Hello! I'm back with a relaxed frame of mind and feeling refreshed and ready for the next few months. You all know that I love writing my blog so it took a lot of self control to not be here. The computer is capable of stealing my time, and my time is my life, so I need to step back from it occasionally and connect only with the outernet. The outernet for me is my family, home, backyard and a community full of people. Those four elements are reflected heavily in my blog and without them there would be nothing for me to write about.
Grain bread from last week.
Making a brussel sprout coleslaw.
For the next six weeks or so I'll be posting when I can. I'm withdrawing from the Neighbourhood Centre and that requires a fair bit of my time because I'll be training the new manager and stepping down from the committee. I'm also doing the last of my book publicity engagements and then I'll be back, heart and soul, to my simple life. I have to tell you I've enjoyed this past year. We did things I never expected to do, we met some fine people, we travelled around. It gave me a brief look at a faster and busier pace of life and I'm grateful to have had it. But I'm also happy to be returning to quietness, solitude and a slower pace. Getting up in the morning, knowing that all I have to do is tend my home, is how I want my days to be. I'll be pleased to give up living according to my diary and calendar. I gave away all my watches when I left work, now I can retire the diary as well. I want my days to be directed by sunlight and the seasons, not by a timepiece, computer alarms and reminders. Ahh, the serenity. ;- ) Sorry, only the Australians will know what that means.
The winter vegetable garden. All the oranges have been picked now.
Old fashioned steamed pudding. The bright yellow colour is from the eggs.
Meeting Chico, the blue ring necked parrot.
We're having a great weekend so far. Sarndra and Alex stayed here on Friday night and Kerry, Sunny and Jamie will be here shortly. We love having the family visit. We get to spend time with those we love the most without the hassle of driving through traffic, which is annoying and tiring for us. Watching Alex and Jamie discover so many things in our back yard is such a joy. They both love watching the chickens and the blue parrot we're looking after for friends. I have no doubt there are many things to discover out in the world for them right now but here they see "old Australia". We can all sit in the sunshine, enjoy afternoon tea and look forward to a roast pork dinner. Nothing much changes here now and while some would not see that as a plus, here bread is eaten hot from the oven, I still serve food like steamed puddings with homemade jam on top and instead of looking for the new, we take pleasure in the old and familiar. This, by far, is my favourite life season and I love sharing it with my grandsons.
And here are some links to check out.
And here are some links to check out.
Your new blog "look" is very pretty!
ReplyDeleteAhh the Serenity...we love that movie ;) Good on you Rhonda for taking back the reins on your simple life :) If it weren't for needing to be at school morning and avo on time I would retire my watch as well. I had a friend who's phone broke the other day and she said she had no way of telling the time and she was quite panicked by it.I myself really love times like school holidays where I barely look at the time and my diary is empty and we just live day by day to what we feel rather than what a clock tells us, we only eat when we get hungry and we come in for the night when dusk starts setting in :) Oh and the parrot you are looking after is really cool, I bet your little grandbabies have loved meeting him :) Regards, Ruth
ReplyDeleteThere a few times in most month I do not turn on my computer. Except to wish a friend on facebook a happy birthday.
ReplyDeleteI guess I find it some what peaceful in mind that this ole computer don't complete have control of me. I just won't let it.
Yes the home is wonderful..coffee is on.
So beautifully written. Yes, the outernet is the place to be, although I am so grateful to the internet for keeping us all so connected. The blogging world was my saviour when I moved to Australia 4 years ago and was trying to find my place. The way that everyone was living their lives was so (and still is) inspiring to me and led me to follow my dreams. You were one of them, because I am now living in the home of my dreams, out in the country and we just got day old chicks yesterday. Life is so beautiful when we simplify. I love your book too, thank you Rhonda. xxx
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect Rhonda! Hope the wrapping up at the Neighbourhood Centre goes smoothly. Your garden is looking great too by the way. Sam xox
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. Good on you for looking after yourself and taking time out when needed.
