Category Archives: Joining a Club

So easy – knitted expandable shopping bag using one ball of wool, The nostalgia that certain foods bring, Recipe for Banbury/Eccles Cakes, Volunteering, Spring is on the way in the garden

So easy – knitted expandable shopping bag using one ball of wool

Have you ever thought about knitting your own shopping bags, extremely relevant at the moment with the phase-out of plastic bags at the supermarkets? Recently the South Gippsland Spinners & Fibre Arts Group, of which I am a member, held a workshop conducted by one of its members, Deb, who had devised a pattern for these bags. The beauty of them is that they are expandable and are capable of holding a large amount of shopping but fold down so small that they take up very little space when not in use. Saves all that cluttering up the back of the car.

Since the workshop, the ladies have been beavering away making their bags and displaying them on the group’s Facebook page. I’d like to share the pattern with you but first here’s a sample of what you can expect to produce:

DEB’S AMAZING SHOPPING BAG PATTERN

MATERIALS: 100 g of acrylic yarn, 6-7 mm x 60cm circular needle, 4 mm x 60 cm circular needle

PATTERN

Using the larger needles, loosely cast on 40 stitches. Work 30 rows in garter stitch.

Place marker, then pick up and knit 15 sts along side of work, 40 sts across the cast on stitches and 15 stitches up the other side of your work. Knit across the original 40 sts. You should be back to the marker now (110 sts)

Working in rounds, work 10 rows of stocking stitch

Pattern rounds

Round 1 : * Yfwd k2tog* rep until you reach the marker again

Round 2 : Knit until you reach the marker.

Repeat these 2 rounds until work measures desired length. Approx 25cm (10 inches)

Change to 4mm needle (and black yarn optional). Work in k1, p1 rib for 5cm (2 ins) Remove marker on last round

Handles – Flatten bag out to determine where sides are. Rib to the closest side position and place marker.

Rib 20, cast off 15, rib 40, cast off 15, rib 20 to the marker. Next row: *Rib 20, turn work, Cast on 15, turn work, rib 20 * rep from * to*. Continue in rounds of rib for 5 cm

Frill Top – Work rounds of stocking stitch for 2.5 cm (1 inch)

Next row: *K1, M1 * repeat until the marker is reached again. Cast off loosely. Weave end through work to finish off.

The nostalgia that certain foods bring

Do you often long for foods from your childhood that are no longer available to you or if they are they are produced in your country of origin or have disappeared from menus? I absolutely love Banbury and Eccles cakes (they are the same thing but shaped differently). They are rarely found in Australia but I’m always on the lookout.

For those of you who don’t know or may be interested in the history of these cakes, here goes:

Banbury Cakes, a special fruit and pastry cake, are still produced. At one time they were being sent as far afield as Australia, India and America.

The town of Banbury is on the edge of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds, England and has been a busy market town for centuries. A nursery rhyme, ‘Ride a Cock Horse’, has made Banbury one of the best-known towns in England. It has been suggested that the ‘Fine Lady’ of the nursery rhyme may have been Lady Godiva or Elizabeth I. More likely it was a local girl who rode in a May Day procession.

Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross

To see a fine lady ride on a white horse

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes

She shall have music wherever she goes.

The written history of this ‘nursery rhyme’ goes back to 1784

Eccles cakes are named after the English town of Eccles, historically part of Lancashire, but now classified as a town in Greater Manchester. It is not known who invented the recipe, but James Birch is credited with being the first person to sell Eccles cakes commercially.

So it transpired that I wanted something really nice for a morning tea with my daughter to celebrate a milestone birthday (which by the way I am trying to deny because I can’t believe I am so old). A Banbury cake was what I desired most so I had to make them myself. I have a cookery book handed down to me by my Great Aunt Helen called Farmhouse Fare which is a collection of recipes sent to the publisher during the second world war. The recipes give the name and town from which the author comes. I have to tell you there are some very grisly recipes in the meat section. However, the Banbury cake recipe is superb and to me authentic so I’ll share it with you.

Firstly you need some flaky pastry. You can buy puff but you won’t get the proper effect. I use Deliah Smith’s easy recipe. 110g of plain flour, 70g of butter, iced water. Freeze the butter then grate into the flour, fold in gently with a pallet knife, add 3 tablespoons iced water slowly and combine. Rest in the fridge before rolling out.

