Last week of term...

Sunday...
Forgot to mention yesterday on our way home from Hobart John sighted a Larch Tree...we had a closer look..A great find.. Hope to come back to it in the Spring and try to extract a little Resin...an inportant ingredient for a number of medicines/creams.

Lovely Autumn colours everywhere you look on our drive home..

Market day..
After morning walk and breakie, its time to do a quick round of the market before opening the shop.

We have an inundation of email orders, so there is work to keep us busy during market morning.
John has plans to process the Paw paw this morning and kick off the fermentation process.
He has made arrangements with Kate (the breadmaking lady) to bring some raw milk to market today. He wants to curdle the milk to get the whey which will be added to the Paw paw as a source of Lactobacillus. This will hopefully assist in the anaerobic lactic acid fermentation.
The Paw paw will beone of the ingredients inour new formulation of a Mercurialis cream...used for healing wounds.
Thomas is not feeling all that flash today..but manages his usual roam of the market. John usually gives him a bit of spending money and invariably, Tom comes back with some treasures for me...What a darling boy.. This week its a beautiful blueish rock and a bookmark witha photo of a donkey in snow..(he slipped this into my book and I discovered it in the evening)
The boys get on with the Paw paw process while I attend to orders and customers through the morning.

Tom keeps a lookout for Cam the Bread man..who is usually arrives with his wonderful breads about 10.30ish. Sure enough, he arrives and sets up in the laneway just outside our shop window. Tom is head of the queue and its a bit of a wait as it takes Cam about 20 minutes to set up. By the time I go out to relieve Tom there is a long line of customers .. I buy a lovely Rye bread and 2 snail pasties...yummy.
We are just about to close when there is a stream of customers...and we sell a number of books..
After lunch John has a snooze and I read the paper..Tom is happy with lego and his SSA (Secret Spy Agency) work...
We head up to Wattle grove to collect some boxes of kindling. Its a job I delight in. Being up on the hill in fresh air and quiet...is just lovely collecting sticks...simple pleasures..

We drive over to the house site and  recover a number of old bricks that are in the area...hopefully to re-use in the garden area eventually. The boys have a bit of a poke about.

We have a bit of a drive about on our way home...enjoying the late afternoon light and the views.
Back home and we do some chores, shower  then settle down to yummy dinner .. a soup made with pumpkin, carrot, zucchini, onion, beetroot, garlic, ginger etc...with Cam's lovely bread and some cheese on the side..it goes down well.

After dinner Tom and I make some choc-chip cupcakes for school lunchbox
We all enjoy some reading before bed ....


Monday and its quite mild out this morning. I always head out with woolley hat etc...but didn't need it today. A lovely sunrise to begin the day.

Tom is not looking too bright...but rallys after breakie. He has a new duty of getting the fire going...and seems to be enjoying the task.
John and I get on with the orders and more come in as the day progresses..Its good to be so busy..and these are big orders today.
During the morning we notice St James Year 10 students visiting the church and Town Hall...no doubt in preparation for the May Ball this Friday Night...more about that later..
A group of students wander past with wheel barrows and bags full of leaves...these will be going on the Kitchen garden as mulch..

The day passes quickly as we have alot of work to do.
Thomas arrives in from school. He is keen to go to Scouts but we suggest he should have the night at home instead as his cough begins as the day cools off. He reluctantly stays home ...but soon finds preoccupation doing his sketch drawings.
We settle in to a quiet evening at home. After early dinner I get a bit of sewing done...

Tuesday and its a grey start today.

The Pear tree is gradually losing its leaves...and out indoor seedlings are doing well.

