finally i can feel springs on the way

Lately everyone's been talking about spring and how they can feel it just on the doorstep ..... finally I can say, I CAN TOO!!!

I just love these days.  We've still got rain on the way in a few days, but spring is definitely in the air.  The other day I heard a 'blowie' (big blowfly) in the house, you know the weathers starting to change when you can hear a blowie inside.

Today, I'm just going to post a few pics I took when I went out to welcome my 'chook children' to the day.  My dear little Matthew is at kindy today .... as I was saying goodbye to him (and giving him the biggest mummy hug) his teacher came up and asked what was wrong.  There was nothing at all wrong except, I just didn't want to let go!!

The carrots are really taking off since I fed them my special liquid chook poo!

Broccoli poking its head out to say hi to the sun.

It's just as well I never really have a plan for these cumquat's as Matthew and the birds just can't resist picking them off, especially when they're at 'little boy height'.

I longingly look at the strawberries in the supermarket ... but I'm determined to wait.

Mr Magpie quenching his thirst.

Think I'll invest in some netting this year, we didn't get one peach last year, the birds just loved them too much to share.

I watched this bee for ages, it buzzed from flower to flower for such a long time.

One of my favourite herbs - Thyme.

The lavender flowers are nearly there.

Look at the blossoms on the lime .... just bursting, and there's a few limes there too.

It was full of bees too ... they're so busy ... working, working, working!

New growth on the orange ... this was a transplanted tree that has taken a good few years to 'recover'.

And I can't wait for the gardenia to flower.  I love these .... I'm hoping with the breeze I'll smell it through the bedroom windows.

I'm thinking that's probably enough bombardment for the day.  Need to order some more seeds and get a twenty first invitation drafted for my first baby girl - who's a baby no longer!

Hope you all have a wonderful day :)

making a mouse trap

Lately we've been having a mouse problem in the chook pen.  DH kept bringing up the dreaded 'baits' but I've been very loathe to get some.  The other day I was reading my latest 'Grass Roots' mag and was reminded of an old method involving a bucket, bottle, piece of wood and some yummy smelling mouse treat!

As I'm sure you're all aware, the key to a successful project goes in the preparation.

So ..... the first thing needed was an empty bottle.

After inviting some good friends over who were more than happy to help with these preparations, we had an empty bottle or two.  Needless to say, its been a few days since then because the day after, the last thing on my mind was a mouse trap!

With all other items handy and needing much less effort in the prep area, I set to it.

And this is the result.  The mice should run up the wood, smelling the fat on the end of the bottle.  When they reach the bottle neck or end they should slip off into the bucket.  I've filled the bucket a quarter full of water.

Stay tuned to find out if it was indeed worth it to suffer through that loathsome preparation ... he he.

Have a lovely day :)

farewell old thomas

This morning we said goodbye to faithful old Thomas.

Why on earth do I feel so sad about this??

We bought this old tractor not long after we bought the block.  It was never anything flash, named Thomas because someone did the unthinkable and painted the poor old girl 'blue'.  She has served us well but we really haven't used her for a couple of years so hubby decided to let her go.

She's just been a part of 'our place', she's been a part of us establishing us here and she's been a big part of the kids growing up.  That's why I'm so sad, its like a part of them being who they are is leaving.

Now I just feel plain silly!!  Some pics of memories with Thomas!

Nieces having a ride.

Not sure who's having the most fun here.

Learning to drive.

Kids & their friends enjoy a ride.

Have a lovely day :)

friend or foe

Just captured this somewhat blurry pic of our dog 'BJ' having a play with the sheep.  

Maybe its the sheep having a play with him.  He was up and down, they were nose to nose, chasing each other up and down the fence.  

Can't quite tell if its Betsy the sheep or Elsie.

Have a lovely Sunday :)