. Who knew cows could be so cuddly? She is still in her straw covered watertank/firewood pen, and she is being taught to lead and be tethered on the grass.<br />
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So that's about it. I promise I will try to get to this blog a little more often as I do miss it when I'm away too long. I hope you are all well and coping with this considerably more busy time of year. If there is one lesson that I am learning myself of christmas this year, it is to let go of unrealistic expectations. Do what you can with what you have (I read that saying recently somewhere, but I can't remember where?) Christmas will still happen.<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-74015460667443535292013-11-13T11:37:00.002+11:002014-03-06T13:15:32.390+11:00meet ShirleyLife has been restored to somewhat more normality this week. Last week was quite a week! Daniel took the kids on school camp while I held the fort here (with Violet). There was the cow to milk, the calf to put away at night, of which I had never attempted before (fortunately he has learned to like buckets), a new calf to bottle feed (more on that later) as well as some spring cleaning to be done. For some reason I thought it was a good idea to Spring clean with most of the household away. Not such a great idea when I found myself up way past midnight trying to get the floors finished. But it is done, which is a good feeling I must say. Dust bunnies and dirty hand prints all gone.<br />
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The weather turned extra warm, the too-small water tank emptied, and so I had to hand cart bucket loads of water on the back of the ute for the cows. It wasn't easy and would probably have looked quite funny if anyone was around. Let's just say half the water didn't make it.<br />
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But back to the brand new calf. Meet little Shirley. She is now a little over two weeks and is a Jersey x Holstein. We are bottle raising her at home, and Julia has happily taken up bottle feeding duties. Daniel picked her up from a working dairy the day before school camp. This was a lot earlier than originally planned, but her owner was going away. All their first calving heifers are bred to a Jersey bull which makes for smaller first calves. Since they keep only a Holstein herd they sell off the baby crosses.<br />
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Now, a one and a half week old calf with mild scours (which is almost inevitable when you move them) on my relatively inexperienced own was not an ideal scenario. There was much book and internet research, electrolytes given, a homemade fly repellant concocted, some Bessie milk to supplement the milk replacer, a little slippery elm and a daily egg yolk mixed in. Happily the scours have completely gone. But I can't quite get rid of the flies.<br />
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She is a lively, friendly little thing with plenty of energy. Her white patch on her back leg reminds me of a dancing cat! We are training her to lead (a calf halter has been ordered) and she is beginning to nibble on grass. Our <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/garden-wood.html" target="_blank">water tank/firewood storage</a> area has become a temporary calf pen for the summer. It will be quite some time before she will have a calf and be in milk, and meanwhile we hope to get her as used to people as possible. We have a half acre of grass here with half of that being abundant with grass right now. Hopefully next summer she will be able to keep it down. In the future we have several options of nearby paddocks from kindly neighbours, and at some stage Bessie will likely be brought to this area also.<br />
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I breathed a sigh of relief when Daniel and the kids came home. You never really know what you are capable of though until you have no choice in the matter. While I am sure this is probably a part of everyday for some people, and I do take my hat off to them, it certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone. I never really pictured myself shoveling manure, hauling water, milking and bottle feeding cows all on my own. Usually Daniel is around to help with the heavier duty things. My hair is always messy these days and I know I will never have nice nails again (not that I ever really did), but the funny thing is I don't really care that much.<br />
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It's strange the direction life takes you in. Sometimes it can all feel a little overwhelming, with the steep learning curves, with the hard physical work, on top of everything else, but I don't think I would have it any other way.<br />
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Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-56212703089428403472013-10-28T11:42:00.001+11:002013-10-28T11:42:15.268+11:00the weekly update<br />
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I don't know about you, but my goodness, the weeks are flying by right now. Let us not even mention 'christmas' at this stage. It's been busy around here. Fortunately a good type of busy for the main part. I am not one to like being busy just for the sake of it, but when that busy involves the usual daily life (admittedly with all it's ups and downs), cow milking, manure hauling, new seed beds in the garden, lots of interesting reading and future projects to plan, well, then that is not so bad.<br />
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Unfortunately this little space here has been suffering a little for it, and I will try to put aside a little more time for some more frequent posts with you. So where to start?<br />
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Family : all good. Just lots of extra activities that always comes at the end of the year. Two birthdays are coming up this month. <br />
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Bessie the Jersey (and calf) : both very well. Munching through lots of hay, making a nice and creamy 4 litres every morning, and getting quite shiny with her summer coat. I'm becoming much quicker and more efficient with the milking. We did have a bucket kicked over episode last week (I wasn't paying attention and she kicked it with the untied foot), and I now know the true meaning of not crying over spilt milk. Live and learn. Did I tell you I'm really enjoying it?<br />
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The vegie garden : I am hoping for a bumper season (well, at least better than last year), with a full ute load of garden "gold" just added to the entire vegie garden. Cow manure mixed with manure and wee soaked straw from the stables. I've got radishes, peas, cabbage and lettuce in, but over the next few days I will be trying to get a lot more in. We're forecast for more rain so now is the time. It's a little too early to get the tomatoes in, as we're still getting early frosts a few times a week.<br />
