Weekly Challenge – Week 12

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Week 12 – I am getting heartily sick of this challenge, or to be more precise, writing about it.  However, since it is a challenge I guess it is not meant to be easy.  So here we go for another week.

What I have done so far.  Scroll to the end of the list to so the new additions for this week.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle – DONE

15. Clean kitchen windows – DONE

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday – DONE

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment – DONE

19. Finish pinafore for Izz – DONE

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother – DONE

21. Clean patio using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

22. Clean back wall of the house using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulched

24. Plant seeds in seed-raising mix – DONE

25. Clean windows on southern side of house

26. Clean paths using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

27. Trace sewing patterns for my mother – DONE

28. Read 5 outstanding magazines & file or re-home – DONE

29. Clean out bottom drawer in the kitchen – DONE

30.Dust furniture in the front entry – DONE

31. Read  and re-home 5 more magazines – DONE

32. Thin out and re-pot bok choy seedlings

33. Sand and paint window frames in laundry and bathroom – DONE

34. Clean fronts of kitchen cupboards – DONE

35. Make a vinyl cover for the newly-created day bed

36. Buy birthday gift for Izz

37. Sew 5 souvenir badges on a blanket

38.Look at accommodation options for weekend in Melbourne

39.Arrange to close a bank account that is no longer required

40. Read and re-home 5 more magazines/articles/booklets

41. See accountant re tax returns – DONE

42. Book a massage – DONE

43. Make food for shared morning tea – DONE

44. Defrost small freezer

45. Clean all of the screens – TV, computer, laptop, Kindles

46. Try to find a small chest of drawers on Gumtree/Freecycle etc

47. Take glass jars to op shop

48. Take boots to be re-heeled

………..and of course I must keep plugging away with the UFO’s from further up the list.

Tomorrow I will be back with a cautionary tale from my traumatic weekend with the disinfectant.


The (Semi) Neglected Garden and A Menu Plan

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Although our fruit trees and vegie gardens are not totally neglected, we do not spend much more than an hour/week on them.  For this meagre investment of time we are fortunate with the harvest we reap.

This afternoon I went downstairs to water the vegetables as it has been particularly dry for the past month with almost no rain.  We have an annual average rainfall of 1800mm (72 inches) and the past 2 years have been well above that average.

I came in with broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, chillies, snow peas, pumpkin, sweet potato and cherry tomatoes as well as grapefruit and avocadoes.

The first of the snow peas.  There will be many more if the flowers are any indication.

Every time I think the broccoli is finished some more side shoots appear.

The mushrooms look like they have been on steroids.  These came up in the garden bed where some of the spent mushroom compost was put.

The bell chillies are not too hot so make a good substitute for capsicums which is good since the latter are as much as $8.95/kg.

There are also lemons, oranges, limes and bok choy ready to pick but I did not need any today.

I have been picking bok choy by cutting it off at the base and leaving the remnant in the hope that it would re-shoot.  Only a week or so after cutting them I have discovered new growth on 2 of the bok choy roots so I am very pleased with that.

Since home-grown vegetables have a much shorter shelf life than bought produce I have put my thinking cap on to come up with some meal ideas.  I have yet to sort them into a proper plan but here they are.

Pizza – using pumpkin, chilli, mushrooms and spinach (plus the salami that is in the freezer).

Beef stir-fry with snow peas and broccoli

Broccoli and cauliflower bake

Broccoli with tuna and tomato sauce

Salmon on sweet potato mash with balsamic roast pumpkin and stir-fried bok choy

Vegetable casserole – using sweet potato, pumpkin and broccoli stalks

Mushroom, bacon and spinach quiche – the pastry is in the freezer from the last batch I made.

The eggs that we collect from our chickens, a vegie garden and not too much effort certainly makes a difference to our grocery bills.

Do you grow any produce?

Now it is time to make the pizza for dinner.

A One-Off Designer Original

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I did not post last night as I was having a blitz in the sewing room.  I keep promising myself that I will sort everything out and store my very projects and stash appropriately.