After the usual chores of the morning I head in to work...finding a large order that has been faxed through...so the day begins.
Again we are busy with lots of orders to do today.
In between ,the Arnica cream John made yesterday is labelled and packed...and i prepare boxes for the next cream that needs making..Eucalyptus /Plantago.
John is really happy with how the Paw paw is fermenting...smells good.
We have a couple customers today..but its generally quiet out front..which is ok..as we have enough to do.
Tom enjoys the final after school ball games for the term..and arrives in about 4.30.
I do a bit of shopping..enjoying the experience of buying fresh veges from the Larder
I go up to St Marks Hall for another Bown Therapy session with Nolan...
Home then dinner...
After dinner the boys have a read while I prepare a Caramel Pear pie for dessert tomorrow night.

We are having a visitor..Rene.. an anthroposphical friend of ours from Sydney who is in Hobart for a Psychiatry Conference. ..

Wednesday and its not too cool out today.
I manage to get a not too brilliant photo of the swans that have been at Burton's reserve this past week..they waddle off when they see me coming...

Tom is getting the shop fire going when I get back from my walk..He does a great job.
We have breakie and do morning chores..
I get dinner cooking in the slow cooker...a Chicken and Lentil Curry...yummy
Tom goes off to school. I won't be needed in the Kitchen class today as they are watching a film about mass food production..(quite contraversial viewing Roy told me the other week...he is excited to be able to show it to the class ...)
To work and John and I have yet another day of big orders to fill...quite a week this one!!
Tim the signwriter arrives mid-morning to put up the Dead Cat  on our roof...hmmm...a talking point I guess..

Glen the bloke from the woodheater place comes to do a measure up to quote for installation of the small heater.. will make a big difference to that cold workspace.
The rain comes in as the day progresses...its grey and wet out..but cosy in the shop where we are working.

The afternoon gets darker and darker..

Steve Cumper drops by with a visitor to town who has come with a group to dine at Red Velvet. He is taking her for a walk around town.

We prepare for Rene's arrival. He is due to arrive on the 5.05 bus..but we get a phonecall from him. Apparently that bus only runs on Thursdays...so he will be on the 6.05..

We have the fires going and all feels cosy...the curry smells good...should be a good night.

John and Tom Read Harry Potter while waiting for the bus to arrive...

Rene arrives and we enjoy a lovely couple of hours over dinner catching up. Really delightful company.

John drives Rene back into town...its a miserable wet evening..

Thursday and we awake at 7 and have a slower start.

We do the morning chores and breakie.

The boys have a read while I organise ingredients for baking cupcakes this afternoon for the May Ball tomorrow night.

The May Ball is a 60+ year tradition at St James. Originally revolving around processions and devotion to Mary...the current version consists of a Primary school liturgy at 11am tomorrow  then a Secondary liturgy at 7pm tomorrow night. I understand that each year 'someone' has the honour of crowning the statue of Mary with flowers at this ceremony and there is also a ceremony where the year 10s introduce the Prep students.

This is followed by the Ball held in 2 locations.The Primary children are in Carmel Hall and the Secondary students in the Town Hall. All students must attend in formal wear and they perform dances they have been practising for the past term. The night begins with a formal presentation of the Prep students by the Year 10 students in Carmel Hall.

Parents are asked to bring cakes that will be served as supper to the students. We also are asked to help in the supper room...so I'm rostered on from 9-10pm.

I have been told it is quite an experience. Its delightful to see the preparartion taking place...with lots of ladies from the community coming in to decorate the halls.. Can't wait..

We have a busy morning with orders...

After lunch John has a 10 minute catch-up snooze before I go over to help out in Tom's class.

When I get to Tom's classroom its all locked up...maybe they are inside watching a movie or something...anyway I go back to the shop to help John with some late orders that have come in.

Year 10 begins trailing across to the Town Hall with boxes of balloons and various other decorations...the excitment is clearly building...

There have been much comings and goings at Carmel Hall throughout the day too.

I go over to get Thomas as the rain is coming across again. I enjoy a quick chat with Kim and Sharon. Sharon informs me she will be taking leave for the rest of the year...I'll miss seeing her. She has such energy and enthusiasm.. a delightful person who always brightens my day. She said she will still come to Wed afternoon teas at RV..

