The Byron Life

Mama goes WWOOFing

2012-01-25T12:55:00.001+11:00

Yesterday I did something that is usually reserved for thesingle 20-something backpacker: I went WWOOFing. WWOOF stands for WillingWorkers on Organic Farms and typically involves four to six hours work on anorganic farm per day in exchange for food and lodgings. A wonderful way totravel and meet people and find accommodation when you are young... but notsomething you’d ordinarily find a 40-something mother-of-three doing on a rareday off from work and parenting duties.

But, hey, who cares what 40-something mother-of-three’s aresupposed to do, right? I’m in for a spot of adventure, dog dammit, even if I did look like a mostridiculous WOOFer compared to the fit, lean, beautiful bunch of young travellersI hung out with yesterday.

Here’s why I went WOOFing: I am declaring 2012 to be my yearof following my heart. My wild, creative heart and my deep desire to learn moreand write more and photograph more.

2012 is the year in which I am going to really learn how to grow food (in my itsy backyard). And, if this journey of following my creativeheart sees me squatting over a field planting parsley and coriander seedlingsin the torrential rain with a bunch of young travellers, well, so be it. That’swhere you’ll find me. What better way to learn about growing food than directlyfrom the “real” farmers themselves?

WOOFing yesterday was a hoot – although my body is aching fromit today – and I learned so much, simply by being out there and taking in thesurrounds of the farm and talking to the farm workers and asking 101 questions.(The journalist-within can’t help herself.) Digging my hands into the red crumbly soil was delicious fun for thisenthusiastic gardener, and I’m so lucky to be living in an abundant food-growing region that offersthese opportunities.*

I asked about the corn growing; learned how to propagatesweet potato, how far apart to plant lettuce seedlings and that globeartichokes are members of the thistle family and much more. I saw, firsthand, just what hardwork real farming can be; satisfying work, to be sure, but hardnever-the-less. I came away from thosefew hours at the farm with a deeper appreciation of the effort that goes intogrowing food on such a scale, and a deeper respect for the farmers that nourishus.

For my efforts I was fed a delicious breakfast/lunch offreshly picked and prepared farm food; came home with a box of fresh organicproduce and a couple of sweet potato cuttings to plant in my own backyard, a heap of inspiration for my own veggie patchand cooked up a meal full of colour and vitality for my family last night. What’s not to love?

Have you ever WWOOFed?

Megan

- I went WOOFing at Chestnut Farm, Newrybar, home toMunchCrunch Organics. You can find out more about them at www.munchcrunchorganics.com.au

- Find out more on WWOOFing here: www.wwoof.com.au

Off we go, ready or not

2012-01-18T11:41:00.000+11:00

She’s finished the countdown until Christmas; finished thecountdown until turning five, and now Miss Melody has a new event to count downthe days for: Big School.

Yes, after 15 years of motherhood, for the second timearound I am about to watch my “baby” go off to big school. I’ve been herebefore, ten years ago, with my eldest child, and I can tell you it doesn’t get anyeasier.

I am filled with the same nervous butterflies for Mellistarting school as I was when her big sister did all those years ago. Nervousthat she will be okay in the new environment; that the teacher will be good forher; that she will remember which lunchbox is which; remember to go to thetoilet and remember not to wander off from her classroom and get lost down somedark alley inhabited by gangs and drug pushers where she will meet a darkstranger who will introduce her to a cult where she will be brainwashed intoleaving on some dangerous mission to a far-away place where she will parachuteinto a crocodile-infested waters...

While I worry about how she will go in those early days, Iknow where I will be within minutes of dropping her off to her new classroom onthat first day. I’ll be exactly where I was a decade ago after dropping off herbig sister; a blabbering mess sitting in my car wishing, in vain, that it was not soinsufferably quiet and empty of her little kid chatter.

While I am running through all the possible disasters thatmay befall my little one when she starts school – as mothers do - she, on theother hand, is racing off in the other direction excitedly preparing for thisnext big adventure.

Squeaky new school shoes are being worn every day around thehouse; numbers and letters are being studied, pencil cases opened and closed amillion times and back packs chosen.

She is counting down the days. She is ready.

I am not.

Neither is her little sister.

When Maddi, two, sees her big sister attempting to put onher new, bright, white school socks she springs into action. Although she doesnot know exactly what is going on, Maddi senses her fearless leader is up to nogood and so she lunges for the socks and races off to the teenager’s roomdeclaring: “That’s Lella’s socks”. She recognises the socks are for schoolkids, big kids, and goes to return them to the rightful school kid of the house– 15-year-old Ella.

I should stop her, but inwardly I am barracking for mytoddler at this point: willing her chubby little legs to run, run, as fast asthey can and take the makings of another school kid with them. Yes, Maddi, I think.Let’s put a stop to all this “big school” madness right now. Big School! Apreposterous plan. Outrageous! Let’s nip it in the bud right here...

But I have already brought two six-packs of the white socks,haven’t I (you can never have too many socks), and Miss Five has simply put on a new pair, pulled high to herknees. Maddi’s plan is foiled and at the sight of those white school socks andshiny black school shoes on those skinny little legs, the tears I thought wouldbe saved for the car on the first day of school are leaking out early.

“Oh, Melli,” I splutter. “How did you get so big? I will miss you somuch when you are at big school.”

Melli looks over at me, beaming with “I’m wearing my bigschool clothes” pride and then clomps off in those ridiculously big black shoesto the kitchen table to retrieve her latest artwork. She returns and thrusts itinto my lap with the instructions: “Here, Mum, you can look at this when I am atbig school so you don’t miss me.”

I look down at the picture. A sticky, glued-on mess offabric scraps, texta colour and glitter and I can see there is a resemblance. A sweet-facedgirl with stringy yellow hair... It does kind-of look like her. I will frame itand I will look at it every day, but it will never be as good as the realthing.

***

Here’s the thing nobody tells you when you become a mother :No matter how prepared you think you are; no matter how many classes you take,books you read or advice you listen to – no matter how many years practice youhave -you will Never. Be. Ready. for this day.

But, your kids will be.

And they will race forward into thefuture regardless of you, and you must take a deep breath, brush aside those tears and sprintalongside them to keep up, puffing and panting as you go.

They grow Big. Fast.

Whether you are ready or not.

Megan

summer days

2012-01-11T22:09:00.000+11:00

some days i take the i-phone with me to the beach...

pictures via instagram (i'm known over there as thebyronlife)

x

Crafty Party Girls

2012-01-09T10:07:00.000+11:00

We celebrated Miss Melody's fifth birthday is crafty, home-made style yesterday. With a small group of little school friends, a heap of home-made party food (Alex presented the party girls with an amazing array of goodies he made himself: home baked cakes, old-fashioned toffees, home-made lemonade, hommus and guacamole dips...) and some crafty inspiration from the blogosphere, the birthday girl had a ball.

The pictures above are from the party craft table where the girls rocked the scissors, textas, glitter and fabric scraps to create these cute little party-girl pictures. The idea came from Cath who had blogged about this idea years ago and kindly sent me a photo to jog my memory. My teenager then drew the figures for the little ones to colour in and "dress" in fabric scraps. It was a hit with the girls, and I'd highly recommend it if you are looking for an inexpensive and fun party (or any day) craft activity.

And these photos are of my crafty contribution to the birthday festivities : bunting made from my collection of thrifted hankies. Again, another crafty mum I know inspired this idea after gifting us something similar a couple of years ago. I actually went looking for that bunting to hang for the party only to discover I'd lost it somehow, perhaps in the packing and clearing when we moved up to the hills last year... so I decided to make some of my own using my collection of mostly vintage hankies and a couple of rolls of bias-binding I had in my supplies.

Someone at the party commented that the bunting reminded them of Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the wind. They do look lovely in the garden and I made enough (7.5metres!) that I may leave one length out in the girls' play area and bring the smaller length inside to decorate their room.

We ended the scorcher of a summer's day here, at Melody's favourite place in nature. All up, a perfect summer's party day for my little summer baby. And, with that, we can sign-off on this season of back-to-back birthday and Christmas festivities... phew!

x

When You Are Five...

2012-01-06T11:07:00.000+11:00

You have counted down the sleeps until this day for a verylong time.

You are greeted with huge hugs from sleepy parents andexcited sisters.

Your request for pikelets (always pikelets!) for breakfastis met and a trip to the beach will follow.

Of all your presents, the shiny trinkets from Granny (the sort that mummy does not buy for you) andthe pink umbrella from your big sister will be your favourites.

You will not know that your dad had to ring his editor toexplain that it will be a late start today as there is a swing set to assemble(and that your mum and dad are grateful for such an editor).

You will show your mum, who may be hiding a twinkle of tearsin her eyes as she watches this, just how kind and loving you are by sharingyour birthday joy with your little sister.

When you are five your world is filled with love and flowersand little best friends and excitement for your birthday partycoming up.

When you are five the world is huge and safe and dreams youhaven’t even had yet float out there, just waiting for you to live them.

When you are five the possibilities are endless, the sky islimitless... and your mum is so lucky to have you there to remind her of that,every single day.

In My Kitchen :: A Summer Recipe – Chilli and Lemongrass Salsa

2012-01-03T11:39:00.000+11:00

Growing my own small veggie/herb patch and buying locallygrown produce whenever I can is keeping me in tune with eating seasonally.Although I haven’t set myself any kind of formal challenge to only eat locally,I am trying my best to do so to keep food fresh and reduce food miles.

The photos above is a small sample of what I picked from myown garden patch yesterday: Marigolds, basil, Vietnamese mint, lemon grass and afew tiny tomatoes. I have not had great success with the tomatoes, sadly, but I’mnot giving up. The tiny yellow pears have a heap more fruit ripening....

And the photo above is what I brought home with me from theroadside stalls I visited on New Year’s Day. Locally grown coffee, coriander,squash, bananas, snake beans, chokos, tomatoes and at the back there, a bundleof hessian coffee bags to re-use at home (craft ideas, anyone?).

The produce above cost me just over $20. Not bad for organicfood. The tomatoes were $5 for a 2.5kg box – organic and vine-ripened tomatoes at$2kg. Wow! I will have to preserve these somehow.

This pic was taken through instagram. Come find me there as thebyronlife

Inspired by that bunch of sweet coriander, along withlemongrass, basil and mint growing in my garden, I have tested out a new-to-merecipe that I happily share with you today. This salsa is a spicy Thai-style thatworks wonderfully with either tofu, chicken or fish on a bed of rice. Westeamed those snake beans as a side-dish, too.

CHILLI AND LEMONGRASS SALSA

1 x red chilli (seeds removed)

2 x lemongrass stalks

1 x tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger

Good handful of Coriander

Good handful of sweet basil leaves

A few Vietnamese Mint leaves (or Thai basil if you havesome)

2 x tablespoons soya sauce

Juice of 3 limes (or more if you want it more watery)

1 x teaspoon sugar or honey

METHOD:

Very finely chop the herbs and chilli. Make sure you removethe chilli seeds and the tough outer leaves of the lemon grass. Finely gratethe ginger

Combine these with the sugar, soy sauce and lime juice.

Cover and refrigerate for an hour or more.

Serve over cooked tofu or meat on a bed of rice.

You could also use this as a marinade.

Megan

Summer Days

2012-01-02T00:05:00.000+11:00

Up in the hills, through the forest and past fields, a taste of summer awaits.

Spray-free, organic, home-grown and freshly picked. Sold by the side of the road though the honesty box system.

Chokos and herbs; bananas and coffee; squash, tomatoes, garlic, zucchini and corn... This is what summer tastes like.

I drive home, my car perfumed by the scents of coffee, coriander and forest.

Summer. Can you taste it?

Megan

What Will You Choose in 2012?

2011-12-31T19:13:00.001+11:00

Last night I tried to make a collage of photos from 2011 as a NYE post, but the computer just would not cooperate with this idea. And so, I will let that one go and try something different.

It's fitting, really, because that has been the theme of 2011 for me : Letting go. As hard as it might appear in the face of it, letting go of out-grown habits, thoughts, stuff, and the way I conduct some relationships has had this wonderful effect of pulling unexpectedly positive things towards me as I let go of the old.

Some of the things I have chosen to let go of in 2011 include:

~ some relationships and situations that consistently left me feeling negative about myself.
~ some harsh inner judgements on my self-worth (related to and reflected by the above).
~ a heap of physical cluttter (truckloads, in fact)
~ a few ruts and comfort zones - including the comfort of our own familiar home for a while.

And, in letting go of the above (and more) I received:

~ A new sense of purpose and appreciation of my life.
~ A deeper, heart-felt, appreciation of the absolutely incredible friendships I am blessed with, both new and old.
~ A clearer living space (rarely tidy, but definitely more functional).
~ Unexpected, and wonderful, creative opportunities that continue to amaze me.
~ A more gentle approach to myself, and my life as it is right now; as a mother of three, including two little ones.
~ A very real sense of knowing that I am doing the very best I can for my children, with the resources I have available. This has been huge.
~ Courage to keep going and keep experimenting and trying new things.
~ Proof, in so many ways, that if I truly follow my intuition, all will unfold perfectly.
~ A renewed love for this a.m.a.z.i.n.g. region I call home. There is so much to love; so much more to discover; so much more to connect with and so many stories to tell!

2012 will see more work on letting go. It has been cathartic, but so worthwhile. I think (hope) I have gotten more into the groove of it now.

Yes, I would have liked to have put that collage of life in 2011 together, but, really, the photo below is without a doubt my favourite from the year, anyway. It shows my two little ones experiencing life with chooks and a big playground to explore as we left our home by the coast and lived up in the hills for a spell. Their enthusiasm for the "new"and their ability to make the best out of any experience is infectious.

