tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post6716362876631719800..comments2024-03-29T16:34:01.380+10:00Comments on down to earth: Our simple livesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32067432363689705312014-07-29T15:58:28.480+10:002014-07-29T15:58:28.480+10:00Thank you Rhonda. I appreciate your time. I will...Thank you Rhonda. I appreciate your time. I will look up your butcher :)Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203650604171254966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12087161396621283102014-07-29T08:06:12.802+10:002014-07-29T08:06:12.802+10:00Anna, Hanno missed meat and wanted to eat it again...Anna, Hanno missed meat and wanted to eat it again. We originally stopped eating meat because he had a couple of health issues. I went along for the ride and found I didn't miss meat at all. I found it incredibly difficult when I travelled for my work though. I often had a few days or a week in small towns and I'd spend the entire time eating boiled egg salad because that's all I was offered. But we went back to meat after about eight years being vegetarian, mainly because Hanno wanted to eat meat. The transition wasn't hard. We live near a lot of beef cattle farms and we have local butchers who supply local meat. Try http://www.barryfamilybutchers.com.au/index.html at Beerwah.<br /><br />I felt healthier when I started eating meat again but even now we only have meat maybe three times a week.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7095187897159149172014-07-29T06:53:41.479+10:002014-07-29T06:53:41.479+10:00Rhonda, may I ask why and when you started eating ...Rhonda, may I ask why and when you started eating meat? Do you have a post about it? I'd prefer not to eat meat and it is cheaper. My family wouldn't though, I can't seem to entice them at all with pulses and beans. Was the transition hard for you, financially? Do you have a local supplier of ethically grown meat? (I'm from Brisbane) Thank you for your time.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02203650604171254966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76272953954188945892008-04-29T23:07:00.000+10:002008-04-29T23:07:00.000+10:00Forgot!! Most important!!! We ditched kid sports l...Forgot!! Most important!!! We ditched kid sports leagues and other "run you ragged" things like that! Kids PLAY. Yes, P.L.A.Y. now. Even my 13 year old loves to play wiffle ball baseball as a family!!!Hopewellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510172065585770709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84802190535631397142008-04-29T23:06:00.000+10:002008-04-29T23:06:00.000+10:00I'm on a break from blogging, but I'll post this a...I'm on a break from blogging, but I'll post this as a "comment"....I realized about 2 years after buying our home that it is too big. We collect too much stuff. We've been purging and purging JUNK--kid's junk mostly, but mine too. We begun to simplify. We get rid of stuff before NECESSARY purchases--like when kids outgrow their clothes. We try to shop second hand, but in our area it's pretty limited. We pass on clothing. No more magazines or newspapers. We have our seedlings started for the garden and have a small compost started. We no longer drive a big van [silly for 3 of us!] When/if the real estate market improves our house will go for a smaller one. We have made little changes, too--cloth napkins, menu planning and other things to be moe conscious of waste.Hopewellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02510172065585770709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14104725865138011202008-04-28T01:58:00.000+10:002008-04-28T01:58:00.000+10:00I hope I'm not too late. Just today I have writte...I hope I'm not too late. Just today I have written about my simple life on my blog. Thank you for your blog. It has been very inspiring!<BR/>AubreyAubreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09041830871464315810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-55964730448946602342008-04-26T13:43:00.000+10:002008-04-26T13:43:00.000+10:00THIS IS FINISHED NOW. :- )THIS IS FINISHED NOW. :- )Rhonda Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175785349529109084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-3615150742949770712008-04-26T12:58:00.000+10:002008-04-26T12:58:00.000+10:00Is it to late to be added?I love this idea and can...Is it to late to be added?<BR/>I love this idea and can't wait to read your post tomorrow.<BR/>http://mrskaos07.blogspot.com/Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05969185949876286399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-8080747564572670272008-04-26T08:54:00.000+10:002008-04-26T08:54:00.000+10:00Rhonda Jean, My story is available on my blog.Rhonda Jean, My story is available on my blog.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-1935763516224195032008-04-26T08:11:00.000+10:002008-04-26T08:11:00.000+10:00I live on an acre section in a tiny coastal villag...I live on an acre section in a tiny coastal village of the West Coast, North Island, New Zealand. Living is easy here, proximity to the ocean provides abundant shellfish and fish, the river has whitebait and trout, the riverbanks give us blackberries and mushrooms, there are even wild plum trees in the village.<BR/>Like most I have a large vegetable garden,but am fortunate enough to also have an orchard, greenhouse with hydroponics, run a few chickens. Preseve most of our fruit and vegeatbles, make cordials, wines and whisky!<BR/>Have been living the simple life for over thirty years, keen spinner, and weaver, and knit, sew and crochet some of our clothes.<BR/>Our house is sited to make best use of the sun, and we have installed a woodburner for the colder days ( wood is freely available along the riverbanks )<BR/>Our lifestyle is frugal by choice, we make our own cleaning products and reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-7642697286388629442008-04-26T07:37:00.000+10:002008-04-26T07:37:00.000+10:00How funny! I just posted on this very thing yeste...How funny! I just posted on this very thing yesterday!