Treasure Hunt

On the last 'child free' day of my LSL - I didn't actually do a vast amount, but I was happy with what we achieved.
We being Mr & Mrs Skivvy & I (or should that be me, Mum?)
I needed the extra hands to hold the ladder - and provide the ladder itself - so I could trim some branches above the vege gardens & let a little more sun in, plus trim the spent flowers off the bottlebrush in the front garden (so it doesn't get too 'woody' looking).

Catching Up

I have a lot to catch up with since the computer crash & our holiday - but I'll try to keep it short & sweet.
I can't say what I did on which day - can't remember exactly.

Irrigation
I finished setting up the irrigation system for the vege gardens.

I used two sizes of this tube to clamp the ends of the irrigation pipes.

I slid the tube over the bent ends like so.

I also set up a drip irrigation system for the new pots on the front deck.  These pots will be planted with herbs.

 Chicken Mitigation

Here you can see the back of the 'planks' we installed to stop the chickens throwing the mulch onto the 'soccer pitch' (or lawn).

Trellis
I installed trellis - using tomato wire - on the fence at the back of the vege gardens.
Mrs Skivvy (Mum) helped by holding the roll of wire while I hammered in the supporting nails.

I didn't have wire cutters strong enough to trim off the excess.  Still, it's a safe place to store it for the time being.

Nails were simply hammered in place & bent up to secure the wire.

 The Swarm
 Little more than a week after the bees arrived we noticed some strange behaviour. Lots of bees were gathering outside the entrance to the hive, and those going in didn't seem to be carrying any pollen.
When I noticed them carrying dead bees out of the hive, and a significant number on the ground already I decided to call Col.

Bees gathering around the (closed) hive entrance

 Col informed me that I had a SWARM.  That is another nearby hive (within 700m) had grown too big and had to break up.  The bees had smelt my colony and decided to try and take over their hive instead of finding a new one of their own.  Who ever thought of bees as lazy?
He told me to close off the hive for 24 hours and see what happened.  If the swarm remained after that time then I should hose them, often.
They did, and I did, at least as often as I could. But in the end I decided to let nature take its course, I wasn't home enough to make a difference with the hosing.

I don't know who won - but we are back to a functioning hive again.

Dead bees litter the ground under the hive.

 Tanks
The week before Easter our two front tanks arrived and were installed.  A 5kl tank beside the side fence, and a 4kl one under the front deck, behind the stairs.
The tanks are colourbond steel, in Classic Cream, the same colour as the trim on the house.

The largest tank is manoeuvred into place.

The completed tank system.

The view from the street.

 Fairly unobtrusive don't you think?  We think Eddie (our tank man) did a great job finding the best solution for our space - he really did a heap of work investigating what would fit and how to get them in.  Thanks for the recommendation R&N.  They should be even more unobtrusive when I get some fruit trees planted beside that fence.

We still have two more smaller (2kl each) plastic tanks to go in behind the shed.  The front ones will be mainly for the washing, and the rear ones for the garden.
And with all the rain we have had the last few days the first two are filling quickly!

Dragon Fruit
I've also planted a Dragon Fruit - I think they are ugly plants, but the fruit is nice to eat, and gorgeous to look at, so I thought I would try one.  I've planted in the back corner behind the shed where it can grow over what is left of the mango, and I can't see it except when I want to.
The one I have bought has the red flesh.

 Tasmania
Over the Easter school holiday we went to Tasmania, primarily to visit my Dear Brother (DB) & meet his Lovely Lady (LL).  It was L6 & J4's first visit to the state.
One place I really wanted to visit was the Botanic Gardens - especially to see the Gardening Australia vegetable garden.  Fantastic - so many fruit trees.  And they are building a temporary kitchen garden, prior to a larger permanent one with a real education focus.
I didn't take any photos in the vege garden, but I did photograph some of the herbs, once I think I might want to add to my garden, rather than having to write it all down!

The view from the herb garden

Purple Sage

Golden Marjoram

Lemon Scented Savoury

Salvia & view

I just loved the glimpse of colour through this doorway, and the warm glow of the convict made bricks.

L6 took this photo of the compost bins tucked against the wall.  Just the same as ours!

Beautiful colour!

