The simple things....

Every now and again I think we all need to STOP, REALISE and APPRECIATE what we are grateful for in our everyday lives.

 The hectic lifestyles that many of us live these days can see us on a constant merry-go-round of filling every single minute of every single day with something happening until we crash into bed at night, only to repeat the whole process again the next day. I do  realise that depending on your life situation that you cannot always slow down and stop as much as you would like.

For over 23 years I not only helped on the farm, raised four children but also worked off farm as a primary school teacher. I was a taxi and supporter to my children and their many interests and tried to spend as much time as possible with family and friends. I worked, taught, did teaching courses, cooked, shopped, washed, cleaned, maintained yards, painted rooms and so on and so on. Any family events or holidays were organised by me. I never stopped until I fell into bed totally exhausted every night. Whilst DH Farmer and the children did help at times I still undertook the bulk of the work inside the home. It wasn't until several major family traumas happened that the wheels finally fell off my cart. I stopped teaching 10 years ago not so much from choice but from burn out. I thought that I was invincible and could keep going whatever was expected from me. I am not blaming anyone except myself for this BUT I did learn a very big lesson about myself and life in general.

So I have learnt to slow down. I have learnt to be kind to myself. I have learnt to step back and try not to let life's stresses and pressures overwhelm me any more. It is not always easy but it is necessary. Sometimes I step back and let others be in control. Sometimes I forget to do these things and I realise that I need to slow down again.

 I have learnt that the simple things are the things that make me happiest and are the most important. 

Family.... playing and laughing with my grand daughter, phone calls and visits with my children and families.

Friends.....chats, visits, laughter.

The farm.......

Simple food.....growing and eating our own food.

A cup of tea.....

Quilting....and more quilting and all that goes with it.

Gardening...the occasional flower in my garden!

Reading.....

God........

Sitting on my front verandah in the evening with DH Farmer enjoying the farm view and talking.....

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What simple things make you happiest and keeps you grounded?

Until next time...

Carol

It's been a while....

 I have been a little slack on the blog front lately. I could say I have been really busy ( which is true) but I just feel like I have had little to say.
There have been lots of socialising and family gatherings happening. We have had three birthdays     ( both daughters and a DIL) and a wedding to celebrate in the family over the past few weeks.

Daughter - in - laws cake  - you can guess who blew out the candles!!

The stunning location where the wedding was held.

On the farm front we have welcomed over 60 mls of rain over the last week or two. This has been well timed for the pastures of oats, rye and clover which DH Farmer has been busily sowing. The seed should come straight up and with further follow up rain the transition of feed from summer to autumn to winter should be smooth and have little effect on the dairy cows. Sometimes when the changeover of feed is delayed we have to supplement feed with the silage we have made on farm. Early autumn is always the beginning of cultivating our winter feed pastures for the dairy herd and there are several more busy weeks of sowing to happen yet.
 We have  also been busily selling vealers to the local saleyards and cows and bullocks direct to the abattoirs before the winter arrives.  Prices for cattle  have remained very strong over the past few weeks but will drop over the coming month if good rain doesn't fall in the dryer parts of the state and Queensland.

A paddock being harrowed - the final part of the sowing process.

Dogs and DH Farmer on foot walking vealers to the yards.

Vealers and their mothers in the yards to be sorted for sale.

Until next time...

Carol

U.F.O. Weekend

I belong to Maitland Patchwork Quilters (a link is in the Blogs I like to read) and I spent this past weekend with the group at Tocal Agricultural College working on UFO's (unfinished objects for those of you not in the know of quilting acronyms).  It is always, and I do mean always, a great time not only working on my projects but more because of the fun and good times I spend with a group of like minded women. It is a time to forget about work, the farm, housework and anything else that you want to. We sew, we laugh, we eat, and occasionally a little drink! A mini break to recharge your batteries.

The view from our workshop rooms.

Part of  the building complex at Tocal. Very rural and relaxing!

 The U.F.O.'s below are not mine but shows a variety of beautiful works that some of the women in the group are creating.

Route 66 designed by Di Ford-Hall well on the way to being completed.

Another U.F.O. (Museum Medallion) by a talented quilter.