ReplyDeleteThe eggs in the cake are amazing.
How gorgeous is your little grandchild.
Missed you for the last few days Rhonda, glad you are enjoying the outernet and I would bet the outer net was glad to spend more time with you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back. I agree the blog looks lovely. I'm curious about slaw with Brussels sprouts. Are they used raw?
ReplyDeleteThanks Melissa. Yes, raw brussel sprouts, raw carrot, beetroot tops, green onions and sugar snap peas on top. Delicious!
DeleteRhonda, I'm with you on outernet time. Neither my husband nor I have worn watches since retiring - not only do we not know the time, we rarely know what day it is! Yes, love the serenity, life is good.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your return to simple life...I love your photos and your writing. A simple life is the best!
ReplyDeleteLovely post, Rhonda and selfishly, I'm glad you're back with us on the internet. Now that my life is confined to indoors, the internet is key to my sanity and reading about a contented and satisfied life in the Sunshine Coast hinterland is very calming to my restless and frustrated spirit. Thank you for taking time out to share your life with us.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on getting back to your simple life. I find it sort of ironic that "successful simple living" folks often end up sacrificing the very thing that they are preaching in the first place!
ReplyDeleteOne little chuckle that your pudding photo reminded me of. Here in the states "pudding" is a creamy custard made from milk. What you call "pudding" we call "cake." Anyhow, a few years ago a friend from college who now lives in Melbourne sent me a recipe for her favorite "chocolate pudding." I was very excited to try it, but couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I tried 3 times, and each time the darned thing came out like cake! I finally wrote to her to ask about the metric conversions because I was just sure that was the problem... I'm still not sure if I was relieved or annoyed to discover that I was doing it perfectly, it was simply lost in translation!
Pudding in British territories (or former ones) is not cake. The creamy concoctions Americans call pudding are called blancmange in England and Australia. Pudding is the British (generic) term for dessert.
DeleteI have enjoyed reading about the adventures you have had out and about with your book. I will also look forward to reading what you are up to once things slow down again. I love seeing what you are cooking and making. I have been scrolling through your past posts from a few years back while you have been taking a break. Last week I made some of your lemon butter for my mother in law's birthday, and one of your bread recipes for lunch. Delicious and simple cooking.
ReplyDeleteMelanie
We are so enjoying your 5 minute bread Rhonda, it's one of those keepers! I am happy that you had a good break...time for one myself I think.
ReplyDeleteSince we both stopped working we often don't know what day it is until we make a quick check of the calender so as not to miss health checks etc. It really throws us out if a few days have not been crossed off. You say you are in your winter now, I was wondering how different the temperatures are, day and night, from your summer to winter?
ReplyDeleteNow our daytime temperatures are around 3 - 23C and in summer between 18 - 30C, give or take a few. The humidity makes the biggest difference though. The humidity now is low but
Deletein November it will rise, making us very uncomfortable.
Quietness, solitude and a slower pace, sounds ideal. I bet you are enjoying the babies. I imagine as a grandparent that you will enjoy every age and stage even more than you did as a parent because you know how quick they grow up. Enjoy Rhonda. xxoo
ReplyDeleteThis post meant so much to me. I still need to work part time to supplement my income, but my greatest joy is being at home. I went to a meeting yesterday of people 60+ who were planning all sorts of events and outings for us and while I want to participate in some, it all made me very tired. I kept wishing to get back to my peaceful haven at home. Your writing validates my feelings and I appreciate your wisdom ever so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Sounds like a wonderful way to live...enjoy your time with family and especially that steamed pudding...yum, Ive got some marmalade here to use up, I just may make it into one of those this week...
ReplyDeleteSuzanne
Nice that you had a good break and I think your plans for the immediate future sound wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWinding down from 'normal' working living is hard but once you get there you get a sense of well being that just cannot be replicated.
I love our simple life and I love to read about yours too.
Sue xx
Oh Rhonda how true this is computer time steals time and family time is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteYou have a wonderful family and it is wonderful that you can spend so much time with them.
