In the paddock
The men have been sorting out cattle: mustering, drafting, branding and weaning the calves. For the kids and I this has meant occasionally drifting along behind the mob in a ute with smoko on board and the camera, naturally.
Accomplished stockmen pull up alongside each other briefly, exchange a few words, survey the mob of cattle in front of them and ride on.
In the kitchen
I have purchased a Fowlers Vacola preserving kit complete with all of the necessary bits and pieces.  I have never used one of these before; I see some You Tube tutorials in my future.
In the vegetable garden
Originally I planted chickpeas as a spring green manure crop to replenish the soil. The bonus is that we now have our own chickpeas to dry out and eat. This has been a successful and hardy crop and I will definitely be growing it again next spring.
Out and about
Our family business has recently purchased another property. The first time the kids and I visited we were greeted with a dramatic storm which happened to be brewing in the sky right behind the rain gauge. A good omen I feel.
Happy Friday friends.
What is happening at your place this week?
Cheryl
I am so in awe of the photos you take, the outback is a beautiful place, but never more so than when captured with your lens!
Jane S
You are so kind Cheryl, thank you!
Lizzy (Good Things)
Wow Jane… beautiful as always! Frankly, I see a photographic coffee table book on your horizon!
Jane S
Thank you Lizzy…very kind of you to say so x
pompom
Your photos are fabulous. They really capture the spirit of the outback. I have inherited a very old Vacola unit with all its bits so I am looking forward to giving it a go too.
Jane S
Wishing you happy times with your preserving! Thank you for calling in.
tea with hazel
you'll love the vacola jane..i have one of the new models that i use every year for bottling tomato puree and fruit..it's so good to be able to grab a jar of my own preserved tomatoes for a variety of winter dishes that i make..love the idea of growing chickpeas..how good would it be to have enough to last through the winter..congratulations on the property purchase..x
Jane S
Thanks Jane. I might send you an email for some preserving tips! I am not sure I will have enough chickpeas to last right through winter but we will have enough for a few meals x
Sophie Isobel
Oh I love your photos Jane! You capture life so beautifully. And that preserving kit, oh wow, that's a bit exciting, I want to come and play! Sophie x
Jane S
Thank you Sophie…I love hearing from you x
Chantille Fleur
Your cattle look great Jane, and I wish you all the best with your new property. The image of it is stunning. We've been lucky enough to have some rain here lately – 34mls followed by another 6mls. I hoping we continue to get good rain. The paddocks over the back without any irrigation were nothing but brown stubble a few days ago, but now the lightest green tinge is covering them and the laneways. Fingers crossed we all get a good wet season.
Sarah x
Jane S
Wishing you good farming weather Sarah x
frogpondfarm
Gorgeous .. Love the chickpea crop. I'm going to try and grow these again. Am very jealous of your preserving kit 🙂
Jane S
Thanks Julie. I was lucky with the preserving kit, although money did change hands it came from a friend and the whole thing just felt right! Now I just have to work out how to use it! x
joanne
Heloo. Check out My Canning Addiction on Facebook. Jane is in NSW and very willing to help.Her blog is address is posted there.
Jane S
Thank you.
Anne
Do chickpeas grow like normal peas? I've only ever seen them dried.
Fabulous, fabulous photos Jane. I do so enjoy these glimpses of your farm life (especially when it's cold and miserable here and you have beautiful blue skies).
Jane S
Hello Anne, they grow on a small bush and each pod contains only 1 or 2 chickpeas making them quite tedious to pick! Stay warm…your Christmas trees look amazing x
Chookyblue......
goodluck with the new property………….
My great aunt used to have the most amazing fowler jars…….she presented them as works of art…….perfectly placed into the tall jars……..perfect sizes etc…..she entered them in shows and win all the blue ribbons……………
Jane S
Thank you so much…what a lovely memory of your talented great aunt!
e / dig in hobart
a storm brewing is surely a goof omen indeed. I hope you get all that you need over the coming months.
I love your photos of the work that is done on your farm – showing us the people who do that essential work.
but i'm most wowed by the chickpeas. I've never heard of anyone growing them before! but I just read your comment above about how tedious they are to pick – I shall cherish every one I eat from now on. I hope they taste good!
e / dig in hobart
GOOD omen! not a goofy one 🙂
Jane S
Thanks e, I knew what you meant! You have reminded me that I need to finishing harvesting those little chickpeas 🙂
Libby Boyle from Libby's Lifestyle.
Fowler's Vacola … Brings back memories of the pantry on the farm filled with mum's preserves. All so artistically bottled. The grapes were my favourite. I think that' s where my love of a good red started.
Jane S
I have not seen bottled grapes, they would be beautiful! Thank you Libby.
look see. by naomi fenton
I love the colour and light in the last photo – I think it's a good omen indeed! 🙂
Jane S
Thanks Naomi x
Lizzy (Good Things)
Hi Jane, I've included a link to this beautiful post in my favourites this week.
Jane S
Thank you Lizzy! Very kind of you x
cityhippyfarmgirl
The clearness, and colours in that last picture Jane are just divine.
I love how our blogs are so completely different in where we are but somehow there is a connectedness in interests…if that makes sense. Have fun with your new vacola, and happy Christmas if I don't drop in again before then. xx
Jane S
It makes perfect sense Brydie. Happy Christmas and thank you for all of your thoughtful comments…I always love hearing from you x
Zara
Your cattle are looking healthy. It's seems so dry here.
The Fowlers Vacola kit looks impressive. I remember seeing one years back at an op-shop but didn't purchase it. I've regretted leaving it behind. x
Jane S
Thanks Zara…it is dry isn't it? x
Kim
The colours in your photos are amazing! I always find whenever we are moving the cattle, I am too busy running to take photos, I might have to plan to take the camera next time.
Jane S
Thank you Kim, I have actually just purchased a new zoom lens which I was keen to test out on some action shots. I had warned my husband that I would be taking photos and luckily I didn't get in the way too many times 🙂