Its holiday time.

No blogs next week because tomorrow DH and I set off on our holiday. We will be cruising the Queensland Coast on this for a week. Have a fabulous weekend and week everyone. I 'm sure going to make the most of it.

Sue xxx

Feeling Grey.

Its that time of the week again to join Sister Sun with colour of the week.  This week is grey.  Not one of my favourite colours.  To me grey reminds me of cold, dreary wet days.  But I have to admit I do have a poncho which is grey and you can wear it with any colour.

Grey Skies

I live fairly close to the water so always plenty of these little fella's around.

I hope you enjoy the photo's.  A lot of them were taken on our holiday when we were in Tassie at Christmas.  Next week I won't be taking part in a colour due to another holiday.  This time on a cruise so I am sure I will have plenty of photo's to share.  Have a fabulour week everyone.

Sue xx

Brown, Brown, Brown

Joining in the fun again with Sister Sun with the colour Brown.  I never realised how many photo's I had of brown shades.  First attempt of Sour Dough Bread turned out so good.  I fed my sour dough bug for over a week.  

Yummy Christmas cake.  Every year at christmas hubby and I head over to a church at Sandgate to look at the christmas lights.  Every year I always purchase fudges and jams from the stall that is run by the parishers.  I was lucky last year to pick up this cake.   This year I will attempt to make my own.

Green Me Up Granny is all about recycling, upcycling and a back to basic way of life.  Homemade products.  The sign of Green Me Up Granny is made from recycled products that I purchased from Reverse Garbage on the southside of brisbane near the PA hospital.  It is like an Alladin's Cave.  You never know what treasures you will uncover.

Handmade beanie made from a couple of old cardigans that were starting to wear.  Also has a matching set of gloves and scarf.

Handmade Silk Soap.  Love the silk soap.  It lathers so good.  I haven''t bought shop soap for many years and why would I.

The old drawing of the Laidley Hotel.  My son was in an art exhibition awhile ago and this was done by one of his friends.

A couple of mushrooms hanging out in my garden.

Have a fantastic week everyone.  Don't forget to check out all the other bloggers that are linked to Evi Blog for their colour Brown.

Sue xx

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Surprise, Surprise

Fantastic Sunday Winters morning here in Redcliffe.  The vegie garden is loving this weather.  Surprise surprise with all the recent rain my strawberries weren't doing so well.  But today what did I find.  One solitary strawberry.

I have quite a few strawberry plants over 15  in so I hope this is the start of something.   The rest have plenty of little flowers on them.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend.  I will today be sorting through some clothes.  Hubby and I are heading out on a cruise in less then 2 weeks now.  So exciting.  First cruise and the way this Queensland weather is I hope it continues for quite awhile. 

Quote of the week is dedicated to my children.

  No matter of the challenges that is dealt to  you I know you  have the strength to push through it and deal with it.  As your mum I am always there to guide you and stand beside you.

Life is not meant to be easy, my child, but take courage - it can be delightful.
George Bernard Shaw

 Sue  xxx

What's in my Garden

Well another week has gone by and we have had some amazing weather.  I spent Sunday morning planting my seedlings in the garden.  Along with all my other Fruit and Vegies I now have more beetroot, radishes and some watermelon has gone in.  The rain we had a couple of weeks has certainly benefited most of the vegies.  I only lost a zucchini seedling but still have 3 on the go.  They don't appreciate to much water. 

The days are starting to get that little bit warmer which is great for the garden.  I have buds on quite a few things at the moment including my Tahitian Lime.  It is flowering well and I have 1 lime growing.  The Mulberry Tree I thought Bill had killed with kindness is full of green fruit.  I purchased some seeded purple potatoes the other week from Kookaburra Organics at their stall when visiting the Garden Expo at Nambour.  They are in the ground and are growing so well.  I have planted quite a few potatoes so by Christmas we will have plenty.  This weekend will see my planting out all the lettuce seedlings.  This would be the most popular vegie I use. 

Any way enjoy the photo's.  I managed to even find a nests under my back verandah.  Not sure if there is anything in it.  It is up to high plus I don't want to disturb it.

A few Gooseberries hiding under the bush

Purple Potatoes up.

Look what was hiding under the eaves

So many buds on the Lime

One and only Lime

Remember this beautiful rose from last week.

It is now fully out in flower.






Enjoy the rest of the week. 

Quote for the day!



Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

Black beauty

Joining in with Sister sun  this week with the colour black.  My husband loves the colour black.  Only one photo today.  This blog is for my husband.  His pride and joy.  Months and Months of hard work.  Rebuilding this amazing motorcycle.  By the way for those avid bike riders this is a Honda VTX 1800.

Don't forget to check out all the other links on Sister Suns blog.

Have a great week everyone.

Sue x

My favourite low cost recipes (Washing Detergent)

I have not purchased any commercial washing liquid in ages.  I prefer to make my own and at least then I know what  is actually cleaning my clothes.  There are so many on the market today and it is so confusing and honestly I just wanted something that cleaned my clothes and was gentle, not highly fragrant and something that was safe for septic and grey water.  I wanted a product that was safe enough to use on my garden.  Below is my recipe.  There are many different recipes on the internet.  I make mine without Borax.  Borax to me is still a chemical and cannot be used on the garden. 

1-2 cups of grated pure soap.  (Start saving soap scraps like our grandmothers did or sunlight is fine)

1.5 litres of water

1/2 cup washing soda (this is found in the washing powder isle.  It is about $3.50 a bag)


In a large saucepan on the stove melt the grated soap in the water.  I normally have it on a low setting until all the soap is dissolved.  Once it is dissolved turn the stove off.  Let cool.  When lukewarm add the washing soda and stir.  You will notice the liquid will start to thicken.  As it cools down keep stirring occassionally.  This will stop the lumps from forming.  Now if you like if you have any essential oils at home you can add some to the liquid.  Only a small amount is required.  This is not necessary but I normally have either lavender, eucalyptus or tea tree at home.  Now you need to add about 7 litres of cold water to the pot.  Once you have done this it is now ready to store.  I use old juice bottles for this.  Funnel into the bottles but don't fill to the top.  You will need to shake the bottle when you use as it will seperate.  You only need to use about a 1/4 of a cup for a full load of washing.  I wash only in cold water.  .   Now your washing liquid is ready to use.  You now have over 8 litres of washing powder which has cost you under $2.