Kinder Gardens - The Final Post

This is the last week of the

Kinder Garden - Let Them Get Dirty.

Above is the project the first born has been

patiently trying to do over the last 6 months.

Growing a Pea Tent.

The peas have been got at by birds and snails,

but they are finally off and running.

He has been so patient and just says

Oh well, we will plant some more :)

A friend has just suggested a natural pest conrol remedy

we have not heard of before.

Soak a bulb of Fennel in hot water, let cool

place in a watering can and apply to plants.

The bugs don't like the anaseed aroma.

So far it's working :)

Thanks Liesl

For my last post, I will give a little history of our patch.

It started back in 2003, first born was only 9 months when

we moved to this house,we had a large expanse of grass and

a dead tree (gone in this pic)

in the back yard.

A vegetable patch was first on the agenda.

Pa came to help

Another  labourer boy came along in 2004

Holidays were spent working in the yard,

rather than spending money on trips,

we stayed home and reduced our debt

(we are now debt free!!!)

We have had a holiday or 2 over the years :)

did not miss out completely.

And we have ended up this 

educational,

healthy,

organic,

social family spot

 in our back yard

The 3 boys, (another arrived in 2006)

have been involved in the patch all the way,

from building, planting, picking and cooking.

A couple of garden awards have also be won along the way.

The boys were going for a hat-trick,

after winning best vegie patch in town 2 years in a row.

The competition does not run anymore.

The best thing about being involved in the comp

was having an Open Garden for the public.

People streamed in, the boys had a ball

giving people guided tours and

informing them what all the plants were,

about compost and natural pest control

On weekends, the boys help Peter

They even take it upon themselves to do

some cultivating while dads at work

(nobody was injured during this gardening session - amazingly)

Hunting and gathering spuds

Our boys benifit in so many ways from our vegie patch,

more than I expected they would.

At other peoples houses, they ask

"where is their vegie patch?"

They presume everyone has one.

A patch is not time consuming, once it is constructed,

its pretty easy, an afternoon here or there.

Having said that -

my husband spends a lot of time on ours!

It's his hobby, where he teaches the boys about it,

and where he chats and spends time with the boys.

I have enjoyed participating in "Kinder Gardens" and

looking at the other inspirational children in their gardens.

Even though it has been winter here,

we still managed to pull together our posts most weeks.

I will definately still be visiting the other participants,

a couple of favouries

Faithbuss

The Inadvertent Farmer

their photography is fantastic.

Till next time

Jacqueline

Planting Corn - Kinder Gardens-Let Them Get Dirty

Spring has sprung, so it's time to get organised in the patch.

Corn seeds were planted this week after being soaked overnight.

Peter has had the last 2 weeks off and

his little assistant, The Third Born

has been by his side helping do jobs around the house

The corn seeds have gone into little pots and into a makeshift

green house to help them get a good start.

Max likes to sit on the little green house,

not sure if he is trying to

hatch them or protect them

Tomatos seeeds that we saved last year were

planted a while ago and raised on a heat bed.

They have now been planted into bigger pots and

put into a propagation box in a nice sunny spot.

It's too early to plant them out yet,

Maybe in another 3 weeks or so.

If you wish to see other children in gardens

head over here

Jacqueline

Letterbox Delights

This arrived in the letterbox on Monday.

Alphabet Soup

designed by Kellie at

Don't Look Now.

The kit came from Ballarat Patchwork,

where I did a class with Kellie way back in March.

I can't wait to get started -

I have a lot of unfinished projects at the moment-

I guess another one won't hurt :)

Jacqueline 

Creative Sunday

Often when I am sewing, the boys want to join in too.

I have a drawing table set up near by and a lego table.

I also have my old machine still, and occasionally get it out for

the boys to have a go at.

They love it because its a mechanical machine and

enjoy trying to figure out how it works and creating things.

First borns previous creation

This time they were sewing cards,

even the third born (4) has a go

Sometimes I am scared sensless by the little voice in my head

that reminds me of all the things that could go wrong,

but I like to encourage them to try everything

and learn to be responsible and respect things.

On Sunday, the second born just wanted to

cut, paste and glue

This is what he created for his mum

This one goes

"straight to the pool room"

if I had one, instead it's on my dressing table

Hope you are having a lovely week

Jacqueline

Handmade Christmas Challenge

I am joining in on the

Handmade Christmas Challenge

organised by

Knicky Knacks.

This week, I am doing a plug for

Jessica, the creative South Australian behind

Odds n Blobbs

Jessica sells lots of lovelies in her

Madeit Store

and Etsy Store...

Passport Covers and Sleep Eyemasks,

Great for the traveller

Handbound Journal Covers

  2011 diarys

Zipper Pouches,

along with lots of other goodies,

Jessica has a great range of fabrics

pop over and have a peek.

Have a nice weekend

Jacqueline

River Update

Well, we definately have water in the river now,

this shot is the section of river that the boys were sitting in

on the last post.

Behind the weir

The river has risen in town

since I took these pics,

it is contained - just 

The Wimmera Bridge

Looking across at Southbank

Looking towards the weir

We have had water in the river this year,

Just not this much!

There are smiling faces and a 

 steady stream of traffic driving down to look at the river.

There is also talk around town

as to how this flood was managed,

some farmers crops have been washed away

after they were looking so promising.

This has raised much debate about diverting water to

dry recreational and disused lakes in the wimmera

to try and lessen the impact of the flood 

See what happens next...

Jacqueline

Rain!

This weekend we are expecting some significant rain.

Our area has been in drought for about 12 years,

hot, dry, dusty, poor crops and severe water restrictions.

Dry lakes, creeks and rivers,

local business has suffered, and tourism has suffered.

These shots are of the lovely Wimmera River which runs through

Horsham, they were taken in March 2009,

when you could walk across the river.

The drought had exposed the original bridge

You can see, from this shot, the size of the river bed.

The river had become just a series of stagnant puddles.

We have recieved rain over the last few months,

the river is looking lovely agian, a little while ago,

the wier gates were even opened because of the swollen river!

The rain we are expecting now is just moving across

South Australia, should be here tonight,

maybe it will change these

Wimmera Water Storages :)

Bellfield in Halls Gap - this yr 45% - last yr 25%

Lake Fyans - this yr 52% - last yr 30%

Lake Lonsdale - this yr 38% - last yr 10%

Rocklands Resivour - this yr 7.3% - last yr 2%

Wartook in the Grampians - this yr 94% - last yr 54%

many others are still dry.

Total Storage for the Wimmera....

this yr 20.8%

last yr 9.1%

As you can see, there is still a long way to go,

but our water situation is looking much healthier,

with more on the way....

Jacqueline

PS There is a local family of 5, taking an extended trip up the centre

and down the west, they have been gone all term

lucky them, if you wish to look at some fantastic shots,

and see what they are up to pop over here

Lets Go Moerkabout!

June Departures

A custom made 9 metre bunting for Alison, Karratha, WA

A "Hugo" Name Garland for Alison, Murtoa, Vic

A Spotty Bunting for Maja, Cantebury, NSW

"Islay" and "Mikiyas" Name Garlands

for Paige, Armidale, NSW

A Name Garland for Kate

"Allegra"

Northmead, NSW.

You can see the name garland in action

at this beautiful photo shoot

HERE

A Pink Floral Bunting went off to

Loretta, Emerald, QLD

Another Red Ned Bunting

 has a new home at Kirstie's, Moree, NSW

And, an "Abigail" Name Garland

for Melissa, Bateman, WA

Hope your week is going well

Jacqueline :)