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In the kitchen: I've been making my <a href="http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/CHOCOLATE-OLIVE-OIL-CAKE-5551" target="_blank">favourite new cake</a> (though I replace the sugar with rapadura sugar) and lots of simple meat and vegie meals. I'm still brewing <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/fermented.html" target="_blank">kombucha and kefir</a>, and I'm hoping to make a little more sauerkraut this week.<br />
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The block : we're looking into biting the bullet and investing in a water bore. Purely rain water is just not cutting it. We also need to paint the chook house and make some fences.<br />
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Craft : I've been doing knitting rows here and there. I'm on the final hood of Luca's jumper. As for sewing, I tried to start a dress, got halfway through and realised the sizing was way off. Not fun. Project discarded and I haven't had the time or motivation to start anything else. Goodness knows I need the motivation, as my cupboard is full of "nothing-to-wear" right now.<br />
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Reading : <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Folks-This-Aint-Normal-Healthier/dp/0892968206" target="_blank">Folks, This Ain't Normal : A Farmers Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People and a Better World</a>. Joel Salatin doesn't hold back, and you can't help thinking that this guy really does have it all figured out. Highly entertaining and thought provoking.<br />
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<a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-weed-forager-s-handbook-adam-grubb/prod9781864471212.html?gclid=CIfFjIekuLoCFU5gpQodODoA3w" target="_blank">The Weed Foragers Handbook </a>: An Australian guide to weeds that you can eat. Clear pictures make the weeds pretty easy to identify, and I recognized many of them. It feels comforting to know which weeds you can eat, should the need ever arise. I am looking forward to a little experimenting.<br />
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So what are your "updates" lately? I feel a little out of step with the blogging world right now, so please fill me in with your latest projects and doings.<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-38536856319379252952013-10-18T12:07:00.002+11:002013-10-18T17:31:36.026+11:00our family cow update<br />
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Milking a cow, though a bumpy ride for the first few weeks, has slowly become a normal part of the morning routine. It has involved working out feed quantities, sourcing economical hay and which grains to feed at the morning milking. I have learnt to be very organized and to have everything ready before I open that stable door, because running out of feed will quickly put an end to the morning milking! For a two year old cow on her first calf I think Bessie is doing quite well to put up with our beginner milking attempts. She is pretty happy during milking as long as that feed doesn't run out.<br />
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I know I would not have been able to any of this without my hard working other half. He has fixed fences, chased up a giant roll of hay, pumped water and puts a rather cunning calf away every night. I am very grateful for his help. Although I do sometimes hear him mumbling that we should really just go and buy milk.<br />
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Share milking with the calf, by locking him up during the night, seems to be going quite well. I usually arrive home with between 3 and 4 litres. She still withholds some milk for the calf, because I know that udder is not empty, and besides not very long after milking the calf has frothy cream dripping from his mouth at his first feed of the day. But I have heard that can be the price you pay for share milking. It eases the pressure of milking, and can even mean a few days off. But you do only get half the milk, sometimes less. For now though, we are happy with that. I gave myself a day off last weekend, and actually missed milking!<br />
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Our little steer calf, beautiful and doe-like that he is, is sadly destined for the freezer at some stage. It is an unfortunate fact of life that few people can afford the keep of a pet steer. So we are not becoming too attached to him, while at the same time he does not seem to like us very much. At some point in the future he will be weaned and separated from his mother, and we hope to be able to provide perhaps another steer to keep him company as he fattens up. Some people may find this hard to comprehend, but as meat eaters we see this as an opportunity for taking responsibility as to where our meat comes from. Knowing that he has lived a pleasant life and hasn't had to endure the stress of being butchered elsewhere has to be better. Besides, there is not much point spending the money to buy meat, when we have it here already.<br />
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With all the decisions to make, the hard work and time involved, do I feel it is all worth it? For me the answer is yes. There is a sense of satisfaction difficult to find within other areas of life, that has to do with working with animals and providing food for the family. Watching cows eating in the paddock is strangely calming. It feels good to be both physically and emotionally connected to our food supply.<br />
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I have not added the monetary figures up yet, but I know it will be quite some time before we break even. But it's not all about the money, is it? There is so much more to it than that. <br />
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We're consuming a lot more milk now as a family. Raw milk feels very nourishing, and it makes me feel strong and energetic. The kids drink several glasses a day, and no one has had a hint of sickness since we started milking Bessie. Sadly there is not enough milk left over to make any cheese, but I do manage to make yoghurt, kefir and occasionally ricotta with any excess.<br />
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I thank you all again for your wonderfully supportive comments in my previous cow post. <br />
