Amanda Brooke

12 Hours

Hi everybody! My post today forms part two of the BYW ecourse homework for the week. I haven't created a post like this before so I did find it to be a small challenge. From the list of 10 post ideas I chose to "Document parts of my day" but I was worried about thinking about this too much and 'creating' opportunities for great images. So I set myself a few rules.

I had to take 12 photo's from 7.30am using my iphone on the hour. I had to take a photo of what was in front of me, behind me, or to the side. I wasn't allowed to move from my space unless I had to grab the phone to take the photo...in which case this was the case for most photo's as I don't 'carry' my phone on me.

So this is what I did today from 7.30am to 6.30pm.

1. 7.30am: After I droppped my daughter off at work I nicked into Coles for some milk and ricotta cheese

2. 8.30am: Will today will be mostly an 'inside' or 'outside' kind of day?

3. 9.30am: Finished the dishes

4. 10.30am: Made a fruit and puffed rice slice ( with icing from the Feeding Fussy Kids book)

5. 11.30am: Morning tea with a cuppa and some slice (which wasn't set...but I'm not good at waiting!)

6. 12.30pm: Playing alongside Ben - he was making lunch

7. 1.30pm: After the 'real lunch'

8. 2.30pm: How many dishcloths I can get out of this reel of sunny yellow cotton yarn?

9. 3.30pm: Cooked pumpkin from here for tea - Pumkin and Ricotta Canelloni

10. 4.30pm: Finished off some damp towels using Tumblemonkey dryer balls

11. 5.30pm: A quick fiddle with my new Facebook page while tea was cooking

12. 6.30pm: Warming my toosh by the fire

So there it is. My day in 12 images.

If I decide to document my day again I won't do it this way, I will just share what I'm doing as the day unfolds. I was feeling annoyed towards the end of the day taking pics when reminded and I prefer the spontaneity of an image that isn't structured. I wasn't always happy to show you what was infront of me too. Especially the Coles image. But the reality of it is that I do go to Coles for some things. Showing you my life outside the frame of my normal photos was a challenge but overall I like the personal aspects of sharing the good and the bad. I like blogging like this...it's honest. I'll just approach it differently next time.

Have you ever tried this before? Have you ever documented your day to see how your hours have been spent or shared photo's that you normally wouldn't?

Thanks for visiting and reading my 'homework'. I am back to regular blogging this week...unless of course Holly challenges me again!

 

 

5 New Blogs to Love

As you may be aware I am currently a Blogging Your Way ecourse student and the course so far has been VERY inspiring! I do not want it to end! Holly Becker is one truly special girl, so giving of her honest heart, experience and wisdom. I am motivated by Holly and thriving (running around almost) like a little kinder kid in the learning environment. As a result of this course I am a new reader to some exciting and interesting blogs and I have been inspired to discover more through avenues I wouldn't normally venture into. It is amazing what you find hidden in the most unlikely places sometimes and you may possibly learn something new about yourself through the discovery. What do you think?

Holly's homework for us this week challenges us to write two creative posts from a list of 10 suggestions and I have chosen for my first post to do the following...

5 New Blogs to Love

I would like to share some of the new blogs that I have recently discovered. They are mainly based around topics that I am interested in and not all are fellow students. I would be thrilled if you would like to extend on this post and share any new blogs you have started reading recently in the comments below. Or do you already follow one of these blogs? What is it that you love about them?

Leah from Sang The Bird

Leah's writing oozes raw honesty and her romantic images draw you in. I have been lost in her blog recently, reading of her hardships intertwined with her sunny weekends and I look forward to watching her grow in the blogging community.

Alison from This Cosy Corner

Alison has a lovely writing style and shares her simple family life with her 3 boys on the southcoast of W.A. Her images are stunning snippets of nature outings and home life. I haven't read through all of the archives at This Cosy Corner, but the first post back in January invites you to stick around and check in on things like a neighbour over the back fence.

Sherry & Donna from Play Based Learning

Sherry and Donna are Early Childhood educators who between the two of them have a wealth of experience to share with their readers. If you have young children you will love visiting to gather some inspiration and ideas for learning through play. I wish that I had of known about this blog when I was working as an early childhood educator!

Helen from Curlybirds

Helen has two gorgeous curly haired twin girls and her blog is devoted to childrens creative play. This is another blog that is great for ideas on childrens play ideas but with a focus on art and crafts. I particularly like the inspiration to be found in handmade gifts.

