Alexa - A Simple Life » Adventure http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com Living simply and content Thu, 29 Jun 2017 03:00:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.40 Farmer gets a wife http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/farmer-gets-a-wife/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/farmer-gets-a-wife/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2017 09:58:37 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2335 of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living, old homestead , stone cottage, visiting a farm with children, cookery the Australian way, scones

Impressions from my sister in law.
Memories of 1978.

#farmergetsawife
Agriculturalists gets a wife
City bride new to the country
City spouse new to the country
City girl marries her farmer
City miss weds her rancher

All of the above are depending on from where you live in this world.
Different expressions….same meaning

“I married my beloved farmer or rancher as the Americans say. A young lady who lived nowhere near the country but by the sea. Near Semaphore in Adelaide, South Australia.

We had a four day honeymoon on Kangaroo Island, a remotish tourist destination where the only access was via a two hour ferry trip down the Port River and over the ocean. Being a roll on roll off ferry we were able to take our car to explore this rugged place.

On our return and in light of the fact that this boat berths unpleasantly early we sat in our car outside of my parents home waiting for them to wake up. Waiting for the household to show signs of stirring.

I was particularly looking forwards to seeing my mother; and which girl doesn’t!

Knowing likewise that I would not be seeing her again for quite a while to come.
A new country wife living a few hours away where distances are measure by time depending on the roads.

Well all this came to nought. No happy catch up time. No time for chit chat.

#farmergetsawife, country living, country isolation, homesteading, memories of 1978

Country life line

Rather, a call had been received from my parents in law asking that we return to the farm property immediately for my husband to help with the grain cleaning. In those days you needed to wait having made a booking for a man to go to your property or ranch on a set day to do this job …well that time slot had come early!

So with my heart heavy we headed to my new life with dear husband who didn’t even have any work clothes with him. Fortunately there were some extra garments sitting at the main farm for him. Work boots, jeans or shorts, flannel shirt or T-shirt and the ever present hat of sorts.

As for me, after dropping my man off I proceeded down the white unsealed road with scrubby bush on either side, trusting that I would wind up at my new home, an old stone cottage with resident snake!

All roads here have a striking resemblance with each other to the uninitiated city folk….directions can go like this- go two Kms , then turn right and go another two Kms. At the telegraph pole turn right over the sheep grid and follow the road to the house. I must say it’s far easier to do in the day.

There was no new bride to be carried over the threshold. I ventured into our stone cottage myself.

#farmergetsawife, country living, country isolation, homesteading, memories of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living

of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living, old homestead , stone cottage

But I love our life here. Over the years we’ve lived in a few different houses. First was that stone cottage.

Now our son runs the farm with hubby working for him. New ways, new methods, new ideas, new generation, new energy, new grandsons.

Cycles of family life.

Alexa back here again.
Our cycles of life
The years roll by
Silently but ever moving

of 1978, country life, country wife, rural living, old homestead , stone cottage, visiting a farm with children

Our family visiting the Farm

Now I must search out that pastie recipe from an old school book when we did Home Economics at High School. My sister in law bakes an awesome one.
Best eaten on a cold day which is the opposite to what we have here presently in Australia. Summer heat waves. Yet I guess you could eat it with a salad.
I think I will wait though so that the oven does not over heat the already warm house.

What a pity I did not keep my copy when I culled all my books during our recent move. The modern copy is rather pricey now.
Live and learn.

Recipe of pasty…….
Page 7 of 8
“Cookery the Australian Way” 50 some years old and still serving and teaching our young.

Memories are the threads of life
A tapestry in the making

Alexa-asimplelife

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/farmer-gets-a-wife/feed/ 2 Spring is in the Air http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/spring-is-in-the-air/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/spring-is-in-the-air/#comments Wed, 28 Sep 2016 06:59:09 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2247 Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge , Lavender

Preparing for evening

Today the sun does shine beautifully here in Sydney.
Contrast to yesterday when the same sun was out but the wind nearly blew one over. Even sitting here in the kitchen I could hear the wind gusts roaring through some tall gum trees at a park over the road.

I know in some parts of Australia we are expected to receive some bad weather today with flooding that has already been going on for days with its associated heartache.

