tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2934616340928314596..comments2024-03-28T15:55:53.792+10:00Comments on down to earth: Find your pathUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-26450508249107121142009-04-08T07:29:00.000+10:002009-04-08T07:29:00.000+10:00hello Rhonda,I's sitting here at my computer this ...hello Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I's sitting here at my computer this morning with a real sense of hope for the future. What an inspiring post this is. I could not agree with you more. We are all heading in the one direction but the mode in which we travel that path will be different for us all. No two lives are the same and they should not be. We are all individuals and should really not compare our life with someone elses. Lets all learn the good lessons and adapt them to suit ourselves and then let us all go for it. Great post once again.<BR/><BR/>Blessings Gailgailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474172270399240621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-53767678617312794912009-04-08T06:55:00.000+10:002009-04-08T06:55:00.000+10:00Your yard looks awesome and I can imagine how beau...Your yard looks awesome and I can imagine how beautiful it will be for the wedding..I like all the greenery. A little 'starved' for that here as we have had snow for so too months!<BR/>Yes you are right Rhonda, we all have to find our own ways of fitting into a simple life style...it will vary with everyone..you have many great ideas to get people started.<BR/>I learned many of these 'simple ways' of life as a youngster..it was called survival then! grinBettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18214584150711242076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90915546768429590862009-04-08T03:16:00.000+10:002009-04-08T03:16:00.000+10:00I just found your site a few weeks ago. I found it...I just found your site a few weeks ago. I found it to be so inspiring & encouraging. I had already been thinking about how I could begin to break free from our materialistic and consumerism society. I had begun to realize that so much of what society (and sadly, often friends, co-workers and our churches) promotes is to buy more, buy certain things, live a certain way, etc. No creativity, no real freedom and enslavement to debt is overwhelming so many people. Thanks so much for your site - again it is so very inspirational!! ~JulieJulie from Georgia (USA)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63144051659713616142009-04-08T03:15:00.000+10:002009-04-08T03:15:00.000+10:00Super post! Part of what is so encouraging about y...Super post! Part of what is so encouraging about your blog is the fact that you insist each person find their own way to a simple life :)<BR/><BR/>A few weeks ago I did just as you suggested in this post and thought about what values were important to me and narrowed it down to three areas. I wrote those three in the front of a notebook and each day I write down one thing that I did to work toward those goals. When I'm feeling frustrated I just look in my book and am once again encouraged by the small successes achieved over just a few weeks!<BR/><BR/>Thanks for all of your wonderful advice and practical ideas.<BR/>Karenflipflopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06540906076246969053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-5490920263537479852009-04-08T02:47:00.000+10:002009-04-08T02:47:00.000+10:00I have forgotten my real age several times too! A...I have forgotten my real age several times too! Actual age is not real important in the scheme of things but when the doctor asks your age and you give one older than you are {and I have done this} you wonder if they realized you are wrong!! :) <BR/> I wonder at times if I am doing that much in our road to simplicity. One time I noticed someone had listed what they were doing and also a list of where they wanted to add {rather subtract!} from the world's way of life. So I sat down and made a list and the list kept getting longer of what we already do. It has been a journey or many years and not complete by any means. Some days one thing leads us to learn a new way to do the next thing and such. It starts to come naturally. I guess that is a good word for it... naturally. I so enjoy reading of your own journey. You and Hano have much to teach us but the journey is ours to start where we are right now and start on that path to freedom .. freedom to make a lot of our own basic needs ...freedom from the world's "got ta have it mentality... freedom from so much stress...freeom to choose what we think is important...freedom to have the time to share our time and talents and products with others... and on and on. Freedom is never easy but so worth striving for and so gradifying to your soul to attain. Through it all though know you are not alone. God is still in control. He is also always with us. He is there for us all and is always ready to lift us up when we need it if we just humbly ask. JodyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-78259291402862406072009-04-08T01:45:00.000+10:002009-04-08T01:45:00.000+10:00Wonderful post, Rhonda! Something I have been thi...Wonderful post, Rhonda! Something I have been thinking about as well, as I receive similar emails and comments.<BR/><BR/>I use Feedburner's email subscription service. They don't have ads in the emails, and you can use it for both email and feedreader feeds.Melindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11208873906357613465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1478960176522373012009-04-07T23:26:00.000+10:002009-04-07T23:26:00.000+10:00Thanks Rhonda! I don't know how many times I searc...Thanks Rhonda! I don't know how many times I searched for the right "living recipe". I finally realized not too long ago that we all start with different ingredients, so it can't be the same for everyone. I also finally realized that I'm not going to make all the changes in one day. One step at a time in the right direction will get me there faster than planning my journey but never starting out. Our first step? Our own maple syrup from our own maple trees! What fun! By the way, I LOVE the new look of your blog. Thanks for all you do.Tanyanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52946225359942126132009-04-07T22:50:00.000+10:002009-04-07T22:50:00.000+10:00What a wonderful post! You really get to the heart...What a wonderful post! You really get to the heart of the matter...sitting down and writing a list of important values before you begin your journey.