I have achieved quite a bit in this room over a period of time but one of the things that always seems too hard is the dressmaking patterns.  I bit the bullet yesterday and decided that the majority of the patterns would not be used again – outdated style, wrong size etc.  I checked all of the pieces to make sure they were complete and then put them in a bag and they went to the op shop this morning.  There are probably still a few that should not have made the cut but they can wait for another day.

With the room a bit clearer I decided to start on my latest project – bags for Miss O and Izz for Christmas.  We have bought tickets for them to go to the Wiggles concert but as we all know, 2 and 4 year olds need something to open on Christmas morning.

This is the bag I made for Izz.  It truly is a designer original.  I think you will agree that you won’t find one like that in the shops.  I made the entire bag from scraps.  The main fabric is blockout curtain material that I used to make curtains for Miss O’s nursery.  The redtrim and tab was a small piece in my stash, the handles are lined with calico and the tab has a velcro fastening.

Here are a couple more views of the bag.

I have started one for Miss O with different fabric so will show you that another day.

I have almost finished a summer blouse for myself from fabric I bought over 2 years ago and cut out last summer.  I still have to do the binding on the armholes as well as the buttons and buttonholes.  Since I do not have any suitable buttons I will go to Lincraft during the week and see what I can find.

Speaking of buttons I did find some in my op shop expedition yesterday.  I found these in the jumble in a big basket.

They cost me the princely sum of $1.30 (5c each).  Here they are all sorted out.

I finished the hand-sewing on the oven mitt and am pleased to report that I used it tonight and the old towel that I used as wadding was very effective in resisting the heat while removing a Pyrex dish from the oven.  I have cut out all of the pieces to make 2 more mitts.  The one thing worth remembering is that you need 100% cotton fabric when making the oven mitts.

Neither Organised nor Sustainable

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This is an extra post which has nothing to do with the general topics I write about.  I want to tell you about a link that I have added to a very new blog.

Trine describes herself as ordinary but nothing could be further from the truth.  In a world where so many people think only of themselves, she is setting out to give something back.  Something to help people at a time when their whole world is falling apart.  Please have a look and consider whether you can help make a difference.

There Is Something Wrong With Your Child…………

Perhaps you have a story to tell or you could help to spread the word to those who may have their own stories that they are willing to share.  You could add a link on your own blog or discuss this project with family and friends.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Running Repairs

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We all know that “a stitch in time saves nine” and, being competent with the use of a sewing machine I regularly repair and refashion clothing and linen.  However, from time to time I actually repair something else.

Last week we had a day of high wind and my clothes hanger blew down from the large hook under the verandah.  When I picked it up I found that one of the spring-loaded pegs was missing.

It was in pieces – 2 on the floor of the verandah and one piece had blown over the edge.  I collected up the bits  and set to work to see if I could resurrect it.

With the aid of a small screwdriver to stretch the metal ring I got it back together.

Then it was a simple matter of re-attaching the peg to the metal clip.

It is now as good as new.  I have seen these type of things for sale in Australia, however, I bought this one in Japan when we were there in 2009.  It is just another example of how the Japanese have adapted to their limited space in so many ways.  I find it very useful as I can hang it in a variety of places to catch whatever sun or breeze there is and it is a simple matter to bring it inside to dry things in front of the fire.

Have you repaired anything?  Was it a success?

Exciting Electricity News

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We have finally received our refund from Origin Energy for the electricity we fed into the grid from the first 6 months of our solar panels.  This has taken 8 weeks from when our meter was read, so I am not happy with the tardiness of Origin but I am happy with the result.

Just over $600 for 6 months!  This is in addition to $0 electricity bills.  I am sure that we will be able to improve on that, especially since we had a very wet and cloudy summer .

The last few weeks of clear, cloudless days have been perfect for generating power so the next account may be even better.  This is what the sky looks like on these endless, clear, winter days.

We are saving money and making a positive contribution to the environment so I am really pleased.

I plan to make a complaint to the Energy Ombudsman regarding the time taken to receive the refund and the convoluted process.  I rang Origin to find out why I had not received my account 3 weeks after the meter was read and I have yet to receive a satisfactory answer to that question.  This is in direct contrast to receiving the bill within 3 working days for all of the years that we paid electricity bills.

