Yearly Roundup

It has been my tradition for the past nine years to do an end of year retrospective and I find it interesting to look back and remember a few highlights. In all of life's busy-ness it's easy to forget some of the blessings that makes life great.

There were many FAMILY highlights this year,

especially the eagerly awaited arrival of two new grandchildren born two weeks apart.

Julien is thrilled with his new sister and cousin.

I had a very exciting visit from a cousin whom I hadn't seen in decades and also from a nephew who has grown so quickly into a young man.

We had lots of house guests when we started our dry stone walling courses and we made so many nice new acquaintances.

Looking back we really did lots of hard work around the house with the garden taking on a more solid structure.

I completed the front garden and it is full of white flowers and has been blooming through every season, even the poor battered Teddy Bear Magnolias - they really are tough to survive there.

We constructed a crazy sandstone paved path, and I still can't stop looking at it!

In fact there were lots of gardening posts as I revelled in the new tulip plantings and structures and next year we hope to get some more gravel paths in...

We even had a large dump of snow in the middle of year and you can see the video of the garden in snow here.

We also had a a couple of garden groups visit the garden

and an artist came to paint en plein air too...

There were quite a few posts about the origins of the property and the fascinating finds that we dig up. You can read about these stories in...

Original Owners

Findings

and

When Time Stood Still

Amid all the usual preserving, cooking, sewing, knitting and gardening we had a couple of firsts;

We made Parmesan cheese for the first time and we grew chickpeas.

Sadly I haven't finished a couple of projects that I had hoped to have finished by now but another year beckons and I hope we will travel along together as we have into the tenth year of recipes, gardening, discoveries and shenanigans. 

Thank you for taking time out of your days to join me and comment and discuss your thoughts. Wishing you all a blessed and prosperous new year full to the brim of good things as I have this year.

xxx

The Fate of a Suburban Tale...

The furniture is in shrouds and fine dust has settled everywhere.

The rooms echo differently as sound bounces off denuded walls and finds no soft furnishings to burrow into. 

It's time to take stock and assess.

I'm casting a critical eye over possessions that have not seen the light of day and years and cutting some sentimental ties as shelves empty and boxes fill.

The final touches to the fixings....

Isn't it funny how you live with all those little unfinished jobs for years and then,

just as you are about to leave,

get them done for someone else...

Our suburban jubilee is coming to an end.....

Last month I went to a little country town south from here to buy a pair of shoes for winter...

and we bought a house! We weren't shopping for one.

"You don't find houses, they find you"

Do you believe?

So we are moving to a country Georgian cottage.

We are trading our 1/4 acre for 1.7

Over the past five years Suburban Jubilee has been testament to good simple living in the suburbs and that it is entirely possible to live frugally and sustainably and feed your family from a typical 1/4 acre block. We've shared stories, opinions, recipes, gardening tips and maintenance tricks.

Is there any more to add?

Perhaps....

As one door closes, another one opens...

Caught My Eye This Week

Housewife Eclectic has lots of practical ideas and is usually my go-to site for IT/blog support but 

read here about the great "real" doctors kit she made.

I read a beautiful piece of poetry on a blog called "Mrs Smith"

It is titled "In The Night"

".....wriggling and writhing, emitting frost, like Jack,

garnered on her journey through the pitch...."

It's a delicious short read full of descriptives that will strike a cord in most parents.

Something super practical and good to know

"How To Use A Busted Cell Phone and Meet 5 Basic Survival Needs"

from the blog The Art Of Manliness.

And finally I wanted share a new to me blog called "One Pink Chair". It is the blog of a woman on a new stage of her life as she comes to terms with the loss of her husband. You needn't think it is melancholic or sad, but rather enlightening and sharing a candid glimpse into the "first year after"

In particular I loved;

Have you tried to talk to someone in Authority recently...?

and 

My Town Part III

Have a good weekend

Love Tx

Bloggers Catch Up For Coffee - Its a Date

I promised this waaaayyy back in January and Mrs Smith has kindly reminded me we are well overdue.

We Bloggers are due for a meet up in person.

