Simplifying Life

2cats1kid

OK, I went away for a few days so I am a bit behind schedule, but I'm up to page 30! I am pretty much skimming the posts (sorry) and not giving all the links the attention they deserve, but I have bookmarked some of the most interesting looking ones to go back and look later.

Let me just let you know what simplifying is meaning to me, as I am nowhere close to a lot of you guys (going to live in a yurt just sounds scary LOL).

I am quite a long way down the decluttering line, as I used the Flylady scheme for quite a while, and it is second nature to me to declutter as I go along now, so a thumbs up there.

I have always cooked from scratch where possible, and think I am quite a thrifty cook, and am trying to take it back a level - since coming on MSE I haven't bought yogurt or bread as it is all HM now. I'm making wine, too, and today I made my first ever chutney with green tomatoes from pots in the garden. I'm in the process of putting raised beds in to grow as much of our own veg as possible, and if I get a glut of anything it will be bottled or preserved in some such way. I've also been gathering blackberries and have checked out elder, hips, haws etc. for future collection.

So far simplifying seems to be giving me MORE work LOL rather than less.

I also run my own business and have a 10yo whose school is an hour round trip (longish story why she is there rather than in the school a short walk away, but it is the best thing we have ever done, so worth the expense and the hassle) so I am always on the look out for ways to work smarter rather than harder where tax, PAYE, etc. is involved.

I have to 'fess up that MS is a want to do rather than a need to do as we are pretty comfortable and mortgage free, but I am one of the least materialistic people I know, and going back to basics suits my inner nature, I guess.

Luckily so far DH has been supportive (although I think he thinks I have flipped!) and DD is loving it - she is outside with her trowel any chance she gets, learning how to make jam, etc. and is thrilled with a top I made for her from some fabric in my crafting stash (I'm also a crafter, when I get any spare time). She leads a comfortable life, but I want her to appreciate stuff rather than take it for granted.

Something you guys are striving for really resonates with me, so if I can join you on your journey I'd love to.

2cats1kid

Wow! Sorry for the essay!

mary43

2cats - don't be sorry - that was well worth reading. My word you are doing well. I'm way behind you..............still trying to get to grips with 'tidying up as I go along'........one of my major failings !
I've always been of the 'make do and mend' school..........part of being brought up just after the war. Home grown vegetables were always 'the norm' and luckily OH enjoys growing our own, albeit a limited amount of 'veg in pots'.............might not be much but it'll keep us going for a little while.
This will be the first year we'll attempt growing some winter veg in pots and have yet to work out what we'll grow (have to consult with Greenfingers Board I think)
I love crafty type stuff (though not much good at it) and I remember many years ago when I was a single parent after first OH died,money was so tight one christmas it was a case of everyone having to have something I'd managed to concoct in one form or another. Even my kids thought it a great novelty...........and still do when I put together a shoe box of 'stuff' - some from the second shops as its cheap and cheerful and a bit of fun, and some I've created myself. Having to go without taught them a lot about the value of money -they don't have a lot, not big wage earners and no chance of owning their own house, but they live according to their means and appreciate the few things they do have and have said going without was a lesson well learned.
I'm the worlds worst in the kitchen (thankfully OH loves cooking) but if need be I can put together something fairly edible and cheap........always buy by price and not by brand (lesson from Mum !).
Sounds like you're a very busy person but its good that your DD is showing such interest.
We've become such a 'throwaway' and 'not care' society' over the years but I get the feeling that will all have to come to a halt and I wonder how todays teenagers will cope with not having the brand names they seem to feel are a 'must have'
Good luck, you're doing so well and putting me to shame..........(memo to self - get yourself sorted out !)...............:rotfl:


PS. You're not the only one who writes essays..............lol

EagerLearner

mary43 wrote: »

Eaglelearner - if you have a look on the Greenfingers board theres a lot of threads on there about what you can grow on a patio. We don't have much garden we can use for veg so we've got all ours in pots.......you're too late for runner beans and tomatos but you might be ok for some tubs of carrots (we're growing the litle dumpy ones) and we've got some chilli plants we're hoping we're not too late with.
Good luck...............growing anything can be a bit hit and miss with me but some of the Greenfingers folk are really good at it and its worth a look.

Thanks Mary43 that's perfect - I love the idea, will take a peek in the greenfingered board... lots of thai stir fries with home reared chilli and carrot sounds fab :T

mary43

I'm sure you'll find it useful. Loads of folk there who know a lot about growing stuff.

Well, both the boys went off this morning, the intention being that they'd come back with a new pair of trainers for the younger one. Not so it seems.Young one came home, older one has gone to the market near the coast to get some from the market as they were too expensive in town. Young lad didn't want to go so has left it down to the other one.Just hope he comes back with a pair that fit ! Then young lad starts having huff as he's lost £1.50...........reckons it must be somewhere in the house but can;t find it. I think he had an idea that I would very promptly shell out £1.50 - oh no............not me. Sometimes I swear these kids think I'm a cash-point machine.........press a button and out comes loadsamoney !!!!
So now he's gone off our in further huff !!! Just when I thought the day was going so well...................don't you hate it when that happens.
Just concocted an 'Everyday survival kit' as an extra for my sons 40th birthday............think I ought to have done one for myself..................lol

2cats1kid

Hi all.