Considering the wind yesterday we caught a brief lull and managed a quick game of “Rugby” in the back yard with young grandsons. Let’s tackle grandma was the call to which I replied and acted, let’s TICKLE you!

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge , Boys play
Lucky that they are still only five and under. There will come a time when it’s time to stand at the sidelines and direct!

The sun with its awakening rays bring weeds and flowers alive together in abundance.

Joy for the soul at the mass of riotous colour from easy to grow Nasturtiums, hardy Calendulas, bright Geraniums and tough Heartsease.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums, chickens

Raised Garden

Easy to grow but patience required during the long dark days of winter with Roses in hibernation.
Note to self – plant some of the above earlier and and do an extra later planting too. I’ve had to prune some of the nasturtiums back a bit today….no pain no gain

As we have only been in this house for three seasons next year I will know how this garden grows and flowers. I am really hoping the Figaro Dahlias come back again from their corms as they were brilliant last year. I was able to cut them back twice and got Dahlias on Steroids as my daughter called them

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums, chickens, Calendula, Heartsease ,

Calendula and Heartsease

Heartsease thriftily divided , one nice plant into four and then again as they grew
Calendulas price slashed and nursed along from sad straggly seedlings. These are tough. It’s the first time that I have grown these.
Nasturtiums were grown from seeds
Geraniums from cuttings. As they grow I take more cuttings from the “Mother Bush”.
“Big Red” a much appreciated gorgeous potted geranium left behind by the previous owner. Fabulous for colour in the drab of Winter

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge upkeep,

Hedge Trimmer at work

The warmth brings the hedges out of their slow and dormant growth. Time for a green haircut by my man and his garden toys.

So too does the warmth bring out our little grandsons when visiting. They love to poke, prod, dig, cut and chop in the garden all under the supervision of either myself or grandpa dear.

We did miss them though with their chatter when we attended to some gardening chores last weekend.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers, potted geraniums, chickens

“Chicken Heads”


But a lovely reminder was there for us should we lift our eyes to the front steps next to a flowering pot of red Geraniums.

The easiest of craft activities if little hands become tired of wearing disposable gloves just like Grandma for digging.
Fill them with soil instead and get Grandma to tie a knot. Instant chickens that do not need feeding.

Now the afternoon sun causes the kitchen to glow as it illuminates and makes the yellow Nasturtiums appear translucent in their vase on the window ledge. These are complimented beyond the window by the golden hedge on our boundary and a golden tree in its Spring coat.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, cut flowers
Did I say that I love Spring!

Hope you all have a good day.
Find something to lift your spirit even if only briefly.
Pause a while.

Spring is in the air, gardening in spring, propagate plants, Adventure, children, Fun in the fresh air, Gardening with children, grandchildren, Memories, raise a child, sense of adventure, figaro dahlia, Nastertiums , geranium, Big Red Geranium, orange blossom, pruning hedges, hedge

Sun soaked Orange Blossom’s sweet perfume

Alexa-asimplelife

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/spring-is-in-the-air/feed/ 6 More than skin deep http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/more-than-skin-deep/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/more-than-skin-deep/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2016 12:36:41 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1368 More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks, fuel tanks, Hahndorf , new car, old homestead

What do you see
Your first impression
When you compare

First fleeting impressions hit the eye immediately.

How plain
How happy
How tall she walks
How sad they look
How harried they appear
How naughty that child

Wow, beautiful or handsome
Wish I had some of that

But that is only an impression
Not the true picture

Yet rarely do we say anything of people’s character
That they have a generous spirit
Are kind or thoughtful
You child are trying so very hard

These thoughts arose after looking through some photos I took recently of what at first may appear as junk, old, obsolete or old-fashioned….

“A gift to myself”
A visit to the country
Spending time to wander round
In quietness observe with a different eye
Sights and impressions not noticed in an everyday rush

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks, fuel tanks, Hahndorf , new car, old homestead

The very first morning I hurried outside to make the most of beautiful weather not knowing what the morrow would bring.
I needed to savour these delights.

