the whys and wherefores of blogging

It was while living in Canberra, after we had bought our block in the country that I discovered the world of blogs. Our life had already taken a turn in a different direction. Not long before I had started to become a regular shopper at the weekend farmers markets. I had a small but successful vegie garden in the backyard. I started making my own bread. I began cooking up batches of liquid washing mix. We had plans for a small house on an acre of land (you can read more about that here) . I was delving into the world of a simpler way of life, but with no clear idea of what I was really doing. My research led me into the world of blogs, and it was here that I discovered a world I never knew existed.

In this world there were people living the simpler life that I was envisioning.  And far more. I particularly started enjoying many crafty blogs. I had no idea when it came to sewing or knitting, but I was always drawn to it. I read about family life, cooking from scratch, gardening and alternative cleaning methods. Blogs such as Down to Earth, Soulemama, Foxs Lane, Tiny Happy and Farmama (no longer blogging)  though quite different to each other, were hugely inspiring, and continue to be daily reads.

From the time we rented in town, to building and moving into our new house, to welcoming another baby into the family, I continued reading blogs. I learned to sew and knit in these few years. I'd had a desire to learn these things for so long, but it was the inspiration found on blogs that finally made me decide to learn.

It was Daniel who started suggesting that I start a blog of my own. At first I laughed at the idea. I had many doubts. Who would want to read my relatively unexciting life? How would I find ideas for blog posts and wouldn't these ideas run out?  Would I constantly suffer from writers block? I hadn't done any form of writing since I was a teenager. Shouldn't I wait until I had a better camera? There is also that vulnerability of putting yourself out there and so being open to criticism. And importantly, how would I find the time?

But despite the doubts and after some time had passed, I decided to give it a try. I had a feeling that blogging might be something that I would very much enjoy. The blog became a little life of it's own. A little escape for me in the day to day, where I could record what was going on at that point of time. I was never really stuck for ideas. I would, and still do, usually park myself in front of the computer early in the morning, and write about whatever is on my mind, or find that my just downloaded photos tell a story of their own. I'd write about what I was making, what the kids were doing, what I was baking, what I was reading or where we went.

I recently realised that blogging is not unlike the constant diary and journal keeping that I kept form the age of eleven to nineteen. During my teen years I felt a need to keep a record of my day to day, and in my later teen years I carried my camera almost everywhere. Blogging has felt like going back to both of those in a sense.

But the thing I love about blogging the most is the connection I've felt to other people. People who are kind of like me. People who "get me". I can count on one or two fingers the people I know in real life who sew or knit or make bread or are interested in simpler living. I had always felt different somehow, but the blogging community has helped to fill that gap with their support and sharing of ideas.

 


Of course having a blog led me to discover many, many more wonderful blogs out there. Some I feel, that I can truly call friends, despite never having met them in real life.


So thank you for your generously shared ideas. Thank you for your comments that help keep me going. Thank you for visiting.




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Also I am very grateful for your all comments and suggestions in yesterday's post. Shadecloth sounds like a very good suggestion, as does companion planting. I think I need to have some discussions with my handyman husband. Thank you Elaina for the natural pest spray recipes.

I can also happily report that it's raining right now and has been since late last night!

the not so abundant garden

I'd like to apologise in advance for this slightly depressing post.  Let me tell you about the sad state of my vegetable garden. Which hadn't been doing too badly.  Up until now that it is. It had managed through frost, occasional snow and icy winds to keep us supplied with spinach, silverbeet, rocket and kale over Winter. Of course every year I look forward to the time when we can put the frosts behind us and plant those tomatoes, zucchini, peas and other sorts of wonderful summer growing things.

But it's a bit of a jungle out there. In an aphid, cabbage moth infested kind of way. Not a lot has been spared. All my Winter greens have shot to seed. Despite daily watering and some mulching my garden is so very dry. Top ups with home grown compost, though improving the soil, don't make up for the scorching sun. Only a few seeds seem to make it to the seedling stage. Silverbeet is my one redeeming vegetable.

Locals here often wait until after Melbourne cup to plant frost prone vegies. So despite these setbacks I'll be visiting the nursery this week to pick up some seedlings, while praying for no more frosts. And for some much needed rain.

