Addicted to Grocery Specials

Okay I admit it, I'm a grocery special aholic.  I have decided not to shop for 2 weeks, this brings me to the 17th July. But butter is on special and I want some. I will stay away from the shops, I will.  Its worse than my chocolate habit.  Which I might add has come into some problems with this shopping as I have none.Have also discovered that its 2 containers of conditioner on the shelf not a shampoo and a conditioner.  Things are looking a bit grim in the Shampoo department so I will swap to baking soda.... this could be good. I hope.

Update on Chickens. After getting 42 eggs for June they are now valiantly trying to give me 1 a day. I get to lift Bok Bok 7 or 8 times a day to get her to stop being so broody. So cute.  Even the lad has done it for me.  We now honestly feel very 'good life' with our gumboots on holding our chicken. I really would like a goat or a sheep or a jersey cow to complete the look, however I think the neighbours would have a fit.

But I think I have finally given the lad (almost 16) a touch of a different way of life. Which is the point of the whole exercise. He now can fix cars, build robots, write computer programmes (geeky things) concrete a path and build retaining walls. Oh and he was also taught how to cook, sew and knit from an early age.  I think he might be a 'snag' for some girl some day.  If she ever lives up to my expectations!

What came first the Chicken or the Egg?

Well tis been a while since I posted.  But I'm back. My chickens are still laying eggs but man alive are they naughty.  I have had to entice them off the neighbours roof, yes well, I heard a commotion outside and as I raced out the door and up the steps a rather guilty black cat (mine) slinked down the steps.  Barley was have a fit as Bok Bok was on the neighbours roof. The din continued for most of the afternoon and then the little poos didn't lay any eggs that day.  The following two days they have been very well behaved I must say. It has been suggested that I get a cookbook open the page to a roast chook and place this against the cage for them to have a good long reflection about the meaning of life or lack thereof..... very very tempted!!!!  Haven't actually heard back from the lady that was doing the 'how to cull your chicken' session at the local school. I think I need to go. Oh and tune in next time as a girlfriend and I are going to endeavour to clip their wings. oh yeah!

To Stockpile or Not to Stockpile

Is this the question. Some discussion has been had lately based on what would happen if a flu epidemic did hit NZ and were isolated. How would we get our chocolate? How big a stash of Toilet paper does one really need? These are relevant questions.

It has been mentioned that stores in NZ only have enough supplies to last 3 days. Do the general public realise this. Why do they not encourage people to stock pile at least 3 months worth of necessities. Links to sites with knitted tampons have popped up and this is just plain frightening. And incredibly funny. My cats would love them. But what would we do if we didn't have the ability to just pop down to the shop and buy these things?

My biggest dilemma seems to be....how to stockpile chocolate and not eat it all! I have never yet accomplished this. But I will keep trying........where there is a will there is.......me munching on chocolate...just don't tell my husband.

I will teach you!!!!! Maybe.

Well been an interesting couple of days. I have been showing a girl friend how to knit. And she picked it up very quickly then texted me the next day to say she'd forgotten it all. lol She will need a refresher course.

Then yesterday I spent the morning with a girl friend listening to someone mentor her on gardening, to see if I could do this. And yes we have decided I'd be damn fine at it.... I can waffle about gardening ways for hours. Organic, non organic or somewhere in between. Don't get me wrong I'm no expert but I can certainly get people started and give them hands on advice.

One site I find really helpful is getgrowing@nzgardener.co.nz

It also had a show running for first time gardeners that was brilliant
http://www.primetv.co.nz/gg_home.aspx

And today I cleaned cat cages for 4 hours. I decided I really like the high pressure hose, and so do the kittens. oops. I was delicately asked did I know that you can turn the pressure down..... I tell you where is the fun in that. And to top it off I volunteered to go in on Thursday again because they are seriously short staffed. It is becoming obvious to me that I'll do anything to get out of doing my horse assignment. Even clean cat poo!

Chickens!!!

Well having just completed a chicken assignment and having to write about how to kill (cull) your chickens.... I have had no eggs today..... do you think I should give the chickens a stern talking too. Remind them of the alternatives perhaps. Nah, they are too cute. That will teach me to skite that I had 15 eggs in 10 days. I've since had 2 in 4 days, gutted. (or at least the chickens might be!)

Am plucking (excuse the pun) up the courage to take a evening class that will show us how to cull a chook and then she will show us how to dress it. I am scared I might make a ass of myself and freak out.

Nearly died tonight when I got first hand experience with worms out of cats bottoms...eeek, girl friends cat.... when they say they have worms, they aren't kidding yuk yuk yuk..... cat was promptly given a tablet. I have a new name for it.... 'gross wormy cat'. Sorry Dog (that's its name) I'll pat you next time...maybe.

First Shop

Goodness that was tricky, buying only NZ made. I have learnt that Nescafe is Australian. That Sultanas are from Australia, that Flora margarine is from Australia, that Home brand is from Australia....in fact even my Corn thins were from....yip Australia. On the one hand its more expensive buying the NZ Rolled Oats etc, but on the other hand there wasn't much I could buy so it works out cheaper. I'm sure I'll get better at this. Its a game and I will win. I'm glad I'm only doing it for a couple of weeks. But it certainly opens your eyes to how much stuff we import from Aussie. Check it out for yourself its quite unnerving.

Oh and some of the packaging is very misleading regarding packaged in NZ, doesn't actually tell you where the product came from. I can see things changing in the not to distant future. People are getting more interested in where their food is grown and produced.

I'm off to see if there is a site that tells you what brands are NZ made. I hope there is one. Wish me luck.

So Far So Good.

Yip I have discovered the trick to only purchasing NZ made when you go shopping is...........not to go shopping... simple. This could work. Not. Question, why don't they tell you where toilet rolls are manufactured on websites?

Least today I boiled the carp out of 6 really big beetroot and made 1 Jam Jar of sliced beetroot in Fejoa vinegar (gift from Sis) 1 Jar in Malt vinegar (1 Jam jar is the equivalent of 1 beetroot, so yes these are big puppies) And a plastic container of straight boiled and sliced not flavoured, for me and the kid. Hubby is a Pom and likes vinegar on everything. Also 2 and a bit small pots of Basil Pesto. And collected 2 eggs. I'm starting to feel real.

Tally for eggs is 15 in 10 days. woo hoo from 2 chooks.

My hubby has laid a wee concrete pad and hopefully by next weekend my hideously blue water barrel will be installed with a tap for all the world to see and attached to my down pipe. Rainwater collection here we come.