Mug Brownies and Chicken Domes

If you're here, you've probably come via the link from my Facebook post.  Alternatively, you're a weird stalker type who tracks my blog... either way, you'll be seeing some more regular posting going on in future.

This week, I'm currently trying to come to terms with the fact that we are hurtling through April at a rate of knots.  The next 2 months are just going to bring a cavalcade of crazy for me with birthdays, dinners, enforced Christian holidays and at least 2 visits to the Adelaide Zoo.

Work has been the usual plod-along affair.  I turn up, work, go home.  It seems to do the trick to while away the weekday hours.
There has been the small diversion of running a couple of training sessions, which have been on the whole quite successful. It has made me appreciate how different people absorb new information.

On the home front, more important plans are afoot!  A wonderful birthday present from Michelle, saw an amazing permaculture specialist, Nadja of Nadja's Garden, attend my dismal excuse of a garden the other week and give some indispensable advice:  GET CHICKENS!  And so, in a last ditch attempt to exorcise the yard of the evils of couch grass, the chicken dome will soon be landing.  I have acquired The Permaculture Home Garden by Linda Woodrow, which sets out the principles of permaculture in an easy to read format.  She equates preparing the garden for...well, gardening... to renting or buying a house.  You can dig over a garden yourself, attempting to remove all weeds, add mulch... only to find that 6 months later, you need to start all over again.  Like the never-ending cycle of renting.  Alternatively, you can invest some time, effort and a small amount of cash, and set up a chicken dome.  You construct the said dome, purchase a few likely feathered friends and for the cost of a daily meal, your chickens will turn over your soil, eat your pests and weeds and invariably supply an awesomely enriched garden bed.  So The Yurt will be acquiring a poultry workforce in the next two months.  It's whipping up some excitement over the selection of names, and the collection of eggs.  Stay tuned!

Other than that, our evenings here in The Yurt are starting to turn towards winter pursuits.  The white wine is being swapped for reds, hot puddings are appearing after meals (we've become especially fond of the Mug Brownie), and knitting is making a comeback.  Currently on the needles is a blanket for rescue kitties.  I whole-heartedly suggest that if you are at a loose end on those long winter evenings, that you fire up the old needles and churn out a few blankets for animal shelters.  They can always do with new blankets, and even if you think you produce substandard stitches, the fur- babies won't mind.  Just as long as they have something to snuggle into.  Check with your local shelter! :)

FUDGE MUG BROWNIE!
(so freakin' easy, I might have to take some 'emergency brownie' ingredients to keep at work!)

2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 tablespoons warm water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons plain flour
2 tablespoons cocoa
4 tablespoons brown sugar

In a mug, mix together butter, water and vanilla.
Add flour, cocoa and sugar, and mix well.
Microwave for 1 minute for a damn fine and stupidly easy pudding.