Beef Bonanza

We've made a little history at Pine Hill recently. The inaugural cow carve-up happened in April where we slaughtered and butchered one of our own just in time for tasty winter dinners. We have SO much meat. From the 225kg cold weight carcass, our friends at Flint Street Butchers, top, carved 180kg of delicious grass-fed Pine Hill Angus beef for the fridge. Needless to say we have lots of sausages and mince. I had a lot of fun chatting to Mick and John (pictured) and Chris about different beef cuts, and the old fashioned way of butchering versus the quick-cuts of the modern market. The carcass was hung for a fortnight before butchering, so the meat is lovely and tender. I don't think I'm biased - my foodie aunt has confirmed its superior quality after cooking a 4kg whole piece of rump. If The Shaz is happy, then it must be good.

Cropping 2010/11

The wheat crop from sowing to harvest in the front paddock better known as "Scrubby". Molly, Huckleberry and I would often visit Scrubby on our morning walk to see Gregory's progress (Gregory is the variety of wheat).

Springtime Reflections

The garden in spring 2010. A hard winter prune and grey clouds as sprinklers made for a very happy garden. Mild temperatures saw the roses hold their colour and fragrance much more than past springtimes, and most of the flowers between them are self-sowers from last year.

Summertime

Top picture shows Gibba Hill in November 2010 - one year on (to the day, thanks G!), looking a little different to the view twelve months earlier.

Middle pic is of the chooks leaping a metre into the air to eat a fig temptingly dangling from its branch.

Bottom pic introduces The Duckies - this is as close as they'll get at the moment. With some more bread feeding sessions, I hope they'll eventually eat out of our hands. It took them ages to pluck up the courage to even leave the yard.

Hiding Out

To be honest, when life paused in its constant state of nausea last September (yep, baby on its way), I didn't anticipate this much time to slide by between blog entries. But it's true that only now do I feel like I'm able to indulge in the time to write here and collate lovely pictures. Thank you for being patient. I am alarmed at how much can happen in six months.

At the end of September I finished my work and final deadline at the wonderful world of Vogue Living - I miss the office every now and again, but interestingly enjoy reading the magazine so much more. That glossy is pretty spectacular every issue.

October passed with spontaneous chucking and November saw the start of harvest - and rather importantly our first wedding anniversary. December came, and so did the rain. Wheat was franticly taken from paddocks as the flood water chased into the flood course. It was like living by the seaside. Birds were everywhere. Tractors got bogged - headers too. Throw in a Sydney Christmas while rain continued to stop and start. Eventually, harvest was in the bag by the end of January. February was hot, but not for too long - the garden held on well. We introduced some new members to the Pine Hill extended family - five Pekin ducklings - think Jemima Puddleduck. They're quite funny things and have somewhat stolen the limelight from the chooks. They're big now - and its easy to se why they're bred for eating - they look delicious... Kylie Kwong's crispy skinned duck is currently waddling around the garden.

And so here we are in March. The Farmer is preparing the cottage for the arrival of our baby girl due the last days of May (her plasticine-like portrait at 24 weeks, above. Some screw up their faces at such images, but for me, I am completely blown away by what technology can show us). I vow now that this blog wont become a gushing gooey baby fest, but I am learning that hormones are completely out of one's control.

Enough words, now for some pictures. The next few entries are some snap shots from happenings on the farm over the last six or so months.

Egglet

The sixth chook has started laying (the brown mini-egg). They're the sweetest little things. In a few weeks they'll be up to size. It takes a bit of getting used to - laying an egg each morning. If the girls are out wandering first thing, she sometimes leaves it 'til the last minute and has to make an urgent dash across the garden back to the chook house. I imagine all the cackling is chook-speak for "Quick, an egg is coming!" Nice one chooky.

Winter Window

A few pics of a frosty winter morning. Gloves, beanie and scarf essential for morning walks - Molly still takes herself for swims in this sort of weather. Mad. Mmmm snuggly weather.