This and That.......

If I could only keep two books besides my bible, it would be these two.

A-Z of Companion Planting

by Pamela Allardice

and

The Organic Garden

by Sue Stickland.

I have had these books for ten years, and I can remember getting them

on special at book world for $4.95. I know the price, as it is still on them. Before I

plant any thing in the vege garden I always check what companion to

plant with it.

This is the way I have always gardened.

I love the name as well

"Companion Planting" sounds romantic doesn't it. To have nasturtiums

growing up with your cucumbers and marigolds planted among your lettuce and beans,

but .......don't plant your carrots near your potatoes or cabbages as they don't like each other at all.

See Romantic........Does any one else grow there veges by this method?

I would love to hear about your way of growing.......

Linda.........I am sure you have seen these fried noodles in the

supermarket. Above is a picture of the wombok salad and on the back of the noodle packet is the

recipe. I change it a bit as it has a 1/2 cup of oil in it and I leave this out.

here is how I make it.

1/2-1 Wombok (Chinese) cabbage

6 shallots or 1 red onion
1 handful of pine nuts

1 packet fried noodles
Chop up the cabbage and shallots finely and add pine nuts

pour over dressing and mix.

Dressing.....

1/4 cup white vinegar ( I use whatever I have on hand even cider)

1/4 cup caster sugar

1 tbls soy sauce

3tbls sesame oil

shake all ingredients together in a jar and pour over.

I add the noodles just before serving as they will go soggy.

I hope you enjoy this Linda as it is a sure favorite around here. I also

take it when going to some ones for tea as it is quick and easy.

Claire asked that I change the back ground colour
as it was hard to read.....No worries Claire .......done. I hope it is better now. Sorry to those that couldn't see the words properly...I Love getting comments and hints like this, as it helps me have a better blog.
Joolz thanks for this little verse it is so true......
From the book
Love you forever

I'll love you forever
I'll like you always
As long as I'm living
My baby you'll be.

Robert N. Munsch
I'll have to try and get a copy of this book to read to William.





Here is the B/day boy blowing out his candles on the fantastic
cake his big sister made for him.......


have a blessed day every-one......
Mandy

Happy Birthday William

Today you are six........

Happy Birthday

It's sad and exciting at the same time when your baby isn't really

a baby any more because he has turned six.

But as all Mothers will know your youngest will always be your baby.

We were up early and every one climbed into our bed,

then time to give out the pressies.

Birthdays always contain a large box of chocolates that every one gets to share

while presents are being opened.

I love birthdays and making it a special day, for William.

I got all the veges planted out I have planted.

Lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, peas and beans.

There is still things I want to plant yet. corn, shallots, leeks and carrots.

I also need to get in and fertilize every thing.

The weather has turned cooler and it is such a pleasure to be out in the garden.

Lots of pruning to get done as well.

I won't get a chance to do much today though being Greg's chemo day.

Every thing will still be there tomorrow though.

I have a birthday tea to cook. Not to much to cook though, as Williams request

for tea is "fish and wombok salad" with birthday cake for desert.

I don't have to make the cake either as Chloe is the cake decorator

in the household and does a fantastic job of it...

Happy Tuesday to all and have a great day.

Blessings

Mandy

A Makeover....

Friday I had a very creative day.

This lamp I got from a garage sale about 20 yrs ago, and I thought

that it was time for a make over.

I forgot a before photo though, the base was wooden, so I

painted it white. Put some bling a a new lamp shade

and I have a very pretty lamp.........

Here is a close up. I love the beaded fringing, I use it alot on lamps and wall hangings

I think it is so feminine..

I also made some new curtains for the spare room. I got in and gave the room a good clean as Jessica was coming home. Surprising how dusty a room can get.

The curtains were just quick ones, more for privacy than any thing.

We had a lovely week end, got all the party things bought and organized.

And just spent lots of time together which was nice....

Today I am going to clean my fridge out as over at

Taters mamas take on things

she is having a fridge challenge stop by and take a look.

I am also planting out a few veges this afternoon.

Have been working on the vege patch over the week end.

Blessings to every one today

Mandy

Busy Times Ahead...

Birthday time in the Storey household has arrived............

From now until the end of May we have lots of birthdays, Easter

and our wedding anniversary. It works out that every 2weeks

there is something.

Party season.......

This month is exciting as on the 10th William our youngest turns

six and Jessica our eldest daughter turns 21.......on the 21st of this month.

Two parties...I always give the children a birthday party in grade 1 and of course they have a 21st.