Filling – 60g butter, 50g candied peel, 150g currants, pinch ground cinnamon, pinch mixed spice. Beat butter to a cream then mix in fruit and spices. Roll out pastry, cut out large rounds, place about a dessert spoon of mixture in centre, pull pastry over and pinch together. Turn over and flatten, score two cuts in surface and brush with egg white and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake in a hot oven for about 30 minutes but check to make sure they are not browning too much. SUPER YUM

Having dusted off my Royal Dalton Tea Service and baked the Banbury cakes my morning tea was ready:

Volunteering

What people see and what they don’t about volunteering. I absolutely love this description sent to me by Noelene Lyons who is a long time volunteer. I wrote about Noelene’s talents in a blog some two years ago (could be longer) under the heading: Meet 2 interesting and gifted ladies. Noelene is a genealogist and family history researcher. Go to the Category Interesting people to read again or put her name in the search box.

I think Spring is on the way in my garden

I think Spring is on the way in my garden but sitting here at my computer with the wind blowing and the rain pelting down outside, it sure doesn’t feel like it. However, the plants certainly think so and the blossom is out on my almond and nectarine trees, though a lot of it is scattered on the ground. The pea pods are swelling, the broad beans have flowers, I’m harvesting carrots and swedes and the beetroot should be ready soon, so things are looking good.

I hope you are all keeping busy with your various activities and enjoying retirement. I’ll take this opportunity to send all good wishes to Joan Blain, a dear friend and longtime reader of my blog. Joan has just turned 85 and has been laid up with two broken legs after a fall.

Until next time:

DOING WHAT YOU LIKE IS FREEDOM, LIKING WHAT YOU DO IS HAPPINESS

Janice

The not so retired retirees, Soap making, Don’t be discouraged, Useful tips and a story to make you smile

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The not so retired retirees

Recently I have been thinking about what it means to be retired. Our generation is known for a strong work ethic, but I’m not sure we could keep up with some inspirational seniors, who still work full time even in their 90s. Apparently recent studies have shown that as you work past 65, your life expectancy increases. Here are the three not so retired retirees I read about recently.

Jean Beanham, 92

Beanham’s Melbourne motorbike parts store has been a fixture of Elizabeth Street for more than four decades, and the 92-year-old has been there through it all. Her 38-hour work week runs from Monday to Friday plus a half-day on Saturday. “I don’t like holidays,” Beanham says “When you get old, you need your brain working.”

Agnes Zhelesnik, 102

This amazing teacher really is 102 years old. In fact, she has officially been named America’s oldest living schoolteacher. Affectionately known as “Granny” by her pupils, Zhelesnik only began teaching at the age of 81 and still works 35 hours a week at the Sundance School in New Jersey. “I’m busy every minute,” she says.
Reginald Huntley, 96

This British grandfather works 40 hours a week, travelling around Kent in the UK selling woollen clothing and accessories. Rising at 6 am every morning, Huntley works 9 to 5, Monday to Friday. In an interview with Mirror Online, he says, “I hate the thought of sitting at home because people deteriorate.” As for what keeps him going? Huntley visits the gym once a week and loves a good meal of “meat and two veg.”

These three obviously really enjoy what they do, but likewise changing your lifestyle after retirement can open up new challenges and opportunities. Retirement doesn’t actually mean that you stop work, far from it. There is time to pursue those things you have had in the back of your mind to do if only you had time together with other activities you never thought it possible that you would enjoy or try. As we age everything has to be tailored to suit our abilities and needs, but through our local clubs, community houses, libraries, on line courses of every category etc. there is something for everyone to help you retire and enjoy to the full.

Soap making

More years ago than I care to remember, possibly in the 80’s during my alternative lifestyle era, I had a go at soap making. I recall writing to tell my mother back in UK all about it. I quickly received a reply from her saying that if I couldn’t buy soap in Australia, she would send me some. Anyway when I saw a Goats Milk Soap Making course being offered at my local Community House, I booked in. With all the so called “natural” soaps on the market, I had the mistaken idea that it was possible to produce soap without the use of lye, apparently not so, a fact the course leader acquainted us with at the start of proceedings. All real soap is made with lye (sodium hydroxide mixed with liquid). However with the chemical changes that take place during the soap making process, namely, saponification, the finished product does not contain lye. If you would like to know more about these facts, check out Wikipedia.