I am glad you are back and I truly do look forward to seeing and hearing about all those special projects, ordinary life and family. Your photos are peaceful. Thank you. B
Glad you are back Rhonda. I too always look forward to your tales.
ReplyDeleteI'm busy each day spending time reading past tales, not just the tales, all the comments as well! I'm going to be at the computer a long, long time!
best wishes,
Angela South England UK
Thank you Rhonda, this is a timely reminder of the 'sneakiness' of technology taking over our valuable time and to reflect upon our values
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post, Rhonda - love the word and concept of "outernet"; I so enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely surprise to find a new blog entry Rhonda. I'm glad you are feeling refreshed. We all need time out to regroup every now and then.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is looking great.
Sarah from Jimboomba
Welcome back Rhonda,
ReplyDeletereading your blog site makes me feel so (homey), l have lost all my family apart from 1 brother, so l am now at the age where l love to appreciate the small and simple things around me, especialy my home life.
your wonderful blog site fills in a huge emptiness deep inside me, and l am sure for many othere... you bring a lost world back to life.
Thankyou for being your true self, you are a blessing to us all.
Lovely to have you back Rhonda!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, we all need a re-evaluation from time to time and stepping back in the best way to do that.
Thanks for the link up :)
Rhonda I am both thrilled and touched you included Tillie and my blog in your post. Our cycling style is very simple- we just get on our bikes and ride (no special gear or clothes etc) and our blog reflects this. It is so nice to be visited by all the lovely people who follow your blog. A very big 'Thank you' from both of us!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the term, "outernet" before- love it!
ReplyDeleteAngie
So nice to see you back - I was getting worried for a while there!! Enjoy the "serenity"!
ReplyDeleteReally glad to see you back, I have missed all your wise words!
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back and I'm very glad you enjoyed your rest. I love simple things also and look forward to any new challenges that I might face each day.
ReplyDeleteI am having a give away over on my blog if you're interested. Please contact me if you are and are unable to access my blog, as I know you don't want the address posted in your comments.
I wish I could attend Pips and Cherries on August 18th. Yet another opportunity to meet you gone begging. Oh well, all good things come to those who wait, so hopefully one day I will get to meet you and Hanno.
Till then take care!
Hi Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog for some months now, and really appreciate it.
I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your break, but also glad to see you back posting - I was missing my morning 'visit' to your place :)
Connectivity is hard to juggle when you work online, and I've found myself spending so much time in other people's lives (online) that I can miss out on time in my own. It's something I am mindful of, and will have to be more so as the kids get older and venture online themselves.
I can't wait until I can ditch my watch - I did once, when the kids were babies, and it was a wonderful time (no pun intended!).
Have a great week, and thanks for sharing your tips and thoughts,
Rachael
Hello Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteDo you know, a few years ago while on holiday we happened to drive through that little spot in Victoria - and lo and behold, that shack was actually there, high voltage powerlines and all!!
Yes, 'slow' is oh-so-important. My Dad has been unwell for a few weeks with the genuine flu, and was well enough to visit today. We sat in the sun (we haven't seen that much of it lately here in Tassie!) and enjoyed cups of tea together as the children played around us ... such a beautiful, beautiful day.
Take care of yourself ...
Rebecca
Such a lovely post Rhonda and its so wonderful to hear how much you love to spend time with your family. Your grandchildren will have so many happy memories of when they visited your house and all the fun they had!! Nothing can replace the love of grandparents :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad soon you are returning to your everyday life which your blog is mostly about. I am retiring this fall and part of my new routine is to check in with you for tips, ideas and inspiration on living simply and enjoying what we have already. I can't wait to sit with my morning coffee and become a daily "friend". Thanks Rhonda for creating this wonderful place to go to. Nancy at pashugin@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI love the new look of your blog...wonderful header pictures. And I love the captions for the pictures. Your grain bread looks so yummy! I need to make some bread for the week...think that I will pull out a grain bread recipe and make some!
ReplyDelete