Front lawn eradication- almost complete

Many hours of hard work later, and we're nearly finished.  We have a few things planted already- there's a healthy tub of carrots, a tub with broccoli around the edge and dwarf snow peas in the middle, rainbow chard, 2 dwarf gravenstein apple trees, garlic, spinach, kale, daikon radish, and space for much more.  And Andrew's trying his hand at a crop of wheat for green manure, and possibly beer.  In the large corrugated bed we'll grow potatoes, and build up the soil as they grow.  Andrew and my dad went a bit crazy with a jigsaw last weekend and cut down the remaining pittosporums that were growing along the driveway, and 2 that were overshadowing some of the new garden beds, plus 2 paperbarks that were in the driveway, but in the way...14 trees later.  Once the stumps come out, we'll replace them with more fruit and nut trees, dwarf trees and trees that don't grow more than about 3 metres tall.  I think some hazelnuts and almonds might be worth a go.

I Can Change Your Mind About..Climate

This is the name of a TV show that will be aired next Thursday night (26th April), at 8:30pm, on ABC1. There will be a live Q & A after the show. If you are alarmed about climate change, you can fill in this survey, as the results so far show, that the majority are sceptical/don't care. For more information about the show, look here.

Tahini and honey almond balls

These are a very satisfying treat, especially if you're cutting back/out refined sugar. I was trying to figure out where I had tasted something like this before, when I realised- they are similar to halva. I find that I need just one of these to satisfy a sweet craving, I think because of the protein in them. Recipe here.

Yoghurt making

I made yoghurt over the Easter weekend. I used the slow cooker method, from Little Poppa, and it was very easy, and worked beautifully. I made lots of dishes (to wash), but I think the hardest part is getting the flavouring right. I prefer my yoghurt plain, in/on a savoury dish, but Liv goes through quite a lot of flavoured yoghurt every week, so we tried out our new stainless steel icy pole moulds. We flavoured them with a little honey, and some strawberry jam. Next time, I'll use a blender, so all the lumps will disappear. Yet another grocery item that is easy to make!

Apple pickin'

Apple picking in Moriac today

Op shop finds

I like to see other people's blogs about their op shop finds, so I thought it was high time to share a few with you. Since making my no new clothing pledge for the year, I've been on a roll. This is what I've found lately for Evie: Mini Metalicus pink star tights (new, $2), Columbine pink spot tights ($1), Fred Bare Jeans ($5), pink /red stripe socks (50c).
2 gingham school skorts ($1 & $3), navy school skort ($1), navy school tights (50c)

2 gingham school uniforms (around $5/$6 each, found last year)

Erskine Falls

We dosed the kids up with some travel sickness tablets yesterday, and headed down to Lorne, a place we haven't been since before we had the girls. It's only an hour away from here, but the roads are very windy. We'd wanted to see a waterfall for a while, so it was a nice way to spend a Sunday together, after Andrew's work week in Brisbane. We're so lucky to have a beautiful rainforest practically at our doorstep.