I have to say it was a very enjoyable morning with much laughter and chatter. After having the process demonstrated, we were divided into groups of four, provided with the ingredients which consisted of goats milk, solidified oil, copha, vegetable oil and caustic soda (lye) plus our choice of essential oils, clays, colours or abrasives together with the necessary utensils, following which we set to work with varying degrees of success.

So far I haven’t practiced at home. We didn’t add any colour other than clay during the course and I thought the finished product looked quite grey and uninteresting, although having used the samples we were given, the soap smells and lathers really well and is soft on the skin. I have written to the course leader to obtain some more advice.

If anyone would like the actual soap recipe and instructions, I’m happy to send you a copy. Just drop me a line at [email protected].

Don’t be discouraged if you mess up a project there can be a silver lining

Having joined a Spinners group some months ago, I have been practicing my technique under the mentorship of Joan, a long time spinner with 15 years under her belt. I really do appreciate all her help and advice. In fact all the members of the group have been fantastic. Believe me it’s harder than you ever imagined. Having eventually got to the point where I could spin ‘reasonably’ well, I decided I would like to start from scratch, washing a fleece, drying, preparing for spinning (carding), then eventually spinning, plying and knitting a finished article to wear.

Without going into too much detail, I thought I had the wool ready for spinning and took it to show Joan, who on inspection kindly said “it will make really good stuffing”. Apparently I had pulled the fleece in all directions instead of in the way of the staple (direction which the wool grows) which would cause lumps when attempting to spin a smooth thread. I had so much to learn. However, over the next few weeks I watched some YouTube spinning videos and saw one lady who spun absolutely anything and everything. Out came my wheel and ‘stuffing’ together with some bits and pieces of coloured wool my friend brought back from Chile and I set to work. Yes big lumps and bumps did emerge, breakages frequently occurred, but undaunted I spun on and eventually had enough to make a small circular scarf. Here’s my finished article which I’m quite proud of and wear frequently.

A few useful tips for using Cream of Tartar

I was reading an article recently about the varied uses of Cream of Tartar and thought I would share a few of them with you. I realise of course that you may already have them in your repertoire but if not you may find them useful.

Stain Remover
Make a paste of cream of tartar mixed with lemon juice to lift stains on clothing and carpets. Let the paste sit for an hour or two, then either machine wash as usual, or blot with a damp cloth. This mixture works well on ink stains!

Kitchen Cleaner
Make a paste of cream of tartar mixed with white vinegar to make a great all-purpose kitchen cleaner. Use it on burner pans, grout lines, ovens, sinks, and to clean up mould and mild

Coffee Pot
Clean stains and residue out of your coffee pot by sprinkling cream of tartar inside. Add boiling water to fill the pot, let the pot cool to room temperature, and rinse well.

Homemade Playdough
Make homemade playdough by mixing 1 cup of flour, 1 cup water, 1 cup salt, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon cream of tartar, and 3-5 drops of food dye (optional). Add more flour if the mixture is wet or sticky, or add more water if the mixture is too dry.

Meringue Miracle
Add an 1/8 teaspoon of cream of tartar for each 2 egg whites in your meringue. The acid from the cream of tartar will stabilize the egg whites and add volume to your finished product.

A story to share and make you smile

I’m going to finish this post with a happy story. I can’t imagine riding around a busy city like Lima in Peru on a bicycle but what fun – enjoy.

On May 23, 2016, photographer Jean Paul Merino posted photo to a Facebook community page for aspiring and professional photographers. Today the photo, titled “Tercer Juventud” (Third Youth) has over 1,000 ‘likes’. Here’s the photographer’s story behind the spontaneous image that would capture hearts (and thumbs up) around cyber space.
I was heading for the center of Lima on my bike, and suddenly I crossed paths with an elderly couple enjoying a bicycle ride. They were both laughing, and it caught my attention. So, without thinking twice, I pursued them for what would be 3 blocks in order to capture the scene, and waited on a corner with my camera and backpack for that shot.
I published the photo on my Facebook group, Peru StreetPhotography …[and] a week later, a Ms. Anita Navarro wrote me, congratulating me for the photograph. She said she was the daughter of the woman on the bicycle.
Then, she continued to tell me the couple’s story: The man is the husband of her sister, who died 14 years ago. He was left alone with their four daughters, so Anita’s mother stepped in to help raise the girls. The man never remarried.
The family has told me the couple likes the photo and have no problems with my having posted it on social media – to the contrary, they are quite pleased. I plane to give them a copy of the photograph.

