We're finally 'on the grid' & No more 'standby'

Woohooooo!

Finally, although not with any warning, the men came the other day....to connect a new inverter to our system, as the original one was faulty.....I would never choose this company again...They stuffed me around so much....and until I told them I had a meeting scheduled with Consumer Affairs.....that work finally got done.....I'm still not happy though, as I wasn't aware that they were coming out to install it, and I wasn't home....a neighbour told me they had been.....so I have no idea how to read the inverter...and no idea what any of the data means......the company told me that someone would 'explain it all to me'.....Pfttttt!!

I do know though that I have started decreasing the amount of 'standby' all our appliances have.....
I, like many others are trying to reduce our electricity bills....
It seems that every time we find a way to cut our costs and usage....we here of another price increase in the use of our electricity....it's so frustrating......

A few months back, I bought a wind-up torch for early morning rises....(I wind it up during the day though) and night time snail hunting in the garden...amongst other uses.....I have also bought another wind-up torch with a built in radio....so now I can listen to the radio while I am out in the garden.....for free......which I like...Batteries are sooo expensive...and I prefer to use re-chargeable batteries too...but I only have a limited supply of them, and they are always being used, like in the smoke alarms, and wall clocks...even in the remotes....

I recently bought a device that allows me turn off multiple electrical items in one go.....the idea is, each power board that is being used....plug it into one of the adapters, then plug the adaptor into the wall socket....

Each night now I go to the computer, press A1 to turn off everything.....
I then go to the tv unit, press A2 to turn off everything......
I then go to the back lounge-room where the boys hang out.....press A3 and turn off everything.....

All with the one remote.....we now don't have anything left on standby...so less electricity...I'm sure it will be a huge savings....but will need to wait to find out....another great thing about this....I can use up to 20 different combinations....as they come in packs without the remote as well.....These ones are from Bunnings, and for the three switches and one remote...it cost me just under $30.

I have also been turning the dishwasher and the washing machine off at the wall for a few weeks too...as they also have a standby light on them......I just need to get a few more...as I want to plug one into the microwave....as we don't use it that often any more......

Another idea which I got from Rose......We have a night-light that is plugged into the bathroom socket, so we don't need to turn on the big light....I am thinking about sourcing a few solar lights...and placing one in the bathroom....thus removing another item being plugged into the wall.....We have a huge skylight in the bathroom, so I'm pretty certain that it would get charged through the night.....

I'm really pleased with these decision....does anyone else use something like this...If so, have you noticed a difference in your power bills?

2 Birthday Celebrations and a Family Business

Today is my husband's 41st birthday. He doesn't like to be fussed over, and we usually don't exchange gifts on 'our' birthdays, but this year I found something extra special that I know he will enjoy and admire....As I haven't given it to him yet....you will have to wait to see what it is.....


A while back....I had some help from the lovely Rose and Tony over at Greening of the Rose. They own a successful framing business called Beach Art...They also stock a huge range of Art Supplies and support local artists with a gallery above the shop......I was able to get hubby's gift well presented and preserved for years to come.....Thank-you Rose and Tony for taking on the extra work, I know how busy you are with such a fantastic business.....Sure; there are framing business's closer to me than this one, but I don't know those people, and I would much rather put my money into helping a business run by people I know....not to mention 100% Australian Owned........Speaking of 100% Australia Owned......I also encourage each and every reader to visit Rose at her blog...she is doing a remarkable job in researching our everyday foods in particular brands...often coming up against a brick wall of 'privacy'...........
We appreciate the hours Rose is spending researching the food brands in an Australian household...and especially how she is taking the time to share her "interesting to say the least" discoveries on her blog.


For hubby's birthday, we will eat well tonight...we have a tradition in our house...When it is your birthday, you get to decide what is on the menu for the evening meal.....Hubby put in a gentle request the other day, saying he hadn't had Golden Syrup Dumplings for a long time.....so guess what is on the menu for dessert? He never wants me to go to too much trouble....Pftttt....It's his birthday...I will go to as much 'trouble' as I want....lol.....Like I said, he doesn't like to be fussed over....and won't tell me what he would like as the evening meal....As it is Sunday, and I usually bake a roast...I will go for a baked dinner for his birthday, as I know he enjoys a good hearty meal....Pork or Corned Beef....the decision is yet to be made..........If I buy a leg of Pork, I will have to buy extra skin for crackling too....lol.

Extra crackling

Hubby's dinner plate
The pork is hidden under the big blob of gravy.

To tired to do Golden Syrup Dumplings....
but home cooked blackberries & ice-cream was very yummy

Hubby has always had hunting dogs in the past
We haven't been duck hunting for years.