Today I'm of to Toowoomba to do B/day shopping. I know what I'm getting Jessica,

I always said when the girls turn 21 I would get them a sewing machine.

So that's easy as I know which one I want.

But William.........That's another story. William has always been hard to buy for.

No it's not that he has every thing. William has never been one to play with

toys inside. He has always enjoyed his farm animals and cars,

but he would rather be out side doing something.

Last year he wanted a vege patch..that's the kind of child he is.......

Comes from being the youngest I think and always having

had some one to play with......

He did say he wants some Ben 10 stuff, well that's alright but who

the heck is Ben 10!!!!!!!!Must be some T.V character.

Better go and get ready for town, find some thing ironed (Ha Ha should see the ironing basket)

Put some make up on. Which by the way seems to take

alot longer these days, and then when I'm finished

doesn't make alot of difference any way.

Have a great day every-one.....

Mandy

Rambling.....

This is where I am going to be spending the next few days.

Sewing........

I need the rhythm of my life to slow down just a bit.

I love my house but some times living out of town can be a pain.

With all the running around we do lately with the driving to and from town

Greg and I have found our selves looking at houses in town.

Needles to say the children are all spinning out about the thought

of moving to town.

My question is......can I still have my chooks and vege garden and live

a simpler life in town?

Any one want to swap houses?LOL

Better go and enjoy my sewing room before it's time to get the car and

go up to town........Sewing room I don't think I could leave my

Old Dairy I waited 20 years for that place.

May be driving up and down the range isn't so bad........

Blessings to all

Mandy

It's Cooler Today.

What do you think of the new look????

I told you yesterday was hot, so I sat in front of the computer playing.

I love all the colours, I think it screams Autumn.

I had fun looking at all the backgrounds, and experimenting.

Out in the garden every thing was hot, I had the sprinklers going

trying to cool things down.

Underneath is one of my poor salvias all droopy, that's how hot it was.

I got alot of things done inside though, as it was

cooler inside.

It was lovely and cool in The Old Dairy. I have been having a go at

stippling and I am loving it.

This is my practice piece that I will turn into a cushion.

My Mother does beautiful patchwork and stippling so she has

been teaching me over the phone.

I want to practice before I do my quilt,O.K I'm finding excuses

to put it off.

Well being Tuesday it's Greg's chemo day.

He is doing so well he hasn't had any side effects from the chemo at all (the power of prayer)

He is also alot happier. It has been hard for him but he has

finally made his peace and came to turns with having cancer.

Thank you to all my dear friends that are praying for Greg and our family

I want you to know that not a moment goes by with out us knowing

the power of those prayers. One day I might do a post on all God is doing through this..

Thankfully it is alot cooler today,

so I'll be able to get outside.

Have a blessed day every-one..

Mandy

Hello Autumn!!!!!!!

I have made a start on the house work. The

chairs are up and the floors are ready to be vacuumed and mopped.

But it is so hotttttt! So like all good bloggers I've left the chairs where they are

and came to do my blog, excuse me for a moment I forget to make a coffee.

O.K back again...

Autumn is my favorite month, I love the colours reds, browns, bronze and all the colours in between. I love the leaves turning then falling, and most of all the promise of cooler

weather....Happy Spring to all my friends on the other side of the globe.

I am looking forward to reading about your spring.

We had a busy weekend, what's new they're all busy with children.

On Friday we had Alanah-Mays senior induction.

They all got there badges and certificates. This is a great way

for them to start the year I think. Above is Alanah and her 2 best friends Laura and Brianna

These girls have been friends since pre school. Laura and Alanah have been friends since they were born. I think it is a blessed thing to have a special person

in your life that's has always been there for you.

They are lucky girls to have one another.

I nearly forgot Alanah got her learners on Friday

as well, so she had a great day.

Congratulations Alanah-May.

Friday night was our local community Barby and

you all know how much I enjoy these.

Lovely to catch up with friends and neighbours.

Saturday I was up and out onto the garden, perfect day weather wise.

Got lots of weeding and planting done.

. Then I tried to chop the top of my finger.

Nearly succeeded too. My old mower that I tow a trailer on needs to

be pulled started now. Well as the day goes on it gets harder to pull

So here I am pulling the #**#!! thing and I got my finger

caught on a bit of tin. Hurt to!!!!

Should have had stitches in it but couldn't be bothered to go to the doctors.

It's all right now, I have it all bandaged up I can use it.

Those chairs are still up on the table waiting for me,

so I had better go and get some house work done.

Have a blessed day all

Mandy