 Hard at Work!
We helped at a working bee for one of DB's friends.  These are a regular occurrence - approximately once a month or so by the sound of it.  There is a real co-operation and sharing.  A social occasion, as well as helping out your friends.  Also a lot of sharing of equipment & materials.  "I don't need that left over wood under my house, could you use it?", "This couch is uncomfortable for me, would it suit your studio?"
It was a privelege to be invited along.  And I got to see a couple of wonderful gardens.  The soil here is quite poor, very sandy, so raised beds are the order of the day for vegetables.  But the wildlife is prolific (DB &LL live on 100 acres of bush) so the beds have to be fully enclosed to keep out the possums, wallabies etc.  So I now have another use for all that poly pipe - to support a curved roof of netting over my gardens and keep the possums & brush turkeys out of my garden.
Another wonderful idea was using left-over or old guttering hanging on the side of the vege enclosure to grow strawberries and herbs.  I'll try to get some photos to show you.

The highlight of the working bee for the boys was the fires - to burn off the bracken etc we were clearing from the paths, and the toilet.  The main task of the day was to dig a new toilet pit (easier than expected due to the sandy, but still firm, soil - but I wasn't involved, and move a fully enclosed dunny, complete with rainwater barrel & sink for hand washing, from elsewhere on the property.  And here it came!  Sitting atop two large logs and being dragged behind a 4WD ute!  With two of the workers hanging on behind as if riding a sledge!
Once it was nearby we slid two beams underneath and, on the count of three lifted.  Under the expert direction of one lady, we lowered it into the exact position first time!  I really hope I can get hold of some photos for you.

We also helped DB clear an area near his wood BBQ.  The boys enjoyed helping with this as well - the fire again being a big drawcard!

L6 pushing the wheelbarrow full of bracken.

J4 empties the wheelbarrow & throws the contents onto the bonfire.

SMD fully rigged out in safety gear to 'whipper-snip' the bracken near the BBQ

 Port Arthur
We had a lovely day at Port Arthur. And I got another couple of ideas for our garden.
We did explain as much as we thought they could understand about Port Arthur - and the massacre.  We were living in Launceston at that point in time.  Vivid memories of hearing & seeing the reports live on the Sunday night - while at indoor soccer.  But going back now, it still strangely has a wonderful sense of peace about it - as it always did for me.  It is just such a beautiful place.

Love the woven fence around this vege garden at the Commandant's house.  Might try this as a garden edging near the shed - using the Sacred Bamboo.

A beautiful robin the the memorial garden.  And a lovely screen of native grasses.  Where can I put something similar?

 Well - it is my last child-free day before starting back at work next week.  Still some jobs to do, but I have to sort my tax out first (Damn!) or I'll be in trouble with the tax office.

The seeds have arrived from the Digger's Club today as well.

I hope you haven't been completely bored by this long post.  I'll try to keep them a lot shorter now.

Happy Easter
Ravs

What's Up?

My computer is back, and sort of working, but not quite.  Can't get the wireless up, or the USB & card reader, so I can't download photos, or access the internet.  I'm borrowing Himself's (henceforward to be referred to as SMD = Soccer Mad Dad) work laptop briefly to write this - but can't download photos to it either.  So I'll fill you in later on the excitement of day 15.

Except for one thing.

L6 can tie his own shoelaces!!!!!!!!!

Was just about to leave to take J4 to kindy when L6 came out of the house, one red Converse style sneaker on, one in his hand, and said "Mum, look what I did", putting his foot forward and pointing.

And there, right in front of me was a beautifully tied bow!  I was absolutely thrilled! We have been working on it maybe once or twice a week for a while (when I remember and have time), with me tieing one lace while he tries with the other (and I then retie tighter).  I was about to make a lace tieing practice card - now I don't have to.

Haven't had to touch his shoes since.  Soooooooo proud.

Off to Tassie in the morning.  Staying with my brother.  Haven't been down since just pregnant with L6.  Might be able to blog from there - he's a computer guru.

Have a great Easter otherwise.
Ravs

PS - just found a great site about shoelaces, with tips for teaching kids & explaining why they often come undone.

Knackered!

gAlmost a whole week without posting - and the reason?  I'm knackered!  Plus Mr Skivvy has taken my computer to get it fixed (god how I love not having to deal with that stuff) - so I haven't had access since Monday anyway.  I'm at M&D's place now using one of their computers.

The reason I'm so worn out?  Ambulance ride at midnight Monday.  Actually, just after midnight Tuesday.
Kept L6 home Monday, thinking he probably could have managed school, then he wakes up at 11.30pm that night with shocking croup & strider.  2 Ambulances (because the first was closer, but not equipped to transport kids). Oxygen, Adrenalin & later corticosteroids.  We are sooooooo fortunate to have such a good ambulance service, and the paramedics are wonderful, really professional & nice to boot.