<BR/><BR/>Blessings to you, Hanno and your family,<BR/>NicoleNicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07300811064028861101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-34215071073783635352009-04-07T22:34:00.000+10:002009-04-07T22:34:00.000+10:00Wow! I love the new look.... I have not been here...Wow! I love the new look.... I have not been here in a few days. All looks great and of course reads very well too! Thank you for all you share with us.<BR/><BR/>cathy ccathy cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56462679515567389752009-04-07T21:25:00.000+10:002009-04-07T21:25:00.000+10:00For years I have wanted to try to live more simply...For years I have wanted to try to live more simply and try a lot of home-maker skills: bake bread, garden, sew, knit, cook all homemade, can, etc. It's through your blog and others that I was given the drive and motivation to start trying. And you know what? Although it's not the same as everyone else, it works for me AND it makes life just a little simplier and more enjoyable. Who knew that if you just try, you can succeed. :)<BR/><BR/>Since this past winter, I've started cooking in bigger batches for leftovers and freezer meals. What a money and time saver!! Baked chickens for leftover meat and homemade stock, big pots of chili perfect for pulling out of the freezer for last minute easy meals, boiled hams, seasonal fruits, the list is long and I never thought that just a little more time and planning could result in such savings and bounty. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for all your ideas! While sometime I do start with a copied idea, I find it only ever serves as a starting point for the many branches of new thoughts and skills that result. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16239207596090085542009-04-07T20:40:00.000+10:002009-04-07T20:40:00.000+10:00This was a really lovely post, Rhonda. Your house ...This was a really lovely post, Rhonda. Your house and gardens are so beautiful and inviting. The wedding will be beautiful.<BR/><BR/>I have been trying to weed out my life for several years now, when I realized I had food allergies. The start of the cleanse was with food. It is amazing how much nasty stuff goes in mass produced food. Give me a fresh salad from my garden any day!<BR/><BR/>My mother and others wonder why I do things the hard way. I tell them I choose to because it's fun. I share my soaps, baked goods, crocheting, hospitality, etc. Not one of them complains when they come over for a meal or a visit.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for being a kindred spirit in this venture, even though you're in AU and I'm in the US. Through your posts, it seems like I personally know you.<BR/><BR/>Take care. I wish you and yours the best of everything.<BR/><BR/>MichelleMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16128349558544402699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-13482730474087046592009-04-07T19:54:00.000+10:002009-04-07T19:54:00.000+10:00This is so true. Everybody has to find their own p...This is so true. Everybody has to find their own path, matching their own circumstances.<BR/><BR/>I love the picture of the rose.<BR/>So perfect, these tiny rosy rose petals.<BR/><BR/>Again, thanks for all your encouragement. I look forward to read your blog every day.<BR/><BR/>BettinaBettinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07773868429065436165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37022630947130726242009-04-07T17:07:00.000+10:002009-04-07T17:07:00.000+10:00It's a bit like faith. Each person has to work it ...It's a bit like faith. Each person has to work it out for themselves. Other's can advise, inspire and encourage you, but it is up to us to make it real, relevant and workable in our own lives.Mistress Bhttp://robecriluto.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-80862510290226595782009-04-07T17:06:00.000+10:002009-04-07T17:06:00.000+10:00'I encourage you to think about your life, think a...'I encourage you to think about your life, think about what is important to you and then set about building your life to support your values. We don't all have to be carbon copies of each other.'<BR/>Sounds like a straighter road to happiness to me ... <BR/>June in OzJune Savillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00194576632686640776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-31636111181491620852009-04-07T17:03:00.000+10:002009-04-07T17:03:00.000+10:00As a mother of 3 young boys,cooking nutritious,hom...As a mother of 3 young boys,cooking nutritious,home made food is very important to me but washing up by hand isn't! My dishwasher frees up precious time that I can spend playing with the kids.<BR/>Thanks for reminding us that everyone's "simple life" will be different. There is no "one sie fits all".<BR/>P.S. Better to be one year younger than one year older!bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03595211344361097863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-40205927466029971522009-04-07T16:30:00.000+10:002009-04-07T16:30:00.000+10:00Well said Rhonda. We can look to you for guidence ...Well said Rhonda. We can look to you for guidence but ultimately have to walk our own path to simple living. <BR/>I finally posted the knitting pattern to you yesterday, everytime I would get to the PO it would be shut and I had to check the stamps I put on it. sorry about the delay.<BR/>Bec xxxBechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17946899924830065258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-49850083790763482672009-04-07T16:16:00.000+10:002009-04-07T16:16:00.000+10:00I have been following this new life for just over ...I have been following this new life for just over a year now and I think it is time I re-viewed my 'map'. Although I have been slowly changing the way I lead my life over that year I have not sat down and though about it in depth. Am I following my path and is this path right for my family? What are our next steps? Thank you for this lovely post.