tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post2752422134219631665..comments2024-03-29T16:34:01.380+10:00Comments on down to earth: How low can you go?Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-77658725833347559642013-04-24T19:54:38.996+10:002013-04-24T19:54:38.996+10:00Standing water attracts mosquitos, even in the Net...Standing water attracts mosquitos, even in the Netherlands. But, if you are good at sewing, why not clipp dammaged pantyhose to sew it together and make, with some sewingelastics, a huge cover for the watertanks? It goes faster with a sewing machine and you know what, there are handpowered machines still to be had at the charities or otherwise, even an electric sewingmachine can do without electricity, it just takes some time to pull the thingywheel on the right side all the time handdriven (like lowering the needle, but then repeating endlessly) although I think the small amount of electricity used to sew a pantyhose cover for the tanks would be worthwhile, since you give the mosquitos no chance to breed. Treadlemachines are good too, although you would miss the zigzagmovement.WE7Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-84125565854892114542011-07-28T05:22:10.944+10:002011-07-28T05:22:10.944+10:00Regarding defrosting - I try to defrost in fridge ...Regarding defrosting - I try to defrost in fridge overnight. I've taken food safety courses and leaving food for more than a short while in the sun (inside or our) can cause foodborne illness. It won't always, but it can. if I forget to take something overnight, this is what i do. In the morning, I unwrap the meat and remove it from the styrofoam tray which is meant to keep the meat cold. i re-wrap it loosely in wax paper & put in the fridge on a metal tray. About 4 or 5 o'clock I take the meat out of the fridge - if its pork chops or chicken pieces, I pry them apart and run under cold water. I then leave the meat on the metal tray on my counter for an hour max. If they are still somewhat frozen they go into a cold water bath, changed 2 or 3 times. This works with all but the largest pieces. Not everyone has to be really careful, but people with compromised immune systems or the elderly should be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-6724622832489610442011-07-28T02:21:47.830+10:002011-07-28T02:21:47.830+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Defrosting food in your fridge actuall...Hi Rhonda,<br /><br />Defrosting food in your fridge actually saves quite a lot of electricity because the fridge can skip a couple of cooling cycles. It also keep the bacteria from mutiplying the way they would in the sun (of course when you thoroughly cook any meat, the amount of bacteria doesn't really matter).<br />It just takes a bit of planning. I usually take my cuts out of the freezer the evening before I want to cook them, so they have almost 24hrs to defrost which is plenty, even for the bigger cuts.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />Laura (from the Netherlands)Laura Nnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-25474739937669224692011-07-26T11:47:29.287+10:002011-07-26T11:47:29.287+10:00I would absolutely love it if you talked about how...I would absolutely love it if you talked about how you dehydrate! Your comment in this post has definitely left me intrigued!Stephaniehttp://onthesunnyside.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-35048185029339779162011-07-26T10:11:37.347+10:002011-07-26T10:11:37.347+10:00Hi Rhonda,
great blog, really cuts to the core of ...Hi Rhonda,<br />great blog, really cuts to the core of the subject and gets the old grey matter working.<br />Heather from Oregon talked about not being able to have rain water tanks in yards in some states in the US. Well in Melbourne, Victoria in Aust, it has only been a recent thing that we can have them, it takes a mamouth drought to make the politicians bend to allow it.<br />Becca says her water tank is full of mozzies. Well apart from a fly wire covering, my dear old Dad used to pour a thin layer of kerosene on the top. It would suffocate and kill the wrigglers and then evaporate away.<br />As for me, well I try to do all I can. We have gas ducted heating in this house, not the best economically or environmentally but I put my clothes rack over a vent and it dries the clothes very well indeed. Our new house we go to in 1 week only has a wood fire for heating. I will investigate a clothes rack that hangs from the ceiling near the fire and can be lowered and raised with a rope. Hot air rises!<br />thanks Rhonda wonderful stuff.<br />DaylaDaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04544561530618570093noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-92074703177889393432011-07-22T09:38:13.700+10:002011-07-22T09:38:13.700+10:00Hello Rhonda. This post got me motivated to write...Hello Rhonda. This post got me motivated to write a somewhat lengthy comment (see above). In it, I pondered the idea of having a tabletop outside my back door big enough to hold the roaster. Just writing it down apparently got me motivated some more because I went out to the garage and cleaned up an old microwave cart that I was going to get rid of and put it just outside the back door. The roaster fits great on it. So, then I got motivated some more and found some really old yeast in the cupboard (nov '07). I had breadmaking as my 4-H project about 43 years ago, and hadn't done much since. But this afternoon, I threw some dough together and cooked it on a piece of parchment on the rack in the roaster. You could tell I got in too big a hurry (I was all excited) and didn't develop the gluten properly. The texture was not perfect, but it tasted great. It's over a 100 today, and I'm so excited to be able to bake in the summer without the indoor oven. The Du dog and I ate about 4 slices, so this could be hard on the hips.<br /><br />Thank you. Thank you. You are such a motivator. And you stir up fun.<br /><br />l,<br />bstitchesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-37799286087272928152011-07-22T09:12:10.393+10:002011-07-22T09:12:10.393+10:00Congratulations on the blog.