We took a risk on that "life in the hills" stint and while there were many aspects that worked for us, there were quite a few that didn't. The grass is not always greener - who knew?! But I am so very glad we did it. We have returned with a deeper appreciation of all the good we have going for us here, in our own home, and we have so many new plans...

I know it's only a date on the calendar, but this time of year is powerful. We can reflect, appreciate and acknowledge all the good in our lives - including the hard lessons learned in the previous year. And we can move forward, in whatever manner we choose. Therein lies the power of our lives - our choices.

I am enthusiastic about 2012 and all it has to offer. I choose to move forward creatively, with good, gentle and positive people by my side, in harmony with my family, the environment, and the community in which I live.

What will you choose for 2012, I wonder?

Thank you for dropping by this year - I do hope you (choose to) come back again in 2012, you are so very welcome.

x
Megan

p.s And, I also choose to grow garlic in my garden in 2012!

Summer Days

2011-12-26T11:14:00.000+11:00

Boxing Day. The fridge is full of Christmas Day leftovers; the kids are playing in the sand pit and I am planning on picking some herbs from my garden for lunch... maybe we will go for a beach swim later. Holiday bliss.

And, I'm blogging over at the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op blog today. Come visit to see how the straw bale garden experiment went this year.

x
Megan

With Gratitude

2011-12-23T00:27:00.000+11:00

Before we moved back home (after our stint living in the hills this year), I vowed to create a beautiful summer veggie garden when we got back. It would have basil. Lots and lots of basil, my favourite herb.

The cool summer we are experiencing has been on my side with the basil. There's plenty of it growing now, and none of it has bolted, yet. Happy.

It is such a simple thing: To walk out the back door, as I did last night, and pick a bunch of herb leaves to include in our evening meal. Simple, but so satisfying.

***

We are keeping everything pretty simple this Christmas. Home-cooked meals shared with friends and family; no major travelling this year; the presents we've gathered aren't excessive and I am looking forward to dividing my time between the beach and the garden with the little ones by my side. (If only they would actually stay by my side, especially at the beach!)

I'll still be around here over the Christmas/New Year period ...dropping in regularly to amuse you with examples of my new-to-me i-phone obsession, no doubt! A summer photo series is brewing, I feel...

I mostly wanted to say, today: Thank you all so much for visiting the blog this year.

Wishing you all special times ahead with your own gang this holiday season.

x
Megan

x
Megan

Late Adopter, Over-Sharer.

2011-12-22T12:37:00.002+11:00

A little while ago my partner Alex upgraded his i-phone and gave me his old phone. Oh, the fun I am having with this hand-me-down i-phone. I know I'm just slightly behind the times by getting my hands on one of these gadgets (and probably embarressing myself by admitting it), but I truly didn't think I needed it. And, let's be honest, I don't need it. However, now that I have it, I am finding it an amazing piece of technology that has helped me immeasurably when I am at work reporting for the paper, and is the. perfect. toy. for the photographer within.

Now I can now photograph anything, anytime, anywhere and SHARE it! Poor Facebook friends who have had to put up with my endless i-phone pix... now I'm going to share the joy of my new toy with you, dear blog reader. Watch out...

I just have to learn how to blog from the i-phone... can't be that hard, right?

x
Megan

Look what I found by the side of the road... and other stuff of seasonal note.

2011-12-19T23:33:00.000+11:00

A few updates from The Byron Life HQ:

1. We have a Christmas tree. It is wonky. I found it on the side of the road. Well, first of all I drove past a guy with a saw in his hand clambering through the bushes and I thought to myself... there must be Christmas trees in there, it is the only reason a guy with a saw in his hand has stopped here and is climbing through the bushes at this time of year... So, after being harassed by Melli for a tree on which to hang her precious (and so cute) ceramic decorations made at kindy, I drove up the hill with my hand saw and clambered through the bushes and found a tree by the side of the rail track, along side many sawn-off trees (these trees are classified as weeds, in case anyone thinks I've gone all enviro-destructo on you). When I got home I had to cut my tree a bit and sticky tape some branches back on it to get it to fit in the corner. Maddsion then threw most of the Christmas decorations under the lounge.

2. Santa came to visit our playgroup's beach Christmas party. He wore no shoes. A nearby table of picnickers happened to have Santa hats and handed them out to the little ones. Maddison was most pleased.

3. We have finished pre-school, partied-up, and are now preparing for big school in 2012. Typed like that, there's no hint of the huge emotions this brings up in me. I had tears in my eyes as I drove away on the last day... The teachers at that beautiful school have been nothing short of angels for Melli. How I will miss that place. Can't quite comprehend Melli being in "big" school yet. I will, no doubt, cry on her first day, but for now I'm trying not to think about it too much.

4. Maddi turned two - but I think I told you that already? Also huge emotions there. So many letting-gos going on in my world this season. Yesterday I attended the blessing-way (like a baby shower, but different) of a dear friend. It feels so very long ago since my belly was that huge. She is so beautiful and I'm so excited and nervous for/with her.

5. I grew these beans!

And this cucumber!

6. We have a new/old compost bin. I found it in the classified ads for $40. They normally sell for close to $200. Two weeks in it is composting away our food and garden scraps beautifully. The girls think it is a toy. Here they are in their pjs and gumboots - tumbling the compost first thing in the morning. This makes me proud.

7. I finally dusted off the sewing machine and re-fashioned a size 8 women's top into a size 5 girls' dress for Melli. The top was given to us in a bundle of lovely clothes by a friend of Ella's and has sat in a box labelled "clothes to fix/ re-fashion" that, until yesterday, has remained sticky-taped closed following our move back home two months ago. It feels good to sew again, even something quick and basic like this (all I had to do was shorten the straps).

8. Many mangoes have been eaten and many beach trips have been had. And a few bottles of vino may have been opened. Celebrating with good friends, good food and family. That's what makes this season for me...

In summing up: Life is good. A little too much letting-go for my comfort perhaps, but overall, life is good. I am grateful for so much.

Hope your end-of-year goings-on are good too.

x
Megan

In Pictures :: Craft-a-rama Chaos

2011-12-14T18:36:00.000+11:00

There's 11 days left until Chrismas and the kiddos and I have been visiting craft-a-rama town. Today's mission: Cards for the pre-school teachers. Think old picture books cut up, glitter all through the carpet and a glue-stick worked down to the bone...

I totally don't love the Christmas caper - as far as the commercial rubbish side goes. But a bit of scissor and glue-stick action? Well, I can bring myself to that.

That, and a few champas with friends and I'm good with the silly season.

x
Megan

I'm over at the Co-op today...

2011-12-12T13:01:00.002+11:00

Hi folks,

Today I'm blogging over at the The Simple Green Frugal Co-op. Come visit and say hi!

x
Megan

p.s Any Northern Rivers locals care to guess where the photo above was taken?

On my mind :: Two!

2011-12-09T09:11:00.001+11:00

On my mind today is this little lady. Miss Maddison, birthday girl. Can it really be two years since my little bug-a-lugs arrived? It’s been the fastesttwo years of my life...

Happy birthday for tomorrow my baby. You are such a gentle little soul. The most adorable and cheeky of little sisters and we all love you to bits.

~ joining in today with Rhonda's "on my mind".

How to Grow and Cook Vietnamese Mint

2011-12-06T11:47:00.001+11:00

While I am trying my hand at vegetable growing this season, it is the herbs in my garden that are making their way into our kitchen on a daily basis. My cucumbers are still to ripen; there's only a few small tomatoes fruiting and so far only a handful of beans have been harvested... but the herbs are always ready to pick, with Vietnamese mint being the stand-out winner so far.

Remember a while back I recycled a garden pond into a herb garden? Well, among the herbs planted in that was a tiny Vietnamese mint seedling.

This was what it looked like back then: (You can see the mint on the left.)

This is it now:

When we moved to the hills for a few months, I left my pond herb garden here, taking only the herbs I thought I would use: parsley, coriander, basil, oregano... the Vietnamese mint was left in the pond garden all on its own.

Fast forward five months and it has taken over the pond container and is flourishing! Next it in this photo are some chives (with the purple flowers) a random vine - not sure what it is!, a capsicum seedling, a parsley seedling and basil.

What I have learned about growing Vietnamese mint:

- Originating from South-East Asia, it loves our hot and humid tropical weather.
- It is hardy. I left it in the pond garden for months, with no additional watering except from rain as it fell, and it not only survived, it flourished.
- Use a container to grow it in - unless you want it taking over the garden.
- You can grow it from a cutting. The mint sends out runners, just pick one with a few roots on it and you can easily propagate this herb. A friend of mine took a runner from this herb pond recently, and she reports it is growing well in her garden.

What I have learned about cooking with Vietnamese mint:

- Use it in the same way you would use coriander. Coriander is the closest thing I can think of that describes the taste of Vietnamese mint.
- Use the freshly picked whole leaves in Vietnamese rolls (with rice paper) and Asian-style salads.
- Team it with a sesame oil, tofu and vegetables for a delicious stir-fry
- use it in a laksa.

And, here's a recipe I cooked last night using Vietnamese mint:

Megan's Chilli Beans and Vietnamese Mint

1. Saute a chopped onion, garlic clove, a couple of celery stalks and a carrot chopped into small chunks.
2. As you are frying, add the following spices and herbs to your taste:

-chilli powder (or fresh chilli, if you have)
-cumin powder
-tumeric
-garam masala
-ground coriander seed

3. When vegetables with spices look softened, add a tin of drained kidney beans and cook together for a minute or two.

4. Add a couple of tins of chopped tomatoes.

5. Add a few (or a handful) of chopped Vietnamese mint leaves.

6. Simmer gently for 20 mins or so...

7. Serve with rice.

How about you - have you grown and/or cooked with Vietnamese mint? I'd love some more ideas on how to use it...

x
Megan

Megan's Top 5 Weekend Picks

2011-12-03T11:32:00.001+11:00

Hello! Here are my top picks for your weekend reading pleasure.

1. Now Trending: Chooks in the 'Hood: I've written a new piece for Wendy Harmer's The Hoopla mag. Read here

2. The Bad Mothers Meeting is in Session: Hilarious piece written by Annemarie Laurence for The Age. Read here

3. Rhonda Hetzel is holding her dream in her hands; what a feeling. Read here

4. GeekDad's The Five Best Toys of All Time. It's not what you might expect from a geek dad! Read here

5. John Birmingham's The Demise of the Killer Tomato. Brilliant piece on who controls our food chain. Read here.

Have a great weekend all ~ Megan

In Pictures :: A Mystery Unravels...

2011-11-23T06:46:00.000+11:00

Just a few weeks ago there was nothing here except a heap of weeds and soggy/boggy ground.
Now I am picking herbs and checking daily on how big the beans are and how the cucumbers and tomato flowers are coming along...
I'm finding the process of watching my straw bale garden grow quite fascinating. Of course I'm already familiar with the end products, but seeing how each fruit forms, how long they take, their size, colours and the shapes the plants take on along the way... a lot of this is new to me.
How could something so basic as growing food become such a mystery to so many of us? How did that happen?

x
Megan

Reporting on:: A local mum wins $5k to not shop!

2011-11-21T12:40:00.001+11:00

Knowing first-hand the challenges of sticking to my Buy Nothing New in October pledge, it was wonderful to discover that a local mum won $5,000 in the Buy Nothing New Month competition for promoting awareness of the campaign. Go Melissa!

Even more fun to get to report on it for the paper...

I have to say it again (I know I say it a lot) but I do love my job!!

Here's the link to the story.

Happy Monday folks.

x
Megan

On my mind...

2011-11-18T10:42:00.001+11:00

Behold! The first beans from my little straw bale veggie patch have appeared. Such a small victory, I know, but filling me with me with joy today.

I'm joining in with "on my mind" via Rhonda's Down to Earth blog today - appropriately enough given Rhonda's blogging about growing your own food has been an inspiration for starting my veggie garden this year.

I plan on doing a bit of a tally on what I've spent on materials, compared to what kind of harvest I yield from this veggie patch over summer, although I highly suspect I'll be pushing it to make my money back this time around.

Even if it turns out to have been a more expensive excercise than buying the same vegetables from the grocer (or farmer), I'm already declaring the veggie garden a success.

The success has been in watching a seed turn into a seedling then flower then fruit into something I can eat... all through a handful of compost and some water. So simple, yet so empowering to know that I can grow my own food. We can all grow food. So wonderful, also, to be showing my children that food does not come from the shelf in a shop (or a stall at a market) - it comes from a plant that we can grow and nurture in our very-own backyard.

Giving that knowledge to my girls is worth every cent I've put into establishing this garden. The icing on the cake (so to speak) will be actually eating those plants. Soon...

Have a great weekend.

x
Megan

An Opportunity for the Happy Camper

2011-11-14T09:39:00.001+11:00

We just had a great weekend away camping with friends andwhile the beach, rock pools and forest surrounds were fantastic, it was a quickdrive into the nearest town for supplies that was one of the highlights for me, for it was there I discovered the cutest little op-shop wasopen. Happy Days!

(And yes, in a “that’s so 2009” way, I’ve also discoveredhipstamatic on the i-phone. What I haven’tmastered yet is the settings, so the photos are of the random-quality variety. The cool kids will be unimpressed...)

The op-shop was found in the small holiday village of Illukawhich itself is straight out of a retro holiday postcard with its fibro shacks,sleepy harbour and old-school pub bistro.

I stopped myself from buying all of those ‘70s stackablemugs... just like you see in my blog header. I have enough already, but lovedthe way they were displayed pride-of-place in the shop.

It’s cheap thrills all the way for this blogger: 50cents bought this cute-as-pie retro pinaforefor little Maddi which, she insisted, must be worn with her little red gumboots that she has drawn all over in pen... as you do.

Camping and op-shopping. Got to be happy with that combo.