Thomas gets the fire going , then we get started on the cupcakes....

After dinner I ice the cakes before heading off to Zumba.

The Town Hall is still being decorated so we have class at the school Drill Hall. A cosy space..

Its a drizzley night as I walk home..so its good to be back inside and after a hot shower, snuggle down with a book in bed..

Friday and again its grey and damp outside.

The morning is busy with orders and a few customers.

John makes a Eucalyptus/Plantago Chest rub..

At 11am I go to the Primary Marian Litury in the church. It is really special...with hymns, readings, symbolism, liturgical dance etc all honouring Mary and mothers/carers..Lovely. It reminds me of Ma's great devotion to Mary over her life...she is very much in my thoughts and prayers today.

I call in to Carmel Hall to take a peek at the preparations and am greeted by one of the ladies who is seting up..She said she has been dancing with Thomas at practises...we have a delightful chat.

After doing a few more orders I take a look at the Town Hall decorations. Again I meet another lady who has been involved in the set up.. It is clear how much work goes into the ball celebrations There is great pride in bringing it all together and passing on the tradition to the new generation of students.  Such a rare thing for children to be part of such an event that teaches them the elements of social graces..

As the afternoon progresses it gets darker and nore threatening... Tom arrives in from school...Happy Holidays!!..

I have a rest as I'm feeling decidedly unwell with a gravelly throat...but the show must go on. After dinner and showers...we tog up for the night.

There is much activity in the street with people coming and going...the rain and wind have set in...its a miserable night out...

We head over to the hall dropping off our cakes. Tom sits with his class and John and I find a seat with the parents..

What an amazing night it is. The childern all dressed up in their formal wear...and taking turns to entertain us with their dancing...really delightful to see. Tom's class dance the Mumba and the Waltz...and all groups have a turn of the barn dance, chicken dance, etc. The younger class does a version of the Pasodoble..with alot of stomping...its fabulous..

The Year 10 students arrive to present the prep students to the community...a lovely sight.

Each group eventually has a turn in the supper room where they each have a plate of assorted sandwiches and cake and cordial.. They also go by class to another room where photos are taken. Tom said there was a group photo then individual ones...they will be available for viewing at the Newsagent at some point. I enjoy my shift helping in the clean up in the kitchen...

The night ends with a Macareena...with teachers and students up on the floor...What a fabulous evening!! John and I are amazed by the incredible atmosphere and enjoyment of all involved.

I call in to see how the Senior Ball is going in the Town Hall. They have live musicians...who look as though they have done this gig a few times.... Delightful dancing and Spot prices for lucky couples..

Home to have a quiet read while listening to the final dances for the evening from next door..

Saturday and its a slow start for us ...John is up and busy pottering in the shop well before Tom and I surface.. We meander up to RV midmorning for morning tea.. Very enjoyable to sit and read the papers and catch up with locals. Tom goes over to Cobweb Gallery to say hi to Susan...we meet him there. Susan gives me a recipe for Vegan Minestrone as she has asked me to make a big pot for after the Lantern Parade on Sat June 23rd...
We head home and I potter a bit then crash for the afternoon...feeling pretty awful with a heavy cold..
The boys repot Prunus plants and John is delighted to get 30+ plants

Late afternoon we do a circuit walk to golf course and back around town..the boys enjoying a quick game of "Poo sticks" on the way...

We pick up Pizzas for dinner from Pizza On The Side at RV on our way home..
A quiet and early night for all...

Mother's day week

Sunday and as promised...I have breakfast in bed.
Delicious fruity porridge prepared by John and a BIG cup of tea brought in by Thomas.
The gifts are delightful...many cards..made at school and scouts...Foot balm and Bath milk made at school (I was in on the "surprise" as I helped the class do this on Thursday), a Downton Abbey book and soap and special tea from Lucy.
Phone calls and messages received from the girls during the day were lovely.
We had a slow morning...me enjoying  a read of my Downton book..the boys Harry Potter.. I did a bit of sewing...but need more material to continue...
The weather was very changeable again today....Was lovely...depending on which way you looked

John realised Alex (the farmer who is usually here on Market day) was out front selling veges..so we do a bit of shopping then Tom and I make a soup.