You're one of tho...Congratulations on the blog.<br />You're one of those people who have reserved a piece of heaven to live.<br />hugsPalazzohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16710267498566660559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-92008613883229852252011-07-22T07:33:21.376+10:002011-07-22T07:33:21.376+10:00Dear Rhonda,
I just saw the picture of the meat th...Dear Rhonda,<br />I just saw the picture of the meat thawing in the sun, and it reminded me of when I was a little girl, and in the winter months, many, many years ago when my little Nan was still alive she use to park the car outside in the sun, and then put the bread dough in there to rise in a large container. She also use to sit in there and knit and crochet, and mend socks. A great way to keep warm, and very cost effective.MyMagicBoardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17217721537889116728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-64672437024599110822011-07-22T05:45:07.390+10:002011-07-22T05:45:07.390+10:00Hi Rhonda
We moved into our house 18 months ago. ...Hi Rhonda<br /><br />We moved into our house 18 months ago. We live in Sydney and it is a medium sized block with a old house (around 100 years old). <br /><br />In regard to heating/cooling - last winter (our first) we used the reverse cycle air conditioner and our electricity bill was over $1000 for the 1/4. So this year we are using a old open fire. We absolutely love it. My brother has managed to get us wood (he is a gardener and comes across many old trees/branches/fence pailings that people want removed. I love the fire and thinking of putting in a combustion one to make it more efficient and then i could even keep the soups/stews cooking on it like I use to do in Canberra.<br /><br />We have planted around 21 fruit trees on our land and already enjoying the benefits. I have redone the front garden and put in a number of vgetable beds (but I always want more) and just need to find the right sunny spot (which seems to be on the area that the kids kick around the ball so I may need to wait a few more years).<br /><br />We have 3 chickens and just built them a bigger coop so they can run around the backyard aswell. <br /><br />The clothes line is at the side of the house - the mopst sunny all year round and slighly protected from light rain. (However it has rained all week in Sydney I have been rechecking the kids clothes to make sure they are "really dirty" before they go in the wash). We do have a dryer but only use it ocassionaly.<br /><br />We don't have a microwave or dishwasher at the moment. I actually really enjoy washing by hand as it warms my fingers after feeding the chickens and checking on the garden in the morning. The last one broke down a few months ago and I only want to replace it when we can afford an energy efficient one. <br /><br />My youngest is going to school next year and I am currently studying part-time. I absolutely love being at home and making the house our own. I make cheese, bake all our treats, make our meals, clean and enjoy the rituals and making eveything nice.<br /><br />I am hoping to work a bit more as the kids are at school so I am relishing these days.Larissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56499937842393517982011-07-22T04:23:52.144+10:002011-07-22T04:23:52.144+10:00Babe, if food is to go bad it has to be contaminat...Babe, if food is to go bad it has to be contaminated with bacteria. Food in Australia is good quality, there is little contamination in the food chain so you can be pretty sure that when you bring it home and freeze it straight away that the bacteria content is fairly low. In the three hours it takes to defrost something like a pork shoulder, there is not enough time for bacteria to multiply enough to cause any problems.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-75398247832308767052011-07-22T03:13:17.803+10:002011-07-22T03:13:17.803+10:00I loved this post. I live in a small cottage was b...I loved this post. I live in a small cottage was built in 1944. I have a fruitless mulberry tree and a large poplar tree that shade the house and keep the porch cool. I am letting a volunteer poplar tree grow in front of the house to provide more shade, oxygen, and privacy. The birds also planted a locust tree that has really helped. The windows in this home are very large and old fashioned. (schoolhouse style.) I use curtains that let the light in during the summer. I would like to get wool curtains for the winter, or make some. With all of the natural light, I don't need to turn on lights often, except at night. I cool down the house in the evening by opening the windows and turning on the ceiling fans. It really works! Otherwise this place would heat up like a tin can! I'm trying my first load of laundry with cold water as we speak. I love line drying and no longer use the dryer. I added a second clothesline. I have cut my mileage to aruond 1,000 miles a year! I bicycle to all of my errands and just drive to work at night, which is only a mile and a half away. I've found that I don't even need to turn on the hot water heater in the summer! It's not a solar heater, but the water is hot from the outside sun and heat! Who knew? I bbq meat in the hot weather, and would love to try a solar oven and purchase solar panels.