What have you been doing today?

[achookwoman]

I’m so pleased to hear from Marina and Katie this morning. I’ve always got beds available if needed.
I went to the Gym but the Physiologist was on holidays. His assistant was good in moderating my program. The best part was coffee afterwards.
Judy, glad to see you enjoying your 7. I’m sure I’m not using mine to capacity but the more I use it the more I learn.

[K Atie]

Thank you Chookie , we are good . Although the fire next to us started up this morning and it burnt more than last night . Pushed DH out the door boots and all to go speedy to it . Off Boys went and first on the job again , lots of private units in the end , it burnt so quickly as it was a wheat crop not harvested . The power came on at 1am and I made a tea and put a load of fire clothes on . Boiled water filled the thermos - I was determined we were going to loose power again . I’m very tired today . We had a drive around it all and that helped . Really it’s nothing , so many loss of homes sheep and crops at all the big fires, so sad .

[cookie1]

DD and I went shopping and had a coffee.
The fires seem really dreadful. Do take care everyone.

Judy I’m still discovering tips for the 7. I find it doesn’t mush food up as badly as the others.

[achookwoman]

After being house bound for 10 days, yesterday I went to the big shopping centre in Ballarat. I have only been there about 5 times and quite enjoyed it. I bought a couple of things I couldn’t buy anywhere else.
I bought a cheap book on recipes for the sausage roll machine. It has recipes for using different types of casings. Filo, sandwich bread and wraps as well as puff pastry. It also has tips such as always starting with a cold machine and start timing from when the green light comes on.

[mab19]

Tidied out the linen press.
I repotted one of my Singapore orchids as it was looking a bit sad.

[Cuilidh]

So good to see you are starting to get out and about again Chookie, just be sure to take it easy and don't stress your body.

[achookwoman]

So good to see you are starting to get out and about again Chookie, just be sure to take it easy and don't stress your body.

Thanks Marina.
Still cool here, lovely. Washing and baking. Gardener coming to do lawns. Usually stays for lunch.

[mab19]

DH and I did some gardening this morning and then I picked our first lot of beans and snow peas.

[K Atie]

Up early to make apricot jam. Shopping , that took ages . Quick drop off of food to GF . Home to unpack . Uber paddock delivery, moving machinery, home late to eat dinner.

[achookwoman]

Mab, what will you do with the Snow peas ?  I’ve been picking a handful a day.
I’m lucky to have a portable air filter. I’ve set it up in the bedroom. Still a lot of smoke around.
Hairdresser today.

[mab19]

Mab, what will you do with the Snow peas ?  I’ve been picking a handful a day.
I’m lucky to have a portable air filter. I’ve set it up in the bedroom. Still a lot of smoke around.
Hairdresser today.

Chookie,  I just steam the snow peas as there are not many of them.  When DS was here last time he planted 3 large pots of beans and they are growing nicely.   DH who is not a gardener found an empty large pot and decided to put in a few extra beans only he didn't read the label and they turned out to be snow peas.  He said the seeds looked a bit different 

[cookie1]

I went out to see my brother yesterday.  It’s his last day of radiation tomorrow. It’s knocked him about a lot. His wife isn’t looking very well at all.  Not fun for them.

[achookwoman]

Cookie, that’s hard to deal with.
Mab, I planted 2 different lots of Snow Peas. Both produced well. Beans not looking so good.
Katie, I made the best Apricot jam and so simple, in the TMX.
1 k apricot halves, 700 g sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Mince Apricots, add sugar and lemon juice. Cook 30 minutes, 100 degrees, speed 3.

[Cuilidh]

Bought a couple of new bras from Paire - no underwire - they are so comfortable and soft it feels like I am not wearing a bra at all.

[K Atie]

We are now harvesting the wheat . One of DS DF has come to work with them so DH can transport some of the grain and get other jobs done . Our wake up call 7.15 was on this am ! Truck diver to pick up oats in 15 mins , very pleased as there has been breakdowns at the depo so no trucks for ages , between the firers and this . There is no room to squeeze anything in so let’s hope we get a few days of two trucks. Cold mornings have been welcomed. On a rather amazing note, when we had the fire right near us the other day , DF was up a hill watching the lightning strikes ( let me say this is always done by someone to watch out for firers starting by dry lightening strikes ) oh my gosh it apparently was huge and scary fast intense . Mind you there was lightening in every direction at the time . So they saw it hit and the fire . Sometimes it does make you feel better when others tell you their side and you’re not some inwardly overreacting idiot . But this is a micro issue compared to everyone in the state , I’m very aware of this . When you see the aftermath of an intense fire you know everyone is lucky to be alive . Infact I feel guilty for even saying anything about our micro time .