An authentic look at daily life here — unstaged and real

Most days Hanno was outside happily working in the fresh air.

It may surprise you to know that I started reading my book, Down to Earth, yesterday - the first time since I wrote it 13 years ago.  I had lent it to my neighbor, and when she returned it, I started reading, expecting to find surprises. Instead, I realised the words were still familiar—as if they were etched into my memory. As I flipped through the pages, I was reminded of how important it was for me to share that knowledge with others. The principles in Down to Earth changed my life, and I truly believed they could do the same for others. After just 30 minutes of reading, I put the book down, reassured that its message still holds true: we can slow down and reshape our lives, one step at a time.

Homemade rye bread, this is my favourite bread, but I also make white toast milk bread, ancient grains bread and wholemeal bread.

A view of my kitchen with a carrot cake, just baked, waiting to cool and be iced.

Thumb print butter biscuits with homemade orange marmalade filling.

Kartoffelpuffer - German potato pancakes, one of Hanno's favourites.

Fast quiche made with egg, onion, garlic, asparagus and phyllo pastry.

Bread and butter cucumbers. A staple in our fridge. 

The most powerful force in my life now, and probably has been since I surrendered myself to a simpler life 25 years ago, is housework. You can't buy a simple home, you have to make it and remake it over and over again as it changes with you. It may be repetitive, but it’s never quite the same from day to day. More importantly, it enables the life I want to live and provides a sense of stability amid life’s uncertainties. Maintaining a daily routine keeps my home clean and organized, which in turn allows me to handle unexpected challenges more easily. Today, for example, I’ve already made my bed, prepared food for Gracie for the next two weeks, watered the plants, and cleaned the verandah. I have bread rising, rice portioned and frozen for future meals, and later, I’ll tend to the garden, prune plants, and bring in fresh flowers for the kitchen table.

Comfrey - this makes the best fertiliser.

Glen Large - a warm climate garlic.

This week, I’ve been sorting through thousands of photos, and I’d love to share some with you. They bring back wonderful memories, and I hope they illustrate just how fulfilling and meaningful this way of life can be. When I first started my blog, I wanted to offer an authentic look at our daily life—unstaged and real. At the time, simple living blogs didn’t exist in the way they do now, so I was surprised by how many people connected with my words. If someone had told me back then that a blog about housework, saving money, and growing food would resonate with so many, I wouldn’t have believed it. But over the years, this space has become much more than just a blog—it has fostered a community of like-minded people seeking a simpler, more intentional life.

Another staple in my fridge is tomato relish. All these preserves are delicious and much cheaper than anything you'll buy at the supermarket.

When you start to slow down and simplify, start collecting jars and bottles.

I was fortunate to earn an income from writing while embracing a simpler life, and today, working from home is more accessible than ever. It’s a rewarding way to live—where work and home life seamlessly intertwine. I often find that my best ideas come to me while mopping the floor or harvesting tomatoes. At the moment, I'm thinking of doing some Zoom workshops because I need to earn money for repairs to the front verandah. I thought they'd be covered by my Home Care Plan but it will be a long time before I'll be in a position to do the repairs that way.  The workshops will cost $75 for a 90 minute workshop on Zoom. You don't need to download any software for this, I just send you a link. If you're interested in this, let me know. To start off, I could talk about our topic for 15 minutes then we'd have an open discussion about any problems relating to the topic you might be having at your home.  I can answer all sorts of questions regarding gardening, starting a garden, keeping chickens, baking, preserving, cooking from scratch, saving money, writing a blog or a book, simplifying life and a whole lot more. If enough people are interested, I'll work out some times for us to get together. I look forward to your feedback. 

We always kept heirloom chickens and unless more people seek them out they’ll become another casualty of modern life.  This chook is a Frizzle.

This is the chook house alongside a native fig, a pecan tree and a lemon tree.

I feel incredibly grateful for the connections I’ve made online. In a world that can often feel disconnected and unpredictable, I find comfort in knowing that, from my sewing room, I can share my thoughts and hear from others who share similar values. There was a time when I focused more on life outside my home, without fully appreciating what was right in front of me. But as I slowed down, I began to see the value in what we had—our home, each other, our backyard garden, and the ability to sustain ourselves. Writing about this way of life has been the unexpected gift that has made my calm, home-centered days even more fulfilling and meaningful.