tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10866179559386297432023-11-16T23:03:39.803+11:00Simple ways, simple daysMy search and journey towards a slower, sustainable and a more purposeful way of life.Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-88413751221981652552017-05-25T20:33:00.001+10:002017-05-25T20:33:23.496+10:00Long Time SinceWell is has been some time since I last entered blog land when I looked at the date of my last blog I realised why. A couple of days later one of my brothers passed away and a few months ago our Mother also, so it is still early days of settling affairs, what better way than to stitch my way through it. So I have joined a Stitch-a-long and needed to get my blog going to join in.<br />
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Many other joyous events have also helped to balance the past couple of years. Eldest daughter and her Fiance brought a block of land on which they hope to build their forever home starting next year. Youngest daughter survived VCE and did really well and is now studying Bachelor of Applied Science and Physiotherapy. As for me I only just survived her VCE and was grateful she was the last one through high school. We added a beautiful kelpie called Brie ( as in cheese ) because she came from a farm in Bega NSW and two mischievous bunnies called Charlotte and Lacey.Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-78740685162802362022015-07-07T11:13:00.001+10:002015-07-07T13:25:57.216+10:00Eleanor's adventure into Youth ParliamentLast week DD16 spent the first week of her school holidays at Youth Parliament here in Victoria and she had a wonderful time. Eleanor had no idea what she was in for or what to expect and then at the last minute found out the she would be representing her team Korin Gamadji Institute on her own. After having a little nervy turn she then settled and thought okay I will give it a go. So she needed to present her Bill and a speech to support it which aims for "increased access to health services for small communities" on her own and then had the great support of fellow chamber members to help her debate it. Guess what, she had her Bill successfully passed. Yahoooo. Eleanor also made an Adjournment speech asking for funding to build a high performance purpose built training and playing facility for Netball Victoria to house our Vixens and Victorian Netball League teams. She could not stop talking about this wonderful experience and the incredible character of the other young adults she met on Youth Parliament. To quote her " there are going to be some seriously good politicians in the near future, passionate and fired up about grassroot issues and more importantly driven to achieve solutions and outcomes"<br />
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120 Youth Parliamentarians and YMCA Taskforce</div>
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Youth Parliament facebook page article on DD16</div>
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That's my girl, Eleanor can not wait to get back to Youth Parliament next year.</div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-66851060234830469972015-07-04T17:29:00.000+10:002015-07-04T17:29:06.266+10:00Stitch-A-Long<div style="text-align: center;">
Well here is my Stitch-a-long update, a couple of days late, however given that I changed my colour theme and had to redo blocks I am really happy with my progress.</div>
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Part 5 completed.</div>
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Part 4 completed</div>
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Part 3 - 2 small circles to be completed inside circles not squares, oopps.</div>
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Part2- some stitching and more circles needed.</div>
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Part1- just some stitching</div>
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Hooray I feel as though I am somewhere in the ball park again.</div>
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Cheers, Maxine</div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-1349009094991327042015-07-04T16:40:00.000+10:002015-07-04T16:40:08.464+10:00Weally, Weally Wascally Wuvable Wabbit!We have a really, rascally rabbit who is most of the time really luvable, but sometimes really naughty. Molly is her name and she was DD24's Christmas present from her Fiance and is beautifully housetrained, I can not believe how easy that was. Molly has a 2 storey condo but roams around with us when we are home. Molly was only weeks old when she came to our little family then about a month later she develoed glaucoma. After numerous visits to our fabulous vet and long term eye drops we have managed to holt it's progress, however Molly has lost probably 70% of her vision. So we were grateful that she had been able to at least make a map in her mind of our home which has really helped her to be the happy affectionate bunny that she is. Initially we had a few issues, nibbled phone chargers, handbags straps and shoes until we learned to properply rabbit proof things, she has trained us well. However Molly has a nose for chocolate we have discovered and an amazing talent for unwrapping it no matter what form it comes in. One day we came in and here was Molly's bottom sticking out of DD24's handbag, on futhur investigation we discovered that she had found an easter egg in the bottom of handbag and had unwrapped it right there in the bag and was now eating it. It appears that chocolate does not effect rabbits like it does dogs.<br />