I'm setting a date for

 Tuesday the 3rd of July 

at the Launceston Art Gallery 

say 1.00pm-3.00pm.

Obviously we are not going to be able to find the ideal day and time for everyone but I hope this will enable as many people as possible whether they be on their lunch break, before picking up school children or able to flex or swap a shift....

It would be so great to meet people from all over the State but I realise it is a big ask for our Southern and far Western folk. If you can't come please feel free to email me a photo of yourself and a short hello to the group.

If you can come please comment so that I can book a number to help the cafe out.

Not only will we catch up and put faces to names but I would also like to talk about some technical issues people face with blogging, how you comment and deal with comments, how you choose your content,  do you use blogging for networking for professional reasons, blogging manners and the impact blogging has on your life. 

Hmmm sounds like a bunch of girls chatting and talking about their feelings....I hope I haven't put any of the men bloggers off!

I really hope to meet lots of new faces.

PS please also spread the word on your blog too so we can reach as many people as possible.

Love T

This Caught My Imagination This Week...

A great idea. 

Re-purposed feed bags made by Holly at Calico Bush and she has lots of designs that she sells on her Etsy store. Also on this blog she takes us through the process of making buttons from horn. Fascinating.

Susan from Homeroad 

will show you how she takes an ordinary basket/tray (that I probably wouldn't have given a second look at) and uses chalk paint and a really cool image transfer technique to create something utterly charming.

Transforming the ordinary to charming is a frequent event on this blog. 

This play mat made by Sally at virtu 

has really inspired me. It folds up to become a bag and carry a few little toys to go with the mat and is totally portable for impromptu distraction/playtime for little ones. Sally has made one side water resistant so it is great for shady grassed areas. I think this would also be useful in waiting rooms etc. You could make a couple and change the themes; zoo, farm...

"Don't Judge Me: Replacing the Dandelions" by Pumpkin, Pie, Painter 

is another masterpiece of analogy and had me thinking on so many levels. A very thought provoking piece that has put me back in my box. I am often amazed by the stories her gentle words spin and how they relate to life. A skilful parable teller indeed.

A Give Away

"One Magic Square" 

from the Sustainable Suburbia blog

I just know dozens of people who would love to win this well known book by Lolo Houbein.

I hope you find something to catch your imagination too on one of these blogs and don't be shy about saying "hi" to the writers if you like what you see and do tell them I sent you, it's nice for them to know that their talents are appreciated.

Have a good week and good luck with the give away.

Some Good Reading This Week

A very, very interesting post over at Eight Acres about 

"Curing Egg Eating Hens"

and it makes so much sense.

An observation of nature doing exactly what it needs to do to ensure the survival of the species.

Here is one from earlier this year about alternative syrups to use in your fruit bottling from

Sitting On Top Of Our World

Now that cherries are coming into season, this is a good one to re-visit.

My Go To blog, Housewife Eclectic, for all things techno savvy and digital has another great how to...

"How To Take Glowing Christmas Pictures"

She gives a really easy to understand and brief (cos I have a short attention span) tutorial for taking pictures to capture the lovely glowing lights at this time of year.

And for a funny take on the Christmas visual...

read "Don't Let This Happen To You"

by the hilarious Pamela J 

And for a beautiful, thought provoking and personal look at life and the meaning of Christmas I recommend this post at Pumpkin, Pie, Painter

A trip over to her blog is worth it for the warm fuzzies of her Christmas ready home but I'm sure you will enjoy a candid tale of a busy person's life and the crossing path of a neighbour's tragic circumstance.  

Read About This Week

Are you looking for something new to read?

Here is what excited me this week....

I watched a little boy take me through step by step "How To Make A Corn Cob Dolly"

on the Magic Onions. Don't underestimate the abilities of your kids and let them have a supervised go with tools. Imagine his pride when he gave it to his sister. 

Beautiful

"I have to stop.
There's no denying the sight I see.
Nothing can draw me away.
The view before me demands my response...."

What comes next???

Click over to Pumpkin Pie Painter to read "Unexpected Purple"

It is but a short passage but so poignant.

