tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80333989677375887922024-03-18T18:23:20.526+11:00A Vision SplendidOld Wisdom: Modern Life. A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-52332933472585532062023-08-20T17:46:00.002+10:002023-08-20T18:01:43.650+10:00Harnessing Old Wisdom for a Fulfilling Modern Life<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you have been around here for a while, you know that I love to look to the old ways to find wisdom to apply to a modern world.</span></p><div style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; scroll-behavior: auto; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: #f7f7f8; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: #374151; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; scroll-behavior: auto; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JhaO6G_PhN0H-feXo0GQ-ek8IQKYB9mBsFYIUFvzTw7VzfEwGFgcfLs_PAMIi4nBO3B3r3LdptXdPG1e5LjHJsrCU0N3yWDo1t9nVT5N7iopWjyGok9GiMDXKbcbpxu0dTDEKCx_eS4fA5BRgy2gSqfBznb02sQ9YIEd4tTdD72WPnbuZw6erTFP7pq3/s3072/grass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="3072" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JhaO6G_PhN0H-feXo0GQ-ek8IQKYB9mBsFYIUFvzTw7VzfEwGFgcfLs_PAMIi4nBO3B3r3LdptXdPG1e5LjHJsrCU0N3yWDo1t9nVT5N7iopWjyGok9GiMDXKbcbpxu0dTDEKCx_eS4fA5BRgy2gSqfBznb02sQ9YIEd4tTdD72WPnbuZw6erTFP7pq3/s320/grass.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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</span><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have no desire to go back to days that were often peppered
with intolerances, hatred and inequality, yet, when I cherry pick through the
old ways and old sayings I seem to find so much value.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In our fast-paced, crazy, technology-driven world, it's easy
to overlook the timeless wisdom that has been passed down through the ages.
Whether it be from our grandparents, or from ancient philosophies and
practicesm this sort of wisdom offer insights that can greatly enhance our
modern lives, providing a sense of guidance, mindfulness, and balance that's
often missing in our digital age.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Mindfulness and Presence:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b>Incorporating ancient mindfulness practices can be a game-changer in
today's hectic lifestyle. Drawing from Eastern traditions, techniques like
meditation and deep breathing help us find solace amid chaos. By focusing on
the present moment, we alleviate stress, boost mental clarity, and enhance
overall well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I love to read about the science behind these concepts. Of course, in days gone
by, people didn't need to know that an MRI machine can validate their findings
on the benefits of mindfulness or meditation - they just did it! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Stoicism and Resilience:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b>Stoic philosophy, practiced by figures like Marcus Aurelius, teaches us the
art of embracing challenges with grace. Applying Stoic principles—like
distinguishing between what's within our control and what's not—fosters
emotional resilience. Gratitude and a pragmatic mindset empower us to navigate
uncertainties with strength and composure.<br />
The works of Ryan Holliday are such a great source of inspiration in this
space. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Simplicity and Minimalism:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br />
</b>In a world driven by consumerism, ancient teachings on simplicity and
minimalism resonate more than ever. Embracing a less cluttered lifestyle—both
physically and mentally—frees us from distractions. By adopting a minimalist
approach, we gain focus, contentment, and room for what truly matters. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
It amazes me that one of the growth businesses in recent years is the leasing
of storage sheds to hold all our 'stuff'. Gone are the days where your belongs
fit into a suitcase. <br />
I really like the work of The Minimalists in this space. I have learned quite a
lot from their exploration of what really matters in life. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Community and Connection:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>
Across cultures, ancient societies thrived on strong communal bonds. Applying
these values in our modern lives fosters a sense of belonging and shared
experience. Concepts like Ubuntu, rooted in African philosophy, remind us of
our interconnectedness. Strengthening our support networks enriches our lives
and enhances our well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<b>Balancing Technology and Nature:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>
Ancient civilisations intuitively balanced technology with nature. Today, we
can learn from their example. Carving out time for nature, practicing digital
detox, and cultivating a deeper connection with our environment can mitigate
the adverse effects of our tech-centric lives, rejuvenating our minds and
spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I always surprised to hear myself saying 'I don't have time' or hear someone
say 'I'm too busy'. I think it would be an interesting exercise to see how much
time we use across different aspects of life to see where we can collect the
moments that we need to do some of the things that really matter to us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Incorporating ancient wisdom into our modern lives offers us
a map to navigate the complexities of the present while embracing the timeless
truths that have endured through the ages. By practicing mindfulness,
resilience, simplicity, community, and connection to nature, we enrich our
lives with a sense of purpose, balance, and fulfillment that transcends the
challenges of our time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
As you've read about these timeless practices, which one resonates with you the
most? I'd love if you could share your thoughts so that we could collectively
work out how to incorporate these elements into our modern lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH6WfNAu4ggdhH4W355rlJq6QaEfUVqT3b15WM-Fn5gwulR_jRMMqSCXoV3VH-GRjB1Cn8u5Rnqb5NqMsYtB42H-9xGx2zqs7exxBOR1ZyVRNCgon3ff4HYaQVnJuZEpRwG85CI-iLbPvh5dwpEd8hqwhdcH_SwA87KABwFcJcfhQdu3Bm_kbfBIBXzVp/s1600/Older%20Card%20download%20092.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH6WfNAu4ggdhH4W355rlJq6QaEfUVqT3b15WM-Fn5gwulR_jRMMqSCXoV3VH-GRjB1Cn8u5Rnqb5NqMsYtB42H-9xGx2zqs7exxBOR1ZyVRNCgon3ff4HYaQVnJuZEpRwG85CI-iLbPvh5dwpEd8hqwhdcH_SwA87KABwFcJcfhQdu3Bm_kbfBIBXzVp/s320/Older%20Card%20download%20092.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></div><p></p>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-79410079756096837872023-01-14T10:11:00.001+11:002023-01-14T19:04:21.458+11:00Making Tea<p> </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCYRKlu4lmW1kcm2XbKcT1ERdS_qmcyK7UKg2za8NwK1ZbAHuE0cua3lgIThbs0FiR5cuXMVb2glImUaHaTE3dDCHBms_UArxLLJeYoMLTA1BWBr_DMUepw_LV2VGEiqjLJbu4sKlS0dm/s2048/F6220D93-6A54-428C-9D49-A6958C29E590.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCYRKlu4lmW1kcm2XbKcT1ERdS_qmcyK7UKg2za8NwK1ZbAHuE0cua3lgIThbs0FiR5cuXMVb2glImUaHaTE3dDCHBms_UArxLLJeYoMLTA1BWBr_DMUepw_LV2VGEiqjLJbu4sKlS0dm/w480-h640/F6220D93-6A54-428C-9D49-A6958C29E590.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8J_vvIb2rW7pan5gENw0Pwc7gtRge7A3yBX7NiX8JOXOW0TZzijiN9ZDEzxQuK5EBXk-HfXMGzglZdxb36wfIK3ThaucWBogjMFdeQ9v1G5osY59sIH9KnjunJwJHWBYctwlrej_2gqD/s2048/2886231F-E435-4F97-BF24-00DB94CF000D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8J_vvIb2rW7pan5gENw0Pwc7gtRge7A3yBX7NiX8JOXOW0TZzijiN9ZDEzxQuK5EBXk-HfXMGzglZdxb36wfIK3ThaucWBogjMFdeQ9v1G5osY59sIH9KnjunJwJHWBYctwlrej_2gqD/w480-h640/2886231F-E435-4F97-BF24-00DB94CF000D.jpeg" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><p></p><div>When we think about making tea, we immediately think of the brand, the bag, the pot. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are so conditioned to associate an item with a brand first and foremost. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can still recall jingles about tea bags from my childhood..... and that is frightening. Where is this data stored in my brain for all these decades ? </div><div><br /></div><div>Did you know that gresh spices make a lovely tea ? They are the same spices that I often use in cooking and you can buy them in bulk. </div><div><br /></div><div>For a refreshing tea, the basis would be coriander, fennel and cumin seeds, however, I like to 'spice mine up a little. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like to add some cardamom pods (broken open) and some cinnamon stick. I also add some mulberries from the freezer from last year's surplus. I like to call the tea ' Mulberry Spice'. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can make enough for a week or so by putting those ingrediatents into a dry jar. Don't woryy about quanities.... just find your own taste and change it up as you like. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have a little jar that I fill when I am travelling. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have a little tea strainer ball that cost me $1.00! I also use an old inside of a tea pot... or if you like, why not make the pot! </div><div><br /></div><div>The point is, it's straight from the jar.... sooooooo cost effective, no packaging (after the bulk purchase) and you can change it to suit the season and your taste. </div><div><br /></div><div>It is the perfect ritual to start the day with.... to sip slowly.... to be at peace..... THEN, you can dive into the coffee and the crazxy world. </div>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-90656138314215214912022-01-30T10:08:00.005+11:002022-01-30T12:20:54.544+11:00Looking To The Old Ways in Uncertainty<p> </p>
