If you've been reading the blog lately you'll probably have figured out that I'm working pretty hard on making a conscious effort to slow down and enjoy having 'enough'. There is one thing though that I find it hard to have enough of somedays and that is hot chocolate. I'm not a coffee drinker or … Continue reading Slow Spiced Hot Chocolate
Category: home and hearth
In the Garden | Cottage Update
Once again, today the sun is shining and of course, it's windy out. We'll likely spend the day tucked up inside as both as S. and T. have colds. There's been a lot of that these past few months, and, given the state of the world, there's really nothing for it but to hunker down … Continue reading In the Garden | Cottage Update
On the Cusp of Spring
Here in Aotearoa, we seem to be balanced right on the cusp of Spring. And, unsurprisingly (because it happens at this time every year), I have found renewed energy in connecting with nature. Maybe it's the warmer weather, or maybe my soul is recognising some deeper stirring in nature, either way, I'm excited to share … Continue reading On the Cusp of Spring
Beginning Zero Waste
Recently, S. and I were asked to share some of the steps we've taken to reducing our waste and living in a more sustainable way. To be honest, it took some thinking since a lot of the things we do we've been doing for years. It's always helpful to these things written down to refer … Continue reading Beginning Zero Waste
Buying in Bulk
I recently had a question from a friend about what things we buy in bulk and where. Now to be fair, S. does basically all of our food shopping since she is at home during the day (and going to the shops is generally a whole lot more pleasant during the week day than on … Continue reading Buying in Bulk
Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
Where did the rest of October and November go?! I always feel like Spring should be a gentle slide into Summer, but it never is. Not weather-wise and not in life either. There are so many work commitments at the school I teach at in November that it always feels so crazily full and then … Continue reading Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
Urban Homestead Update
Spring in Wellington creeps quietly, full of gentle promises of warmth at the end of Winter, and just when you think to yourself this is the beginning, the storms return. - Wild winds rampage around the house, searching out any cracks you've dared to leave unmended, sheets of rain slam the window panes, and … Continue reading Urban Homestead Update
Enough is Enough 2
Last week I wrote about finding 'enough' in my professional life - you can read it here. This week I want to write part 2 - 'enough' in our home life, or more specifically our home. We're always reflecting on the things we choose to have in our house, but more recently we've been thinking … Continue reading Enough is Enough 2
Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
A five-week round up this week. I realised this week as I was trying to break things down into my usual 3 categories, that so many things that are sustainable are also frugal and so many simple pleasures are frugal ones too, so gone are my categories this week, instead just a simple list of … Continue reading Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
A two weekly round up of our progress towards simple, sustainable and frugal living. Sustainable Things. Vege market - The vege market is usually a weekly stop for us, and we are lucky to have access to many different vege markets around Wellington, while not quite a farmer's market the produce is affordable, seasonal and … Continue reading Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
Inspired by my cousin Emma at Craving Fresh, whose Frugal Fun posts I always enjoy reading. I thought it'd be good for S. and to sit down each week and highlight (for ourselves as much as anything) the frugal, sustainable and slow decisions and wins that we have had over the past week or so … Continue reading Simple. Sustainable. Frugal.
Celebrating Autumn
At the beginning of May we celebrated Samhuinn, the mid-point between Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice. In the Druid tradition, this is the time when we honour those who have gone before us and recognise that as we journey into the dark of the year, we give our soul much needed rest. This is also … Continue reading Celebrating Autumn
Spring Growth
Although this spring has been somewhat tumultuous weather-wise, the soil is clearly getting warmer and spring is definitely taking a hold in the garden. S.and I are loving having space to get outside and plant things, and of course T. is enjoying having space to run around. He loves looking for bugs, riding his motorbike, … Continue reading Spring Growth
Food for Thought (and Little Tummies)
I took a big step last week, and sent in my resignation letter to the school I taught at before T. was born - I'm officially not going back to work for the foreseeable future. Hooray! Hooray?? I knew, ages ago, that I was going to make the decision not to return to work after … Continue reading Food for Thought (and Little Tummies)
Time to catch up!
It's been a whirlwind couple of months, as evidenced by our distinct lack of presence here, but luckily it's been for a most exciting reason - we bought our first home! We're still working through all the things that a major move involve, but we've been settled in for nearly a month and are feeling … Continue reading Time to catch up!
Catching Up
It's been a crazy couple of weeks - I went back to work temporarily, we had a whole heap of visitors one after the other, and - most exciting of all - we bought our first house! Moving day is less than two weeks away now, so we're surrounded by boxes and ongoing mess but … Continue reading Catching Up
Cooking with Aunt Daisy
I was recently moving all our cookbooks (to make space for a project I'm working on for the little guy) and came across this gem: (Aunt Daisy was a New Zealand radio celebrity from the 1930s onwards). I don't think I actually ever looked at it properly when it came home with my sister and … Continue reading Cooking with Aunt Daisy
This Moment
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. Inspired by Amanda Soule...visit http://www.soulemama.com to see her moment and scroll down to her comments to be linked to many other moments … Continue reading This Moment
Market Love
I've always loved markets. From the most exotic and chaotic to the ordinary and everyday, they provide an awesome opportunity to take photos - something I love doing! We are lucky in Wellington to have so many fruit and vege markets, including one just down the road from us. We regularly go to the markets … Continue reading Market Love
Growing a Garden Part One
I've been wanting to do a little series about my garden for a while now, and after a good autumn clean up this afternoon I feel like I have the words at last. There's a fair bit to tell, so this will be split into 3 installments.Way back at the beginning of 2011, in the … Continue reading Growing a Garden Part One
Recipe – Baked Brie
I love cheese. No seriously, I really love cheese. Especially the fancy kind. At this particular moment I'm not eating any since I am recovering from having my wisdom teeth out a couple of days ago. In fact I'm not eating much really, but that hasn't stopped me thinking about what I will be eating … Continue reading Recipe – Baked Brie
Natural Remedies for Strains, Sprains and Sore Muscles
Disclaimer: I'm a dancer not a doctor. These are remedies that I have used during my years dancing and have learnt via the dance teacher training I'm currently completing. If something is persistent, painful or acute then these remedies are not going to be enough and you need to see a health care professional. Here's … Continue reading Natural Remedies for Strains, Sprains and Sore Muscles