A good segue from that would be to "A Prayer For Our Daughters" that I read on ChickChat

You might also like to read about Marriage Discrimination that is being debated at the moment. (Stop and think and remember to consider your responses)

Virtu writes about "I DO"

And finally....

A very new blog about being Gluten free here at ValysK

Have a wonderful weekend.

There is much on my mind and much to consider.

Thanks to all the wonderful bloggers who take my thoughts elsewhere for a glimpse into their worlds.

Big Ideas Around The Blog

A moment of your time....

or perhaps 15mins!

Funkbunny's Kitchen Garden nominated me for an award and I like to take the opportunity to show what has caught my interest these past couple of days by some bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

In no particular order.....

Zucchini Island "Gardening in 15mins"

has a good idea about achieving tasks one step at a time. Just 15 mins a day

It's a really good habit and certainly not mammoth.

How bright and vibrant are these arrangements?

over at....

Wranglers and Ribbons "Whimsical Baby Shower"

This story about Home Economics that

Notions "Home Economics"

found at Etsy

What do you think of the new colour scheme Lee is toying with;

Aubergine

Mustard Seed 

and

Fog Grey

at 

Christmas At Killiecrankie Farm "New Seasons Decorations"

This short but thought provoking post 

at

Sitting On Top Of Our World "To Receive...."

Somebody Tracked In Some Mud

Some changes have been made.

This also ties in with my post entitled "Phenomenons"

Mostly what I post here is for broader discussion in the hopes that we illuminate the shades of grey.

Life is not black and white.

Most of the time, there are no "right" or "wrong" answers.

At all times there should be respect, generosity of spirit and plain ol' good manners.

Like many bloggers far greater than I,

I will be moderating every comment from now on.

I will NOT accept comment from anyone remaining anonymous or with blocked profiles.

I will not accept comments that do not enrich the discussion and experience.

By all means, disagree, but leave your judgments at the door.

....and for goodness sake,

wipe your feet!

Must Reads

Photo sourced from Urban Homestead South Africa Blog

From the paucity of posts you may have gathered that I have been a little busier of late.

True.

I would not insult your intelligence either with just any old drivel trying to fill a space.

If I have nothing of value to add then I would rather remain silent.

There are some who have said something very important in the past week.

The first is from Urban Homestead South Africa in her post "Back Then"

Oh out of the mouths of babes....

An overhead remark from a Gen Y to...well someone of a much older generation before they were labeled, gives rise to some very pertinent musings. 

Photo from Mount Gnomon blog

The second is from the Mount Gnomon blog and their post entitled 

"The Reality Of Farming"

The lovely couple of Mount Gnomon Farm are champions of the rare breeds and ethical farming.

They produce, among other things, true "organic free range pork products" from their Wessex Saddle Back Pigs.

Eliza gives a very moving and honourific account of a sow's first farrowing at the farm this week.

I felt every movement and struggle.

Have you ever had someone describe their labour of birthing and found yourself almost pushing through contractions in empathy?

It's like that. 

I have long admired Eliza's photography but her writing is also quite divine.

I am so excited about tomorrow.

I get to meet Claire from Sweet Birdy Love

She is having a little holiday in the State.

I am looking after the shop all day tomorrow so she is calling into 

Resurekt at 270 Invermay Rd at 9.30.

I have made Date Slice and Lee from Killiecrankie Farm is also coming.

Any other bloggers who would like to meet Claire or Lee are quite welcome to come in and have a cuppa and some slice. 

Some Special Followers

Lucy and Bella (aka The Girls)

I'd like to take this moment to thank some of my special followers.....

Emma and Tegan (aka The Girls)

Too numerous to mention, you know who you are!(aka The Girls)

Seriously though, we all blog for various reasons.

Some will throw their stats at you every couple of posts and thank all their followers like its the Acadamy Awards.

For me, blogging is about shared knowledge in a world fast losing some important but ordinary skills. It's about finding community again and along with that some humanity. The nightly news and current affairs shows have been increasingly a) dumbing us down and b) desensitising us with more and more sensationalist journalism. When a disaster happens, we don't get informative facts, we have reporters pushing distraught people till they get a "cry on camera".

