When Life Hands You Lemons.......

..... you make lemonade of course!

I harvested the lemons on our lemon tree this morning and what better way to mark the harvest with a fresh batch of homemade lemonade. Absolutely refreshing!

I squeezed and froze enough juice to make 3 large batches of lemonade this summer. I may even have to create a special lemon cocktail just to commemorate the 2012 harvest.


STEP 1 - Harvest

STEP 2 - Squeeze

STEP 3 - Enjoy!

Spring has Sprung

I just couldn't pass up, nor resist, these oh-so-cute plant holders to mark the beginning of spring. 

I am the "buglady" ya know!

Ladybugs......always a good sign of something beneficial on the way!

Winters End

For the last weekend of winter 2012 we decided to take our new off-road Topaz trailer, un-officially named "T2", on an overnighter out in the bush. We camped on a friend's property only 40 minutes from home. Our 24-hour get away, and Bindi's first camping trip, was wonderful and the weather couldn't have been any better. Of course the hound was about as happy as she could get, playing fetch all day in the biggest backyard she's ever seen. I think we finally found her exhaustion point. Becoming one with nature was therapeutic for all of us!

"T2" - our new bush bashing bungalow!

It's a dogs life!

Cockatoos in the gum tree



"Will somebody please pay attention to me and throw the ball!"

The Billy on the boil!

Concentration!

One happy puppy!

ANZAC Day - April 25th

To commemorate ANZAC Day I decided to make a batch of Anzac biscuits (cookies) to share with friends and family.They were quite tasty if I may say so myself.

Here's a little history on the Anzac "bickie":

An Anzac biscuit is a sweet biscuit popular in Australia and New Zealand, made using rolled oats, flour, desiccated coconut, sugar, butter, golden syrup, baking soda and boiling water. Anzac biscuits have long been associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) established in World War I.

It has been claimed the biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad because the ingredients do not spoil easily and the biscuits kept well during naval transportation.

I extended my ANZAC Day holiday to span across 5 days. A nice long weekend - fabulous. We dropped Bindi off at "Granny Cheryl's" (MIL) for a week then headed to Sydney for the Camping and Caravan Show. We also slipped in a quick trip to Costco before we left the city. Gee, it's wonderful they are here in Oz now and I can buy large paper towels and Monterey Jack cheese again. It's funny how many of the little things you miss about home.

The next day (Friday) was spent getting ideas and quotes for our kitchen, laundry and guest bath remodel. Hopefully my jaw doesn't break from hitting the ground too hard when the cost estimates come back. We could be in for a big shock. Priority is for the guest bath to be complete first because it's been gutted for over a year now...it's time!

Shower and tub area

Vanity area

The rest of the weekend my was spent re-organizing my pantry - a monumental task to say the least. It's amazing how much can accumulate overtime and how much crap you have hiding in the back of the shelves. I do think we'd could feed the entire neighborhood for 6-months if all the grocery stores when on strike tomorrow.

This morning (Sunday) the wet fog settled on potted California Redwoods we have in our backyard - beautiful. I can't help but smell them every time I walk by just so I can transport my senses back to the wooded forests of Yosemite..ahhhh! I truly miss that incredible smell that seems to completely envelope your mind and spirit.

Return of LuLu

I am truly thankful for my friends back home who keep me sane and remind me that no matter how far  away (7487 miles to be exact) we're separated by this big pond they call the Pacific Ocean, they will always be there when I need them. Cyber technology in the form of Skype has been a real blessing to me since I landed in Oz. I can now stay in better touch with my friends and family - sometimes like almost being there but nothing will ever beat the warmth of a good ol' hug!

Last night (afternoon for me) I had a priceless gab session with my besties Bud and Ro. I laughed so hard I thought I was going to fall of my chair. Laughter is definitely the best medicine especially when you have a bad case of homesickness...thanks girls! I miss you and love you both so much.

The one thing you can always count and love the most about your girlfriends is their honesty. Ro bluntly reminded me I hadn't updated my blog in a long time. Actually it's been almost a year. Yes, I have been very bad, but Lulu is back.

There has been so much that has happened over the last 12 months I can't even begin to squeeze my thoughts into one or even 50 posts. I will say that probably the biggest highlight during this time period occurred last June when we went to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the middle of Australia with our friends the Lewis'. Our adventure was incredible and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I've never seen as many stars, bluer skies or breathtaking sunrises/sunsets than I experienced camping in the outback....absolutely and un-describably amazing!

Living in the country of Australia you never know what critters you might come across from one day to the next. This weekend, for example, has been extra special. Friday night we had a poisonous brown snack slither his way between the panes of our sliding glass door into the house. Luckily we scared him back outside in which he received the business end of a shovel. Then this morning I decided to unfurl my patio umbrella to create a nice little shady spot our guest during morning tea (white chocolate & raspberry muffins -yummy) and what did I find hiding inside????? A bat! What's next, a platypus in my bathtub?

Going Bush Once More

B & L Excursions returned to Middlebrook Station this past weekend for a few days of bush camping, cooking, quad bike riding and some crazy antics with our hosts (The Hendersons - Hamish 'Hendo', Jackie, Isabella and Georgia), a few new friends (Neil, Leann, Sophie and Torben) and our best mates (Adam, Vanessa, Nick and Maddi).

Within the landscape of a cattle and sheep property, not too far from home, we set up our camp in a clearing amongst the gum trees and built the biggest campfire I've ever seen. S'mores were a big hit with those new to this classic campfire treat, Adam baked a scrumptious damper in the camp oven, we hung a quad bike in a tree just for fun, chased kangaroos, did a little target shooting, endulged in a bottle of pear schnaaps around the inferno and the kids set out on a scavenger hunt one afternoon to collect items like dead ants, roo poo, mushrooms, fencing wire, etc. They had a great time and yes, fun was definitely had by all and we're ready for our next big adventure.

Biker Chicks - Vanessa and Maddi

New vs Old - breaking in the "billy"

Leann the crack shot!

The Hendersons arrive in their "Woohoo" - notice the matress strapped down on the top with an electrical cord for the fridge. You're a genius 'Hendo' !

Look Ma, we caught us a Quaddie!

Happy Kampers!

Take aim 'Rusty'!

Torben deep in concentration and Adam wondering 'what is that kid aiming at?'

We think camping is cool! Nick, Maddi and Torben

Can you give me a lift Leann!

The Inferno begins with just a little smoke

We need another log for the campfire BK!



Our catch-of-the-day!

Isabella models the latest country fashion - The hat fits perfertly daddy! 



Big sis can shoot too 'Nicko'!

What makes the sky blue mum? (Hamish, Jackie and Georgia)

Bugger!

Retired!

I Love Bugs!

Yesterday I needed to investigate some dying trees in our rehabilitation area at work. Upon inspection, I found the culprit to be caused by some kind of borer. As an agrono and Pest Control Advior (PCA), I felt right in my element digging around the sappy and frassy (insect poop) bark in search of the responsible critter. Once I found my crawly little friend, I couldn't get anyone to hold him while I took a photo, so I grabbed him myself and plopped him in the palm of my hand. Ladies and gentlemen, that is why my mom always called me the "buglady" - I love it! The only thing about all this is that it makes me miss all my PCA work back home in the fields of California just that much more. Sigh!