Frosty Mornings

This week began with a job that seems to grow a little bigger every year—pruning the roses.

When I first planted them a few years ago, it didn’t feel like there were that many.

Now, as each bush has matured, winter pruning has become quite the task. It’s satisfying work though, knowing the effort now will be rewarded with plenty of blooms in the months ahead.

Alongside life on the farm, we’ve also been busy working on another project. A nearby farmhouse is slowly being transformed into a holiday house for short-term stays.

After plenty of elbow grease, it’s now cleaned up, and we’re well into the enjoyable stage of furnishing it. It’s exciting to watch another idea gradually come together.

Midweek brought a visit from our farm consultant. Those days are always worthwhile, with conversations stretching well beyond the immediate jobs at hand.

They tend to be about looking ahead—thinking bigger, planning for the future, and considering where the farm is heading over the coming years.

Our two older children also spent a day completing a first aid course through the shire, facilitated by Stockyard First Aid. They came home full of enthusiasm, eager to share what they’d learnt. It’s encouraging to see them building practical skills that they’ll carry with them throughout life.

Amongst it all, there was another reason to celebrate—I had a birthday. After a very frosty start, the sun came out and made for a beautiful winter’s day. I was thoroughly spoilt with thoughtful presents, including Milk by Matthew Evans, a book I’m looking forward to reading, along with a beautiful bunch of flowers.

As I write this, preparations for tomorrow night’s Patch to Plate dinner are in full swing. Every table has been booked, the kitchen is busy, and we’re looking forward to another evening of good food and good company around the table.

What’s happening at the Barn

Patch to Plate Dinner

Saturday, 8 August

$25 per adult, proudly supported through Look Over the Farm Gate funding.

Becoming More Self-Sufficient

Our six-module workshop series begins at the end of August, with classes running at the Barn, Warrnambool and Colac.

Winter may be quieter in the garden, but there’s no shortage of projects underway. Whether it’s pruning roses, preparing a farmhouse for guests, or setting the tables for another dinner, it’s all part of the rhythm that keeps the barn ticking along.