Christmas

Can you believe it, the middle of November is here. Where did the year go?

This year Claremont is hosting Christmas lunch again there will be about 20 family members and guests attending this year.

The theme for Christmas 2012 is Handmade. Everyone is making handmade gifts instead of expensive store bought items.

I thought I would share some of the recipes that would be served for Christmas lunch Australian style.

First - Lia's Potato Salad.

Ingredients

1.       1.5 kg potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite size pieces

2.       250 grams  rind less bacon rashers, chopped

3.       6 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

4.       3/4 cup whole-egg mayonnaise

5.       6 gherkins, finely chopped

6.       4 shallots, thinly sliced

 

Method

1.      Cook potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Cool down with cold water and drain.

2.      Meanwhile, heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp. Place in a large bowl

3.       Add potato, egg, shallots and gherkin.

4.       Add mayonnaise to potato mixture. Toss to combine.

 

In the next post I will share what I am making for Handmade Christmas.

Sheep Weather Alert

We were advised earlier in the week that a cold snap was going to occur on Wednesday and Thursday. No one expexted snow in the middle of October.  We have not seen snow that stayed on the ground since 2004 and that was in the middle of winter. The weather is predicted to improve by the weekend. Bring on the warm days please!



Big flakes of snow



We were out first thing to check all the lambs. They looked cold but OK

This is the hous across the road from Claremont

Jessica's car

Snow at Bywong about 20 kms away

The paddocks

Snow at Womboin about 20 kms away

Fox Control

Foxes are a big problem in our area and we often encourage licence shooters to see if the numbers can be reduced.
On Saturday whilst enjoying a quiet afternoon Cameron, Jeff and Kim spotted two large foxes strolling through the paddock. Cameron was the lookout keeping an eye on the foxes while Kim and Jeff headed to the gun cupboard for the riffles. By the time the guns were loaded the foxes had disappeared.

The boys decided backup was required and called Cameron's brother in-law David. He has hunted a few times at Claremont and been successful on a previous occasion.

Dave arrived about an hour later. The plan was for Kim and Jeff to dive to the dam while Dave and Cameron were ready in the bush above the dam to ambush the fox. The plan worked and there is one less fox to attack lambs. Dave is a good shot and killed the animal quickly and humanely.



Kim and Jeff ready for action




The prize a large male



The fence is over a metre high gives you idea of the size of this boy



The sheep in the paddock decided to come and have a close look at Dave while he was looking for another fox



There are many lambs on the ground at the moment. One less fox is a good thing

New Toy or Tool

We ordered a new quad bike a few weeks ago as the buggy we had been using to round up the sheep was very tired. The buggy has clocked up over 5,000 miles on our 200 acres it has been repaired and will be kept as a backup. Kim and I realised that something more heavy-duty was required. I never wanted a quad bike because of safety reasons. The buggy had a roll bar and seat belts and that really appealed to me. Farm machinery has to be treated with respect. I found that out the hard way.

A few years ago my 80 year old Dad tried to kill me with the buggy by ramming me into a gate – twice.  We laugh at the whole scenario now but I could have been really hurt. Here is the story.

Dad and I were travelling together to check sheep while Kim was away with work. Dad was the passenger and I was driving. At the first gate I got out to open it and at that moment Dad stuck his foot from the passenger side onto the accelerator and drove through the gate. I couldn't believe he did that so I seriously told him off. At the next gate he did the same thing again, the man doesn't listen. We reach the paddock I got out to walk down the hill to check the sheep. Next thing I can hear the buggy taking off. I quickly ran back to the top of the hill and here is Dad still in the passenger seat driving the thing looking for me WTF. I was really angry and told him not to do that again. We finished checking the sheep and started to drive back where I stopped at the first gate and I left the buggy to open it. The gate got caught on a thatch of grass and as I went to lift the gate over the thatch dad put his foot on the accelerator again and rammed into me pinning me against the gate. Then, instead of reverse he hit the accelerator again and rammed me into the gate for a second time.  I was black and blue with tread mark bruises all over my legs and back. Dad has not been in the buggy since that day and it was his choice.

