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Women often joke that their husband is their ‘other’ child. As our ninth wedding anniversary approaches I am proud to say I have refrained from making such derogatory comments about my husband, Mr...
This weekend my Sunday Mail Ask a Farmer interview is with a husband and wife farming team who grow custard apples on the Sunshine Coast. This odd-looking fruit is sweet and creamy on the inside...
Every Saturday morning I start the day with a half hour of bellyaching laughter. My mirth comes courtesy of the local under 7s soccer team, of which my son is a member. I use the word member...
Eggs. We all eat them but how are they commercially farmed and why do some taste different to others. Why are some big and some small and what’s the difference between caged eggs and free-range?...
We all have vices and for many people it’s chocolate. Mine? Coffee and hot chips (not together). Chocolate – I’m not that fussed. That was until I tried Seatonfire’s Wild Chilli Chocolate with...
It all started innocently enough. We were driving home from the bus stop – my two boys and one of their friends. Alex looked out the window and pointed out the brown cows. ‘Can we get some brown...
James is five and for the past week he has woken every day and asked me: ‘Is it Anzac Day today?’ No darling, it’s next week. ‘When is next week?’ he then asks. In seven days. ‘How long is seven...
Reality television is bringing my family closer together. No really, it is. I believe the popular variety shows can teach my boys valuable life lessons. Before you call the welfare officers be...
Some time ago I bought two chilli plants. Such is the state of my mind, I can’t remember where I got them. Masters Home Centre, I think. Anyway I stuck them in the ground, rather hastily and...
I love newspaper cartoons. Here’s one I saw a few weeks back … just after the coup that wasn’t.
Last month I was a stressed out, highly-strung mess. Life was busy, the school term was nearly at an end, work was frenetic and I was just keeping it all together … just. Mr Bean wanted us to...
At Bean HQ we have a few addictions – John Deere, vegetables and coffee. Our love affair with caffeine hit a high soon after our sons arrived. During those years of sleep deprivation coffee was...
So guess where we’re headed this Friday night? No kids. Black Caviar. Melbourne. Mr Bean’s a tad excited. What to wear?
Some people know exactly how big their family will be. ‘Four kids – two girls, two boys,’ – they declare. ‘One will be enough for me,’ say others. Of course life doesn’t always go according to plan...
Once a week I sit down and take a stroll through my husband’s mobile phone messages. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to catch him out. I promise I’m not a crazy, jealous wife. My mobile investigations...
Queensland citrus is now in stores and the growers have had a horror start to the season … and that’s putting it mildly. Most QLD citrus is grown in the Gayndah, Mundubbera and Wallaville regions –...
The learning never stops, nor do we stop evolving as people. I think back to the person I was at 20 and realise she’s nothing like the person I am today. Experience, risk, adventure, failure … they...
The health world moves in fads. Some fade, some are enduring. Baby wheat looks like it’s here to stay. You probably know it as wheatgrass. It’s generally sold by the shot (it’s not the best tasting...
Much has been written about the troubles plaguing the Australian dairy industry. Since the introduction of $1/litre milk in supermarkets, dairy farmers have been going to the wall, unable to remain...
This miserable, crazy weather just keeps on coming. The clean-up from the Australia Day weekend storms is in progress and the damage bills are still being tallied. But just because you don’t live...
Have you ever felt the urge to smash a watermelon with your head? Nah, me either. But it seems there are plenty who do and you’ll find them at Chinchilla this weekend for the bi-annual Chinchilla...
My five-year-old recently discovered an old trophy of mine, collecting dust in the spare room. It was a journalism prize and one of very few trophies I’ve ever won in my life. A sportswoman I am...
Do you ever worry that your kids aren’t like other people’s. That their behaviour isn’t ‘normal’ … whatever normal is. I have these thoughts from time to time … usually when I’m in the midst of a...
In the red rose growing world February 14 is game day. It’s the equivalent to the league grand final … everything you’ve been working towards must come to fruition in time for this day. No one...
It’s been a hectic 10 days here. We left for the Gold Coast on the Friday ahead of Australia Day, ready to spend the last weekend of school holidays at the beach. Our plan was for a lovely relaxing...
If you’ve watched a TV cooking show lately (who hasn’t) then you probably know a little bit about Verjuice. It’s a favourite with Maggie Beer. The fellows on Masterchef are partial to a drop, as...
My Ask a Farmer page has a new home in the Sunday Mail’s Homeground section. The format remains unchanged – that is profiling Queensland farmers and asking them to explain just what goes into...
Five sleeps until school goes back. And yes I AM counting. The money has run out – as has my patience – enough of this lazing about, let’s get this 2013 show on the road. But before school can...
The past 10 years have seen a massive change in the way fruit and vegetables are traded. The majority of sales used to happen in the central markets. Buyers from large chain stores, right through...
Hello 2013, hope you’ll be a good one. We’re back on deck after a relaxing beach holiday. My body is back, not sure my head is yet returned from holidays … small steps. Our New Year was low key. We...
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