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House Build Part 8
The house build still underway we ended the past week a little behind where we were hoping to be. Tasks Those were the tasks, unfortunately there were hit with some delays. Internal walls The internal walls still had a bit of work to be completed this week, some tidying up and the cornices to be installed. Monday 2nd Before the build started, we requested trades didn’t smoke in the house. We had no issue if they smoked around the yard, but we asked them to clean up their cigarette butts and packaging when done. With some of our family having lung issues and our home being non-smoking, it was important…
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Carbonara
Carbonara is one of those deceptively simple pasta dishes that makes you look like a more skilled cook than you might think. Despite its simplicity, it’s often ruined by the addition of cream, which has no place in traditional carbonara. Authentic carbonara contains no cream—just eggs, cheese, and cured pork. You can swap the spaghetti for bucatini or fettuccine, and while you can use bacon instead of pancetta or guanciale, replacing the eggs with cream is almost sacrilegious. the following carbonara recipe is the more traditional way of cooking a carbonara, however I often use the eye of the bacon instead of pancetta or guanciale as i like a leaner…
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House Build Part 7
With yet another flat out week behind us its time to update the house build.During the past week there were some delays but also a lot of progress. The original plan was Monday 26th the framers would be out to fix some frame work that wasn’t quite right. Tuesday 27th the crew would attend to start installing the internal walls. However we got word late Monday that council hadn’t updated their paperwork so the crew couldn’t attend. Basically when the frame is built council and the building company both need to sign off saying its to code. Well council inspected but didn’t lodge their paperwork so we had to wait.…
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Oryza sativa ‘Forbidden Black’ Rice Part 1
Lets grow some Oryza sativa ‘Forbidden Black’ Rice! Gardens are my passion, that is definitely an understatement. I view gardening as away to express myself and I enjoy experimenting. Which is often why I try growing everything, even when others recommend against it, from the seeds of apples that will take years to potentially set fruit, that might be unpalatable, to trying to collect and grow my own tulips from seeds which is around a 5-7 year process I should add. so it is no surprise to Lanky or anyone else who experiences my “passion” that the minute I seen i could get some upland rice seeds I dived on…
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House Build Part 6
House build part 6. If you would like to read previous house build updates head here. Friday 16th August As week 1 of bricklaying wrapped up, we were amazed by how many bricks the two blokes had laid. Their progress was impressive, and seeing the electrical and plumbing being set up for the drywall installation made us even more excited about the build moving forward. Friday 23rd August We couldn’t visit the property until Friday, the 23rd, due to work commitments. During our visit, we met the new site supervisor. During this time Lanky raised some concerns with the build so far. Concerns we raised: Besides raising our concerns and…
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Biological Soil Test Results
On Thursday, we had an agronomist visit to conduct several tests, including a biological soil test. Soil health is crucial for the success of any garden or farm, especially when employing sustainable practices like permaculture, regenerative farming, and organic farming. These soil tests offer valuable insights into the microbial activity and overall fertility of our soil. Last night, we received our biological soil test results. I’ll explain what each reading means and outline my plan to enhance our soil ecosystem for improved health and productivity. Soil Test Results: 1. Microbial Carbon: 401 µg C/g What It Means: Microbial carbon refers to the amount of carbon stored in the soil’s microbial…
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House Build Part 5
Read along to see how house build part 5 develops. Friday, August 9th: We headed out to the property for our weekly cattle check, and to our surprise, we found the first set of bricks laid in place! The sight of those initial bricks set our hearts racing with excitement. It brought back the familiar conversations we’ve had, full of anticipation: “We can’t wait until we can finally move in.” With each new milestone, the excitement grows, and our patience seems to dwindle. I’ve always thought of myself as a patient person, but lately, I feel more like a child on Christmas Eve, counting down the days until the big…
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A visit from the Agronomist Part 1
This afternoon, we arrived at the property just after lunch to meet with Adam, our local agronomist. Lanky and I, with our limited experience in pasture management, were eager to tap into Adam’s extensive knowledge and expertise. We were particularly grateful for his insights, as pasture management is an area where we knew we needed guidance. Upon arrival, Adam wasted no time in getting to work. He began by carefully examining our pasture, pointing out the various grasses and clover that made up the bulk of the vegetation. He identified several types of grasses, explaining their benefits and growth patterns, and also noted the presence of clover, which he said…
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Gardens part 1
As winter comes to an end, and with three weeks left until spring. I’m diving into detailed planning for our gardens. I’ll hold off on transplanting any crops until the last frost date has safely passed which is early October. This waiting period gives me ample time to start seeds, take cuttings, and meticulously plan out each section of the garden. I’ve chosen to focus on the area at the front of our property, just below the dam. This spot gives us about two acres to work with—a significant amount of space for gardening. Rather than rushing, I’m approaching the process thoughtfully, staying flexible with what we plant and where.This…
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House Build Part 4
We are up to house build part 4 if you would like to read previous updates head here . The waiting game is such a painful game. Funnily enough, you don’t need to play it for that long. This past fortnight felt like months, not weeks. We left the house with gutters on, eagerly anticipating the arrival and installation of the Colour-bond roof the following Friday. When the roof finally arrived, rain had drenched the property, bogging down the delivery driver. He drove off the driveway, and got stuck trying to get back on, and tore up part of our driveway, which now needs repairs. see stuck truck here. On…