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However the other day DD24 had just finished making 70 medium sized chocolate cupcakes with piped peppermint icing ( will show you photos when DD returns with MY camera from Malaysia). These were all nicely packaged in 5 cupcake boxes 4 boxes in a bag tied up ready to go and the extras in another box on the coffe table. I came in to find, you guessed it with the box on the floor lid open and happily eating a cupcake, what can I say, damn good cupcakes. Needless to say Molly was sent to the naughty corner for some time out. Just as well these were extra or I am sure it would have been the stewing pot.<br />
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Yes, we have a strange home, it is not unusual of a night to find Mimi ( the dog), Tuppy (the cat) and Molly (the Rabbit) all asleep in front of the heater. </div>
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To finish off, one of my favourite trees in my garden.</div>
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<br />Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-29324266497793962402015-06-10T11:38:00.000+10:002015-06-10T11:38:42.201+10:00Here's the Rub: Mohjo missing in action but now is found. Yeah!!!Well I had been working along on Stitch Along but just found that I was going through the motions and not really enjoying it, I had no idea why as hand stitching is one of my favourite things. I persevered for another month, but just the same thing, then I started looking longingly at another project, you know the one that calls out to you until you cave in and start it. I kept trying to ignore it "no stay with the stitch along you have always wanted to do one, don't drop out". But alas the call was too strong and I ventured over to the other side and began this other project and the joy returned with each stitch. Then the light switch moment, I was not happy with my background fabrics on other project and the needle turn and the reverse buttonhole stitch circle just did not sit right with me. So lesson learned, if your fabric, stitches or heart is trying to tell you something, listen you idiot.<div>
Hence new background fabrics, stem stitch around circle and buttonhole applique and the world is a happier place now, even though I am starting all over again it will be worth it. So here is a picture of some catch up I have done so far.</div>
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Sorry Chooky hope this is okay, hopefully the blogging will also return.</div>
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Back in the Stitch again,</div>
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Maxine</div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-63639417687733016832015-04-06T20:51:00.000+10:002015-04-06T20:51:35.694+10:00Excitement at the beginning and excitement at the end, that's enough for one day!<div style="text-align: left;">
Well the day begun with a jolt, whilst we were all having a sleep in, too many Easter eggs. The phone rings and for once I can actually find it and it is the Personal Alarm Company, letting me know that Nan has pushed her button three times and they can not get any response. So I call to girls and in record time everyone is dressed and in the car heading to Nan's, we only live one block away. We race in through back door expecting to find her on the floor, but oh no she is watching her toaster waiting for the toast to pop up. She looks casually at us and asks "where are you off to this early". Once we had turned off the radio so we could hear ourselves think and got the hearing aides in we told her that the alarm company were worried because you pushed your alarm three times and then they could not hear any response over the radio, " oh is that all ". Well all was well, and seen everybody was up early off to Bunnings we went and we took Nan with us just to be sure.</div>
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The rest of the day cruised along, a ripple here and a ripple there as we have an Engagement party in the near future. So there is always bound to be some excitement there.</div>
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Then DD16 and I were sitting watching the netball, Vixens VS Fever, ( don't ask final score ) we are avid Vixens members. We had our gas heater on and were nice and toasty, ( toast seems to be flavour of the day ). When I heard that the electric fan on it had stopped and I had just finished thinking that's odd, power to everything else is still going, then the flames started to come out of the bottom of the heater. YIKES, I jumped up hit all the switches to turn it off and disconnect from wall socket. DD16 was gone and like a flash returned in seconds with the fire Extinguisher. We stood watching as flames seem to stop but the smoke and smell was awful. 000 called, lovely fellows came to assess and ensure everything was out and safe. They were impressed that we had a fire extinguisher ( a good one ) and knew how to use it, I am more convinced than ever that every house should have one and a fire blanket, and even more impressed that DD16 was on the ball. DD24 came running with all the commotion and had no idea that we had an extinguisher, well she does now.</div>
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Oh well, just need to get someone out to sort the heater, that's the least of what could have been.</div>