Melanie from A Sewing Journal

Melanie's blog showcases sewing inspiration, patterns and projects from around the web along with reviews, tutorials and fabric inspiration to inspire anyone who sews. Her blog is bright and cheery and one that I am looking forward to delving into and following. If you like a little bit of upcycling as I do, you will love this roundup of tea towel tote bags .

So, do stop by these blogs for a little read or share your newest finds in the comments section below. I think we all discover new places to visit from time to time and forget to share them with our fellow friends. I've told you mine...now do tell me yours!

Thanks for visiting,

 

 

 

Home truths

I'm back. The fog is lifting and I can see the way forward. These last few weeks have been both frustrating and rewarding as I sifted through my thoughts and dug deep into where the heart of my blog lies. I have also been faced with new challenges at home with my husband away overseas I'm having to take on some of the extra tasks. At first I was overwhelmed by the extra work. The bitter cold that confronted me first thing in the morning when I collected firewood made me curse. But day by day I have come to enjoy this task. I soon forget the cold when I am immersed in deciding what size logs we need for the fire.

Through my work around the home it has always been easy for me to understand why I have chosen this lifestyle for our family. I feel comforted by a vase of cut flowers on the windowsill, a pile of nappies that need stuffing, a fire that has been freshly lit, the smell of freshly baked rolls, the linen drying on the line under the veranda and watching small hands work alongside mine.

The truth is that it won't always be about sharing the comforts with you. Life isn't always simple, frugal, creative, green and calm here. But I will be honest and I will be authentic. My voice has returned and it comes from my heart. Live Life Simply is a blog that shares my journey as a work and stay at home mum striving to live creatively and sustainably, teaching our children important living skills and doing it together, as a family.

Thanks for visiting,

Finding my voice

I have been blogging since 2007, when I started a blog to share my creativity as a pattern designer. My blog name changed and what I share has changed over the years too. I no longer design as a business and I mainly enjoy writing about our home, my passion for crafts, natural and eco-friendly living and whatever is on my mind.

Lately...

• I have felt that my posts lack 'something' and I haven't been enjoying the blogging process the way that I used to.
• I have been struggling to put my heart into my posts and to share what is really going on here and in my mind.
• I am struggling with the idea of sharing my business in this space, but I am so passionate about this BIG part of my life.
• My family says I do too many things and I think this clutter in my life is being reflected here, too.      

I also feel as though I have lost my voice, so to speak.

My passion for blogging hasn't vanished and I am not going to stop blogging, I just feel like some changes need to take place here. I feel this will take some time and some effort and so I am not going to post here for a while. I am going to take a wee blogging break to connect and focus on my purpose for this blog and re-create this space into something that inspires me and my readers. Whilst I am on this break I will be undertaking an online blogging course by Holly Becker of Decor8, so I'm confident this will assist in nutting out the direction I am seeking.

Please feel welcome to stop by and watch the changes develop and I hope it won't be for more than a month and you will still be able to find me once a fortnight over at the Simple, Green Frugal Co-op blog.

Watch this space!

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

 

Upcycling ideas and giveaway winner

Firstly the winners of the Healthy & Green Giveaway, as chosen by the Random Number Generator, are:

The Lunchbox Revolution Book goes to: Comment number 6!

Congratulations Gisele!

3 pack of Tumblemonkey Dryer Balls goes to: Comment number 2!

Congratulations Bianca!

Thanks to those who left some great tips for lunchbox snacks and I think that the dryer balls would have been appreciated by many of you.

I have a couple of upcycling ideas to share here today. First is a neat idea for laddered or unused pantyhose that I discovered on the Homestead Survival blog. Tie your onions in them individually and cut away each onion as you need them! Love it!

As much as I don't want pesky plastic bags entering our home, they somehow always manage to slip in somehow...so this idea is great! You will need two bags for this. Slide each foot inside a bag and then pop your gumboots on! Your foot will go into your boot super easy, your pants won't ride up and if you have a crack in your boot, your feet won't get wet! Just change the bags as needed and upcycle further if possible!

Loving this idea from my husbands mum!

I am heading off to Melbourne tomorrow for a special meeting that will result in something very special and important beginning in Australia. I can't disclose what it is about just yet, but I am thrilled to be a part of something that will create more awareness, make an ongoing difference to our environment and unite many. The following day I am heading into the BNK Show (Baby and Kids trade show for retailers) and I am a little excited about this little visit to the city! I plan to take most of my food with me so I don't have to buy many meals and some knitting for the evening.

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x