As the days continued I found more treasures to lift my soul.
Sights unseen on the ordinary day

Colours, combinations, textures, shapes, shades, forms, sharp, soft, lofty or insignificant.

Images of time
Of labour
Of life
Past

Yet in essence they were rusted drums, old tanks, fencing wire, peeling paint, weary old stone cottage with its silent walls and long gone school children and families.

It presented me with beauty, character and charm in a palette of rich colours.

Then as I attempted to choose which photos to use I observed another layer of impressions.

How many lessons taught to bring education to children in this cottage school house

How many throats cooled and thirsts quenched from the now empty and old, rusted rain water tanks.

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks

How many Kilo-meters or miles of fencing put up over the years and repaired again and again

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts

Those drums asked how many machines were serviced to provide food and sustenance for this and other households over the decades

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living

How many litres or gallons of diesel used over the decades to to run a farm

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window, rain water tanks, fuel tanks

These shutters spoke of shelter from the rain or cooling relief from breezes.

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim

Old door
Battered door knob,
Big key hole for long shafted key
Sturdy lock standing the test of time

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint

How many bodies have brushed through this door
Slowly and carefully carrying a heavy load
Or rushing headlong as children do with much banging
How much joy or sadness entered these doors
Now stealthily visited by critters

How many different views through this now empty window

More than skin deep, Adventure, Australia, country, first impressions, home made, joy, Memories, More than skin deep, observe a lesson, Observe with a quiet spirit, sense of adventure, simple living, rural living, glass louvres, fly screen, antique wheel rim , antique door hinge, vintage paint, fencing wire, fence posts, old window

If walls could talk

Look around you, what do you see. More than skin deep. See depth. A multi layered depth.

What story do you see around you, yesterday, today, tomorrow.

Till later

Alexa-asimplelife

a-wise-woman-builds-her-home

Also Linking here

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/more-than-skin-deep/feed/ 5 Glamping … A new camping http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/glamping-a-new-camping/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/glamping-a-new-camping/#comments Mon, 25 Jul 2016 00:58:56 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=2079 Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, visiting Grandparents, how to keep young being a grandparent , easy fun with grandchildren, frangipani tree, frangipani

Glamping. A child’s perspective …

We have fun glamping

We have the glamping tents up lots
It’s real cool

Raining or sunny

They are so much fun

A place to chill

Or pretend,

‘specially us boy cousins

That’s the very “bestest fun”

All you need are sheets and cushions

LOTS

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, uses for old sheets

Grandma always has heaps for us to play with
They are her old sheets for fun stuff

Maybe even Grandma’s patchwork quilt if we can get it before she looks

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, grandmothers quilt, patch work quilt

We can make a BIG tent with LoTS of sheets for us ALL
We can make LITTLE tents for one person

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, patch work tent

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, patch work tent , playing hungry hippo
Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children
Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one

We use Grandma’s laundry Airer and lots of pegs
You have to fix the sheets to stay there
Grandma pegs the sheets to lots of things
Like the door handles and hooks on the wall and clips it in the windows

It’s funny when Grandma has to crawl in the tent ’cause she is big

We go Glamping on grandma’s back verandah.

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, rainy day fun

No pause button here. Beautiful endless youthful energy. Precious.


We have our own door too, which makes it more fun.

Because “us” boys have discovered that with a click we have our own “house” When the adults were talking we giggled and locked our door
“Hmmm…unlock the door please” they said

But that’s no fun!

We can make a HUGE tent outside too in a tree that has pink flowers in the hot sun. It has a funny name. Grandma knows what sort it is.

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, play tent in the sun

Really fun this sort of Glamping

We just have to get to Grandpa and Grandma’s house….