<BR/><BR/>Pippa<BR/><BR/>ps Can never remember how old I am either.Pippanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-44183554954150190812009-04-07T15:35:00.000+10:002009-04-07T15:35:00.000+10:00I also , like Mim, was thinking "I'll do this and ...I also , like Mim, was thinking "I'll do this and that....if Rhonda can, so can I" and your life does sound so nice! But after a while, I realised we are at very different stages and to get up at dawn and bake bread sounds wonderful but in reality I think it might kill me! I have 3 young children, two of whom are not good sleepers and I confess to staying under the covers as long as I can to get more precious sleep. But there are other things I do that are setting me on the path to how I want to live. Like starting a vege patch- - the seedlings went in last week. It's easy to stockpile for me - buying several of whats on special has been a start, and I have all the ingredients to make up your washing powder (maybe this weekend?).<BR/>Your blog has made me think of ways to save. Now when we have a roast chicken as soon as we are done I put the carcass in the pot and make stock -easy, and then it might be risotto for dinner the next night. Slowly everything you write about is seeping in , in so many ways and todays post was a great reminder to be aware of how you live and to adapt things to suit your own circumstances.<BR/>Thanks Rhonda :)<BR/>RachelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39325393682864289522009-04-07T15:10:00.000+10:002009-04-07T15:10:00.000+10:00I have read and re-read this post.. and don't have...I have read and re-read this post.. and don't have much to add that hasn't already been said.. except: if I had to sit down to pot of home-made pea soup for seven nights in a row, I would be happy. yum.Miss Robynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15144002124919728056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54057161344060339242009-04-07T15:09:00.000+10:002009-04-07T15:09:00.000+10:00I'm loving your new layout!I love your insporation...I'm loving your new layout!<BR/><BR/>I love your insporation, even if exactly what you do isn't what I do it's lovely to get another glimpse at what works for others.<BR/><BR/>~TaraTheOrganicSisterhttp://theorganicsister.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4151245617234138612009-04-07T14:14:00.000+10:002009-04-07T14:14:00.000+10:00Reading your blog daily,has helped us become bette...Reading your blog daily,has helped us become better citizens of this earth.<BR/>With my husbands job loss last year we have month by month evaluated our bills, decided what is necessary and what really isn't.<BR/>With that said, our consumption of gas, electricity , water, sewage has dropped drastically, and we haven't felt like we've lost anything at all.<BR/>It was an eye opener as to what little you need. <BR/>I now menu plan, write out grocery lists, stockpile when there is a sale on items I frequently use. Basically have used all your advice, to our way of life, and we are so much happier and feel freer than ever before.<BR/>We can't wait to break soil for our garden. <BR/>Thank You ,Thank You, for your wonderful , educational blog.<BR/>Sincerely<BR/>BlessingsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27752568319369473872009-04-07T12:01:00.000+10:002009-04-07T12:01:00.000+10:00Hi RhondaAnother great post with lots of things to...Hi Rhonda<BR/><BR/>Another great post with lots of things to think about. And yes, I questioned your age when I read that you were 62!?<BR/>The front garden is looking great, very tranquil, and I'm sure it will be a very pretty wedding. How exciting.<BR/><BR/>Cheers - JoolzJoolzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07490462580345458546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65758690797621250942009-04-07T11:45:00.000+10:002009-04-07T11:45:00.000+10:00This is really one of the aspects of your blog whi...This is really one of the aspects of your blog which I appreciate most: the insistence on the authentic individual approach to what one does to be more simple, green, frugal. And one doesn't have to know all of it to begin. One can begin with one thing and see how that goes. I'm 64 with a fair amount of arthritis. I have no debt, really. I garden some, and belong to a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm. I'm trying to "bless others with my stuff" which is what one of my daughters calls the work of getting rid of the far too much stuff I've accumulated in 30 years in one house! It is a joy to see so many people, especially young ones, embracing these ideas.Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7461552962753420422009-04-07T11:07:00.000+10:002009-04-07T11:07:00.000+10:00Your gardens are just gorgeous! I love reading you...Your gardens are just gorgeous! I love reading your post and check them daily! You have inspired me to living more natural than I already do! I am a young mother of three living on one income. My husband and I chose to live this way so I could raise our children and school them too and we are trying to find more and more ways to live simple and below our means! Thanks for your post!<BR/>Your gardens are just beautiful!<BR/>JoyJoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06318297692355589988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4210991803258990562009-04-07T10:56:00.000+10:002009-04-07T10:56:00.000+10:00I have been a reader for quite some time but this ...I have been a reader for quite some time but this is my first comment...I love the new format! It is so easy to find topics! I want to especially thank you for making a simpler life seem appealing and lovely. I was raised with a frugal mother, but her way was cheap and sloppy. As soon as I left home and got a job I wanted nice and expensive. I have loved seeing that simple can be beautiful, and frugal can still include quality. I really resonate with the idea of making my home a sanctuary for my family. Thank you so much for your posts! <BR/><BR/>ElizabethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com