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Cheers for now,</div>
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Maxine</div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-11690982209167139332015-03-30T21:18:00.003+11:002015-03-30T21:18:37.611+11:00March Stitch Along Blocks Complete<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Yeah. March blocks completed, have been for past week but I just kept forgetting to post, so here we are at last.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Yours in Stitches </b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Maxine</b></span></div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-22667880744328985482015-03-22T20:47:00.000+11:002015-03-22T20:47:56.389+11:00Just maybe the apple does not fall far from the tree, hopefully.Well it has been a few weeks since last post and I was going to tell you all about them but something better happened over last couple of days that I thought I would start with. ( Me being unwell, the pending engagement party and its preparations and the GOAT incident will just have to wait.)<br />
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Both of my girls are creative and have artistic abilities but they fight that urge like the plague, "one craftaholic is enough for one house" they will say, but they dabble and interfere ( sorry they give advice freely"). Last year I got very excited when DD23 decided she wanted to make a baby quilt for her friend at work and she did a great job and the friend loved it.<br />
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But this was it, nothing more, so I slumped back into my shell and got on with my creating occasionally hearing orders being placed and whose turn is it for the next quilt. Anyway DD24 now, is a Nursing and Midwifery student and as part of their course they have to recruit and follow women through their pregnancies, going to appointments and classes etc and hopefully the birth. DD always like to give a gift of thanks to Mum and Bubs who allow her to share this special event in their lives. Gifts are purchased and now being made to have a collection to choose from. So when I said I would like to drop into Spotlight before I pick up DD16 from school DD24 said" I want to come to". On arrival at Spotlight I was informed I had forty- five minutes, plenty of time for me I thought., so off I went on my mission. After about 25 minutes I heard a familiar voice "Mum, Mum where are you? I need some help". I found her standing at the half price flannelette, leaning on her selected pile that looked ready to topple any minute. Help me work out what I need to make double sided wraps and those quilts you made for Eleanor and I but without the raggedy edges. Right, so after she told me what size she wanted them I gave her a calculation. She continued adding and subtracting from her pile mixing and matching then it took four trips to the counter. As I only had a chance to get a few things I got served separately, then I heard her telling the lady how much of each she wanted. I leaned across and said " you don't need that amount of each just what I had worked out before". The response made my heart sing and every quilter would be proud, "but you can never have too much Mum." (MMMmmmmm wonder where she has heard that before?) I shrieked when I answered my phone with DD16 asking where I was, school was out and she was waiting.When I said I was at Spotlight the berating commenced which just went straight through to the keeper as usual. I sat quietly smug when eventually we picked her up from school and she had to push and shove her way into the back seat of her sisters small car due to the bags of fabric. Then came the expected " what are you planning on doing with all of this and where are you going to put it?" I said very nonchalantly that "you have to ask your sister, that's not my doing" The silence was wonderful, I savoured every moment of it and only wished I could have seen her face. When her sister announced that we needed to go to another store because she did not get all of the colours she wanted even I nearly fell out the car.<br />
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Here is a photo of the first bag, second bag is still in her car.When we got to the next shop there was some fabric hiding at the back on the bottom shelf and DD16 offered to get it out for her or as she said " I'll take one for the team just so we can go home", perhaps not her best angle, but it made us laugh to watch her helping the offending crafter.<br />
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As we were driving home, DD24 said "now I think I need a machine in my room to". A loud cry came from the back seat " OMG you have gone over to the dark side, you can't leave me, what hope is there for me"<br />
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Needless to say I have just the right little machine waiting to be loved.<br />
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Joy of Joy, just had to share,<br />
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MaxineMaxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-74205892175919090762015-02-25T19:37:00.000+11:002015-02-25T19:37:59.615+11:00Sorry for absence, computor needed repair.Yep, just when you think things are all systems go Thunderbirds the computor has a melt down, so here we go take two.<br />
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<u style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;">February Stitch Along blocks complete,Yeah!!!</u><br />