I’ll sign off with this quote:

A GOOD LIFE IS WHEN YOU SMILE OFTEN, DREAM BIG, LAUGH A LOT AND REALISE HOW BLESSED YOU ARE FOR WHAT YOU HAVE

Janice

How to get out of bed feeling great, a mystery plant, volunteering, super salad recipe, tea cosy festival and an inspirational man

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How to get out of bed feeling great

Have you noticed how a cat stretches after sleep getting all its limbs and body ready for action? If you do that too you will start your day feeling great. Here’s how: working within your capabilities, arch your ankles, bend your toes, flex your entire leg forward, back, sideways and manipulate the toes, heel and ankle forward and back. Take a moment to feel the renewed strength flowing through your body before leisurely getting out of bed. Enjoy the experience.

The surprise of receiving a mystery plant

Last week I arranged to have lunch with a dear friend. I was first in the cafe and when she arrived she was carrying the most unusual (to me) display in a jar which she had cleverly decorated with brown string and a raffia bow.

Dianthus ‘Green Trick’

Rhonda has a green thumb and has designed the most amazing colour co-ordinated garden at her new home. She told me they were Dianthus ‘Green Trick’. When I arrived home I ‘Googled’ the name and came up with the following information which may interest some gardeners:

Botanical name: Dianthus barbatus ‘Green Trick’

Other names: Sweet william ‘Green Trick’, Dianthus barbatus ‘Temarisou’

Genus: Dianthus
Variety or Cultivar: ‘Green Trick’ _ ‘Green Trick’ is an upright, bushy, short-lived, evergreen perennial, often grown as a biennial, with linear, grey-green leaves and, from early summer into autumn, upright stems bearing large, round, dense, bright green flowerheads with finely-fringed petals.
Dianthus barbatus ‘Green Trick’ is: Evergreen

Flower: Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn

Foliage: Grey-green in All seasons

Habit: Bushy, Compact, Cushion or Mound Forming

I also noted that they are becoming very popular with florists to add to bouquets. I’m looking forward to growing some in my garden in the future.

Volunteering National Volunteers Week (Australia)

We have been celebrating National Volunteers Week here in Australia with various events. This year’s slogan was GIVE HAPPY, LIVE HAPPY. The Program Coordinator for the Community Visitors Scheme I volunteer with arranged a morning tea to thank all volunteers for their work and dedication. It’s absolutely outstanding how many visits have been made.

You may be interested in the amazing statistics which Esis Tawfik, Manager, Community Visitor Scheme, kindly forwarded to include in this post:

MS Community Visitors Scheme
In the past year our 478 Community Visitors Scheme volunteers made
more than 11,365 visits to socially isolated older people in NSW and Victoria.
Our volunteers visit people for companionship and friendship built on
mutual interests. This simple philosophy has added genuine value to the
lives of many people. In 2014, our program was expanded to include
people living in their own homes who receive a home care package. In the words of one of the recipients, for many people, the program is a ‘lifeline’.

As mentioned previously, I visit Dorothy in an Aged Care Facility, who at 102 loves to chat and talk about her life experiences. When I was with her last week she said how nice it was to have ‘a special friend’. I found that very touching.

For readers of this blog who live outside Australia, it would be very interesting to know if you have a similar scheme in your area.

Another great recipe from Jo Marty’s book : How to eat well for next to nothing – The Bible of Budget (2nd edition)

ROASTED PUMPKIN SALAD

400g butternut pumpkin, peeled and chopped into approx 1-2cm dice, 60g baby spinach leaves, 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed, 2 tsp mild curry powder, 1 tbl vegetable oil

Dressing: 2 tbl vinegar, 1 tbl olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, ½ tsp sugar

Preheat oven to 200C – place pumpkin into a small baking tin with the oil. Toss through then bake for 20 minutes. Add curry powder and mix through. Return to oven and bake for a further 10 minutes or until cooked and a little caramelised. Set aside to cool.

