Secret Hippie

Minimalism

2012-02-08T15:42:00.000-08:00

I have always been curious of minimalism. The problem I had though, I'm a hoarder and recycler of all things remotely useful.
I have so much stuff and it is ruling me, I hate it.
In an effort to understand minimalism, I down loaded 2 kindle books, appropriate don't you think, Miss Minimalist (Francine Jay) and Clear your clutter with Feng Shui (Karen Kingston). Both books I enjoyed very much they had different things to offer. It seems like all things you have to get into the head space of minimalism. I love the idea the Miss Minimalist had, can she walk away in an emergency (political or natural etc) and feel ok? I know I could not! I like the idea of working towards it though.

This would have been a ridiculous concept a few years ago, but secretly I wished a disaster would befall my house (not my family!) so I could start again. I suspect I'd just pile up the stuff again so learning to part with things and file things safely is by far a better lesson.

I love the idea of never having a dvd again. A physical disc that gets damaged. I want to down load my movies as I want them off 'the cloud' which I'm still to get my head around.

I want to sort all my photos digitally on the 'the cloud' and various hard drives so I can't lose them to theft or disaster.

I would like to transfer my books to kindle or pdf. I suspect I'd always want a few 'real' books for inspiration. I love the feel of books and looking at the pictures.

Can I transfer all my cook books to digital? Some are available as kindle versions but lots are not. Can I scan and transfer to pdfs. I have no idea, would that even be legal?

How about no cd's or a reduced amount and using my ipod?

How can I de-clutter my kitchen? Now that makes me feel a little faint. Baby steps, baby steps.

Guilt and Ramblings

2012-02-08T15:02:00.000-08:00

I feel very bad I've not taken the time to post, I do apologise!

We have been busy over the Christmas new year period, like everyone else! We had littlest in hospital twice with lung issues. He has now been well for over a month now! Hooray!

We had a thrifty Christmas, everyone was happy and no debit occurred. We didn't do a homemade one but the older children commented they would like to do that this year again.

We are delighted out DD16 got into Uni this year. She will be doing in distance ed. If you are disciplined, DE is brilliant, it cuts so many costs.

She will save heaps:
*Moving out of home
*New furniture
*Rent/Food other than board at home
*A car or transport to get to Uni, a job or shops
*No uni parking fees
*No library fees/photocopying etc
*No text books (Most is available on line now, it's amazing!
*No student union fees

For older people who didn't do their HSC or state equivalent, you can do a tertiary preparation course at home, on the internet and gain acceptance that way.
Something like this: http://www.cdu.edu.au/lba/all/programs/tep.html It is full time and you can't work and do it in the evenings, it will be too much, those who did dropped out.

It's never too late :o)

So DD got a small extension to her room done in preparation of lots of study. Here's her new office:

A brand new bench top

2011-11-24T23:04:00.000-08:00

Today the other bench top was finished! Soon we will make new cupboard doors, I'm thinking white french country look.

Oiling the new top

All the stuff back in and functional!

Nesting in the Island bench from post below :o)

I was nervous about doing the kitchen but I'm really happy with how it is turning out. I have so much more bench space and things are easier to store and find. I'm thrilled that it has cost so very little. I did buy the woven baskets but they were quite cheap, $14 each I think. All the timber was from trees that fell over in the huge storm we had over a year ago. It is so much easier to do these this if you have the tools, thankfully DS does.

New kitchen Island bench

2011-11-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Ds made me this awesome timber bench from timber on the property. It was designed to fit my thermal cookers and large cooking pots. I'm yet to nest properly but here it is!

Illegal food activity? The Food Bill verses the other Food Bill

2011-10-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

Garden fresh, healthy and keeping the family food bill down :o)

Possession of these seeds could become as illegal as carry illicit drugs with the other Food Bill.

We are enjoying some of the fruits of our garden, we plan to keep the seeds and we'd love to share out of our abundance, but for how much longer will this be legal?

The US have already passed this Bill and NZ introduced it to parliament last year very quietly.
When is Australia's turn? When will this bill be quietly slipped in? Can you imagine it being illegal to grow and share garden produce, seeds, herbs and water!!!!

A normal person cannot even imagine this getting any air time, let alone being passed in the US and through the first round of Parliament in NZ.

Here's a snippet:

What are the problems with the Food Bill? From http://nzfoodsecurity.org/

- It turns a human right (to grow food and share it) into a government-authorised privilege that can be summarily revoked.

- It makes it illegal to distribute “food” without authorisation, and it defines “food” in such a way that it includes nutrients, seeds, natural medicines, essential minerals and drinks (including water).

- By controlling seeds, the bill takes the power to grow food away from the public and puts it in the hands of seed companies. That power may be abused.

- The bill will push up mainstream food prices by subjecting producers to red tape and registration costs. Food prices are already rising due to increased energy costs and commodity speculation, while effective disposable incomes are falling.

- Growing food for distribution must be authorised, even for “cottage industries”, and such authorisation can be denied.

- Under the Food Bill, Police acting as Food Safety Officers can raid premises without a warrant, using all equipment they deem necessary – including guns (Clause 265 – 1).

- Members of the private sector can also be Food Safety Officers, as at Clause 243. So Monsanto employees can raid premises – including marae – backed up by armed police.

- The Bill gives Food Safety Officers immunity from criminal and civil prosecution.

- The Government has created this bill to keep in line with its World Trade Organisation obligations under an international scheme called Codex Alimentarius (“Food Book”). So it has to pass this bill in one form or another.

- There are problems with Codex also. Codex will place severe restrictions on the content of vitamins, minerals and therapeutic compounds in food, drinks and supplements etc.

- The Food Bill means that non-Codex-complying producers can be shut down easily – thus it paves the way for the legal enforcement of Codex food regulations. Producers will be denied registration (which is discretionary) if they do not keep to Codex food production rules.

To read the bill click here.

We need voices to tell our politicians that this is not OK for Australia

Thanks to Rob for the heads up on this.

Kitchen changes

2011-10-12T16:59:00.000-07:00

When were moved into our house nearly 10 years ago, there was no kitchen so we took the offer of a freebie. This freebie has served us well but it was a horrid shape and function lacking. Finally I had an idea to rearrange and gain better functionality.
So far it looks like it's going to cost about $50 for grout, shelf holders and some new drawer runners.
Sorry the pics are lacking, I lost the camera for a few days in the mess I made.

We pulled off the wall mounted cupboard from above the stove. Plastered and sanding it.

All sanded and about to paint.

Painted and Pooh putting up some shelves. Outdoor brackets and reclaimed timber.

Almost done, need to add cup holders and a basket for all the herbal teas. Need to grout the tiles too.
I'm hoping to get a range-hood to go above the stove.
We have to make a small bench for the left of the stove. DS made a small cupboard for the baking trays etc.

Here is the deep freeze hiding in the hall cupboard
Need to get the power point moved.
The fridge is at the end of the bench we cut off.

This used to have the deep freeze and the fridge in here. The cupboards are the the old island bench that we just pulled out.
We are going to put on a new bench top but for now, so we can eat, we are resting the old bench here.

Cheap books at www.allbooks4less.com.au

2011-09-24T05:27:00.000-07:00

I have to sing the praises of http://www.allbooks4less.com.au/ Most of their books are $5 and a few are $10. I went to one of their stores and was thrilled to get a copy of Lola Workman's Gluten free and multi-allergy cookbook for $5

She includes a few recipes of her own flour mixes. I can't wait to get cooking :o) It should be so handy with a child with various food allergies.

How's this sign!!!!!!!

2011-09-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

This was at Questacon, outside of the under 6's play area!

What???

Big sister, little brothers

2011-09-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Written by sister

She is the BEST sister

Friend taking boys out

Dad and a few of the children enjoyed a lovely visit to the beach meeting up with another family. They played on the sand, the had a boat ride, played with remote control cars and found natural treasures.

Cost was only fuel.

A bridge to get to the craft room

2011-09-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

Pooh and eldest found old timbers, off cuts etc and made this cute bridge so we don't have to get wet feet from the grass. Once the bridge was in place it screamed out for a pond underneath and that is in the making!

It has cost nothing so far and we even got to use the huge bucket of roofing nails we bought for $5 years ago, imagining that they might come in handy one day!

The bridge to craft room

The pond is being dug out

Homeschool routine

2011-08-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

What does our homeschooling day look like? How do we get the 'domestic' side of home done?

The day starts the night before.
Go to bed with most of the housework done, try not to leave any dishes for later, have an idea what you are doing for school tomorrow.
We put a pot of porridge in the thermal cooker so breakfast is cooked and ready on rising. Put a load of washing in the washing machine.

Morning: Make bed on rising, ablutions etc, get dressed. While you are waiting for the kettle to boil for your morning cuppa, empty dishwasher from last night. If you don't have one, get one! LOL

Enjoy pre made breakfast with children. While children are getting dressed and making beds get washing out on line.

