tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50898285525190765062009-07-06T12:25:46.736+10:00simple living, frugal living, back to basics, recipes, cooking from scratch, preserving, canning, worm farms, compost, vegetable gardening, organic vegetables, living well on less.Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.auBlogger928125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42684409504191494702009-07-05T06:34:00.009+10:002009-07-06T08:33:09.376+10:00

My latest dishcloth, finished yesterday.Please read this old post first.Today we'll talk about getting rid of 'disposable' paper products, dishcloths, menstrual pads, baby nappies/diapers and plastic shopping bags. This is one area where you can make a big step forward in one quick swoop. Making a commitment to not buying a number of the products you may buy now, like paper towels and paper

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66329299087576227142009-07-05T06:19:00.005+10:002009-07-05T07:18:37.176+10:00

These are links to some blogs for backup reading on the pantry and stockpile. This is an important subject that will benefit most of us when we get it right. It's well worth any time you give it to read more.The Mother Load on stockpilingMrs Brenda at Coffee Tea and Me on pantry talkStockpile list at Frugal LivingHappy 4th of July to my American friends. I hope you enjoyed your special

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-83953528787204020412009-07-04T04:25:00.006+10:002009-07-05T06:34:14.730+10:00

Food is an important part of everyone's life; we have to eat every day for as long as we live. And that is one of the reasons we need to focus carefully on our food. We grow it, buy it, cook it, preserve it, freeze it and store it. Buying it costs a lot of money; growing it takes a lot of energy; wasting it is not an option. If you organise your food growing, buying and storage efficiently

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90178311789711676072009-07-03T04:14:00.003+10:002009-07-03T05:23:24.827+10:00

Hello everyone, thank you for joining me in this most important monitoring task. I hope that through these simple audits, we'll all be able to look at what we're doing at home and make changes if they are needed. As usual, check the comments here because many of our readers will give you excellent ideas for changes and modifications.No Spending WeekTomorrow we'll start a no spending week. If

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15399095881813897602009-07-02T04:24:00.012+10:002009-07-02T11:40:11.736+10:00

This is one of our Biggest Kitchen Table discussions.We have been scrutinising our lives again. While sitting on the verandah yesterday, Hanno and I talked about slipping slowly away from our ideals. Auditing is necessary for us. We don't want to turn around one day and find ourselves back on the spending merry-go-round, so regular audits keep us on track. We must continue our mindfulness, make

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au189tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60780607013936355762009-07-01T04:46:00.003+10:002009-07-01T10:55:06.530+10:00

I can't believe it's all over. Our big event, which was minuscule by most standards, has been put to bed in our memories now to be thought about every so often when we're sitting on the verandah or when we see another bride. I guess there are times in our lives that stand out as being important occasions and this certainly was one of those for me. It was a time of welcome - for Hanno and I to

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67790216807750942002009-06-30T04:48:00.010+10:002009-06-30T08:30:46.964+10:00

Trip Around the World Wedding Quilt in blues and greens, with grey border.I've told you well before this that I'm no great sewer. Oh, I get by, but it's not what I would call a natural talent of mine. And let me tell you I'm not being coy writing that, just truthful. There are some things I am good at, sewing is not one of them, I wish I was better at it. So it should go to show you that

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au55tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63542370081548740432009-06-29T04:43:00.008+10:002009-06-29T07:27:55.133+10:00

Shane and Sarndra with Hanno and Tricia in the background.It was a beautiful day full of beautiful people. Shane and Sarndra made me so proud as they progressed through their day. Shane worked hard right up until 2pm when we all realised we had to have showers and get dressed. Guests started arriving shortly afterwards and Sarndra arrived at 3pm.Flower girl, Isabella.The ceremony was conducted

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au65tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71842121206358988292009-06-28T10:04:00.001+10:002009-06-28T10:06:55.180+10:00

Shane and Sarndra, just before they said: I will.

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69660453823450273362009-06-26T02:08:00.004+10:002009-06-26T02:15:05.695+10:00

Rhonda and Hanno, as well as her sister Tricia, are busy preparing for Shane and Sarndra's wedding, so there will be no new post from Rhonda for the next few days. I am sure all of you want to send best wishes for a long and wonderful life together to Shane and Sarndra. Leave a comment below for them to read together after the festivities are over (a very long distance e-wedding card, so to

Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314290576757837045noreply@blogger.com90tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-79587766234301670622009-06-23T15:55:00.007+10:002009-06-24T08:59:50.247+10:00

I bring a message of hope. There are signs of change on the horizon. I noticed these signs about six months ago, as I'm sure many of you did, but thought they held little promise. However, it looks like things are different this time, this seems to be more deeply embedded in mainstream culture, and now I believe change is on the way. And the change is the belief of ordinary men and women that

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12310445635932630052009-06-23T04:23:00.003+10:002009-06-23T08:08:15.846+10:00

Life can be hard sometimes. We're working towards our big event this weekend. Hanno's done a lot of gardening and preparation outside, I've worked inside and that will continue until Saturday when we get the most wonderful pay-off for that hard work by seeing our son marry right here in our own home. You rarely get the good things without the work. It's like the simple tasks of soapmaking and

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au48tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80955590475082954992009-06-22T04:54:00.009+10:002009-06-22T09:32:04.371+10:00