It wasn't as bad as it sounds really, L6 was a champ & very calm, did everything he was asked to.  He slept in short stay, but I couldn't, too many babies crying in distress.  Feels like the croup season came early.  Still trying to catch up on the sleep.  L6 OK, back at school by Wednesday.

I have continued with making the Suffolk Puffs, great for in front of 'Scorpion Island' at night.  And have managed to fit some gardening in as well - though not as intensively as usual.

Days 13 & 14 Monday 11th & Wednesday 13th March

Garden
This is for you Felicity!
Drip Irrigation - laying the groundwork for a lazy gardener. - 1st Installment.

I chose 13mm polypipe - remember? From the tip shop? This acts as the main line from the tap.  To seal off the end fold it over & clamp.  Couldn't find any clamps the right size, so I used wire tie in the interim.

Irrigation pipe folded & clamped to seal.

 I laid the main line out from the end back towards where the tap is going to be.  And pegged it down between each vege bed.

The pegged down pipe

The main line against the fence & the three drip lines cut ready to attach.

 Then I cut lengths of 6mm drip line.  This is more flexible poly pipe with holes already pierced & reinforced at intervals.  The instructions say to space them at 300mm (30cm) intervals, so I cut three lengths for each bed.

From my reading this drip method seems to be the most water efficient, most cost effective & lowest maintenance. Better than using all those miniature sprinklers.

Hole punch & tap.

 Attaching the drip lines to the main line involves piercing a hole in the 13mm pipe and fitting a tapping piece.
I bought a tool that will pierce 3 different size holes, 4mm, 6mm & 10mm.  If the hole is too big the system will leak or fall apart.

Piercing the holes at the correct intervals.

Of course the ends of the drip line also have to be plugged.  I tried some 12mm clamps for this, but they were too loose - so have found an alternative solution.  But I haven't implemented it yet.  I'll show you later.

Tapping piece attached.

Drip line pushed over tapping piece.

I attached all the drip lines, but just left them laid out on top of the beds - until I can finish them off.

12mm clamp

Once the drip line ends are plugged I can mulch over the top.  The vege rows will be placed between them.

I laid another set for the hay bale bed.  The two main lines will be joined with a T-piece & then to the tap.  But I have to wait for the tap for that!

12mm clamp over folded 6mm drip line - too loose!

Vege Bed with drip lines.

Chicken Mitigation

gDay 12 Friday 8th April

Garden

Another wet day today - but colder.  A great excuse to wear my new gumboots.

Gumboots for 'toile'ing in the garden!

Aren't they cool?  Don't you just love the toile fabric look?  I had been thinking of getting a pair and was in Target getting new sneakers for J4, who has worn the toes out on his others, when I spotted these. Down from $30 to $21!  Really comfy too.  There were other patterns, but as a sewer I just had to have this one!  I can't remember the last time I owned a pair.

Mr Skivvy came over & we finished off a job Himself started quite a while ago - adding a plank to the top of the retaining walls to stop the chickens flicking the mulch down onto the lawn.
Himself had done quite a few, and prepared the stakes to screw to the back of all the rest (these stakes are hammered into the ground to hold the plank in place).  We just had to measure & cut (my first time using a circular saw - scary but fun, and fast!), screw the stakes on & then hammer them in place in the garden.

Himself was very pleased when he saw the job finished.  He no longer has it hanging over his head, and we shouldn't have to pick up after the chickens as much.

Another tick off the list!

Ravs.

Sew Little

Day 11 Wednesday 6th April

I did so little gardening today - none in fact.  Unless you count buying some large pots and herb & vege potting mix ready for the herb garden on the front deck.
Oh, and some trellis wire for the vege beds.

But I did do some
Sewing
After childcare drop off, garden shopping, and literacy groups at L6's school I made it to the Chermside Library for the fortnightly Sisters of Stitch (SOS) group.
Honestly, some of the work being done among the groups members is absolutely exquisite!

But I was just working on something simple.

The day after refashioning the felted vest last week a note came home from L6's school asking for volunteers & donations for the Mother's Day stall next term.  I thought about what I could do and had a brain wave to make some more of the Suffolk Puff flowers as brooches.  They should be popular with the kids.  I even already have brooch backs.