We tidy house together, vacuum, sweep or wipe down beaches and clean bathroom. Feed chicken and get wood for the fire.

School starts: By 9am we sit down to start school book work.

While the children are having morning tea I get lunch and dinner made. Lunch is usually something easy like tuna mornay. Dinner is something that can be prepared and reheated or put in the thermal cooker to delightfully stew until dinner time. Use time savers like the bread machine and/or slow cooker. Involve the children in the preparation if you like.

Keep working until lunch with children.

Lunchtime: Shared lunch

Afternoon: Finish off any book work but preferably get into hands on stuff. Out in to the garden, craft or a trip to the park. Bring in washing from line, folded and taken straight to bedroom etc

Dinner: Enjoy the family meal together around 5 pm or 6 pm depending on the older working members of the family. Get dishes done, clean benches.

Children are bathed and can then have free time on computer, or watching some tv.

Bed: Story and bed by 7:30 for children

Mum looks over work for tomorrow, choses dinner for tomorrow if there's no meal plan etc.

Time out: Enjoy time alone with beloved, curled up watch a movie or just chatting with a cuppa and nibbles :o)

Before going to bed, put porridge on for next morning and washing in machine. Lights out.

Maths grade 1

2011-08-29T22:42:00.000-07:00

A very happy boy enjoying his maths work.

Part of My Father's World programme

Front door improvements

2011-08-29T22:25:00.000-07:00

We didn't have a covered front verandah or porch, we had to walk straight into the house and traipse dirt into the house. So I asked Beloved to extend the eaves and add a seat so we could sit and pull our shoes on and off, also a place to keep the shoes outside but safe from a chewing dog ;o)

DS20 made me a terrific seat, the shoes hid underneath. I think it looks very cosy. DD16 sits outside to have her breakfast admiring the new day. It was all made from recycled timbers and cost virtually nothing. Even the mirror was old, the note the back said to the installer "here's 50 cents for a drink up at no. 47" LOL
The paint was left over from the fence and the window was an old one from our "Steptoe and son" stockpile.
We still have to put the eaves and I think we will have to buy them. We have the screen doors to hang on.

Back to homeschooling

2011-08-29T21:36:00.000-07:00

Our little ones have been really sick with Scarlet fever. They have missed over a month of school, so as they got well enough I started doing schooling work with them. I am pleased to have the boys home as their health improves, it is asthma season for our littlest and ds7 still has very itchy skin and suffering with dry eyes. I can't imagine a school being able to accommodate this so frequently. We are hoping it all improves of course.

I forgot how much I love homeschooling! The children are enjoying themselves so much, they even ask to do school work on Saturday:o-

I have applied for registration and eagerly await my visit. So here' s peep at what were are doing and where. Fingers crossed it ticks all the boxes and pleases the homeschooling registration man :o)

http://www.mfwbooks.com/

There is a lot of paper work to handle so I'm using a portable filing cabinet. So far so good. A section of the main curriculum, the work sheets and then each child's work.

Portable filing box

We have snuggled up for stories here

Nice view for the little ones :o)

New light

Saving with foamy soap pumps

2011-08-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

A foaming soap dispenser

We bought one of these commercial soap dispensers because we ran out quickly with 7 people washing their hands. So this was the least industrial I could find.

It came with a box of refills that were quite expensive but I hoped I'd be able to refill. I scarified many empty containers until I mastered it and here's the trick :o)

Drill a small hole in the top and use a syringe to fill. I used the point of scissors to make the hole.

I used 150 ml of chosen shampoo and topped the rest with water. The containers take 1 litre but I couldn't fill it to capacity as they collapse as they empty in the 'real' refills. I got near enough and it mixed as I filled it so slowly. It works and feels as cleansing as the ready made real refills :o)

Craft room update

2011-08-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

We are getting the pergola section of the craft room done. Slowly we gathered the metal and have welded and painted the bits ready to be set in place. Looking good, it will make a great outdoor area. If Pooh is feeling well enough tomorrow they might go up :o)

The craft room is going to share it's space and be a school room. I've been very busy sorting and I've run out of space :o-
I wonder if Pooh will make me another room? lol

LEGO in Canberra

2011-08-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

We attended the Lego Exhibition in Canberra on the weekend. We waited in line for an hour, yes, one hour! The exhibition was so full, so hot and very hard to see :o( It would have been great if it had run for a week and the crowds were less so the children could get a good look. On the up side it was $10 a family and the money went to the hospital, pediatrics section.

Pooh giving advice

Advice not received

Then is true thrifty living style, we didn't buy lego from the exhibition at inflated prices, we popped over to Big W and found it to be a fair bit cheaper. We had promised the boys they could spend their money at the Lego Exhibition. Close enough and they were happy.

Power House membership and reciprocal rights

2011-06-18T06:34:00.000-07:00

For those of you in country NSW or 150km from Sydney and like to take your children to museums etc check out the powerhouse membership offer. We have one for our family and today we took the children to Questacon in ACT under reciprocal rights, so no cost :o) We found it cheaper to belong to Power house than to Questacon, but still can go unlimited times. Interesting hey. (However it doesn't work if you live in ACT, they don't let you go to Questacon on a PH membership)

I confess this was an accidental discovery, we went to take the kids to the Lord of the Rings exhibition years ago and it was cheaper to get a membership than to pay individually to see the exhibit. We have had a membership since:o)

Powerhouse: $160 for 3 years. For "Country Household".
Questacon: $220 to join for only 2 years then $195 to renew. For a "Family" 2A 3C extra children $23 each for 2 year memberships.

Powerhouse membership
Reciprocal rights

The little ones had a ball today and it cost nothing other than fuel.

One lovely blog award

2011-06-17T03:20:00.000-07:00

I have been awarded a "One lovely blog award" from Sammy http://myhealthyhappyfamily.blogspot.com/
Sherrie from http://simpleliving-sherrie.blogspot.com/
and Peta at http://greatgoogamoogas.blogspot.com/

They have gorgeous blogs and so worth making time for a coffee and a good read!

7 facts you might not know about me:

1. I love hand made gifts
2. I don't like cooking
3. I long to live Henry Thoreau style
4. I would have loved more children
5. I want to be a missionary once the children leave home/old enough to be left
6. The thought of sago makes me dry reach
7. Pooh and I met under the shower

The cost of home cappuccino

2011-06-17T02:55:00.000-07:00

We do enjoy a nice cup of coffee and we used to treat ourselves to shop bought ones. I though homemade one might be good but I was too nervous to buy a home coffee machine, when I looked at them I got over whelmed by the choices and did away with the plans.

However, we were blessed to recieve a machine from friends who didn't use one they were given.

So how much does it cost? 90 cents! *Obviously not including the cost of the coffee machine.*

We use Organic fair trade coffee beans. We had a grinder that I used for nuts. We use lactose free milk.

33c for 14grams of beans
50c for 200mls of milk -Bearing in mind it's expensive lactose free stuff
5c for power usage of coffee machine
1c for grinder usage
1c for chocolate dusting powder

I think it would be cheaper with 'normal' milk

I honestly think they taste better than the shop bought in most cases :o)

Oh so yum!

Tea Cosy

2011-06-16T21:42:00.000-07:00

Just because you are thrifty it doesn't mean things can't be fun. I'm making a tea cosy for our tea pot.
Here's it being tried on the teapot for size.

I got the pattern from Wild Tea Cosies by Loanie Prior that I borrowed from the library. I also learnt to knit on a round! Here is a link to her blog and a free pattern.

Waldorf Steiner Dolls

2011-06-16T21:36:00.000-07:00

This is my doll, Elsie, she was made by someone else.

I LOVE these dolls so much. They are made from natural fibres, cotton tricot and filled with wool. I am making some for Christmas gifts but gee they are a lot of work!
I'll add a tutorial later but just thought I'd share what I am up too.

We had a birthday in the house.

2011-06-16T21:21:00.000-07:00

We had a wee one celebrate a birthday! We made a Tissue paper star for the occasion. These are popular in the Waldorf world for brightening the windows in winter.

Here is a link to a tutorial if you want to make some.

I had got my knickers in a knot recently about the poor quality food that is often served up at children parties. While some argue that it is only a party, I struggle to see why we serve completely nutritionally defunct food as a celebration! My healthy suggestions were declared unappealing by some and tasty by others. So the pressure was on of course to serve edible food!
Menu was homemade pizza and blue fluff and cake.

I made pizza bases in the bread machine. I assume most have a pizza/pastry setting.
I made huge ones and tiny toddler sized bases.

I had ham, cheese, pineapple with carmelised onions and potato (oil, garlic, salt) for the children to make their own. They and juice and water to drink.
The adults mediterranean - chargrilled veggies, fetta, olives and pesto base
Tandoori chicken- 2 chicken breasts cooked and marinated in Tandoori paste and yoghurt. Yoghurt and cashews on top (I forgot the mint leaves)

Then flummery and cake. Cappuccinos for the adults. Big sister made 3 gollywog cakes From Enid Blyton's Three Little Gollywogs, a fav book at the moment with the little ones.