Megan

Morning Rituals

2011-11-10T10:29:00.001+11:00

One of the first things I do in the morning is go and checkon my fledgling straw bale veggie garden. I look to see what has grown since I last checked (everything!) and see whatis flowering (dwarf beans!) and discover new things (little mushrooms today –my compost must be good stuff if these have appeared?).

Since I last blogged life has been busy, busy: with work,kids, visitor, home etc. These few quiet moments taken in the morning, where I checkon how my little garden project is coming along, are like a little treat tocalm me before I tackle the rest of the day...

This is what I saw around our house and garden this morning:

little mushrooms peeping out of the top layer of compost on the strawbale garden

My dwarf beans are flowering already!

These are lemon myrtle leaves drying, we have a tree in our garden.
When dried I will grind them and used them in cooking... an experiment.

Happycat!

That flowering vine is incredible. It lays dormant in winter then explodes into colour for summer.
It towers over my little veggie patch - but is positioned so it shields the veggies from the harsh afternoon sun.

And that's where it was at this morning. Melli saw me taking photos on the i-phone and wanted a turn; Maddi saw me in the garden and wanted the hose turned on; Ella cameto the back door, said goodbye and set off on her way to school, Alex had the coffee made... and another day began.

Hope your day is going well. I'll be back blogging more next week.

Megan

this moment

2011-11-04T22:43:00.000+11:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

~ joining in with Soulemama this week.

Happy Weekending!

How to Start a Summer Garden ~ The Thrifty Way

2011-11-02T21:21:00.000+11:00

I picked up these two cute watering jugs from the op-shopthe other day thinking they would come in handy for the little girls’ garden play. We’re out there every day now that the weatherhas turned all summery on us, and we have a new project that needs watering: We’ve started our new veggie patch – created from straw bales.

Straw bale gardening is where you use the straw bales as acontainer; planting seedlings directly into the bale with some compost. Thebale breaks down (composts) over time, thus feeding your plants and alsoproviding you with rich compost at the end of the growing season which you canspread over your garden, or use as the start of a no-dig raised garden bed as Iintend to do.

It's a thrifty, easy and effective way to start up a veggie garden. If you want to read more about this process, have a peekover at the Simple, Green, and Frugal Co-op blog where I also write. I bloggedabout it here.

The watering cans are a hit with Maddi who is putting them to good use keeping the straw bales nice and moist (and the grass, and the sandpit, and herclothes, and the pavers and the laundry floor...)

Interesting watering technique my girl is developing... andcheck out the curls. Curls! Finally, a few weeks short of her second birthday,she sprouts a decent crop of hair.

In other gardening news, I thought I’d show you how manyroots have appeared on those rosemary cuttings I blogged about last month. Ikeep changing the water in the jar (whenI remember) but so far they haven’t made it into soil. I’d better hurry upthough, Alex tried to nab one forcooking the other night. I really could have planted these two weeks ago, butthey’re happy enough. See all the new tips they’ve shooted as well as the roots? Looking good.

If you’ve never tried growing a plant from a cutting, alsocalled striking a plant, it’s really easy. Have a read of this blog post – and readthe comments, there’s some good advice in there too.

The nasturtiums pictured here are also taking root in thewater, after only a week, so I’ll be planting them soon.

Now I’m going to give this flower a go. I think these arecalled crucifix orchids? Does anyone know? Again, I picked a few from the sideof the road. (Stopping the car and picking up random things from the side of theroad is a habit of mine. Terribly embarrassing for the teenager when she’s inthe car with me... but, isn't that what mothers are for?)

As well as herbs, fruit and vegetables, I want our gardento be bright and colourful and full of flowers and if I can be a bit thriftyand grow it all from seeds or free cuttings, all the better. Gardening from scratch.

Summer!! Can you feel it? Have you started a garden?

Megan

Day 31 :: She Crosses the Finish Line!

2011-10-31T16:52:00.000+11:00

Day 31, Buy Nothing New Month.

What an epic experiment is has been pledging to buy nothingnew this month! With the exceptions of food, drink and hygiene products, I havesteadfastly stuck to the pledge – and have found some unexpected rewards alongthe way.

At first I thought I would breeze through this month, afterall I am already pretty committed to recycling and buying second hand. But Idid find it took some planning and creative thinking to stick with it.

We moved house in the early part of the month, and I thinkthis helped as I was confronted with how much stuff we have anyway – when Ilooked at our possessions through the filter of buy nothing new month I saw we hadno real need for anything new. We are so abundant already, in so many ways.

Taking time out to appreciate the stuff that really matters

However, moving back home also held some challenges as I amtrying to get the house a bit more orderly and functional – and storage is mymain constraint.

It would be easier to go off to the local hardware/furnitureshop and buy new shelving and storage to solve this one, but the buy nothingnew pledge kept me out of those shops. Instead I have taken my time scouringop-shops, the tip-shops and building recylclers for what I need... and I’mstill looking. (I have a tape-measure permanently in my handbag these days sothat if I come across a shelf, curtains or blinds etc I can measure-up to seeif they’ll fit!)

I did find this shelf, and some curtain fittings, so we’resome of the way there. Really, there’s no hurry.

Recycled kitchen shelf

And that is what has really impressed me about thischallenge: How it slows you down and makes you think things through before youpurchase. Quite the opposite of impulsespending. That is certainly something I’ll be carrying on into my life in a bigway now, even though I am lifting the buy nothing new ban after today.

I will continue to question every purchase to see if thereis an alternative: either going without, borrowing, re-using what I have orpurchasing second hand and/or locally handmade... It’s a slower process, andtakes more effort, but there is something deeply gratifying about using yourcreative thinking and being resourceful instead of buying off the rack of aproduction-line store...

Op-shopped dress for Melli

Slow and mindful consumerism is not encouraged by the societywe live in, but the past month has taught me it’s a much calmer way of doingthings. And it’s empowering to know that you are not being dictated to byfashion or trends.

I want to thank everyone who has visited the blog this monthand encouraged me. There may have been a bit too much thrifting going on aroundhere for some of you! – but thanks for hanging in there with me.

And thank you to me super-thrifty blog guests this month: Tricia from Little Eco Footprints, Liz from Gleaners Inc., Cam from CurlyPops, Kate fromFoxs Lane,Cath from ChunkyChooky, Rachel from Bird Textile and Mary from Eclectic Critters.

You are all inspiring examples of thecreativity that can flow on from recycling and caring about how we treat thisbig old planet of ours.

Liz's incredible recycled lino creations. Thank you again Liz for sharing your art with us this month.

You might think I have now survived a month of deprivationand will go rushing out to buy something new tomorrow??

Not at all. I’m relievedand feeling refreshed to have stepped off the consumer treadmill for a moment...

If anything, tomorrow you’ll most likely find me in thebackyard pottering around my veggie patch delighting in how my seedlings havegrown from the rain J

Megan

p.s Must add a hugethank you to Cathy over at Tinniegirl for hosting Blogtoberfest this October– without that motivation, Cathy, I would not have pledged to blog so consistently this month. x

Day 29 :: Thrifty Guest, Rachel Bending of Bird Textile

2011-10-29T08:28:00.002+11:00

Day 29, Buy Nothing New Month

As October 2011 nears its end, I am delighted to have as my final thrifty guest, Rachel Bending - the inspiring designer behind the sustainable Bird Textile range of organic fabrics, homewares and, more recently, the children's wear label, Little Bird, Little Bird.

When I invited Rachel onto The Byron life as a guest-blogger this month I knew that her passion for treading gently on the earth would shine through in the theme of "thrifty and recycling". When I opened her email, and saw the following blog post; Expression of the self using found and recycled objects, I was moved by just how poignantly she has interpreted this theme.

Enjoy.

x

Megan.

Thank you Rach! Over to you:

Whilst living in London in 1998, I heard about an amazinggarden situated on a desolate part of the coast in the south of England. Thecreator of the garden was the (in)famous filmmaker and gay rights activistDerek Jarman (1942-1994).

Jarman was best known for his films Sebastiane, Jubilee andCaravaggio but he was also one of a handful of public figures who spokepublically about HIV and AIDS. By the time of his 1993 film ‘Blue’, in whichJarman describes his life and vision, he was losing his sight and dying of AIDSrelated complications.

He was in fact, a very private man, and chose to live outthe remainder of his life at a tiny fisherman's cottage called ‘Prospect Cottage’in Kent. The solitude and silence attracted him to what was in all reality oneof the most harsh and barren landscapes possible ....within a stones throw ofDungeness nuclear power station.

Out of this desolate expanse grew Derek Jarmans Garden.

Later that year, some close friends and I made the daytripto Dungeness to visit the garden. There was something terribly romantic aboutvisiting the place a great man had chosen to rest. But for me, as for many, thebeauty was in what Jarman had created from found and recycled objects,materials, and plants, in a place where really nothing should grow.

The garden, four years after his death, was exquisitelybeautiful, even in its weathered and unkempt state.

Two years later, whilst living in India, I spent some timecamped out at a derelict little cottage on the banks of the Holy river Ganga,just north of the city of Rishekesh on the edge of the Himalaya. I shared thespace with a hippy couple from rural Italy, a young Indian mother and herlittle boy, and an Indian Sadhu.

For a few weeks we hung out there, practicedyoga, ate simple food, and bathed in the magic of the Holy River.

Derek Jarmans garden came to me.

So, with no tools, no compost, no new plants, we set out tocreate a garden overlooking the river.

Moments like this; my understanding of the intensely personal art practice of another, bound by the fragility of circumstance, interaction with nature and a deep awareness of environment.

A celebration of life.

These moments are the inspiration for my design practice.

Images:

Photographs of Derek Jarman and his garden by HowardSooley.

Photographs of the garden in Rishikesh by Rachel Bending.

***

* Today marks Day Twenty Nine (and thirty, as this is a weekend post) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (where possible) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s been on to Blog, not Buy...

See you all back here for the finale, Day 31 ~ Monday. x

Day 27 :: Thrifty Mary and her Eclectic Critters

2011-10-27T11:34:00.002+11:00

Day 27, Buy Nothing New Month.

Hello. Last week I journeyed up to the Byron Bay hinterland to photograph designer and artisan Mary Wade in her home studio and I've been looking forward to sharing this one with you. For the vintage lovers among us, prepare yourself for a visual feast because here is one lady who knows how to take thrifting to a whole new level.

Not only is Mary's home filled with vintage treasures she has collected over decades; the house itself is a sweet old Queenslander that Mary transported onto some land and has lovingly restored. Yes, a recycled home! Why buy new when you can recycle, right? After all, it is Buy Nothing New Month.

From her home studio, Mary, who used to work in the costume department at the ABC and studied textile design at RMIT, designs and sews children's clothes and crafts her adorable range of soft toys under the Eclectic Critters label.

Yes, another compost loo, folks! Just like yesterday's guest, Cath from Chunky Chooky

"Back in 2002 I purchased a parcel of land, purely for the spectacular view," Mary said.
"I just couldn't find a house on land in my price bracket that appealed... so I chose a Queenslander to re-site as a cheaper option. An added bonus is that I so love timber homes.

"It felt great choosing a house, a bit like going to the car yard, only I was shopping for a recycled, pre-loved home."

The toilet and laundry in the original house were attached at the back, but were left behind as they most likely contained asbestos and Mary chose instead to build a compost loo. "I call it the loo with a view," she says. "Why on earth pay for a portaloo, which is a council requirement (when building), when you can put the money towards a no flush-compost loo and save on water?"

Inside, Mary's home is a vintage treasure-trove.

"I have been buying vintage stuff, for over 30 years," she says. "These days I pare back because you can only retain so much, but I do love the fact that someone has had an item before me, and someone else in the future will enjoy it one day, as I have."

Art-deco ceramics

A vintage railway station clock and "nicotine-yellow" kitchen hutch take pride of place in the dining room.

Mary's favourite vintage piece is her kitchen hutch which she found at a garage sale.
"My partner fondly refers to the colour of the kitchen hutch as nicotine-yellow," she says
"I spoke with the original owner who informed me that her father built the hutch back in the '30's when everything was yellow and green.
"I still adore it as much as day the I bought it. I love the history and the deco timber detailing and leadlight design."

"I have been told my taste is eclectic, hence my brand name; Eclectic Critters. I love 50's atomic, art deco, architecture and design in general from these periods. I have an abundance of porcelain deco china and various other colourful pieces. And especially textile and fashion dating from 30's-late 50's.

"Back in the 1980's I had a market stall at Paddington markets and I would hand-print lengths of fabric in retro influence prints and reproduce dresses using original 50's dress patterns. My toys have that old world charm about them, all very hands on. They are a keepsake that appeal to both adults and kiddies.

Detail from Mary's studio

Detail from Mary's daughters' room

The lampshade in the living room was woven by Mary.

Mary's home has unexpected corners of creativity like this sand-blasted window and glass collection.

"I love playing with colour and print. I am not trained in interior design, but I guess the process for me is planning the layout around the size and shape of a room; look at the natural lighting of each room, and experiment with colour shape and size, whether it be an object you are placing on the wall or picking up colour in, say, the curtains and carrying that theme on in subtle ways.

"The main objective is that you enjoy your space."

Thank you so much Mary ~ I certainly enjoyed photographing your home and studio.

Readers can see more of Mary's Eclectic Critters here, and if you are visiting Brisbane next month you will find Mary's toys at Blue Caravan's pop-up store at Finders Keepers market.

Megan

* Today marks Day Twenty Seven (wow!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 26. Thrifty Guest :: Cath from Chunky Chooky!!

2011-10-26T10:13:00.001+11:00

Day 26, Buy Nothing New Month.

Today I would like to welcome my crafty, thrifty guest: Cath Young from ChunkyChooky blog and My Bearded Pigeon fame. As well as being a talented designer and crafter, Cath is dedicated to living a sustainable life with her hubby aka "the Chef" and her little girl, aka "Busy" . The cushions and toys Cath creates are made from organic cotton; her blog is full of clever, thrifty and green DIY projects and her earthy North Coast NSW home is solar-powered and rainwater-fed and filled with hand-crafted love. The story Cath shares with us today is a classic example of how far she will go to stick to her eco principles, and shows that any situation can be resolved with a bit of creativity.