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There is so much that I love about the 'old days' and the 'old ways'. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I like the <i> 'can do' </i>spirit of the people, particularly those that lived through the Great Depression and World War II. </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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I love their ability to '<i>make do and mend' </i>and work with what they had. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, this is just a romantic view of the past. A way in which I am cherry picking the good from the bad. I fully recognise the trauma, the oppression, the ineqaulity, the poverty and all the other things that were prevalent in these time. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this place I focus on the pearls of wisdwom that I can take from days gone by. I look to the previous generations for their knowledge of running a housegold, keeping the family budget on track, bartering, growing a garden, sharing with their community and finding joy in the little things. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have always loved these 'old ways', but as I write these words in 2022 it seems that I am seeking this wisdom now more than ever. It times of uncertainty, looking back to see how our older generations dealt with adversity is a great source of reliable, tried and tested information. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are some of the posts I had written years ago about my love of the old ways. </div>
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<a href="http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/been-out-back-at-outback-house.html" target="_blank">The Outback House </a></div>
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<a href="http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/my-grandmothers-money-tin.html" target="_blank">My Grandmother's Money Tin </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.avisionsplendid.com/2021/08/reviving-wisdom-cash-as-last-resort-i.html" target="_blank">Cash as a last resort </a></div>
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<a href="http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com.au/2008/08/spirit-of-my-ancestors.html" target="_blank">The spirit of my ancestors </a></div>
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<a href="http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com.au/2008/07/this-is-what-101-years-of-simple-living.html" target="_blank">101 Years of simple living </a></div>
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<a href="http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/jam-stick.html" target="_blank">The Jam Stick</a></div>
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<br />A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-74199564862082077272021-08-26T12:13:00.012+10:002023-12-17T17:22:22.220+11:00Reviving the Wisdom: Cash as a Last Resort<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHdBkC5gTukGY40dii5gcbfxykx4KDT0sKq0vr-tb9hpGnQKSIBzX6ARLICwyaRBXJ3vHWaOe4ZWfQiyOf6B4vnq2x7cYD0pp7R9gCCgOmbo5wvBuEzghrf25y2bFFEkg957HTO04t9AP/s1600/Old+car+25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCHdBkC5gTukGY40dii5gcbfxykx4KDT0sKq0vr-tb9hpGnQKSIBzX6ARLICwyaRBXJ3vHWaOe4ZWfQiyOf6B4vnq2x7cYD0pp7R9gCCgOmbo5wvBuEzghrf25y2bFFEkg957HTO04t9AP/w400-h266/Old+car+25.jpg" width="400" /></a></h1><br /> <p></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I have very fond memory of my Grandmother wrapping home gown beans in damp newspaper so she could share them with people. It makes me think that we need to tap into our childhood and community memory because there is so much wisdom there. </div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I think back to the way my grandmother and my godmother ran their homes as friends that lived close by to each other. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Both of them grew their own produce and baked from scratch. My godmother had chooks and used to barter the eggs around town. She traded cooking, mending and eggs for people to do jobs at her house. She got egg cartons from another neighbor, swapped another neighbor for the newspaper and even the home brew was bartered. She never owned a car and different people often took her into town when she needed to. </span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">My Grandmother always had the latest newspapers and magazines on hand, but she never paid for. She always traded pumpkins, zucchinis or anything else that was in season for them. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course, no-one ever used the term 'bartering' it was just the way things were done.</span></i></b></p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">They were quite enterprising really. A dollar saved here and there would have really added up.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">For these ladies cash was really used as a last resort. If you couldn't swap or do a deal for something that you really needed then you would have to use your cash.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />In contrast, today we don't share our things around. We are almost like 'hoarders'. Just look in our houses at all the clutter! We would be better off having something flow into our homes, use it for a period and then have it flow out again for others to benefit from as well.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Rather than using our cash as a last resort, we tend to jump straight to it. If we want something, we buy it. No questions asked. We think of something, we conclude we 'need it' and we jump in the car and go and buy it or order it online straight away. Even if we haven't got the money, we just stick it on the plastic and will worry about it later!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">I am therefore going to look at the principle of using my cash as a last resort. I will stop and think of creative ways that I can obtain things without using my cash. My beans will be ready soon I can wrap them in newspaper and trade them for eggs and macadamia nuts.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">In order to start the bartering circle happening I will have to think of things that I can GIVE to people, for it is truly <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE.</em></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></em></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> </em>I am sure that once I start the ball rolling other people will come on board with the concept. I am sure if I asked a friend if they would teach we basic quilting skills they would love to be paid with home made cakes.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">This thinking doesn't come naturally to my generation. I will probably subconsciously cruise past many an opportunity to swap instead of spend. I will turn my mind to this more over the coming weeks and keep you updated.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;"></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191919; font-family: ifyicons, Lora, serif; font-size: 14px;">Does anyone have any ideas for reviving the 'swap instead of spend' tradition ? Perhaps you are already doing a lot of it. Please share your ideas so that we all can benefit.</div>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-46547934295728791212021-08-09T18:39:00.000+10:002021-08-09T18:39:00.083+10:00Living with Uncertainty <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_Cc5eJ0_u0aH27RtxXFGwGqiPQMLOutOkO9bZfJUelfAWOkfUKw-siBSAfCLK8_SxuaL4ZxtQ1er4_txTLb7DpUpojQ_dnUGEcZk-jXRuTmWnYJMIAf1qBXYmYRmLbff54N7EhpSllda/s1536/October+Holidays2+139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_Cc5eJ0_u0aH27RtxXFGwGqiPQMLOutOkO9bZfJUelfAWOkfUKw-siBSAfCLK8_SxuaL4ZxtQ1er4_txTLb7DpUpojQ_dnUGEcZk-jXRuTmWnYJMIAf1qBXYmYRmLbff54N7EhpSllda/w426-h640/October+Holidays2+139.