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, visiting Grandparents, how to keep young being a grandparent

Glamping...the new camping, pretend play, children, family time, grandmother, Imagination, imagination play, joy, make do, make time to play with children, Memories, play, raise a child, reconnect with children, camping with children, chill time, quiet time for children, play tent for one, visiting Grandparents, how to keep young being a grandparent , easy fun with grandchildren

“Please can we go mum”

Alexa-asimplelife

Find me also on Facebook

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/glamping-a-new-camping/feed/ 7 Australia Day at home http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/australia-day-at-home/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/australia-day-at-home/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:01:04 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1763 Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure,
Privileged to live in Australia
Retired
Grandparents
With time to spare
Or so we thought

Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, playtime fun with grandchildren,

Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, playtime fun with grandchildren, pretend play

We wouldn’t have it any other way
Wonderfully blessed
Making memories

AUSTRALIA DAY AT HOME
Jan 26 2015

A hard day here
Sitting on the back verandah on this Australia Day

Australia a land of contrasts indeed…
Deep fried in the intense heat yesterday
Grey, cool and overcast today
Wishing it was a trifle warmer with the sun showing its face
( we are never ever satisfied are we! )

Egg and bacon breakfast cooked by husband dear
Minding two grandies in their parents home
Children happy and content
Grandparents enjoying the luxury of a Verandah

Savouring the view over green lawn to surrounding bush
The old lush mulberry tree
Listening to the birds and their different melodies trying to out sing each other
Hearing the old hens give their distinct call

You know this is a home to a busy family
Basketball on the lawn
Tractor truck on the verandah
Bags of potting mix next to plants waiting to be potted

Long strips of curled up bark from the gum tree lying on the veranda from a made up and now discarded game of hop scotch (grandma did not want to be the first to draw with chalk on newly re painted decking)

Little boy calling out, grandma, I’m hungry

Joys of being a grandparent in this little corner of Australia

Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, Adventure, Australia Day, Australian bush, children, country, family, family time, Fun in the fresh air, grandchildren, joy, Memories, sense of adventure, playtime fun with grandchildren, , Australian Wattle

Our laid back Australia Day

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/australia-day-at-home/feed/ 0 Fresh Dill as a herb and memories http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/fresh-dill-as-a-herb-and-memories/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/fresh-dill-as-a-herb-and-memories/#comments Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:40:35 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1661 Fresh dill as a herb and memories, salmon rillettes, salmon dip, homemade salad, herb garden, make your own dip, make your own gourmet mixed salad, memories , fresh , dill, grow dill

Courtesy Jaeb@morgueFile free photos

Having just arrived home from a lovely driving visit interstate with family and friends I came across a refreshing recipe. It would be wonderful as an entree or for a gathering of friends and supper. Light, but I would say very moorish.

I would add a delicate sprig of fresh Dill as well for its wonderful scent and aroma.

Fresh dill as a herb and memories, salmon rillettes, salmon dip, homemade salad, herb garden, make your own dip, make your own gourmet mixed salad, memories , fresh , dill, grow dill, container gardening, raised vegetable garden

My dream raised garden

Dill brings back memories of my dear mother when she still had her own garden and little herb patch. Whenever we visited Mum always chopped up some Dill and added it to her wonderful mixed salad and home made dressing….between us three girls there would almost be arguments over who got more of this delicious trademark salad :)

Here is this refreshing recipe of Salmon Rillettes

Alternatively you could experiment just with some smoked salmon and flake it instead of the fish stated in Downtownshift.
I seem to recall a friend of mine does this, or is it potted shrimp…..Keren if you are reading, is this how your mum makes her dip? :)

…and so I’ll sign off for now and maybe do a bit of unpacking. The painful part at the end of a trip…..but I have many wonderful memories which will spur me on:)

From country to city and back again, day by day.

Fresh dill as a herb and memories, salmon rillettes, salmon dip, homemade salad, herb garden, make your own dip, make your own gourmet mixed salad, memories , fresh , dill, grow dill, container gardening, raised vegetable garden, country living, old homestead, garden gate, antique

Fresh dill as a herb and memories, salmon rillettes, salmon dip, homemade salad, herb garden, make your own dip, make your own gourmet mixed salad, memories , fresh , dill, grow dill, container gardening, raised vegetable garden, country living, Adelaide, Newmarket Hotel, Adelaide landmark,

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/fresh-dill-as-a-herb-and-memories/feed/ 2 Gratitude for this day http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/gratitude-for-this-day/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/gratitude-for-this-day/#comments Tue, 30 Sep 2014 11:20:03 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1468 Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, morgueFile free photos

morgueFilefree photos

My gratitude for today was being able to go out with all of my grandchildren ages 16 to 3, just me and them. Grandpa has another week of work till his temp work is finished.