For a quick midweek party in the pouring rain, it was great and everyone was happy and full!

Saving money in Winter

2011-06-16T20:50:00.000-07:00

Trying to save money in winter!

We don't go out much if we can help it in winter so there's a petrol saving, albeit small.

We have our fire going with wood from the property so it's virtually free.

As I am more likely to be home all day in winter I do simmer dinner on the heater. I initially cook it on the gas stove, brown the meat and bring to boil etc them pop the lid on and transfer it to the heater.

Wow! I've opened the door so you could see the nice fire as it didn't photograph with door shut and now I've added to the ash layering. I can honestly say fires make the house warm 'n cosy and dusty as!

The foods we generally eat in winter are stews and soups and you can get away with cheaper cuts and frozen veg. While our waist lines don't need it, we like puds for afters too.

We continue to have porridge in the thermal cooker each night, ready for the morning. I use quick oats from Aldi, a drizzle of honey from our bees and that's it. Yum.

I think the house might also be at it's messiest in winter, with an unrelenting ash layer everywhere, throws and blankets on all the chairs and lounges (for snuggling up under to watch a movie), we add to the look with the 'chinese laundry' each night. I'm not going to add a picture because you know what I mean! All the clothes that didn't dry on the line wait in turn to hang over the fire surround ;o)

Not much is happening in the garden so minimal out lay there.

Clothes, well I don't really like to be out in the cold so I don't shop but I do like to knit.

Did you know that even the hair on your head grows slower in winter, now there's another saving! LOL

We could be guilty of having longer showers in winter... no saving what so ever there ;o)

A quick catch up post

2011-05-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since the last post and life has been very busy!

Been to Melbourne a few times, once to take small children to see grandparents and again for mothers day. Children got diarrhoea and we were in a camper :o( Nasty. Reviewing love for camper ;o)

Learning form the master ;o)

The garden has produced beautifully. This year we only had a small garden but every night for months we had the loveliest beans and silverbeet. The beans have now finished and we have saved some to plant next next time.

Drying beans

The garden still producing, unlike the chickens!

We have had night time rain and puddles were left for day time fun! It's hard to remember it just washes off. Life too short to stay clean ;o)

Homemade sandwich wrap

2011-03-27T23:57:00.000-07:00

My boys have been using lunch wraps and they are so handy, no more plastic wrap!

They are easy to make, choose a cute patchwork fabric and nylon ripstop and velcro.

Cut both fabrics into 31cm squares and sew around edges leaving a small gap to turn inside out. Edge stitch and sew on 12cm of velcro diagonally as seen in pic, loops on rip stop side and the fuzz on the cotton side. Wash and all done! I wipe them each night and put them through the washing machine each weekend.

Outside fabric and you can see the velcro position

Inside wrap, the ripstop and again the position of the velcro

Folding the wrap around the sandwich, lining velcro up

Finished and sandwich is fresh for many hours!

Savvy Saver's Fruity Bubble Crunch

2011-03-12T01:18:00.000-08:00

This is Savvy Savers Mothers recipe...

FRUITY BUBBLE CRUNCH
(Serves 6)

1 large tin fruit (e.g. peaches or apricots)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup shredded or desiccated coconut
1 egg
3 cups rice bubbles

Drain fruit and spread over base of a baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, mix together sugar, coconut and egg by hand until creamy. Mix in rice bubbles and stir gently until coated wtih the creamy mixture. Spread topping over the fruit. Bake in a moderate oven for approx. 15 minutes or until topping is golden. Serve with your choice of cream, custard and/or icecream.

It is yummy :o) DD16 said "This is what I imagined the 70's tasted like" LOL

Rocket dip

2011-03-11T21:41:00.000-08:00

We pondered what to have for lunch and came up with this dip.

Tons of rocket from the garden, cashews, olive oil, lemon juice, salt/pepper, chili and parmesan cheese. Whizz it up in the food processor.

The kids loved it! We adults ate it on cavalis with some Tassie cheese. Num num :o)

Rocket is good for you, it contains lots of calcium, it has iron and Vit C and other goodies. However like all good things, too much isn't good either, it contains erucic acid with is toxic in large doses. So may don't have it for breakfast , lunch and tea for the next year regardless of much you like it ;o)

Honey

2011-03-07T16:28:00.000-08:00

The wee ones helped with some extracting. We suffered massive bee losses when the Father's Day storm went through, the boxes actually blew away. So we are starting from scratch and this is a small bit of honey to see us through the coming winter.

Craft room developments continue.

2011-03-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

The ever clever and thrifty Pooh has recycled tin to make a roof over the bbq/sitting area at the craft room. This is it almost finished, there's a strip in the centre (you can see the roof through it) laser light to go in.
There's a bit of a garden in too. All free, propagated from cuttings of course :o)

Older posts:
The beginning
Getting there with cladding
Fence goes up

A note

2011-03-03T22:21:00.000-08:00

How cute is this appearing on my front door? How many people go past my front door to see this? The mind boggles.

I love the height it was pinned on at. (Note handle)

Love the spelling. lol

PS: The dog found the missing battlegon. She tried chewing it on the front mat. It got saved and all ends well.

Veggie garden update

2011-03-01T00:43:00.000-08:00

Here's the new garden bed we made last year. Our first crop this year was eaten by caterpillars while we were away. We have been eating and giving away some of this already :o)

Here's the birth of this bed back in May 2010 so you can see its shape.

De-cluttered the little ones room.

2011-03-01T00:39:00.000-08:00

Sorted clothes and got new beds. Looking tidy, I wonder if it can stay like it.

I find keeping small children's rooms difficult. Keeping clothes to a minimum helps, I have tried shoe bags and various containers but this time have gone with a shoe basket. It seems if they can throw them in then there's a chance they'll make it.

The other huge help has been to have a basket of school uniforms. Both together, bring it out to the lounge each day and get them dressed. It's easy to drop the clean clothes in there instead of individual drawers. So far it's been a great success, the whole month school has been in ;o)

De-cluttering books/clothes

2011-02-22T17:11:00.000-08:00

This title is normally a dirty word around here. I LOVE books but I scared I'm going to be one of those old people that has to be dug out from under the piles after I passed away a few weeks before hand.

Inspired (shamed?) by my friend, Joan... you know who you are... ;o) I've taken on a new philosophy. Pencilled in and subject to change because I can't commit to anything much that requires me to go against the grain:o)

If I want a new book or anything for that matter, I need to get rid old things first.

Here's my first attempt at reducing the cook books. I haven't used these books in the last year at least and that's probably just trying to justify myself, some I've never used, on second glance I might never have cooked anything out of any of them. They just held a promise of hope, of which I never took hold of.

I'm sure more could go but it's not a bad start. I'll just keep repeating the new mantra, if I want something new....

Well it's actually catchy, the feeling of freedom or release or however you describe it. I've started on my clothes:

It keeps growing!

I feel emotionally purged ;o)

How to make a water proof library bag

2011-02-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

Today I made the little ones library bags and as we all know how drink bottles leak and ruin those books. Here is a cute bag (two actually) with a rip-stop lining to protect the books.

I used quilting fabrics, usually they are 112cm wide, I bought 50cm so the resulting bag is 50x50cm ish.

I bought rip stop and that is 150 wide. I bought 115cm and it will give me 3 linings.

Cut rip stop 50x 110 (this size gets adjusted later but just work with it like this for now). Sew long sides forming a bag. Seam allowances about 1cm, just make it the same on the outer fabric. This bag stays as is, you don't turn it inside out, seams get hidden by the outer fabric.

One fabric I used uncut as the pattern is multi directional. The second one I have to cut in half and turn it so the pattern is correct both sides. Pictured below is the fabrics and two linings sewn up.

At the top of each gab I marked down 1 and 4 and 6 1/2 cm down. The first 1cm is the hem and the second is the turning for the casing. The 2nd and 3rd marks indicate the gap in the side seam that the cord will run through when it's all finished. Both sides need a gap if you are going to have two cords, one if you are having a single cord.

Here is the finished seam and the gap.

Sew a little seam around the gap so the seam allowance lays flat.

Check the fit of the lining against seam or base of the outer lining and the second marked line (4 cm down) This where I'm pointing, it is your line to shorted the top of the lining before sewing together. It reduces bulk in the casing.

Here is the cut off lining, it is pictured positioned to where it is going to sit on the outer fabric.

Turn outer bag inside out, so you are looking at the correct side. Tuck in lining fabric so wrong sides are together.

*Correct side of the outer fabric is out side of the bag.

*Correct side of the lining is facing inside the bag.