It's the most difficult area I've ever gardened in, and I have to admit that sometimes I question the wisdom in living in an area that is so very difficult for growing. Locals say that you need to undo all the gardening you have learnt elsewhere, as it's a different set of rules here. The cold is very cold and the hot is very hot, with not a lot of weather in between. I'm aware that I need to put more time into my garden, but the heat is so very draining. Some natural pesticides probably wouldn't go astray either.

However rain brings hope, and I know from experience that conditions can improve quite quickly here. It's all about timing and getting those seeds and seedlings in just before a rainy week forecast. If you are so fortunate as to get one.

I will keep reminding myself of the bumper zucchini crop of two years ago, the daily supply of little sweet cucumbers last year and the amazing potatoes dug up in Autumn.


On a more positive note our fruit trees are absolutely thriving. Our hedge is above head height and there are flowers in the front garden. It's been many years since I've had my own flowers, and I'm so grateful to have some once again.




Meanwhile I'll be watching the skies today hoping for that thunderstorm forecast to eventuate.

weekending

On Sunday morning we forewent the usual pancakes in favour of a rather unhealthy breakfast of  panettone, and a chocolate chip one at that. Reminding me of a typical breakfast at my mother in laws, minus the nutella (and of which deprivation I was reminded by my kids, and husband). But it did go down pretty well with a good strong coffee.

Although there was much to do at home, as there always is, we went for a drive into town. Our small town was buzzing with the sound of live music and passing through motorbikes. So we grabbed some coffees and drinks at one of our favourite coffee shops, and parked ourselves on the provided mild crates and folded coffee sacks to listen to some folksy local talent.

Before we headed home for a busy afternoon of jobs, we stopped at the park. I'm not a huge fan of parks, but they're something you can't really avoid when you have kids. Whether they're two or ten.

Did you notice Violet's little dress? Craving a quick little sewing project on the weekend I made my first pillowcase dress. I followed this easy tutorial, using a vintage pillowcase, sheeting and  a little quilting cotton for the pockets.


How was your weekend? I do hope it was a good one.

an (almost) empty nest

Yesterday my eldest two left bright and early for their first "proper" overnight excursion. They were both pretty excited to be spending the night away with their friends. After the stresses of packing and making sure they had this and that, I (nervously) waved them off on the bus.

I can't get over how quiet the house is. But I miss their noise. With no school pick up and a clean house I had a full day stretched before me. But all this free time felt a little overwhelming. I couldn't decide what to do. I drove into town, had a coffee and visited the library. I did a few rows of knitting at home. I ironed. Yes, one child was a little easier.  Easier yes, but not easy. I also realised just how much her brother and sister entertained her. I was her one and only source of entertainment now.

I suppose I must be a creature of habit. Without all those extra daily things to do, I felt a little lost. It seems the more time that I have, the less I do. The less time I have, the more efficient I seem to be with it. Could it be that I am more capable as a mother of three than one? I wonder if anyone else experiences this strange phenomenon?

So I look forward to an evening full of noise, unpacking and new stories to hear. The very gradual process of letting go as a parent can be difficult. I'll be happy (and relieved) to have them back.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.

new-ish

 New-ish works in progress, new treasures, books to read and tasks completed  :

New knitting : another Tiny Tea Leaves. Yes, it's true I have a grown up sized one on the needles at present, but knitting for toddlers is so temptingly gratifying. They are so much quicker to knit for, aren't they? Watching House Husbands, the X Factor and Winners and Losers this week has been very productive in a knitting sense. (That sounds like a lot of television doesn't it? But I promise I don't watch much at all the rest of the week).

New old op shop finds : little folk art wood panels. Very grateful for someones else's beautiful work. Now to find just the right little corner for them.

The new-ish cotton silk blend dress that didn't make it to the event recently. I have a more appropriate length zipper on order, so hopefully this dress will end up living a long and useful life. I promise I will update it's progress at a later date.

 A new-ish fat pile of library books and magazines to get through.

There is not much more satisfying things in the kitchen than a newly cleaned and far more orderly pantry. I wonder why I put it off for so long.

And you? Do you have any new projects going right now? New books to read?

