The week (or two) that was

The spray man came out to spray 8 acres so we can start to think about lucerne planting.

The Mr got kicked by a horse.  He was bruised and sore but thankful that it was not worse.

Something died on the kids side of the house.  Colin pulled iron off the roof on the verandah, got up in the main roof, looked under the house but we couldn't find the offender.  Obviously the kids could not sleep in there, I could not even walk past the door without retching, so we moved their dressers into the kitchen and closed that part of the house up.  It still smells in there, but thankfully the kids are happy sleeping upstairs until I give it the all clear.  At least the rest of the house is smell free, with thanks to the plastic!

I am almost getting used to having two dressers in the kitchen.  At least this one keeps the kids off the plastic, not that they seem tempted to get on the other side.

We also need rain, everything has dried off and Summer seems to be hanging on.

Vantage Point

Keeping an eye on the goings on in the yards.

Interesting

Doing the rounds on the internet at the moment.  It it interesting isn't it?!

The Ethics of Eating Meat

Did you see the SBS Insight show on The Ethics of Eating Meat?  You can WATCH IT HERE if you like.  I have not watched it yet, but I am going to talk about the subject anyway.  I was on the show and I have no desire to see myself on National Television and as such have not watched it yet....

ethic -plural of eth·ics (Noun)

1. Moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior.

2. The moral correctness of specified conduct.

Firstly, I should state that I eat meat.  I always have and I can't see myself stopping at any point in the future.  I believe that growing sheep and beef on good grazing land is the most efficient way to convert the protein from the pasture that we cannot eat into a protein that we can.

Given the majority of the population eats meat, and given the above definition of the word 'ethics' I believe there is nothing wrong with enjoying meat in your diet.

Not all meat is created equal, but it all has it's use.

What is culturally acceptable in some countries is not considered normal here, but that does not make it unethical in those cultures. Is it right (or ethical) to discriminate against a whole culture for it's beliefs in regards to what it is ethical to eat? I don't think so.  Make a personal choice, but remember that others may feel differently.

We grow our own meat here, both beef and lamb.  The sheep we have are meat sheep which are a breed that shed their wool (or hair) and as such do not require shearing, mulsing or crutching.

We slaughter, butcher and package here.  What could be more ethical?  No transport, no stress, no carbon footprint.  Not organic, but carefully managed.  I should mention that I  admire anyone who can make a go of organic livestock production, but that it is not for me.  I believe that organic is not always better.  I would give my sick child antibiotics to ease their pain and illness, and I would do the same for my animals when needed.

I wouldn't eat just anything, but can I judge those that would?

The only times I would consider the act of eating meat to be less than ethical would be if the animal was not treated well during it's life or not slaughtered in a humane way.  This also means different things to many people.  Having been inside around 45 Australian Abattoirs I am glad we have high standards here and I am very glad that Australian farmers are great advocates for animal welfare.  Trust me on that, our animals in many cases are our income, or our ability to feed our family.  Also, I would not eat something endangered, I don't want to be part of a species disappearing.

Edit: I should have said a big thank you to SBS Insight for the opportunity to be on the show.  It was  a wonderful experience and we all enjoyed it a lot.  SBS was wonderful in organising the flights, motel, taxi tabs and someone to look after the children while we were on air.  Thank you :)

Good Wood

We have had some lovely frosty mornings here over the last couple of weeks.  The best part about a frosty morning is knowing it will turn into a beautiful day by morning tea time.  Until then we sit in front of the fire.

Splitting wood with the block buster is a great way to warm up although I do find it a bit hard on the good hard wood.  I suspect I swing like a girl...

I think we will need one more good load to see Winter out.  The trees in the orchard are already starting to bud.  We pruned them last weekend and I suspect we only just did that in the nick of time.

Before and After ~ The Cubby

We were excited when we moved here because there was a cubby for the children.  It is home built from timber grown here too.  The only problem with it was the stairs were broken, and that it was sitting next to the carport and shed.  Not exactly the safest place for children to play.

We decided to move it, which involved lowering it to the ground and sitting it on some timbers to act as skids.  We hooked it all up to the tractor with fingers crossed.  I half expected something to go wrong and thought Santa would have to buy a new cubby for Christmas... 

Thankfully I was wrong and the cubby now sits in the orchard, lower to the ground and under the big almond trees which will have full shade in Summer.

Much better!

The road to the East

The road to the East is bumpy and dusty...

But it is a pretty drive.

With the creek, animals and a great view.

I don't go this way often, but it is nice when I do.

Storm Damage

Yesterday afternoon, with no warning, a fierce wind storm swept by.

We have some cleaning up to do in the side yard, but thankfully no damage to any property occured.

Holidays

The holidays are almost over.  We decided not to go anywhere as we had enough fun staying here, swimming in the creek, doing a few jobs about the place and having fun with the children.

We now have fly screen on doors, curtains on windows (mostly), the chook house is close to complete and in the orchard and the chimney is almost properly water proof.  We still have to finish the many jobs we started but we are getting close.

We butchered a cow and filled a freezer.
We also harvested and froze veggies for awhile to come.  The fresh veggies in the garden are doing well, as are the bindies in the lawn.

A big load of rubbish was taken to the tip.  Mostly junk and stuff that was here when we moved in.  It is good to have it out of the way.

We chipped 1000's of Bathurst Burs (and a few other nasty things) and I have a blister to prove it.

3/4 of a shelving until was made to fill in a hole in the wall.

My brother came out and started fixing some electrical issues on my big list of things to fix or change.  He still has more to do so I hope he gets a free weekend soon.

So yes, we have been busy, and will be busy for awhile yet, but we are happy and progress is being made.

I think I need to make myself some sock-savers. 
The barley grass is a menace!

General Update

The sheep are shedding their wool and we are about to mark lambs.

Terry calf has been weaned and the veggie garden is growing well.

Possum's pony is here now and we are getting ready to bring the other two horses in as well.

It is really starting to feel like home here :)

3 weeks and counting

It has begun...

These boxes were saved from our last move so have been recycled once. 

I will keep them this time too, not that I want to move again in a hurry!

I am a slap happy box tape kind of person. 

The Mr is very careful in his tape usage and application.

It is funny that in some things we are so different, and in others, the same.

Possum does not care who tapes the box, as long as she helps hold the marker as we write on it!