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Here are the books that I have found to be the most helpful :<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Family-Cow-Home-Scale-Producers/dp/1603584781/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382056111&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Keeping a Family Cow</a> : I love this one, it is like the bible of keeping a family cow, and there is a new addition out now that I am very tempted to order.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodlifebookclub.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=133" target="_blank">The Heathy House Cow</a> : A little local book that is my favourite reference. Marja's love of her cows really shines through, and her Australian perspective is very handy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Family-Garden-publishing-book/dp/0882660667" target="_blank">The Family Cow</a> : The classic 1976 guide, and it is quite an entertaining read.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookstore.acresaustralia.com.au/prod108.htm" target="_blank">Natural Cattle Care</a> : Pat Coleby's guide to healthy cows using organic methods and minerals.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Herbal-Handbook-Farm-Stable/dp/0571161162" target="_blank">The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable</a> : A good book to have on hand for herbal treatments.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Untold-Story-Milk-Revised-Updated/dp/0979209528/ref=pd_sim_b_1" target="_blank">The Untold Story of Milk</a> : This was the book that started me off on our cow journey!<br />
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Other useful links :<br />
<a href="http://familycow.proboards.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://familycow.proboards.com/" target="_blank">Keeping a Family Cow proboards</a><br />
<a href="http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/lewis99.html" target="_blank">Once a Day Milking by Patrice Lewis</a> <br />
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Inspiration from the blogging world :<br />
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<a href="http://eight-acres.blogspot.com.au/p/cattle.html" target="_blank">Eight Acres</a> : an Aussie blog starring a lovely Jersey cow. Highly informative.<br />
<a href="http://longestacres.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/how-to-buy-family-cow.html" target="_blank">Longest Acres</a> : How to buy a family cow.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-72767698370266263602013-10-08T10:40:00.001+11:002013-10-08T10:40:29.782+11:00pictured<br />
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With all the busyness that the school holidays brought - kid's friends over, Bessie the cow and more kid's friends over, I'm afraid it all passed by in a bit of a blur. I can't pretend that I'm not a little relieved that school went back today. A little more organization the night before and this morning, enabled the drop off and milking routines to go fairly smoothly. It was nice to arrive home to a quiet house with a full milk can. A small bowl of popcorn is sometimes what it takes to gain ten minutes of quiet with a cup of coffee with no little person jumping all over me. </div>
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Today is set to be a cleaning catch up day. The floors need mopping and the outside of the kitchen cupboards are not their best. Washing needs hanging out and sheets need changing. School holidays tend to wreak a little havoc, and they are certainly not the time to attempt any Spring cleaning. Which makes me wonder if I will even get to any Spring cleaning this time around.</div>
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I emptied out the camera the other day. There weren't many photos from the past few weeks. I believe the battery was flat on my camera for the half the holidays while I was looking for the charger. Time was not on my side these holidays. There is nothing very eventful here, just a few pictures taken around the house last week. </div>
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While it has warmed up, we are still having cold days. Particularly early morning milking (Violets op-shopped hand knits)</div>
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Making lard.<br />
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First pig-tails.<br />
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Tea from Pop's old tea-pot.<br />
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Luca's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/deckard" target="_blank">Deckard</a>. Picking the needles back up after an unintended knitting break.<br />
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Quilts and reading piles.<br />
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Bessie's milk cream line.<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3132487-the-home-creamery" target="_blank">The Home Creamery</a>, a book I have had for some time, is proving even more useful now. Last week it was ricotta and I would like to attempt the Farmer's cheese soon.<br />
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Dishes. Not a pretty sight, but it was a constant reality during the holidays. Some days you just feel chained to the sink. At such times I almost wished I had a dishwasher.<br />
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*** <br />
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I could not end this post without saying how supported and truly moved I felt after reading your encouraging, heartfelt comments from my last post. It has made me feel that I do want to continue in this space, after a period of time that had me questioning whether I really wanted to continue or not. Sometimes there is a bigger picture at hand here, and if my little ramblings here brighten another person's day, encourage them to try something new, or make them feel that they are not the only square peg in a round hole, then that will make it all worth it.<br />
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So thank you, those that come back time and again, even waiting patiently when the posts are few and far between. I am afraid I am terribly slack and time poor as regards to replying to questions and emails, but please be assured that I value each and every comment and email that someone has taken the time to reach out with. I am truly thankful that your voices have helped make this space what it is.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-7246730583026827882013-10-03T10:59:00.001+10:002014-03-06T13:17:21.907+11:00our family cow <br /><br />
Apologies
for my long absence here. You, see we've been pretty busy around these
parts. We bought ourselves a cow. Yes, a Jersey milking cow!<br />
<br />
So
I think the whole raw milk thing, and searching out this elusive
product, led me to the thought of getting our own family cow. So I read
up on it. I watched videos. Lot's of books. Lot's of You Tube and lots
of Keeping a Family Cow forum (now that is one helpful sight).<br />
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In
this house we tend to go through our dairy products like you wouldn't
believe. Think of two litres plus a day, plus cream, plus cheese. Not to
mention the homemade yoghurt, ice-cream and kefir.<br />
<br />
So I
got this crazy idea in my head, and in typical Tania fashion, buying
our own cow became a bit of an obsession! I searched classifieds for
weeks, and we decided to use an empty stable just five minutes down the
road (owned by family) which is attached to a six acre or so paddock.
The grass has been eaten down by kangaroos and it is not the best grass.