Clever crafting runs in the family for Cath: This child-sized kitchen hutch was made by her Dad when Cath was a child and now takes pride of place in Cath's home where it used by her own daughter.

Thank you for being my thrifty guest today Cath! Over to you:

***

Thanks Meg for having me over here. Hi Everyone, my name is Cath. Today I am writing about a topic close to my heart. Waterless / composting toilets. Poo!!?? Don't they smell?Nup. Not if they are built properly and looked after. We have one you know.... there is a bit of a story behind it....

When we came to look at this house we had made a list of all the things our dream house would have: between 5-10 acres, within 10 minutes to town, tank water and a 3 bedroom brick house ( termite proof) with a huge deck , lots of forest and a long driveway so the house is away from other houses and the road.

So, we come and look at this house the first and only house we looked at and sure enough it fits the bill perfectly. It needed a lot of work- but we loved it instantly and knew that it had waitied for us- it had been for sale for a year because the driveway was so bad and the internal colour scheme simply horrendous- yellow and peach eeeeeeeeewwwwwwww, plus a wall that needed to be knocked down, a dodgy driveway etc. But Chef and I had the same vision and saw the land and the forest and it was perfect.

Cath's Home:: A wood-fired oven - built by the Chef.

Cath's home:: Hand-crafted timber loft-bed built for Cath's daughter by a local carpenter.

So we have a look around and outside is a little wooden shed with a kind of camp toilet looking thing - you know the metal tin with the toilet lid on top? One of those... so we assume its a long drop- naturally we didn't open it to see if it was.

We buy the house, move in as tenants for 6 weeks before the sale goes through and I go out to use the toilet I open the door and there is nothing there- rather - there is no toilet - just a shed, with a floor where we thought there was a long drop/ pit ... naturally I do what most women would do in this situation and I LOSE it!!!

And so begins the journey of our life without a proper toilet. There were many incarnations and variations of pits and holes and the look on peoples faces when we told them we didn't really have a toilet.....hehehehe... but it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

We had always wanted a composting toilet so this was the perfect opportunity to build the most amazing water less composting toilet ever:

Cath's compost loo!

Compost loo yarn-bombed (she is a crafter after all!).

It is a double chamber system. So you move the actual toilet over ever year from one chamber to the other. While you do that the other chamber full of "waste" breaks down. So all of our Number 1's and 2's and toilet paper and the sawdust (we throw down after we use it), breaks down to about a bucket load of soil every year. Pretty amazing huh? No water, no waste, nothing. Why oh WHY aren't these everywhere?

Yes it is a bit of a pain when it is raining to have an outside toilet but we are just use to it now, its just how it is. Our only water source is from rainwater so this saves a HUGE amount of water every year. we would have to get another tanks if we had a flushing toilet. I realise you aren't about to rip out the toilet you have and put one in but think before you flush! and if you are building a house- investigate the possibilities!

***

Thank you Cath for this post. I love this story and it goes to show that anything can be solved with a bit of creativity.

Megan

* Today marks Day Twenty Six (woot!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 25 :: Appreciate What You Have

2011-10-25T17:24:00.001+11:00

Day 25, Buy Nothing New Month

Opening boxes (still, two weeks after moving).

Re-discovering vintage treasures.

Picking flowers bythe side of the road. (Hoping these nasturtiums take root so that I can grow new plants from these cuttings.)

Loving the hot summer’s day we’ve had.

Grateful for all that I have.

I want for nothing.

Megan

* Today marks Day Twenty Five (woot!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 24 :: Thrifty New (old) Shelf

2011-10-24T13:37:00.000+11:00

Day 24, Buy Nothing New Month

New-to-me shelf from the tip shop now brightening up the kitchen.
Left it "as is". Chipped paint and all. Liking it's vintage look.

On the home stretch of Buy Nothing New Month now.

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Twenty Four (woot!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 22 :: Thrifty Guest: Kate Ulman from Fox's Lane

2011-10-22T08:19:00.000+11:00

Day 22, Buy Nothing New Month

Today I'd like to welcome a lovely guest, Kate from Foxs Lane, onto the blog with her wonderful tale of thrifting and op-shopping her way around Australia. Kate, her husband Brendon, and their three girls are usually hard at work and play on their organic farm in Daylesford, Victoria. However, earlier this year they took off on the adventure of a lifetime in a trusty vintage caravan they call Frankie Blue. And, true to her thrifty, crafty, DIY ethos, Kate's caravan adventure has been done in clever second-hand style. Welcome Kate!

***

I guess one of the perks of this family caravan adventure is that what
was once my hobby, became a part of our life style. A part of my life
I once had to justify, became a part that my entire family is now
involved in and enjoys.

I am talking about op shopping. Buying pre-loved goodies instead of new.

It all began with the purchase of our caravan. Our girl is 30 years
old, pre loved, well travelled and perfect for us. We love her.

We spent the six months after we bought her redecorating her inside
and out. We bought new paint and got new foam for the couches and
mattresses, but other than that, everything we used was second hand.
Some items like the fabrics we had already collected and others like
the crockery and cutlery we hunted for and bought specifically for the
trip.

The result is that Frankie Blue, our caravan, is decorated like a cozy
little cottage. The perfect little turtle home.

Once we hit the road, the op shopping did not stop. We as a family
love to hunt for treasures along the way. A new/old tablecloth and tea-
towel because these items get grubby so quickly on the road, some new/
old spoons to replace those that were left behind at a camp kitchen in
Darwin, books, games, craft supplies, an occasional piece of clothing...

Because space inside a caravan is so limited, the question of 'do we
really need it?' is often easy to answer. But I will forever regret
not buying some big spools of bias binding I found in an oppy early on
in the trip and couldn't justify buying. They were such a treasure and I
have never seen anything like them before or since.

Next stop I'll be looking for an old cushion to use it's stuffing for
a softie I'm knitting, books, board games, and anything else pretty
and 'useful'.

Happy thrifting. x

***

Thank you Kate!

* Today marks Day Twenty Two (woot!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 21 :: On My Mind

2011-10-21T14:08:00.001+11:00

Day 21, Buy Nothing New Month

Joining in with Rhonda today with her weekly "on my mind" post.

On my mind today:

- Playing around with some photos I took yesterday at the fun and colourful home-studio of a local artist. Hope to share that visit with you next week, but here's a sneak-peek. I haven't done an artist tour here on the blog for quite some time. I really enjoy visiting the homes and studios of local creatives with my camera in hand, they are always so inspiring. This particular shoot is taking me a minute to sift through because I took so many photos! You're going to love her style. Not only a clever designer and artisan, but a clever collector of vintage treasures...

- Resting. Fridays are like weekends for me... resting up and getting jobs done around the house before my working weekend at the paper.

- Planning my garden! Next week we will have the straw bales in place.

- Thinking of Cam, a dear blogging buddy who has been on an enormous journey today. xoxo

- Looking forward to sharing my next thrifty weekend guest blogger - many of you already know and love this thrifty lady :) You'll need to come back tomorrow to see who she is.

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Twenty One (woot!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 20 :: Just like a Giant Op-shop, Only Crunchy.

2011-10-20T07:34:00.000+11:00

Day 20, Buy Nothing New Month

Have you shopped at your local tip shop before? If you haven't, you really should try it. It's just like a giant op-shop, only crunchy. Our local one is full of... well, stuff. Weird and wonderful, sad and derelict, stuff. Useful, or useless, stuff - depending on your perspective.

I find wandering around a tip shop both fascinating and sobering. All of that stuff we consume... this is where it all ends up. At the tip. Abandoned. Dumped. It's quite confronting to see just how many fridge shelves; bicycle parts; garden chairs; light fittings; toys and so on and so forth are consumed, then spat out again...

The tip shop has a different feel to an op-shop, I must say. With an op-shop people have gone to the trouble, on the most part, of giving their goods over consciously, believing there is still life left in them. "If it's too good to throw away, give it to us" - isn't that the Salvos' motto? At the tip shop it's all gear that has been given up on and deemed not good enough to pass on. It's seen as garbage, just thrown away. And yet, there is still so much life left in these things. I think that's the part that makes it feel a little sad. To see, on such a scale, how easily we chuck out perfectly good stuff , only to go and replace it with more "new" stuff. (Geez, I think this buy nothing new month is affecting me. I'm ranting on a bit now.)

Anyhoo... My recent tip shop finds are all garden/outdoor related (Are you beginning to sense a theme going on here lately? Could somebody be wishing summer would hurry up already?). A classic sprinkler (the kids will love to play with this on hot days); a vintage laundry trolley very much in need of a new lick of paint, but otherwise in great shape and the last photo - a metal plant stake and a few trays to raise seedlings in.

Junk?

Perhaps to someone else, but not to me.

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Twenty (it's all downhill from here!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 19 :: Extreme Thrifty (don't try this one at home kids... then again, maybe you should!)

2011-10-19T10:58:00.000+11:00

Day 19, Buy Nothing New Month

I may be taking this month of thrifty business into the territory of thrifty extreme, because this week I took to my daughter's hair with a pair of scissors. People, there was an extreme risk factor involved in this exercise. I have cut her fringe before, but she is such a fidget-bottom that anything more than a micro-second sitting still in a seat and she's wailing in protest, so I have never before attempted a full haircut.

However, the wailing that has come from our nightly hair-conditioning and hair brushing routine pushed me to take drastic action. I could not wait another day to make an appointment with our local hairdresser, so I hacked into her hair myself. With my sewing scissor no less... that's bad, isn't it?

It's an ok cut. Alright, alright, there's a few wobbly bits and I have taken to snipping off stray ends at random moments during the day, but overall I think it passes muster. She moves so quickly, and constantly, this girl, that I figure no-one will really have the chance to notice or study the wobbliness anyway.

No-one except my hairdresser that is, who, would you believe, we ran into the very next morning! Oh, the shame, the shame... I apologised profusely and explained how desperate I had been and promised to never, ever do it again...

She's a lovely woman and laughed off my betrayal (while probably muttering "amateurs" to herself), but, here's a confession: I actually like the DIY cut. I may even do it again! Just maybe not with my sewing scissors next time...

Do you cut your kids' hair yourself? Got any tips to share?

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Nineteen my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 18 :: Thrifty Dreamy

2011-10-18T08:14:00.003+11:00

Day 18, Buy Nothing New Month

Experimenting with the girls' room. Tying different thrifted vintage sheets up as curtains to see how they look.
She saw me with camera in hand and climbed into bed and pretended to sleep :)
Her quilt (edges tucked in because it remains unfinished), a patchwork of vintage sheets with a big nod to Kate.
I want to paint her walls. But, for now, "peach dreams" can stay. I've de-peached most of the rest of the house... only taken me six or seven years... by the time I'm finished the ugly '80s project home look will be retro and back "on-trend"... then again, maybe not.

And you?
What is making you happy today?

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Eighteen of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 17 :: Down the Thrifty Garden Path

2011-10-17T09:37:00.001+11:00

Day 17, Buy Nothing New Month

Today I'm blogging over at The Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op.
Head on over to read about my latest thrifty garden project.

Have a lovely Monday all.

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Seventeenof my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 16 :: Simple Joys

2011-10-16T21:49:00.002+11:00

Day 16, Buy Nothing New Month

Rediscovering my overgrown garden; setting up play spaces; cooking; eating; celebrating.
My first baby girl turned 15 today. I feel a bit teary at how fast it has gone.
I'm so glad we are all back home.

x

* Today marks Day Sixteen of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 15 :: A Thrifty Tutorial from Cam @ CurlyPops!!

2011-10-15T10:54:00.001+11:00

Day 15, Buy Nothing New Month

Today's Thrifty Guest is the uber-talented Cam from CurlyPops who is a whizz at op-shopping and re-fashioning her finds into all kinds of things. In this tutorial Cam shows us how to transform a humble tea-towel into a strong and durable tote-bag. Having now unpacked my sewing machine after the big move, I'm itching to get started on a project, and this looks like a mighty-fine place to start. Over to you Cam!

***

Everyone is trying is to reduce the need for plastic bags, so why not whip up some cute tea towel tote bags to shop in style. This is my favourite tutorial and I use my bag all the time for shopping. ~ Cam

Step 1

Choose a pretty tea towel – you can usually find brand new tea towels at the Op Shop for less than $2.
You will also need:
Twill Tape (can be found at Spotlight)
Erasable Fabric Marker or Fabric Pencil
Pins Scissors
Ruler Sewing Machine

Step 2

Fold the tea towel in half lengthways, with the right sides facing out

Step 3
Using a ruler, rule a line 10 centimetres in from each edge using a fabric marker. Turn the tea towel over
and repeat this on the other side too

Step 4

Measure the length of the line – now it’s time for some simple maths.
To cut the twill tape straps – Take the length of the ruled line and double it, and then add 50cm (for the curve of the handle).
Cut two separate straps at this length

Step 5

Line up the straps against the ruled line and securely pin into place on both sides.

Step 6

Using your sewing machine, sew the straps onto the tea towel. Make sure to sew along both sides of the
twill tape.

Step 7

Fold your tea towel in half lengthwise again, but this time with the right sides facing together.
Make sure that your handles line up nicely together and pin both side seams together.

Step 8

Sew a straight line of stitching down both sides of the tea towel to create a bag

Step 9

To hide the cut edges of the twill tape, sew a straight line of stitching along the bottom of your bag
approximately 1cm in from the bottom.

Step 10

Turn your bag back out to the right way and head to the shops!

***

How cool is that? Thank you for sharing this one Ms CurlyPops!
Cam has put up a PDF version of this tutorial here for those of you who might want to save this one for easy reference.