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Well that feels better I am off the blocks with my part 1.</div>
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Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-70126344933932331982015-01-11T21:44:00.000+11:002015-01-11T21:44:18.565+11:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am a huge fan of Craftsy.com and have purchased numerous classes across many craft genres. Whilst watching a class called Simple Fresh Quilts by Joanna Figueroa I felt that the spool block quilt was perfect for this jelly roll that had been kicking around my craft room so I thought why not let's do it. So early December I set about stitching the top and here it is as I was making the sandwich, this was also the first time I have tried spray basting a quilt and I must say I really like this technique. My furry, four legged helper is Mimi who just loves to help make the quilt sandwich and tries to take ownership over all quilts, she will only sleep on a bed with a quilt on it. Maybe I should make her one of her own.</div>
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This quilt is also the one that I decided to bite the bullet on and started to free motion quilt it myself, my previous quilts I have quilted in the ditch and basically with straight lines. I found the free motion side of things very challenging and daunting, I started off very stiffly and wobbly and was tempted to pull it all out and go back to basics. But something inside me said if you don't start you'll never learn and if you give in you will never get better. So onward I went and to my surprise when I made that decision to continue no matter what I relaxed and things improved, I could see a difference from the beginning until the end. I have no desire to re do the first bits, because I think it is good to look back on where you began and you have a better appreciation for what you have achieved and where you need to improve. Overall I am happy with the quilting and am currently binding it so more photos when binding is done.</div>
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Here are some snapshots of another quilt I have been working on and also free motioned quilted, I can not show it all yet as it is a gift and I am still binding this also. I saw a similar quilt on the internet somewhere a while back and kept it in my mind knowing a friend was having a baby in January.</div>
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Thanks for dropping by, until next time,</div>
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Maxine</div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-30986936531891625692015-01-10T21:07:00.000+11:002015-01-10T21:07:44.853+11:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><u>Slowly getting back in the groove.</u></b></span></div>
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Trying to settle back into the groove after our camping holiday. One of the first requests was " please Mum can you make some bread", isn't it funny the things you miss , the smell and taste of homemade bread has to be right up there. I hope to step up the bread making this year and branch out into fancy plaits and rolls etc, Sorry about the photos, I am not to smart with the phone and I have not located the camera in the unpacking yet. I was pleased with these 2 light rye loaves and somebody else was also as a slice was missing when I returned, they were still hot.</div>
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I was also very relieved that the vegie garden had looked after itself whilst we were away it is always a worry during the heat to leave it to it's own devices, but it seems to have coped. I will need to get busy over the next few days to deal with the over sized zucchinis and the apricots look not far off either and I am very curious about our purple capsicums. Check back to my blog around Melbourne Cup weekend ( November ) to see how much the garden has grown.</div>
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Today I also went to an open garden which was a permaculture food forest and boy was I enthused after that. This year I also want to enlarge our food garden and learn a whole lot more about permaculture and preserving foods. Both of my girls love to cook and DD16 especially is into healthy food and enjoys picking straight from the garden and cooking it. </div>
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Thanks for dropping by, until next time,</div>
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Maxine</div>
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<i>Reflections on 2014</i></div>
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Well we have just returned a day earlier than planned from our camping holiday at Lorne in Victoria, some unexpected heavy rains for Friday and Saturday convinced us to pack up camp and return home with a damp tent rather than a drenched one. We had a lovely time spending days at the beach and nights playing Phase 10 ( card game ) and Rummikub along with spending time with my eldest daughters fiance and his father. Over Christmas and New Year there was a bit of discussion about the year that was and how it had at times challenged our resilience and that we were grateful for the good times amongst the struggles. Both my girls and I live with a genetic medical condition that impacts us everyday but we make the most of what we can and are happy with life, There is no treatment or cure we just need to manage and adapt as necessary, according to our Specialists we are experts at this and constantly surprise them with what we manage. Having said all of that there is no time for feeling sorry for ourselves as we are also very good at kicking each other in the tail if we should start to drag it.<br />
