A New Adventure

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Posted on July 7, 2012

Today marked a totally new experience for me and one I am not sure I wish to repeat in a hurry. I took my 2 grand-daughters to a birthday party at an indoor play centre. There were numerous birthday events running concurrently as well as casual users of the centre. It was impossible for the birthday girl to even greet the guests and it seemed to be a matter of quickly opening the gift and then all running off to play on the equipment.

These facilities did not exist when Belle and Missy were children and I am quite thankful. I can see the appeal because they offer ‘playground’ facilities in an indoor environment but the noise and action is just overwhelming. I found it daunting so I cannot begin to imagine how young children must feel. Miss O who is 4 & 1/2 seemed absolutely shell-shocked.

The birthday party is a fixed price per child and that covers their admission (normally $9) plus party food, cake and a bag of goodies. Each child received a hot dog (frankfurt in a bread roll), french fries and a small packaged juice drink. The cake was a doughnut stack and the bag of goodies contained some lollies (packaged), balloons, whistle, a pair of socks, pencils, and a mirror/comb compact. Each item was individually packed in plastic.

I remember my daughters going to a couple of birthday parties at McDonald’s and was amazed to hear parents singing the praises of not having to arrange and prepare a birthday party at home.

Belle has organised birthday parties for Miss O and Izz at home or a local park and I am sure they were not deprived by this. There was a range of party food which included healthy options and a cake decorated specifically for the occasion. I do not think they have been deprived because of this.

What are your experiences and thoughts of children’s birthday parties?

Badges, Blankets & Babysitting

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Posted on July 6, 2012

I have finished, albeit temporarily, a long-term project. The last badges are sewn on two camp blankets. They were begun about 20 years ago and belonged to Belle and Missy. The badges were mostly souvenirs of our travels as well as some that friends and relatives sent to them from far-flung places.

The girls grew up and left home and the last 15 or so badges languished in a container in my sewing room. Recently, I located the blankets when I was decluttering the wardrobe and after consultation with the original owners they will now be passed on to Miss O and Izz.

I was inspired to finish sewing the remaining badges onto the blankets.

And here is a close-up.

As you can see there is plenty of space for more badges so I will probably start on the merry-go-round again, starting with our upcoming trip.

I am currently looking after my grand-daughters for a few days while Belle is away so when we go home tomorrow I will be able to show them the blankets and try to explain the significance of them. I expect they will be a welcome addition to their bedding as it is currently quite cold at our place.

Life is Fragile

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Posted on July 5, 2012

No-one close to me, but Belle is aware of another life snuffed out prematurely. Cherish every moment.

Decluttering Meets Damask

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Posted on July 4, 2012

I have decluttered my linen cupboard several times over recent years but there were a couple of damask tablecloths which defied decision each time.

We now have a small round table which extends to an oval but both of the cloths are rectangular and one is quite large. About a week ago I had a blinding flash of inspiration. I am unlikely to ever have a large rectangular dining table again so I decided to cut the cloths to fit my existing table and enjoy using them rather than storing them for some vague reason.

This is the larger cloth on my oval table. My mother gave this to me and I am fairly sure it belonged to my great-grandmother. What would she think if she knew I was taking to it with a pair of scissors? Probably happy that it was going to be used rather than stashed in the back of my linen cupboard.

I made a pattern of the tabletop, worked out how much drop I wanted and set about cutting out my ‘new’ tablecloth.

Here it is hemmed, pressed and ready for use.

Then I started on the other cloth which I planned to make to fit the table when it is not extended and is just a small, round table.

This cloth was much smaller and when I cut the biggest circle that I was able, it was still a bit short on the overhang. So, I decided to increase the diameter by stitching some extra fabric on. I cut 12cm wide bias strips from the leftover fabric which you can see below.

I then sewed them into a continuous strip and edged the cloth with it. You can clearly see the join but I am not particularly worried as I now have a usable cloth for my round table that I did not have before.