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Fifteen (halfway now!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 14 :: Thrifty Little Artists

2011-10-14T13:40:00.000+11:00

Alex and I both write for a newspaper which produces some content online, but is still published old-school in newsprint each day. The paper used to be printed in the same building as our newsroom and I remember the first time I saw it being printed – an incredible, large-scale operation with huge rolls of blank newsprint whizzing through rollers at break-neck pace.

Our printery has now moved to another location (Ballina), but we still sell the end rolls up at our offices. The newsprint is made of recycled paper and it has a similar feel to butchers paper. I make sure I always have one on hand for art and craft activities.

I don’t know what length of paper is left on each roll, but I can tell you one of these babies lasts us for a very long time, and because it’s cheap and recycled I’m not too precious about using it.

Today we opened a new roll straight onto the coffee/craft table so that my crayon-wielding toddler could draw on the table to her heart’s content. (She has taken to drawing on all surfaces lately - furniture, walls, people...)

If you're a Northern Rivers local you can pick up an end roll at reception at the Media Centre on Ballina Road, Goonellabah.

If you’re not a local reader, why not find out where your local newspaper is printed and see if they sell end rolls? You will have an economical and vast supply of paper on hand for art activities, and you will be recycling too!

Megan

* Today marks Day Fourteen (halfway now!) of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 13 :: Thrifty Pretties for Summer

2011-10-13T11:41:00.002+11:00

Day 13, Buy Nothing New Month

Ignoring the moving-house chaos inside today andheading outside to the garden instead to focus on these summer frocks Irecently op-shopped for the little girls.

Still scrunched up from being in my bag, they are oh-so-lightand pretty... perfect for the hot summer days to follow.

I woke to sweet, sweet birdsong this morning. How I missed my little forest oasis. Feeling so very grateful to be home.

Megan

* Today marks Day Thirteen of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 12 :: Thrifty Security

2011-10-12T06:57:00.000+11:00

Day 12, Buy Nothing New Month (nearly halfway now!)

Before moving back home we decided to upgrade security. And I'm not talking about the security that keeps intruders out; I'm talking about the type that keeps busy little people safely in the backyard.

We had a gate around this side of the house that somehow, over the years, fell apart. The frame basically rotted and fixing it kept being put on the "to do" list. Instead of fixing it, we kept propping it up and it would fall down and we would trip over the palings as they fell off... quite useless (us, and the gate).

Well, now it's fixed! Just in time for our arrival home and with my double-trouble toddler and pre-schooler combo back in 'da hood I feel relieved that the job is done. A builder mate did the work for us and re-used all of the old palings in the new-and-improved gate. Why buy new when you can re-use?

I gave the new gate a test-run yesterday to see if it would fit the wheelbarrow though. It does, so guess what I'll be hauling though this gate over the next few days?

x
Megan

* Today marks Day Twelve of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 11 :: Farewell Chicken House

2011-10-11T08:34:00.000+11:00

Day 11, Buy Nothing New Month. (still going strong!)

In the midst of packing, cleaning and moving, and the rainthat has characterised the past couple of weeks, a day of sun arrived and Iheaded down to the backyard with my girls, all three, to get this photo. Our last chance with the feathered "girls" at the chicken house.

Melody and I rounded up the chook talent; Ella stood readywith her camera to take the photo (for we both know how madcap and short thesephoto-opportunities can be); I handed Maddi her chicken to hold and for onebrief moment it all came together. This photo will be printed and framed I reckon.It sums up everything good about the past few months for me: Happy children and simple living.

We moved into the chicken house, in the hills, to trysomething new. To see how we liked being away from the coast and, well, becausesomething needed to shift. In ourlives. In me. Something was stuck; not quite wrong, but notquite right either. A change was needed.

When we were offered the house in the hills, way back in February, it wasan adventure to plan for. An unknown tolook forward to. It was exciting and new and I knew I would grow and learn fromthe experience. I believe we have all done that in different ways.

I’m so glad we took the punt and gave it a go. It has beenhectic at times and there have been hiccups along the way, but I can honestlysay it was worth it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?

I have shed a heap of unwanted “stuff” over the past fewmonths – and not only physical clutter. The process of moving and landing in a new community and making contact with new people has beenenormous for me. It is easy to stay in arut; in the “safe” zone of life. But how can we ever learn and grow if we donot try something new?

Whatever compelled us to shift homes for a season was worth it –something has shifted for us as a family as a result, and for me personally. All feels right again.

Thank you chicken house – and chickens – for hosting mylittle family for these past few months.

Thank you for letting me play with a fire in the deep ofwinter; for showing me how good it feels to have fruit trees and chickens inthe backyard and to watch my happy kids dangling off swings and climbing cubby-houses.

Thank you for the sound of my baby’s feet padding along yourwooden floorboards.

Thank you for reminding us that life is to be lived to thefull, and showing that if ever it feels stagnant, things can always be changedand turned around.

Thank you for re-introducing me to the experience of“community”.

Thank you for reminding me how stunning, gentle, creative andgenerous this region is – for taking me out of my little Byron bubble (as welocals call it) and showing me just how much more there is out there...

Thank you for the eggs!!! (And for getting to know the zany, free-ranging “girls” thatdelivered them.)

Thank you for beautiful new friends, a few unexpected lessons(do I hear a rooster crow?!) and a renewed enthusiasm for life back at ourhome.

Thank you for the time out we needed; the fresh perspectivewe sought to make some important life decisions, and the clarity that arrived.

We will miss you sweet chicken house.

Megan

* Today marks Day Eleven of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 10 :: Sights for Sore Eyes

2011-10-10T09:36:00.001+11:00

Day 10, Buy Nothing New Month

Hello folks. My weekend was nothing short of epic. Moving house. Working at the paper. Kids.
Thank goodness for sweet friends who stepped in to help :) and to these two sights that greeted us when we drove back home...

A retro-loving kookaburra resting on my thrifted chairs on our back patio and this "free" mulch sign... I do hope that mulch stays put for a few days until I have the time to cart some home for my garden. (Do my neighbours know this is Buy Nothing New Month perhaps?!) Until then, I'm off to the chicken house to clean, clean, clean... moving is epic, no?
x
Megan

p.s sorry about photo quality - i-phone shots through a glass door and from a moving car!

* Today marks Day Ten of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Days 8&9 : Thrifty Guest :: Liz Jones (aka Betty Jo)

2011-10-08T10:09:00.000+11:00

Days 8 & 9, Buy Nothing New Month:

Hello fellow thrifters! For your viewing pleasure this weekend I have a very special guest-blogger for you: Liz Jones is the charming and clever designer who many of you may also know as Betty Jo. This lady is an op-shopper, blogger, thrifter and gleaner of constant inspiration to me. She can find anything, and I mean anything, and turn it into incredible art. Trash picked up on the beach; discarded pieces of old lino; an op-shopped button... all are given new life in Liz's Melbourne studio and transformed into stunning wearable art pieces, collages or clocks (to name but a few of her creations). Take it away Miss Lizzy:

Gleaners of the World Unite!

I’m Liz Jones, the designer behind Betty Jo Designs. Thanks to Megan for inviting me to guest post on “TheByron Life” to coincide with her month long commitment to “Buy Nothing New”.

As it happens Irarely buy anything new when creating my work as practically all my materialsare found and recycled. I have had a fascination with vintage Linoleum for manyyears and loved its decorative potential so much that I started a jewellery andhome wares business that features recycled Linoleum in all the designs.

I collect pre-loved pieces of Lino from hard rubbishand skips, and sometimes find it lining the draws of old kitchen cupboards injunk shops or dumped on nature strips. Very often I will get a call fromsomeone who is renovating and has pulled up their old lino to polish thefloorboards.

I also use op-shoppedbuttons, doilies and bric-a-brac as decorative features in my jewellery, clocksand assemblages.

My blog, LinoForest is where I document my Lino finds,op shop treasure hunts, inspirations and creations.

As Megan knows, I am a fanatical gleaner. “Gleaning” has become my mantra these days as I scourop-shops, tip shops, hard rubbish collections and garage sales for goodies Ican use in my work or sell in my soon to be opened shop "Gleaners Inc." The shop will have a mix second hand and handcraftedproducts that are all Australian made and utilize recycled materials.

Gleaning was first recorded in biblical times whenpeople would gatherleftover grain or other produce after a harvest.

Nowadaysurban gleaning can mean collecting any unwanted things you may need or canreuse, repurpose and recycle!Itstill often involves sorting the “wheat” from the “chaff”!

Opshops are the perfect place to have a fossick and discover perfectly good pre-lovedgoods that are itching to be given a new life.

Ihave had many happy scores over the years while out gleaning, and still get abuzz when I find something special.

Soif you are one of the growing number of Gleaners in this world, wear your badgeproudly. You are helping to preserve the earth’s dwindling resources, you aresaving tons of unwanted waste going to landfill, and you are getting some of society’sbest bargains!

Thank you Liz!

x Megan

* This weekend marks Day Eight and Nine of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 7 :: How to Strike Op-Shop Gold! (Part 2)

2011-10-07T07:00:00.001+11:00

Day 7, Buy Nothing New Month.

Time for some more op-shopping fun today! I had to check the calendar just now to make sure I had the date correct - yes! It's been seven days of buying nothing new. Woot! made it through the first week. How are you going on your first week of blogtoberfesting and/or buying nothing new?

How to Strike Op-Shop Gold (Part 2):

4. It’s all in the timing.
There are various theories about when is the best time to op-shop. Some have it that Monday and Tuesdays are The Golden Days – which makes sense because many goods are donated over a weekend. Of course, the danger in restricting yourself to a Tuesday is that Friday may be the day that the head op-shop lady declares a 50% off sale across the whole shop...

I found this hand-knitted tunic for my girl on the first day of the seasonal changeover at a local op-shop, along with a bunch of wonderful winter woollies that cost me a fraction of the retail price. Like most retailers, op-shops have end of season sales too.

TIP: Whatever day you choose, I find hitting the op-shops early is the best trick – it’s less likely to be “picked over” by fellow gold seekers.

5. Get Creative.
For me, the best part of op-shopping is wandering around dreaming of the way I might transform op-shop “trash” into new treasure. I look at it with a creative eye: An old wool sweater can be made into a new pair of warm baby pants; a ripped retro sheet can be used to make a new toy-stroller cover or that 50c Little Golden Book can be turned into a new journal.

I made these baby pants from a re-purposed embroidered cardigan

I re-covered the toy stroller using re-purposed retro fabric

I sewed this bag using a re-purposed linen curtain

Op-shops are treasure-troves for the creative soul, full of raw materials just waiting to be turned into gold. There are a myriad of ways to re-purpose op-shop “trash” into gold if you know a few crafty tricks. Sometimes all that is needed is a bit of elbow grease or a new button and you will have created something beautiful for very little financial outlay. Look beyond the object or garment and see the hidden gold.

TIP: Treat op-shops like art/craft supply shops and let your creativity run wild.

6. All that Glitters is not Gold.
Just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Given how affordable op-shopping is, there’s always the temptation to come home with a bag of treasures. But, if the clothes don’t fit, that toy can’t be fixed or that rug won’t suit your home – then all you’ve done is bought more clutter... and clutter is not gold.

Board games are practical op-shop finds for kids.

This girl's summer dress at the top of this post was re-fashioned from a ladies skirt. {Maxabella edit - Isn't Mellie gorgeous?!}

TIP: Ask yourself this before you buy: Do I really need it? Will I really use it? Do I have space for it?

Most importantly: Have fun! Every time you buy from an op-shop you are saving yourself some money; you are recycling “stuff” that would otherwise go into landfill and your dollars will be supporting a charity – what’s not to love about that?

Read: How to Strike Op-Shop Gold! (part 1)

Megan

p.s Come back tomorrow for a Super Thrifty Guest post (Ii'm very excited about my weekend guest!!)

* Today is Day Seven of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 6 :: How to Strike Op-Shop Gold! (Part 1)

2011-10-06T07:45:00.000+11:00

Day 6, Buy Nothing New Month

In the spirit of Buy Nothing New Month, I am recycling a guest blog post I wrote a while back for the lovely Bron over at Maxabella Loves outlining a few of my best op-shopping tips. For the serious op-shoppers out there, you will know exactly what I'm talking about when I use the world "gold" to describe a superb op-shop find. But how, exactly, do you strike op-shop gold?

1. Gold!
Let’s define this first, because what is op-shop gold to me will be different for you. I’m a big fan, for example, of 1970s ceramics and floral vintage bed sheets, but that’s not everyone’s style.

My growing collection of 1970’s mugs. Vintage Japanese ceramics are Solid Gold to me!

Op-shop gold really is what holds value for you. If you get enjoyment from it, or you can make someone happy by gifting it: then you’ve hit gold. I recently found a 1976 Australiana tea-towel in original mint condition for $1.50 at an op-shop. Excitement! To me, that is gold. When I showed my partner my extraordinary find his eyes glazed over... not gold for him (although, bless him, he did wear the loud 1980’s Ken Donne designer shirt with Sydney Harbour sailing boats pattern that I found him last Father’s Day. That’s love).

TIP: Don’t waste time flicking through the box of surfing mags in the op-shop when your kind of gold would be a vintage tablecloth.

2. Find the Goldmine.
Where do you shop? It’s no good looking in a dusty little op-shop that specialises in retro bric-a-brac (my dream op-shop, btw) when what you are really after is a brand-new designer skirt for $3. For that kind of gold you are better off seeking out an op- shop that has boutique-seconds and/or specialises in designer clothes only.

Shiny Gold! Vintage kitchen canisters used every day in our kitchen.

TIP: Get to know which op-shops hold the most promise of gold for you.