Pining the lining to the 4cm mark and bring the casing down. Sew the hem and this leaves the casing that the cord threads through

Thread the cord through with a nappy pin :o)

I have only one cord but I want two. I'll have to go and buy more to match. I didn't think of it when I bought my supplies.

Ta da! Gorgeous very function bags, big enough to hold "Where's Wally?" books :o)

Dusted off the sewing skills! PANTS!

2011-02-20T23:24:00.000-08:00

I struggle to find wide straight legged pants in the shops so I bought a NewLook pattern, 6920 to be specific, and have whizzed up a pair, they are great :o) I got so excited I have not even ironed them properly or hemmed them, this was my first fitting but I'm really happy with them.
I imagine I'll be able to make a few in different fabrics and colours. Very exciting and reasonably priced. I think these cost about $10.

I have two complaints about the pattern. My measurements on the back of the pattern said I was a 16 :o( I cut the pattern and they looked way to big. I took my measurements and compared the them t othe pattern and I was a 12. So I made them at that and they are fine.
The other problem was the amount of fabric recommended didn't suit the layout diagram. :o( I squeezed it in as it was 150cm wide fabric, if I'd got 115cm It would have been a disaster. So I have no idea what the pattern makers were thinking. Still, These pants in a light stretch fabric are so comfortable I can't be bothered taking them off to hem and press :o)

Corn risotto, very yummy but cheap as chips

2011-02-08T23:29:00.000-08:00

I made a salad and a risotto for tea tonight. The salad was quinoa and green things but quinoa is quite expensive so I'll share the cheap dish with you ;o)

Corn risotto from Jill Dupleix's Lighten up.

4 fresh corn cobs
1 onion quarter

olive oil & butter
1 finely chopped onion

350gm arborio rice
150 mls dry white wine

2 TBS chopped chives
2 TBS Parmesan cheese grated
sea salt and pepper

Strip corn husks of husks then chop off kernels and set them aside.

Simmer cob and quartered onion in 1.5 l of water for 30 mins.

Strain and return stock to pan, add kernels and simmer for 5 mins.

Strain again keeping both stock and kernels.

Olive oil and butter in pan and cook chopped onion until soft.
Add rice and stir

Stir in wine and boil. Add broth slowly until rice is soft and creamy. Add corn kernels, chives, butter, salt and pepper and parmesan.

I'm having formatting problems! Sorry :o-

Cheap healthy dinners

2011-02-05T00:31:00.000-08:00

After all these natural disasters in Australia, I think we need to get even more creative producing cheap healthy meals. Here's tonight's meal made by Pooh, it feed 6 and had leftovers:

Salmon patties and salad

Honestly the photo does not do this meal justice! 20 Salmon patties from 1 $5 tin of salmon, spring onions and potatoes from the garden although there's 4 so not dear to buy anyway. We did another batch of sweet potatoes with rice crumbles. 10 of each sort from 1 tin.

The salad of bits and bobs. Lettuce, pine-nuts, carrot, cucumber, pepitas, celery, capsicum, tomato, walnut and linseeds. The dressing, lemon juice, olive oil, cumin and a hint of curry powder. A party in my mouth!

The salad ingredients were only small or left over parts but come together and make a large very tasty salad. Think of filling nutritious ingredients and not even huge amounts.

Patchwork progress

2011-02-04T02:42:00.000-08:00

I have finally made some progress on my patchwork project from last year:

I was given a jelly roll which was great as I was trying to use old shirts, dresses etc and it was taking ages to get anywhere! Then I looked for quilts I liked and was inspired by a coin quilt from moda bake shop.

Here are the jelly roll pieces (24) all sewn together and then cut into 5 strips.

Added white strips between.

Added white to the ends.

I patiently waited for the red fabric to dry.
I didn't want it to run onto the white when it was all finished

The red dried and I added the last border. It is now on the old sleeping bag to check size...
PERFECT!
Now to finish it tomorrow fingers crossed :o)

Dinner from the solar cooker

2011-01-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today my solar cooker arrived from ebay. It is a cardboard reflective thing, tonight it is cooking our dinner!

Chicken legs and in the stove in side is rice, carrot and cashews to go under it.

Carrot, cashew nut rice :
Heat oil in saucepan, cook 1 onion until soft.
Add 1 tsp each of coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, ground coriander turmeric.
Grate and add 250g carrot, mix.
add 250g rice and 500ml water and tsp sea salt.
Bring to boil with lid. Turn off heat and let absorb.
Fluff with fork, add 100g roasted cashews and parsley.

The legs cooked in 2 1/2 hours which was great but I like my food to look cooked, you know a bit char-grilled, so Pooh kindly made them look the part quickly on the bbq! What a good man.

Yummy dinner, very tender and not too much power needed ;o)

A quick cheapie meal

2011-01-24T23:36:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share tonight's "I can't be bothered cooking" meal. It is surprisingly cheap especially if it's from your garden. Butterflied chicken breasts, bbq-ed mushrooms, zucchini, capsicum, sweet potato and I forgot the onions! But they take moments to cut up and it's fun standing outside on the bbq (especially if someone else does it!) Oil, herbs from the garden, lemon from the tree... yum!

Birthdays should not cost a fortune

2011-01-22T23:21:00.000-08:00

Children are so fun to buy or make for :o)
Here's an example of a birthday in our house. This little house was discovered in an op shop in a ratty box that had missing people written all over it. I bought it in hope that the house would be good enough to paint and resurrect it for a birthday. After I got home I opened it up to find the people were missing as the box stated but it did have lots of furniture and the house section had never been opened. It was still in factory bubble wrap! It was $10

We made some people and the wee one was tickled pink. The child received clothes for their little buddy, a ball and their own bath towel. This is plenty for a child.

If we get extravagant gifts how do we 'out do' our selves each year? How does the child learn satisfaction and contentment? These are very important issues in this have it now society.

The front opens up, the roof lifts off for attic space.

Someone really sweet made and sent these for Lyn the boy buddy. Thank you xxx

Now is the time to stock up on Christmas things

2011-01-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

I know we just got through the Christmas period, some of us still gasping for breath but now is the time to snag some bargains for future Christmases!
Here's an example. I popped into Koorong during the week and got these books. The activity books was $24.95 I got it for $6.25. It has lovely craft ideas for a wide range of ages. The second is an advent style with activities and verses from Dec 1st to Christmas day. $7.95 down to $3.45.
I saw Christmas decorations in Spotlight for 5 cents each! I resisted as it happens ;o)

Now is the time to start preparing ahead, especially if you are just starting out, not everyone has a box full of decorations after all :o)

Home made card from scraps

2011-01-22T02:02:00.000-08:00

My friend Sandra (bless her socks) sent us a few card making magazines and in them was a great sliding card idea. So out of our very humble card making supplies DD made this for a friend tomorrow. A clever girl she is!

Black card stock with gorgeous printed paper sewn on. We down-loaded a "grunge" font and printed out the words.
Added ribbons (I think they were cut off garments, you know those ones that hold the garment on the hanger).

We printed a verse we liked in the same font placed it on top of the remaining printed paper used on front of card. Added a "Pull" and "Hold" printed out mounted on black card.

Cute hey!

Weekend sewing projects

2011-01-21T19:59:00.000-08:00

I've been busy in the craft room this weekend. The first is a reversible little purse bag from Martha Stewart's site. It take 45cm of each fabric, outer and lining.

The second bag was a friends pattern and I found the fabric at Spotlight, it didn't take much fabric either. Click on photo to make it bigger to see the detail.

It was a very successful time! I think the first one could easily be made from scraps, nice gift ideas :o)

21 years to day!

2011-01-16T01:37:00.000-08:00

Pooh and I are celebrating our 21st wedding anniversary today! In typical frugal fashion we shared a box of noodles and ginger beer while overlooking the beach that we met on 23 years ago :o)
We had our trusty little toothbrush holders filled with cloth serviettes, knife/fork/spoon, the big children looked after the little ones and we had a very nice few hours reminiscing!

Gee my shirt looks wrinkly, it takes the focus off my own wrinkles as I squint into the setting sun (and into the face of my beloved). LOL

Resisting using the clothes drier

2011-01-09T17:33:00.000-08:00

This is a seemingly boring idea but it's a case of looking after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves :o)

Rain, rain and more rain since coming home.

So in the garage I strung up cord for the washing to dry the clothes or at least part dry!
Perhaps I'll only need to slightly bing them in the drier? Fingers crossed I don't.

The latest electricity bill showed we used 7.65 kWh per day. The lowest for years, I'm trying to keep it up!

A brilliant book for homemade basics

2011-01-09T00:25:00.000-08:00

ISBN 978 1 921569 80 7 (pbk)
Homemade by Readers Digest

In planning my frugal year ahead I just had to share this book. I have many many many books (I have a book addiction that is going to go unsatisfied this year) but I have to say this is the best one that covers basic supermarket items that you can make at home. Think of all the preservatives and additives that you could avoid, money saved and you will not be supporting big companies! Often the recipes can be made from items that you already have in your pantry.