I have now been inspired to re-look at my collection of tablecloths and see which ones I really should be keeping and how I can re-fashion them so that they are able to be used with my current table, either as a round or oval.

What have you given a new lease of life to?

March to a Different Drum

2 Comments

Posted on July 3, 2012

I was reading the Down to Earth blog last week and Rhonda actually re-visited an earlier post from 2009 about how to start out living simply. You can read it here. In it she speaks about making your own choices rather than following a specific prescription for living simply.

The idea of being an individual and not slavishly following others really resonated with me.

It constantly astounds me how people are influenced by fashion and trends. It is not necessarily just about clothes but encompasses style of houses, interior decorating, colours and so much more.

Magazines are not generally part of my reading material, but occasionally I will flick through one when I am waiting for an appointment at the doctor or dentist. The constant, subtle pressure to conform and consume jumps out from every page. It is not only the advertisements but the articles with titles such as, “Gray is the New Black” which insinuates that you can’t possibly wear the black trousers you bought last year.

Everywhere you turn there is evidence of what is ‘in’ and heaven help you, if you actually consider breaking the mould. Several years ago we were re-building our kitchen and we decided to have a look at some display homes to get some current ideas as it was many years since we had looked at what was available in kitchen design. We headed to a display village of new homes – I think there were about 40 homes and we looked at the kitchens in at least half of these. I was totally disillusioned as they all featured the same basic layout with the kitchen as part of an open-plan living area divided by a long work bench which often contained the sink. The drawers all had over-sized rectangular handles with minimal variation and the decor was universally a bland grey/mocha palette.

People make fun of the 1970’s lime green benchtops which were ‘in’. In fact, if you want lime green laminate or any other colour of the rainbow, you can get it in 2012. However, you need to be prepared to do your own research and choosing by going to the suppliers rather than going to a ‘one-stop shop’ where you will be presented with a range which is really just a selection of variations of the current trend.

Whatever the product, idea, attitude or philosophy, do not feel obliged to follow the crowd. Be an individual, buck the trend and make your own decisions about you and how you want to live your life. It does not have to be based on the latest colours, mobile phone or gadget.

Do you swim against the consumerist tide and make decisions about how you live your life in an independent manner?

Project Streamline – Summer Tops/Shirts

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Posted on July 2, 2012

I am getting close to the end of cataloging the categories of clothing in my wardrobe. Naturally, I have left the most difficult till last. Even so, I have split the tops into a couple of groups. Today I am looking at the summer (short-sleeved and sleeveless ) tops that I have.

SUMMER TOPS

As usual this includes the full range from old polo shirts that I use for painting to tops I wear to social events.

2 T-shirts in good condition that I wear regularly though not frequently
They are both ‘souvenirs’ that I will happily keep and use until they wear out. I probably will not buy any more of this style in the future.

2 polo shirts – the darker one is actually a corporate freebie but the logo is reasonably discreet so I do wear it. The lighter shirt is quite faded and whilst still wearable is probably not required so I think it will go to the op shop where someone may get some use from it. In the following photos you will see that I have more than enough shirts to wear when I am painting/gardening etc.

These tops are identical and are a simple scoop-neck top with a cap sleeve. You can see my penchant for buying more than 1 of the same style when I find something that I like.

I have had these tops for over 10 years and they are a permanent fixture in my wardrobe. They are not identical but very similar. They have a short sleeve which is quite fitted and are perfect for travelling and suitable for wearing under a rugby top. They feature in almost all of my holiday photos and will be going to the USA with me in a couple of months.

These 4 paint-spattered polo shirts belonged to my daughters when they were at high school (10-15 years ago). They are hold every colour paint that we have used in 3 different houses! I wear them when gardening or painting and will continue to do so as they are no use for anything else – not even as rags as they are polyester cotton and have no absorbency. One day I will throw them out.

These are 3 shirts which are suitable for wearing at home but have not descended to the level of the previous selection. I will probably get rid of the green one and keep the others.