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This is my Grandmother - aged in her late 90s. </p><p>She was born in 1907 and lived a life that was two weeks short of 102 years -living on her own until almost 100 years. </p><p>She saw much uncertainty; The Spanish Flu pandemic, two world wars, a great depression, the early death of her husband..... the list goes on. </p><p>In this photo she is briging in her tomato seedlings for the evening to proect them from the cold. She raised the seeds from last year's crop. </p><p>After living a life of uncertainty, she had learnt to always be prepared. That meant that she always had produce in the garden, preserves in the cupboard and frozen veg and meals in the freezer. </p><p>In these times of uncertainty I am reminded to look after the basics. Keep my house warm, preserve the produce and be prepared for rough economic times - just in case. It worries me to think that these skills of growing, baking, preserving and budgeting are slowly being eroded away by clever marketing. That is why I will also advocate for the simple life and retention of the old fashioned skills. </p><p>Of course, I also know the secret that there is much joy to be had in the simple things in life ! </p>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-40303976391733698222021-07-10T16:33:00.004+10:002021-07-16T09:32:14.106+10:00Cumquat Marmalade: Winter Sunshine in a Jar <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu_MU-18lDQAneeTkPmzXiMesCefd0jc-WHOObS9HoWQnGBWEpkwjSxICZ2HFuLsG220-s1YNd9MZAaqjQzS8yUk6LYfyAFIjf2OCFYymibNTGOuJcfviHksna0qFgBaw0fdMmFjSfiEH/s2048/Cumquat+Marmalade.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1849" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvu_MU-18lDQAneeTkPmzXiMesCefd0jc-WHOObS9HoWQnGBWEpkwjSxICZ2HFuLsG220-s1YNd9MZAaqjQzS8yUk6LYfyAFIjf2OCFYymibNTGOuJcfviHksna0qFgBaw0fdMmFjSfiEH/w289-h320/Cumquat+Marmalade.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>This year's cumquots have made the most delightful marmalade. It's like winter sunshine in a jar! </p><p><br /></p><p><b>YOU WILL NEED: </b></p><p>About 500g of cumquots </p><p>a cup of sugar</p><p>The juice of half a lemon </p><p><b>METHOD: </b></p><p>Slice the ends of the cumquots and cut them in half. </p><p>Chop the fruit and pulp coarsley </p><p>Mix in the sugar and lemon jouce</p><p>Cook on the stovetop sitrring constantly until the mixture thickens </p><p>Bottle in clean jars whilst hot and seal. </p><p><br /></p><p>This is one of those experimental recipes. You can try different citrus or blend flavours together. </p><p>All I know, is that when you have a smear on sourdough it is a burst of sunshine in your mouth ! </p>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-85413704191294237592021-06-29T14:13:00.003+10:002021-06-29T16:48:54.402+10:00Rustic Lavash Cracker Recipe<p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7JQsZhIP2Xzu6Vg5f5y0MPFeeRUkFdw9R2-fFc5rTFxzu6Ge5bIomea5XEpCSKRancdVKdFWqjnfxLDWdu-jIG9kZ7LvKjdxSL9gsOH1VemjmedEwhHjkPUkFyieZ-xFpPgSNX3ykJM/s400/IMG_6169.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7JQsZhIP2Xzu6Vg5f5y0MPFeeRUkFdw9R2-fFc5rTFxzu6Ge5bIomea5XEpCSKRancdVKdFWqjnfxLDWdu-jIG9kZ7LvKjdxSL9gsOH1VemjmedEwhHjkPUkFyieZ-xFpPgSNX3ykJM/s320/IMG_6169.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3LLg88M0h2tuOaEf-lygxaSo34tcC2FpwzHlIHPXdOqULdA-fCI-QztUun2uVKHcG7Vt5lFmJ1luzQCLI2BaAiNHe9xC1k0m8KBwPq4F1JHPIipjCcqTtbwfGfEmi4yON-ldUsovBZTt/s2048/IMG_6164.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3LLg88M0h2tuOaEf-lygxaSo34tcC2FpwzHlIHPXdOqULdA-fCI-QztUun2uVKHcG7Vt5lFmJ1luzQCLI2BaAiNHe9xC1k0m8KBwPq4F1JHPIipjCcqTtbwfGfEmi4yON-ldUsovBZTt/w300-h400/IMG_6164.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Ingredients </span></b></p><p>315g of flour ( your choice of plain, rice, wholemeal etc) </p><p>1/2 tsp of sea salt </p><p>1 tbsp poppy seeds </p><p>1 tbsp sesame seeds </p><p>1 small egg ***</p><p>1/3 cup milk ***</p><p>30g butter *** </p><p><br /></p><p>***i swap these ingredients for good quality olive oil. I don't measure it, I just keep adding until the consistency is not too sticky and easy to roll. </p><p>I use the pasta maker to roll the mixture into sheets, but you can also use a rolling pin. Then I transfer the sheets to baking trays and slice across them with a pizza cutter. I don't bother moving them apart, as they separate once they're baked. </p><p>Then bake at 180 degrees for about 8-10 mins or until they are golden brown. When you get the crackers of the tray, they fall part where they were cut. </p><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVG3qovhyD0ts5HoMto4Cg65m7WZKF4IQA2h1PHjatYfVdjSePan3CIf838rlFBHoVxhIlRpI4E42aknpzIBt-xqyi8IcbZmaFuaBznMx8xTfFt-6QZip6WFIHqH1ndFBJvFr3e920wzX/s2048/IMG_6173.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjVG3qovhyD0ts5HoMto4Cg65m7WZKF4IQA2h1PHjatYfVdjSePan3CIf838rlFBHoVxhIlRpI4E42aknpzIBt-xqyi8IcbZmaFuaBznMx8xTfFt-6QZip6WFIHqH1ndFBJvFr3e920wzX/w300-h400/IMG_6173.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This recipe makes a huge container of crackers and is worth the time investment for the beautiful result. It also means that you have crackers on hand in the cupboard whenever they are need and they extremely cheap when compared to buying rusti crackers from the store. <div><br /></div><div>As an added bonus there is zero waste because you are not bringing home any packaging. <br /><p>You could change this recipe to any flavour by adding spices or other seeds or change it to a gluten and dairy free option. The best way to find out what works is to experiment. </p><p>Do you have a similar recipe to share ? </p></div>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-40790108606019402942021-06-29T11:48:00.005+10:002021-06-29T19:42:51.319+10:00Passive Solar Technology <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOLrnG1Ui5nIM9_koY3GfqzCmii-dizENWUlx3Ru7jtiD8-_5KaqQGgRMMju8FOAFeInrL-DwUobn8u0ERglpcMYGaN4wNvWuiJMxdwNGYJBh3Lv2KvmRD2Yo2UUnfOyQ5s1Vfb-4atY/s640/IMG_6160.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOLrnG1Ui5nIM9_koY3GfqzCmii-dizENWUlx3Ru7jtiD8-_5KaqQGgRMMju8FOAFeInrL-DwUobn8u0ERglpcMYGaN4wNvWuiJMxdwNGYJBh3Lv2KvmRD2Yo2UUnfOyQ5s1Vfb-4atY/s320/IMG_6160.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Making the most of a warm winter day. </span></div><p></p>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-88824516134975329502015-11-12T13:14:00.001+11:002023-12-17T17:23:11.147+11:00Earthy Quiche<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love this quiche and I bake it regularly. It has become a really good breakfast food for hungry teenagers - it keeps them going all day!<br />
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I start by browning some onion and garlic, perhaps some bacon or sweet potato cubes. You can add anything you like that needs pre-cooking.<br />
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I whisk 4 eggs, some corn kernels, chopped spinach, half a cup of self-raising flour, half a cup of milk, some grated cheese... you get the idea, basically anything you have on hand.<br />
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I add lots or rosemary at this point. It is my secret ingredient to give the quiche a really earthy deep flavour.<br />
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Stir everything together and pour it into a glass pie plate. I have used a sheet of frozen pastry under this one to hold everything together, although you may find it is okay without the pastry.<br />
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Bake for 50 minutes at 180 degrees. Slice into 8 pieces when cooked.<br />
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Do you have a quiche recipe ? Do you add in anything you have on hand ? If you try this one or have an interesting recipe, please share in the comments below or on Facebook. If you know someone who will love this recipe, use the buttons below to share the love around! </div>
<br />A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-53144940651863365462015-09-23T16:39:00.002+10:002023-12-17T17:24:00.976+11:00Old Wisdom and the Spring Equinox in Australia <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I just love spring! It has such a special feel to it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Spring Equinox happens in Australia between September 21
and 23. This year it happens today at 6.23pm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mathematically, we are at a quarter point for the seasonal
year. Day and night are completely equal in time and from tomorrow day will be
longer than night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This balance in the earth’s days reminds me that we should
