My poor baby chickens.

My poor baby chickens have been looking rather out of sorts during the past few days.  On closer inspection, I found little wart like lumps on their eyelids and beaks.  With a lot patience and a lot more research, I now know they have Fowl Pox.  This is transmitted by mozzies and open wounds.  If they get through this and don't suffer any secondary infections, it will mean immunity for life.  There are two strains of the Foul Pox,  Dry and Wet.  Sadly my babies have what I suspect is Wet.  The lesions are also showing inside their tiny beaks, so constant vigilance is now important to get them through.  The Wet Pox strain can cause problems drinking and eating.  If this occurs I will have to then feed t 

myself and give them fluids via a syringe.  In the long run they will be worth it as they will be a much stronger bird.  One Eye has no lesions showing and I feel it is possible she had this infliction herself as a chick.  I actually got her when she was 3 months old, so can't track her history.  Meanwhile I have returned the babies to the big bird cage in our house yard to provide special care.  Thankgod for the internet and all the wonderful information we can derive from it.

Back 2 Basics Expo in Kyabram 2011

Well, my life became quite a whirlwind starting on Tuesday night.  I had been emailing back and forth with WWOOF Australia about the possibility of them having a booth at the Back 2 Basics Expo here in Kyabram.  The biggest issue for them was the distance they would need to travel.  My solution was to offer my services in setting up and manning the booth for the 2 day event.  They were pleased to accept and sent me the official pamphlets, bookmarks(giveaways) and a banner for the backdrop.  I then spent the next 3 nights at the laptop arranging 4 photos to a page, totalling 4 pages. After printing them, I cut them into individual pictures and on a poster sized sheet of card layed them out, along with the names of the WWOOFers in them and their country of origin. I also made a third poster with some handy hosting hints, set up a display using a glass head, hat, fly veil, mozzie repelent and sunscreen to show we need protect those we host from our harsh elements. I organised a small, basic first aid kit  and a display of organic produce to add to the look of the booth.  Once all was in place, there was little to do but wait for the crowds to roll in.  I then found myself busy answering people's enquiries and sharing my hosting experienc from the last 4 years(almost).  This has been a great opportunity for me to give a little something back to the WWOOF association for all the support, encouragement and time they give to managing this fantastic set up.
I will keep hosting as long as I am able to put shovel to dirt, for all the joy it brings through cultural exchanges and the lovely people I get to meet.



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A nifty use of an old bookcase.

After tripping over my garden tools for months, having marauding moggies knock them down and finding that my beloved sons were leaving them lay around the property, I took things into hand.  A few days ago while fossicking at the op shop in Echuca, I came across a bookcase that had no shelves.  Now, being the bilateral thinker that I am, my mind went into overdrive.  So after parting with $7.50 for the book case, Number 2 son and I squeezed said book case into my rice bubble car and made our way home.  It has been on the verandah waiting for me to finish the project for the few days since, so today while in town, I bought a hole saw and measured out the spacing to drill holes for my garden tool handles to slide through.  Allowing 10cm between each of the holes to allow room for hands and no cuts or grazes while getting tools out.  Then after attaching the hole saw to my lovely big impact drill, I set to drilling out the holes.  The old book case now has two rows of 9 holes and sits proudly on my verandah with most of the tools in place.  Next week I intend to buy a couple of hooks to put one end and hang the pruning shears and secatuers, as well as a bigger hook for the other end to hold the spade and garden fork.  Another job done and less mess to look at.

A small miracle in a world of Chaos

A SMALL MIRACLE AMONG CHAOS

The proud daddy, "Elvis"

  One Eye and her brood

I have had several weeks of sadness, worrying what happened to my favourite hen, "One Eye".  I had thought that Foxy Loxy had taken her as his lunch.  Today my sons and I were removing plants from the gardens, weeding and clearing up.  I asked Number 1 son to go and slash near the compost, imagine my surprise when he called me and said, "We have several problems here."   I walked out there with slumped shoulders and a dejected heart, only to be greeted by a very protective One Eye and her 15 fluffy chickens.  Turns out she had been laying eggs by the half finished woodshed and sat on them to hatch.  A small miracle to brighten my day. So, for this I give thanks to the universe.  One Eye and her babies are safely tucked in a box until we can put them in the makeshift pen we constructed today out of two bird cages.  Must apologise to our sweet cat "Snake", those cages formed his travel cage, which means no holidays for him for the moment.  How sweet is life?

CORN AND CURRY MUFFINS

CORN AND CURRY MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup P.Flour

1 Cup S.R.Flour

1/3 Cup Sugar

2 Tspn Baking Powder

1/2 Tspn Salt

1 Tspn Curry Powder

1 beaten Egg

1 Cup Milk

1 Medium Can Corn Kernels

1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil

METHOD

Place all ingredients into a large bowl and stir gently until mixed.

Divide mixture evenly into a greased muffin pan.

Bake at 200c for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

NOTE:  These muffins make a great substitute for bread, to eat with an evening meal. They are also good lunchbox fillers for kids.

Stepping outta the square.

Well, well, well. Here I am, looking at a history of having been in the entertainment industry.  First as a singer, then as a clown for a long time.  Yes, you did read that right, a clown.  My diary for the entire 8 year career in funny land was so heavily laden with bookings, I had to offload a heap of them to a chap I helped to get started.  He became so successful that even today he continues to entertain and please people around his area.  Go Sparky.  Now, a long way down the road, I am making the move to leave my comfort zone.  I have been most industrious and made myself a Rastaphone (Lagerphone).  Mine however has been made with a twist.  It has a dyed mop for hair, a styrophoam ball for a head, a rasta hat, a boomerang for arms and a homemade ukulelee for the main feature.  Ta Da..instant rastaphone.  My friends and family are in hysterics and some in disbelief that I am going to take up a different instrument and get back into music.  Hoping like mad I can pull this off, tuning up the vocal pipes and having such a ball with it all.  Think I have even shocked myself. What the heck, it's all in fun and hopefully a lot of laughs will be had by all.  First step though is to go to a few open mike nights and just jam with some of the guys and ladies I knew way back when. 

Zucchini Slice

ZUCCHINI SLICE

INGREDIENTS.

700gm of coursley grated zucchini, drained in a colander.

Mint, parsley and dill.  Large qty.

500gm grated parmesan or fetta cheese.

5 eggs.

½ cup olive oil.

1 bunch of chopped chives.

Salt and pepper.

1 cup S.R Flour.

Chopped cherry tomatoes for top.

METHOD.

Whisk eggs.

Add oil and herbs.

Stir in zucchini, cheese, flour, salt/pepper and oil.

Pour mixture into a 22cm lined and greased cake tin.

Bake for 45 to 50 minutes at 180c, until just set in the middle.