Ann Leach

After much sorting, donating, disposing, and giving away of "stuff", and shipping not a whole lot, Husband and I have decided to be much more intentional and thoughtful about the things we buy as we set up our new home. We are taking the time to define the characteristics and values of our family so we can ask before each potential purchase "Does this fit with our family's values? Does this fit with who we are?" The mattresses and bedsteads were non-negotiable. We have to have a comfortable place to sleep, preferably up off the floor. And so, our for first purchases. we were able to shop together online and find a bedstead we both like. Daughter was able to choose hers too. Husband had them all set up by the time we arrived. That gets us up off the floor for sleeping, and on to the living room. Our house has two dining/living rooms, both off the kitchen, but in different directions. (It may be an Australia thing. We saw a lot of houses with 2 living/dinin...

March, April, May always brings me into a time of self-reflection. Looking at who I am and who I want to be. Looking back and looking forward. How am I doing? Can I do better? How can I do better? This year, along with my personal goals and achievements, my marital goals and achievements, and parenting goals and achievements, I am also looking at how I am doing in facilitating Isabelle's learning as we are home schooling. Overall, it is going well, but it isn't without its challenges with the largest one being not even a home schooling issue, but one of my own personal issues and how it is playing out in the realm of home schooling. And that is sequencing. Sequencing, simply is planning. Putting a series of events into a proper sequence to achieve a desired outcome. During my stay in a mental hospital for treatment of clinical depression a year after a drunk driver collided, head-on, with the car I was driving, an IQ test was administered to me which included two sequenci...

Crochet dishcloths made from Sugar & Cream yarn Using a medium, 4, worsted, 4-ply weight yarn and a G hook, I made these dishcloths -- This photo shows how the chain end will look after crocheting the SC into the back loop of the CH. It creates a finished edge without having to back and finishing the edge. CH 17, turn. Row 1 - Skip the first CH, then SC into the back loop of each CH across. Turn. Row 2 - SC in first SC. DC in next SC. Alternate SC and DC all the way across. Turn. Row 3 - SC in first DC. DC in first SC. Alternate SC and DC all the way across. Turn. Row 4 thru 16 - Repeat row 4 eleven times. Turn. Row 17 - SC in every stitch across and tie off.  This photo shows the texture created by alternating SC and DC in each row. Note: I used no turning stitches at the end of each row. Doing this, squared up my dishcloths to a 4" x 4" size, and kept the edges tight. If you have any questions about my pattern, please ask in the comme...

Sometimes when people say they're spending a day at home, it sounds like they've received a prison sentence.  For me, I quite enjoy it.  It's relaxing.  I get to work on various projects.  Dare I say it?  It's a perfect day for me.  Today's day included doing creative activities like - Emptying a powdered milk tin can and making plans to reuse it as a yarn tin.  I can keep the ball I am currently working from in it so I'm neither chasing it across the floor as it rolls away nor untangling it from the other balls I've set aside for the project.  Win! Baking up some homemade granola - oatmeal, nuts, butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Yum! Sewing a couple of pillowcases a client has ordered. The more I am getting back into a sewing groove, the more and more I am enjoying it!  Fun! Dusting off an old and tasty recipe that I had forgotten I have - Rotel Chicken Spaghetti.  Yum! Baking bread - I used the last pi...

It's the beginning of the month and so the perfect time for refocusing myself to a meal planning.  Are you a meal planner?  Do you tend to make the same comfort foods?  Or do you enjoy new foods for every meal? I like the simplicity of making the same foods over and over again.  I know it sounds boring, but it works for me.  And I do change up the seasonings and add in new recipes so I think it's a good mix. As a homemaker, I think meal planning (and preparing) is my biggest challenge.  Off-the-cuff cooking rarely works for me, so a plan is a must.  But sitting down and writing out a plan is just-so-hard!  (I know.  Poor me, right?) So, here we go for November: Breakfast cocoa & toast & fruit fruit & yogurt (homemade) & granola (homemade) BLT & egg & cheese (stole this one from Bob Evans) cold cereal or granola & milk & fruit Light meal egg salad sandwich tuna salad sandwich leftovers ham & cheese sandwic...