We certainly don't live in a typical dairy area. Lush green grass is
hard to find. But we had factored in the costs of bringing in feed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-01z3S05vI1Y/Uju13tVwDcI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/xXf1WIQ9UOw/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-01z3S05vI1Y/Uju13tVwDcI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/xXf1WIQ9UOw/s640/DSC_0025.jpg" height="800" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat Coleby minerals (animals naturally take what they are lacking) in a Daniel-made feed trough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It wasn't too long before I
found a 2 year old Jersey with a 4 week old steer calf only a few hours
from here. The owner was willing to deliver as part of the price (as he
was also delivering another heifer that day on the way here). So we had
our deadline of fences to fix, an electric fence to connect and a four
room stable to clean out. I am so very grateful to my hard working,
supportive husband who put his every spare minute into getting it all
done. I did try to help when I could, but he did the brunt of the work.<br />
<br />
<br />
Bessie
arrived on Saturday with her little calf. She was rather nervous and it
took a few days for her to warm to us. She was huge to me, and as
someone who has not really been around cattle before, her sheer size has
taken some getting used to. Since she wasn't milked daily she had been
fine with just the calf to milk her. Which was just as well because it
took the good part of a week to build the milking bails in the stable. I
had spent several days morning and evening training her to follow the
bucket to what would be the milking room in the stable. Now she is
waiting for me at the gate. I've been giving her a good brush daily so I
think she is warming to me.<br />
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<br />
We
had decided on once a day milking, which means leaving the calf with
mum during the day and then separating the two at night. Then milking in
the morning. A little more do-able with a busy family life than twice
day milking. I was a little nervous about this whole separating
procedure, as the calf is very shy, and cows can be protective. But I
need not have worried, as Daniel has proved to be quite the expert calf
herder.<br />
<br />
Once the milk bails were in we started the
milking. First time was as bad I had expected it to be. Bessie was not
in a good mood after being separated from her calf. She didn't want to
go in the bails until her appetite got the better of her. She fought a
little at the beginning and end to get her head out, and tried to kick
several times, fortunately we had a leg tie on her, but I do think some
of the kicking was actually because of the leg rope.<br />
<br />
We'd
never milked before, but with plenty of you tube videos under our belt
it did not take too long to pick up. Oh, but the sore hands! And short
teats. Not to mention how daunting it is sitting under a large animal. <br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
We
alternated milking those first few days,with one taking over when the
other got too sore. I was so scared of being kicked at first, that I sat
as far back as possible. Apparently that is actually more dangerous! So
I get right in now, despite my natural apprehension. We've been
consistently getting about 3 litres each milking, ending either because
Bessie has finished her food and wants to get out, or because our hands
are too sore. Usually both. It's been 4 days now, and each day has been
easier. It is just a matter of learning the new routine, getting Bessie
into that routine and building up those hand muscles. Thankfully the
kicking has stopped. But I do suspect that Bessie is withholding a lot
of that cream for the calf.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
So
it has been a bit of a wild ride, but it is something I am glad that we
have done. There is an enormous sense of satisfaction in straining out
that raw milk ever morning. I never knew a cow could make your life feel
more complete, but it really does. They are not only gentle, beautiful
animals, but they are also very useful in a practical sense. Years ago I
would never have thought in a million years that I would be milking a
cow every morning. But here we are.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Life is short. Get a cow.<br />
(Just a little quote I stumbled upon)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-14065166874400391832013-09-03T10:39:00.000+10:002013-09-03T10:40:57.624+10:00inside the lunchboxA few of you have asked what I pack inside the kid's school lunch boxes. So here it is. A week's worth of lunches. When we started this wheat free thing, it was very tricky figuring out what to pack in the absence of sandwiches. Afterall, it is what lunchbox packing used to revolve around here. Through trial and error I have slowly discovered what gets eaten and what doesn't (and nobody likes unpacking a lunchbox still full of food!). I have found that if I have a few staples of real food such as eggs, nuts, seeds, dried fruit and cheese, then I can create quick lunch box fillers without packet food. Of course one or two baked treats a week doesn't go astray either, and I have found the most popular ones have been almond flour based. Sometimes I soak spelt flour for baked treats such as pancakes. Sandwiches are not entirely off limits, but these days they are usually rye, spelt or kamut sourdough, although not very often due to the cost.<br />
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<br />
Monday :<br />
<a href="http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/gluten-free-wraps-buckwheat-galettes-buckwheat-pancakes-vegan/" target="_blank">Buckwheat pancakes</a> spread with butter and filled with grated carrot and cheese.<br />
Popcorn cooked in coconut oil. <br />
Mandarin.*<br />
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<br />
Tuesday :<br />
Corned beef (leftovers from last night's dinner).<br />
100% Rye sourdough* bread with butter.<br />
<a href="http://mersethmorsels.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/tapioca-pudding.html" target="_blank">Tapioca pudding</a> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735" target="_blank">Nourishing Traditions</a>. <br />
Mandarin.<br />
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<br />
Wednesday: <br />
<a href="http://theelliotthomestead.com/2013/02/gluten-free-sweet-carrot-muffins/" target="_blank">Sweet carrot muffins</a> from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elliott-Homestead-Traditional-whole-foods-everyday/dp/1484076230/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378166627&sr=1-1&keywords=from+scratch" target="_blank">From Scratch. </a><br />
Nuts, sultanas and sunflower seeds.<br />
Leftover bolognese style sauce with grated cheese.<br />
Mandarin. <br />
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<br />
Thursday:<br />
