As Days Go

Well, I'm just so glad I didn't let on to anybody what my New Year goals were. One of them has gone belly up already.
I'd had this foolish thought that I would write a blog post every day!!
Ha!
However, I'm getting over my sense of failure as, nine days later, I haven't written a single word.
Anyway, who am I to think that anyone would want to hear from me every day?  ;)
My other goal for this year is to take some short breaks, or even just have a day away from the farm, visit  friends, go somewhere new within my own state.  So I'm pleased to report that a few day outings have been written into my diary for this month, and a three night short holiday has been booked for further along the track, but more about that one later.
I love being at home as you, dear reader, would well know by now, but I think that seeing new places is enriching, and educating. I never want to stop educating myself.

Meanwhile, here at Jembella, every day is packed full. I now prefer to say that my life is full, NOT busy. There was a time when I thought that being busy validated my worth as a human, and I don't want to think that way any more.
I want to be occupied, I want to achieve things every day, I want to sit and read for a little while every day too, but I no longer want to feel overwhelmed by all that needs to be done here on the property every day.
I'm learning more every day about living in the moment. It takes a conscious effort to stop my mind from its busy-ness and to think about what I'm doing when hanging out the washing, feeding the pigs, milking the cow, and all of those other mundane tasks. By slowing down just a tiny bit, and thinking about how lucky I am to have all this, making the time to do it all properly with intention, the mundane tasks take on a new light.
Oh yes it's all very well to say this, and I know it wouldn't work if I was still working at my paid job for more days than I do now.  The sense of calm that I feel since cutting back my working days by just one day, has gifted me the most amazing balance to life.
I feel like I'm now living the dream.. and I am.

 Brian's bumper garlic crop.

The stone fruit crops in South Australia have been affected by the crazy weather this spring and summer, and our apricot pick was hardly enough to do much with.

I froze a few fresh ones before packing into vacuum sealed bags to put in the freezer. 

Freeze halves on a tray, before packing so the vacuum sealer doesn't suck out the juice when sealing.

We had a couple of hot days last week so, needing an inside occupation to escape the heat, I pickled some of the cucumbers that keep landing on the kitchen bench from the garden.
I used this recipe from Rhonda's Down to Earth blog. I made them last year too and they remained crisp all year, developing better flavors the longer they were kept. I always make a triple batch, and add a piece of garlic and chilli to some of the jars.

 Our breakfast juice every morning helps to use up some of the bounty from the garden.  Today's was made with peaches, zucchini, mint, carrots and cucumber.  A natural vitamin shot and great way to start the day.
I hope your New Year plans haven't gone pear shaped. Or have they? Do tell. ;)