3. Be there, or miss out.
Op-shopping is a numbers game. The more you play, the greater your chances are of finding gold. You need to know where the op-shops are in your area and you’ll need to visit them regularly. Make a morning of it and trek through as many op-shops as you can in one go. Always keep in mind what kind of gold you are after and head towards the shops where you have had success before. Or, maybe you have been doing the same old circuit for too long and the gold has all dried up? It happens to the best of us. Never fear, grab your gold pan and start exploring some new op-shopping territory further afield if you’re able to.

These were found at a little church-run op-shop that never fails to deliver. I go out of my way to visit this shop.

TIP: Take an op-shop tour. Map out a route and make like a tourist in a different town or suburb to find new goldfields.

x
Megan

* Today is Day Six of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 5 :: Doable

2011-10-05T09:05:00.000+11:00

Day 5, Buy Nothing New Month.

Right now our temporary home here in the hills is being emptied of our stuff and we're re-constructing things back at our own home by the sea. We've done nearly all of the heavy moving already - trailer load by trailer load. We decided to save money on a removalist by using a borrowed trailer instead... Thrifty, yes, but what a slog. No wonder removalists get paid what they do! Huge thanks to friends who have helped out so far, it's made the job so much more manageable.

We're not quite totally packed and gone yet, but the cleaning has started up here in the hills and I'm keeping it simple and green (and avoiding having to buy expensive "new" cleaning products). I'm already a big fan of white vinegar and bi-carb as basic home-made cleaners, but I've also discovered lemons work really well for some things too, so I thought I'd share a link to a thrifty cleaning post I discovered on the blog that I have been contributing to recently, Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op.

The blog post is Clean your house with lemons and it lists 25 ways to use lemons around the home.

Not surprisingly, given its title, the Simple Green, Frugal Co-op blog has some great ideas for saving money, living on less and living simply. If you have taken the Buy Nothing New Month pledge, or just of you're interested in some thrifty tips, I recommend checking it out.

On a different note, I came across this clip about a woman who has taken on a challenge to go plastic-free for one year. It's all a matter of changing habits and seeking out alternatives (just as with the buy nothing new month). Not necessarily easy, but, as she is proving, it's doable.

Doable is my word of the moment, did you know? Doable: capable of being done; practical

x
Megan

* Today is Day Five of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 4 :: A Smurftastic Thrifty Rescue

2011-10-04T09:53:00.000+11:00

Day 4, Buy Nothing New Month

So there I was, day three into my Month of Buying Nothing Newand I nearly cracked. On day three! What kind of thrifty blogger am I if I can’t even make it three days into a monthly challenge to not buy anything new?

I’d had an email reminding me of a kid’s birthday party thatMelli was invited to, one that I had forgotten all about, and had not prepared forin the slightest... no present!

Looking around my house for something, anything, that a5-year-old boy might like wasn’t yielding results. We’re smack-bang in themiddle of moving house; all my kids (girl’s) toys are packed and moved already,books packed, sewing machine and all crafty supplies... packed and gone.

I had three options: Break my pledge to buy nothing new thismonth and go to the shops for a gift (not an option, how would I live that one down?), tell my four-year-olddaughter she was not going to a party (are you mad?), or spend the morningpanic-buying at an op-shop when what I really needed to be doing was packingand cleaning (last option).

And then I spotted the Smurfs! A shiny double pass to thenew Smurf Movie that Alex had been gifted by someone at work, but hadn’t usedyet. Smurfastic!

An email to the birthday boy’s mother to check he hadn’tseen the movie, all good, and we’re ready to party.

Crisis Smurfed.

Nothing “new” to see here folks. Move along.

Megan

p.s Thank you for advice on paint on yesterday's post - I'll let you all know what I end up doing on that front.

* Today is Day Four of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 3 :: Making a list, checking it twice...

2011-10-03T10:12:00.000+11:00

It’s Day three of my Buy Nothing New Month challenge and Ihave been thinking ahead to what items might be needed this month (other thanfood and hygiene essentials). If I planahead, I’m less likely to be caught out having to buy something in hurry,thus increasing my chances of having to buy new.

Rather than a random wish-list of goodies, this list has beenthrough a “do I really need it” thought process. When I really had a god think about things, it turns out I don’t really “need” muchat all.

image source

What I may need tosource this month:

- Summer sandals for both little girls. They have grown outof last summer’s shoes, and the weather is heading toward summer (although youwouldn’t think so the past couple of days, it’s been absolutely freezing).

- Swimmers for the little ones. Again, they’ve outgrown lastseason’s swimwear.

- Paint for the outdoor table and to paint shelves.

- I would also love (but don’t really need) to paint a chalkboardwall for the girls when we return to our house.

- Shelving for the house for when we return. We need it tostay more organised in the craft room, kitchen and laundry.

Where I may source these items:

- I will be looking through op-shops, 2nd-hand boutiques and garage sales for thegirls’ shoes and swimmers (re-use). I may also buy second-hand online - check out those cute vintage saltwater sandals from Pure Vintage Clothing on Etsy. Cute!

- I will look at a second-hand building supply shop forshelving (re-use).

- Paint... I’m not sure what to do on this item. On the onehand I would like to find someone’s leftover paint, so it avoids being wasted(re-use). But on the other hand I would be prepared to pay for low VOC painfrom a green paint supplier (healthier, eco-friendly) – except if I do that it will be buyingsomething “new”...

** What would you do, if you were me, about the paint? I’m opento ideas. I guess the ideal situation would be to find a second-hand supply oflow VOC paint. Perhaps contact a professional painter who may have leftover paint??

Megan

* Today is Day Three of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 2 :: A Thrifty Guest :: Tricia from Little Eco Footprints

2011-10-02T08:08:00.001+11:00

Day2, Buy Nothing New Month.

As part of my month of thrifty blogging, I have invited some of my favourite "thrifty" bloggers into this space to share their tips on recycling, up-cycling, op-shopping and clever crafting. These women are writers, mothers, crafters and designers I look to daily for inspiration, and I'm appreciating them all-the-more right now to keep me to my pledge of Buying Nothing New this month.

Today, I welcome Tricia of Little Eco Footprints to The Byron Life with her clever idea of recycling oldt-shirts into a fun pair of “wings” that any little kid would love. Buy Nothing New Month has me planning all kinds of Spring-inspired re-useand recycling projects, and with my two busy little girls you can bet dress-ups are pretty popular around these parts. Sure, I've op-shopped dress-ups before, but these wings Tricia made... they are just so good I think we need to add a pair to our dress-up basket.

Tricia saved up a stash of op-shopped T-shirts for her project, using knitted fabrics that won’t fray too much when they are washed (and they will need to be washed, she said, as the wings are so popular they are worn daily!). Since making this first set of wings for her littlegirl, Trica said:

“I've since made seven more pairs! We had a run of birthdayparties and they became my standard gift. I've managed to get my 'making time'down to only an hour and a half.”

To make the wings, Tricia followed this tutorial fromPrudentbaby.com

I know my little ones would love to wear these, wouldn't yours? I also think these wings would besuitable for little boys as well. After all, what kid doesn’t dream of flying?

Thank you for the thrifty inspiration Tricia.

Megan

This photo is of Tricia's little one, but it reminds me so much of my own chicken-loving girls!

* Today is Day Two of my almighty Festival of Thrifty Blogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and also to blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about something I love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

Day 1 :: Thrifty Gardening

2011-10-01T09:19:00.001+10:00

Buy Nothing New Month, Day 1:

My mother rarely buys new plants and yet she has always hadspectacular gardens wherever she has lived. Her secret? She grows just about everythingin her garden from cuttings.

If she is visiting somewhere and sees a plant that she wouldlike to try growing, she asks for a cutting. Most people are happy to oblige,after all it doesn’t hurt to cut a small tip off a branch. She also gives awaycuttings from her own garden and has started many of her friends on their owngardening journey.

These days there are hormone powders you can buy to help plantcuttings take root, but my mother’s method is to either wack it straight intothe ground, or to put it in a glass of water and wait for the roots to grow.She also has another cost-effective treatment for encouraging root growth:Honey.

Dip the stem in honey, plonk it in the ground and watch it grow,she says. (I haven’t tried the honey-method yet, but I’m going to give it a go.If she says it works, it probably does!)

Above are cuttings from the thriving rosemary bush here atthe chicken house. I’m trying to get them going for my herbgarden back at home, and Mum reckons rosemary will grow from a cutting justfine. If they do take hold, I will have saved myself some dollars by growing theplant his way, instead of buying new from a nursery, plus I will have avoided unnecessary packaging such as plastic pots, plastic labels and tags etc.

It’s a small start to my Buy Nothing New Month, but given myhome and garden is where much of my money, time and energy will be going as soon as we move back into our house, anything I can do to save isworth it.

My Mum’s tips for growing plants from cuttings:

- Don’t limit it to one; plant a few cuttings at a time. Somewill take hold, others won’t.

- These flowers do well from cuttings: geraniums,nasturtiums, pelargoniums, hibiscus, violets, iris and hydrangeas. Roses and frangipani too!

- Most succulents will grow from a cutting. Agaves have newshoots off the side, just break them off and grow. Same for bromeliads.

- Dracaenas do well form cuttings – break off a piece andplant it. New shoots will also grow on the old plant where you have broken it.

Thanks Mum!

Does anyone else have any tips for saving money on plantsfor the garden?

Megan

* Today is Day One of my almighty Festival of ThriftyBlogging, folks. This October I have committed to Buy Nothing New Month and alsoto blogging daily (if I can) as part of Blogtoberfest organised by Cathy at Tinniegirl. That’s a whole-lotta blogging about somethingI love: Thrifting. The pressure’s on to Blog, not Buy... will you spur me on?

My Pledge to Buy Nothing New in October

2011-09-29T17:52:00.000+10:00

Can you believe I am still chucking things out? Even afterthe Great Purge that was packing up and moving into the chicken house, I amstill finding more “stuff” I don’t need to take back home with me.

University notes I haven’t read in 10 years? Umm, I reckon I’llcope without referring to journalism 1 before my next shift at the paper.Chuck. (To recycling bin.)

That box of old soft toys I packed up 6 months ago and neveropened because the little girls have more than enough toys to supply a smallkindergarten? Chuck. (To op-shop.)

Hey, I’m getting good at this now!

It’s been interesting watching the girls respond as theirtoys are packed away to move, with only the bare basics of doll’s house, woodenblocks, drawing materials and tricycles left out to play with. They don’tappear deprived in the slightest. In fact, quite the opposite. As the clutter and distraction of excess toysis cleared, their imagination is triggered and they start making up new gameswith fewer toys.

Which leads me, again, to the realisation that thisslow-but-steady journey I am on to be more frugal and keep simplifying life isgood for us all.

Climbing up on the table is a big part of the fun for this kiddo!

Melli has been teaching her little sister how to ride her old (op-shopped!) trike.

And, to check myself from going nuts on new furniture,accessories and generally useless new stuff I may be tempted to buy when Ireturn home in two weeks, I have made a pledge to Buy Nothing New for the monthof October.

In a nutshell, the Buy Nothing New month is a challenge being promoted by op-shops to only consume recycled and second-hand, borrowed,bartered or swapped goods - for onewhole month. The exceptions being food, drink, medicines and essential hygiene products.

“BuyNothing New is not about going without, nor is it Buy Nothing New Never. It’s abouttaking October to reassess what we really need, think about where the stuff webuy comes from (finite resources), where it goes (landfill), and what ouralternatives are. It is aboutconscientious consumption and by not spending on stuff we don’t need,increasing our savings for the things we do need.”

Source: www.buynothingnew.com.au

I am, however, adding a few exceptions of my own to keepthis exercise practical, namely garden materials and home maintenance hardware.

When we get back home I intend on setting up my new veggiegarden and fixing up a few things inside the house such as painting walls andfurniture, so there may be instances where I’ll need to buy new for thoserenovations eg; screws, nails, paint, wall hooks etc – But my first choice willbe to find recycled alternatives for all of these things.

The main goal for me in joining the Buy Nothing New Month isto keep myself on track with saving money and to stay focussed on recycling andsimplifying our lives.

You may like to join me? You can check out the details here.

Megan

Reporting On :: The Show Season Begins

2011-09-26T10:02:00.002+10:00

IT is the start of the spring agricultural show season on the Far North Coast and the first cab off the rank was the Nimbin Show on the weekend. These photos are some snapshots I took out there yesterday when reporting on the show for the paper.

I will admit that it has taken me years to fully appreciate agricultural shows. It has been a slow process of realising what they represent, and how important they are to the local communities involved. Having grown up in Sydney, I used to look upon the traditional country show with city-eyes and judged them as dinky and old-fashioned.

But, having covered just about every ag. show in the region for the paper I have now developed a deep respect for these shows and the old-fashioned aspects I used to cringe at are now the very things I love the most. I love the care and pride that goes into every show and exhibit; the way they honour the simple traditions of living off the land and the lessons they can teach in living in tune with the seasons. I especially love that these shows are not curated or “styled” within an inch of their lives – there’s no pretence.

Rural communities are struggling. Farming these days is often a luxury; a lifestyle choice that has to be supplemented by a day job (or two) to pay the bills. There are few farmers who make a decent living off the land now. There’s more money to be made by selling-off land to sea and tree changers then growing food. So, to those who keep going with farming, the country show offers support and connection to the past – and, at its best, can offer hope for the future too.

At the Nimbin show on the weekend, alongside the traditional livestock displays and handicraft exhibits, there were speakers on sustainability and “green” living choices: herbal remedies, alternative energy sources and organic produce for example. The land, and farming it, is just as crucial to our collective survival as it ever was, so it is exciting to see the old and new ways blending together at these shows.

Where I used to groan at being sent to cover an ag. show, now I’m looking forward to the season and eager to discover new tips I can apply in my own attempts at living simply and sustainably.

