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!

Supermoon

Last night, March 19th, we experienced a "perigee" moon, which is when the moon is closest to the Earth. When its orbit is the farthest from Earth, it is called a "apogee moon". The term "Supermoon" was invented to describe the location of the orbit in proximity to Earth which gives a slightly larger and brighter than normal appearance of the moon.

We've seen some night sky photos taken out in the middle of Australia that were absolutely incredible, so we decided to seize the opportunity of the "Supermoon" to have a little practice in honing our photography skills before we begin our big outback adventure in August (only 147 sleeps now). Even though the conditions were slightly cloudy, we could still capture the moon as it drifted in and out of view.

Coming Soon - Winter 2011

Plans are in the works as the Lewis and King group (a.k.a. L & K Excursions) prepare for their big outback adventure this winter. We're all very excited about our 2 week jouney out west and the wonderful and amazing things we'll discover along way. Our trek takes us across the middle of Oz and out to Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory. I have no doubt there will be plenty of photo opportunities around every bend.

Uluru (u:lu:'ru), also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. By road, "The Rock" lies 450 km (280 mi) south west of the nearest large town known as "The Alice" (Alice Springs) with a population of 26,188.

Departure Clock: only 151 more sleeps!

First Outing

We went for an overnight stay to the coastal area of Hawks Nest to officially mark our first camping trip of the season. The weather was picture perfect and we had a fantastic campsite under a huge gum tree. The boys did some moonlight fishing, the girls relaxed with a few cocktails and the kids had a play on the beach and a swim. I thought about a dip in the deep blue myself but when I heard Nick mention he had seen some "blue bottles" (poisonous jelly fish) I quickly decided to stay high and dry. What a great getaway this turned out to be! 



The Lewis Clan with their new enamel plates from America - no more plastic!



A beautiful moolit night to do some fishing! Only one fish caught but well worth the quality time spent with your mate!



Pondering tackle options!



Changing of the Seasons

After returning from a wonderful vacation (too short of course) in America, we were greeted with the seasonal change towards summer as temperatures began to rise. This naturally triggered the need to start making preparations for the hot weather to come. Bindi was the first one to get her pool, then us. Ahhhhh!

Round em' Up!

The Happy Campers crew set out once again for another winter getaway this past weekend to a working sheep and cattle ranch in Scone known as Middlebrook Station. Our gracious hosts and owners of the property were the Henderson Family.

The Henderson Work Rig - a family affair!

We set up camp among the gum trees on a lower portion of the property just in case we had to make a quick exit if rain were to pour down as forecasted. Luckily we had beautiful weather all weekend.

We assisted with cattle mustering which was an exciting opportunity for me since I've never been around animals like that before. As you know, I'm just a crop and bug chick. I found it quite fun but also a little scarey at times, especially when one of  those "cheeky bulls" (line from the movie Australia) is looking you straight in the eye and you're not sure if he's going to run past you or over you!

We also ventured out on our quad bikes to have a look at the new crop of baby lambs, retired farm equipment, the old homestead, wombats and take in the incredible view of Scone from the top.

Baa, baa, baa...where's my mommy!

A wombat making a dash for his hole!

....and what BIG holes they are!

Part of old homestead on the property

View of Scone from the top of the range

 With probably the biggest campfire I've ever seen or made, we had plenty of coals for our campovens. On the outback culinary menu this trip was beef stroganoff and a chicken stew - yummo!

A great time was had by all and we thank our gracious hosts for a fantastic weekend at Middlebrook Station. Cheers!

The Happy Campers on the front steps of the old homestead.

Little Miss Georgie Henderson and Nick stricking a pose.

Miss Maddison proudly displaying her latest find...goat horns!

What do have there Nick?......the cover off of a goat horn....cool!

Miss Belle Henderson deep in thought.