stop and calibrate things in our own lives. <b>We should seek balance</b>. This often
means that we need to do a clean sweep, re-evaluate and change things a little.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In days of old, the Spring Equinox held great hope to people
because it symbolised the end of the cooler weather, the emergence of seedlings
and the anticipation of new crops. The houses were opened and the soot of
winter fires cleared out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We still hold onto this time of ‘Spring Cleaning’. It’s time
to pack away blankets, tidy our cupboards, donate clothing that doesn’t fit and
generally de-clutter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We take this time to sow our summer seeds, work out what
seedlings we will need and think about harvesting what is abundant now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lavender is in abundance at the moment, which tells me it is time to make new skin care products and soap. After harvesting this crop of lavender and picking some rosemary and spinach for dinner, the house smelt sensational ! </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">On the 28th of September I celebrate my birthday, another reason to stop and think about the season and the year to come.</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The many new colours of the flowers, the sounds of the birds
and the smell of a potential summer breeze on the wind makes me stop, think and
bring everything back into balance, ready for a fresh new season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Do you have a spring ritual, a cleaning ritual or any other special things you do to bring in the new season ? </span></div>
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</span><!--EndFragment-->A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-51513561386159581262015-09-11T15:22:00.002+10:002023-12-17T17:24:16.976+11:00Renewing, Restoring, Rewilding, Reconnecting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We were due for a break. We were excited by the opportunity to go away as a family and take some time out.<br />
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We didn't need to go far, or spend much money at all.<br />
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It is funny that you can be so close to home and yet feel so different about things. Truth is, it is not the location, it is the mindset that you slip into.<br />
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You slip into a mindset of relaxation and renewal. You slow down, breath and look around. You are not rushed and you take the time to let all the little things enter your senses. You listen intently, you breath deeply to smell all that you can. You reach out to touch the surrounds.<br />
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And it feels wonderful. It feels like you have a fresh lease on life.<br />
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...and yet, you are so close to home. It shows you that you can turn off distraction and turn on your senses at any time that you need to renew.<br />
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Our weekend consisted of a Friday night of games first of all. A hilarious night of Pictionary where we snorted with laughter and our drawings made us question the way we think collectively because we could draw meaning from a couple of squiggles.<br />
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On Saturday we walked almost 8 kilometres. We explored, studied and 're-wilded'. We reconnected with nature and realigned with the fabulous thing that is Mother Nature in its many forms.<br />
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It is beautiful to watch our boys, who are now young men, still show wonder and awe at the natural environment.<br />
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On Saturday we had an abundant meal of fresh seafood.<br />
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On Sunday we returned home, very steadily, stopping a number of times along the way.<br />
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When we arrived home we were refreshed and content. It was such a wonderful time of purposeful renewal that we all agreed that we will do this more often.<br />
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Personally, I will be exporting this thinking to myself when I am at home. I challenge you to do the same.<br />
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What would it look like if you carved out some time to practice renewal ? Does it mean that you have a bubble bath with a glass of wine ? Does it mean that you drag your chair out into the garden and read indulgently without guilt while you eat strawberries ? Does it mean that you choose a hobby and give your self permission to carve out time to indulge yourself in it ?<br />
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It's very healthy to practice self care instead of martyrdom and guilt . We are much better for those around us when we take care of ourselves first.<br />
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There is much joy to be had in slowing down.<br />
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<br />A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-16522897167591435832015-08-14T09:23:00.000+10:002022-11-15T19:12:45.775+11:00Podcast with 'The Greening of Gavin'. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was lucky enough to be interview recently by Gavin from 'The Greening of Gavin'. It was so much fun chatting with Gavin and his wife Kim because we have a similar approach to life. After the podcast recording finished, we ended up staying on the line chatting for another hour or so !<br />
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If you would like to hear the interview, click on the link below. Don't forget to drop by <a href="http://www.greeningofgavin.com/" target="_blank">Gavin's site</a> as well. Gavin and Kim share a huge amount of their knowledge freely with everyone.<br />
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The book I referred to in the interview is now available. You can click on book/articles in the menu above or the picture on the right hand side to see more details.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="60" mozallowfullscreen="" msallowfullscreen="" oallowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/3730529/height/60/width/640/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/no/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" style="border: none;" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-21490477100661681922015-08-04T12:57:00.001+10:002015-08-04T12:57:20.340+10:00The Fire Pit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The boys had been wanting to build a fire pit for some time. They had been very mathematical in measuring out the hole, planning the surrounds and dreaming of their nights toasting marshmallows.<br />
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There was quite a lot of clay where they decided to put it, so the digging was quite difficult.<br />
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Unfortunately, it rained and rained not long after they dug their hole and it become nothing more than a duck pond for quite a few months.<br />
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They had almost given up on the idea and signed it over to the ducks permanently, but as the cold nights hit, they had a renewed interest in the project.<br />
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They dug it out and lined it with old bricks, tiles and anything else they could find.<br />
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Of course, when it came to lighting, no ordinary match would do. They wanted to experiment with lighting a fire with a battery and some steel wool. It worked really well.<br />
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As they built up the layers of wood they could find from around the property, it settled into a beautiful warm fire. We moved some chairs down there and brought down a really nourishing meal of slow cooked meatballs and mash and all sat around chatting.<br />
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It was such a slow relaxing night. It felt like we were camping, but we were 100m from the house.<br />
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<br />A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-15254069105824165802015-07-15T11:32:00.000+10:002021-06-28T19:12:17.692+10:00My Grandmother's Ways<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xxWW7IqV_q6dyL__eiCIYggeAZ6nqshTVnbcX_3G0XmkqihhiQ9RmnFoDX-FaF_kWyy8dcdokHguNS83Naps4WaVBKejv3bA_y42XzvuN1cbEDRjXhjtXXZ_PtXsXhFAY-dkvCyhYX3L/s1600-h/nannashouse.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435687288941649826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5xxWW7IqV_q6dyL__eiCIYggeAZ6nqshTVnbcX_3G0XmkqihhiQ9RmnFoDX-FaF_kWyy8dcdokHguNS83Naps4WaVBKejv3bA_y42XzvuN1cbEDRjXhjtXXZ_PtXsXhFAY-dkvCyhYX3L/s640/nannashouse.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="426" /></a><br />