I've had a busy day today. Picked over the 2.5lb of blackberries I gathered yesterday and added them to the nearly 1.5lb I had in the freezer. Then mashed 3 lb of them for wine and 1 lb of them for blackberry and apple jelly (plan to do more of this when I gather some more berries).

Left this festering while DH and I walked into town (I'd normally drive, so feeling very virtuous!). I got another demijohn from Wilkinsons (unfortunately they have run out of fermenting buckets, so I need to keep checking back - obviously there's more than just me brewing hereabouts) and then we went for a child-free lunch in Pizza Express. Spent more than we normally would on a pizza, but it was nice being able to have a leisurely meal without DD's perpetual jabber!

The greengrocers on the market were reducing their prices as we came back so I got a punnet of plums, a huge bag of grapes and 6 punnets of strawberries for £5. So since we got back I've been finishing off the blackberry and apple jelly, freezing two boxes of strawberries and making about 4 lbs of strawberry jam and I still have a punnet of strawberries left (and no more freezer space). We've already sampled the jam and the jelly on homemade bread and it is yummy. I'm going to pop a jar of jam next door in a bit, as you never know when you might need a favour The wine is starting to plop away quite happily to itself, and should be about perfect for Christmas.

Going to put my feet up for a bit before watering the veggie patches.

mary43

2cats - you have been busy ! Crikey.........is it blackberry pickint time ? We don't have any bushes so its only if and when I'm about around the fields that I start to notice. Every year I've seen them and said 'we'll bring a box or basket next time' and haven't done. This year I think it'll have to be a 'must' especially as my friends apple tree is producing fruit like its going out of fashion ! Can see the freezer filling up with blackberry and apple pies..........lol

Young lad's 'huff' now over, the older lads rung to say he got his trainers so they both seem happy..............well for now anyway.
Just been next door and the little girl;s been spraying me with water from a pipe in her paddling pool..............thought it might be refreshing but it wasn;t :eek:

2cats1kid

Yes, they seem to be ripe early this year - I'm sure when I was a kid blackberrying time was more like October, but maybe that is time befuddling me. We have a large bit of common land near us with brambles, rose hips, haws and elder on, so I can see it turning into a bit of a happy hunting ground for me. Getting the grubs out isn't a pleasant job, but sooner that than a maggot looking through the jam jar at me LOL.

mary43

I just mentioned to OH about it and he felt sure it was more like September when blackberries were about. I know there are loads around the churchyard where Dads buried and I always used to see Mum beginning of September and we went to see Dad and pick a few blackberries while we were there.
We've just a bit further north than you so maybe ours are a bit slower...........OH has just sloped off to the pub .........think its on the pretext of having a look........................lol Might have a look myself tomorrow. The disabled lady I go to see has blackberries in her garden but whether they're ripe or not I've not a clue till I see her this week.
Love blackberry crumble and pie..........and just eating them off the bramble..............lol

Charis

I went to a green festival yesterday, where Satish Kumar was the guest speaker. The event was held in and around an eco build, a converted barn on a farm which is now a restaurant, surrounded by workshops where local craftsmen make and sell things, pottery, jewellery and such.

Satish was really inspirational. It was the hottest day of the year so far but he spoke for an hour and answered people's questions at the end. He spoke of how creativity, sustainability and health are intertwined; about how we are all part of the same organism, like many pieces of pottery made from the same piece of clay. He told us that his mother, who was a very spiritual person, taught him never to buy anything that was not Beautiful, Useful and Durable (BUD) Beauty was just as important as the other attributes, so you would enjoy using or wearing the thing. He spoke about art and how we should encourage local artists and craftsmen. He mentioned the difference between art that comes from the soul and art that makes millions for the connoiseurs. He said that there is only one art, the art of living. Artists are not special people, people are special artists (they each have their own contribution to make). There is art in baking bread, serving a meal, making a garden. He urged us to buy locally (80%), buy maybe 15% nationally and 5% internationally. At the moment this is not possible as big businesses import so much produce but as attitudes change, practices will change. He said that changing your lightbulbs will not save the planet but when people's way of thinking changes, the light bulbs will get changed too.

He is a shining example of what he speaks about. 72 years old and more vital than many teens and twenties I know. His love of life radiates from him. His message is all the more gripping because we can see he is living it. Today is Resurgence magazine's 'Slow Sunday' (he's the editor). He urged us to slow down today, don't drive. Spend time at home, and bake bread. He said a lot more but this is turning into an essay. I promised Ceridwen I would let her know what Satish had to say. I am posting on here to encourage all simplifiers to carry on. The practice of living simply, slowly, thoughtfully, leads to a contentment and joy that we seem to have lost in our busy lives. It was a privilege to see and hear Satish in person.