tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post4926327862102240199..comments2024-03-29T21:11:37.724+10:00Comments on down to earth: The work we do in our homesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-63961336277232705762016-02-15T16:13:37.613+10:002016-02-15T16:13:37.613+10:00Two hanks for a shawl, Noni, one hank for a large ...Two hanks for a shawl, Noni, one hank for a large wrap around scarf. That cotton feels so soft around my neck it's absolutely lovely yarn to knit and wear. rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30792885781923102762016-02-15T09:44:03.527+10:002016-02-15T09:44:03.527+10:00Hi Rhonda, just wondering how many Hank's of t...Hi Rhonda, just wondering how many Hank's of the Eco organic cotton you use to make a shawl? Was looking at getting some before it's all gone.Nonihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299619216106409152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76296787316159186072016-02-05T09:49:34.943+10:002016-02-05T09:49:34.943+10:00As always, dear Rhonda i loved your Home posts... ...As always, dear Rhonda i loved your Home posts... xoFaye Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292425181042066079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66709938121619981722016-02-04T21:43:03.963+10:002016-02-04T21:43:03.963+10:00Thank you for posting about the Down to Earth book...Thank you for posting about the Down to Earth book in the states, I have wanted to read it for ages, but its never been available. Can't wait till it arrivesshelsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11717453941955005058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11421990898930151232016-02-03T04:36:52.793+10:002016-02-03T04:36:52.793+10:00I feel the same way. When I was working, I wasn&#...I feel the same way. When I was working, I wasn't really working for the paycheck but the feeling of satisfaction I would get at a job well done. It's much the same at home for me. This week, I'm tearing apart the bathroom. We recently moved in with my father-in-law and his home is needing some care as he's unable to do a lot of things himself. This gives me such joy and a feeling of accomplishment to be able to do for him.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03736624423826147754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-42829556275558025322016-02-03T03:54:07.720+10:002016-02-03T03:54:07.720+10:00Hello Rhonda,
In our islands, here in the Caribbea...Hello Rhonda,<br />In our islands, here in the Caribbean, we are entering the dry season. This year promises to be a very bad one. February is traditionally the driest month of all. We have been gathering all the dry bits and pieces and adding them to the compost as well as using them as some much needed mulch to conserve whatever water is in the soil, which is already looking parched. It is harvesting time for ground/root provisions - yams, cassava, topi tambo (size of a baby potato with the crispness of water chestnuts). Pigeon Peas are flowering at last. Sweet corn has been picked. Tomatoes and citrus are enjoying the sunshine. I have been harvesting as much as I can and filling the pantry and freezer with foodstuff ranging from yam pies to passion fruit and carambola jams.<br />It is now also the week before Carnival, a big nationwide street festival that runs for 4 days and ends the night before Ash Wednesday (which marks the beginning of Lent). Our islands are a beehive of hectic activity. There are many parties and celebrations going on right now, leading up to Carnival, celebrating the creativity of our unique musical instrument (the steelpan), calypso, costumes and food. This weekend my sister and I are running off with our tribe over to the peace and quiet of the Eastern seacoast to enjoy some family time at a beach house for those crazy 4 days.<br />I was researching a sailing vessel and came across this Australian website. I thought you might enjoy taking a browse through some old archives. <br />http://trove.nla.gov.au/general/about<br /><br />Enjoy,<br />Vicki<br />Trinidad & Tobagovickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429561993481109477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-36554116680320337432016-02-03T00:13:11.959+10:002016-02-03T00:13:11.959+10:00It's all in the mindset isn't it, learning...It's all in the mindset isn't it, learning to love the repetitive labour of looking after the home. I find it helps to see it as others would see it and set to and have a clean up of a different area each day, fitting it in around the bread rising and baking, an hours weeding in the polytunnel and the other hundred and one jobs that need doing.<br /><br />There is such satisfaction to sit down after a few hours and see gleaming surfaces, temporarily clean rugs (until the dogs roll around on them again) and tuck in to some homemade soup with a slice or two of freshly baked bread.