persistance and consistancy.

Sometimes either on my blog or in my life people ask how we do it all.  Renovate, own a business, study, work, raise children etc.

I'm not special, nor even particularly good with time management.

This is what it often looks like....

Working on an assignment, late at night with a small child sleeping next to me. 

 It means not watching T.V. at night when my husband is. 

 It means saying "no" to things for the sake of sleep and sanity.

 It means hobbies get put on hold.  It sometimes means an excess dose of Mama guilt.

But for me, I think it comes down to if I really, truly want to do something or to learn something I will work out a way to make room for it.  It might take time for that space to be found in my life.  I might have to wait for the next season....It might mean putting something down so I can pick something up.  Sometimes an old season needs to end for a new season to begin.

But there are many things in life that don’t take that much time to try.  Like making laundry liquid, or learning how to make soap.  Meal planning and shopping for simple but nourishing family dinners.  Buying a few big pots and planting a herb garden.  These things are all small and affordable jobs in the scheme of things.  All too often we simply make them to be bigger than they are in our minds, and we procrastinate. 

We might get disheartened because our work doesn't look like the pictures we see on Pinterest.  But that’s ok.  It doesn’t have too!  We are only able to create the lives we want by firstly making the time to change, having the courage to actually do it, and the persistence to keep going when it gets challenging. 

But when we make these small changes, they add up.  Slowly and steadily.  Eventually if we make enough of these changes we will look back, and our lives will look dramatically different.  As we learn new skills our confidence grows, as we let go of what weighs us down we grow happier.  Suddenly our life looks in line with the things we value.  It looks like us.  It reflects our own values, dreams and personal story. 

Knitting is my new hobby.  I have always wanted to be able to knit beautiful jumpers, to read a pattern.  Today, I’m completely hopeless at it.  My tension is uneven; I have no idea how to unpick it to mend an error.  But I will persist and plod along.  Because I reckon all good things in life take time and effort.  There is beauty in a slow journey.  But the joy when you produce something that resembles your goal?  Nothing beats that feeling! 

Much love,
Emma

xx   


    

The good old days......?

EDIT:  I'd just like to say thanks to the readers who have stuck around while blogging has been a bit patchy and haphazard, who continue to write encouraging messages and wish us well! It means as much as ever to have you all here plodding along the simple living path with me.  I have lost a huge stack of readers just recently (like 300-500 in about 5 days - ouch!) I must admit I was a little dis-heartened at first.  I wondered if I accidentally offended a bunch of people.  Perhaps it was a technical glitch, perhaps my content has been repetative.  I'm not sure to be honest, I am simply me.  Nothing more and nothing less.  But then I remembered I do this for us, for our family.  To record our story.  I don't pretend to know everything, in fact the more I learn the less I know.  But we love trying to diy, to live simply, to be present.  To put first what truly matters.   

I love feeling connected to you all out there.  We little home bloggers, blog for the love of it as life allows, there is no money for many of our efforts, and that's just fine.  So Thankyou for those who continue to pop over to our sometimes chaotic, sometimes messy but always honest and filled with love in our little corner of the world! Xx

When we hop on line and look around the internet there are so many people simplifying their lives.  Its so interesting to see how everyone is doing it.  Some are living on large properties and living self sustainably, some are renting, some are in the city and some are in the country.  Some people have children, some don't.  Some craft, some garden, some are minimalists, some op-shop, renovate and cook. 

Its amazing really isn't it?  That so many of us are all working towards similar life goals but all doing it all so differently. 

Sometimes we can look at all the advertising in the world and become cynical.  We can think that everyone in the world is obsessed with more. 

But when I see preserving jars in mainstream shops, I get excited.  It means that there is a demand for them, that preserving is hitting the main stream.  Cool huh?

Henry checking out the fresh picked daffodils from the garden.