Who knows – one day I may even exhibit something I’ve grown or made in one of these shows!

Megan

Retro Inspiration :: Victory Gardening

2011-09-23T14:30:00.000+10:00

(Australian poster from 1943)

Once the call-to-action of governments during World War ll, victorygardening is making a comeback. Victorygardens in suburbia were created in Australia, Britain and the USA during WW llas a solution to food shortages during the war.

In January 1942 the Prime Minister, John Curtin,launched “Dig for Victory”, a publicity campaign urging householders throughoutAustralia to grow their own vegetables as a contribution to the war effort. (source: Australian War Memorial)

From this grew the Green Armies - communities bandingtogether through community gardening projects and The Australia Women’s LandArmy – where women took over work on farms while men were at war.

Poster from 2011: The Victory Garden of Tomorrow, Joe Wirtheim

Here we are in 2011 and these concepts are at theforefront of urban communities all over again. Community gardens; backyardfarming, a chook coop out the back, composting... we are returning totried-and-true solutions. Today the impetus is no longer war as such, buteconomic downturn and a growing awareness of the environmental and healthimpacts from the industrialised food “industry” that grew after the war (so eloquentlyexplained in Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, and illustrated inthe subsequent film, Food Inc.)

When I was looking up Victory Gardens, I came across theartwork of US designer, Joe Wirtheim.His project, The Victory Garden of Tomorrow, is a self-commissioned postercampaign designed to: “...channel the bold energy of historical posterpropaganda” and is “...committed tocivic innovation and social progress-- better food, better gardens, bettercities. It is artful advocacy for the modern homefront.”

Joe says: “I believe the spirit and skills of that oldgeneration lay within us today. We simply need to re-deploy ourselves if we areto shape our uncertain destiny.”

Wise words, and I love, love, love his retro-inspired posters. I foundthem in Joe’s Etsy shop, here.

Tell me, folks, are you gardening for Victory?!

Megan

p.s If you are in Canberra over the next couple ofweeks and lucky enough to visit the Floriade festival you will see a recreationof a Victory Garden, filled with plants and vegetables grown byAustralian families during World War II. I would love to be visiting Floriade, it’s onmy list of things to get to one of these years.

Use it or Lose it (and other things I thought I’d never hear myself say)

2011-09-20T22:06:00.000+10:00

Oh, what an exciting photo I share with you today folks; A pile of washing being sorted!!

But wait – it’s not any old pile of washing. Oh, no. That photo above represents the New-and-Improved Megan. The Newly Organised Megan. The freshly uncluttered, “Use it or Lose it” Megan. So, you see, it is indeed an exciting photo.

When we moved into the Chicken House a few (short) months ago, I had just packed up a home with seven years worth of accumulated “stuff”.

It was possibly one of the most cathartic moves I’ve ever made because I had to undo so many years of clutter. I undid years of sentimental hoarding; the leftovers of an online business and a craft market stall; the collected toys/clothes/stuff of the two new little ones that arrived after we moved into our house, as well as the accumulated “stuff” of Miss 14... It was intense, to put it mildly, and at several points I was honestly disgusted with myself at just how bad I had allowed things to become. How could I live like this?

(I joked on Face book one night about having just finished packing six boxes of vintage vases. Six tea-chest-sized boxes! Thankyou Liz for being one of my retro-loving, op-shopping “enablers” that night...)

But all that letting-go was worth it. I feel so much lighter now and I feel like things are under control again. Amazing how physical “stuff” can affect your mental state so much. It weighs you down.

In reverse, the move back into the house in a couple of weeks will have very little of that stress. The clutter has largely been dealt with, the rubbish removed and the taps fixed. I still have a few boxes here of old books and paperwork and a pile of clothes to sort through, but most of the hard yards have been done. Nothing is allowed back into the house unless we use it. That’s the new rule.

I am excited to be going home. Back to my garden; to the forest and its birds; to summer by the beach. I’m looking forward to the future. So many of the big decisions we needed to make – where, and how, we want to live, schooling for the little girls etc – have been made since we moved. It feels clear.

I will say though, those itchy feet of mine, the ones that marched us up to these hills... they are still restless. I figure that once we get back home, settle in, enjoy summer and spruce the place up a bit... when winter rolls around it might be time for another adventure... Don’t tell Alex, but I’ve been looking at this site. (I can imagine him rolling his eyes at this next plan, so I won’t mention it just yet...ssshhh, ok?)

But, why not dream a little?

Life is for living - not for hoarding up for some day when you might need it.

x
Megan

In Pictures :: Sunday Snippets

2011-09-18T18:21:00.000+10:00

Summer came early. A weekend of extreme heat. The kids and I drank home-made lemon cordial. Clothes were abandoned by the toddler-at-large and messy tea parties had. The chooks stayed cool under the house. In the shade: new flowers were discovered. In the sun: herbs in pots were saved with a good soaking.

Sunday Snippets via TinnieGirl.

Retro Garden Inspiration

2011-09-16T11:00:00.000+10:00

Our time in the chicken house is drawing to a close, so plans are being made for our return home. While I ought to be doing more sorting, packing and cleaning... my head is instead full of all of things I want to create and change when we get back to our house. Particularly our garden.

All of my renovation work will be on the budget side of life - ie. spruce up a few things with a lick of paint etc. And so, today, here's a random selection of retro inspiration of the garden variety. (I'm thinking of painting our old outdoor table in bright rainbow colours like this top image... or maybe I'll go bold yellow like Jane Foster did with her table below. Now there's a blog full of retro design inspiration, click on the yellow table image source link to go there.)

image source

And pink flamingos! What retro garden worth its salt is without pink flamingos, I ask you? Now where, oh where, will I find a pair of vintage pink flamingos???

Have a great weekend.

x
Megan

Straw Bale Gardening Discovery

2011-09-11T22:59:00.000+10:00

Today I'm blogging about my plans for a new spring/summer garden over at the Simple, Green, Frugal Co-op blog. You can read about it here.

x
Megan

Retro Inspiration :: Arthur's Circus

2011-09-09T18:02:00.003+10:00

image source: www.arthurscircus.blogspot.com

If I lived in Melbourne I would soooo be bidding on this retro school library trolly. Oh yes I would. Swoon. And the lino squares too. I would ask to have myself a bit of that lino action for my kitchen. I love everything about the styling of this. (I do have the Chinese Checkers game you can see on the bottom rhs shelf already!!)
Check out the trolley at Arthur's Circus new Ebay shop.
And if you do live in Melbourne, you'd want to get your skates on. As I write this there's only 18hrs and 43mins and 13s to go! Lucky "winner" of this one I say.

Happy weekending!

x
Megan

In Pictures :: This Afternoon

2011-09-08T18:09:00.000+10:00

Happy spring days to you!

x

The Adventures of Fluffy (a Cautionary Tale)

2011-09-05T12:43:00.000+10:00

Sunday morning Alex and I were enjoying a morning coffeebefore the day’s main activity: finding Fluffy the rooster a new home. We hadfound a guinea-pig hutch under the house that we had dusted off and oiled thedoor hinges in readiness for Fluffy’s big adventure.

Then, like clockwork, we had a visit from our neighbour whohad come over to make yet another complaint about the bird’s early-morningwake-up call. This was becoming a regular morning thing in the two-three weekssince Fluffy had started crowing. On this morning the neighbour was not movedby the sight of the hutch in readiness, nor our explanation (again) of theaction we were taking to re-home Fluffy which included multiple calls for helpamong our network of FB friends, family, work and school contacts; notices putup around various places including local produce stores and numerous phonecalls to animal rescue groups, the local agricultural society and local poultryfarmers. We were on the job, despite two weeks of major sickness in our family,yet the neighbour was not impressed.

After listing their complaints and tales of sleepdeprivation they ended this morning’s visit with a threat: the bird goes or thelocal council would be called and a complaint made against us. What a way tostart a Sunday. I had to bite my tongue from saying something along the linesof: “Sister, after you’ve had three kids (or even one) come back and talk to meabout sleep-deprivation.” But, I did not say that because whether theneighbours are light sleepers or whatever, they have the right to peace andquiet and they were well within their rights to demand the rooster’s removal. It is illegal to have a rooster in an urbanarea, and although the bird was not ours, we had made the choice to take on thecare of the house and animals in the owner’s absence and therefore we areresponsible for solving this situation. And so, more apologies were made,coffee quickly finished and off I set to the chicken yard to get Fluffy.

Nobody has managed to catch Fluffy before. He’s the fastestof all the chooks here – and the feistiest. But On Sunday I ran around thatchicken yard like a crazy woman until I had Fluffy cornered and, with a quickgrab I had his tail, and then one of his scrawny chicken legs, and hesurrendered. Poor Fluffy. He was nothappy to be put into a little hutch and moved onto the back seat of the car,but it had to be done.

I drove into Lismore and Fluffy was silent for the entiretrip. “Now you go all quiet on us Fluffy,” I say to him. “Why couldn’t you havedone that before?” But, Fluffy did not answer. He’s a rooster, after all.

My destination was he local poultry club’s auction morning.I’d been told on one of my phone calls for help that the auction started at 9amand if I got there early I could talk to the auctioneer and ask if he couldmention the bird’s plight. I wasn’t hopeful. The auction was for a range oftop-quality show birds and purebreds. Fluffy may be cute, but he’s a mongrel.Would he cut it among the upper-echelons of the poultry world? Even with a “forfree” sign?

After making contact with one of the auction organisers Iwas told to fetch Fluffy. I must have looked like a kindergarten kid bringingin their pet bird for show-and-tell. I had Fluffy nestled in my arms and amongthe Akubra-wearing poultry-auction crowd I stood out like a sore thumb.

Fluffy was taken from my arms and placed into a littlepoultry display cage at the auction with a “free to a good home” sign attached.He was given a fresh water supply and I left him there looking forlorn andabandoned while I went home to tell my neighbour the “good” news. The organiserpromised me that if Fluffy didn’t get taken by a punter at the auction, hewould personally take Fluffy to his farm and care for him. I felt relieved, buta little sad about the whole experience.

Here’s the low-down folks: I am no farmer. For me any animals in my care are pets. I havenot the toughness, or just practical, emotionally-detached spirit that traditionalanimal farming demands. I can’t eat mypets (although I have enormous respect for those among you who choose to takedirect responsibility for the meat you eat) and I’d spent the better part oftwo weeks trying to avoid Fluffy being killed or cruelly dumped on the side ofthe road – despite just about everyone telling me to take one of those options.

Instead, I held out and stuck to my own ethical viewpointand worked on finding a humane solution. But it was not humane for myneighbour, that’s the truth of it, and I feel terribly about this. When theneighbour asked me on Sunday, again, why I couldn’t just take the bird to thedumping ground and be done with it, I used the word cruel. But, she said. “It’scruel to us for you to not get rid of him.” And she was right. You could say I have acted selfishly by choosingto save the bird instead of respecting her right to quiet. I feel quite tornabout this, and I’ve certainly learned some lessons.

I will never place myself in this situation again. AlthoughI was naive when I moved in and didn’t fully realise how upsetting having arooster would be for the neighbour when I took on the care of the chicks here,I won’t make this mistake again. When we finish living here at the chicken houseand return home, Alex and I both agree that we want to have chooks ourselves,but we are going to do it carefully and responsibly. We will not risk gettingchicks in case they turn out to be roosters. Instead we will get hens at thepoint of lay, and just a couple to start with to avoid any upset withneighbours.

We’re also going to hold off getting chickens until we resolvefencing issues in the yard so that whatever birds we get will have a coop tosleep in at night, but during the day can free-range to their heart's content.That’s one thing living at the chicken house has confirmed for me: mysensitivity to seeing caged animals. I’ve never kept caged animals before becauseit breaks my heart to see them like that (I’m not one to visit zoos either, forthat matter).

So, you see, Fluffyhas taught us quite a few lessons. I hope any readers thinking about gettingchickens will learn from Fluffy too. Whatever animals we care for, they comewith responsibilities, both ethical and practical, and the responsibilities extendto our neighbours as well as the animals themselves. I feel I have damaged an otherwise perfectlygood neighbour relationship through this rooster situation; and fresh eggsreally aren’t worth ruining human relationships over, are they?

Ok. I’m exhausted byall of this Fluffy business. I promise my next blog post will be non-birdrelated!

Megan

Sneak peak :: Little Bird, Little Bird

2011-09-02T14:05:00.000+10:00

I count myself extremely fortunate to live in the Byronregion for so many reasons; it’s stunning beauty, eco-friendly attitude andjust as inspiring it is home to some of the most creative women on the planet.One of those creative lights is local eco-designer, Rachel Bending, of BirdTextiles whom The Byron Life introduced you to last year. Back then Rachel had justcompleted the building of her amazing sustainable home in the Byron hinterland.(If you missed that post, click on this link and have a look. It’s an incrediblehome with some impressive green credentials.) In that blog post Rachel also sharedthat she was looking forward to the birth of her first child.

Well, here we are in 2011 and Rachel is now a mama bird and trueto her passion for sustainable design, new motherhood has inspired her latest ecoproject. Little Bird, Little Bird is Rachel’s new bespoke and limited editionrange of organic children’s wear. This new collection has been designed in herByron studio; hand printed using water-based dyes and each garment is handmadeusing solar power. Plus, the range isgorgeous! The collection hasn’t been officially launched yet, but would youlike to have a sneak peak?

I told you they were gorgeous! Rachel said the first releaseof Little Bird, Little Bird will be for little girls up to three years and willbe available online only. You can find out about the spring launch of LittleBird, Little Bird at www.littlebirdlittlebird.com

Congratulations Rachel!