<br /><br />Loving your blog at the moment, and it's nice to hear that your book is widely available again, my copy is very well thumbed.Suehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04177854521955532744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82630873642512347962016-02-02T23:41:33.880+10:002016-02-02T23:41:33.880+10:00Hello! I just found your blog and wanted to join t...Hello! I just found your blog and wanted to join the forum, but there seems to be a glitch with the "prove you are human" box. Can anyone help me out? Thank you!Jennileehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07684495712469386275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-74862761291019518252016-02-02T11:26:05.541+10:002016-02-02T11:26:05.541+10:00Ha! I have NEVER known anyone other than myself wh...Ha! I have NEVER known anyone other than myself who cannot knit. I am hopeless at it; have tried taking lessons, my mum tried teaching me when I was young; all the women in my family can do it; I apparently did not inherit the gene. But I can sew and cook and garden so I am happy. I bet you have a lot of talents as well. hopflowernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4764528002363480662016-02-02T09:53:34.968+10:002016-02-02T09:53:34.968+10:00It's so true that it's the mindset that ma...It's so true that it's the mindset that makes working in my home refreshing and new. Thank you Rhonda, your post this morning has been a balm especially as I have a very dirty bathroom to deal with this morning. ;-) I have some jasmine in a vase to put in there when it's done.<br />katexxRapunzels Wild Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273047547787107088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75160204468384197192016-02-02T09:42:59.539+10:002016-02-02T09:42:59.539+10:00Wishing you both Pam & Matty some blue skies a...Wishing you both Pam & Matty some blue skies and bright light from here in Melbourne Aust. February for me is often a time of craving a little grey in the sky. It's so bright and blue. So I will take some comfort in your grey skies and wish you some crystal blue moments. Here's to an early spring (and autumn;-)Rapunzels Wild Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04273047547787107088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32215179614539562662016-02-02T08:37:36.270+10:002016-02-02T08:37:36.270+10:00This week we are enjoying more rain so I am sowing...This week we are enjoying more rain so I am sowing a crop of green manure in our vegie patch as well as growing seedlings in punnets. I am also re-painting/ dressing another batch of rescued dolls for this Sunday's local craft market. In between these activities I am also de-cluttering our home!stephenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15616854128602971297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14604264705832585572016-02-02T08:19:41.590+10:002016-02-02T08:19:41.590+10:00Zena, this recipe is entirely driven by your own t...Zena, this recipe is entirely driven by your own tastes. Some people like it very vinegary, some like it with a touch of sweetness, some like it watered down a little. I prefer the very vinegary taste with a touch of sugar, and just a splash of boiling water to dissolve the sugar. But always lots of mint. So here is the traditional recipe, as your husband to test taste as you're making it and before you bottle it.<br /><br />ΒΌ cup sugar<br />1 cup malt vinegar<br />1 cup boiling water - I use about 2 tablespoons<br />1 cup mint leaves finely diced<br /><br />Add more or less of all the above according to your taste. Bottle in sterilised jars and store in the cupboard for up to 6 months.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-50933384345623760042016-02-02T08:12:20.472+10:002016-02-02T08:12:20.472+10:00Hi Malin, don't forget to write a review when ...Hi Malin, don't forget to write a review when you finish it. And of course, I hope you enjoy it. xxrhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30172431974532537382016-02-02T08:11:33.567+10:002016-02-02T08:11:33.567+10:00You sound very busy, Sarina but I'm sure you&#...You sound very busy, Sarina but I'm sure you're taking some time for yourself too. I'm sorry to read about Rick. I'll be thinking of you both.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-82075149211685403502016-02-02T08:09:19.990+10:002016-02-02T08:09:19.990+10:00Good for you, Matty. I'm sure you'll love ...Good for you, Matty. I'm sure you'll love the making as well as the Maggie you make. I'll be starting on my third Maggie in late March.