It's a mystery to me why all gardeners don't make their own compost. It is an important part of gardening, will help enrich your soil, and it cuts down on the amount of rubbish that sits decomposing in the council rubbish dump. Why send your kitchen and garden waste to the dump to decompose when it would help you grow vegetables and flowers while contributing to the health of your soil? Of

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11300205823088946782009-06-21T04:56:00.008+10:002009-06-21T16:48:36.779+10:00

Good morning! This time next week it will all be over. Our wedding is next Saturday and we are calmly (I think) moving towards the big day. My special project will be finished tomorrow, we've ordered everything that needs to be ordered, the flowers will be picked up on Wednesday and the cold room and food on Thursday. On Friday we'll have a working bee, with people coming to help prepare and

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22908994687996964942009-06-19T13:53:00.008+10:002009-06-19T14:59:35.221+10:00

I'm very pleased to introduce Baby Blossom as my new sponsor. Baby Blossom is owned by Karen who is a working at home mum of three beautiful boys. Karen sells products she believes in and that she uses on her own children.Baby Blossom has a wide range of good quality cloth nappies/diapers, fleece covers, organic bamboo and hemp fleece and terry cloth for making nappies/diapers at home, mattress

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74043550165046647362009-06-17T14:40:00.011+10:002009-06-18T09:40:28.296+10:00

If you planted a tomato into virgin Australian soil (and probably most other virgin soils) and watered it, it might live and produce small tomatoes, but it wouldn't thrive. To get the best from your plants you need to help them along. The old saying of organic farmers world wide is "feed the soil, not the plant" and by this they mean it's best to add old cow, horse, sheep, goat, pig manure,

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88693409505799281462009-06-17T05:00:00.007+10:002009-06-17T15:19:25.368+10:00

I think it's wonderful that there are a lot of new vegetable gardeners now. Growing food is part of a new way of living for some, it helps others keep to their budget, and some people see it as a healthy activity producing organic food for the table. Whatever the reason, producing some of your own food is a good thing. It gives us life skills, it's a great activity to enjoy with the kids and it

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37878135842339521622009-06-16T04:38:00.007+10:002009-06-16T08:16:39.543+10:00

We live in a bit of a retro world here. Most of the time it's not like we're living in the 21st century, it's more like a time from the past when neighbours knew each other and people say hello as you walk down the street. When we close our gate, time doesn't matter at all and we could be living anywhere, at any time. We make our own experiences and memories within our boundary fences with

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3763718361154365402009-06-15T05:00:00.001+10:002009-06-15T07:06:47.705+10:00

When you first take up your trowel and fork and start planting vegetable seeds for the first time there is a very strong tendency to overdo it or to dive in with no thought of order, outcome or orthodoxy. When the gardening bug grabs you, you're in it for production, nothing else matters. Or does it?It will help you considerably if you can think a little about what you're about to plant, because

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88391423628851299572009-06-11T14:00:00.005+10:002009-06-12T04:55:39.873+10:00

Comfort food usually makes a comeback whenever the economy does a nose dive. We also tend to use more of the cheaper cuts of meat, waste less and shop more for bargains. I was reading an article from Australian Food News about 2009 food trends recently. All the above were mentioned as this year's trends, as well as an increase in entertaining at home, more community food projects and,

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-89967299176163785042009-06-10T04:09:00.015+10:002009-06-10T16:16:21.362+10:00

The work of the homemaker is getting tougher. We are battling hard economic times and trying to stick to our budgets while food and fuel prices are increasing almost every week. Some homemakers who work outside the home as well are faced with cutbacks and job losses. SAHMs are raising children and running their homes, some are doing that easily and gracefully, others feel guilt that they aren’

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47306905951661167562009-06-09T03:35:00.007+10:002009-06-09T08:07:01.427+10:00

Fairy cakes were baked last week.We've had a few busy days here. I sent my book proposal off to New York again yesterday afternoon after doing the corrections suggested. I really love working with my agent, Abby. She has some wonderful ideas and we are working very well together. I'm not sure when the book will be out, it's at least a year away. During that time, I'll be working hard to

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45037130813524118452009-06-07T15:38:00.009+10:002009-06-08T11:24:02.351+10:00

It didn't take us long to realise that raised vegetable garden beds were better for the type of gardening we do than anything else. We tried flat beds and no dig beds, raised beds that we could dig into and fluff up the soil gave us the best results. So for a long time, at least the last 12 years but probably closer to 20 years, we've grown our vegetables in raised beds.A container of worm

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39705234694163456342009-06-07T15:00:00.012+10:002009-06-08T03:09:51.897+10:00

I have known Bel for a long time, so it's a real pleasure for me to introduce you to her store, Spiral Garden. Spiral Garden sells natural and creative handmade, fair trade, organic products for children. Many of Bel's products are used in Steiner and Waldorf schools around the world.Bel is a homeschooling Australian mother of six who uses many of the products in her own home."We don't sell

Rhonda Jeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084rhonda_hetzel@yahoo.com.au0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75113844718276820572009-06-07T13:21:00.002+10:002009-06-07T13:27:37.120+10:00

Hello all- I am happy to report that so far we only have a handful of ladies who did not receive their parcels. It is the best we have ever done! The swap buddies who failed to send their parcel will not be allowed to swap again. That may sound mean, but really, one must be sure to live up to their obligations-just as we teach our children to take responsiblity for their actions. I had meant

Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314290576757837045noreply@blogger.com6