tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2426479477263780221..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: The powerful possibilities of a simple lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-22216225255731154412015-06-01T23:26:04.711+10:002015-06-01T23:26:04.711+10:00We just returned for an 11 day trip and part of th...We just returned for an 11 day trip and part of that was two nights in Amish country, Lancaster PA. Their farms are much like you describe on your property. They do not even have lawns. Every bit of their land is productive with large gardens taking up most of what we would consider an area for grass. We saw Mothers with all their children weeding and working outside. We saw sky high clotheslines on big pulleys. Many farms had a little stand with produce for sale. More than once I saw women washing their porch railings. Everything was so well maintained and productive. The women were so beautiful in their plain dress. I loved seeing Harry on the clothesline. I found our oldest son's bear a couple of months ago and gave it to him at Easter. He seemed pleased to have it back.Lanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09380649410508372279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-62524423221157924782015-05-27T09:46:41.291+10:002015-05-27T09:46:41.291+10:00Exactly. I'm lucky to have a group of friends ...Exactly. I'm lucky to have a group of friends that love to hear my excited ramblings about how last week I made for the first time ever...(yogurt, bars of soap, kombucha, cough drops, pickles, chilli sauce, cloth napkins, cloth nappies etc) Unfortunately there are some people who just aren't excited by such things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9093342765039985202015-05-27T09:40:05.303+10:002015-05-27T09:40:05.303+10:00''social hangover" I love it, very ap...''social hangover" I love it, very apt indeed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-41674968131026650372015-05-27T09:07:14.057+10:002015-05-27T09:07:14.057+10:00The ripe, cooked berries (pulp and skin) of most s...The ripe, cooked berries (pulp and skin) of most species of Sambucus are edible. However, most uncooked berries and other parts of plants from this genus are poisonous. Sambucus nigra is the only variety considered to be non-toxic, but it is still recommended that its berries be cooked slightly for culinary purposes.<br /><br />Jamie is quite a little helper. It is good to see him involved with family life so much. He will have wonderful memories of this later in life. hopflowerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14808010877609649152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44925949312080512792015-05-26T23:55:37.855+10:002015-05-26T23:55:37.855+10:00I too believe that living simply gives us back our...I too believe that living simply gives us back our power, creating much of what we need with our hands, and having the skills to do so. I'm part of a new local women's homesteading group. In addition to sharing our knowledge & skills with each other, we intend to share with the younger folks. An excellent post, and I love the photo of Harry on the line!Lauriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01156180100389224114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18577751284271441612015-05-26T20:09:50.218+10:002015-05-26T20:09:50.218+10:00Hi Rhonda, your life sounds very much like ours. W...Hi Rhonda, your life sounds very much like ours. We have a couple of commitments that we choose to do each weeks but are usually only away from home an hour or so. We also eat mostly what is growing in the garden and if we need others groceries we head to Aldi very early before it gets busy. Life is good at present but I do think things are going to get tough in the future. I am still trying to learn new skills that may be of use if things become tight. I still enjoy reading your thoughts on your blog even though I don't comment too often. Take care of yourselves, Blessings Gail.gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55887795341010483022015-05-26T20:07:22.960+10:002015-05-26T20:07:22.960+10:00I completely feel the same way about feeling '...I completely feel the same way about feeling 'frazzled' when you're out of the house too long. I call it a bit of a 'social hangover'! When I'm out and about too much I really need to get back home and have some me time. As much as I love the interactions I have with people, I really do love just bring at home with my family.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03778711822210545262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-70264724266450467272015-05-26T20:03:14.531+10:002015-05-26T20:03:14.531+10:00What a lovely post Rhonda. I completely agree with...What a lovely post Rhonda. I completely agree with everything you wrote. I'm currently very busy raising my 3 little girls whilst teaching 4 days a week and studying. on my days off though I love nothing more than just staying put at home pottering around with my kids. We have plenty to do at home, no need to leave. <br /><br />With this shift in my mindset and values towards a simpler life, I'm finding that my friends are starting to change. I find I no longer have all that much in common with previous friends. I'm realising that they're still very materialistic which is fine for them but I'm not. I'd rather talk about my new batch of laundry liquid or the fact that my sheep is so happy now that the grass is greener as the weather cools! They would rather talk about their latest purchases or sales.<br /><br />It's a time of realisation that my friendship group is changing and accepting that. I believe it's important to surround yourself with people that share your values and passion for the life your living and choices. <br /><br />JadeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03778711822210545262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3972074602786825722015-05-26T18:36:07.855+10:002015-05-26T18:36:07.855+10:00What a lovely post! I think your sentence "B...What a lovely post! I think your sentence "But I think real life happens here" sums it up for me - the majority of people think 'life' happens outside their front doors (usually in shops and restaurants), but it just doesn't. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-58040933458105476942015-05-26T10:46:06.316+10:002015-05-26T10:46:06.316+10:00What a lovely and thought provoking post. Thank yo...What a lovely and thought provoking post. Thank you!Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721621676698279333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47727775104656905152015-05-26T10:37:00.292+10:002015-05-26T10:37:00.292+10:00Jamie is a lucky little boy with grandparents who ...Jamie is a lucky little boy with grandparents who invest their time in him. He's going to have great memories of growing up with you both and you are teaching him so much! xxJoolzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490462580345458546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16257741367225408472015-05-26T00:25:40.980+10:002015-05-26T00:25:40.980+10:00Beautiful post, Rhonda - it's wonderful to be ...Beautiful post, Rhonda - it's wonderful to be so content with life; I feel that too on most days and hope to have it moreso in the future, when I retire; thank you so much for sharing -Pammiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16719546391995977011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-71039458480529272712015-05-26T00:00:07.600+10:002015-05-26T00:00:07.600+10:00Beautiful! I needed to hear that today. It is nice...Beautiful! I needed to hear that today. It is nice to read of others with the same feeling about home and how content you can be at home working away. <br />CarolCarolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00645417159193407561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44464463668532152662015-05-25T22:56:52.587+10:002015-05-25T22:56:52.587+10:00This is what made families strong in years past. ...This is what made families strong in years past. The working together, growing food, sharing, helping each other, and those that come into our lives.<br /><br />My own granddaughter who is almost five loves to help us with the garden and other work. She is with us everyday while her parents are at work. It is a blessing to us all.<br /><br />DeannaDeanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16133684514103206137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45897612216552911632015-05-25T21:01:49.517+10:002015-05-25T21:01:49.517+10:00You say you think life will be tough in the future...You say you think life will be tough in the future (I feel/sense that too) - can we hear more about that sometime please?poggeauxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00754636457782658089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-85737196178388299702015-05-25T19:18:50.023+10:002015-05-25T19:18:50.023+10:00Your picture of Harry made me smile. Both my Grand...Your picture of Harry made me smile. Both my Grandparents hand knitted toys for my children before they past away. I am a SAHM and home school my 5 children. I know the day of the week but rarely the date. My husband uses our only car to drive to work and it's a very long walk from where we live to the town centre. I have the car on Wednesdays to take my daughter to piano lessons and the children to the library. I shop on Saturdays with my husband but it's in the butchers and Aldi and out, maybe spotlight if I'm lucky. That in all honesty is enough for me. I find that if I'm out of the house too much I feel frazzled, fall behind in the house, dinner is late on the table and I'm just not at peace. What a beautiful life we live in our homes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53153038655743541262015-05-25T17:47:48.472+10:002015-05-25T17:47:48.472+10:00What a fine looking boy your grandson is and looks...What a fine looking boy your grandson is and looks so comfortable working away with Hanno. I've only been out of my village once this year and I, too, never know what day it is, or the time of day either! I dance to the beat of my own drum these days, listening to my body, eat when I'm hungry, rest when I tired, as long as I have a few things ticked of my lists, then I am content!Jakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01208269163297762265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-9366452860458435462015-05-25T16:55:32.775+10:002015-05-25T16:55:32.775+10:00:- ) xx:- ) xxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-61248625587975344882015-05-25T16:49:44.715+10:002015-05-25T16:49:44.715+10:00I've always loved maps -- of all kinds.I've always loved maps -- of all kinds.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14751315680374413649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-60822706595556310702015-05-25T15:09:13.841+10:002015-05-25T15:09:13.841+10:00Beautiful. Amen to that.
Beautiful. Amen to that.<br />Cherylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07900993246451486017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90600960854782722942015-05-25T13:11:31.251+10:002015-05-25T13:11:31.251+10:00It's lovely to read your thoughts about family...It's lovely to read your thoughts about family, Larissa. Don't apologise for that.<br /><br />Elderberries taste like sour berries. I don't know anyone who eats them from the tree but they're great as drinks. xxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18514940084693022842015-05-25T13:00:43.517+10:002015-05-25T13:00:43.517+10:00Aw, beautiful! People are amazed (shocked? Horrifi...Aw, beautiful! People are amazed (shocked? Horrified?) at how little I "get out." There's so much to do here that I just don't see the need, and then things don't run as smoothly if I'm away for any length of time!<br />-Jaime Ngo Family Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15484243776589015749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38621461288506405192015-05-25T12:56:31.002+10:002015-05-25T12:56:31.002+10:00The photos of Jamie helping his grandpa got me a l...The photos of Jamie helping his grandpa got me a little teary, what a beautiful time for them both :) There's something so special about kids learning from and being involved with grandparents. My own Dad is in his 60s but was very, very close to his 'Pop', and still uses gardening wisdom and ways of doing things, and he has of course taught me, and it is also being passed on to my own young daughters. Family can be such a beautiful gift. <br /><br />Sorry, I got a bit babbly there, what I really wanted to ask is what does Elderberry taste like? I've never tried it but it sounds interesting :) Larissa Jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358389402166363168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84208146184301445252015-05-25T12:15:31.963+10:002015-05-25T12:15:31.963+10:00Lovely post Rhonda! And I'm sure your grandson...Lovely post Rhonda! And I'm sure your grandson will always treasure these special times he gets to spend with you. I know how much my children love seeing their grandparents and helping them with things on the farm. xOckduspockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13472291767747357704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-88616265675270108732015-05-25T11:29:42.058+10:002015-05-25T11:29:42.058+10:00Rhonda your little elderberry plant is still growi...Rhonda your little elderberry plant is still growing well and I cut some off that was growing on the branch near the soil and stuck it in a pot and it is growing well too :-) Hopefully one day I will get some flowers and seeds too. Jamie is growing so quickly. It is just wonderful that you get to spend so much time with him before he starts Prep. Nanna Chelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500527266771727074noreply@blogger.com