Nobody panic, but tomorrow is June. A month starting in J…which means a few things: Winter, Eleanor’s birthday and a J month. Baby #2 arrives in a J month. Eeeep! Slow down Father Time…
When we inherited Grandi’s big square dining table, Matt said it would ‘change our life’. I may have snorted and told him to not be so dramatic. But here I am stating publicly that the bigger table has revolutionized the way we live in our little cramped farmhouse. We definitely had the floorspace for a bigger table, but resisted as we were still undecided about a smallish island bench/butcher’s block in the kitchen. Plus, I loved our antique table which was my great-grandparents. But the prime real estate of kitchen floorspace the new table takes up is nothing for what it brings in practicality in having a bigger workspace for general family life in a small space. So, I was skeptical, but I love the new table. Thanks Grandi. (New chairs are still a work in progress, anyone else got the trusty Ikea white Ingolf chairs? Do tell…)
After two previous failed attempts, optimistic husband dearest has again planted a jacaranda tree in our garden. He has a propensity to kill them. Or rather, the bitter Thorpdale Winter and harsh frosts knock their socks right off. But I am told this is the year! The year that he will protect it with a shade cloth tent from the frosts, hose it down in the early morning if need be, love and nurture it and damn it, get it through a Winter! I do think that once it establishes through it’s first Winter and gets up and away it will be fine…but I’m not holding my breath. His track record is not glowing.
I have a shameful secret to share…since well before Christmas we haven’t had chooks. Well, the ‘chook’ has been singular rather than plural. It’s true: crazy chook lady has been bereft of chooks for far too long! Unfortunately our ladies just started literally dropping off the perch, they got sick and then died, we assume a disease swept through them, which is common among chooks but an issue we’ve thankfully never had. They weren’t even old! Only about 6 months, and had been laying beautifully. But there was one survivior, or as we’ve coined her ‘Super Chook’. She most likely is a carrier of the disease that killed the others though, but has somehow survived thus far. We keep saying we need to replenish the flock (and in doing so we’d probably say goodbye to Super Chook to introduce new hens, and decontaminate the chook pen) but we so far just haven’t gotten around to it. Of course I am missing the eggs, despite Super Chook’s best efforts, and have had to buy eggs. This just won’t do, so new henny penny’s must be found. Husband would like to just continue on our merry Isa Brown productive ways, I would like something a bit ‘prettier’ (but still productive…) What sort of chooks do you have?
As I said, June means Eleanor will be turning two. Two! Goodness, it’s quite the business being two. Especially when you’re about to become a big sister and world is about to be turned upside down (well, I hope not…) After last year’s Peter Rabbit themed birthday party I said that she wouldn’t be having a second birthday party…ha! Yeah, right. Of course I am already planning a farm animal themed barnyard bash for our blossom. And why yes, I will be 37 weeks pregnant. You can stop laughing and rolling your eyes now.
What’s going on in your neck of the woods?
Autumn slipping by and Winter poking out?
Any luck with jacaranda trees in cold climates?
A piece of furniture changed your life lately?
Brianna says
My parents have Jacaranda growing beautifully in very frost western QLD (-5 common in winter). They have covered it with a bit of a structure for 2 winters I think. We have a mixed Len of chooks, mostly heritage breeds. I have found them to be much nicer than hybrids. I love our Araucana for egg colour & langshan for reliability. We also have 3 Australorp x New Hampshire girls that are STILL laying at the moment while the others (15 or so of them) have a break.
Prue says
Here are my tips for the jacaranda:
1. Frost creeps in sideways (not falling from above as most people think) so even a shade cloth surround will protect it.
2. If it does get frost bitten, leave the damaged foliage on the plant until the last frost has well and truly passed. It’ll be unsightly but if you cut it off you just expose new leaves. The previously damaged foliage won’t get burnt twice so just leave it on there.
3. Mulch mulch mulch – and water! It will insulate the roots somewhat on frosty nights. Seems counter-intuitive to water a plant to protect it from cold but it’s true. Water it the evening before you expect any heavy frosts.
Jo @ CountryLifeExperiment says
We have 14 chooks and still have had to buy eggs… I guess it is the time of year, though some of our chooks are geriatric. We have all different types, and with the exception of early winter, 14 chooks keep us, and my parents in law supplied with eggs, and we always give a dozen away whenever family visits.
Jo says
Re the jacaranda – Our property in Darling Downs SE QLD is “Jacaranda” due to the trees that line our circular front garden … any focused attempts to grow them ourselves has failed … but then you find the self-sown sapling in the garden and are amazed at what nature can achieve … Re chooks – we have Aracaunas who lay white well and produce green coloured mid-sized eggs. Our “Miss Rhode Island” girl and the isa x girls produce the largest eggs … but we love the coloured mix each day …
amy paul says
Happy to replenish your brood when needed my friend. I would be stupefied buying eggs!! Fingers crossed for your jacaranda. xx
Anne@GritandGiggles says
It sounds like things will be busy there in the coming months or so. My parents have barnevelders, an old breed. They are black with gold on their feathers and rather pretty. They are an all rounder I believe. Fingers crossed for that Jacaranda tree.
Cathie says
I love seeing the snippets of your Gippsland life. Good luck with the party