If I want my refund more than once per year I have to specifically request it.  I cannot have the payment credited directly to an account.  I cannot make a standing request for any credit to be paid each quarter.  I have to ring up each time and spend 30 – 45 minutes on hold before I even get to speak to someone.  You would think that they would welcome the opportunity to streamline the process and reduce call volumes, wouln’t you?   After all that, it took 4 weeks for my request to be actioned, processed and sent.

I guess Origin have enjoyed the free use of my money in the interim.  It is a pity that they are not willing for me to take 8 weeks to organise payment of bills when I owe them money.

What are your experiences with electricity and other utility providers?

Weekly Challenge – Week 11

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Week 11 already!  I am almost halfway through the challenge.  I am not exactly failing but I feel as though I am falling behind a bit.  Hopefully I can change that this week.

What I have done so far.  Scroll to the end of the list to so the new additions for this week.

1. Clean car inside and out -DONE

2. Finish making sandwich wraps for Miss O and Izz – DONE

3. Create a spreadsheet for future holiday packing needs

4. Make trackpants for Miss O and Izz – DONE

5. Send emails to book accommodation for New Zealand trip – DONE

6. Buy and plant seedlings for winter vegetables – DONE

7. Email friend to arrange to meet for lunch – DONE

8. Finish knitting dishcloth and sew ends in on first two – DONE

9. Make dressing gown for Miss O – DONE

10. Upload music to my iPod

11. Declutter and clean bathroom cupboard – DONE

12. Plan birthday celebration for Missy – DONE

13. Make an appointment to have our tax done – DONE

14. List 2 items on Freecycle – DONE

15. Clean kitchen windows – DONE

16. Book train trip  for New Zealand holiday – DONE

17. Follow up what I need to do to change my superannuation

18. Assemble the required paperwork for our tax appointment – DONE

19. Finish pinafore for Izz – DONE

20. Discuss 80th birthday celebration plans with my mother – DONE

21. Clean patio using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

22. Clean back wall of the house using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

23. Organise quote to have poinciana tree lopped and mulchws

24. Plant seeds in seed-raising mix – DONE

25. Clean windows on southern side of house

26. Clean paths using high-pressure cleaner – DONE

27. Trace sewing patterns for my mother – DONE

28. Read 5 outstanding magazines & file or re-home – DONE

29. Clean out bottom drawer in the kitchen – DONE

30.Dust furniture in the front entry – DONE

31. Read  and re-home 5 more magazines – DONE

32. Thin out and re-pot bok choy seedlings

33. Sand and paint window frames in laundry and bathroom – DONE

34. Clean fronts of kitchen cupboards

35. Make a vinyl cover for the newly-created day bed

36. Buy birthday gift for Izz

37. Sew 5 souvenir badges on a blanket

38.Look at accommodation options for weekend in Melbourne

39.Arrange to close a bank account that is no longer required

40. Read and re-home 5 more magazines/articles/booklets

41. See accountant re tax returns – DONE

42. Book a massage

43. Make food for shared morning tea

44. Defrost small freezer

Great plans – now let’s see if I can fullfil at least some of them.  Be sure to check next week and see how much progress I have made.


Christmas is Coming

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I did not get a chance to post my challenge list yesterday (Monday) but I will do it tonight.

In the meantime here is a thought for you to ponder.  Yesterday was the 25th of the month therefore it is now 5 months till Christmas.  Whilst this is a terrifying thought for some, others have already finished their Christmas shopping!

I fall somewhere in the middle of the 2 extremes.  I have made some notes for my Christmas letter, and I am pleased to report that I bought 2 Christmas gifts.  I received an email about pre-sale of tickets for ‘The Wiggles’ so after speaking with Belle I have bought tickets for Miss O and Izz to see the show.  This is in keeping with my attempts to minimise the amount of ‘stuff’ given and received as gifts.  It is also perfect for Miss O who has a birthday in December.

Over to you.  What preparations do you do for Christmas?  When do you start?

 

A Little Bit of Everything

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Today I weeded and watered my garden, sewed, and of course, bottled the Worcestershire sauce.

