A simple life for me

It's howling a hoolie here at the moment, rain lashing against the windows, and it's forecast to get a little wilder during the night.  Compared to many parts of the country, currently experiencing snow, gales and other wintery weather, we get off relatively lightly this far south.  It's no fun being without power in freezing temperatures and I feel for those folks who have been hit hard by the weather.

Today I started in on another task on The List, sorting out the kitchen cupboards.  As I previously mentioned, I've taken the plunge and joined in with the 'Pantry Challenge' on the Down to Earth blog, so I thought I'd better make a start.  It'll be done over two or three days to fit around other things that are happening, and today I did the wall cupboards.  Everything out, shelves wiped down, bottles, jars and packets checked and sorted before putting back.  Two glass jars emptied and recycled, several packets emptied into storage jars and recycled, jasmine rice used up for dinner, a container with nothing in it (!) recycled.  Out of date stock?  About a quarter of a packet of curry paste, BBE May 2012!  All in all, not too bad.  We keep a fairly close eye on the food cupboards, and are much better now at only buying what we know we will use.   Once I got going I really enjoyed the task and the end result was very satisfying.  It's tidy, we can see what we have, and everything is accessible for use.  I'll carry on tomorrow.

This afternoon was a bit of a treat for me.  I took a workshop at our local quilting shop; three hours of machine quilting - wonderful!  The shop owner and tutor, Vendulka, is a very inspiring teacher, and under her guidance I produced some creditable feathers.  Lots of practice, learning to relax and letting the fabric and stitches flow.  It's quite a different technique to the precision of hand quilting, which I do enjoy, but I find I don't have the patience to undertake weeks of hand sewing that I used to have.  I want my quilts finished and to be used, not remain as pieced tops never to be quilted and completed.  So, machine quilting it is, and I'm really enjoying the challenge.

This post is my 350th, and marks two years of blogging.  The blog is nothing fancy, just an online diary of our days 'pottering along', enjoying what our chosen lifestyle brings us.  Living within our means, free of debt, being self-reliant, and not being caught up in consumerism.   Thrifty, frugal, simple - whatever the label, we're loving our simple life.