We can get cynical of big fancy appliances like the thermomix, and all in one cookers.  Taking over the old skills, technology blah, blah.  But you know what I see?  A generation of people embracing home made foods.  They don't want to put preservatives in their food, they want to cook from scratch for their families.  They may well be the generation that missed out on being taught how to do it our grandmothers way, but they are forging their own path forward despite that!  They are looking for a way that makes sense to them, to cook the kinds of foods our grandmothers cooked, but doing it their way.  These are often families with two working parents, deciding that investing in home made foods is of upmost importance to them.  The savings then prove them selves, the health benefits become apparent, they begin to look around at what else in their house is chemical laden and they are already half way down the simple living rabbit hole! 

I remember an old high school teacher of mine.  Mrs Lill, she was a wonderful science teacher, quirky, kind and passionate.  She wore blue eye shadow and was just the loveliest lady.  She was the epitome of what a science teacher should be, there was something kind of wonderfully mad about her!  She loved a good story and would tell us all kinds of interesting things about history, science and everything in between.  Often starting with "in the good old days, which weren't really the good old days at all.."  It's a phrase that has stuck with me deeply ever since.

A quiet (rare) school morning.  Will is writing poetry, the little ones drawing.

And you know what?  She was right.  I wouldn't go back.  Modern medicine has saved millions of lives, especially that of women and children.  I would most likely have lost at least one child by now and possibly died myself in labour if it was not for modern medicine.  That alone is enough for me.  But lets look at women and education.  Even in my parents generation the fields at which women are now in has grown considerably, and is continuing to do so.  We have not reached equality, but we are slowly moving in the right direction.

I have the privilege of having a profession under my belt.  Because of it, I know I can provide for my family if need be.  But due to our life choices and a whole lot of luck, I have the choice to stay at home and care for my children.  That's why there is freedom in it.  When we romanticise the "good old days" we forget the brave, strong women that have paved the path for us today.  We belittle the amazing contributions they have made in politics, science, arts, education, religion, health and business. 

I love being at home, but I give thanks to the strong, hardworking, spunky women who have walked before me.  Because of them, I can go back to Uni and study theology.  Because of the battles they fought, I can both be at home, work and study.  Because of them I'm allowed to speak in church, fancy that! ;)

It is easy to sit in our modern thrones of privledge and look around and say things were better then, but there was still problems.  Serious problems that existed within society then, just as there are now.  Let's not look at the past with rose coloured glasses.  Thinking this generation is all doom and gloom.  It's boring and we should know better by now.  

I am forever greatful for the "good old days".  But I am greatful for the choices, for the pendulum making a gentle swing back there with a modern twist. 

I love that corperate companies don't know how to appeal to younger generations.  That they don't want fancy, formal furniture.  Eat in kitchens are a big thing, stiff formal dining rooms are disappearing.  "Vintage" is cool, so is op-shopping, the Internet is filled with cool patterns, people seeing and spreading creative ideas.  It is easier to buy fair trade then it ever has been!  I love that being environmentally friendly is a major branding thing now, and they best back their claims or they will be found out and dragged through the ringer if they claim falsely.  That people are demanding fair trade, co-ops are growing, farmers markets are cool.  In my state, it has become clear that the self serve checkouts are a failure.  Turns out most people don't like them here.  Ha!  If that's not a gentle protest to the bigger, faster, flasher movement I don't know what is.  People crave connection.  As much today as ever. 

So I encourage you to look around and see the good things going on.  The primary schools putting in veggie gardens, and bringing in chooks,  re-introducing cooking programs with the kids.  The parents searching for home made recipies, investing in their home kitchens so they can teach themselves how to cook from scratch, people getting chooks, baking and using green cleaners, churches helping the needing, caring for our mothers and children, Lets use the global connection we have to teach the importance of simplifying, show people how we are all connected, that our waste is all connected.

Little puss sleeping in a hand made wooden toy.  The Internet has been wonderful for allowing people all over the world having little home based businesses.  Allowing people to persue their hobbies, passions and creativity.  