So simply thank you for your friendship, and thank you especially to those who take the time to comment and create that conversation that leads to so much more.

Thank you to the generous people on other blogs willing to share their knowledge and patterns for free.

Thank you for your frankness and your different points of view.

( I feel I should be carrying some sort of gold statue of this stage now)

Thanks to Sweet Birdy Love for the blog shout. I have done a couple of rounds with the awards and you can read this post also,

Sharing the Love

but the intention of this award was to highlight three blogs with less than 300 folllowers.

I would love to recommend to you;

Resurekt

The Bobwhites

Sitting On Top Of Our World

Not Naff Anymore

In the last post I introduced you to Rita Summers.

I also spotted this basket full of old patterns in her gallery/studio and I just had to take a photo for

Little Jenny Wren.

There has been a lot of talk in blog circles I am in awe of the love and supportive friendships that have grown from blogging. People we have never met and may never meet have become near and dear.

We get to know them or at least the very style or essence of them.

I can't look at vintage patterns like this without thinking fondly of dear, gentle, Jenny.

How about that basket?

I can remember when I was little thinking how naff these sort of things were. Those baskets for keepsakes made from old birthday cards and crocheted together...urgh.

Now I see them as beautiful for I see the time and dedication that has gone into them. Creating something useful from scrap, or in the case of the birthday cards, a sentimental treasure. A time capsule of style in itself.

Stationview Cottage has a lovely post about this topic in regard to quilts and fabric.

My friends at Resurekt have recently bought a book from a thrift shop showing how to make these baskets. I like the idea of finding something sentimental to make them with, like photos or cards, and wouldn't they make lovely Easter baskets.

Phenomenons

Phenomenon #1.

Poor Rhonda really took a hit last week on her blog Down To Earth 

We all love her blog, well nearly  all of us.

Some people (2 in this instance) feel a bit "Holier than thou" and think judgement and censorship is a valid form of comment on an other's blog.

I once saw a post about something on a blog I followed that really disappointed me and went against my ethics BUT it was that person's lifestyle and their choice. I didn't comment. I can't help feeling differently about them and I can't bring myself to read any of their posts at the moment, but I didn't comment. 

If a post asks the question at the end and invites you to sock it to them, good or bad, then fine, go for it.

But I digress...

Phenomenon #1 is....

Despite receiving 466, 279 awesome and supportive comments,

it's the 2 negative ones that will cut most humans to the bone!

It's the same in the workplace, you might get 8 positive statements from your boss about your work but it's the 1 criticism that you will remember that night when you are brushing your teeth.

I'm no psychology major but I do think this is interesting and think a lot about what this means about the human psyche and those who know how to manipulate this energy.
So lets all try to think before we speak and remember the power of words.

Phenomenon #2

Why do dogs always want to be with you when you go to the toilet?

I know it's not just mine.

Other people's dogs do it too!

Is it a "protect the pack leader while they are vulnerable" thing???

Can anyone explain this phenomenon?

I know there are plenty more out there,

so please feel free to share your phenomenon in the comments and you can even number them.



The Enable Email Movement

 This is a movement started by Mammarazzi from Dandelion Wishes and it is an important one. Have you ever wondered why you can reply to some comments and not others? It is as simple as having your email in your profile. Because posting and commenting is about the conversation we have here in the blog-land, the debates and the controversies, the support and the love.Having your email enabled in your blogger profile is great! It doesn't SHOW the world your email address so it stays private. All your profile shows is under the "contact" heading the link "email" so you are perfectly safe. If you would like a clear step by step complete with screen shot tutorial on enabling your email click here to visit Just Lu's guest post on Housewife Eclectic.Are you STILL worried about your privacy? Does your email address contain your real name? SORTED....Just Lu has done ANOTHER guest post on Housewife Eclectic here to explain exactly how you can get around that AND become an enabled email blogger.I know Claire from Sweet Birdy Love is going to love these links too because we were just having a chat the other day about trying to sort out this "how to reply" business.Please visit all the links and become part of the movement and enable your email today.