June 28, 2011

Busy Days. Keeping Swimming.

I am not quite sure where the time is going at present.  We have set a moving date (the last week in July) and all of a sudden time seems to have taken off.  The good news is that everything happening is super exciting.  The New House is now completely painted inside and looks amazing.  The floors are getting sanded next week and then the kitchen man is doing his quick makeover (or the kitchen tart up as we are calling it).  All of this seems to have coincided with lots of activites at school and extra days at my real job. Oh well.  One of my friends always says that when things get hectic you have to channel Dory from Finding Nemo and think "just keep swimming, just keep swimming".

There was a cake stall at Farmgirl's childcare centre last week.  I made one of my ridiculously large chocolate cakes and cooked it in 4 little foil pans.  Then we decorated them and I looked like a uber Mum for not much effort at all.  Love that as a concept.

Uber Mum Effort

I have started to pack things in boxes ready to move.  I don't cope well with domestic chaos.  I find when we move house that putting absolutely everything in a box means that at least things look a bit orderly at the other end.  Living with a pile of boxes stacked near one wall is a lot better than living with all our belongings scattered all over the house.

Packing Boxes

Something lovely happened here on the weekend.  An elderly gentleman came up to The Farmhouse and introduced himself.  His father had originally cleared 1500 acres that now make up part of The Farm.  He did this in 1928 and he was only 20.  His son had lots of old photos of some parts of The Farm and of the original camp which is now gone.  It would have been such hard work.  The first crop yielded 1 bag to the acre (this is an old yield measurement, to give you an idea the same paddock now yields about 23 bags).  The story had a bit of a sad ending as his father had to walk off his land in the Depression. The gentleman left us copies of his father's stories and of the photos. Such a wonderful thing to have.  We are incredibly grateful.

So there you go.  A quick update.  Now I have to go and sort out my end of financial year stuff.  What an exciting way to spend a Tuesday morning.

16 comments:

Sydney Shop Girl said...

Hello AFW

Good on you for getting an early start on the financials. I'm putting it off!

I would have done very well at the bake stall I think, very well indeed. Your cakes look great.

SSG xxx

Sydney Shop Girl blog

Jane said...

great looking cakes! the boxes look very tidy against the wall. a big time for you. in the moments of madness and clutter, step outside, breath and smile. Jx

Tas said...

I am not sure where the first half of the year has gone. I feel like I just put the Christmas tree away and psyched myself up for 2011 to start.

The next weeks will keep flying. Nothing like moving house to pass the time.

Lisa @ Blithe Moments said...

I remember reading a study of the most stressful life events. At the top of the list is losing a loved one, but very near it is moving house! Looks like you have it organised and sorted and how lovely to move into a newly painted and "tarted" house.

What an excellent idea about using foil trays for the cakes. I will have to remember that one.

And how nice to learn more about the history of the Farm. I think we don't know enough of that stuff. Treasure it!

Kakka said...

WOW what a lovely thing to happen, to connect with someone who's history is part of your farm.

Loving those cakes you Uber Mum you - lol.

Good luck with the packing and the hectic times. xxx

Joolz said...

Chocolate Freckles can make anything look uber! :)

Joolz

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! I love knowing the history of a place. Our house was built in the 1930s, and a few times in the past 8 years we've had people drop past who had lived here, or visited here when they were children.
Good luck with your busy work! Those cakes look uber-yum. :)

Makeminemidcentury said...

Isn't that lovely that fellow came up to the farm? But sad his father had to leave. Again, demonstrating how hard previous generations have had it compared to us.

Are you actually moving off your property or is the 'new' house just on another part? I get easily confused.

Someone should bring out a book 'The No-Sweat Uber Mother: How to Fool Everyone Into Thinking You Never Go To Sleep.'

Naturally Carol said...

Hi..I have just found you and followed you. I have spent a lovely few minutes just scrolling and reading your posts. Please feel welcome to come and visit me too..whenever you like!

A Farmer's Wife said...

MMMC - We are moving to a different property. We will still own this one though. The new property is closer to our nearest town and that is part of the reason for the move.

I did think it was lovely of the man to come up. I took him on a little tour of the part of the farm that his father cleared. I can't fathom how hard it would have been clearing this land with a small tractor and a horse.... It is quite fertile country and supports decent sized trees and quite dense scrub.

I am big on embracing my inner faux uber Mum.

G said...

Tres Uber. Freckles are such a brilliant invention.

I often find myself channeling Dory. She really does have some classic lines. gxo

Gemma @ My Big Nutshell said...

Oh there are just too many exciting things! How exciting about your imminent move! Bet you can't wait to see the floors done and the kitchen tart up? The freckle decorated cakes are simply too cute and no wonder you are touched by the stories of the farm. Clearly they knew you would be a person who would appreciate such history and meaning. just lovely.

The Distressed Mother said...

How touching that he approached you! I love knowing the history of where I am.

I haven't done a tax return in three years. It stresses me out no end, thinking of all the work there is to be done.

I never imagined that you had another job. I guess I just thought being super mum/farmer's wife was it!

TDM xx

Tales of a Tai Tai said...

Ummm.... I need some of that chocolate cake....tout de suite!! Can you share your recipe? And how amazing to have someone attached to the farm come back and share some history. Makes you feel part of something bigger huh? xx

Bungalowgirl said...

The cakes- super uber. The new house- super uber exciting. The old farm history- quite lovely of him to share really. Best of luck with your move- can't wait for the photo tour. melx

Tania said...

I think it is amazing that the gentleman was so kind to visit you and leave such memorabilia with you to cherish for years to come. Things have certainly changed since the first pioneers haven't they? How hard it must have been for them and so sad that his father had to leave his beloved farm...

Those cakes look fabulous and what a great way to present them :)

House moving is always stressful, but it wont be long now and all those boxes will be gone and you will be happy and settled in you new home.

x