While I was in the garden I discovered the first hint of spring.  I noticed the very first blossom on the peach tree.  Can you see it?

Here is a close-up.

I picked broccoli, bok choy, a lime and some baby spinach.  I used the bok choy, some broccoli and the lime for dinner.

We had salmon grilled with lime and sea salt on potato mash with stir-fried broccoli and bok choy with soy, ginger and lime sauce.

There is still quite a bit of broccoli so will be having that with meals this week.

I bottled the Worcestershire sauce tonight and here is the result.

The residue after straining will go into the compost.

I used an existing oven mitt for a pattern to make a new one.

I cut 2 pieces from some cotton fabric – leftover from a dress that had been unpicked and refashioned.

2 of calico for the lining.

2 pieces from an old towel for the wadding.

Here they are layered together.

The Duke cut a piece of metal edging to help me to keep the quilting in straight lines.

Quilted and stitched together.

All finished apart from binding the edge which is only pinned

I also made another pair of trackpants for Izz and as well as this top.

I have nearly finished a summer skirt and top for her, but will post those photos another day.

The Journey So Far………..

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I was reading this older post from Zero Waste Home the other day and it got me to thinking about how and when I came to be on the road to a more sustainable existence.  Unlike Bea, I did not have an overnight epiphany from a consumerist lifestyle to attempting zero waste.

A bit of history is probably the best way to start.  I was born a little over 50 years ago when Brisbane was really not much more than a big country town in many ways.  My parents did not own a car, milk was delivered in glass bottles, the greengrocer, fishmonger and baker called in with their produce for sale and supermarkets were still a relatively new innovation in Australia.  We had a wood stove in our modern home which was a mere 6 miles from the CBD.  We kept chickens and grew some of our own food.

As I grew up things changed.  The wood stove was replaced by an electric one, my mother shopped at the supermarket, my parents bought a car and a television.  Nevertheless, we grew up with an awareness that things were not upgraded just because there was a newer, more expensive model.  We were taught that possessions were not easily replaced and that it was important to take care of what you had.  All types of things were mended, repaired, re-purposed and re-used.  They were only thrown out when they truly reached the end of their useful life.

We had new toys but also appreciated the value of home-made.  I remember the excitement when our father made kites for us – from some timber dowel, brown paper (saved from the packaging of something), glue, string and pieces old old sheeting salvaged from the rag bag to make the ties on the tail of the kite.

I learned to knit and sew when I was quite young, although crocheting is something I have never really mastered.  In my teens I learned how to mix concrete as I helped my father.  No-one set out to teach me these things, they were learned by shared experience with my mother, father and extended family.

I believe that although there have been times when I have tended to consume more resources and be wasteful, the essence of who I am and what I believe in comes from my upbringing.

In the late 1980s, with 2 young daughters, I came to realise that there was no way that we could all continue to exponentially use more and more resources and expect that we and future generations could continue on that path.

We were living in Adelaide at the time and I became aware of a conservation group, Gully Environment Network, which was started by Clive and Gloria Bristow.  Gloria wrote, “Why Conservation” which was published in 1979, well before many people took any interest in conservation and environmental issues.  At the time that I met this amazing couple, they were campaigning against the introduction of wheelie bins (240 litre) in our local council area, arguing that the increased capacity (from the standard 55 litre galvanised bins) would encourage waste rather than reduce it.  It is ancient history that the wheelie bins became a fact of our lives but there is a 120 litre option.  However, the action continues.  The Wynn Vale Community Garden was another brainchild of Clive and Gloria.  Gloria was also instrumental in setting up the ReGen Community Op Shop.  The link will take you to the Facebook page where there are more links to articles from the local paper.   Gloria has consistently advocated and led the way with local and individual action rather than reports and studies as this letter shows.  I am proud to say that she has been my mentor in my path to tread more lightly on this earth and try to make a difference.

If you are still reading this missive, I applaud you.  I will write more on my sustainable journey another day.  Thank you for taking the time to read.

What are you doing to move towards a more sustainable future?  Who or what inspires you?  I would love to hear your stories.