Off to the park we went with all the requirements to keep little ones fed and watered and older ones occupied.

Like a long string of colourful beads we wound our way along the footpath. Two scooters and correctly garbed excited little boys. Colourful Bicycle helmets atop sun hats. Cool dark sunglasses on and exposed tender skin slathered with sunscreen for the adventure. Big lads with their scooter and bike in the lead for safety followed by one little scooter after another. Then grandma and sixteen year old granddaughter following each other and running to keep up with the fast fun happening ahead. We are pushing prams for the homeward journey when little scootered out legs are tired!

Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, frogs, frog, find frogs with children, nature fun with children, exercise stations in the park, keep fit with children, fun in the city, small yard so make your own fun , explore

Scootering is serious business for little boys. Full throttle and whizzing down hills and across a causeway over the creek.

One little boy remembers to stop and listen out for the frogs he heard the other day near the creek. It’s a little bit hard to put your hand behind your ear to listen when you have a sun hat and a bike helmet on. There are no frogs today.

Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, frogs, frog, find frogs with children, nature fun with children,

Courtesy binks@morgueFile free photos

Along the track we whizz, one on this side of a split track and me on the other as I try to take short cuts to keep up.

It’s fun. Then there are the many exercise stations dotted around this park where all the boys have to take a turn to try out. Scooters and bikes on the grounds in lazy abandon. The biggest one can manage a high chin up because he has the height of a man but the others still want a go. Little boys are lifted up so they can feel that they are “big” too.

Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, frogs, frog, find frogs with children, nature fun with children, exercise stations in the park, keep fit with children

Trying out

Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, frogs, frog, find frogs with children, nature fun with children, exercise stations in the park, keep fit with children, fun in the city, small yard so make your own fun , explore
Did I say it’s fun?

Now the playground and lunch and playground again and then to watch the eels. Those ugly things living in the lake along with various ducks, moorhens and lone pelican. I wonder where the swan was that lives there? Maybe it was nesting time somewhere in the reeds as it is spring here in Australia. Saw a family of ducks and their brood of ducklings sticking close together ….they weren’t on the agenda for the little boys today. It was a boys, cousins action day of fast fun time.

From here the older boys went home with friends to ride some more bikes at a pace more fitting older lads!

For the little boys then time to head home with grubby little faces and hands that had been washed numerous times already with wipes. They scootered for a while but then into the prams they gladly hopped for their chariot rides home in style. Scooters were slung over the top of prams, helmets on laps and cold bag from the lunch was slung over grandmas shoulder. Along we walked, my granddaughter and I, pushing those prams homeward bound and to brave the territory of that swooping bird again protecting its young…. It was my turn to be bombarded and swooped upon this time. Luckily I had my hat on and only felt its wings crash into me!

I did say it was fun didn’t I! On top of that it keeps me young and moving…although I do admit that I flaked out afterwards at home:)

But most importantly I am ever so grateful to have had the privilege of time to spend with family.

Do you have a small yard for the children?
Do you feel cooped in?
Do make time to find ways to get out in the fresh air and get those legs working. Those lungs pumping and those eyes finding new sights. Discover new horizons, they may be just around a few corners. Listen to the laughter and the yelling. True joy!

Make the time
Take the time
To connect
Have gratitude for today

Courtesy of B Thomas our brother in law. Circa 1955

Courtesy of B Thomas our brother in law. Circa 1955

Gratitude for this day, Adventure, connecting with grandchildren, exercise, family, family time, fun at the park, Fun in the fresh air, fun times with children, grandchildren, gratitude, happy, joy, keep fit, keep fit in retirement, Memories, raise a child, scooter fun, frogs, frog, find frogs with children, nature fun with children, exercise stations in the park, keep fit with children, fun in the city, small yard so make your own fun , explore, farmer and son,

Courtesy B Thomas our Brother in law. Circa 1955.
Time to connect

This link has some interesting thoughts. I found it when Googling for another meaning of gratitude.