On Saturday we made the trip to Sydney to collect the bike. The bike has a passenger seat behind the driver so on Sunday Kim took me for a drive and managed to frighten the shit out of me. I could be heard screaming up hill and down dale. Kim, Cameron and Skye though it was hilarious.

This is like the buggy we used to round up the sheep.



This is the new machine

Kim securing the new toy - I mean machine to the trailor

Snow

It has been a while since there has been heavy snow at Claremont. Kim sent these pictures of the blizzard like conditions today. Although the flakes are large it is too wet for snow to settle on the ground. A good day to stay inside.

Wedding

On the 3rd of August I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of my nephew Harrison (also known as Harry) and his lovely bride Samantha (also known as Sammy or Sam). The ceremony was held at the Ballina lighthouse, an absolutely stunning setting overlooking the ocean.

It was a great family get together with family travelling from far and wide to attend. Kim and I travelled to Lismore and stayed with my sister Maureen on Wednesday the 1st August (we made it from Gundaroo to Lismore in 12 hours). It was a long drive and we were tired but so excited to see our family!

It is becoming an unspoken family tradition to have a party before the party and this time was no different! Maureen, my niece Tamarah and I were enjoying each others company and we managed to polish off more than a few bottles of sparkling wine and poor Tam suffered badly the next day. Naughty Aunties!

Thursday was spent organising bits and pieces, we also had to decorate the reception room which we only finished a couple of hours before the ceremony. We managed to get everything done and the reception venue looked gorgeous!

What a beautiful wedding followed by a fantastic time at the reception!


Harrison and Sammy. Harrison made the most wonderful speech to Sammy it brought tears to my eyes.

Signing the register

My Dad in the chair as he had hurt his back

Harry, Sam and Dad

My Family



The room we finished  decorating at the last minute

Jess Cameron did a wonderful job on the wedding cakes

Kim and Robert enjoying a dance



The reception

The View from Maureen and Lynton's deck

Very happy sisters on the way to the reception

Dorper School Results

After an anxious wait the course results are back. Much to the relief of Eileen, Sarah, Jess and myself  we all passed. My pass mark was 74% just above the class average of 73%. Wicus Cronje the South African Judge and inspector will be very satisfied with 19 out of 20 students passing the course.

The happy but tired students

After leading three courses for over 60 people and conducting a number of inspections throughout NSW, Wicus spent a week in Western Australia inspecting various dorper flocks before returning to South Africa.  Prior to his departure, Wicus completed marking the Senior Exams.

Of the 20 Senior Course participants, all passed the theory portion of the exam and all but one passed the combined theory and practical exam.  To pass the exam, candidates must earn at least 50% of the maximum points in each of the four sections (one theory section and three practical sections) and at least 60% of the maximum total points.

More about Dorper School

The Dorper Sheep course was fantastic we learnt so much from the Judge and Inspector Wicus Cronje who taught the school. Wicus has the oldest Dorper Sheep Stud in the world and really knows what he is talking about.
The first 3 days of the course are really spent in the sheep yards 8am to 5pm learning about what makes an outstanding meat sheep. As you can see from the picture below we did lots of study.

On the fourth day it is the Senior Dorper Course exam. There are four elements to complete and you must achieve at least 50% in each element with an overall average of 60% to pass. Very daunting to say the least, there is so much to learn and remember. First up is the written test which comprises of 50 multiple choice questions, which we all passed. I acheived 84%, Jessica 86%, Eileen 88% and Sarah 92%. Thank goodness we passed that part because if you don't you are removed from the remaining elements.

Then the pointing of 10 rams and 10 ewes. This is when you award points for Confirmation, Growth, Size, Colour pattern, Hair covering, Type ( stud T1 or T2, Commercial T3 or T2, cull T1. There are 9 elements that need to be scored and points are deducted for each incorrect score. 

This was followed by the 3rd element of the exam. The placing of 2 groups of sheep, 5 rams and 5 ewes in order of their quality. You are awarded points for correct placements. Misplace one or two sheep and you will fail the element.