"How do you reheat foods?"  "I'd die without my microwave." I hear this regularly when I share that we don't have a microwave in our home.  And it's not by accident.  We intentionally sold it about 5 years ago.  Why?  Two reasons: First, I figured we were really only using it 1 or 2 times each day; and second, it took up too much counter space. But selling it happened in steps.  Once I had decided it was time for the microwave to go, I had to get K on board.  He would use it to reheat his coffee from the pot he had brewed first thing in the morning.  That had to be addressed.  We bought a keurig with the reusable capsule. Well, he still wasn't convinced so I said ok.  How about if we just try it for a month? Let's just move the microwave out of the kitchen for a month and see how it goes. Well, that was all it took.  It was moved out and never came back in. But how do I reheat foods?  It used to be with either ...

Part of being a stay at home mom and making sustainable living choices is keeping expenses down, but the other part is to increase the income, too.  And working from home allows me to develop multiple small income avenues rather than just going after the one big avenue of income. With that in mind, I've been brainstorming, trying to come up with a project for the cold winter months.  I've kicked around various crochet ideas, but was truly inspired when I came across the idea of making custom pillowcases. Here are some photos of the one I whipped up this morning specifically so I could take photos to promote this new business venture. Isn't that a lovely pillowcase?  I can't wait to share with you all the pillowcases I have planned! Come spring, I'll add chickens, well eggs, as another avenue.  And of course the garden will go in which will reduce our food spending in a big way. What small avenues of income are you working on? ...

Actually, I'm not sure how much resting is going to happen today, but I have been working on some relaxing projects and also rejuvenating my spirit.  These are small projects on my homemaking list -- those little things we do to make a house into a home for our families. After catching up the dishes this morning, I jumped right into one of my favorite projects -- baking bread, and turned out these 2 beauties. Look at that crumb.  Don't you just want to spread a big glob of butter on a slice and eat it with a glass milk??  Maybe it's just me, but that's exactly what I did! Watermelon for afternoon tea is cubed and ready for eating. We found a recipe for a banana smoothie to make and drink for breakfast this morning.  Daughter was too happy to help with the honey! While looking for the curtains, I found the tablecloth I made in Australia and brought back.  It was so easy to just lay it on the table, but it makes such a di...

If you had the opportunity to start with a clean slate in your kitchen and purchase only essential items, what would they be?  Would your kitchen have in it exactly what it has now?  Or would you do it differently? A year ago, when we arrived in Australia, I did have this opportunity, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.  Most of our kitchenware and tableware came from the thrift stores and the local buy/swap fb page; although I did get a new set of cast iron pans from the camping expo, and a few bakeware items came from a regular retail store. The only item that I would have like to have was a food processor for weekly chopping of onions and grating of cheese.  But that said, I didn't lose any fingers doing it manually, so it's not so much a necessity as much as a strong like. Searching "kitchen essentials" on pinterest pointed me to some websites like this one:    http://jeanetteshealthyliving.com/2012/08/essential-equipment-supplies-for-firstcol...

If you are looking for a way to reduce food waste, get a small fridge. "What??!!  Noooo..  I need a bigger fridge to put more food in because it's going bad!!" Think about what you just said.  Really, think about it.  You already have a fridge, probably a fairly spacious one.  And food is rotting in there.  Why?  Did it get pushed to the back (rotting zone)?  Is there more than one so one is good and the other bad?  Did you put it in there with all the best intentions of eating it tomorrow? And then forgot about it? See, I know whereof I speak.  I had one of those refrigerators.  It was big!  I mean really big!  It stuck out 6 inches in front of the kitchen counter.  And I was throwing away SO MUCH FOOD!  After a while, I started filling empty milk jugs and putting them in the back on each shelf, yep in the rotting zone.  That helped.  Finally when I opened the door, I could see everything in ther...