Sweet carrot muffins (links above).<br />
Boiled eggs.<br />
Sliced cheddar cheese, cos lettuce, celery and carrot.<br />
Mandarin. Again. <br />
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Friday:<br />
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sultanas.<br />
Grated carrot, camembert cheese and leftover roast lamb.<br />
Sliced orange.*<br />
<br />
<br />
*Lately I have been buying oranges and mandarins in bulk through Fresh Citrus Direct. I love being able to support farmers directly, and I have to say that that these are the freshest and sweetest citrus I have ever tasted. The oranges make the sweetest juice ever. Stored in the fridge they tend to last much longer than the supermarket variety.<br />
<br />
*While I am still not yet venturing into the world of sourdough making, for the moment I have discovered a wonderful online sourdough baker, <a href="http://www.farmhousedirect.com.au/hopefarmbakery" target="_blank">Hope Farm Bakery</a>, for the occasional treat. (I ordered 5 loaves to save on postage, and stored them in the freezer).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So, yes, it is a tricky business, this lunch box thing, but it is good to finally feel more confident with changes. Thankfully my kids have not been too embarrassed with these homemade efforts, though there has been a few teasing comments in the past. Along the way I have tried to educate them as why we eat the way we do, and they seem to be embracing that, in no small part because a few of their friends eat in a similar way.<br />
<br />
How do you handle the whole lunchbox thing?<br />
Any ideas or recipes to share?<br />
<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-52181942209465586202013-08-23T13:06:00.000+10:002013-08-23T13:08:03.715+10:00popcorn, books and grass roots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
It's Friday! It's been a fairly busy one around here with a few extra errands to run, book week costumes to organize (always rather stressful and always only ready the night before), local playgroup and another sports carnival in Canberra today.<br />
<br />
Here are a few little snaps from the week. I'm finding this dark, windy (and currently rainy) weather does not make it terribly conducive for photo taking indoors, which is where we mostly find ourselves these days. The girls have made orange juice ice blocks several times during the week, despite it not really being ice block friendly weather. There has been a little painting. I'm afraid I'm not very organized on the home crafting front and poor Violet had no paint. So I mixed a little food colouring for instant water colour "paint'. I don't think she minded!<br />
<br />
A few books arrived in the mail today. A few on pattern making, which is something I've been curious about for some time. Sometimes you have an idea in your head or you remember a favourite dress from your past. It would be great to know how to recreate it wouldn't it? <br />
<br />
I renewed my <a href="http://www.taprootmag.com/" target="_blank">Taproot</a> subscription some time back and the first new issue arrived today. I missed this little magazine appearing every few months in my mail box. The best way of putting it, is that I actually feel good after I read it. I have noticed a restless, unsatisfied feeling creeping in after reading a particular local, beautifully photographed, mainstream magazine. The ads are plentiful, as are many of the pockets of the city-part-time-country people in between the pages. I've been enjoying some simpler publications lately, especially Grass Roots magazine, which I find to be refreshing in an honest old fashioned hippie kind of way. It doesn't try to be something it is not.<br />
<br />
From Cleo to Grass Roots in the space of a decade. How things have changed!<br />
<br />
<br />
So how has your week been?<br />
Are you a magazine reader too?<br />
What magazines are you into lately? <br />
<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-85110962964083662702013-08-21T09:41:00.000+10:002013-08-21T09:41:22.038+10:00plodding along<br />
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<br />
Life has been plodding along lately at the usual pace. The cold, windy weather has kept us indoors most of the time. But life keeps you busy, you know? From the daily chores, weekend soccer games, sewing lessons, family visits, baking and errands to run.<br />
<br />
We've been talking a lot lately. Is this where we really want to be? Should we and could we have more land? Do we really want to throw away all the work that has gone into our place here? Can we keep livestock without having to move or buy land? Should we get a milking cow? We've been throwing around such questions lately, as we often do. We are generally contented here on our acre, and yet we feel the limitations of the place. We wonder how we would do in harder times, if they should come.<br />
<br />
Do you sometimes wonder if there is a bigger life out there waiting for you? Or should we just be contented and leave well alone?<br />
<br />
But for now things are okay. The chook house is coming along and we should have some chickens in the springtime. The fruit trees are budding and the first blossoms have appeared down the road. Perhaps winter just makes us restless.<br />
<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-5401784954340026092013-08-13T10:55:00.000+10:002013-08-13T10:55:50.278+10:00nituna<br />
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<br />
It took a few weeks of sewing, mostly in the evenings and late at night, but finally Julia's Nituna is finished and hanging in her wardrobe. Julia chose the pattern (<a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/nituna/" target="_blank">Figgy's Nituna</a>) and the red wool from my stash of fabrics. I am hoping this will help increase the wearability factor. This sturdy red wool has certainly done double duty. You might remember <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/the-skirt-that-almost-fits.html" target="_blank">this skirt</a>?* For the lining I found a red floral quilting weight cotton, also an op shop buy. (See Daniel, all those stored fabrics do come in handy sometimes!) The buttons were a market buy last year.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*skirt update - I finally wore it out for dinner a few weeks back.</span><br />
<br />
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<br />
The pattern pieces came together well, but I did have a few issues with the welt pockets.You don't see the welt pockets? That's right, I just couldn't get my head around the instructions, so I changed it to the patch pockets. The first patch pockets I wasn't happy with, so I ended up making a new pair and lining them, which wasn't in the pattern instructions. But I'm learning that sometimes in sewing you just have go with your gut feeling. And who knows, perhaps one day I will tackle the elusive welt pocket.<br />
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<br />