Everytime we see someone trying to move towards a simple life, weather it be eating less processed foods, putting in some herbs or veggies, getting a worm farm or building a compost heap.  Weather they are walking to school or work, making their own cleaners.  We need to high five them!  Not look back in time and say things were better "back in the old days", or point out the way they could do it "more simply" (groan) or point out what they are doing wrong.  Lets celebrate them, like their posts on social media, cheer them on and share the love.  Lets use the checkouts with people to send the message we want them to focus on employment rather then speed.  

Let's not look at the past with rose coloured glasses, instead let's look forward.  Armed with everything we know, and move forward togeather in support of eachother.  Let's give thanks for the past, and for the wonderful oppertunities it has paved the way for us today.

How else can we celebrate the simple living community I wonder? 

Much love,
Emma
xx

How did I get so lucky?

Do you ever look around at your little corner of the world and think......

How did I get so lucky?

I do.  All the time. 

Sometimes I look at our tired old cottage and struggle to see past all the work we need to do.  And not just a bit of paint and flooring.  Salt damp treatment, plastering, wiring, demolition.  The list goes on.  Sometimes I wonder what were we thinking? 

But then I look at my boys, sitting in a peaceful moment, laying draped on top of each other like a bundle of puppies, and my heart stops.  Filled with love for these boisterous, determined little men that have been gifted into my care. 

How did I get so lucky?

I look around the little old cottage and see plaster falling of the walls and paint peeling, thinking of the hard dirty work yet to come.  Then I look past it and see what really matters.  My book cases filled with books to suit everyone in this house.  The warm comfortable beds, with cosy sheets.  More then enough clean warm clothes to protect us from the elements.  Precious teddies and toys that have been so loved their fur is almost rubbed completly off. 

How did I get so lucky?

I look at the never ending pile of dirty dishes that seem to accumulate out of no where into my sink, then I remember last night my boys eating a big nourishing meal of home made spaghetti bolognaise,  Saucy grins and little full round bellies.  We have never truly known hunger. 

How did I get so lucky?

I look into the yard at the demolition that's going on, the piles of rusted twisted iron, the burn off pile of rotting wood and off cuts, and broken old furniture past repair and re-use.  I look past the ugly parts and see the parts we have touched, and I see the soft green lawn, my herbs and flowers growing in the soil we are improving, a fence to keep my boys safe, chooks scratching away, our beautiful dogs eager to see us as they settle by our feet, just to be near us.  Fresh clean country air to breathe.

How did I get so lucky?

Sometimes by the end of the day I'm SO tired, worn out to the bone, mentally, physically and spiritually.  A kind of accumulated tired I didn't know was possible before having children, owning a business and renovating a home.  I wait, frustrated for a break.  A breather for the moment my Grant comes through the door.  But he does come home.  He comes in after his long day and picks us up.  Sometimes not in the way I want, sometimes not in MY way, but he does in the best way he can, and really that's all we can ask of anyone isn't it?  He loves us ferociously, and us him.  The gentlest soul I am privileged to know, and I get to share my life with him. 

How did I get so lucky?

I am in a season of tiredness at the moment, it seems to take all my energy to do what I need to do around here, then there is nothing much left.  My tank is low, our gate is shut.  It has been a tough 6 months.  Even Grant who is eternally energetic and optimistic admitted to me last night it really has been a tough 6 months which made me feel validated in my tiredness. 

It is my birthday today, and I have been so blessed.  I need for nothing, and want for little.  (ok, maybe a dishwasher....)  As I sit here and reflect on my life, mess, chaos, piles of washing, I wonder....

How did I get so lucky?

Much love,
Emma
xx

The hidden gems in parenting.