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67891420939083553042016-02-02T07:38:48.605+10:002016-02-02T07:38:48.605+10:00My husband and I both work from home, so through t...My husband and I both work from home, so through the day I popped in and out of rooms, tidying and cleaning without really looking at what I'm doing. Your blog has made me want to stand still for a moment and enjoy my clean surfaces and gleaming shelves. Thank you. Woo xxPatricia Gibbonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12695276252104604865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-11467325326336867982016-02-02T06:24:01.781+10:002016-02-02T06:24:01.781+10:00Rhonda, last week I finally fell down the "ra...Rhonda, last week I finally fell down the "rabbit hole" and ordered Maggie to make for my almost-here granddaughter. OMG, what a darling package arrived! And how droll the pattern is! I love it! I am going to have such fun making her! Thanks for sharing1 (And I love Posie's blog, too!)mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749881104429358524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69645757668397120812016-02-02T05:29:04.370+10:002016-02-02T05:29:04.370+10:00Hello Rhonda. Sorry, I have not posted a reply for...Hello Rhonda. Sorry, I have not posted a reply for some time. Still busy with grandmotherly duties and my 3 days working at the Dry Cleaning company. I run two blogs myself and have a cookery club on Facebook, so most of my evenings are divided between these. But, I still read your blog and enjoy dipping in and out to see how you are doing. Life has taken a turn for the worse for my partner Rick who`s now struggling with ill health. So, apart from caring for the home I`m finding myself also gravitating more and more to being a personal carer for him. His lung capacity has been reduced to just functioning on 26%. He has gradually gone downhill over the last year, after he was diagnosed with emphesima, a condition he unfortunately had brought upon himself unknowingly through 30 years of previous smoking. He had given up the ciggies 5 years ago and started to get health issues ever since.<br />But, that`s enough of our troubles. I still read your blog every night even so I don`t often find time to place a comment. Just wanted you to know I`m still around and still reading your blog.<br />All the Best to you and your family.<br />Much love is send from the southern shores of Britain. XXX Sarina XXXXAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114653674812242486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45999528335696328752016-02-02T05:27:28.194+10:002016-02-02T05:27:28.194+10:00Hi Pam!
This time of year, I think, we all feel ...Hi Pam! <br /><br />This time of year, I think, we all feel a bit lonesome... Christmas is such a flurry and end of the year activities keep us all spinning like tops! It feels odd to just stop and enter the quietness of January after that! :) For me, it is the sameness of the sky... it if were just blue more in January I could more easily bear it... but that continual grey... even with twinkle lights in the windows, it sometimes if overwhelming!<br /><br />Here's to early spring, blue skies, and light!mattyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749881104429358524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-29252091382371834552016-02-02T04:23:17.947+10:002016-02-02T04:23:17.947+10:00I just got Down to Earth in the mail today, I'...I just got Down to Earth in the mail today, I'm so looking forward to reading it!<br />/Malin, SwedenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-66033391692869213312016-02-02T00:08:32.689+10:002016-02-02T00:08:32.689+10:00Hi Rhonda- I love your blog and am excited that yo...Hi Rhonda- I love your blog and am excited that your book is now available in the US. I just ordered a copy!<br /><br />This is a busy week for me with a lot of hustle and bustle getting ready for my son's birthday festivities, but I'm reminding myself to slow down and enjoy the tasks that need to be accomplished. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6192954071643072572016-02-01T22:34:19.673+10:002016-02-01T22:34:19.673+10:00Gail, it would be a shame to dispose of the Royal ...Gail, it would be a shame to dispose of the Royal Doulton & I'm sure you would enjoy using it on your travels - just because your in a Van doesn't mean you miss out on the using Special pieces ! It's amazing how much more you can squeeze in , maybe it's time to " cull the van space too " Good Luck with it All Anyways Take Care !Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13279130714913773776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-47364552826921685472016-02-01T22:21:07.343+10:002016-02-01T22:21:07.343+10:00Love your knitted projects. Oh minted sauce. I did...Love your knitted projects. Oh minted sauce. I didn't grow up eating that traditionally but I would love to know how to make it to use up the mint in the yard. Hubby would love it because he grew up eating it but hasn't since I've known him for 10 years.Zenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16373747863822737468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52093839684769048392016-02-01T18:54:43.828+10:002016-02-01T18:54:43.828+10:00The work we do at home is the 'same' every...The work we do at home is the 'same' every week but it is also somehow different. The view and sounds from my kitchen as I prepare food is different each time (my house is open plan and the counter I work at faces into the rest of the house. The tidying, hoovering and dusting done at different times each week never quite seem the same. Somehow this makes it seem less of chore and more just part of the rhythm of the day.sustainablemumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099701194160334671noreply@blogger.com