Update: Hubby was very pleased with his framed gift....quite amazed at the work that had gone into it....and told me to thank Rose and Tony for such a professional job on the framing.

Thanks again to Rose and Tony....

Another Birthday Celebration....


Happy 80th Birthday Leo


Recently my family went to my 2nd cousin Leo's 80th birthday....Leo and I share the same interests of researching our family history....and he has two books published on orchids, so there is always something for us to talk about ......

He is doing rather well for his age, considering he has had many skin cancer operations on his face and arms....an occupational hazard of being a horticulturist.....

Leo is a lovely man, who had a really big day, celebrating his birthday, sharing company with more than 50 family and friends.

I'm not skimpy and always think heaps about the gift I give....I found a basket that would be large enough to hold his gift at the op-shop for $2.50....bought it home and gave it a good scrub, with my own soap.....

So I added to the basket.........I picked my first turnip, some carrots, added some bartered mandarins, some organic tomatoes from the markets that morning, (after taking DS19 to train station at 5.30am)....
also added a home-made knee rug, woollen scarf and soft cotton face-washer that mum made....and some jams, pickles and sauces out of my stockpile, which was all made by me.......and even a bottle of citrus cleaner and some home-made soaps....

I stressed to him that everything was organic, and or preservative free, with no chemicals....and I could tell that he appreciated that.

My wonderful hubby and my Uncle Don

Leo's grand-daughters did a wonderful job catering for the day.

My mum and my hubby

New growth everywhere you look

With spring, comes new growth...I am talking about the garden, but there is new growth all around....I am growing too.....as a mother.....the role I play, the guidance my children seek......soon I will have a daughter-in-law living with us...(no marriage plans in the near future, so don't ask)...but yes, she will be moving in at the end of the year to continue her studies locally and then going on to uni, which is not offered where she lives now.....Us mum's don't always get it right, but I think if we are honest enough with our own children when new situations appear....there shouldn't be a break-down in communication. If only we were handed a book when we first become pregnant....I'm sure you will all agree with me on that one....

What our children don't realise; (and I have told them this a few times)....is if it is the first time they are experiencing something, then it is most likely that it is OUR (the parents) first time in dealing with 'it' too, especially if the child is your first. Growing up is hard enough...all that responsibility....It can be a challenging but very educational time for young adults. I just wish they weren't in such a hurry to get there, but of-course I will always be there to guide them and offer friendly advice......I am growing as a parent, WITH my boys.

Growth in the garden, everywhere you look.........

Ok, now back to the growth in the garden......Walking around the garden yesterday in the sunshine...I had been preparing a few more garden bed tubs that I got a while back....I have potatoes in one already...and will be planting in another once my seedlings come up....

This Saturday I also begin the monthly course with Richard the Practical Gardener...the course runs for a full 12 months...so I will learn heaps.

The front garden....which I built...I harvest from this every day. There is parsley of two varieties, kale, sorrel, cilantro, marjoram, thyme, aloe, lettuce leaf, garlic, spinach, spring onion, leek, flowers..just to name a few.

I harvest from this bed every day...

The berries bed are showing tiny signs of life

Cabbages, Broccoli

Fruit Salad Sage

Rocket beginning to seed

My very first Daffodil...we have three now.

I love this photo

In the centre is my 'Pick as you grow lettuce'
I grew this from seed, and have been harvesting from it for months

Kale

Mitzuna Salad leaf

Baby Bok Choy, bolting far too early

Peppermint amongst the Ferny Azola

Potatoes were planted 16 May, waiting to flower....

I also have another larger tub with newly planted seed potato.

Lime

 Miniature Seedless Valencia Orange

Passionfruit, ready to be planted into it's new bed.

Miniature Macadamia nut tree

Bay Laurel

Mint and Lemon Balm
cut back a few weeks ago to be rid of old growth.

My Elderflower has lots of new growth beneath the main stem...not sure what to do with them yet, maybe I will get some extra trees....If anyone can guide me with this I would love to hear how.

The same Elderflower

Source

Above is a photo of a Miniature Shatoot Mulberry, nicely established....

I hope mine (below) grows this wonderfully.

a Miniature Mulberry, red shahtoot.
this grows lovely long berries about 10 cm long...

This is a lovely flower...I'm not sure what it is called,
but I love it when it is out in flower...
It belonged to my Nan.

Free tomato plants
beneath the Locut and Fig trees

The Ice-cream bean tree

My poor battered Miniature Banana tree
is even showing promise with new growth

Lemon/Lime tree with new buds appearing.

Thanks for having a look around my garden, I also have many seeds planted in seedling trays at the moment, but they are yet to pop through the soil.....
Sorry this was such a long post...but there is a lot going on around here........
What's happening in your garden?