Then the final and most daunting part of the test. Place a class of 5 rams and a class of 5 ewes in order first to last and explain in detail to the teacher your justification for the places. All of us passed this element as well

Hopefully we will find out about the remaining 2 elements soon.

The course is so worthwhile for the sheep farmer (regardless of breed), we learnt so much that can be applied at home, both from Wicus Cronje the teacher, and from the other participants. Although the course is stressful and lots of work the outstanding accommodation provided at Burrawang West Station helped to make an most enjoyable week.

The opportunity to have a drink together and to sit down to a meal together, adds much to the fun and learning experience at Burrawang. Highly recommended.

Waiting to shine.

Back in the beautiful room after a freezing day in the yards

Dorper Sheep School

I had the happy experience of attending a Dorper sheep school at Burrawang Station West with good sheep friends and daughter Jessica.

Nap Mat

A few weeks ago I saw this book on the internet and I just had to have it



Inside are some wonderful projects including this nap mat. I made one for Oliver and here is Harry's. They are really useful Oliver takes his to day-care for afternoon naps and here Harry was meant to be sleeping on my bed. I am going to make another nap mat for a friend’s granddaughter and I will post a tutorial on the process.

Lamb Olympics

Early in the morning or each afternoon at about 4 pm we are treated to the lamb olympics. It is a time when all the lambs like to play and it is so much fun to watch.



Here's the group ready to start running and jumping pratice



A little boxing practice happening here




One hundred metre sprint race heat one




High Jump practice




One hundred metre sprint race heat two




One hundred metre sprint race heat three



Poddy lambs Amber and Harriet



Harriet put herself on the pillow

Homemade Laundry Detergant

I love Rhonda's blog "Down to Earth" http://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/.

So many wonderful tips on simple living, saving money, green cleaners, vegetables, life skills and cooking from scratch. I recently met her when I purchased her book and both Rhonda and her husband Hanno are wonderful people. I decided to try the homemade laundry liquid recipe from her book. It works a treat and I was so impressed that I made a batch for Skye and Alison they love it as well. Below is the recipe from Rhonda's blog. 

We live in the country on a farm and recycle our grey and black water which goes on trees in the paddock once treated. I decided not to use Borax opting for Napisan instead.

LAUNDRY LIQUID
Makes 10 litres

• 1½ litres water
• 1 bar Sunlight or generic laundry soap or any similar pure laundry soap, grated on a cheese grater OR 1 cup of Lux flakes
• ½ cup washing soda – NOT baking or bicarb soda
• ½ cup borax - I replaced Borax with Napisan

Please note that washing soda is different to baking soda. Sometimes there are two types of washing soda on sale - washing soda crystals and washing soda powder, buy the powder, it's easier to dissolve.

You may add any essential oil of your choice to these homemade cleaners. Oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender or rose are ideal but are not an essential ingredient. They are not necessary to the recipe but do not detract from the effectiveness by adding them.



Tools

• Saucepan
• 10 litre bucket
• Slotted spoon or wooden spoon for mixing

Above you can see the process.

In a saucepan containing one litre/quart of water add one cup of soap flakes.  Turn on the heat and stir. Bring the mix to the boil and when the soap flakes are dissolved add half a cup of borax/Napisan and half a cup of washing soda. The mixture will foam up as the washing soda and the borax/Napisan dissolve. Place the mixture in a 10 litre bucket and fill with water. Stir well. Keep stirring the liquid every 1/2 hour or so until the mixture is cool. The liquid will thicken as it cools. You can leave the liquid in the bucket if it has a lid or pour into containers. The mixture may look a little lumpy don't worry all the lumps dissolve during the wash and never leave any residue.

A basket of very clean washing

Add 1/2 cup to each load of washing. I have made four 10 litre batches from the original ingredients and still have enough to make a few more batches - very economical at about $2 for 10 litres of detergent.

I recycled a water 10 liter container for the laundry detergant. It has a tap very useful.