+ After getting back on Tuesday night, it was straight back into farm life on Wednesday morning. The trees for the orchard are due to arrive soon, so Country Boy is busy getting the ground ready. So far he has ploughed up the ground with the tractor, and yesterday we went out and measured it out. My goodness it is going to be large. I sometimes worry that, given enough time, the whole of the farm will eventually get turned into vegetable gardens.
We need to erect trellises to grow the trees on and a fence to stop the sheep getting in, as well as enclose the whole thing in bird netting. It all seems a little overwhelming, particularly as we only have a few weeks. Fortunately on the farm we have the tractor and lots of tools to help make the job a little easier.
+ In my spare moments I have been thinking seriously about our house extension and renovation. After our visit to Ikea on Tuesday I have been perusing Pinterest and trying to firm up my ideas on style and furnishings, as well as working out exactly what I want in the house. Fingers crossed we can get this going sooner rather than later.
+ I read this post by Kate at Picklebums yesterday and it really resonated with me. Coincidentally I had just been into town where everyone asked me whether I was surviving the holidays. I love having the kids home for holidays, and it seems odd to me to dread spending time with your kids. Perhaps because I am a teacher I appreciate the holidays, or perhaps I am just lucky to have great kids. Even in their less lovable moments, they are good kids who are just learning.
+ I linked this article on my Facebook page early this week. It never fails to amaze me that we continue to import fresh fruit and vegetables to Australia, whilst at the same time farmers cannot sell what they are growing, and are forced to plough produce into the ground. I get that it the food is cheaper in the shops, but in a world facing food shortages, it just seems a ludicrous waste of resources to fly food to Australia so that consumers can save a few cents.
Yes, it makes me cranky too that we import stuff that we easily grow here. As a farmer, it makes me sick to see oranges from the US, whilst ours are plowed into the ground.
It makes me cranky too that our farmland is being fracked for CSG mining and we export all of it, yet gas is soooo expensive for us here in Aus. I better get off my soap box before I ramble too much – I can rave for days about CSG!
On a lighter note…. I am the same in thinking that the holidays aren't long enough – must be a city kid thing these parents who are over having their kids at home. I love having mine around – and we are totally boring out here only doing things at home and on the farm. The kids always manage to find something to fill their time with without organised outings and activities.
Love the orchard – will be spectacular! x
Oh an orchid – how wonderful. When I was a kid we had an orchid on our farm. I remember the apples, apricots, pears, quinces and the passionfruit and mulberries. And I remember mum doing all the bottling and preserving and jam making – great stuff for your kids to see.
I totally agree. I thought fruit and vegies were bought in house – obviously not!