Backyard Extension

This week, we’ve begun expanding our backyard area. Our neighbour has given us a pile of dirt (in pay back for running a tractor through our fence.) So our old rosewood log fence is being moved and reconstructed several meters further out. 

The ground falls away down the hill that we are capturing part of, so we’ll be using the dirt to raise the ground level. 

Long term plan is to install a pool within the new boundary. But that is still a ways off. 

Zemiel’s Baptism

Two weeks ago, one of the young ladies of our church was baptised at harbour beach. Our family attended and celebrated with other friends. We usually ask Zem if he wants to be baptised as well when we attend a baptism. (He has a standing agreement that he can be baptised straight away). But he has always refused point blank. On this occasion he paused and considered. Then he actually agreed. 

When?  

Next week! 

What time?

Don’t know. 

By whom?

Pr Patt.

Who would you like to come?

Immediate family. 

Anything else?

Open invitation to a bonfire and barbecue at home afterwards. 

So that started a frantic week of cleaning, mowing  and repairing. 

On the day, he was nervous, but he managed to go through the motions of being called up front and presented to the church. 

We set the time for 3pm and arranged for interested friends to come also. 

A storm came over just beforehand and we prayed for the rain to clear. It did clear, just as many of our friends arrived. We had beautiful sunshine for his baptism. 

Congratulations Zemiel on your decision to follow Jesus. 1st April 2023.

Sour Dough

Recently, we have taken to making our own sour dough bread. We regularly feed our starter and manage somehow to get a reasonable loaf most times we try. 

Shar does the majority of the baking. Although, last night, we did also attempt a guava jam - which turned into more of a guava jelly as the skin and pulp was a little grainy. So we left it out.  No slightly green ones next time. 

There are still plenty of fruit left on the roadside trees which we will try collect next week. Azariah and Lilly enjoy the picking. 

New Lambs

Last Monday night (7th June) Zemiel’s sheep Rocket Pocket gave birth to two healthy lambs - one girl and one boy. The girl is curly fleeced like her mother and the boy is has straight hair like the father (Rambo). The girl also has a white head like Rocket, while the boy has a black head. 

We managed to be there for the births and Rocket didn’t seem to mind the intrusion.

The girl is the oldest.

Tuesday morning.

We will probably be looking to breed the sheep one more time, but to a different ram this time. 

New Cow

Greetings. One week ago, our family went for a drive to Rockhampton to collect a dexter cow for our place. The idea is that we need about 4 -6 cows to help keep the grass in the back paddock down. It has a lot of rats tail grass in it and ruins the mower blade spindles and bearings. I’m hoping the cows will be more resistant.  

Meet Lucy

She is a bit skittish about being patted but is now taking hay from the hands of the kids. 

I have in the horse round yard now but will expand her area this week coming. I’ll be investigating in some electric fencing equipment. 

Lucy is pure bred dexter, but not currently registered. We’ll be looking to get a few more in July. 

New Car

Our new car is finally here. We’ve waited for this one for a while. It was with some sadness (particularly on Zekiah’s part) that the grey car left us. However, it seems that our new Isuzu MU-X has wiggled its way into everyone’s affections. 

It has been fun exploring the car to see new features. 

Baby Quail

We came back from caving with Pathfinders this weekend to find our quail eggs have hatched. We now have 4 baby quail and a fifth has tapped a hole in his egg. One of the babies got trapped under the incubator plate so has somewhat splayed legs. I have made some hobbles for it. Hopefully will get it walking well tomorrow.

These are brown quail eggs. I found the nest when I was mowing and unfortunately uncovered it. Fortunately, none were broken and we began incubating. Hatched on the 17th day @ 37.5 degrees.

Azariah’s Baptism

Through the year Azariah has been attending Bible studies through his school. He and a friend, Benjamin, chose to be baptised on December 5th at Platypus Beach. It was well attended by the wider church and we had surprises from Uncle Trevor and Aunty Roni and family, as well as Levi Obst and his dad from Townsville. So proud of our family and so thankful for close friends. 

Fire on the Mountain

Our place was threatened by a fire last year. 

A dry lightning strike sparked a grass fire that swept through. The rural firefighters kept our place safe though. When the fir looked to get into the long grass the wind changes direction and consequently our bore was preserved. 

Meet Stormy-Sky

Our dogs are no more. They escaped one night and killed a lamb and about 8 of our neighbours chickens. They were a failed attempt to get a pet that could help with Zemiel’s anxiety.

In October I organised to buy a Ragdoll kitten to fulfil the same task. I drove to Townsville on the Friday before Sharlene’s birthday. The breeder gave her a name of ‘Stormy’. Azariah once read a book about a Siamese kitten called Sky. By happy coincidence our new kitten had the same markings, so we named her Stormy-Sky in keeping with the girls of our family having hyphenated names.