Joining in for a Thankful Thursday

Joining in a bit late for IBOT with Essentially Jess

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/gratitude-for-this-day/feed/ 5 Red for cheer on an ordinary day http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/red-for-cheer-on-an-ordinary-day/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/red-for-cheer-on-an-ordinary-day/#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2014 06:05:53 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1393 Red for cheer, BSA-1949-B33-500cc, red motor bike, motor bike with side car, deciduous trees bare in winter, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer, Adelaide Hills, dusk, Serenety amongst the hustle, Stirling, spring flowers, ranunculus, anemone, spring bouquet , grow plants in basket,

Vibrant in your face red
Colour to cheer us on this dripping and grey Sydney day
Snap shots are from Adelaide on an even colder day

Beauty even amongst the everyday
Look
Observe
See
Inhale!

deciduous trees bare in winter, Hahndorf, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer

deciduous trees bare in winter, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer, Adelaide Hills, dusk, Serenety amongst the hustle, Glen Osmond

Red for cheer, BSA-1949-B33-500cc, red motor bike, motor bike with side car, deciduous trees bare in winter, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer, Adelaide Hills, dusk, Serenety amongst the hustle, Stirling, BSA owners club, S.A.

Red for cheer, BSA-1949-B33-500cc, red motor bike, motor bike with side car, deciduous trees bare in winter, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer, Adelaide Hills, dusk, Serenety amongst the hustle, Stirling, Winter scarf, fringed scarf, vibrant winter scarf

Red for cheer, BSA-1949-B33-500cc, red motor bike, motor bike with side car, deciduous trees bare in winter, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer, Adelaide Hills, dusk, Serenety amongst the hustle, Stirling, banksia, native flowers

Red for cheer, BSA-1949-B33-500cc, red motor bike, motor bike with side car, deciduous trees bare in winter, logging trucks, tourist walk, winter cheer, Adelaide Hills, dusk, Serenety amongst the hustle, Stirling, spring flowers, ranunculus, spring bouquet , hessian gift wrapping

Joining in for Wordless Wednesday

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/red-for-cheer-on-an-ordinary-day/feed/ 26 Duck Eggs and Gluten free cooking….memories http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/duck-eggs-and-gluten-free-cooking/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/duck-eggs-and-gluten-free-cooking/#comments Tue, 26 Aug 2014 04:02:22 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=871
Duck eggs and gluten free cooking, organic foods, simple living, grow your own garden, self sufficiency , herb garden, organic gardening, free range eggs, duck eggs in nest

Duck eggs by taliesin @ morgueFile free photos. With thanks

Duck eggs and Memories.

Duck eggs are fantastic for Gluten free baking according to a friend because the eggs are so rich!

Google “duck eggs” and you will find that there is an abundance of information from how to keep and raise ducks to cooking with duck eggs and Gluten free cooking.

Jamie Oliver the down to earth very popular cook gives a lot of cooking information. My mother too used them and a favourite of mine was her tray of Streusel cake which was a layer of plain cake topped with a thick layer of lumpy delectable streusel. Mother used the duck eggs for general baking because they were so large and given to us for free. I don’t think we ever ate them as scrambled or such, yet some people do like them.

A glance at a photograph of Duck Eggs sent to me some time ago on Facebook set off an avalanche of MEMORIES from my primary school years during the 60′s.

Duck eggs and gluten free cooking, organic foods, simple living, grow your own garden, self sufficiency , herb garden, organic gardening, free range eggs, duck eggs in nest

Photo by phaewilk@morgueFile free photos. With thanks

Living at “Bradley House” in Stirling in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.
Our old landlord Mr Voden. A Scotsman with a rumbling burr, his accent hard to understand at times.

He lived next door on a long property with the house near the top of the hill. There was a very narrow twin track drive way of white crushed limestone going from Mt. Barker Road all the way up to their house. Then a small narrow bridge linked the two properties near the main road. This is where my father would enter to park his motor bike (brought with us from Germany when we migrated). That narrow plank bridge went over a tiny creek which was an overflow from a spring.

