Saturday, February 20, 2021

Around here

Not much has been happening around here with my teenagers pretty well having their own social lives and working part time.  It's been a big transition of letting go and one that I am learning to adjust to every day.  I do miss the days of being in charge of our outings and spending time with them however I have raised them to be independent confident young people and that's what they are now.  My son finishes high school at the end of this year and my daughter will have another 2 years after that.  It seems like only yesterday I was walking them into their prep classrooms.  Bittersweet is a word that comes to mind.

Not having them around to be in my photos and not wanting to be in any photos anymore is also a big adjustment for me because my photography is my happy place.  I'm starting a 2 week online lighting course which I've been trying to get into for 4 years as it sells out in 2 minutes and the registration time is 2.00 am Australian time.  I'm more than prepared to stay up or wake up at that time if I thought I had a chance of actually getting in, however within 1-2 minutes the seats are sold so out.  This last round you could put your name down on a list and 10 people would be randomly selected to get into the course before the registrations.   I had nothing to lose so I put my name down and I was so excited to be picked to secure a seat so I didn't have to wake up in the middle of the night and miss out again.  Not sure how I'm going to go with no one to photograph in beautiful light, so I'll just have to see how I go.  I am very pleased to be able to do this online course after wanting to do it for 4 years and I like to do one photography related course a year.

Here's a few things around on the internet at the moment.

I came across Sustainable Holly's website and here is a great post on being sustainable.  Here is another post on Natural Pest Management.

How "Burning Desire for Fire" started her "no spend days" and gave herself a coloured box if she didn't spend any money for 3-4 days of the week.

Home Grown Happiness Sourdough Recipe and timing of her process.

Emma from A Simple Living Journey answers all the questions about importing a Yurt into Australia and her family living in it on their 265 acre farm in NSW.

One of my favourite blogs Tales from a Happy House and her new yearly embroidery and this beautiful collection from January.

My new "Lunch Box Edition" of Additive Free Lifestyle Cook Book has been posted to me and I can't wait to get it.  The girls recipes are so simple and all the family favourites without nasty additives or preservatives. 

My friend grew this little pumpkin and gifted it to me.  I've never grown pumpkins myself so I was excited to receive this and I can't wait to roast some for dinner this week.


I ordered the beautiful hardcopy of Susan's Big Patch Quilt.  I purchased the PDF pattern last year and started my quilt and had to put it aside to attend to family health issues.  I need to get back to quilting this and putting a binding on.  If you have never done any patchwork this is a great starter quilt and if you can sew a straight line you can make this quilt.  Susan has the most impeccable taste and talent mixing her fabrics together which makes these quilts.  Here's my post from August when I put together my quilt.


Home made sausage rolls and salad for dinner.


Sold an item on Facebook Market Place so this is going straight into savings.

10 comments:

  1. Kathy, I often ponder on what life was like when the kids were growing up.I never realised how quickly they could be gone and able to look after themselves. At least you have lots of memories in your photos. Good luck with the course.

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  2. One of the hardest things I had to do as a Mum was let my children go to lead their own lives. Knowing they no longer needed me was, as you said, a bittersweet thing.

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  3. I've really enjoyed reading from the links you've listed, Kathy. Thanks for sharing those!

    I too find it a bittersweet feeling as I watch my son growing older and taller than me and becoming more and more independent. All at the same time, I'll see the emerging young man and remember the very young boy he once was. It's reassuring, I think, to see their independence coming through. Meg🤗

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  4. It's a strange feeling when the kids get taller than you as you feel like the shift in power when as a parent you are looking up at your children....so weird.

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  5. I am going to come back and explore all your interesting links later on today with a cup of mint tea :). It is indeed strange when our children outgrow us (for a while, they do - but wait till they get a bit older, or decide to have a family, and they will gravitate back to you). My grandson, whom I've not seen since last July, is now apparently several inches taller than me, and it's going to be so weird when I next see him. Thinking of you at this transition time ... and hoping you are freed up time-wise now to really enjoy your hard-fought-for course :).

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    1. Thanks Alexa...yes it's funny when the "kids" get taller than you seems so weird. Hope you are staying safe.

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  6. Hi Kathy, I also went through a huge transition this last year as I lost my job and then retired early. (Just a year earlier than I intended but it seemed hard to adjust) I am back blogging again and have been doing crafternoons pretty regularly. I am wiriting a book on crafternoons and have been worried about the quality of my photographs. My daughter suggested I purchase a lightbox. That relaly makes a difference. I hope you share some of what you learn on your course. there are such wonderful courses available. I have been doing a basketmaking course, which has introduced me to a whole new craft. take care

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    1. Glad to see that you are going to get back into blogging. Have you thought about getting a "ring light" from Kmart they are really cheap like $20 for your photos. I'm sure it was a shock to lose your job when you weren't expecting it, it was a rough year for many people. You'll get into the swing of retirement and before you know it you won't miss work. As long as you plan activities like your crafting and catch up with friends. Lovely to hear from you.

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