Belonging to such a group is not only about quilting. Such a group is very important for our emotional and physical well being. For the professional working woman it is a chance to relax and unwind. For the woman who has recently found her home empty of children after many years of child rearing it fills a void and offers friendship and companionship. For those that care for elderly parents or are carers or minders for special needs children or their grandchildren it is a chance to take a breather. For those with little social contact it breaks the isolation. It is a support group for those going through their own health issues. We celebrate and enjoy the births, weddings, and birthdays that touch our group members lives. Likewise we support and feel the loss of family and friends that our members also inevitably experience.
Since joining the group I personally have formed many wonderful friendships, acquired new quilting skills, travelled , listened and talked to amazing women of all ages and walks of life. It is an integral part of my life that is essential to my overall well being.
If I can give advice. Find yourself a group, any group that interests you, and join it. What you get out of it is life supporting and so much fun!
Until next time...
Carol

Shopping local...

It seems that most Fridays I make a trip to our small local town. I usually have farm jobs to do like picking up vet supplies, dairy supplies or spare parts for machinery. I also do a food shop at our local supermarket, visit the bank, library and any other shops I need to make purchases. We have always tried to shop locally even when it comes to major purchases like cars, tractors and machinery. We also always try to use local trades people and builders.We use the local RTA at our council chambers, pay our shire rates in person and generally make an effort in using whatever is available to ensure we don't lose our local businesses and services.
 It is a wonderful experience to know that a trip to town is a social outing where you get to catch up with those people who happily serve you and whose businesses you support. These people all call you by name and are eager for a chat. You can never walk down our main street without being stopped to catch up with a friend or acquaintance. A so called "quick trip to town" is never a quick trip.
 I know that some things are more expensive in our small town than in larger towns and I can't buy everything we need. However it is through such support as ours for our local businesses that these businesses keep going and employ local people.

Last Friday I had to get new tyres on the car and so had quite a bit of time to fill. I  visited one of the local Church Op Shops which is only open on Fridays. You never know what wonderful things you might find. Below are pictures of my visit. The doilies I will use in a future craft project. I loved the little embroidered serviettes and the pure linen handkerchief is still in its original wrapping. I will crochet an edge and give to one of the girls in my family.

Delft plate and Willow Tree cup, saucer and plate.

I love blue and white china and will add these to my growing collection. I think I spent $13 altogether and I have supported one of our local churches and am happy that all these items will be reused and recycled.
All small country towns are in the same predicament as ours. That is, if the locals don't buy and support the local businesses then there will be fewer shops and businesses in our town. We lose the convenience of shopping locally, will need to travel much further to make our purchases and lose the social aspect of a small community we all love. We try our best to stop this from happening.
Until next time...
Carol

Autumn is here and it's time to start knitting...

The past couple of weeks I have started to think it is time to start knitting again. And before you say it - yes, I do know we had a 37 degree day yesterday. For some reason I always get itchy fingers to pick up the knitting needles and wool again when autumn arrives.
I am not a prolific knitter but do enjoy making a few items for some of my family members each year.
I now have two grand children to knit for and both their mums like handmade garments for their children to wear. This year 3 1/2 year old granddaughter is going to receive a 5 ply navy, white and fuschia raglan sleeve cardy. DH Farmer needs a new work jumper and this will be made from a serviceable brown 8 ply. Of course new grandson will not miss out either.
I purchase my wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills and have done so for as long as I can remember. I find they have a great range of colours, plys and is lovely to knit up. It is also Australian owned and the wool is made from wool grown in the southern highlands of NSW. You know my passion to support all things Australian - especially agricultural related. I would also like to add that I can knit a beautiful pure wool adult jumper for approximately $50. Not bad in my opinion. After either phoning in my order or ordering online a package arrives within 5 working days in my mailbox ready for my itchy fingers to start knitting.
 I would like to add that this is my own opinion of Bendigo Woollen Mills products and I have in no way received anything from Bendigo Woollen Mills.

A sample of the colours available at Bendigo Woollen Mills.

I hope I can show you the finished garments as the autumn and winter progresses. Needless to say I will still also be quilting. That is always a given!!

Until next time....

Carol