Monday, December 28, 2015

We Wish You a Merry Christmas... aand a Happy New Year!!

Hello Dhaaarlings...
Belated Christmas Wishes to everyone...
Sorry for my absence but you know how it gets at this time of year and this year has been crazier than most!


The Empress and I have been flat out during the festive season busying ourselves with volunteering at the op shop... packing food hampers for the poor and unfortunate... visiting the elderly and bringing them some Christmas cheer along with all the family commitments that the season brings.. 
School graduations, Christmas plays, recitals and Christmas carolling along with catching up with all unsundry... friends and relatives alike 

Last year's teddy turned into a pooch this year...

In the middle of that add preserving fruits and vegetables given that the season for apricots came 2 weeks earlier this year but fortunately with much less fruit so we had less to bottle than in previous years and none left over for jam and preserves. Just as well we had a bumper crop last year and still have apricot jam in reserve from then!

We have had flocks of parrots invade the yard to scavenge the fruit trees
They have successfully trashed all the plum trees,So that put paid to making plum jam/sauce this year... they finished off the apricots and have now started to consume the apples that still remain struggling to grow.
Un fortunately the trees are too big to cover with bird netting so I have resigned to letting nature take it's course

The garden has become a challenge given that we have had very little rain all year and it is difficult to keep the water up to everything that needs it so sadly I've had to let some of it go in the hope that it is tough enough to hold out until we get decent rains... The only areas to continue to get regular water are the vegetable garden and fruit trees though the parrots seem to be winning that battle!.

The Tomatoes and Lettuce struggling under shade coloth...

Some of the tomatoes almost ready for harvest...

A cucumber ready to pick... Only 2 vines but harvesting one cucumber every second day

More tomatoes, mostly cherry tomatoes that are self sown from last year and just re planted

Bell Peppers and very sad bok choy that got consumed by bugs and a bath full of Basil that seems to be going gangbusters

This year in the vegetable baths I've planted tomatoes, lettuce, zucchini, bell peppers, bok choy, basil, silverbeet and climbing beans, the tomatoes are starting to crop well along with the cucumbers and zucchini, the lettuce continues to struggle and given the intensity of the sun I have resorted to covering their bed with shadecloth to at least try to give them a fighting chance before shrivelling to crisps... As for the Bok choy well it got consumed overnight by bugs of some sort, one day thriving the next spindly skeletons

Yes I've had a busy year what with costuming for shows and travelling with the Empress... Clothing commissions, adjustments and repairs trickling in all year have been keeping me on my toes.

 Both of us remain fit and healthy and we both have a lot to be grateful for
This year has not been without it's trials but we have survived and are looking forward to the coming year ahead.

From Me and Mine to You and Yours
May the joy and blessings of the season and hope for the coming new year be with you all

Love Prinny and The Empress

XXXXXX

14 comments:

  1. All the best to you and The Empress.

    The crops look good. Good luck with the hot weather and birds.

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    1. It is getting hot Mr Lax, but it's quite odd because we are having cool spells in between the heat. Makes for a challenge fashion wise... "Layers" is the current trend.

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  2. imagine having parrots invade your yard!

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    1. Norma Darling... Screeching parrots at 6 in the morning right outside the bedroom window is getting a little tiresome... but the poor things need moisture like everyting else during a drought so who am i to complain

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  3. The pics are awesome; luv the festive fotos & the close up of the crops are great. I, too, wish you better weather & less pests.

    I have a love-hate relationship with birds. Sure they look pretty & some sound lovely, but they piss me off by pooping all over the place, esp. on a freshly washed car!

    Best wishes to you & yours for a New Year full of good health, good company, & good times.

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    1. Thanks Mr Swings
      the birds i can cope with it's the flying fox poo that i can't cope with. It's like acid on car duco and very difficult to remove as it cakes on hard like glue

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  4. Dear Princess, will you ever get a day off?!?

    Glad to hear you and the Empress are both well. I hope you both get to enjoy a day off very soon, and have a happy new year!

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    1. We managed to do nothing on Boxing Day but lay "guts up" on couches watching movies or sleeping... the Empress couldn't understand why she was so tired!

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  5. So sunny!!! Did you get my card, my love?? I know that I have had one success sending to Aus, so I hope it's with you soon.
    Happy season's greetings!
    Sx

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    1. Dear Miss Scarlet,
      I shall stand eagerly by the post box until it arrives...
      Adorned in a sun bonnet and Long gloves... The sunshine is so harsh on ones skin these days...
      I'll give you an "Oi" when the postman delivers...

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  6. What lovely décor on the tree. I just knew you were good with balls. I was going to send out a search party for you...thank goodness your back, honey. Happy Tidings to you both!

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  7. thanks Maddie darling... It's the same old tat from last year recycled on new fallen branches from this year....
    happy new year!

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  8. Belated Season's Greetings to you and The Empress, but I am in time to wish you the Happiest of New Years and all the best for 2016. May it bring you great health, cheeky bums, prosperity and lots and lots of fun!

    xxxx

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    1. Thanks RosesAnd all the best to you for 2016 down on the farm!

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