Megan

Fresh Horizons

2011-09-01T23:18:00.000+10:00

I have this not-so-secret little habit of deleting posts fromthis blog if I’m not happy with them. (Not secret because hundreds may havealready read them by the time I press delete!) Yesterday’s was one of thoseposts. There was nothing controversial about it; it just wasn’t a good piece ofwriting in my book. It was a jumbled-up ramble, and at the end of the day I wantthis blog to be something I’m proud of – and something you, dear friendlyreader, can benefit from and enjoy.

That said, I will take up the theme of that deleted post,which was all about emerging from my feverish fortnight of sickness feelingstronger, clearer and ready to follow up on some long cherished dreams.

For some time I have contemplated branching out with mywriting – beyond the scope of the newspaper I work for. I’m not wanting to giveup the community reporting work I do, (I do love my job) but I would like toextend myself creatively; to challenge myself. Mostly, I would like to writemore solidly about the things I am passionate about.

Sometimes the universe hears those thoughts and dreams and,like magic, opportunities present themselves. That happened unexpectedly for me this weekwhen a blogger I admire, Rhonda Jean from the Down to Earth blog, invited me tobe a new writer over at The Simple Green Frugal Co-op blog. If youhaven’t visited the Co-op blog before, have a look. It’s written by a selectionof bloggers who all have a unique story to tell about living greener, simpler lives.

I’m excited to have been invited into the co-op blog becauseit will allow me a space, and motivation, to write more specifically on ecothemes - an area I am passionate about.

Thank you Rhonda.

And thank you all for popping by The Byron Life.

Here’s hoping my writing brain can get itself into actionnow the fever has lifted around here.

Megan

~ archive photo from a wonderfully stormy day at Seven Mile Beach. I love that section of coast.

Houston, we have a...

2011-08-29T20:33:00.000+10:00

Major. Problem.

Meet Fluffy. Yes, one of the cute little chicks turned outto be a rooster. It’s not his fault. He’s really quite friendly and cute and,well, fluffy. But, he is rooster-like.In that he crows. As roosters do.

When we started the house-minding stint at the chicken housethe previous rooster had been “removed” to appease an unimpressed neighbour andwe were warned that we would have to do the same if one of the four chicksturned out to be male.

When I heard that first crow, about two weeks ago, I thoughtto myself, oh it’s not very loud, maybe the neighbour won’t mind... or evennotice... and maybe we can get away with it until the house owners return.Wrong, wrong, wrong. Within a nano-second the neighbour was onto the rooster’sarrival and we were quite politely, but firmly, put on rooster-removal notice. Fair enough.

And then we all got sick. Very sick. My family has neverbeen this sick before. All five of us, all at once. Today has been the firstday I have been up and walking around properly; last night was the first timein a week I made a proper meal for the family (well, for those who had appetiteenough) and I just have not been well enough to deal with Fluffy...

But deal with him I must. I’ve put quite few calls out tofind him a new home – but I still haven’t lined one up yet. I’ll keep trying. Imade a call to an animal rescue organisation before I got sick, and they saidthey sometimes have people willing to adopt farm animals, but they didn’t havea contact for me that day, so I’ll trythem again. (According to the rescue group, roosters and male peacocks are bigproblems around here – as they are bothnoisy and the peacocks like to jump on people’s cars.)

The alternative “removal” options aren’t attractive, for meanyway. Dumping an animal on the side of the road is not my idea of cool. Evenif the “side of the road” is an unofficial rooster dumping ground, it’s stilldumping an animal on the side of the road and I wouldn’t feel good about doingthat. (Fluffy is a young, domesticated animalthat is defenceless against predators; could potentially introduce diseasesinto native habitat and could cause all kinds of problems with destruction ofnative habitat – these are my reasons against rooster-dumping.)

However, I must be in the minority on this issue becauseevery second person I’ve spoken to about the rooster has mentioned the local dumping-groundoption. I’ve been very surprised, and a bit saddened, by this. (Am I being tooprecious about this one, I wonder?)

The other alternative is to kill the bird. Which, for thismostly-vego, non-chicken-eating mama, isn’t a viable option either - not by my ownhand at least. But, if I can’t re-home him, I’ll have to pay for him to be euthanised,as I feel this might be a more humane way (for me) of dealing with him that just dumpinghim.

Wish me luck folks. The neighbour is not happy and Fluffy’sdays are numbered...

Poor little Fluffy.

All he did was be born male.

Megan

p.s Fluffy pictures by Ella

My Creative Space

2011-08-25T09:55:00.001+10:00

We made a decent start on the rag rug yesterday, with a lot of design assistance from Melli! Still need to get the right blunt needle and lacing thread to weave the braids together... once I'm out of quarantine and can make it to the shops. In the meantime I'll just work away at it as I have the energy. We've now moved on from stomach bug into flu... oh, the humanity. It's been a long week.

x
Megan

Crafting in Quarantine

2011-08-24T09:05:00.000+10:00

Well. I was a bit hasty with my “we’re on the mend”statement yesterday. It seems we’re not on the mend, at least not all of us.Alex has now come down with the bug, Melli is having a second run of it, Ellais still sick too and Maddi is not yet through the worst (although she is at least up and walking around, unlike the other three). As for me, I do think Iam on the mend, even if in a wobbly kind of way.

I know I must be on the mend because last night, even as Iwas handing out the latest towel and dispensing the latest glass of water, I wasrestless. I needed to DO something. I needed to MAKE something. That’s a suresign.

And, it occurred to me that I still have an awful lot ofsorting/de-cluttering to do in my crafting stash – so why not combine aclean-up with a craft project? And, since I’m up on sick duty anyway, why notstart it at 10pm, right? Right.

So, this is what I’ve started: the gathering and cutting up offabrics to be plaited and woven into a rag-rug. It’s a project from HandmadeHome, by Amanda Soule. She writes that this project could take “a season”... Ha! That’sgenerally how long all of my sewing projects take! I don’t know exactly how much longer we’ll allbe in quarantine with this stomach bug, but long enough to cut up a heap offabric is my guestimate, so I'm going to give this one a whirl.

Do you get fidgety if you’re not making something?

Megan

Why Wendy Harmer thinks I’m cute and how I dodged a landmine

2011-08-23T16:07:00.000+10:00

Hello! Today, folks, I have a piece up on Wendy Harmer’s newonline mag, The Hoopla. You can read the article here.

The Hoopla is a great new read and I’m proud as punch tofind myself up there with the likes of Wendy and former Notebook magazineeditor, Caroline Roessler.

Please have a visit and introduce yourself over there; itwould truly make my day to find a familiar name or two pop up in the commentsbox J

Megan

p.s The landmine? That would be writing about my teenagedaughter! Always fraught, but I made it through... this time.

p.p.s Thanks so much for your get well wishes - we're all on the mend now. I just wish the weather would get with the program too.

In Pictures :: Brighter Days

2011-08-22T11:29:00.000+10:00

Hello,

The week has gotten away from me again. Overload of errandsand to-do-lists in preparation for my parents visiting, followed by absolutely horridstomach bugs all round. What rotten timing. The weather’s been not much chop either. But,in times of sickness, there’s always the holiday snaps to look at to remindyourself of happier, sunnier days, right? These photos were taken on the same weekendas the whale-watching from the last post. It will be sunny again soon...

For now it’s miso soup for Ella and I and some home-madechicken and alphabet noodle soup for the little ones... Thank goodness Alex isstill going strong. Fingers crossed the bug doesn’t bite him. 4/5 of us sick istruly enough.

Hope you’re faring well.

Megan

p.s These pix show the brilliant apartment we stayed in atthe Outrigger Twin Towns Resort, (complete with Florence Broadhurst reproprints on the walls. You all know how I love my vintage wallpapers!) with viewsout to Coolangatta and around to Mount Warning. Stunning. We spent the weekendgalloping along boardwalks and splashing in the gentle waves. Lovely, lovelytimes.

Adventuring :: With Whales!!

2011-08-15T07:54:00.002+10:00

Hello! Prepare yourself for a bit of an excited blog post today folks as I'm still buzzing from a dream weekend adventure.

It just so happens that it's my birthday this week and on Saturday I wasgifted an early treat – a humpback whale-watching adventure out at sea with thewonderful husband and wife team, Tony and Carol Hunt, of Coolangatta Whale Watch. Living in Byron Bay I have access to the Cape Byron Lighthouse (oneof the best land-based whale-watching places on the East Coast), so I have seenwhales from a distance before. However, on Saturday I got to experience theseincredible creatures up close and it just blew me away...

We boarded Tony and Carol’s 50ft “Whale Watcher” catamaranand headed out early from the Tweed Wharf, up the sleepy Tweed River, crossedthe choppy bar and were soon out in the open sea. We were less than twonautical miles out before the first pod of whales was spotted and before youknew it a whale forced its body above the water and tail-lobbed. How todescribe how thrilling it was to hear, for the very first time, the almighty“thud” the humpback’s tail makes when it hits the water? The thud reverberatesthrough the ocean, and through you –which is exactly what the whale is apparently trying to do: communicate itspresence. Truly an amazing sound, likenothing I’ve ever heard before.

Not long after the first display of tail-lobbing andfin-slapping, another whale (I don’t know if it was the same one, or one fromthe five different pods we saw that morning) came speeding past our vessel,quite close, like an underwater train atfull pelt, accompanied by this surreal “whoosh” sound. I’ve always understood, intellectually, thatthese mammals are huge, but when they glide past you, so close that you feeland hear the water move as they push it aside with their bodies, I suddenly“got” it. Thirty five tonnes of awe-inspiring.You really need to be there in the water with them to appreciate their sizecompared to us. Some of these humpbacks can grow as long as two buses and weighas much as 500 people!

We were out at sea for a couple of hours and in that timesaw over a dozen whales, some single, others swimming in pods. They appeared tobe travelling in all directions. Carol told us some were headed north towardsthe warmer waters of the Whitsundays where the pregnant females will birththeir calves then stay there feeding them until the babies are fattened upenough to head south again to the krill feeding grounds of Antarctica. On theweekend we saw whales that were in a rush to get north, and others that werealready on their way back south... and a few more that appeared to be justfrolicking and fin-slapping their way through the morning, most probably, Caroltold me, juvenile males out to catch the attention of a female.

I was impressed with how quickly we saw whales – I hadexpected we would have to travel for miles and miles before spotting any, butby 9.30am we’d seen three pods of them and we’d travelled less than a couple ofnautical miles out. TheTweed has one of Australia’s longest whale-watching seasons because it islocated midway along the migratory path. The annual migration of the humpbacksis a staged process, Carol said, with the juveniles leaving their Antarcticfeeding grounds first, followed by the cows and their calves from last year,then the males and females looking to mate and last, but not least, thepregnant females who stay longer in the Antarctic to build up their reservesfor the long journey to the warmer tropical waters of Queensland.

Where I saw the humpback whales on Saturday, the last groups were still travelling north, and the earlier ones had started returning south; it was whale-watching peak-hour! The next group to come through, travelling south, will be the new mothers and their calves... it would be wonderful to visit again in a few weeks to see this sight.

Carol and Tony Hunt from Coolangatta Whale Watch.

The absolute stand-out moment for me on the tour came justminutes before we were due to return to shore. I’d put the lens cap back on my camera and washappily basking in the experience of being out at sea on such a brilliant sunnyday and listening to Carol continue telling us fascinating whale facts when shejokingly called out to the whales: “C’mon, how about one of you guys give us abreach display?” And at that very second a whale did exactly that! Launchingitself out of the water and into the air, white belly and all, then crashingspectacularly back down into the water. I’m declaring Carol Hunt to be a first-ratewhale whisperer for pulling off that one, it was thrilling to have experienceda whale breaching right there in front of me.

(I wonder if Carol also called forth the pod of dolphinsthat appeared like magic as we returned down the river to the wharf - leapingand playing alongside the catamaran? I’ll bet she did...)

Thank you Carol and Tony for a truly inspiring morning, andthank you whales (and dolphins) for a super early-birthday treat! I hope I getto see you up close and personal again one day.

Megan

* The Byron Life stayed in Tweed Heads courtesy of Outrigger Twin Towns Resort and watched whales courtesy of Coolangatta Whale Watch . Thank you.

Further resources and links:

~ There's a heap of information at Destination Tweed's website on other adventures to take while visiting this region.

~ Sadly, whales, including the humpbacks, are still being hunted and slaughtered at alarming rates. As well as being hunted, their environment is threatened through over-fishing and pollution. The not-for-profit Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is at the frontline in protecting these magnificent creatures. Please visit their website and support the important work they are doing.

D.I.Y Inspiration :: Susie's Paper Pots

2011-08-11T07:19:00.000+10:00

Well, our time here at the Chicken House in the hills ismore than half-way through now, and my thoughts are turning towardspreparations for spring and summer back at home.

Today’s D.I.Y inspiration comes from Susie at Flowerpresswith her clever little recycled-paper pots. You can find the tutorial formaking these on Susie’s blog here. (Check out her gorgeous photography while you're there. Exquisite.)

Susie used these potted herbs to sell at a school fete. Great eco-friendly fundraiser idea.

My previous attempts at setting up a veggie patch back athome had limited success, but the longer I have been away, the more clarity Ihave gained in what went wrong and what can be improved when we return.Drainage issues in the back yard were a big one for us, so we will have to getdigging to sort that problem... As well as my veggie gardens gettingwater-logged, the soil I was working with wasn’t crash-hot either, so I havebeen researching permaculture and composting to improve the soil.

While we are a little while away yet from being back home, it’snever too early to begin planning. I’ve got some compost ready (thanks chickens!)and another big batch brewing away. I’m out there checking and turning it over everyday. I’ve turned into a compost nerd... oh, well. There’s worse things to be.Next up will be planting some seeds so we have little seedlings to plant whenwe get back home.

And that’s where Susie’s paper pots come in. This is aproject I can see Melli and I getting stuck into together.

How about you? Are you making any plans for the warmerdays to come?

Megan

Photo credits: Flowerpress.(Thanks Susie!)