Here's some of the contents page:

"In the Kitchen"

Pantry Staples
-breakfast cereals
-condiments and spreads
-salad dressings
-seasonings
-marinades
-cooking stocks
-sauces
-dessert sauces
-dry mixes
-pasta

Pickled, Preserved and Frozen Foods
-pickles and relishes
-chutneys
-jams, jellies and marmalades
-frozen vegetables
-frozen fruit

Baked Goods You can Make
-quick breads
-yeast breads
-muffins
-rolls
-cakes
-pies and meringues
-biscuits, slices and brownies

Snacks, Nibbles and Drinks
-fast foods and snacks
-breakfast treats
-appetising treats
-dips
-cold drinks
-hot drinks

Take-away Food and Ready Meals
-deli style dishes
-Main-dish Pies
-Pasts dishes
-soups
-salads

Easy-to-make Sweet Treats
-confectionary
-custard mousses and puddings
-fruit desserts
-ice cream
-frozen yoghurt
-ices, granitas, sherbets and sorbets
-frozen iceblocks

There are also sections called "Health and Beauty Care" and "Around the House" that are wonderful but I'm focusing on food at the moment!

Check lists for overnight or longer stays

2011-01-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

Our long holiday revealed that I am very unprepared for time away, impromptu or planned trips way from the house.

So I've come up with some lists that I can refer to so I don't forget those little items that have you going to the nearest shop and spending unnecessary money.

Feel free to copy and paste and adjust for your own use. Laminate and keep in a handy spot!

Overnight or a few days.

Toiletries:

Hopefully pre packed

*Toothbrush and toothpaste. (Those free samples from the dentist are a great size for toothpaste)

*Floss

*Soap

*Deodorant

*Hair brush/comb (ties and pins if needed)

*Shampoo samples or small refillable ones

*Shower cap
*face cream/moisturiser

Make up -perhaps have a small bag of your basics.

Towel (small sized), face cloth or micro-fibre cloth and a small towel (old cloth nappy) to use as a foot mat (why doesn't everyone have these?LOL)

Sanitary items

Over night and day time. A menstrual cup is fabulous thing to have, small and washable.

*A small first aid kit:

*asprin/paracetamol

*Anti fungal and antibiotic creams

*Band-Aids

*tweezers

*hydrogen peroxide

*"Stingos"

*Medication and spare medication if needed

*Burn cream/bug bites etc like "Bepanthen" or "Eurax" which is brilliant for sandfly bites /midgies

*Gastrolyte

*I like to take a thermometer with little ones too.

Substitute with any herbal equivalents like lavender oil, tea tree oil etc

Clothes

*underwear - bra, undies, socks (a change for each night stayed)

Handkerchiefs

*sleepwear

*tops

*pants/skirt

*Jumper/jacket

*Going out clothes?

Shoes as appropriate to occasion and weather

*thongs/flipflops (especially for public showers)

*slippers

*runners

*boots

*sandals

Bedding:

*pillow

*sheet

*blanket or sleeping bag

Entertainment:

*a book (or kindle)

*travel game

*Laptop/Ipod

Food/Snacks

*Water bottle and spare water. For longer stays a water filter.

*Thermos prepared.

*Dried or easy to carry food. Muesli bar, dried fruit

*Frozen or prepared sandwiches wrapped in a moist cloth serviette (keeps them fresh for hours)

*fruit

*sweeties

Food utensils -In a prepared kit we have:

This is for preparing lunch mostly, rolls, deli meat, tabouli etc

*Chopping board

*steak knives, forks, spoons

*cups

*small cloths of place-mats (little children put their food down any where! Ick!)*

*Can opener

*Tea towel

*Plastic bag for dirty items. ( Make sure they get washed and returned to kit asap!)

If self catering main meals:

*Dinner for the first night? (we use a thermal cooker, cook meal for 10 mins on stove top then continues to cook for hours later in car-no power needed)

*Quick oats for porridge for breakfast (we do these with hot water in the thermal cooker or a wide mouth thermos)

*Gas Ring. If taking thermal cooker take camp gas ring to heat any food.

*Frozen meals for subsequent evenings in needed

*If taking dinners, plates/bowls needed.

*Dishwashing liquid and a bucket or washing up bowl.

2011 is here!

2011-01-08T21:01:00.000-08:00

Don't you love a new year, it's like a clean slate :o)

We had a great free holiday, here is a picture over view for you!

I'd love to say this was us but it was a couple tootling around and with their permission I took some pictures. This was in Khancoban. Isn't that groovy.

The little guy found a street named after himself!

The NSWer's sent the Victorians back home on foot!

The boys enjoyed a motor bike, swimming and feeding horses.

We found free fruit for small amount of jam. But it didn't make it, it went squishy in two days :o(

On the farm we were allowed to dehydrate the ripe apricots which the dog seemed to enjoy too.

Here's the dehydrated end result. We peeled and cut in half other than that no other preparation. No preservatives or chemicals. I'm pleased with the colour of them.

And look who we visited on the way home, yes we sang the song!

There's a track winding back

to an old-fashioned shack,

Along the road to Gundagai.

Where the gum trees are growin'

and the Murrumbidgee's flowin'

beneath the starry sky.

Oh my mother and daddy are waitin' for me

And the pals of my childhood once more I will see

And no more will I roam 'cos I'm headin' right for home

Along the road to Gundagai.

..... (as you do!)

Wishing everyone a wonderful healthy and creative new year!

Christmas and New Year blessings to ALL

2010-12-17T23:27:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and prosperous new year.
I'm going to "see" you all again mid January as I'm going to work hard on our plans over the school holidays for next year! I'm going to avoid even the internet during this time :o-

Until 2011 Piglet xx

Here's a fast moving Christmas Elf for you!

Plans for 2011

2010-12-17T23:21:00.000-08:00

Lots of rocket for salads and pesto

I thought I'd share our hopes for next year. We are going to have another no spend year (beyond essentials) since the last one was so very successful. (http://secrethippie.blogspot.com/2009/01/budget-09-year-of-no-spending-hahahaha.html) I don't expect we'll have such a generous government this time, no 'get the economy flowing' type payments, so it will be all us this time.

2010 it cost us $579 a week to keep our family fed, clothed, housed and tootled around in the cars.

I'm hoping this year we can do it for $489.50/wk or less. We don't expect to have pre-school costs so that's an automatic saving. We have changed to a cheaper internet plan that gives us more download, same company too, makes you wonder.
I allowed extra in other areas like pharmaceuticals and mobiles.
So the question we are asking, is can we lower electricity and gas bills? Tweak the food budget further and resist the urge to splurge on something we don't really need but fully justify at the time of purchase?

Here's the break down per week:

Mortgage interest only: $122
home and contents insurance: $25
Electricity: $15
Water costs: $5 (this is petrol to pump and servicing costs)
Gas: $8
Rates $9
Landline $5
Mobiles $10
Internet/voip and call costs: $14

Groceries: $120
Petrol costs: $30
Car rego: free
Car insurance(includes green slip) $53
Car repairs/ maintenance: $10
Caravan rego: $2.50

School fees $5
Pets $20

Life insurance $7
Pharmacy: $5
Dentist: $10
Clothing: $1 (op shop)
Shoes: $1 (op shop)
Gifts: home-made from what I have or from the grocery budget.

Donations $12

Banana Passionfruits

The aim is for us to knock as much as off the mortgage as possible.

To reduce these costs further we will try to not use electricity as much, I'm going to get a wood heater in the garage to dry the clothes in wet weather. Use a home-made solar hot water heater for bathing in. Use the wood cooker for meal preparation more. Get the garden producing more. Come up with monthly meal plans and then perhaps 3 monthly if possible.
I hope we don't need any clothes as we have enough but I thought I'd budget in from my fav op shop.
I hope we will save in the dental area, the little ones can go to the hospital clinic for free. Depending on the asthma the pharmacy might not be $5 a week. Here's hoping littlest has better health but starting school probably means lots of colds that then means asthma :o( Poor little dot.
I don't imagine we will need the proposed school budget either. It should be half but I don't know what excursions there will be.
If this amazing rain keeps up we won't need to pump much water so that could also be a $260 a year saving ;o)

So we are fingers crossed we can do life 2011 a bit cheaper, but you never know what is going to pop up.

I hope to sew more and use up my fabric stash, Pooh hopes to garden more. i will try to come up with regular family fun that doesn't cost much.

Vietnamese mint and regular mint for tea and cooking.

Goodness no posts for ages!

