taking shape

Our house is really starting to take shape now.  I mean we have a roof.  It's a significant step that I didn't think would be so overwhelming until it happened and I got all emotional, choked up even and pretended that the wind had blown dirt in my eye to excuse the welling up of tears.  

It's. Really. Happening.  

We spent a week up near our soon to be home over the holidays.  Time we spent there was shared with the builders, and watching them work, like a well oiled machine constructing my house, our home is just phenomenal.  I mean, hats off to those guys...they really are amazing craftsman. 

Our time was used up making up the veg boxes that will soon be home to seasonal produce and feed my family.  The aim is that it will be ready come time for spring planting.  We have to get it rabbit and kangaroo proof first!  We also planted 33 olive trees...all by hand and even though that ground was soft, I'm already hoping that I don't have to manually dig too many more holes....Did someone say machine post digger?  

I got familiar with the brush cutter and paid eager attention to using the ride on mower...things I have previously known nothing about.  Even my mind is taking shape to a whole new way of living.  And its exciting!  

Oh and what do you think of the new header?  Thanks to Dan for designing the perfect logo for us and our new adventure!  

foundations

Last week, just before dawn, I snuck out of our country apartment.  I left my bestie and our daughters sleeping.  We'd travelled up that familiar freeway the night before and the purpose of my trip was drawing closer.  Today was the day the builders lay our concrete slab.  I'd kind of ear-marked this event as one of those pinnacle moments that I knew it would all start feeling "real" and also a moment that I knew I wanted to be present to see it all happen before my eye.  So with half a dozen boys, me and my camera and a chilly autumn morning, the crane, the cement truck and the level set, work began.

The sun rose in the East as each truck load came and went delivering cement. It was a magical crisp morning and in a few hours, the footings and the hydronic heating were all covered with the concrete left to set.

The foundations are laid.  For what will be our home.


13 acres family
xx

snake and a go-cart

Sunday the 10th of February welcomed in the Chinese New Year for 2013 - The Year of the Snake.  I can't help but feel a little omen that yesterday, on our Lot 13, on 13 acres of land we stumbled across our first snake - did he want to wish us a Happy Chinese New Year?  Not sure, he kinda didn't stay around long enough....  Actually I scared the poor thing who was having an innocent little kip in the shed. And yes he scared me, but not as much as I thought I would be scared of snakes*.  It was a brown snake - the nasty ones.  The kids were over the moon to get a glimpse at the snake and my dearest beloved channeled his inner Bear Grylls ensuring that in fact the snake did not remain in the shed.

We'd come to show my mum the house progress and she had brought with her a handmade go-cart made by a friend of hers.  The kids were bursting with excitement to try it out.

Somehow though the snake was getting all the attention.


13 Acres Family
xx



Don't forget to enter my STIHL giveaway

*spiders however I am petrified of 

first turn of the soil

It's been a while since I got to blog here on this lovely little world recording our journey from city to country life.  But don't be fooled that that means things have taken a back step.  Anything but really.  You see, we've been finalising plans, engaging a builder and even working on picking fittings and colours.  Totally exciting times at Casa 13 Acres!  

And look!  We've moved dirt.  Well not us technically but the builder.  It's not the house, don't get too excited but every farm needs a shed and this one is huge...18 metres long to be exact...so when I got the chance to meet with the builder out of site on the first day of him leveling out the area I jumped at the opportunity.  It was a great moment.  We've had this land for nearly 4 years, and so to finally see some action, some pegged out area and a structure starting to take place, well, I may have even teared up!  

I'll report back when The Shed is up! This has prompted some research into ride on mowers!  I have a feeling this shed will soon be full of farm equipment to keep us busy...

13 Acres Family

xx

The Farmer...

Source: meandalice.blogspot.com.au via Brenda on Pinterest

What sort of Farmer will I be?  I've been thinking that of late.  Now don't get me wrong...I'm using the term "farmer" very loosely....very very loosely, but a suburban existence to a country lifestyle is one I am very excited about when I'm not petrified. 

I'm really looking forward to the wide open spaces.  My husband and I can't stop talking about all the things we can do with our 13 acres of land....the possibilities blow our mind away.  

And when I see images like this one above, a little flutter in my heart occurs.  Me....donning my country boots, to feed the chooks or walk through the orchard to pick fruit ripe for preserving, whilst the smell of freshly baked bread wafts through the house.  The kids riding bikes (or even motorbikes) around the property and getting dirty knees and faces before we all collapse and night in front of a fire after a hearty meal.  

Sounds good hey? 

13 acres family
xx