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(This post first published 2010)<br />
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It is now over six months since my Grandmother passed away. But it’s funny, I don’t feel that she is gone. I feel that she is still at her home in Bathurst, where she moved to when I was a baby. </div>
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I took this photo in about 2005. It captures the feeling of driving up the driveway after a long trip to finally arrive at ‘Nanna’s House’. Her house was an old coach stop in the gold rush days.</div>
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When I look at this picture I smell the corned meat cooking, the apple pies, the fire going in the lounge room. It is real. </div>
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There is so much of my grandmother’s ways that I try ( often without success!) to incorporate into my own life. It seems now, that I am not the only one. Since frugal has become the new black, more and more people are adopting the wisdom of the old fashioned ways and making changes in their lives. </div>
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The Global Financial Crisis combined with growing environmental awareness has meant that many people are embracing some of the lost arts of yesteryear. <strong>Cooking, sewing, gardening</strong> and <strong>entertaining </strong>are gradually becoming more mainstream as people embrace the joys of home. </div>
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I have witnessed what I call a ‘<strong>collective sigh of relief’</strong> that frugality is now ‘trendy’. It is much easier to keep up with the Jones’ when they are being frugal that when they are constantly updating to bigger and better things. </div>
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I see a resurgence in the <strong>vegie garden</strong>, <strong>chooks in the suburban back yard</strong> and <strong>home cooking. </strong></div>
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In my grandmother’s day these tasks were carried out because of necessity, whereas today we do many of these things by choice – we <strong><span style="color: #cc33cc;">chase the joy.</span></strong> Where once, throwing a microwaved meal onto a plate in a rush was a hassle, now we spend hours in the kitchen with a glass of wine and an Italian opera to produce an artisan feast and it counts as ‘stress relief’. <br />
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Whether you work full time or are a stay at home parent, there are many ways to reconnect with the joys of home. Here are some of the things that have brought me joy throughout this journey. </div>
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<strong>Cooking from scratch</strong> – trying new recipes and flavours and venturing into what I once would have thought of as a waste of time – like bread and pasta making. </div>
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<strong>Growing Your Own</strong> – never underestimate the joy of collecting something that you have grown – even if it is a handful of basil or a sprig of parsley! </div>
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<strong>Finding or buying Used</strong> – whether it be a vintage table cloth or an old wooden spatula, used items are fabulous in quality and bring the essence of their previous life with them. ( I always cook better with my great grandmother’s spoon) </div>
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<strong>Mending and Making Do</strong> – there is a sense of satisfaction that comes from being able to mend something or find a way to re-use an item instead of racing out to buy a new one.<br />
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<strong>Slow Living</strong> – turning off the television gives opportunities for everything from family discussions to games nights and story telling. </div>
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<strong>Getting Ahead</strong> – time is a very valuable commodity and thinking about what is coming up in the weeks and months ahead and tackling some of it now brings tremendous peace. Running around at the last minute brings nothing but stress! </div>
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<strong>Cash Budget</strong> – this is one of the best things that we have ever done in terms of our financial management. It has helped us get out of debt, have holidays and taught our children how to save and use their pocket money wisely. </div>
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Have you embraced any old fashioned living principles ? Is it just me, or do you think that frugality has become ‘trendy’ ?<br />
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<br />A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-84497382660283041342015-07-15T11:16:00.000+10:002015-07-15T11:16:23.232+10:00Mandarins and Macadamias: Mother Nature's M&Ms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRPRDzaEc1W40dMz11RIFz0ECeLLStzhDNo6p86WSLt9aaUJLlhWICufZnuzHRrijTC0JPWszJyTyE_HMyxIBGuSU6hZTzMfqYLnQt5KIUOMkTOCE51zpfFh6-OMTDhZSzDLi7Djvj-OS/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+11.00.34+am.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRPRDzaEc1W40dMz11RIFz0ECeLLStzhDNo6p86WSLt9aaUJLlhWICufZnuzHRrijTC0JPWszJyTyE_HMyxIBGuSU6hZTzMfqYLnQt5KIUOMkTOCE51zpfFh6-OMTDhZSzDLi7Djvj-OS/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+11.00.34+am.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wandering around the backyard with a basket in hand, there are so many delicious offerings to be found!<br />
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I am starting to call this area 'the food forest' because there is always something to snack on.<br />
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The Macadamias are starting to fall from the tree. They are in a green pod which breaks open to reveal the hard brown shell. Inside the nuts are creamy and lovely tasting - a true Aussie Bush Food !<br />
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I add macadamia nuts to banana bread instead of using walnuts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhsGwZoAyahCtpEGj1D0R5Uc8qZLhg51FNxUI2PR1dW4IRG4xiNNDlG85EmmadvnOtWTM_ZID06KBh-_y_PfVzr_Zy1Y1TTRYOPmEfYK11u0d9KBJ9ViatEjUezdHz0GpeQxLpSZGUvfo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+11.13.43+am.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhsGwZoAyahCtpEGj1D0R5Uc8qZLhg51FNxUI2PR1dW4IRG4xiNNDlG85EmmadvnOtWTM_ZID06KBh-_y_PfVzr_Zy1Y1TTRYOPmEfYK11u0d9KBJ9ViatEjUezdHz0GpeQxLpSZGUvfo/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-07-15+at+11.13.43+am.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-13693701692340098532015-07-01T13:10:00.001+10:002015-07-15T11:16:55.967+10:00Making Money in the midst of the Greek crisis. This is a heart- warming story about how some Greeks are surviving hard times by setting up a community currency.<br />
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The market stall at the end of the story which works on the community barter system makes everyone feel very valued.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nZDjq_NVLG4" width="480"></iframe>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-67356841534488645052015-06-30T19:44:00.001+10:002016-01-06T18:14:32.240+11:00The Jam Stick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviSMhM1KRVdmnPq_LxiINEQzI-1iWzqLK_jtFM1yNEiyv2AO_7RcnVvpbXfnXRDgcY98ROY8GuVw_E4j7qb0Ha0ddMMDxvd0QnVMBS9fRXIEeV6RDClDrUKJ5SdJLeNASPzlHJoWoWu7h/s1600-h/IMG_3263.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442840374112545090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviSMhM1KRVdmnPq_LxiINEQzI-1iWzqLK_jtFM1yNEiyv2AO_7RcnVvpbXfnXRDgcY98ROY8GuVw_E4j7qb0Ha0ddMMDxvd0QnVMBS9fRXIEeV6RDClDrUKJ5SdJLeNASPzlHJoWoWu7h/s640/IMG_3263.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="426" /></a><br />
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Can you see the 'jam stick' in this picture ? It has such a history. </div>
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My grandmother gave it to me a couple of years ago. The story is that when she was making jam on the farm one day a visitor noticed that the spoon she used was too short and she often burnt her hand. </div>
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The kind visitor went down the paddock got a piece of wood and crafted a new, longer handled jam stirrer and gave it to her. She used it for many many years. </div>