In winter dad would have to be careful pushing his bike across as the wood became slick with frost….starting that bike six mornings a week was the local alarm clock for 7am :) . It was also our family’s mode of transport when dad put the sidecar on.

organic foods, simple living, grow your own garden, self sufficiency , motor bike for transport

organic foods, simple living, grow your own garden, self sufficiency , motor bike for transport, motor bike side car

These were the days before town water was connected for the house and garden. We depended on rain water tanks which in summer sometimes needed to be filled by the fire Brigade with water from elsewhere. Also two wells, one of which ran dry in summer. All watering was done by hand with a watering can. Mr Voden I seem to recall had a small dam with some sort of small generator pump.

Thinking back now and wishing that I could wander along with Mr Voden because he had the most amazing array of fruit and vegetables. Also bees, chicken, Bantams, ducks and geese, and possibly pigeons. It was like a huge market garden and he was always out there with his battered hat on his head…I suppose like a Highland Crofter in his home country….and he always brought us something. In retrospect, none of the above I really appreciated as a child.

Red currants, black currants, goose berries, blackberries, apples, quince, rhubarb, spinach,salads. We even ate the darker green leaves of the lettuce; good for iron our mother said as we dutifully swallowed it :)

Duck eggs and gluten free cooking, organic foods, simple living, grow your own garden, self sufficiency , raspberry bushes, raspberry canes, organic raspberries

Photo courtesy morgueFile free photo by Marcin-Modestowicz

But the most memorable were the RASPBERRIES. Fresh, plump, sweet and soft. Bejewelled Red fruit in a glazed bowl. A bowl that us three girls shared oh so carefully.

The red currants were nice with sugar, but black currants…none of us girls really liked them! Though now I know they are very healthy and I suppose we got our dose of Vitamins. The motto was waste not, and when, as now, families have a lean purse all good foods are used thankfully.

So, back to the present again and an observation.

Duck eggs and gluten free cooking, organic foods, simple living, grow your own garden, self sufficiency , herb garden, organic gardening,

Homesteading, growing Organic Foods, Sustainable Living, back to basics. These are the modern names given. But for us as children it was a way of life and we knew no different. It was a great way to raise children. There was that sense of adventure, fresh air, open space, simple rural living…then we grew up, moved to the city and life carried on. Nevertheless the love of gardening was entrenched….and I have my tiny patch of herbs and such to give me joy.

Now over to you dear readers. What memories have you recently been taken back to.

Till next time, and to be continued…
Alexa

Joining in with Essentially Jess for IBOT

Thanks to Self Sufficient Home Acre for this link providing some interesting reading about duck eggs and much more…happy reading
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/10/how-to-use-duck-eggs.html

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/duck-eggs-and-gluten-free-cooking/feed/ 4 The Traveller http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/the-traveller/ http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/the-traveller/#comments Tue, 12 Aug 2014 01:04:29 +0000 http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/?p=1342 Who are you
Where do you drive to on this so dark and lonely road.
Going past this dark and hidden farm house in quiet slumber.
Under clear skies
myriad constellations of stars
and cold, ice cold moon staring silently down.

Endless road.
Long dark ribbon straight ahead
Sweeping
to some lonesome level crossing.

A road trip with a purpose
A lonely drive
Being guided
by this Mallee Highway

Where do you go, this lonely car, so early in the morning
Driving on an endless quest to what, to where I know not.
Driving onwards and some more.

To sadness, to sorrow, to emergency
or to support and more
To be cheered, to share, to deliver
A new job?
Or what or where

And then

the heavy silence again
heard only in the country

These thoughts crossed my mind last night as I lay abed in this lonely farmhouse in the wee dark morning hours unable to return to sleep. Too many recent thoughts, impressions and emotions flitting through my mind.

I should have gotten up then to write, instead of scribbling in the car this morning, during OUR journey going from country to the city…

…and now with the traveller maybe long arrived at his destination and us arriving in the city for another day… I’m wishing for a homemade Florentine biscuit and a freshly brewed coffee to kick-start another day, again.

Thankful for this kindly gift of staying in the country with family.

ps…no photos today due to country broadband issues

Joining in with Essentially Jess for IBOT

]]> http://www.alexa-asimplelife.com/the-traveller/feed/ 0