The reason it is possible is that the Clover Yo-yo maker really does speed up the process, compared with the usual template method.  Yo-yo is another name for Suffolk Puffs.

My output thus far, with the small & large Yo-yo makers & a jar of buttons.

I plan to make a few more, including some from the grey stripe felt that I used for the vest, and then play with combinations & buttons until I find ones I like.  I'll post a photo of some of the finished product.

Here is something else I saw at SOS.  A lady opposite was knitting with this beautiful soft grey wool, and after a while this is what the ball looked like.

Doesn't it make a fantastic pattern?  My friend Mel has really made me start to look at ordinary things more closely.  Have a look at some of her fabrics here.

More soon
Ravs

To Bee, or not to Bee - is no longer the question!

Day 10 Monday 4th April

Garden
The Bee Question Answered
Actually - this happened on Sunday - Col delivered my (our?) bees in their hive!

J4 trying to get a bee to crawl onto his hand!

The bees are native stingless ones.  They are tiny, black & gentle.  They also only come out once the temperature reaches 17 C or higher.  If the bumblebee, a cold climate bee, ever makes it to the mainland, especially Qld these beautiful animals could be in trouble - they just would have so much less collection time.

The funny 'hat' is to help stabilise the hive's temperature.

The hive entrance.

These social bees make honey just like the honey bee, only slower, they are a lot smaller after all.  I couldn't get a good photo of one today, but we saw lots entering the hive with their legs covered in pollen.  They have been sited with the hive entrance facing approx NE right next to the passionfruit vine, in the first spot to get the sun in the morning.  They should be very happy here.  I am ever so excited to have these hard little workers to help in my garden - along with our other hard working 'pets', the chickens & the worms.

Did you know that most of Australia's bees are solitary?  It is really fascinating stuff.  This is a great site for information about our native bees.

Fencing
On Monday (Day 11) Mr Skivvy and I worked our b...s off, only stopping once for lunch.  I didn't realise how hard I had actually worked him until he left (after a mug of tea).  But we felt really good about it.

Almost since we moved in to this house over 5 years ago Himself (especially) has been concerned about the possibility of children falling off the edge of the lawn, over the retaining wall, and onto the pavers under the deck.  This worry increased after we landscaped the backyard - and added an extra 'step' to this drop.  And one child, visiting to play soccer, did fall down this first 'step'. So a few weeks ago we bought the materials to prevent this happening.

This is what it looked like 'before', or with only the fence posts up.  Getting them lined up and vertical was the longest part of the job - seeing the retaining wall base isn't perfectly aligned itself.

And then after all our hard work......

This shows you exactly what the drop is like - and why Himself was concerned about it!

The final result - not bad.

It was dark when we got home from collecting children (we went to the golden arches for dinner, as I hadn't had time to think and both the local thai and chippy are closed on Mondays), so it took Himself a little while to notice the change.  I had told him I planned to do some preparation work, but didn't let on I was also going to try to put the whole thing up!  He, L6 & J4 were thrilled!  Now they can use the full width of the pitch!  And he doesn't have to find the time to put the fence up himself.

Now I have another trellis to grow vines on.  Or I wonder how espaliered fruit trees would go here?  Whatever I do, they will have to be in large pots sitting on the gravel on the far side of the fence.  Hmmmm?

Today J4 & I added four further trellises to the garden, two at each side. I would rather not have them, I don't think they add to the aesthetics of the garden.  Their purpose then?  To reduce the frequency with which the soccer ball goes over the fence into the neighbours yards!  They have been placed directly behind the goalposts.
Are you getting a picture of a family of soccer mad boys?

  Sewing
As promised - here are the before & after photos of the felted woollen vest I finished refashioning on Friday.
It started out as a daggy hip or thigh length grey woollen jacket.

After felting, before refashioning.  15mm hole near bottom right front.

After refashioning.  Suffolk Puff & button flowers cover the hole, repeated at neck opening.  6 strand embroidery floss in matching colour to buttons, used to buttonhole stich around armhole openings.

 The larger Suffolk Puffs are made from that felted kimono jacket whose fabric I also used in the Junky Styling scarf.  The smaller puffs are scraps from my quilting, the buttons are from another cardigan I have recently felted, and the embroidery floss is from goodness knows what.  The vest is waist length on me.

It is intended as a gift for someone special.  I hope she likes it.  But what do you think?

TTFN
Ravs