<br />Stefawakened soulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-4547017107623385542011-07-22T00:05:55.794+10:002011-07-22T00:05:55.794+10:00Hi Rhonda, I can't add anything new to your li...Hi Rhonda, I can't add anything new to your list...but do appreciate a few of your suggestions! Your garden reminds me so much of my grandparents (before they went into a nursing home). I just didn't realise at the time of growing up how self sufficient and climate friendly they were. They would never have thought anything special of their lifestyle I suppose. It was just their way of life and one I admire greatly.amandahttp://www.amandabrooke.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-32661450747946170852011-07-21T22:25:28.045+10:002011-07-21T22:25:28.045+10:00Rhonda,
How does your food not go bad by defrost...Rhonda, <br /><br />How does your food not go bad by defrosting it in the sun? <br /><br />Thank you.Babehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15154700195508048706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-69611213745228144152011-07-21T22:18:50.768+10:002011-07-21T22:18:50.768+10:00Beautiful yard!! I know you both work hard to get ...Beautiful yard!! I know you both work hard to get it to that point!! And also admire your efforts to live as simply and use as little resources as possible.<br />ElizabethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-76997870137718856552011-07-21T21:50:32.239+10:002011-07-21T21:50:32.239+10:00Hi Rhonda,
Just a tip I picked up from the Tightwa...Hi Rhonda,<br />Just a tip I picked up from the Tightwad Gazette many years ago re: defrosting food. If you have the time, defrosting in the refrigerator saves money by cooling the fridge's interior w/o requiring additional electricity. That is to say, the frozen meat serves as coolant.<br />In some parts of the world you could extend this idea by allowing containers of water to freeze outdoors in the winter, and then defrost in the refrigerator.helennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-56624937669979420372011-07-21T14:34:41.321+10:002011-07-21T14:34:41.321+10:00I do wonder how you stop your water tanks from bec...I do wonder how you stop your water tanks from becoming mosquito and other bugs paradise?<br /><br />I now have a small water tank, but the mosquito's are just loving it and making it their home.... (which is what we don't want!) HOw do you deal with that?Nonnymousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02989105686632313529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-52810565738276625442011-07-21T13:41:00.530+10:002011-07-21T13:41:00.530+10:00Ecocatlady, we have foxes and dingoes here but no ...Ecocatlady, we have foxes and dingoes here but no bears, coyotes or mountain lions. Yikes! Nothing will take any meat we leave outside except maybe a wandering person who needed some raw meat. It's pretty unlikely.rhonda jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08962112306968959985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-54999314182502477412011-07-21T13:31:32.946+10:002011-07-21T13:31:32.946+10:00Hi Rhonda,
We do as much as you do also plus I pr...Hi Rhonda,<br /> We do as much as you do also plus I preserve and can a lot.<br />When we were first married 40 years ago I had a pot belly stove which I used to boil the kettle and used for soup or one pot meals, then we inherited a much loved Aga stove but it was oil run, so <br />2 years ago we passed it on and bought a Necte bakers oven which I love. Maybe Hanno would let you get one?<br />Even in Sub Tropical NSW I usually have it on Mothers day to Fathers day and all the ash goes on my fruit trees, though lately John is trying to make lye with it.<br /><br />There is nothing cosier than sitting by this oven and knitting, it is in my family room, off the kitchen. I also love your blog.<br /><br />Chris from Coffs Harbour.