Personally, I would rip up the carpet and live on bare floors ’til I could afford an alternative.  I really hate carpet and once you’ve lifted even what looks like clean carpet, you will be pretty revolted by it.  It’s not just the smell of dog, but also the fleas (if their house reeks of dog, there will be fleas).  I wouldn’t write off a house…[Read more]

I can understand how you feel, there is always conflicting advice, especially whilst pregnant.  The main drama seems to be the alcohol content.  Alcohol is not always easy to detect, so you would have to test each batch to be sure.  It depends on how often you are drinking it as well.  The usual ‘if in doubt, don’t’ may be the best advice.  It is…[Read more]

Beautiful…..really bright.  I love raggy quilts, very tactile.

Just planted up a small raised bed with land cress, mixed lettuce (oak leaf, red and green frill), red and green kale.  Will be putting in tomatoes and capsicums over the next few days.  Got some pea straw for mulching, but the weather is cold and windy, so I shall have to leave it for a bit.  Fennel growing well, chucked in some cornflowers for…[Read more]

The “Golden Wattle” and “Cookery for Young Australians” still grace our shelves!

You are not alone on this one….especially with books (I used to work in the trade so you can imagine how many I have collected).  I am getting better – if something comes in – something has to go out and I am going through piles of paperwork (I seem to have to keep every scrap of paper).  The two things I will not surrender are plants (who can…[Read more]

Does look like ageratum to me too.

Please do be careful with iodine, it can affect your thyroid gland, and thyroid issues can be life threatening.  As dentydog mentioned, eye problems can be an indication of other health problems e.g. diabetes and high blood pressure.  Just be safe, and maybe get a full physical/bloods with your GP.  I am not being critical of your Chiro, but…[Read more]

Chilli plants and capsicums look pretty, you could probably sneak in some frilly lettuce.  Most herbs are pretty too, lavender, dogbane, tansy, fennel, catmint….the list is long.  My first husband hated me planting veges in the front garden….he used to travel a lot for work and he used to say he would not be at all surprised if he came back…[Read more]

Hope your tooth problem resolves soon Kasalia….it’s such an expensive problem.  For ages my husband has been ‘oil pulling’ using coconut oil.  His teeth got very white, so I thought I’d try it too.  Been about 2 months since I started doing it – 1 teaspoon coconut oil, swilled constantly around mouth for 20 mins – he does his twice daily, I can…[Read more]

Hi Kristy, you will love this site…amazing what you learn each time you stop by. 

I try each day to do my “little bit” to save the planet….hoping (probably in vain) that all my “little bits” and other like minded peoples “little bits” may add up to something tangible.  It’s the best I can do with what I’ve got.  PollyAnna?  Nah….just an aging realist who like it or not…isn’t able to do the whole ‘off-grid” “live off the…[Read more]

Hello and welcome.

This may just be the habit of new growth….looks a little pale but otherwise healthy.  If you have a named variety (apparently there are several varieties) it may help you with your question.  Doesn’t look bug infested, or very twisted (this happens if there is a copper deficiency)  My experience of them is limited to one, very old, very…[Read more]

Bugger resale value and crappy tenants…..Your tiles are stunning and your home/land just beautiful.  Before you know it you will be moved in and enjoying your new lifestyle.  Don’t let worries get you down….for one, they rarely end up as bad as you imagine and two, if they do, deal with it and get on with living.  Do not give anything…[Read more]

Mr earthwalker is clearing huge patch of Tecoma from our last remaining sunny patch for our new veggie plot….hard work as it’s long established and quite wild round that part of the garden.  The back of our block is dominated by three massive Lleyllandii planted right on the boundary….they have to go soon, but I am almost too scared to get the…[Read more]

A picture would be useful…..If they are brown on the edges, could be water stress or wind burn…

I love bees.   Some of the best bee attractants in our garden are Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Grewia Occidentalis (Lavender Star Bush), Native Frangipanni, Sambucca Nigra (Elderberry), Loquat, Citrus (all of them), Nasturtiums and Sweet Alice.  They also seem to like the roses, especially the more open flower type with the centre stamens showing.…[Read more]

Sweet….great colours.  Looks very cuddly.

Says here http://theepicentre.com/spice/kaffir-lime/ you can freeze them….and the leaves too. Worth a try, specially if you are remote.