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Here I am, some sixty years later, using it again - bringing it back to life. I use it as a spatula in my mix master. I love the long handle. <br />
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I am not sure what type of wood it is, it is so weathered now - but still quite strong. <br />
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Not long ago, hubbie and I were fooling around in the kitchen comparing our favourite cooking items. His consists of an old frypan with no handle that he uses to make a perfect omelette ( so perfect in fact that he brings the pan, held in a tea towel, into my office to show me just how clever he is!), and an old scraper that he says he is going to pot rivet back together because 'they just don't make them like this anymore'. <br />
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Mine consists of the mix master ( an anniversary present about three years ago), an old spoon and the jam stick. You can read about the spoon <a href="http://avisionsplendid.blogspot.com/2008/08/spirit-of-my-ancestors.html">here</a> <br />
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All of our favourite cooking utensils were really old! I guess Hubbie is right ... they just don't make them like they used to! <br />
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You know what is really sad though....... when we were studying the jam stick the other day, Hubbie smelt it and said......</div>
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........ 'it smells like Nanna's kitchen ' </div>
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. ...... and I smelt it ...............</div>
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.....and it does .............</div>
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A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-52806762004278736802015-06-29T16:00:00.001+10:002015-06-29T16:00:49.372+10:00Working with a cash budget (repost)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXhp4nZPi-hj0JOFzmZSWqv_8Ox6eJJxxWacFTJAtQiK_MoV1CytLNdz9A29iMvOrex42L0Bp1AxgUFaXb8jpGcUCeQG5rKyw_5CioTazqTyw4g0OiNNeq8wghab_G15D6KFZebtGzer/s1600-h/books+001.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5089809052600492834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXhp4nZPi-hj0JOFzmZSWqv_8Ox6eJJxxWacFTJAtQiK_MoV1CytLNdz9A29iMvOrex42L0Bp1AxgUFaXb8jpGcUCeQG5rKyw_5CioTazqTyw4g0OiNNeq8wghab_G15D6KFZebtGzer/s640/books+001.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" width="425" /></a><br />
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Over the years we have tried many different methods for controlling our spending and working on a budget. By far the most successful method for us is to work in cash. I have worked out what we need each week and I withdraw that amount of money.<br />
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The following are our ' cash categories'. </div>
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Groceries</div>
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Fuel</div>
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Entertainment</div>
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Christmas</div>
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Holidays</div>
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Birthdays </div>
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Scarlet Ribbon ( clothing shoes etc) </div>
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Kids Banking</div>
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You can see in the photo that I use resealable plastic bags with the category and the amount written on it. Each week I go to the bank or post office and I have a little card in my wallet that says " 3x $50, 4 x $10 etc and get the exact breakdown. When I come home I give the cash to our young sons and they go through and put the amounts into the bags. Then, when we want to do something like hire a DVD or buy a present etc, we just go to the appropriate bag. <br />
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Having the money in cash is great for a couple of reasons. When you have cash in your wallet you are much more careful about spending it. My sons have also learnt the value of money because they control it. We are also empowered by the fact that we have money in advance for needs that may arise. <br />
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I call one category 'scarlet ribbon' because of the proverbs 31 woman who has no fear for her household for when the winter snows come her household is clothed in scarlet. It is a very old proverb but one that has always stuck with me. <br />
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I have also calculated how much we require for bills. You can do this by looking at what your bills are over a year and dividing the amount by 52 or 26 depending on when you get paid. Then I transfer that amount into an account we use for bill paying. <br />
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So.... what do you do when you finally sit down and add it all up and the results are frightening ? When I did this the first time I was totally shocked at our living expenses. Son number one was about 12 months old and I was faced with the prospect of going back to work. I was a school teacher then and was going back to work just two days per week. I hated the thought of it! So, we sat down and worked through everything in a huge amount of detail. I called it my " Plug the holes audit". By this, I meant that I thought the ship ( our house) would sink by the little holes that were in it, not the gaping big holes. So I set about saving money on little things, $2 here, $1 there. I changed phone plans, shopped for cheaper insurance, worked out a price book to track specials and calculate unit pricing, worked a cash budget etc etc. The results were amazing and I gave up teaching at the end of that year. <br />
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I often hear people talking about how difficult it is to make ends meet ( while they are watching pay TV and smoking and eating take away food). My answer is to be totally honest with yourself and live within your means. Take control of your money so it doesn't control you. It is such a wonderful feeling to jump in the car and go for a holiday with the freedom of knowing that you have the cash for it all and you won't have to face the credit card bill when the holiday is over. <br />
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If you can't be bothered with the hassle of micro-managing it all then you will need to be happy with staying in debt and having no money and having lots of stress. The choice is yours to make, so which path will you choose ? A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-41372900066529680442015-06-28T19:34:00.000+10:002015-06-29T15:58:05.792+10:00The Joy of Ordinary<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpWZPgLBAZMYJ4cCaeWU_JiWvC0SC_JFKWWHeYzDn3WeDJz1pJ0t02hn_G2HGVZeXS2aXhv-FXkGYaCUk3ira9rs1WtQ1RR7R5eAcZtUBVLature-AIQk-dvn3XLnGgCEGlpxV5ioIrxs/s1600/IMG_0479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpWZPgLBAZMYJ4cCaeWU_JiWvC0SC_JFKWWHeYzDn3WeDJz1pJ0t02hn_G2HGVZeXS2aXhv-FXkGYaCUk3ira9rs1WtQ1RR7R5eAcZtUBVLature-AIQk-dvn3XLnGgCEGlpxV5ioIrxs/s640/IMG_0479.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Do not ask your children</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to strive for extraordinary lives.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
<span style="background: transparent; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Such striving may seem admirable,</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">but it is the way of foolishness.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Help them instead to find the wonder</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">and the marvel of an ordinary life.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Show them the joy of tasting</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">tomatoes, apples and pears.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Show them how to cry</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">when pets and people die.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Show them the infinite pleasure</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">in the touch of a hand.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And make the ordinary come alive for them.</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The extraordinary will take care of itself.”</span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<em style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: none; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: none; color: teal; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">– William Martin</span></em></div>