I probably wouldn't recommend this pattern to a beginner sewer. Though the cut of the pattern is quite good, there were some gaps in the instructions and a few diagrams that might have come in handy, but for the most part it wasn't too hard to put together. Next time I will remember the dangers of late night sewing, as it never seems to work very well for me. This time I sewed the buttonholes on the wrong side. By the time I realised it was too late.<br />
<br />
Overall though, I am happy with this little project. It is the first time I have sewn anything in the realm of coats or jackets, and I quite enjoyed the challenge. It felt like I was dipping my toes into the world of tailoring.<br />
<br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-4312654446078658532013-08-09T12:04:00.001+10:002013-08-09T12:04:25.282+10:00another food update<br />
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As I have previously shared our food journey with you before, I thought there might be some of you wondering how that was going. So I thought a little, or not so little update as the case may be, would be on the cards today.<br />
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We have continued to exclude wheat from our diet (though the kids still eat some when out and about), and we have now found that for us adults occasionally eating it has some pretty negative effects. I know now that that is because my body is just not used to wheat anymore. Even spelt flour (though the kids are fine with spelt). It will give me stomach aches, insomnia and leave me hungrier for several days. Which is strange when I have eaten the stuff all my life. But I know how much better I feel without it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/wheat-belly-bread" target="_blank">Wheat Belly bread</a> with butter, strained yoghurt and maple syrup</td></tr>
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Fortunately a properly fermented wholemeal rye, spelt or kamut sourdough does not have the same effect, and so I think I will soon (budget permitting) look into buying a flour grinder to make our own fresh sourdough. This heavy bread tastes very wholesome and doesn't leave you hungry like I find ordinary bread does. The ancient way usually proves best. <br />
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We don't eat a lot of grain these days, but we occasionally have some such as rice or porridge made from oats. I try to follow the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nourishing-Traditions-Challenges-Politically-Dictocrats/dp/0967089735" target="_blank">Nourishing Traditions</a> way of soaking grains and serving it with plenty of butter or cream. The kids eat homemade popcorn, cooked in coconut oil, quite regularly. It is a favourite lunchbox filler.<br />
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I can't say it is not difficult finding snacks for kids when you don't buy anything processed. Apart from popcorn, I also make <a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2011/05/17-of-my-cooking-tricks-for-wellness/" target="_blank">activated nuts</a>, <a href="http://www.ffpress.com.au/blog/growing-greener-healthy-snacks-to-quell-the-cravings/" target="_blank">chickpea bombs</a>, <a href="http://www.christiefischer.com/2013/03/weekend-recipe-meal-in-biscuit-crackers.html" target="_blank">crackers</a> (all three recipes from Sarah Wilson's <a href="http://www.iquitsugar.com/book/i-quit-sugar-print-edition/" target="_blank">I Quit Sugar</a>) or slice up some cheese. There was initially some "teething" problems, but for the most part the kids are now used to it. It has been a tricky and sometimes emotional process though. It is not easy when most of your peers are eating out of packets. <br />
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As for meat, we have a full freezer of it right now. Buying meat week to week was proving far too expensive for us, so we bought a quarter side of grass fed beef from a local organic farmer, of which he had butchered (or minced or made sausages) to our specifications. I was also given all the bones, which I make stock/broth with about twice a week. We also bought a whole lamb from him, and another lamb from a farmer down the road. We managed to pack it all into our freezer in the fridge and our freezer in the garage. I think it will last us at least six months, but it is too early yet to say.<br />
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Another big change here has been the now weekly arrival of our organic box. We order a seasonal fruit and veg box, cream in little glass bottles and a few bottles of raw "bathing only" milk. I was so happy to finally find a way to include a little raw milk in our diet, though budget only allows a few bottles a week. This milk is almost double the price of premium full cream milk. The taste though is a revelation of how real milk should be. It is beautifully creamy and yellow. Definitely worth seeking out.<br />
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The garden is a little dormant right now, but I regularly use the prolifically growing kale (both Russian and Tuscan) and rocket. The cabbages, broad beans, parsnip, and beetroot are slowly growing, but are still not ready.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sarahwilson.com.au/2011/10/yes-chocolate-nut-balls-so-healthy-you-can-eat-em-for-breakfast/" target="_blank">Chocolate nut balls</a> - though I sweeten mine with maple syprup</td></tr>
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For the last few months we have been taking <a href="http://www.gpawholefoods.com.au/shop/blue-ice-fermented-cod-and-skate-liver-oils/fermented-cod-liver-oil/1101" target="_blank">fermented cod liver oil</a> along with <a href="http://www.gpawholefoods.com.au/shop/butter-oil-and-ghee/34" target="_blank">butter oil</a>. Every night I melt the butter down and add it with the cod liver oil to a a little orange juice. The additional flavouring in the cod liver oil makes it a little easier to take.<br />
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So I guess you might be asking the question is all this effort really worth it? Has it made a difference in our health? I can say for the most part yes, though it has been up and down, as we figure out what foods we react with. We found that once you take out all processed food you suddenly become very sensitive to wheat, white sugar, certain oils, some alcohol and additives. If weight is anything to go by, we have both lost some, and I fit back into my pre-Violet clothes. Daniel is back to the size he was before we were married. But the bigger indicator, I think, is the disappearance of niggling little health problems, the extra energy and clearer skin.<br />
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Some days I have questioned whether all the food preparation is worth it, the loss of fitting into society and being able to eat anything without apparent consequence when you are out and about.<br />
