My Simple Living Progress

One of my favourite threads over on the Down to Earth Forum is 'My Simple Living Progress".  I find it very inspiring to read about all the interesting, fun things that others are doing.  And,  it gives me some great ideas for my own journey as well.   I thought some pictures to go with my achievements, each month, would make a great visual diary for me to look back upon.

My journey from July looks a bit like this :

I made a great meal of................cauliflower soup
Huge cauliflowers are only 99c each here at present (at my local green grocer).  So Cream of Cauliflower soup has been on the menu regularly in my house for the past month.


  
 
I preserved......................beetroot
I planted 36 beetroot seedlings in the vege patch in late April.  They all grew tremendously and I now have 6 full jars, 'pickled', in the fridge.



I stockpiled..................loo paper, toothpaste, rice and olive oil
All were on special at various times this month but boy! - what a boring pic (you don't want to see that)

I started to handmake.............a new quilt
"The Garden Scenes" quilt by Lynette Anderson.   These are the first few stitchery blocks I have completed so far




I recycled.....................some old planter pots
Lots of treasures can be found at the recycle centre.  I soaked and cleaned a set of four concrete planters getting ready for a bit of a Spring revamp I am having in the front garden


I saved money by.......................walking
Instead of a quick trip to town, in the car,  to buy some necessities I have regularly been walking the 4 kilometres there and 4 kilometres back again.
 

I planted..........................4 new fruit trees
We lost some of the trees in the orchard during the May flood so mid Winter was an opportune time to replace them.  2 new lime trees and 2 tropical peach

I harvested........................calendula flowers
I needed to replenish my stocks.  I use the dried petals, infused in olive oil, as a base for my homemade skin creams




 
I tried something new...................EPP (English Paper Piecing)
I have always wanted to have a go and I find the hand basting and stitching of the shapes very easy to do in the evenings when hanging out with 'hubby' in the lounge room.



I read and was inspired by......................'Earth Garden' Magazine
The frugal me stopped buying the mag a while ago but I succumbed to temptation this month.  It really is worth the money though.  Great articles from some very knowledgeable people.  I learned lots.




I finally tackled.....................the weeding and pruning in the Orchard
With 25 trees now in the Orchard this is a big job.





 
I really enjoyed........................Making a swap item
I made an applique hand towel, 4 dishcloths and a crochet jar lid cover for my swap buddy, Meg (Bunnylady) from the DTE forum

  

It will be interesting for me to compare this with next months accomplishments

Back on Track - Goals for 2015

The Christmas / New Year break is always such a relaxed time for us.  Life slows down for a couple of weeks and we all just enjoy each other company and do whatever takes our fancy.

It is a time that I can "take stock" of what I have accomplished over the last 12 months and "ponder" what might lay ahead for the coming year.  My special spot on the verandah helps my thought process. 

My favourite place - "Harvey" under the chair, likes it too

I don't like New Year Resolutions but I do like to set some goals or skills that I would like to achieve.  This years list looks a bit like this........

Branch out in my bread making skills.  Last year I got into sourdough (which I am still trying to perfect) and this year I would like to include some flatbreads to my culinary skills and maybe try my hand at making Turkish Pide.

Increase my knitting skills.  I have never used a charted pattern before and as I would like to knit some more for my wardrobe, I thought learning to follow a chart would give me more scope in the variety of patterns that I could choose.  I found a beautiful design called "Nantasket",a lacy vest pattern from Amy Herzog.  I have downloaded the pattern, ordered my yarn and hopefully I will be starting soon.

No more hairdresser.  Continue with the battle to let the natural grey take over my hair.  The money being saved from this goal is huge and its not a quick task but........I know I can be strong..........I KNOW I CAN DO IT !!!

Renovate the ensuite.  Last year it was the laundry, this year it is the ensuites turn to be "made over".  This project, to save money we will be tackling ourselves........starting with a total demolition of what is there now.   Woo hoo!!! sounds like fun doesn't it.

The finished laundry makeover

Lower my carbon footprint and do more exercise.  I plan to do more walking and bike riding and much less use of the car.  Remember - the centre of "town" is only 5 kilometres away..........JUST DO IT !!

My "Wheels"