Sometimes parenting is tough, really tough.  Its tiring, repetitive, patience testing and messy.  Sometimes we can be working on something with our children for months without seeing any signs of improvement.   Sometimes despite our best efforts to raise well mannered, considerate, kind, empathetic children we hit walls of despair worrying they are too self absorbed and selfish and worry we will never manage to nurture them out of this normal childhood phase.

Until they aren't. 

Until we see a glimpse of pure sunshine and joy from the trenches.  Where our hearts fill with pride, where we fall more in love and more in like with our children and who they are shaping up to become.  Where they stun us with wisdom, consideration and empathy beyond their years and we fill up our hope tanks and keep on going.  Remembering why we work so hard to teach these important lessons.

Despite feeling like we are getting so much wrong, seeing our own imperfections through our parenting, working harder on ourselves then we ever knew possible so we can give our kids the very best of ourselves, in turn trying to bring them up to be the very best of themselves.

It tuns out I have bronchitis and am on antibiotics, needless to say it has slowed me down considerably.  I'm only able to do light chores as I become short of breath and dizzy if I push myself.

And William has stepped up and beyond and utterly amazed me today.  He has helped me tidy, then vacuumed the lounge, bedroom, kitchen, hallway, and indoor porch.  While I folded some washing, re-made our sweaty bed from my fevers, and tidied the kitchen.  He has swept the paths after the dogs dug in the garden, and then picked some flowers for the hall table.

I love this kid, my heart is full, the house is in order.  What more could a Mama ask for?  Ready for a relaxing afternoon together.

Much love,
Emma

xx

I think we bought a house!

I think we bought a house!  Its not much of a house mind you, its a run down 100+ year old 4 room stone cottage with a timber frame extension which basically needs ripping down and re-doing.  But she has captured hour hearts and we have agreed on a price.  The formal paperwork is yet to come, so I'm hesitant to say she is ours quite yet, as these things are never really done until they are totally done.

Im sure there is some rule about blogging to only talk about the things that are concrete but meh, this is a diary of our lives in all its messiness and the beauty that exists within that!  

This little old cottage is on a HUGE block, FILLED with fully grown fruit trees, berry canes, vines, nuts.  (I'm going to need to invest with a dehydrator!) There is still room for a mulberry tree mind you, down the back.  I'm going to buy one for Grant I think and surprise him, he has great memories picking mulberries as a child and they are his all time favorite fruit.  there is an amazing big old pepper tree, perfect for climbing!

The old girl needs ALOT of work, from a silicon based damp course which needs to be drilled/injected into the walls, to stripping back to the stone and re-doing the lime plaster on the affected walls, the timber frame extension needs re-doing out the back, the bathroom, kitchen, flooring, painting, a big combustion wood fire needs to be put in, air con, wiring and more no doubt. 

All on a shoe string budget!

But this is what Grant and I are good at.  We are good at sourcing amazing things for next to nothing.  Gumtree is our best friend, so are recycling yards.  People so often buy things that are the wrong fit, or have excess left over after a big build, or simply change their minds which they then sell on at a fraction of the cost.  We love seeing our vision come to life, and Grant in particular thrives on this kind of work.

It will be a matter of careful planning, sourcing quality second hand the windows/doors, thinking outside the square and then designing the building around that, and patience.   

And this place it a PALACE compared to the 150yr old house we were doing up a few years ago (which we left after a major flood, read about it HERE if your interested.)

So we are excited.  Whats life without a few adventures right?! 

Most importantly this move will allow us to get rid of a bunch of debit, it will mean we are closer to the shop which will mean we are part of the local community, and also that we will get to spend more time together as a family.  These are the things we value in our lives, so the decisions we make are to put these values at the top of our list. 

HERE is the listing, though it will not stay available for ever so I have saved some of their photos and will pop them on here for future reference. 

Here are some photos I saved directly from the real estate page...

 Anyway, I do think its time for another cuppa tea and to get stuck into some housework around here.  We have friends visiting this afternoon so a good excuse to potter about and get some things done.  :)

Much love,
Emma
xx