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Early in 2014 DD16 had been awarded Most Valuable Player in her first season at her new netball club and had also played in an Open Women's winning grand final with her old netball club coming from 11 goals down at half time. So her year had started well, then the challenges began on so many levels with her medical condition. This has meant stopping medication, then trialling other medications over 3-4 months and this was one of the most difficult times so far, leaving her at times completely bed bound and missing 3 months of school and returning part time for the remainder of the year. Then as the medications were finally sorted out and her health improved again a separate condition developed in both of her lower legs which has resulted in her not being able to play netball for the past 4 months. DD16 lives and breathes netball and this alone at times I felt was the only thing that kept her spirits up. So when she was told she could not play netball until 2015 and after extensive rehabilitation I was worried. But no she refocused on umpiring and learning to coach and take statistics for teams and as she said " I will use this time to pack other skills into my bag of tricks and be a better player for it when I return". I breathed a sigh of relief and was grateful for her level of resilience. Late December saw her finally commence her rehabilitation although very slow she is on the way. And despite missing so much school she still won an award at her school's end of year presentation night.</div>
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DD23 also had issues with her condition but fared a bit better with medication changes and increases and she was lucky enough to have this all sorted out in time to travel to Singapore. She had been lucky enough to be chosen to go with a small group of other nursing students from her University to Singapore to visit their health training facilities and Hospitals and found it amazing. Both her and another student stayed on another 5 days to do some touring and sightseeing and have some fabulous pictures, you will see some on the blog soon. In September her boyfriend of 5 years proposed and they are currently planning their engagement party. She has also learned that she has been chosen to go with her University to Malaysia 2015 on another nursing program so this has meant some juggling with dates for the engagement party.<br />
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We also suddenly lost my brother in 2014 and this knocked the stuffing right out of us and Christmas was a little different for us this year. My brother had lived with my girls and I for a number of years and my eldest was very close to him so it has taken some time to come to terms with this and we will soon need to deal with his personal belongings but are now in a better place to do so. We were lucky to have him in our lives and have some lovely photos and memories especially of DD23 party when she turned 21. My brother worked so hard putting up marquees, fairy lights, balloons and worked all night to make sure his "Dudette" as he called her had a great night. DD has already decided that for her engagement party she will have "George's Bar" in his honour.<br />
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Well that's enough of 2014, looking forward to 2015. Looking to work out this blogging thing and joining some groups and following other blogs. Tomorrow will be an update on the garden and some quilting projects.<br />
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Thanks for dropping by,<br />
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Maxine</div>
Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-63312759134950294812014-11-18T21:45:00.001+11:002014-11-18T21:45:31.387+11:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Sweet smell of Sourdough bread mmmmmm....</span></div>
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Last week in one of our neighbourhood newsletters there was an ad for free sourdough starter to anyone that would like to try their hand at baking sourdough bread. DD15 and I had often discussed trying to bake sourdough as it is her favourite, but to be honest I was a bit daunted by the whole process. A couple of years ago I read a novel based around a bread starter and how it weaved it's magic through a community and then far and wide without anybody really noticing at first. I think it was called the "Friendship Bread", I must dig it out, and the spirit of pass it forward, share it around has stayed with me and this spurred me forward. Yes I could have started my own starter but I think I was honestly waiting for this one to come to me. Anyway I thought what the heck why not get in contact and see what is involved, so I emailed the person to organise pickup. A lovely young woman called Allegra, who lived within walking distance, even better, was more than happy to share her starter which she had cared for for over two years and she was even more happy to share her favourite recipe also. So Friday night I picked up my starter and did a bit more research and fed it up over then next few days. Then Monday came and I thought to myself what are you waiting for go ahead try it out. So following Allegra's recipe this is what I created. Tah Daaaah.</div>
