Nanne's Garden has Moved.

In spite of the gorgeous property that we enjoyed in Buln, we decided it was time for the Grande Vision to finally take shape.
The 2 acres were just great, but they weren't the vision. We had always dreamed of the real thing: land that would carry many animals, dirt that would produce orchards, abundant vegetables and flower  gardens, and potential for great beauty;  a place where we could learn to really care for the land and make it thrive; a place where family and friends could soak in the beauty and serenity when the world wearied.

In autumn this year, we placed our lovely home on the market and soon after sold it to a young family wanting to move out of the city and raise their children in the country. Good for them!
Our son, daughter-in-law and 2 kids sold their property in town and, with a matching dream, partnered with us to buy 55 beautiful acres 10 mins from town, an old dairy farm that needed love and hard work, which we had in spades.

As winter started to set in we picked the last of the summer veges, packed all our worldly goods and as many plants as I could pot into the horse trailer and made many trips across the valley to the dream farm. Horses and chickens soon followed.

Our last morning at Buln gave us a golden sunrise over a foggy landscape, and our first morning on the new farm was just as glorious.

The realities of a 120 year old farm house and a cold, wet, windy winter were soon to set in, but dreamers see the coming spring and fruit on the trees and grass in the paddocks.... and just keep adding jumpers, sox and scarves.






        Last sunrise at Buln.
First sunrise at the new farm. 

Holidays and Grandchildren

If you have 2 acres of land around your house it should definitely be an 'electronic free zone' (EFZ). There's nothing we like better than sharing our little farm with grandkids when the school holidays come, so Nanne and Pa have a few activities and lots of good food ready to keep them active and outside.

 There's the bikes, trikes, billy cart and the mighty 'mow-mobile', an old lawn mower used for down hill runs.

Darling little Cindy patiently teaching the next generation how to ride.

My beautiful Mez living up to her name "Mesmerize"


 



Big cousin , little cousin

Sewing projects, Blanket stitch purses

 

Home Made Lemon Drink

It has been a very hot summer here, the kind where even your appetite wilts.
Our lemon trees have been dropping fruit by the basket full ever since spring. Even after giving away bags full, we are still left with dozens.
It beggars belief that the supermarkets are selling American lemons for $1.50 each.

Pa is the chief cordial maker at our place.Here's his recipe:

2cups of sugar

2 cups of boiling water

2 cups of lemon juice



which gives you about a litre of cordial, and a few pips !!!
Store it in the fridge, where it will last for a few weeks, theoretically. Ours never lasts that long.









To make the most refreshing drink for a hot summer day,
add one part cordial to 3 parts water, plus lots of ice of course.

I can only imagine how healthy it must be with all that   vitamin C in it

(pesky little pip)

 

It's a Sign!

My first attempt at a little sign, thanks to Pinterest! A lump of wood from under the house, some left over paint, some country music and we're off.

Out with the old

                                                                In with the new

Everyone loves to cuddle a chook

The last of my winter veges, now stored under the house. I never get over the pleasure of cooking food I have grown in my own garden.

Christmas at Nanne and Pa's

Christmas at Nanne and Pa's place was marvellous. TIme to eat good food, give and receive presents, count our blessings and share our dreams and plans for the coming year.

The artists in the family at work decorating the table.



  The finished artwork

 



 




Ready for 10 adults and 8 kiddies, their first year at the grownups' table

 

 

Turkey, ham, baked veges and all the trimmings

 

A ride on Christmas Eve with Cindy and Mez

 

The back looking pretty with hydrangeas in bloom




 



Sunflowers decorating the childrens' cubby and garden



 



 

The First Days of Summer

Pretty red geranium seems to like this spot at the back door.

Chickens working on their tans under the avocado tree

Two little newcomers to Nanne's garden

Beans doing well and carrots just starting, thanks for the help Sammy

Boysenberries about ready...

and suddenly they're here. A bowlful every evening. Friends dropping in will soon have scones with boysenberry jam and cream, or maybe even boysenberry and white chocolate scones.... or muffins. The possibilities are endless!!

Cos lettuces and tomatoes are doing well. LOVE ceasar salads

A budding young gardener putting petunias and alyssum into the children's garden. The sunflowers in behind will nicely shade the cubby house during summer days.










The cubby house with its Christmas decorations.

Why I Love Spring

Spring is definitely my favourite season. There is just so much colour in my garden that I love to wander around just soaking it in. It seems something new bursts into flower every day.But there are many other things to love too, like                               


coffee on the front terrace



spring flowers

the exquisite iris

the firey red pigface along the driveway

more salads, less soup

more sandals, less boots

lush green grass and contented ponies

the Faraway tree in blossom with a background of bluebells