2010-12-17T22:18:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry there hasn't been any updates for ages! You know how it is, the end of year and lots of loose ends to be tidied and parties to attend :o)

Great news on Mum, she is home and recovering slowly. She is walking and slowly talking. How happy she must be to sleep in her own bed! Dad is very happy to have his wife back too :o)

Here is the kindergarten end of year performance. All those little cuties. I have to say our little guy had the most wonderful teacher this year, the woman is a saint! Thank you for your input into his impressionable life :o)

I have to show off a gift a girl friend made me, I don't know how she finds the time, she is the busiest person I know. How clever is this.

I made a cute little card holder for my girls friends, you know those store cards, ones that get punched etc

Next year I hope to spend a lot more time sewing, I really miss it. We have exciting savings plans for next year but I'll keep the gory details for it's own post.

I've been to the best op shop ever, Here is my $2 outfit, skirt, under top, over top and knitted jacket/cardigan.

And for Tan who wanted to see the full dress, ta da...

Year 10 formal

2010-12-02T01:28:00.000-08:00

Doesn't she look gorgeous :o)

Tea towel Apron

2010-11-21T22:48:00.000-08:00

I got the idea for this cute and easy apron from Waldorf craft book. I've forgotten which one. These are so nice as gifts and include a home-made cook book for little people. They wash and wear wonderfully.

Fold corners of a tea towel and pin as shown

Close up of the pinning, when sewing leave a casting on the outer edge to thread cord through

Sewn and soft cord threaded through.

One cute 4yr old modelling above apron. It covers them so well, it gathers around the arms.

Dried Mushrooms

2010-11-21T22:30:00.000-08:00

We have a zillion mushrooms again so we have resorted to drying them. Here's about 6 kg fresh in dried form, about 350gm! The little ones are eating them like that. Ick! LOL

Running a drier is really inexpensive and a brilliant way to preserve food.

18th with Blacksmithing family.

2010-11-05T05:14:00.000-07:00

Our son is blessed to have the most wonderful group of people in his Blacksmithing class. It's the end of their 3rd year and celebrating DS's 18th birthday. They are absolutely tops.

New Do!

2010-11-02T20:32:00.000-07:00

What do you think? It's a bit different, think of the shampoo I'll save! I decided I couldn't live with the grey just yet!

Single serve casseroles.

2010-11-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

We have one child with allergies. It's a pest as most meals I make have tomato or potato in it. So I have started to plan ahead and have a friendly meal in the freezer for him. I found the most adorable little casserole pot and as luck would have it, the texas sized muffin tins are a perfect fit. So here's the first serve. In the freezer and waiting to get dumped into a freezer bag and then I'll refill with another casserole. I could reheat in the microwave but I don't like them, so the tiny casserole dish is perfect.

Chicken Casserole

This would be such an easy way to prepare meals for a single person. I know if I was just feeding myself I'd be lazy and tempted to have toast or something. This could be the answer :O)

One less supermarket item.

2010-11-01T17:21:00.000-07:00

For some strange reason I had not made peanut butter. I have made jams, pickles, jellies etc and always knew how to make peanut butter but never actually did it!

Peanuts, shamelessly I chose roasted and salted and a small amount of oil, I ran out of sunflower and used peanut oil. Say 4 cups to 1 TBS. Whizz in food processor for a few minutes.

It is very cheap too!

1958 Dresses

2010-10-30T21:40:00.000-07:00

Here are Mum's 'going away' and a special honeymoon party dresses. Aren't they gorgeous and still in perfect condition. I've forgotten the name of the lady who sewed them, she was an older lady in Bendigo.

Sorry, it's been a hard week :o(

2010-10-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

I've been away all week, my dear mother has had a stroke. She is still in hospital.
Praying for you Mum. Know that God is actively working by His spirit in you each day, you are not forgotten but precious to Him. I do pray that we might have you a bit longer here, basically because we are selfish and love you. We; Dad, Simon and I, Wess and grandchildren want to talk to you and hold your hand a bit longer.

2 Corinthians 4

¹⁶Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 5

Our Heavenly Dwelling

¹Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. ²Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, ³because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ⁴For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. ⁶Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.⁷We live by faith, not by sight. ⁸We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. ¹⁰For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

It takes time!

2010-10-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

This self sufficiency gig is SLOW! It is so easy to read books and think that it can happen quickly but honestly I have to say from our experience life gets in the way!

I just updated a garden bed post that we started back in May. It's now October and there hasn't been a huge advancement, well, really I there has been work but I still can't plant in it. But we had to get it welded, gather rocks, get the pipe etc, it just takes time and money and if you don't have it, which is most normal families, we just have to be patient.

Changing habits takes time. Convincing the rest of the family of a good change takes time! Weaning children from screen time, takes time!

This is our southern orchard, it has been planted for 5 years but we only learnt how to prune properly this year and finally it looks like we might get more than one or two pieces of fruit.

If you are a normal family with normal time, money and health constraints please be encouraged IT TAKES TIME! For all of us, it's one step at a time.

Retro patterns. Op shop fun!

2010-10-17T15:55:00.000-07:00

I had a great find at my favourite op shop last week. I have no idea if I'll get anything made up, so I'll store them as little package of future hope ;o)

The man is on a roll! Scarf Display and Holder

2010-10-09T00:05:00.000-07:00

On top of fly screens (post below), Pooh has cleaned off the most gorgeous old ladder, I think it was his grandfathers (just over 100 years old) for me to hang my scarves and wraps on. How delicious is this! Handy too, I forget what I have when they are in a drawer.

I should add I've got a talented family, the painting was by Mum, it's the church of St John the Baptist, 1846 in Tasmania and the candle holder was via blacksmithing son, also the blacksmithed shelf holder and eldest son thicknessed and shaped the timber shelf.

I've married a genius! Fly screens at last!

2010-10-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

We moved into our home 8 years ago and it was a dump. It was a garage with very few windows and dearest Pooh has slaved away with his bodgy eye and made me an Eden! Today after many summers of mosquitos he made fly screens! I'm stoked and can now have the window open into the evenings (Well I hope I can, yet to be tested I suppose!)

This wall was brick, no window at all. He cut the brick, put in a lintel, made the chunky timber surrounds out of a fallen tree on the property and added recycled windows we pulled out of an old house about to be demolished. Today he came up with sliding fly screens!

Anti bacterial wipes -homemade

2010-10-08T23:08:00.000-07:00

When I'm out at the shops or else where and we are having lunch, whether bought or brought, I like to use wipes for our hands before eating. I used to buy them but it added up even though they are a few dollars, so here's a homemade job. If I can't take a bottle, I can just damped a cloth and put it in a ziplock bag :o)

Anti bacterial wipes:

100ml white vinegar
20 drops lavender
20 drops eucalyptus oil
10 drops tea tree oil
Blend and store in spray bottle with some cloth squares (or paper towel if throwing away) Ziplock bags to carry cloths or dirties to wash at home.

Patchwork project

2010-09-25T02:07:00.000-07:00

I have an old sleeping bag, I do think it's from the 70's although the colours aren't too bad and I'm going to give it a new lease on life. I've decided to 'patchwork quilt' it and I've borrowed a friends book, "90 minutes quilts" by Meryl Ann Butler. She has this groovy technique that you quilt as you go. I'll add photos as I go.
Here's the old bag elegantly dropped on the floor so you can see both the colours, however the phone has fibbed, it's yellow and blue:

I'm looking forward to choosing the fabrics from my bits and pieces :o)

UPDATE: http://secrethippie.blogspot.com/2011/02/patchwork-progress.html

Cable stitch!

2010-09-25T01:56:00.000-07:00

A thread about coffee cosies got me wondering if I could cable stitch! Here's my efforts.
Sorry the pic is on the phone as eldest kiddos took the camera to Tassie!

I found video jug to be very helpful: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-knit-a-cable-stitch

Now guess what the children's teachers are getting for Christmas, a coffee cup cosie, how did you guess?! LOL

Big kids Tasmanian Trip

2010-09-25T01:31:00.000-07:00

The big children have saved their pennies and having a ball in Tassie!
Here's the oldest bridge in Australia It's found in Richmond.

Here's their mode of transport

I'm proud that they saved their money from their junk mail run and are now having a lovely time, snow and all!

Wild winds on the South Coast

2010-09-06T03:34:00.000-07:00

That was the chook house

One of the many up rooted trees

The garage

A bit of the drive way, trees all the way down. It took 4 hours to clear.

It's funny but it doesn't look too bad in the photos. It has been really full on, there is leaf and limb litter every where, it will take weeks to clear up and months to get all the piles burnt. All the fences need fixing, trees removed and wires redone.

However, we were all safe so what more could we want!

