Skipping into March
Where the hell did the last 2 months go? Just can’t believe we are already into Autumn. Time to start embracing the cooler seasons change.
Farm Stay, Helicopter Gardening, and Sleep Without a Cat
Sitting here with a cup of coffee in bed typing in a really comfy bed, I’ve been farming sitting for four days, with three more to go, while my friend is in New Zealand catching up with family. Really, I’m plant-sitting—she has a herb garden on her little farm, that needs to stay alive, and with the heat lately, it’s been cooking everything. So, I’m hovering like a helicopter parent, making sure nothing wilts beyond saving
For me, its been a silly, crazy busy week, but there’s something nice about being here and being busy at the same time. I know I’m sleeping better, too. Maybe it’s not looking around at all the works I have to do - or maybe it’s the fact that she doesn’t have a demanding cat.
The Launch of Six Russells Bistro & Bakery
This week, Six Russells Bistro officially launched! I’ve been working part time on their both the Six Russell Bakery social media and rollout, and this week its sister Six Russell Bistro launched - and I was privileged to sit at a table with friends two food icons called Food Tourist—Sue + Rodger, really lovely Hobart couple who have absolutely nailed the art of understanding food and wine around the globe and write about it. Great reference if you’re a foodie + travelling Tassy - Here.
Even though I was there in a mild work capacity eating and capturing food, it was incredible to watch them sit and really think about food—how the dishes were structured, how flavours worked together, how the wine paired. They truly live a life that just breathes food+ wine, and watching them break it all down was something else. In the future I will listen to their recommendations what they say.
Scullery Progress: The Hamster Wheel of Home Renovation
The tiles in the scullery are finally getting grouted! For the first time in maybe a year, it actually feels like progress. Even if it’s slow
This whole house and cottage development has been one long loop of earn some money, buy some things, pay for trades, repeat. It’s frustratingly slow, but I refuse to settle for “just do”—I’d rather take my time and get it done properly. Even if it means waiting longer, spending more, and going without in the meantime.
Next on the list is putting in the water heater frame so it can be installed. I had to get the floor here concrete poured - then floorboards redone and now its the tiles - Then it’s onto plumbing—copper plumbing. And if you’ve ever used copper (or paid for it) , you know that’s never a cheap exercise so that will probably be a long time before I tick off that box.
I’d love for it to be finished before winter, but I have a rough feeling that won’t happen. Still it’s all moving forward - albeit bloody slowly.
Sunday in Southport: Coffee, Friends, and a Soap Opera Called Politics
On Sunday, I took the kids down to Southport and caught up with Rose at Rocket at the end of the road. Slowly, all our local friends rolled in for coffee, one by one. I used to live just around the corner from here. It was so nice to catch up on where everyone’s at. It’s probably a year since I saw so many of them in the same space. Conversation of the day? Trump.
Clarendon House and a Love for Historic Restoration
I visited Clarendon House, a breathtaking National Trust property south of Launceston. It’s grand, almost like something straight out of the UK. The restoration is beautifully done + it’s a reminder of why I love how the National Trust preserves the past. So we grabbed picnic spaces abit of grass + worked out plans.
Joining the Gym: A Real Lifestyle Change
I have been diving into learning abit about weight training, fasting, and nutrition—especially for perimenopause. Sarah has been researching alongside me as I-don’t want this to be a trend; I want it to be a real lifestyle shift. But I need to work out what works and then make that into a routine. Theres a 12 week food program my research seems to say will be good - but will just let some things settle first before I start that. That’s this…. Not sure if anyone else is on it but Id love to hear what your thoughts are.
Mussels, Anchovies, and Periwinkles: Protein the Ocean Provides
So following that, it turns out with perimenopause, I’ll at least need 120–160g of protein daily, and this week I’ve started looking at buying more meat - I don’t usually buy/eat much meat for heaps of reasons but mussels and anchovies are two easy sources of high protein. They’re cheap, renewable, quick to prepare and packed with nutrients. And basically I love eating them too. So thats a win.
Driving, Driving, Always Driving
Lately, it feels like I’m always in the car—work, school, events. Careful what you wish for, right? CommSec Market updates me mildly on world economics while I drive. But I haven’t been following too much as it’s pretty volatile. Meanwhile, Ivy’s school in Hobart means it sometimes feels I’m juggling a hundred things at once. It’s getting slowly smoother as I find my groove and the routine.
The Dahlia Show in Sandy Bay
This Saturday, 8th March, there’s a Dahlia Show in Sandy Bay. $2 entry. They’ll have cut flowers, garden produce, and plants for sale. I think I’ll go. I want to go. I need to go. I’d like to just slow down for a minute and take it all in. For what ever reason, my own dahlias at the bottom of the garden haven’t appeared this year, and I don’t know why. Maybe I’ll find out at the show.
Lolly Pears and the Race Against Time
The pears are ripe in the orchard, but I haven’t picked any yet. Sarah sent me a video of her eating one— but I already know that they’re delicious. Need to get them before the birds do. We usually dehydrate them and call them lolly pears—perfect for school lunches, sweet and chewy and so good.
Maggie, Meg, and Jen are Up for the Tasmanian Writer Awards
Maggie made it from the longlist to the shortlist for the Premier’s Award with her book Graft! Meg is also up for an award, and so is Jen… and you can will all the shortlisted books so I’m voting!
Amazing Animal Journeys by Jennifer Cossins
The Angry Women's Choir by Meg Bignell
Graft by Maggie MacKellar
Sarah did the illustrations, and I made the map for Maggie’s book, Graft, It would mean so much if she won—she deserves all of this recognition.
If you have time - like 30 seconds, vote - please, here’s the link to.
And if you want to read Maggie’s work, she has a substack
, and you can also catch her column in Country Style or on GraziherAnd with the sun up - Ill wrap up. Till next time
X LJ