Just in case you thought that I don’t have any presentable tops – here is a sleeveless linen one I made last year. I have 2 more in the same style that are partly made so they will be new for next summer.

2 basic cotton/lycra camisoles for wearing under shirts/cardigans

3 cotton shirts that I have made. The red/white definitely stays but the others are looking past their best so I might move them along. I will reserve my judgement on that for a bit longer.

This is a loose cotton shirt that I made many years ago and it is excellent for those really hot days as it is 100% cotton. Not the fanciest style or pattern but definitely a keeper.

This black collared top is well-worn but super comfy and goes with anything. It stays.

As usual, I am forced to make some decisions, simply by virtue of having to put in writing why I own some of these pieces.

I will throw 2 of the ‘painting shirts’ in the bin. The faded navy polo shirt and the green t-shirt will go to the op shop. I will decide the fate of a couple of others when the warmer weather returns.

Next week will be my 3/4 and long-sleeve tops and then that should be almost the end of Project Streamline.

It has been an enlightening exercise to list all of my clothes here week by week. I can now see where I have an excess and what I need to replace or add to.

Clearing the Paddock

The Sun Rose Today

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Posted on July 1, 2012

Despite all of the gloomy predictions about the impact of the carbon tax which begins today, the sun still rose and life goes on.

The aim of this tax is to move Australia towards a more sustainable future and I support that wholeheartedly.

I have previously written about this topic and my original post is here and Part 2 here. I also wrote a follow-up post 3 months later which is here.

This is a You-Tube video I found today which is well worth viewing. This is a compliation of comments from several prominent Australians. Check the associated videos of the individuals speaking in more detail about their support of tackling Climate Change.

Friday Favourites – Orange & Poppyseed Muffins

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Posted on June 29, 2012

I have tried various muffin recipes over the years and although they have been relatively successful I have never found one that suited what I was looking for. Some were too sweet, too dry or just like an over-sized cupcake.

Here is a muffin recipe I tried quite recently but it has already become a firm favourite. The basic recipe come from the book “Down to Earth”, written by Rhonda Hetzel who writes the blog of the same name.

ORANGE & POPPYSEED MUFFINS

1/4 cup olive oil
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups self raising flour
1 cup orange pulp
1/4 cup poppyseeds

Beat the oil and sugar, add egg and milk and mix thoroughly. Add orange pulp and poppyseeds. Finally, add the flour and combine gently. Do not overmix.

Spoon mixture into prepared muffins pans.

Bake at 180C for 20 minutes.

I make these to use up the orange pulp from when I squeeze the oranges from our trees. If you want to increase the orange flavour you could try substituting orange juice for some of the milk. I have not tried this but might next time I make them.

I make 12 generous-sized muffins from this quantity. The muffins also freeze well

The basic recipe suggests that you can add anything you like. I have made lime and coconut, banana , cherry and coconut as well as apple and cinnamon using this recipe.

Now it is my turn to ask a question. I would love to be able to make good savoury muffins with grated cheese, grated vegies and herbs. Could I use this basic recipe and just leave out the sugar?

I look forward to your suggestions and ideas.

Crash!

2 Comments

Posted on June 28, 2012

Last night when we got home we discovered that another large limb had come off the poinciana tree. The tree is close to our boundary and this has fallen across the fence and into the neighbour’s ‘paddock’ near the front of their block. Undoubtedly, the wild weather of the past few days has contributed to this latest loss.

There have been at least 3 other occasions where sizeable branches have fallen from this tree and we had decided that it really needed to go and were planning to have it lopped later in the year. This latest incident has forced us to re-think our plans and move them forward so I have contacted a tree lopper. He is going to come next week to give us a quote.

As well as having the tree lopped, we also plan to get it mulched so that we can use this in our landscaping. We have decided that we can better utilise the mulch than making more firewood as we really have plenty and this type of tree does not burn well. I am hoping they will be able to grind the stump so that we can then decide what we will plant in this area.