Home Schooling Resources

2010-08-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm trying to put together a curriculum and my friend Crystal shared her fav sites from her blog http://3stairs.com/ so I looked at each and added my own favs and here's the list that I liked.

adnilpress Australian Book seller

A to Z Teacher Stuff

abcteach — 5000+ free printable pages and worksheets

Homeschooling in different states of Australia

Australian Homeschooling- Beverly Paine

Basic Handwriting for Kids – Manuscript

Bible Activities

Bible Crafts

chariotpress Australian book seller

Charlotte Mason curriculum

Christian and Homeschool Resource Center

christian kids advent activities and stories for children

Christmas Unit Study

Christmas Unit Study by Cindy Downes – Oklahoma Homeschool

Commas

Craft waldorf style

Crossword Generator

DLTK’s Printable Crafts for Kids

Donna Young’s Homeschool Printables and Resources

Edu-Track Home School – Homeschool Record Keeping Software

ENCHANTED LEARNING

Field Guide to Homeschoolers

First-School Preschool Activities and Crafts

Fonts for Kids! (this is the cached version at Archive.org)

Free Homeschooling Resources TheHomeSchoolMom.com

Free Printable Stuff

Free Resources: Activity Sheets, Worksheets, Household & Chore Charts, Puzzle Makers, etc.

handwriting practice fonts – Google Search

Lap book sand units studies: free

Home Education Association -Australian

Homeschooling down under

Aussie Book Seller: Homeschool Favourites

Home Sweet Home School – Resources, Links & Information

Home Sweet Home-School’s Educational Resources Page — General Resources

Australian curriculum to buy

Homeschool Math – free math worksheets, ebooks, lessons, curriculum guide.

Homeschool the Moore Formula way. Leaders in homeschooling and Christian education worldwide.

823 Forms

KiddiesGames.com

LeapingFromTheBox.com Home Page

Lesson plans and worksheets from learningpage.com

Movement pdf

My Father’s World – Homeschool and Christian School Curriculum

Preschool Lesson Plan Printable Activities

Preschool Lesson Plans and Preschool Themes – FunLessonPlans.com

Preschoolers and Peace

Rainbow curriculum reviews

Read and Print

Rexanne’s Kid Links

Sites for Teachers

Sign Language: AUSLAN

Sonlight- Has great reading suggestions!

Starfall

Ten Things to Do with Your Child Before Age Ten

Timelines

Waldorf curriculum

Word searches

Word Search Generator

Money can't buy a portrait like this

2010-08-17T04:24:00.000-07:00

A portrait of mum

Jam melon and ginger jam

2010-08-16T02:35:00.000-07:00

Inspired by eldest efforts, I have 1kg of jam melon, 300g ginger and 1kg sugar sitting overnight waiting to be jam tomorrow :o) I hope it is as successful as Eldests!

The inside of a jam melon.

Here's it all chopped up with sugar.

I kept the seeds of course! Next years jam melons :o)

I've got this large so you can see the moisture that is formed from leaving it over night.

Bring to boil for 10 mins and wait for fruit to go clear-ish then add juice of 6 lemons and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Boil 10 mins until it sets on a saucer in the fridge. I decided to put the bamix (stick blender) through it too puree it a bit, I thought it was a tad chunky, I thought it would break up more. Bottle. This made 4 250ml jars. and here they are.. TA DAAA!

Tangello & Lemon marmalade

2010-08-16T02:25:00.000-07:00

Eldest chopped up 24 tangellos and 8 lemons and soaked them over nigh in 7 1/2 litres.
Next day 6 kg of sugar, 2 sachets jam setter and it turned into 31 jars of marmalade! Clever boy.

Post 5 from the challenge: Cleaning, all home made, cheap as!

2010-08-09T02:58:00.000-07:00

I've posted about cleaning before but like all things your habits change over time. Currently I use hot water and tea tree for mopping the floor. I use Window/mirror cleaner and multipurpose cleaner from this thread:
http://secrethippie.blogspot.com/2009/01/cleaning-well-any-thing-almost.html

I use Planet Ark sensitive for our clothes washing which is bout $7 a box. I use 1TBS and that gives me 1000 washes.

For the dishwasher I use Aldi Tundra which is $2 or $3 I can't recall exactly. I use 1 tsp.

This thread has the idea of printing out the recipes so anyone in the family can make them :o)
http://secrethippie.blogspot.com/2009/01/defeating-laziness.html

I must confess piles of paper are my down fall. I think the problem is just not making the time to deal with the papers in the first place, instead I pile them up and nearly weep at the size of it! LOL I have developed a few systems, like folders for specific things. This works brilliantly when I use it!

Post 4 from the challenge: Clothing

2010-08-08T01:11:00.000-07:00

Well, I said de-cluttered and barest minimums and I have to say this isn't anyways the case! We are very blessed to receive 'hand-me-acrosses' and I go to the awesome op shop ever. So our clothing does wax and wain, however I try to keep to minimums.

For me, wife, mother and secret hippie I think I need:

2 pairs Jeans few shirts
2 pairs of snazzy pants few dresses
2 pairs of trackie pants

6 tee shirts 4 jumpers
6 singlet tops 2 vests
4 shirts

1 runners 1 slip on shoes

1 sandals 1 buckle up shoes

1 boots 1 thongs

7 undies, 3 bras, 7 socks (all black and identical) Spencer and long johns, 3 pj's and 1 dressing gown various scarves

I find it a bit difficult to restrict clothing as it depends on how I feel! I can't look like I've crawled out of woodstock and go to church. I can't go sensible all the time because it's not creative enough :o- One day balance will come... or not!

The little children
7 undies, 7 socks (always less because they disappear!) few singlets

4 pairs on long pants
4 shorts
7 tee shirts
4 long sleeve shirts
2 church shirts
4 jumpers -2 knitted and 2 fleece
1 vest
1 jacket
runners
boots
sandals
3 seasonal pj's +1 dressing gown

summer hat and beanie

That's about it. If you have too many clothes you have too much to look after and you don't wear it all, it is a pain. Keep clothes washed and repaired. It helps if you can, and sometimes you don't have a chose but try to stick to plain pants and patterned tops. Don't do checked pants and patterned tops for example. Everything plain makes it easier but most things, especially for boys have printed things on them.

Post 3 from the challenge: Telecommunications

2010-08-08T00:48:00.000-07:00

This areas needs checking all the time. I'm finding it hard to keep up with all the changes and gadgets available!

We found Exetel to be ok. Much cheaper than Bigpond. We get free voip service with good rates. All in all our internet 12gig peak and unlimited off peak: $45 + phone calls- usually $10 and homeline is $19.95. And no contracts.
Our mobiles are getting used more than they used to be so we have changed plans and they are prepaid. $30 every two months. This has heaps of freebies, SMS and chat time etc.

To find great discussions on Australian providers check out http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/
Very helpful stuff in there :o)

Making Calendula Oil

2010-08-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

At tafe we had to prune the roses and remove the calendula plants. I was allowed to keep the flower heads so I could make calendula oil :o)

I washed them as they were a bit dirty.

Then they went into the dehydrator.

Here they are after two days in the dehydrator. How's the colour change!

No need to worry about the dirt, it appears to fall to the bottom.

Here's how much that first pile made.

I'll have to buy more sunflower oil. This is 750ml but basically you leave it in a sunny spot until the colour of the oil goes yellower and it's then infused with those wonderful oils :o)

Post 2 from the challenge: Housing is being paid as quickly as possible

2010-08-02T01:52:00.000-07:00

I guess this is sort of obvious, after living expenses, every sent goes into the house. We used to put all income into the loan and use the credit card, but we spent more than we should have. *blush* So we came up with the idea of a house keeping account. It really just an electronic envelope system. Pay goes in and automatically a set amount goes into a card account and that's housekeeping. It works very well for us. Sometimes we have money build up and then cam do some bulk buying and even fabric as the post below indicates ;o)

Have a play with home loan calculators and you'll be so shocked at what a difference a few extra dollars to each payment make. It's quite inspiring.

Something like this will get you going: http://www.commbank.com.au/personal/home-loans/tools-and-calculators/home-loan-calculators.aspx

Tunic pattern and fabric

2010-07-28T05:09:00.000-07:00

I've finally got hold of the tunic pattern to end all tunic patterns!

Here's the pattern:

Here's the fabric I chose ( and paid for from my house keeping money.. sshhhh!)

It's all washed and ironed and waiting for a day to cut out and construct!

Post 1 from the challenge: Food at it's barest minimum

2010-07-28T00:14:00.000-07:00

On http://www.simplesavings.com.au/forum/thread/50891/?replies=380
I described our food habits.

These things are NOT set in stone, we change our habits and tastes but it is usually something like this below. Things change seasonally too.
I was going over our food budget. For the 7 of us (2 adults, 3 teens, 2 children) I try to stick to $100 a week. $150 is a budget blow out.

So at $100 div 7 days = $14.28 a day
$14.28 div 7 persons = $2.04 per person
$2.04 div 3 meals = 68 cents!! per meal per person!

It just seems so unbelievable when you break it down to this degree. It needs to be pointed out that we have a garden and chickens. some times there isn't much action in the garden but there is always parsley and mint. We like to embrace free food too, like picking apples on the side on the road.