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The way you eat could be likened to a journey. Along the way you try to figure things out, and you might change or adapt as you go along. You might stumble many times. But there are always new things to learn. New recipes to try or books to read. Real food to enjoy. Above all it is really hope that keeps you going. The hope for good health.<br />
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Links to previous posts on this topic :<br />
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<a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/on-food.html" target="_blank">on food</a><br />
<a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/fermented.html" target="_blank">the follow up food post</a><br />
<a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/fermented.html" target="_blank">fermented</a><br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-22171002805975712892013-08-07T09:59:00.000+10:002013-08-07T09:59:50.988+10:00a few little things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few little things brightening up life right now:<br />
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Nut loaf from <a href="http://www.wholefoodcooking.com.au/01-books01.html" target="_blank">Coming Home To Eat</a>. Baked with spelt flour, sweetened with honey (speaking of honey did anyone else catch <a href="http://www.fiveaa.com.au/audio_artificial-honey-from-china-labelled-in-australia-shipped-to-the-usa_107211" target="_blank">this</a> story?) and I replaced the dates with dried apricots. Pretty good! Though I'm trying not to eat too much because it was made for a lunchbox treat afterall. I'm thinking the freezer option may be a good idea.<br />
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I received a parcel this week filled with the most beautiful handmade little clothes for Violet. Many of you will know the lovely <a href="http://weliketomakestuff.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Lea</a>, and she was so very kind to pass these on. Aren't they just wonderful? Thank you Lea!<br />
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I finally made my first batch of <a href="http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/article/how-to-make-play-dough-a541.html" target="_blank">playdough</a>. It seems to be a hit, although the pink, red and green has now blended into a giant blob of funny brown. I do hope my crochet rug (cold frosty morning!) fared okay.<br />
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Slow but steady progress is being made on the <a href="http://figgyspatterns.com/patterns/nituna/" target="_blank">Nituna</a> jacket for Julia. She selected the pattern and the fabric (from the stash), while I chose the lining. Hopefully it will be finished before Spring hits. I really should start sewing and knitting a season ahead!<br />
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What little things have been brightening your day lately?<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-78569789542190585742013-08-02T12:33:00.002+10:002013-08-03T15:54:38.180+10:00my wiksten tova<br />
Isn't it great when you use a sewing pattern and all the instructions, diagrams and photos possible are there to help? Well it certainly helps prevent those usual pattern frustrations. Such was the case with my <a href="http://www.shopwiksten.com/product/tova-shirt-sewing-pattern" target="_blank">Wiksten Tova</a> top. I purchased this pattern way back when I also bought the <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/the-summer-wardrobe-wrap-up.html" target="_blank">tank</a> pattern. I was so happy with that pattern and the cut, that it has ended up being worn more than anything else I've made to date. The tova looked much more complicated and I wasn't sure if the cut would swamp me a little. It was a great deal more than I usually spend on a pattern, but with so many people making more than one, well, there had to be something in that.<br />
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Surprisingly it was a breeze to make, and I finished it within a few nights (though dinner was a little late on the table last night as I pressed seams and stirred the onions). I had made an old sheet version for sizing, and ended up cutting out the size small, graduating to a medium in the hips. It turned out to be spot on fit wise.<br />
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I used <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/crafty-plans.html" target="_blank">this</a> cotton, a colourful plaid, and it is a little different to what I would normally choose. I cut some pattern pieces on the diagonal, using <a href="http://www.makesomething.ca/2013/04/24/wiksten-tova-plaid-cotton-shirting/" target="_blank">this</a> top as inspiration.<br />
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I love it! It's comfy (very important!), and feels very "me". It feels good to get one outfit ticked off the winter sewing list, though I daresay this is a little more suited to spring in our climate. But then again, there is always layering.<br />
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I hope that this will be the first of several Tova's. I am quite keen to try the dress version. But until then, I have a feeling that this one will get plenty of wear.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-16960605206649740672013-07-31T08:58:00.001+10:002013-07-31T09:00:00.737+10:00everyday life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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While looking through recent photos there were many little snippets of relatively uneventful, but no less special, little moments. It's those little things that you tend to forget over the years though, isn't it? But when you look back on older photos, often the seemly uneventful ones - at the clothes you were wearing, the small objects in the photos, the food you were eating, well, it is often these things that help us remember. The smaller details of everyday life that we don't want to forget.</div>
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It's been good to see that an old garage sale find a few months back has been getting a bit of use again. <br />
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One of the very few things in Daniel's culinary repertoire. Zabaglione taught to him by his Nonna. Made by hand whisking egg yolks with sugar. We tried it with rapadura which lent quite a nice caramel like flavour and a little extra colour. <br />
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Our latest (grain free) pancake recipe, <a href="http://www.nourishingdays.com/2010/07/fluffy-coconut-flour-pancakes/" target="_blank">cococut flour pancakes</a>. They are a little trickier to flip, but taste pretty good.<br />
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Knitting, this time for Luca. Rediscovering the joys of double pointed needles. Not quite.<br />