The market Bread guy turns up later so John ducks out font to buy a sourdough breadstick to go with our soup and a fruit loaf as well..
Its pretty cold out..but if rugged up its lovely...(especially if you have a warm home to go to.)
We set out about midday to visit a couple of permaculture gardens that are open today...sadly the first one is not open due to unforeseen circumstances...so we go up to Wattle Grove and do a bit more work up there for about an hour or so..
There are snow-capped mountains in the distance...and when the wind blows..you can feel it..

We really enjoy ourselves..

John drops Tom and I home and goes to the 2nd garden. (he said it was ok but a bit overgrown and hippy-ish...not how he'd do it)
We have a lovely afternoon of reading and knitting...an early shower and then have our yummy vege soup and bread..

More Harry Potter then we tune in to the Met. Opera performance of La Traviata on  ABC Classic FM..
Really enjoyable listening..

Monday and its not exactly warming up too much.
The morning isn't too cold as I do my walk ..but it doesn't get any warmer as the day progresses.

We have lots of orders to keep us busy throughout the day.
A number of customers drop in ...mainly after lunch...and browse and buy books.
A Mother's day parcel arrives from Hannah...Downton Abbey Series 2...what a treat
Tom is keen to get to scouts as usual.
I walk him down as John is doing some potentising.
I prepare Beef Stroganoff for dinner and get a bread on the rise..

Tuesday and its a grey start.

 The sun makes a few brief appearances throughout the day..but not for long

We have orders to keep us busy...and we fill the shampoo and conditioner bottles and label up for the shop shelf...
There is a nice drift of customers...some just browsing and others in for specific medicines...
I venture out about 1-ish to have a Bowen treatment...a new and interesting experience...to try and address a painful ankle issue and ongoing occasional back discomfort.  It is very deep tissue 'massage'.. sort of...quite painful at times...but Nolan assured me that is due to the muscle tension in those areas..Thought I'd give it a try.

Nolan Alderfox (the therapist) is our neighbour up on the hill...he and wife Julie and daughter Ula live off the grid in a very sheltered shady spot...but they have a fabulous vege garden..
Tom arrives in after ballgames.
We have early dinner as I have a School Board  AGM and general Meeting to attend. A long night as the meeting goes from 6.30 and doesn't finish til 10pm..but much is talked about and resolved and sub-committees formed. I will be working with a group to try and address Canteen issues..currently running at a loss...will be interesting.
Dearest John is waiting up for me when I get in...(well he fell asleep waiting..on the lounge)..so lovely.

Wednesday and again it is grey on my walk...but not cold. 10 degrees.

We are aiming for 16 degrees today.

The boys enjoy a little "Harry" before school.

I go over to kitchen class but am not needed today. Roy explains that there is very little to harvest from the garden so he has had to be more creative with the program, as his budget is low. Today he has a local guest speaker talking to the class about her raw food vegan diet...Interesting!! I decide to head back to the shop as John may need my help with orders. The talk would have been fascinating though...
John and I notice how cold it is in the medicine room compared to the rest of the building. We are thinking of solutions to make it a more comfortable work space as we spend alot of time in this back room.
We work on orders and product research for ingredients for a cream that is sought after.
We have various groups of customers through the shop.. a nice day.
Mid-afternoon we notice some action up the street in front of the new shop 'Cygnet Garden Larder'...due to open on Friday.
I wander up and join a group of locals as we watch the new sign going up.

Tom arrives in and has had a good day..Second day of NAPLAN tests today. He did reading and comprehension..seemed ok with it.