</span></em>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-51612551753218609152015-06-18T14:13:00.006+10:002015-06-18T14:13:54.524+10:00Personal Madness <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A68YjMiswYY-V5ISy-48tu3zudLn1_9BreMpr_in0w93PyZ-59s7PLRZY41L8ootXPU-_EO5tK0juVchNtIjowdQdRkRDEJlq8oaW9hk4Rxv9QFy8a90gO4P5ESlPguyghmNpIhMgmPj/s1600-h/October+Holidays+071.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="426" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265471808747838018" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0A68YjMiswYY-V5ISy-48tu3zudLn1_9BreMpr_in0w93PyZ-59s7PLRZY41L8ootXPU-_EO5tK0juVchNtIjowdQdRkRDEJlq8oaW9hk4Rxv9QFy8a90gO4P5ESlPguyghmNpIhMgmPj/s640/October+Holidays+071.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="640" /></a><br />
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You may notice that I have added a new category to my blog. It's entitled personal madness.<br />
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When I read back through my writing it sounds so lovely and homely that my friends and family must read it and think 'surely she is not the author'.<br />
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I have decided to include my personal madness because I think laughing at yourself is very healthy, and, I have come to realise over the years that there is a lot to laugh at in my life! </div>
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You see, the truth is that I have a hilarious life. I am constantly saying the wrong thing, overanalysing and debriefing with my friends. I laugh until I cry, I slap my thigh and snort out loud.<br />
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When I am done, I always decide that a good laugh with friends is far more beneficial and cheaper than therapy.<br />
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A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-28213517931556828372013-04-10T18:28:00.003+10:002015-06-18T16:00:14.081+10:00Do the Splendid Principles Still Apply ? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6t8X4UwLvI9sNOxzaO9u7XzEdoxrilbfjBTsSg1y35S4tACWS5RAMVN7VvOxLbF3Y2Iqo-hWl5JE6BcAHI51Oc7x8SUI6ShxwIzoDtAzuLaUbqQWuLWlnI7kA3wZXnd2xOvI1WS9E7uTi/s1600/Dig+cam+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6t8X4UwLvI9sNOxzaO9u7XzEdoxrilbfjBTsSg1y35S4tACWS5RAMVN7VvOxLbF3Y2Iqo-hWl5JE6BcAHI51Oc7x8SUI6ShxwIzoDtAzuLaUbqQWuLWlnI7kA3wZXnd2xOvI1WS9E7uTi/s640/Dig+cam+040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I first start blogging in 2007 - no-one knew what a blog was. I can remember showing someone once who said 'oh that's ridiculous, the page just goes on and on until you hit the bottom'. Now I think about Facebook and Twitter and laugh about how the unusual becomes so commonplace.<br />
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Just as there are no telephone boxes anymore, I think there are quite a few things that have changed in the world and in our family life since I first started blogging. In 2007 our sons were 6 and 8 - they are now turning 12 and 15 and are really young men. IN 2007 we didn't have 'smart phones' and didn't have near as much technology in our lives as we do now.<br />
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That got me wondering. Do my splendid principles still apply ? I showed 6 years ago that I could apply my grandmother's principles in a modern world, but does that still apply today as I type on an Ipad instead of a typewriter ? Can you still live simply - Iphone in hand ?<br />
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Today I pulled out all my old notes and folders that held all my worksheets and scribblings from when we first drafted our budget, when I used to calculate in childcare costs and when fuel was less than $1.00 a litre ( and we were concerned about our fuel usage!)<br />
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One of the documents that I found had this handwritten on it:<br />
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<b><u>FOUNDATIONS</u></b><br />
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1. A working budget<br />
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2. A 'stores' cupboard or functional larder ( old terms for a well stocked pantry)<br />
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3. A solid routine<br />
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4. Cook from scratch skills<br />
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5. A working diary/ calendar system.<br />
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<b><u>EXTRAS</u></b><br />
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A garden<br />
Green cleaning cupboard<br />
Less plastics<br />
Composting<br />
Reduce, recycle, re-use and re-wear<br />
Home Based income<br />
Stop buying crap<br />
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<b><u>Splendid Habits </u></b><br />
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Getting ahead<br />
6Ps<br />
Chasing joy<br />
Rising early<br />
Menu planning<br />
Extreme shopping<br />
Homemade presents/ cards<br />
Going additive free<br />
TV free/ commercial free<br />
Exercise/ Yoga.<br />
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I was so happy to have found it because it connected me with core values. Now I am considering the role that technology plays in a simple life - does it have a place ? I think it does if we stick to our principles and not let it overtake us.<br />
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What do you think ? Can you have a simple joyful life that embraces a modern technological world ?<br />
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If you want to join me, I am working through my list to establish these principles in our new home.A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-51845140270587110672013-04-09T18:36:00.001+10:002015-06-18T16:00:00.147+10:00Back to my Vision Splendid <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TLLUiqTXRK-qOa6AUUcn9VZIh2rT5C3Pg72_Xqh9MNcAVnfR__YIVQ4QgA5F5HtoOEL-QJtjSMieE7Jj0ZhOTk4pVu0DsZhwGVUeuLCU3AtdecaBRGYyjm4fY-y39nSsDifvfR540o_P/s1600/keep-calm-and-stay-splendid-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TLLUiqTXRK-qOa6AUUcn9VZIh2rT5C3Pg72_Xqh9MNcAVnfR__YIVQ4QgA5F5HtoOEL-QJtjSMieE7Jj0ZhOTk4pVu0DsZhwGVUeuLCU3AtdecaBRGYyjm4fY-y39nSsDifvfR540o_P/s640/keep-calm-and-stay-splendid-5.png" width="548" /></a></div>
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Well it certainly has been some time that I have spent away from the blogosphere. I actually contemplated giving up blogging completely, but something has drawn me back and had me thinking.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Why blog ? </span></h3>
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When I first started blogging, I didn't know anyone who was doing it. I can't really remember how I stumbled into the art of blogging, but I am sure it was from accidentally finding some online blogs and being completely inspired by them. </div>
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Blogging was the perfect tool for me. It helped me to organise my thoughts, hold myself accountable, give me inspiration to look back on and connect with some fantastic people. </div>
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Blogging brought me great joy as it made me slow down and have gratitude for the small things in life. </div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">Why the break ? </span></h3>
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Moving house a little over 12 months ago meant a huge change to our lifestyle. Setting up our 'Vision Splendid' on our acreage has taken time and has meant that lots of our routines have changed. This has been both positive and challenging at the same time.</div>
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Throughout this time, blogging took a back seat as I have been focusing heavily on building our future. I took on some part time work, (based here at home) which grew and grew. It seems that the biggest hurdle I encounter is that things get TOO big, when really what I am looking for is balance across all areas of life.<br />
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Even blogging got TOO big. A Vision Splendid was always designed to be something that I did for myself and a few of my avid readers. Before I knew it there were product sponsorship requests, radio interviews, Sunday newspaper interviews and LOADS of request for help. I guess it was a case of <i>'be careful what you pray for, you just might get it'. </i><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">Why return ?</span></h3>