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Wishing all our friends in the north a safe time right now as our thoughts are with them during this extreme weather event.

the history of your place

I've been reading another book lately. In fact I can't seem to get enough of it, and I'm finding it to be one of the the most fascinating books I've ever read. It is a humble locally bound book about the history of our little village and the surrounding area. I've always been enthusiastic about history, it being one of the few subjects I actually enjoyed at school. But how very interesting to find a book full of eyewitness reports about the places I pass every day and the very human stories behind them.

Our valley and the surrounding farms have a rich and colourful history. At one stage filled with little mud huts and a few grander homesteads, inns and sawmills to name a few. Some of which are still lived in today, and some with nothing but a chimney being the only reminder that people lived out their lives here.

It has always been a harsh climate, and the first settlers struggled with storms, flood, fire and drought. Who would have known that there was a foot of snow at christmas many years ago? That one storm the water rushed down the very hill that we live on? There were many drownings and horse accidents. There was the scary influenza epidemic and diptheria. Ghost stories and bushrangers. Life could be very hard. But they must have been a resilient lot, and despite tragedy being far more common, many people said they were also very good years. Entertainment in the form of picnics, local balls, music and horse racing. There was a true community spirit.

In a practical sense there is a lot of useful information on what was grown to sustain this little community. There were several dairies (all of which are long gone), there was a lot of potato growing and during the war there was much growing of these potatoes, as well as carrots and peas to sell to the army. (I'd always thought potatoes grew particularly well in the soil here).

I learned about the local wells. How the one behind us sometimes ran dry. (Which makes me wonder how a bore here would perform?)  How our neighbour's well was the coldest in the village and how they used to store the butter from the dairy down there.

Walking past the old inn the other day, which has been a house for many years, the lady that owns it stopped her gardening for a chat. Owned outside the original family for some time, it has been bought back by a direct descendent and being lovingly restored. Before I knew it I was being shown around this fascinating old building, shown old fireplaces and black and white photos. There was a patch of plaster worn away revealing the original mud bones underneath.

I feel learning all this has led me to a greater appreciation of the land we live on. When you have a sense of who came before you there is new respect and gratitude. An awareness that our lives are fleeting in the scheme of things, but our legacy may remain around for future generations.

If you haven't read up on your local history, I would encourage you to do so. These books may not be easy to find, but most towns will have one. The local historical society or museum, the library or local book shops are a good start. I do believe that country or city, there is so much to learn about the history of the place we call home, and those that lived upon it's ground before us.



Do you enjoy reading about history? Have you read about your local history before? What have you discovered about your local past?

happy weekend

I've been reading The Happiness Project of late, which I'd heard good things about on Christina's blog. I'm almost finished, and though I could probably write enough about this book to fill a whole blog post, we'll just stick to a snippet today. One thing in particular that struck me was the idea that if we think about what the hobbies we enjoyed doing as a child, it's not too far off the mark from what we enjoy now. In my own case, I can see that my interests in reading, writing, crafting, (I remember doing latch hook and needlepoint landscapes), fashion, scrap books and drawing. Some of which I still do now, some of which I don't, though I feel that the interest still lies there, waiting for the right time to come out again.

In other weekendy news I've been weeding the vegie garden. Pulling out lots of weeds, stray silverbeet and dividing a few strawberries.  I had many empty pots hanging around, and an oil tin, so some were filled with a few succulents or with a few vegies to keep close to the house, when I don't feel like walking all the way to the garden. Ornamental and practical. A trial verandah pot of strawberries, chives and basil last year was very successful.

A quick stop at the op shop on Saturday resulted in the finding of two vintage wrap skirts. You have to love something that you know you don't need to try on. I haven't seen these around for awhile, and at two dollars each for a brown floral and a tribal print I left the shop quite happy.

On Daniel's weekly trip to the small local tip, he was given an old skateboard. Our tip is a good place for little things like this. He's come home with an old wheelbarrow, bikes and a few other unusual things in the past. It's far too small for a shop, but it's a community that's big on recycling, so anything useful will go to someone. I do like that.



And you? How was your weekend? Have you read the Happiness Project? Did you get out in the garden?



Wishing you all a pleasant start to the week.