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Needless to say the loaf was not quite cool before it was cut and eaten by DD15 who said "it looks just like a bought one Mum" so I will take that as a compliment. This morning DD15 was eating her breakfast grinning like a Cheshire cat when I asked why, she just smiled and said " sourdough toast with homemade strawberry jam mmmm....). I repeated the process today just to see if it was a fluke but no I did it again, yeah!!!!! Now of course DD15 wants to help make wholemeal, rye and multigrain ones, so some more research is needed.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In the Garden Today</span></div>
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Well last year I got a book form the girls called " Grow something to eat everyday" and I am trying this on for size also, except I think I will outgrow my little greenhouse very quickly. Yesterday I sowed seeds of silverbeet, zucchini, yellow pear tomato, kohl rabi ( have never eaten this let alone grown it), beetroot and lettuces many varieties. I also decided that I should also use some of the many flower seed packets I have collected so I sowed sweetpeas and sunflowers. Today I added capsicums, larkspur and pyrethrum. </div>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Small steps toward sustainability...Yeah!</span></u></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Well about 6 weeks ago we were lucky enough to have some solar panels installed due largely in part to our local Council initiative of a special repayment scheme for low income households. Until now I had only dreamt of solar panels and ogled other people panels with envy, abit like the colourbond roof add, for those in Australia. We are now all switched on and plugged in after a few inspections. I love the new catch cry from my girls now, "can I put the washing machine on now will it run on solar?" They have very quickly adapted to the right times for appliances to be used and oddly enough have become abit eco warrior in their attitude, hope it lasts. Will keep you posted re outcomes and hopefully savings.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Melbourne Cup weekend was also a big weekend in the garden for me as I began the planting of vegies in our rearranged beds the aim is to now keep it going all year around. I feel a steep learning curve coming on but with prices the way they are and ever increasing this is a great way to supplement the menu. I had already started some barrels and pots with lettuce, silverbeet, spinach and herbs and both my girls, who are keen cooks, have been out there scavenging for bits and pieces to cook up. They have also been requesting for additions so that should keep me busy. I must say I love it when I see them heading out the back door with a pan and saying over their shoulders "what's for dinner Mum?"</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Here are some photos so far.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As you can see I also grow other things like pussy cats, this is Tuppy or Tuppence when naughty.<br /> </span></td></tr>
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Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086617955938629743.post-12633723794541103542014-11-17T14:43:00.000+11:002014-11-17T20:10:04.157+11:00Frugal and Simpler seems to be on everyones mind.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Frugal and Simpler seems to be on everyones mind.</span></u></b></h2>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Well it seems that frugal is a hot topic at the moment,
maybe due to the economic state of the universe, every second person seems to
be thinking about it or acting upon it. Simple is another word that seems to go
hand in hand with frugal. It really does seem that the more we have the more we want and I no longer wish for this. I want a slower, deeper more satisfying life, one where I can truly engage and enjoy the moments. I also now see how really important this could be for my girls as they move forward into their adult years. I certainly do not want them on the treadmill of consumerism.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">My aim with this blog is to hopefully keep me on track with this journey. I want to rediscover my cooking from scratch abilities and to grow as much of our own produce as possible, with some left over to share and swap. I aim to nuture my home so that it becomes a real haven away from the fast pace world that surrounds us all. To spend more time in creative work and pursuits and to find ways to do so more frugally ( if there is such a word). To discover a rhythm to life that nutures my home and my soul is my one great desire.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">As I am just starting up this blog it will take me a little while to put some flesh on its bones so bare with me. Everybody has to start somewhere.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">So pop in to see how I am going on my journey and share your thoughts with me.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Cheers,</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Times; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Maxine</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Maxine (Simple Ways Simple Days)http://www.blogger.com/profile/15779861195482590584noreply@blogger.com0