<BR/>http://kimberlys-cup.blogspot.com/2008/04/simple-update.htmlKimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03383635329315687176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-12311620183734176242008-04-26T07:34:00.000+10:002008-04-26T07:34:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean,I posted a quick bit about my simpl...Hi Rhonda Jean,<BR/><BR/>I posted a quick bit about my simple life on my blog.<BR/><BR/>http://myimaginaryblogspot.blogspot.com<BR/><BR/>Now I have to scoot because I have company coming for dinner! I cannot wait to read about everyone's lives though!<BR/><BR/>LauraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75302847953744244982008-04-26T07:28:00.000+10:002008-04-26T07:28:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda! I am a 63 year old new widow who lives ...Hi Rhonda! <BR/>I am a 63 year old new widow who lives with my vegetarian grad student son on an acre and a half of land in Bath, Ohio. In a way, we were never wildly into consuming, but as I was older, and my husband ill, I began to do things like buy paper towels for convenience. I am just beginning to redesign my changed life. I'm not sure how long I will live here, certainly until Andy finishes his degree. I am trying to recycle and am giving away many things as we have much to much.........But we have lived here for 28 years and it will take a while to streamline things...But I am working on it. We have always believed people are more important than things and I want to be involved again in work with local refugees. I am debt free, I guess. (Well, I just had to buy a new car and it will be paid for in two years. I din't want to pay for it outright since I want to keep my money together. I could have, but got zero per cent financing. I wish it got a little better mileage, but it could be worse. We garden, Andy and I, but in Ohio one can only garden from about April to October.....We belong to a local CSA farm and I buy locally from a lady who raises chickens....I'm diabetic and try not to eat too many carbs, but eat a lot of tofu and am trying to increase this......So far I am not a vegetarian but can see I might end up closer to this. I do buy from and donate to thrift shops. People are more important than things was something Paul and I always tried to teach our children and I think we succeeded. My kids don't really watch tv, and I am being more selective (partly because there is so little that's any good and I don't want a cable package. We have a 99% efficient furnace and pretty good insulation.....I have a freezer and a pantry and stockpile stuff. I'm not a fanatic, (don't mean the term to make being green sound bad!) but find myself doing more and more greenly. My blog is not active yet. That may change this year......Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68234052404489254632008-04-26T05:56:00.000+10:002008-04-26T05:56:00.000+10:00HiWhat a fun post - I've enjoyed reading other peo...Hi<BR/>What a fun post - I've enjoyed reading other peoples simple lives.<BR/><BR/>Done A BIG blog entry on my blog - will need a pot of tea to read it hahaha http://www.homesteadblogger.com/atthegoodlife/<BR/><BR/>Simple living is very much how we live, just wish I had your flair of words & writing -<BR/><BR/>Love Leanne NZAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-90736053996750921822008-04-26T05:51:00.000+10:002008-04-26T05:51:00.000+10:00I am inspired by all the things that I have read h...I am inspired by all the things that I have read here, I am fairly new to the idea of simple living but I think I have been doing some of it most of my life. The concept of a disposiable world has always bothered me So reusing everything possible is my mantra. I have recently started using homemade cleaners and laundry soap,wow not only supper cheap but no more plastic jugs in the recycle bin, they just keep getting refilled. It is interesting to read what others are doing and hopefully I will move into a greener life as I go along. Keep up the inspireation we really enjoy it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18652117088491475842008-04-26T03:07:00.000+10:002008-04-26T03:07:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean,I do have a blog over at http://www...Hi Rhonda Jean,<BR/>I do have a blog over at http://www.cottonwoodherbals.blogspot.com and will be writing a bit more on simplifying over the next week.<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for taking the time to post about your life. I get so many ideas to implement into my own home. I don't have any land to have a garden but we do have containers full of herbs we use. We put up tomatoes and apples we purchase from the local farmer's market.<BR/><BR/>I'm teaching my children about recycling and making healthy choices. We always purchase organic when possible, turn the lights off, use less water and be ever mindful of not wasting anything.<BR/><BR/>Each week we introduce something new to add on to what we are already doing. It may be making our own shampoo and conditioner, I already make our own laundry soap and herbal remedies. It may be using the back sides of paper for my 6 year old to draw on, it may be making our own bread (thanks to you)<BR/><BR/>All the little steps we take add up. I teach my children it isn't All or nothing. For us, it is baby steps and hopefully I can share what we do with others.