Fresh eggs, the warmer weather has boosted production in the chook pen.
A kind friend from a neighbouring property sent me a beautifully wrapped package of bread books. I think it would be safe to describe some of them as vintage. Thank you Judy.
Our first sunflower for the season growing in amongst the garlic.
Jodie made this delicious marmalade using her own cumquats. I have used it to marinate a roast duck as well spreading it thickly on toast and pikelets. I am not sure I have seen a more perfectly presented jar. Thank you. Jodie, you are a generous and talented country cook!
The kids love picking wildflowers from the paddock and I love receiving their little bunches.
Shearing time.
These two agile sheep dogs, Cucumber and Frank, get a chance to practice their skills at working sheep through the paddocks and yards. A good sheep dog is worth his or her weight in gold at shearing time.
How is spring looking at your place?
I hope you are enjoying some flowers and sunshine and maybe even a little shearing.
Gillian
Cute sheep! We are suddenly geting heaps of eggs too. Too many! We have to give some away.
Jane S
Sounds good Gill…I have been getting 1 dozen a day, luckily I sell a few to a local cafe x
Zara
Yes egg production is good here too. Even the little young chooks have started laying.
My Nan used to have a cumquot tree in the garden and I think she used to make jam too. x
Jane S
Have a lovely weekend Zara x
tea with hazel
lovely spring things jane especially the flowers picked by your children..how precious? x
Jane S
It is precious to receive such special flowers Jane…even though sometimes there are a few weeds included for good measure 🙂 x
cityhippyfarmgirl
You know with that last photo I've got the kids song Bob the Kelpie in my head (or Cucumber the Kelpie 🙂 I'd love to show my kids a shearing shed one day, oh it would blow their minds.
Cumquat Marmalade is my absolute favourite and I'm hoping one day, one day our little potted cumquat will have enough to harvest.
Happy spring to you Jane.
Jane S
Please bring your children to our woolshed one day Brydie, you would be most welcome 🙂
cityhippyfarmgirl
I might just take you up on that one day 🙂
Anne (Life in Mud Spattered Boots)
Your sheep are handsome beasts. Nice to have a breath of spring sunshine.
Your bread books look interesting – hours of fun ahead?
Jane S
Yes, the books are full of great bread inspiration Anne…bread never really changes even though some of the books are 70s era.
Jodie
Everything at your place this week looks positively radiant Jane!!!
I love the collection of old bread making books, what a generous gift from your neighbour… 🙂
Awesome picture of your 1st sunflower for the season!
Wild flower picking is a favourite of my girls too and as you know we have been shearing here at 'Darling Downs' this week also… I love the buzz that's associated with shearing time, don't you!!
I'm so wrapped that you love your Cumquat Marmalade!!! Do you like to preserve too??
Jodie xx
Jane S
Shearing does create a certain buzz doesn't it Jodie. I do a little preserving but my fruit trees are all quite young so no excess harvest from them yet. Tomato relish is a regular feature at the end of summer x
Andrea Mynard
So lovely to see all your wonderful pictures of Spring at a time when we're swiftly moving into the chilly evenings of Autumn and starting to light the woodburner again. I do love the look of those vintage books and the marmalade, everything looks gorgeous at your place though. Glad that you're relishing it.
Jane S
Thank you for your kind comments Andrea!
weraigirl
Love the posy of flowers from the kids 🙂 My Mum still has the exact same wildflowers in a little vase that I picked for her along the creek one spring….over 40 years ago…..great memories 🙂
Jane S
Thanks for calling in Robyn, have a lovely weekend 🙂
look see (naomi)
I love that one of the dogs is named Cucumber. Awesome-est dog name ever! 🙂
Jane S
It is a funny name! Thanks Naomi 🙂
The Drillers Wife
eggs galore here too and my last lot of chickens we hatched are starting to come on as well! Love the name Cucumber 😉 Enjoy the holidays!! xx
Jane S
Thanks Kylie, you enjoy the holidays too x
e / dig in
mum used to make the best cumquat marmalade when we grew up in NSW – unfortunately, it's too cold down here for great citrus, and i miss that gorgeous gold marmalade tremendously.
why is cucumber so named?! wonderful!
a beautiful look into your country like, jane. thank you.
Jane S
Thanks e, Cucumber belongs to a man who works for us, I think his children thought of the name! Happy Sunday x
suzeblack
HI Jane…enjoyed reading your post. We get our first chooks this week in our new chookyard…excited! I have some of Jodies' beautiful marmalade, too- had it last night smeared on roasted lamb racks=divine 😉 My fav wild flowers are paper daisies they bring back so many childhood memories of searching for them in the paddock…Suze.
Jane S
Thanks Suze, the marmalade would be perfect on a lamb rack. Good luck with your chooks!
Barbara Good
It all looks and sounds quite idyllic. We're still battling the cold and the rain here, but did have a glorious sneak peak of what's to come today here (in Ballarat). I did take the girls for a walk through the Botanic gardens again this afternoon and the flowers were putting on a real show. Lots of poppies, tulips and violets, so it must be getting warmer and the days getting longer.
Jane S
Thanks Barbara, sometimes our life is idyllic! I hope you are enjoying a little warmth in Ballarat!
frogpondfarm
Hi … love your blog. Such wonderful pics. Yes spring has sprung in New Zealand. Love it!
Jane S
Thank you so much for calling in!
Michelle
Your spring looks beautiful, as far ahead of ours. I haven't even sown the sunflowers yet! x
Jane S
Thank you Michelle, it is hard to believe we are both gardening in Australia sometimes isn't it?
celia
It's all happening at your place, Jane! What lovely friends you have! And is there anything more Aussie than seeing sheepdogs on TOP of sheep? 🙂
Jane S
Sheep dogs are very Aussie indeed Celia x
Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things
Dear Jane, I apologise, for some reason I missed this post! I love how you bring a taste of your country life to my city kitchen! That cumquat preserve, yummo! I bet it tastes great on your freshly baked bread!
Jane S
Thanks Lizzy…no need to apologise! I always appreciate you calling in.