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Simple Country Living

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Friday Notes

The garden is on the verge of exploding with ripe vegetables. We’ve had a few cucumbers, zucchinis, and tomatoes, and we are bracing our selves to be inundated in the next few weeks. I’m looking to get a food mill so that it is easier to make tomato passata, and we have stocked up on salt, vinegar, sugar, and spices so that we are ready to make preserves, jams and chutneys.

We had a fire near us on Wednesday. It probably started because some one threw a cigarette butt out of a car window. It never ceases to amaze me that people are so stupid, or selfish. The two way radio has been a buzz as the locals pull together to fight the fire. For the next few days they also need to keep an eye on the fire ground for a few days to make sure that any embers don’t start up again.

My goodness it has been hot lately. It’s a bit of an óh der’ statement, but we have been spending the majority of each day inside with our ancient air conditioner taking the edge off the heat. We have been watching movies, and reading The Hobbit, and doing craft to keep ourselves entertained. I’ve promised the girls that they can watch the first Harry Potter movie this weekend. We have been having sandwiches for dinner in front of the tv because I cannot be asked to cook in the heat, and our back veranda where we normally eat is like an oven. It’s going to be a rude shock when we have to head back to school in a week.

This article came through my facebook feed. I know I return to the theme often, but I’m just blown away by the constant message that society sends to little girls; that their worth is tied up in how pretty, and sexy they are. Country Boy and I have made a concious decision to avoid these types of toys and games, but they are everywhere. I’m equally concerned about what these messages do to little boys. I want Toby to grow up to value for women for qualities other than how sexy they are. I want all my kids to grow up to value themselves and others regardless of their looks. Sometimes parenting just seems impossibly hard, and I resent that society doesn’t make it any easier!

Over the summer I’ve been tweaking my blog. I’ve rewritten my ‘About Me’ page, and added some more answers to my FAQ page. I’ve also been having fun with Adobe Lightroom, learning how to process my photos better (I had been using picassa which is free, but I finally bit the bullet – and wish I had done it a year ago!). My sister who lives in SE Asia is good with watercolour paintings. I asked her ages ago to have a go at painting me a banner, but it took me until December before I finally got it together for the blog. I have the originals, and think I might frame them. I’d love some feed back on the changes I’ve made. What do you think? Please, be honest with me 🙂

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Comments

  1. Elisha Ross says

    January 19, 2014 at 8:33 am

    Ive been away for a while and was pleasantly surprised to see the facelift of your blog. I think it looks great. Looking fwd to seeing all the preserving, cooking, relishing etc. coming up on the blog.

    Reply
  2. Christine says

    January 17, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    I love your new banner – your sister must be very clever!

    I'm also constantly struggling with the idea that girls are valued for their looks and their sexuality. It's getting so hard to fight the stereotype, especially when other people are buying gifts etc.

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Jo

I'm a city girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: toge The perfect way to end a long winter weekend: together, cooking damper around the remains of the bonfire.
It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got It’s been a tough few weeks on the farm. We got through shearing without a hitch (thankfully 🙏) but we’ve had a run of the flu followed by Covid run through the family since then. The kids and I have tested positive (this is my second time getting it 🦠) though so far C has managed to avoid it. There has been a lot of lying on the couch feeling pretty ordinary. Han had to reschedule her driving test for a 4th time due to Covid, which is disappointing for her because she wants her freedom and for us because it would be so much more convenient if she could drive herself places. Just to add in to the mix, our hot water system has chosen now as a good time to die so we’re on cold showers until we’re all out of iso. This is not meant to be a whinging post but sometimes life just sucks a bit and it’s good to be real. Fortunately, the sight of the fire going with a stack of wood next to it cheers us up. Things will improve soon. Onwards we go…
A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the scho A picture perfect Autumn afternoon to end the school holidays. We’ve been busy spending time with friends and family, harvesting the last of the summer produce, as well as a short escape to explore the big smoke. After the craziness of last term it was the break we all needed. It’s back to school for me tomorrow, and the kids are back on Wednesday. Shearing starts soon and so it’s all systems go over the next few weeks.
Covid has made some late changes to our weekend pl Covid has made some late changes to our weekend plans so we are embracing the unexpected and doing not much at home. Plenty of time for hanging out on the dam and enjoy the perfect weather.
Autumn has arrived in the orchard and the apple tr Autumn has arrived in the orchard and the apple trees are full of fruit. Yesterday we filled five baskets of apples that had fallen off the trees. Then we had apple crumble for dessert last night. Between the orchard and the vegetable garden this time of year is always super busy as we deal with all the harvest. No so busy though, that I can’t grab the camera and snap a few pics.
On weekends he makes himself a hot milo and lies o On weekends he makes himself a hot milo and lies on the veranda in the sun, just chilling and enjoying the freedom (until mum grabs her camera at least 🙄🤣).

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Hi, I’m Jo

City girl turned farmer's wife, school teacher, ideas woman, and mum to three country kids. Country Life Experiment is all about simple country living, growing and making our own food, and life on our family farm in rural Australia. Join me as I give country living a try. Read more...
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