December 19, 2014 Outdoor table

The old concrete trough at The Cowshed - once a goldfish pond.....

The macrocarpa slab top 

Geoff, Matty and three of the Waihi College first fifteen boys arrive to help put the slab in place...

Will it fit?!!!!!!

Christening the completed outdoor table!!

December 18, 2014 New avocados forming...

Picked another 150 avocados yesterday - ready for Xmas, Xmas presents and engagement party. Small avocados beginning to form on the trees - despite the heavy rain and wind experienced over the last 5 days.

Egg collection

Collected the eggs this evening - didn't realise they came in quarter sizes!!!! Only five hens around again tonight - one has disappeared. Am convinced it's sitting on a big nest of eggs somewhere - but can't find it!!! Have spent hours searching, but to no avail!!! Maybe tomorrow?!!!

Picking avocados

Picked 100 avocados yesterday from three trees, prior to the expected storm. Fruit a good size, however some skins showing sun or wind damage. Will continue picking over the next 5 days, so that fruit is ready for Xmas and the engagement party.

Ali made some great boxes from macrocarpa "leftovers'. Hoping to add a stencilled logo to the ends and utilise them for marketing and selling fruit.

Rhubarb Chutney

Harvested some rhubarb today - stewed some for breakfast and made a delicious chutney from a recipe cook from Rural Women, New Zealand


Rhubarb Chutney

Phyllis Bishop, Lynnfield Branch

This is nice with pork and with slices of cheese for sandwiches.

500g rhubarb, diced
500g onions, diced
2 red peppers, de-seeded
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 cup sultanas
1 1/2  cups red wine vinegar
3 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
 1 tablespoon salt

Put all ingredients in a pot and simmer for 1 hour. Bottle while hot into sterilised jars.

Worm juice

Both worm farms in full production. Bottled 10 litres of worm juice this morning. Adding it to the seaweed fertiliser and spraying the orchards, vegetable garden, roses etc.

Look what arrived !!!

Finally!!!! The building consent has arrived!!!