Winding down winter in Australia, I miss snow.  I like snow.  It's pretty.  I like the way it muffles sound.  I LOVE waking up to a fresh blanket of snow of a cold, crispy morning and being the first to make prints in the snow.  I like looking at the prints of other animals in the snow to see who visited while I was away. That said, I will miss the frugality of the Australia winter.  No winter snow boots.  No heavy winter coat.  No hat, scarf, and mittens.  I wore my capri pants all winter.  With sandels.  Oh yes, some of the mornings were cold and I borrowed mid-calf socks from my husband, but those days were few and far between.  Most days I wore a tshirt with a flannel shirt over it.  Or a singlet (tank top) under a blouse. No jacket.  Yes, winter in Australia is much more frugal than winter in the midwest of the US.

French Bread -- hot right out of the oven Do you love crusty bread with a soft crumb on the inside?  I know I do and today, I ventured into the world of baking it at home. Baking bread is not as difficult and time-consuming as I want to think it is.  The biggest chunks of time go to rising which I don't need to be present for!  So join with me and we'll make french bread together. My set-up for bread-making:  mixer with large bowl, flour, yeast, salt, water, egg, whisk, rubber spatula, metal bowl for rising, and the breadbox. This recipe comes from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. French Bread 5 1/2 to 6 cups all-purpose flour 2 packages active dry yeast 2 tsp salt 2 cups warm water (115F to 120F) cornmeal 1 slightly beaten egg white (optional) 1 TBSP water (optional) Close-up of the ingredients In a large mixer bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, yeast, and salt.  Add warm water. Beat at low speed of electric mixer f...

Ever notice the clutch purses that the Duchess is typically carrying on her outings?? They're always small, strapless, and hand held. I figure she's carrying her cell phone and a photo id. Because that's what every millennial woman (and mom away from her child) needs. Well, being a woman of the 21st century woman, and mom, I decided I, too, need a Kate Middleton bag for my days out attending to my royal and social duties. A bit bigger than Kate's, but I love it.  And, it matches my red hat and my red shoes. Of course, mine also came from the thrift store because there was no way I'd pay full retail price for a limited use item, no matter how much I love it. Do you have a Kate Middleton purse??  I think everyone should have one for those times you go out and don't want to be mom or royalty.  You just want to be....  you. Cheers! Ann

....  to make a tablecloth and an apron. I've had it in my mind for a while to make a housekeeping apron for myself and more recently I decided I wanted a tablecloth for our dining table.  These are wants, not needs, so not a high priority, but just something I browse for when I'm at the thrift store. A couple days ago, it happened.  Looking through the buy/sell/swap page, there was a listing for 2 king size flat sheets and a super single fitted sheet for $7.  Two solids and a geometric print.  That'll do!  Sold!! This afternoon, with a movie playing to keep me company, I've been cutting and hemming the red geometric print to be a table cloth.  We have a round dining table, but I've decided to cut it square for more versatility.  And I'll shop for some clear vinyl to put over it so it doesn't have to go into the washer after each and every meal. (You know how it is eating with a little one at the table.  :) ) I'm qu...

I knew it! When I started crocheting here in Australia, I used the size yarn which is most common, 8 ply, but I knew deep down that it wasn't I was used to. It was smaller. But even though I searched and searched I couldn't find a conversion chart to verify my belief. And then, I got off the internet, browsed the crochet books at the library, and voile! There it is. 8 ply is the equivalent to DK/Light-worsted in US, and I had mostly used Worsted weight, the equivalent of 10-ply here in Aus. I've set a goal of completing at least one crochet project each month thinking that would be no problem.  Well, this blanket that I've started just isn't going to get done in time.  The yarn is an 8-ply and I'm working it with only a size F hook.  It's 260 stitches across.  (Who thought this was a good idea??!!) So to meet my goal, I'm going to sneak in a small fingerless glove project for my daughter and keep the blanket going into next month. I'd love ...