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-14622404242529666802011-07-21T13:30:24.427+10:002011-07-21T13:30:24.427+10:00Dear Rhonda, I to try embrace the simplier ways in...Dear Rhonda, I to try embrace the simplier ways in my home. My DH who passed away in 2009 was an amazing creative man and he built our home. Even though its large we are able to harvest wood from our 5 acres and have a large wood heater that is capable of heating 35sqs so I stay nice and warm in winter, the house is passive solar and on sunny days the heaters not on at all. I have my kitchen facing north so it is sunny and bright in winter but shaded from the bright sun in summer. I love it. As the kitchen is quiet warm all year round, I tend to defrost on the bench in the kitchen all year round. I am blessed with a generous family room so that in winter I can hang all the washing inside without it getting in the way.We have tank water and solar power,gas cooking and gas hot water, it is very efficient as I only use one gas bottle every 3 or 4 months.I try to grow things that we eat a lot of but in summer the water usually gets a bit low around harvest time and I loose a lot of my hard work,water is expensive to buy. Winter time is devoted to wood gathering and cooking nutritious meals for the young married couple who live with me.I recycle everything much to the horror of others, I think they see me as a sort of Steptoe. But I do what I can, sometimes I wonder why I bother with it all. Until I go to the shops and see how much things cost and acknowledge to myself how much I am actually saving my hip pocket and the environments.Shankahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00865727792822528592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-16018144914885668392011-07-21T13:26:40.568+10:002011-07-21T13:26:40.568+10:00Wow! I'm totally seething with jealousy over y...Wow! I'm totally seething with jealousy over your temperate climate. When people talk about not using heat, my first thought is "how do you keep the pipes from freezing?" Then it hits me that some people don't have 20 below zero to contend with.<br /><br />And sane water laws... here in Denver it's illegal to store rain water or to re-use gray water. UG! Vegetable gardens and drying clothes outside are also prohibited by many home owner's associations (thankfully we don't have one).<br /><br />And I'm totally puzzling about people leaving frozen meat outside to defrost. Don't you worry about attracting predators? Seems like an open invitation for foxes, raccoons, coyotes, mountain lions and bears. Or don't you have predators in Australia?<br /><br />Anyhow, the only thing that I can think of that nobody has mentioned is a whole house attic fan. I'm not sure how useful they would be in some climates, but here we have very hot summer days (usually above 90 degrees Fahrenheit) but relatively cool nights. So once the sun goes down we open the windows and turn on the attic fan. It does a remarkably good job of cooling the house and also pushes out any lingering hot air from the attic.EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-27738678149618360582011-07-21T13:03:53.638+10:002011-07-21T13:03:53.638+10:00As I was reading about your solar uses I was remin...As I was reading about your solar uses I was reminded of my friend who uses a solar oven to cook during the summer. I know it was not very expensive to buy and she states it works really well. <br /><br />ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-38853660565426813312011-07-21T12:28:29.215+10:002011-07-21T12:28:29.215+10:00Love what you are doing - you are such an inspirat...Love what you are doing - you are such an inspiration! As to what we do:<br /><br />Heating - we installed a high efficiency furnace and added more cold air return vents so that the air in our home is circulated more efficiently/thoroughly therefore requiring less heating. Insulated the ducting. This really works! Also, in winter, we keep the drapes fully open at the front of the house to catch all the passive solar heat we can. We keep the drapes closed at the back of the house to insulate the windows better and keep the heat in. We did also install new argon filled windows and we vamped up the insulation/sealant around them. Opening the oven door after baking/cooking to let the heat out into the home.<br /><br />Cooling: Using a spray bottle on mist cools one off rapidly! We try to NOT use our A/C also utilizing cross ventilation and improved attic venting.<br /><br />Water: not flushing each time and also installing low flow toilets. Saving cooled water from cooking and washing up for watering pots on deck. Short showers with low flow heads. Not washing clothing until it's truly dirty. Harvesting rain water. Investing in water conserving dishwasher. Emptying the dog's water into the plant pots before freshening.