Instagram V Blogging

I may have previously mentioned how I'm often late to the party when it comes to trend-setting, leading the way, laying the path or setting the pace.  I tend to sit back, take it all in, mull it over, and then frequently miss the whole thing.  For example, I'm still not convinced skinny-legged coloured jeans are the answer.  And not sure if that Facebook thing's ever going to take off.

To cut a long story short, I've finally jumped aboard the Instagram train.  But in doing so, unintentionally abandoned the Blogger vehicle.  A situation I'm hoping to remedy.

This past week has seen a little entertaining,

some cricketing action

for some,

while others were busily engaged in assignment activity, six assignments, no less.

Year 9's a tough gig.

A rainy day saw some curtain fabric pulled from the cupboard.

After buying it online, I was rather disappointed when it turned up in the mail a couple of months back.  

Thus its positioning at the back of the sewing cupboard.

It's sewn up quite well though.

I won this cookbook and enjoyed flicking through it this afternoon.  

Pete's penchant for using ingredients not found in my pantry, or even perhaps my local Woolies indicate we may not agree on casual home cooking styles.

These six beautiful Brangus heifers arrived this week to be flushed.

Unfortunately they left their manners at home.

This is a rare shot of them front-on.  They've spent much of the past two days with their heads stuck in a corner of the yards.  Nice to see your faces girls.

The pups are nearly five months old.  

We've been practising a little intensive training.

Sometimes cuddling works better.

Predictions of a wet Winter for us hitting the mark.

The mandarins have coloured up nicely and are being enjoyed during afternoon chores.

My suggestion to take a basket full along to next week's sports carnival met with anguished cries.

Apparently they aren't to be shared.

My beloved milkers have been needled, ready for AI-ing.

Both Brown Swiss and Jersey semen procured.

My husband brought home a milking machine last week.
It just needs a little work.

My thoughts exactly Priscilla.

Weekend Warriors

Me and my gang weekended at Bottle Tree.

There were bulls to be taken out ... again.  Not content with enjoying each other's masculine company over the Winter months, they wreaked havoc on fencelines and re-joined the girls.  It keeps us on our toes.

See those two pesky black bulls in amongst the grey stud cows.  Not meant to be there.
We caught up with some old cow-friends,

and contemplated weaning.

With calves nearly as big as their mamas, it's almost time.

With fences to mend, bulls to draft and one last little group of big calves to brand, we filled in the weekend.

We even found evidence of a rock slide on Mount Figtree,

pleased to have missed the actual event.

Mother's Day saw an amazing assortment of gifts and cards from my team,

This calendar from Sally explaining the extended absences each evening this past week as she locked herself in the office.

I love it.

Of course Mother's Day without two flat tyres and an extended walk may have been even better.

Special thanks to Nanny and Grandad for rescuing us.
Some weeks I'm pleased to see Monday come round.

Because it's Sunday ...

... the dress code can be somewhat relaxed.

Because it's Sunday ... we can eat chocolate cake still slightly warm from the oven for smoko.

Because it's Sunday ... we can eat fried chicken for lunch,

and enjoy it with salad.

Because it's Sunday ... I avoided butchering duties, opting to wash kitchen windows, though peered outward occasionally.

{This sign proffered by my Mum all too apt unfortunately}.

The children were so excited by the window-cleaning act, they kept exclaiming things like:

"Caw Sally, you've got to come and see this".  The visiting three extras weren't nearly as bedazzled.  I explained to my four, they've obviously seen clean windows before.  It further affirmed my view that performing the task less regularly certainly added to the enjoyment when it was done.

Tired of fighting the battle with mildew on the windowsill behind the sink, I cheated and after a light sanding, slapped a coat of high gloss enamel straight over the top.

Because it's Sunday ...

we enjoyed a cold ale with our friends when they picked their children up enroute to their home two hours away.

And because it's Sunday ...

there'll be toast for tea.

Saturday on the Farm

You'll be pleased to hear yesterday's Acco-venture went without hiccup.  A load of cattle transported to Bottle Tree without major incident, a procession of 'slow' signs as opposed to 'stop' signs through the various roadworks between here and town, and then green lights most of the way through civilisation.  A lucky day indeed.

Today started with a breakfast recently sighted on one of those cooking shows.  Crepes rolled with a filling of ham and gruyere cheese.

A hearty start to a day filled with strainers ...

and pliers,

and ending with a completed fence-line.  Fred the retired wonder-dog joined us, too precious to travel in the back of the ute with most of the kids,

he takes pride of place on the back seat.

We returned home in that golden hour of beautiful Autumn lighting,

with enough time for Dad to put a little more work into the dog cages,

while chores were completed.

A bumper crop of mandarins have everybody watching for a change of colour,

though lemons are good to go.

Ruby kept a close eye on Mama Pig

while this fat porker enjoyed his last supper.  With hungry children with a penchant for bacon, ham or sausages for breakfast, he'll enter the cold room tomorrow afternoon.