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07300811064028861101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-45733722705675930402008-04-26T01:39:00.000+10:002008-04-26T01:39:00.000+10:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anna Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09392881021927019092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-2822135276394364872008-04-26T00:28:00.000+10:002008-04-26T00:28:00.000+10:00Hello. We live in town and are really mere beginn...Hello. We live in town and are really mere beginners at this journey but this is what we are accomplishing so far. I enjoy cooking and baking from scratch--no box products for me (although I do seem to have a weakness for box cakes mixes-oh well!); growing tomatoes and peppers; canning same tomatoes and sauce, jam, peaches, pears, applesauce and freezing peppers; making own cleaning products; composting leaves and yard waste; keeping home a bit cooler in the winter months; working closer to home; packing own lunches.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy learning things from these blogs so much! I would love to learn from you girls how to make a good "green" carpet cleaner (not just a freshner but for a deeper cleaning); also some kind of "green" lawn weed controller--we don't use chemicals but I yearn for a lush lawn; lastly for those of you who refuse the plastic bags--I know you must have some trash--what do you put it in?<BR/>Have a wonderful day. I have enjoyed the blog so much as well as the comments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-15637259601018494482008-04-26T00:02:00.000+10:002008-04-26T00:02:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda Jean,I enjoy your blog. It's inspiring ...Hi Rhonda Jean,<BR/>I enjoy your blog. It's inspiring for me! I began trying to live simply when my husband went back to school full time and we needed to cut back on expenses. We lowered the temperature that we heat our home and covered the windows with blankets in the winter. I line-dry our clothing outside when weather permits and use lines in our basement otherwise. When our youngest was born, we went with cloth diapers instead of disposables (I love them!) I've been composting, too, and my husband is building raised beds to grow our own veggies. I'm so excited! It's been amazing to see how much less we put in the trash when we aren't throwing away food scraps or diapers. Eventually we want to move from the city and have a small farm where we can do a LOT more as far as sustainablity.<BR/>Thanks for the invitation to share!Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05367430173127220377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-81622427416056860632008-04-25T23:36:00.000+10:002008-04-25T23:36:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda,I've posted mine too and now I'm off to ...Hi Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>I've posted mine too and now I'm off to bed!<BR/><BR/>altercutlery.blogspot.com<BR/><BR/>Lis :)Lishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00066863074405512584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-39656695879925496862008-04-25T23:26:00.000+10:002008-04-25T23:26:00.000+10:00Thank for the inspiration. My post is at Coffee C...Thank for the inspiration. My post is at <A HREF="http://theoriginalcoffeecompanyonline.blogspot.com" REL="nofollow">Coffee Coffee Coffee</A> - my blog. ChristinaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948327328580337155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-10791864340789939902008-04-25T23:23:00.000+10:002008-04-25T23:23:00.000+10:00Hello Rhonda,Vist my blog to read about our simple...Hello Rhonda,<BR/><BR/>Vist my blog to read about our simple way of living......<BR/><BR/>Blessings to all ,ShelleySimply Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16933046149294440134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-30458481625646237292008-04-25T23:02:00.000+10:002008-04-25T23:02:00.000+10:00Me again! I meant to say also I buy local - often ...Me again! I meant to say also I buy local - often from the farm gate, and from June to February I have a locally produced veg box - all the produce is grown four miles up the road from me. I don't use plactic bags, ever, it's something I feel really strongly about, and water in plastic bottles. I'm just starting to knit my own dishcloths....so much pleasure in a simple thing like that! I spent a year working in and managing a farm shop (this was a couple of years ago) and learnt so much about the food industry, and the journey our food takes to reach our plates. It was a valuable experience. The other thing on the road to simplicity is clearing the clutter - not only not consuming, but getting rid of the excess - ebay, car boots, freecycle and charity shops. This makes life so much simpler, makes home feel bigger, and easier to organize and clean, and makes a few pounds in the process. I'll stop now! Diana xwalter and mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03654023053222721637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-18411510975926506432008-04-25T22:37:00.000+10:002008-04-25T22:37:00.000+10:00Hi Rhonda, Thanks for the opportunity to share our...Hi Rhonda, <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the opportunity to share our simple lives. I am enjoying reading what everyone else has written. I have left a post for you at my blog.<BR/><BR/>TaniaTaniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10176661940614462611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54253891470218023502008-04-25T22:30:00.000+10:002008-04-25T22:30:00.000+10:00I wrote some about our life on Tuesday on my blog....I wrote some about our life on Tuesday on my blog. There are so many reasons we do these things. We do them because we want to be good stewards of the environment. We do them because we want to be debt free. We do them because we have always done most of them, they just seem to be coming the in thing. I was raised what some call "plain." They are a part of how I was taught. At times we have begun to find ourselves drifting towards worldly materialistic ways, but we always are pulled back.Cindihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01982755822117772814noreply@blogger.com