Criteria to our eating: Nutritious, no chemicals/additives, we like it, it is filling and preferably not prepackaged. (In an 'emergency' I do let the adults eat some suspect food but not the little ones if I can help it)
We are finding it harder and harder to stick to this amount as prices increase so we are trying to find ways of filling the above criteria and come in under budget.

Breakfast in winter porridge. Currently stewed fruit on muesli, or waffles or muffins and yoghurt (ss style)

Lunch potato wedges, simple salad. Pies with stew insides. Sandwiches. Homemade bread or that foul homebrand bread :o- Has happened more than I'd like :o(

Making up lunch boxes/snack boxes for the little ones so they stop asking to eat all day. Carrot sicks, yoghurt, cheese, strawberries (if I can beat the birds), celery with peanut butter.

I've been using Sophie Gray's Destitute gourmet books, especially the recipes that use smaller amounts of meat.
Using the food processor to chop veggies finely. Minced chicken or beef with cabbage and carrot etc, chow mien style on rice.
We've been roasting chooks and making stock/soup from the carcass.
We try to have 3 red meat, chicken, fish and 2 veggo nights. Subject to change if there's a brilliant special, or I'm being lazy. ;0)

We love our desserts too, so fruit and yoghurt. Whipped jelly and yoghurt.

It's probably less per meal per person when you includes cakes/slices, snacks and fruit to nibble comes out of this total.

I though it was quite an eye opener of how cheap it is when it's broken down to a per person per meal! I don't think I could feed one person with 68 cents. It is the bulk buying and scratch making that makes it possible. Certainly I could not walk into Woolies and come out with a 68 cents meal, not even close. It having bulk things like lentils or pearl barley that helps fill and add nutrients but one packet goes a long way and used in many meals.

I've been set a challenge!

2010-07-27T22:45:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to show how we do some things I talked about on a Simple Savings thread so here's the list cut and paste from there and I'll work on each to show how we do it, maybe it might be helpful to see each one in action?....

This is the list of what we currently do and I was looking for new areas to save in.

*Food is at it's barest minimum, I think.
*Housing is being paid as quickly as possible
*Telecommunications are good but could save on Internet pay change to wireless but unsure if voip works then.
*Clothing de-cluttered and barest minimums.
*Cleaning, all home made, cheap as.
*Cars, careful with trips but a necessary evil.
*Insurances, always find best prices.
*Utilities are very small by comparison to other families.
*Heating via wood heater and free wood.
*Gifts are home made, Cards scrapbooked.
*Consumables are being replaced slowly, reducing paper towel, gladwrap, toilet paper (can't see that one being totally eliminated... or want to!)
*Toys are usually homemade or purchased on sale, larger items are a grand parents purchasing delight.
*Gardening, make own compost and fertilisers etc
*Entertainment is mostly free via library or going out to local park for picnics/dinner on council own bbqs.
*Crafts, knitting, look for knitted items at op shop to unravel, or buy on sale. Scrapbooking gear on sale.
*Babies, cloth nappies for night (no day any more) make own creams and hand me downs or home crafted things.
*Personal items, cup, cloth pads. I do buy deodorant on sale at the health food shop.
*Holidays, we got a camper. Pretty cool especially in free state forest places.

Recycling clothes

2010-07-21T01:44:00.000-07:00

DD15 had out grown her pants. They are the most beautiful soft cotton and since she was tossing them I've cut them down for ds4. Here is them chopped off but not yet sewn. I can't find my cotton!

Before! Too short for dd15. It has a nice shirred waist.

Measured child and chopped:o)

Here should be the finished product as soon as I find matching thread :o-

Honey Jumbles

2010-07-21T01:36:00.000-07:00

l love honey jumbles so today littlest and I made some :o)

1/3 cup honey + 45g butter Heat together until simmer and cool for 5 mins.

Sift 1 cup plain flour with 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice, 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves ( I crushed wholes ones)

Make a well and pour honey mix into centre. Mix well and cover, chill for 30 mins.

Roll into 4 cm sausage and cut into 5mm biscuits. Next time I'll make them bigger. Oven 180 deg C for 8 mins. Cool and ice. We didn't have any food dye so we used frozen raspberries.

They taste like the real shop bought ones, very yummy indeed.

Pillowcase = soft cotton bag

2010-07-12T23:05:00.000-07:00

Peta from SS gave me the link to a sweet bag. http://www.marthastewart.com/ and search for "sleeper of a bag"

Here it is made up from a 20 cent pillowcase

As you would imagine it wasn't as easy as the instruction makes out. Old pillow cases are not perfectly shaped but it came together nicely in the end and now they will be much easier having done one. These really would be handy to have loaded and ready for the beach for each child.

Here is how mine went together:
Cut in half diagonally

Although the instructions didn't say, I cut off the folded part that stops the pillow falling out. There is a tiny triangle on the other piece too. Sew back up the sides.

I overlocked the long diagonal edges.
Overlapped and pinned in place. This was easier said than done. Due to the case being miss-shapened, I measured the top and the bottom so the sides were parallel to each other. It resulted in a bit needing to be cut off the bottom.
Turned inside out and over-locked across the bottom.
Turn right side out and tie shoulder strap.

Picnic or emergency snacking!

2010-07-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

After many terrific suggestions on Simple Savings about being prepared for picnics and general eating while out. I had a brain wave! I used to keep disposable cutlery in the glove box and they did the trick but not really nicely.
So I picked up a tooth paste and tooth brush holder and loaded it with knife, fork, spoon and teaspoon and a nice cloth serviette. They actually fit! So I'll put one for some of the family, those most likely to be in the car with me and keep it in the boot :o)

Step one to being slightly more organised!

Now can I remember it's there, use it, wash it and return to the car? :o-

Mushroom Farm is doing well

2010-07-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

Mushrooms, mushrooms and more mushrooms! This is the second load this size we've pick in a week. Those little farms are very productive and fun!

Quick trip

2010-07-04T02:32:00.000-07:00

I often go to the Katoomba Co-Op but had never seen the Three Sisters so on a day that was 3 deg C but the BOM said it felt like -.6 deg C I thought it felt like -10 we did!

I got a nice cook book from my second fav Co-Op pic below. (The best one is Candelo Bulk Foods in Bega). I made a Chocolate, almond and cherry cake for dessert tonight. Here it is nude and un-iced.

We took a ferry ride too, what fun!

Chicken soup and corn muffins... 63c per person

2010-07-01T01:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight we are having lovely thick chicken and veg soup with corn muffins.
Soup is 1 kg chicken legs $4.90 1kg mixed veg from Aldi $1.75, cup of pearl barley, (50c?) stock home made from carcass. Salt and dash of cider vinegar (50cents for these?). $7.65 Makes 3 meals for 7 people =36 cents each

Recipe: is the above ingredients all tossed in a pot, just make sure the stock reaches the legs and veggies. I use the thermal cooker so I bring it to the boil and pop it in the cooker and eat hours later. On a stove top bring to boil then just let it gently simmer for an hour if you can.
I really like the cider vinegar as it gets the goodness out of the bones. If makes a stickier more gelatinous soup than if you don't add a dash. We want all the nutrients we can get! Once it's all cooked grab the bones out with tongs and the meat falls off, use a fork if needed and remember to get those finer bones out too.

Sorry the picture is a bit unattractive, I could only find a phone camera and they just make things look yuck :o( It really is a very tasty, stick to your bones sort of meal!

Then I made corn muffins roughly guessing cost: corn meal-70/flour-16/egg -free/butter -55/powdered milk 20= $1.61/12 +13.4 cents each. we might have 2 each.
Tonight's meal 63c each.

Recipe: 1 cup polenta
1 cup SR flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk (I used powdered milk)
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
Whizz together, in processor (or hand), place in muffin tins, 220 deg C for 10-12 mins.

Eat buttered.

Sesame Noodles

2010-06-22T00:11:00.000-07:00

This is tonight's dinner, it was Sesame Noodles. It is such an easy and filling meal. To make it in a hurry you need to have the secret ingredient made before hand and frozen. I made that up today and it used some and froze the rest. You steam a small cauliflower, include the stem and whizz up two raw zucchinis, add lemon juice and then the cooked cauli. Puree up. Here's what it looks like:

Cook noodles or thin spaghetti (500g) and drain in sink. In the bowl you are going to serve it in mix
1 TBS brown sugar
1 TBS sesame oil
3 TBS soya sauce
1/4 cup tahini (I preferred the hulled for favour although unhulled is better for you)
1 cup of the cauli puree
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 teaspoon crushed garlic or 3 cloves
As I'm feeding lots of men I cooked chicken breast in teryaki sauce and sliced up
Mix this together and add cooling noodles, toss and coat.

Add sesame seeds and spring onions on top. Very quick if puree is already cooked and no meat is added, but even so it didn't take long :o)