This week at my place

This week after deciding to lose weight and get fit just after Easter I jumped on the scales and did my measurements to be surprised with a 3.6 kg loss I think I took the measurements about 6 weeks back.  I've also lost 19 cm from chest/waist/hips with a good 9 cm from waist so very happy with that!  I cut back portion sizes, tried to get on my road bike to do 30-50 km a week just doing chores so bit of shopping, picking up medications, posting letters that sort of thing and the odd ride with my middle son.  I did not give up any of my daily chocolate addiction.

I also took up another days swimming so now swim 150-160 laps a week at the indoor pool, sometimes I have to go super early and walk the dog before light to fit it all in but worth it to feel fitter.

I think next I will try a Yoga challenge as there is a special deal at my local studio 2 weeks unlimited yoga for set price and I think I will try and do 5 classes a week, it won't be easy as my work is very busy too right now, to the point I've just worked 6 days straight.  I am not full time but 3 hours of remedial massage work in a really hot room so the clients comfy really does make you sweat and it's like a workout so possibly that's contributed too weight loss to I think it's certainly makes me tired at the end of the day anyway! I space my clients through out the day so it's not back to back either which helps me manage energy wise. Plus some days there is no time to eat lunch or snacks anymore.

I did manage to make this though from our school cook book

Delicious chicken curry.

I whipped this up between clients for one of my sons school class - he wasn't getting a party this year so I thought he should get sung too by group and so a cake was required. He doesn't love me coming into class, I can be embarrassing but he coped with that for the cake.

Last week when I went in to help with school gardening group one of the other helping mums gave me these which was a lovely suprise.   They were so well arranged and really beautiful design.  I was touched!

Today I brought this, a bit of a finishing touch to my dry garden bed area, a fire pit, which might turn into a pond in Summer.  I hope it doesn't rust as I am sure my male dogs have already peed on it!!

Around the Winter Garden

I have finally had a good long weekend out in the garden, with good weather and just about finished planting the veggie beds.  There is a still much colour to be had around my garden to the point people walking past stop and talk about the flowers, see my massage sign and end up texting me for an appointment! Win/win really! :)

This is the latest bed to be planted, I upcycled and old fence with wire we had lying around which will be used for the Snow peas just planted, I've put Coriander at the front and Bok Choy and Beetroot to either side.  This bed will eventually be used in Summer for my Strawberries.

This bed has Silverbeet self seeded from last year, and eldest child's Lettuce, he has done well as I've never had luck growing Lettuce from seed, we have Spinach seed sown at the end and some Mizuna - an Oriental salad veggie.

The third bed has some seedling brought Lettuce in the middle and Red Onions either side, I usually do well growing onions each year.

The final fourth bed has Rocket growing either end, Red Onions in the middle and a space for the Pak Choy I have in the green house that I am growing from seed.

My little Pak Choy seedlings are doing well, still away from being ready for the bed, but grown on seed tape and germinated well.

My seed grown Pansies came up well and I have been able to transplant to 4 long pots at the front of my clinic for some Winter colour.

Eldest child's bed is doing well and full of colour.

This is the other bed he made planted out with the bulbs all starting to pop up!

These bulbs are such a mix and planted out the front in an area where I didn't actually think they would thrive so well, even the Ranancula's look really healthy so far, can't wait for the colour!

My seed grown Calendula's are doing nicely and I have planted all along the front fence for some orange colour at the end of Winter.

This is my tree Dahlia give to me by my friend at Annies flower-garden blog, I wish I could link her blog, but I am not that clever, if you google that and Ballarat it will come up, lovely flower shots over there and very crafty too!  This literally stops people in the street and my kids have heard people talking about it!

Look at this happy Tree Dahlia flower!

Beautiful - Just Joey Rose.

I feel this Fucshia has gotten confused with the few days of sunshine we had!

Gorgeous Plectranthus on my back verandah.

Fruit tree order for Ballarat area

Just a really quick post, each year I purchase a few fruit trees from the Caledonian Primary School fundraising fruit tree drive and I have to say they are the best little trees, value for money and excellent producers of fruit.  Anyone around the area take a drive past the Black Hill Primary School and check out the Orchard next to the oval and you will find the trees there only 2 years old and massive for their age!

I brought a Peach tree only last year from the school drive and it gave me 20 massive yellow Peaches with the best flavour and taste ever!  So here is the link for those local to Ballarat - go into the document and you can print of your order and take into the school for some lovely trees delivered in July.

http://www.caledonianps.vic.edu.au/tree-orders.html

This is not my children's school however they have an excellent garden and fruit tree set up and I think they have done a wonderful job and deserve a plug as I always buy a few trees each year I hope they always have this promotion as its EXCELLENT value for money.

Oh as a final note orders must be received by June 13, so just one week to order folks but well worth it!