<br /><br />Electricity: sensor switches for the basement playroom in case the kids forget to turn off lights. We put in larger windows to reduce the amount of light we need from electricity. Powerbars to fully power off electronics. Unplug second basement freezer when not in use. Use outside (frigid temps) for freezer in winter. Not using dryer and line drying. I often pull the shirts into shape and yank on the seams and panels to stretch out and really flatten the garment so it needs no ironing when dry. Great sneaky trick!<br /><br />Hot water: Insulate the copper pipes from the tank to the sinks to keep the heat in. This is HUGE! turn down temp on tank. Wash laundry in cold. Fast showers. <br /><br />Natural gas (our heat is from natural gas furnace). Upping our attic insulation has really reduced the need for heat (and cooling). A govt grant paid for it!<br /><br />Fuel (petrol): combing errands and appts. to NOT ever go anywhere for just one or two things. Preplanning makes a big difference to the success of this.<br /><br />Running out of time but will add more if I think of it!<br /><br />SherriLittle Home In The Countryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14542813650753976168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-65710580836449469622011-07-21T12:16:46.422+10:002011-07-21T12:16:46.422+10:00When the land around us is able to deliver such be...When the land around us is able to deliver such beautiful and simple pleasures, how can we not be driven to look after it :)<br /><br />I live in South East Queensland too and love the area. Sadly not everyone seems to care as much, coal seam gas mining has the potential to ruin our water and is set to be rolled out across the water catchment are for the region. If you live in the area and are not aware of it, can I recommend you do some research and maybe write a letter to you MP or the Premier if what you find out justifies it.<br /><br />Love your work Rhonda :)Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00237535505835764126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-67622079250599630652011-07-21T10:29:11.176+10:002011-07-21T10:29:11.176+10:00Hi Rhonda-what a fantastic post, and I love that y...Hi Rhonda-what a fantastic post, and I love that you are open to suggestions too:) <br />Washing, I have a line under the eaves, even in winter I can get things dry , sometimes overnight,no problem in summer. I dont own a clothes dryer. I wash at night only, as we have solar.<br />Defrosting of food,I pull out the next night's meat while I am cooking today. I leave it in the fridge to deforst, then usually sit it on the sink for an hour or so when I get home.( My hounds would find a way to get to anything outside,lol)<br />I green clean where I can, buckets evrywhere to catch water, and rainwater tanks. My two kids are young enough they will shower together too, so it's a added bonus!I find if the house is closed up late afternoon, and draught snakes in place, we don't need the heater. This year it has been turned on once, when all of us were really ill...<br />Thanks for your inspiration, I absolutely adore my morning read:)<br />ShellyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5089828552519076506.post-68772284322933156372011-07-21T10:24:05.532+10:002011-07-21T10:24:05.532+10:00Oh I loathe our wood fire Rhonda. You native Aussi...Oh I loathe our wood fire Rhonda. You native Aussies all seem to love them though! It is so labour intensive, and dirty, but it's our main form of heating, and the Toowoomba climate is a lot colder than yours, as you know, so until I come up with a better option, we're stuck with this. We do get our timber free from a friend with a 20+ acre uncleared, undeveloped block however, which makes this a sustainable practice, surprisingly since we're in suburbia. <br /><br />I once saw on a travel show that caravaners (the 'grey nomads') are partial to using those nappy buckets with tight fitting lids to clean their clothes as they drive around the country. A few clothes, a little laundry liquid, fill with water, add the lid and away you go. The agitation is enough to clean the lightly soiled items. What a great idea! I hear that some people have washing machines in their caravans now, which seems utterly ridiculous to me (they're jam-packed without luxury appliances!) but I love the bucket idea. I wonder if I could gently wash my woolens or underwear this way while doing the school run???!Deborahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12813415890134133213noreply@blogger.com