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Leftover soup (lamb stock, lima beans, tinned tomatoes, carrot, Italian herbs) as an afternoon school snack.<br />
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Trialling grain free <a href="http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2013/03/wheat-belly-transforms-lives-in-new-zealand-and-a-bread-recipe/" target="_blank">bread</a> (while still dreaming about making sourdough) and it's not too bad with plenty of butter and peanut butter.<br />
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Hoping that your week has been kind to you.<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-57218855450949052102013-07-30T08:00:00.000+10:002013-07-30T08:00:06.234+10:00tea leaves<br />
I've had my (finally finished!) <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/patterns/tea-leaf-cardigan.html" target="_blank">Tea Leaves</a> cardigan sitting in my cupboard, nicely folded, and with a few wearings under it's belt for several weeks now. Goodness knows why it has taken so long to make an appearance on the blog. Perhaps it had something to do with the poor lighting for photos lately or just plain procrastination on my part.<br />
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Nevertheless, here it is, almost one year after that bundle of wool arrived at my gate. Apart from a scarf when I first started out knitting, this was the first project that I had attempted for myself. There is quite a lot more to consider when knitting for oneself. Unlike knitting for children it is a little harder to get away with guessing of the sizing and fit. Kid's knits are much more forgiving in that way. True to usual form I did not do knit a gauge stitch. Although having knitted the Tea Leaves cardigan before, albeit in children's sizes (<a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/julias-tea-leaves-finally.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://ivynest.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/sunshiney-tea-leaves.html" target="_blank">here</a>), I was probably a little ahead of myself. Then there was the time it takes to knit a more substantial piece. Row after row after row. There was a certain comfort in the monotony of it for the most part, and once past the yoke, it seemed to come together quicker than expected. It is the largest project I have tackled to date.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bendigowoollenmills.com.au/Product/tabid/55/2328/2328/186358/LUXURY/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Bendigo's Luxury Yarn</a> (in the Lake shade) was lovely and smooth to knit with, and I would happily use it again. Drapey and warm are two other qualities worth mentioning about the yarn. I managed to match a few ceramic buttons in almost the exact same shade. <br />
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I made the smallest size, but it feels a touch big, though I have been told it is fine. I am pretty sure this is not due to my actual size or the pattern, but my tendency to knit pieces rather loosely. Yes, after numerous projects that came out too big, I have finally realised it was my knitting style all along. So smaller needles for me from now on!<br />
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Some of you may have noticed that I was wearing my Tea Leaves in my recent holiday photos. In my haste to wear it, I didn't block it and my ordered buttons had not yet arrived. So I sewed on a set of plain buttons and that did quite nicely for a week or so.<br />
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Despite it's little mistakes (of which there are a quite a few) and the patience involved, it is warm and comfortable. It reminds me of the <i>possibilities</i> of knitting. That a large project is not so scary afterall. I guess every project comes with it's lessons, and this one had no shortage of those. But the main thing is that I do love to wear it, and I don't think I could ask for more than that for my first adult sized knit.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ravelry notes <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/ivynest/tea-leaves-cardigan" target="_blank">here</a></span> <br />
<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-7173087290589646252013-07-29T08:25:00.002+10:002013-07-29T08:25:35.854+10:00plans<br />
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Those brief little pockets of sunshine during these short and cold Winter days can be just what is needed. A wander around the garden, a weed pulled here and there with a small dose of vitamin d, can be quite therapeutic. While lady beetle collecting and a kick around of the soccer ball kept the younger ones happy, we talked about our plans for the place. A large vegie garden for the front, perfect for those sprawling pumpkins and zucchini. A few rows of berries beside it. A few more (vegie and rose) beds ready to be filled with dirt. And then there is the chicken coop. The one that we have planned for so long, but were so worried about getting it right that nothing as yet had been decided. But as we sat on the decided space (for the chickens) on the weekend, talking soon became something a little more definite. Some poking around the shed revealed a heap of suitable materials that had been salvaged here and there. Before the end of that day we had our basic chicken frame up. Photos to come soon - I promise!<br />
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<br />Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1948397622243147877.post-36173652052948003252013-07-22T10:51:00.000+10:002013-07-22T10:53:17.915+10:00hibernating<br />
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I've been hibernating of late. The weather, though unseasonable warm for part of the week, was also raining, windy and freezing cold in others. I haven't been venturing outside or even out anywhere very much. I've been doing bits and pieces of little projects, but not really getting very far with any of them. The concentration needed seems in short supply these days, with the weather causing a little cabin fever in all of us. Some weeks, particularly at this time year with day after day of cold, seem to pass by in an uneventful blur. Days are spent preparing food, adding wood to the fire, trying to get washing to dry and then all the cleaning up. Always cleaning up. When the days are spent indoors it can all get a little too much at times.<br />
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It is our fourth winter here. Though I do love the cold, with it's wood fires, wooly jumpers and thick blankets, it can get a little too much sometimes. But such is life in a colder climate, and I daresay that our house is a good deal warmer in winter than the houses I grew up in on the coast. When the sunshine is lacking and the garden is bare, life seems just a little starker somehow. But I do know that it will pass. In the meantime I need to work at rekindling my love of winter.Taniahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00123593037593548003noreply@blogger.com8