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I am encouraged by the ongoing emails that I still receive. I am often surprised that readers are still there. When I recently restricted access to the blog I received a lot of emails asking for viewing rights so people could check back on things that I had written about earlier - as a reference tool. I am surprised that with the HUGE volume of information that is on the Internet now readers still come back to this little site for inspiration.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta;">The Verdict ? </span></h3>
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I will be returning to blogging. Although there are now millions of blogs on all sorts of topics, I will blog for the reasons that I had when I first got started. Whether it brings value to others or not, I will blog for my own reasons. Although our children are now older and we are in a different stage of our lives, we are still working towards our Vision Splendid. We are crafting a life that is family centred and holds old fashioned values at its core.<br />
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Even though I work from home, I recently let quite a bit of my work go. This will be give me a chance to bring things back into balance again. My first step is to re-read through the old blog posts ad get back in touch with my original vision.<br />
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Want to join me as I assess the steps I need to take to bring back a slower more simple life that has family at the core ? </div>
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If you are still reading this site, drop a comment in the box below and say hello! </div>
A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-17221903830292205072012-03-02T12:51:00.000+11:002012-03-02T12:51:49.186+11:00Worth A Thousand Words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghJ8Q8JNiU6IH5IuQh_Sefs8YP2QZ7bierpDvJJraDkHOdzlU6Hx3uWV3P61zJSS8lUw_cA2XoAdC3pw4lnKrEEtCgqS2_FbXBiQZzjr5BPR_rUVLAXxDu-jEbgLC-_tD7bANyWKsMq8p/s1600/IMG_2860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghJ8Q8JNiU6IH5IuQh_Sefs8YP2QZ7bierpDvJJraDkHOdzlU6Hx3uWV3P61zJSS8lUw_cA2XoAdC3pw4lnKrEEtCgqS2_FbXBiQZzjr5BPR_rUVLAXxDu-jEbgLC-_tD7bANyWKsMq8p/s640/IMG_2860.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Brothers </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Working </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Togetherness</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Co-operation</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Young Men </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Chores</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Training</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Proud </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-9045565890450372292012-02-13T19:27:00.000+11:002015-06-18T15:58:50.900+10:00Looking BackA reader asked me this week how we are settling into our new place. Well, the answer is ...slowly. The past ten weeks have been complete madness. Who would move house in December ?<br />
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Here is a summary of some of the events that have taken place in the past ten weeks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVgFqLiyPz3aRV9lu1hnjRwgBorRPcOC1zVfbmB3ol4Ypy7E2NMR8Un3YWX8fx2ymy1uJGQ_WqOUG1z3Tn0Derr8d5Fq93SyNZ9nifiZeYLYIuDHEZXfOIYlxcqGL6v9O1vPHZxWKPIQ0/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVgFqLiyPz3aRV9lu1hnjRwgBorRPcOC1zVfbmB3ol4Ypy7E2NMR8Un3YWX8fx2ymy1uJGQ_WqOUG1z3Tn0Derr8d5Fq93SyNZ9nifiZeYLYIuDHEZXfOIYlxcqGL6v9O1vPHZxWKPIQ0/s640/IMG_0545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We did the pre-settlement inspection on our new property and couldn't believe that is was ours!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgh3AXqZSCkVXwGILPl_eYXwp7piPMRdWL7POuD8FieFYXxEAman8WrYnTQ1o7_gnrGuCBESDYhgs5g4IRBzwW00mWhNg-mapi5wGP0FQ9ErzwC7VxndBASaGBHejOLvximegF_UOQH83/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgh3AXqZSCkVXwGILPl_eYXwp7piPMRdWL7POuD8FieFYXxEAman8WrYnTQ1o7_gnrGuCBESDYhgs5g4IRBzwW00mWhNg-mapi5wGP0FQ9ErzwC7VxndBASaGBHejOLvximegF_UOQH83/s640/IMG_0548.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We then had to move our remaining belongings ( we had a HUGE throw out) into this new house. We had about 13 days before we were booked to go away on our annual holiday where we would be away for 3 weeks.<br />
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We frantically unpacked everything, trying to find functional places for everything and work out where everything was ..... like the light switches and blind openers ! lol<br />
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We had to settle our birds and chickens in before we went away and undertake the HUGE job of getting our old place ready for our first ever tenants. </div>
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Then we were off on our holiday. Firstly out west to catch up with family and have our pre-christmas celebrations and then back over the mountain to our holiday place....and boy did we need it.<br />
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So for the next two weeks we just laid around, read, swam, walked, fished and were generally recharging our batteries.<br />
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After we arrived home I headed off with my sister, Mum and niece to take my mum on a birthday road trip.<br />
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We headed firstly to the Hunter Valley and had a look at where we used to live and went to school. Then we headed to Bathurst and had a look at my Grandmother's house ( which has been totally upgraded and is truly wonderful!) We then put my father's plaque on his mother's grave and met some of my aunties.<br />
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Of course, no trip to Bathurst would be complete without a visit to Annie's ice cream parlour. This goes without saying.<br />
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We then headed through the blue mountains, stopping for some tourist walks and visiting some local wine stores.<br />
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Then onto Sydney where we stayed at Four Points Sheraton and were tourists in Sydney. We did an historical walk and visited two of the museums, the Sydney museum and the Police and Justice museum.<br />
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On the last evening we went to see Annie -the musical at the Lyric theatre and really enjoyed it.<br />
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So, for the last ten weeks I have been away for one month! Now that the children are back into school and I am back into working some hours each week there will be some settling into routines.<br />
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All we need now is for it to stop raining so that we can start preparing our new vegie patches. We have had 276mm of rain in the last ten days. On the 8th Feb we had 102 mm in one day! That is a lot of rain. </div>
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My focus is currently on rebuilding my systems and routines. I have been reading back through my old blog entries to keep me on the track. I hope to incorporate all our previous principles and add to them with new found space and fruit trees. </div>
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It is all very exciting! </div>
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A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8033398967737588792.post-50225416518193156742012-01-25T18:08:00.000+11:002015-06-15T18:20:44.437+10:00Green Acres Is The Place For Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are slowly settling into our new place. Although we moved in during December, we were away for almost a month because of holidays that we had arranged before we knew that we were going to buy a house!<br />
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Since we got back from holidays life has been about establishing new routines and making discoveries about what is around the property.<br />
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We have been doing lots of study, trying to work out what all the plants are and how to look after them. It is such an exciting challenge!<br />
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The boys have stepped up into work mode and are taking on more and more jobs. The novelty of a ride on mower with a trailer has a lot to do with that I think.<br />
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With the amount of rain we have had this week there has been even more time for planning, organising and unpacking. I am waiting to get to know the place a little - to learn where the shadows fall and where the water lies before we plant too many vegies and herbs.<br />
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It is such an exciting new start !A Vision Splendidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16117977569651546270noreply@blogger.com5