Yesterday was a day for cooking!! For afternoon tea and playgroup, we're having the best scones that money can't buy! And an amazing thick hot chocolate. For supper, a simple, real macaroni and cheese. For the scones, I opened up my handy-dandy Better Homes and Gardens cookbook to page 84 to find THIS recipe for Biscuits Supreme: 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams) 3 tsp baking powder 2 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup shortening (115 grams)  I use butter. 2/3 cup milk (160 ml) Sift together flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar, and salt.  Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Make a well in the center, add milk all at once.  Stir just until dough clings together.  Knead gently on a lightly floured surface for 10 to 12 strokes.  Roll or pat to 1/2 inch (1cm) thickness.  Cut with a 2-1/2 inch (6cm) biscuit cutter, dipping cutter in flour between cuts.  Transfer to an ungreased bakin...

As the founder of the discussion group Sustainable Living here in Dalby, I had my first interview with the local online newspaper, Dalby Champions.  And it went well, I think.  Being my first interview, I am a bit nervous about seeing my ideas interpreted and written by someone else, out there for people to read.  And I've been thinking since then about what Sustainable Living is and what it means to me. It's the small choices made on a daily basis.  When I first started looking for a better life, a happier life, a life less cluttered, and more meaningful; I found books to read (Simple Living, Radical Homemakers), blogs to read (Non-Consumer Advocate, Down to Earth),  and other people's routines to use (Flylady). I was so inspired that I had found my people!  And I was going to do it all!  I was doing the daily cleaning routines, washing my hair with baking soda followed by a white vinegar rinse, de-cluttering my house, baking bread from scratch, b...

We did it!!  That's me and DD, we set the Budget, Planned the Meals (or borrowed somebody else's meal plan), got our Morning Routines done and made the big shopping trip to Aldi.  Now our stockpiles are set for a month.  whew! If I truly had a full stockpile system in place, it would be for the better part of a year, not just a month.  But this is a starting place.  And it's done!    We have bought all the necessary ingredients for 25 dinners and it came to just under $180 Aus.  This is the meal plan shared here  ( http://www.iamthatlady.com/25-meals-for-under-150-at-aldi/ ).  I bought nearly everything on the list, and made up for the few I didn't get by picking up a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread just because K loves it and a few other items. Overall, I am very pleased and surprised that food prices here in Aus are that close to what they are in the US.  In my own mind, I had figured we were paying double. In our budget, we ...

I finished the book I was reading at 11:40 last night, which sadly is WAY past my usual bedtime of 9pm.  So needless to say, this morning did not start off in a stellar way. But I'm up and going, chickens are fed, and laundry is started.  It will take a minute to wash up the breakfast dishes, and then on with the day. I had thought I would drive to the Big City (Toowoomba) today, but I think my time is best spent at home.  Somehow I've gotten behind on laundry and you know how that goes.. it won't get done if I'm not home. But I am excited about this upcoming trip to Toowoomba for a couple reasons -- 1)  since the Big Move from the US to Aus, I've only driven into the city by myself..  um, 1 other time.  I mean I drive around Dalby all the time so it's not that I can't drive.  But usually when we go to Toowoomba or on down to the coast, K is driving and I get to play tourist (gawk out the window and take pictures).  And 2)  I ...

A part ofSustainable Living that doesn't get much attention is Routines.  For some of us, it's because they're so routine that we don't give them any thought (Yea!)  But for me, it's something that I didn't learn at my mother's knee, and so it's been a challenge. When I first had children and moved from my days being dictated by my work schedule to staying home, I struggled with my home time -- how to fill it, and at the same time, how to get everything done that needed to be done.  And then one day I stumbled across Flylady (www.flylady.net) and the world of routines opened up to me. I learned about Morning Routines and Bedtime Routines.  I learned about Cleaning Routines and Meal Planning Routines.  And honestly, I cried.  Because up until that time, I thought I was the only one struggling.  And then I dove in to learn my routines.  It was hard learning these new habits, I mean I wasn't totally unhappy with wearing my pjs until 10am!  B...