We had planned to dash to Kingston after work to pick up some books we have ordered...but the day is grey and as the evening descends...we change our minds as a cosy night at home is more appealing.

The boys enjoy Harry Potter and later I do a few "Downton" episodes...lovely.

Thursday and the moon is still visible on my morning walk.

  

I go over with Tom in the morning to see if there will be activities to help with today. Kim said she would love me to assist the children with typing up their marine reports...

John and I get busy with a stream of orders and John makes a Rose Cream that has to be filled..

Its pretty full-on.

The day is bright and sunny during the day...so the flat is nice and warm.

I dash across at 1.40pm and help in the classroom til bell time, then back to shop to pick up on a few more orders.

Anne, Gemma and Noah come over for afternoon tea. They enjoy the marble cake that Tom helped me make this last night.

Its nice to catch up with Anne..she heads to China next week in connection with the charity she runs..saving Pandas from Bile farms....

I toss up whether to Zumba tonight as I'm a bit headachey...but bite the bullet and go.

Its actually a bit easier as I feel like I'm keeping up a little better...still can't do those bellydance moves though!!

More Downton then bed!!

Friday and its Walk to School Day... St James has 3 points on the edge of town that the children can walk from. The out of towners will be dropped off by their bus drivers. Tom chooses the Sailing Club..so all 3 of us walk down at about 8am to meet the teacher and children there. John and I watch Tom run the last couple of 100 mtrs to meet the group then we turn around and head back. (We don't want to cramp Tom's style by walking 'with' the group)

We get into the day's work...labelling and packing Rose creams.

Orders and customers keep us busy throughout the day.

I unpack some lovely new puzzles I ordered..

Tim the sign writer is working across the road putting up another School House Cafe sign.

 He calls in as he is keen to come and put up our Dead Cat somewhere!! That will be interesting.

The new shop in Garden Larder opens today..I buy some lovely oranges and some fresh veges!!...such an improvement on the IGA offerings... The Larder also has some interesting kitchen gadgets etc..

Tom arrives in from school with his class photos...

He and John harvest and process Horseradish from our back garden...as we have had an order for a potentised Cochlearia (horseradish). We will leave the tincture to sit a few days then John will potentise.

Its quite a cool evening. We decide to have dinner at the Red Velvet and enjoy it very much...especially the short wander home again.

Tom is not feeling so well with a head cold coming on..so we tuck him in after a Eucalyptus/Plantago Chest rub...

I settle in to watch the final " Miss Fisher Murder Mystery"...

Saturday and we have a slow start (for us) and head into Hobart after a few chores.

We have a busy morning...

First to a heating shop to look at another small heater to install in work room area...we find a suitable size and arrange to have the installer come down and do a quote for us..

Then across the road we investigate options to start a lease of a Subaru to replace the Prius which is finishing lease soon. We walk away with plans of a Forester to be ordered for us. It will be a real bonus to have an off road vehicle for harvest trips and just getting up and back to our land.. (The Prius was great for Sydney traffic conditions..but not ideal for Tassie conditions)

John goes hunting for some Paw paw..and finds some at an organic market stall in Salamanca. He is planning to ferment it and make a tincture to add to a planned new wound cream we want to make.

We do some birthday shopping in town then swing past Kingston to pick up some Cygnet history books for our shop.

Glad to be home, I dash up to the Larder to buy some veges for dinner..

Then we crash and snooze followed by afternoon tea and a read of the paper.

I get on with dinner and some chores while John does some research for a wound cream he is making.

After dinner John and I wander over to the Town Hall to see how the Peregrine School Bush Dance is going. (Tom is not keen to come as he is tired and coldy..so opts to read by the fire)

The Bush Dance seems to be mainly a Peregrine School social event...It seems  to have a nice feel to it. We don't stay long as Tom is home alone. We enjoy the music wafting in as we read in our cosy lounge room.

Another full week......