I cannot believe we have hit the 1-year mark at our small acreage! If we are really counting days, we are well and truly passed it. There are days when it feels like we have not accomplished much at all, but when I look back at some old photos and videos, I am quickly reminded of all our struggles and achievements. They may be small achievements to some, but I don’t care. I am so proud of us! I just wish I could work part time, so we could realise our dreams a little quicker. One can dream right?
It is funny to think that just a little over a year ago, we were living in a tiny duplex (well in truth it is probably the same size as our house now) with a really small courtyard and no garden whatsoever! We lived in winter clothes and my puffer jacket became apart of me. The Queensland winters are mild and a welcoming reprieve from the blistering heat of summer. We are heading into summer fast, and I am already dreading those long sweaty days, where you are in a constant state of discomfort.
Our garden still has a long way to go. It feels like we take a few steps in the right direction, and then one hot day knocks us back a few! Plants and veggies fry before they even have a chance of survival. We still struggle with our soil, and trying to figure out what nutrients and fertilizers go where, can become overwhelming fast! One day at a time right? I can’t help it though. I tend to lean more on the all or nothing side. Go in hard and fast! You would think I would have learnt by now. Nope! Just ask my grape plant that is still sitting on my patio in its original pot…I think I am too scared to even plant it, as I know its survival rate doesn’t look good right now.
We are in a drought at the moment. Rain is only predicted for February 2024, and we are only in October! This week we had to get our second delivery of water. We depend solely on rain water and have two 22 000lt tanks, but with no rain, we are in serious trouble. Water delivery is not the end of the world, but it costs $200 each time and you only get about 12 000lt at a time. As luck would have it, we finally had filters fitted at a great expense, so we could drink beautiful safe water, only to have to now depend on chemically treated town water. Honestly, once you taste rain water, you do not want to go back! Anyone else??
I still hit some creative blocks when it comes to our garden layout. The veggie patch I have down, it’s the other 6,000 sqms! Mind you, the veggie patch is still in a work in progress phase, although I do think if I can achieve my vision, it will look great. We need to get some trees planted, as we all know how long they take to grow. Funny story, during my day time job as a primary school teacher, a student told me that trees take a few weeks to grow. They were absolutely floored when I educated them on the fact that they take years! Hmm….perhaps we need to plant a tree and observe its growth?
We know we want a chook pen, a fire pit and an above ground swimming pool (due to the cost on an inground one), but the trouble is where to put these spaces and how to make them flow and work well within their surrounds. All these decisions! Look they are fun decisions I will say that. I really need to focus on one project at a time. Its so hard though. Any tips?!
If you want to see more on what we have been up to this year, watch the video below.
Anyway, if you made it this far in my ramblings, you are amazing! Every now and then I like to blurt out my thoughts and today I thought why not write them instead.
Have a wonderful day/night/week.
Until I type again.
Candice