To make dressing: whisk together the vinegar, oil, salt pepper and sugar. In a large bowl combine the pumpkin, spinach, chickpeas and dressing.

I demonstrated this recipe at the Learn/Share Vegetarian at the Table course I conducted recently. All the participants returned the next week telling me what a success it had proved to be with their families. I’m sure you’ll enjoy trying it out.

Tea Cosy Festival at Fish Creek, South Gippsland, Vic.

Along with my friend Olga, I really enjoyed the Tea Cosy Festival at Fish Creek which is held in Fish Creek every two years. The Festival showcases the town’s character and reinvents a cultural icon of country kitchens along the way. How well I remember my mum using a tea cosy each day and having a special one for when visitors came by. I have to admit to not owning one myself but seeing all the wonderful designs, I just might be tempted to find a pattern and make one before too long.

I took some photos but there were so many people in the hall it was difficult to keep a steady hand so the results were not the best. However, I’ll share my favourites here:

An inspiration at almost 81

I have to say at nearly 81, my husband Ken, is an inspiration. He’s always planning his next project which recently was renovating the greenhouse and garden shed and reducing the vegetable growing area. I’m not sure there’s much reduction in the growing area, but things have certainly been spruced up. When he finishes a project he always says that’s the last one though I doubt it. At least I hope not.

: Work in progress

: Taking a break

I’d like to share this timely quote I saw attached to a tree in a Sculpture Park.

With that thought I’ll sign off until next time

Janice

Meet 2 interesting and gifted ladies, make easy Banana Ice Cream

FINDING AN ON LINE COURSE, VOLUNTEERING, KEEPING IN TOUCH, RECIPES AND CRAFTS

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Finding an on-line course that has the bonus of being free

Have you heard of FutureLearn? I recently found this site where you can browse free on line courses from top universities and specialist organisations. You are able to join courses that are about to start or are in progress or register to find out when courses will run again. Ken booked in for three courses, two with regard to film making and one run by the University of Southampton, UK, dealing with the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. There are opportunities for you to offer your opinions regarding the course you are taking, ask questions and join in a forum with other participants. Amazingly the courses are all free.

There are a large number of topics available on a variety of subjects so have a look at their site:

www.futurelearn.com/courses

U3A courses

This morning I attended a course at my local U3A on Memoir Writing. I wasn’t sure what to expect or whether it would help me with the writing of the book I have in progress covering our ‘alternative lifestyle’ days. That still remains to be seen but hearing snippets of other peoples life experiences was so interesting and inspiring. Human endeavour is absolutely amazing and should be documented. As I have mentioned before, if you are unable to find the type of course you are looking for, have a look at the U3A website where they offer on-line courses in variety. www.u3aonline.org.au

Volunteering

After the death of Josephine, the lady I was visiting through the Community Visitor Scheme, I was undecided whether to continue on the program. It can be a challenge when you realise that many of the inhabitants of the Aged Care Facilities where you visit are only a little older, and in many cases, younger than yourself. However, when Rosemary, the Co-ordinator of the program, rang me and asked if I would be interested in visiting Dorothy who is 102 and in need of a visitor who could chat and listen to her life stories, I just had to accept. I visited Dorothy for the first time this week and spent a really enjoyable hour in her company. I was amazed to find that she can see perfectly without glasses and loves a game of bowls in the recreation facility at the home. She told me about her family, the number of which she has lost count, and of her late husband who she met when she was 14 but didn’t marry until she was 24. I anticipate having many happy visits with her.

How rewarding volunteering can be!

Keeping in touch with family and friends

I was reflecting recently on friends and aquaintances that had passed through my life and who I no longer had regular contact with. This got me to thinking how great it would be to re-establish some of these connections so I made some phone calls and wrote some letters. Everyone I contacted was pleased to hear from me and although it hasn’t been possible to meet some personally due to tyranny of distance, we have exchanged e-mail addresses and agreed to keep in contact. One really enjoyable experience was finding the son of a friend on Facebook and asking if he could put us in touch again. He arranged for us to chat on Skype when she visited him and it turned out to be a very long conversation. We first met when both 16 at an interview to enter Secretarial College. She has now bought an iPad but has not yet mastered using Skype though I’m sure she will quite soon.

Fortunately I have managed to keep in contact with most of my cousins in England and a few friends of my late mother, two of whom still write long and interesting letters. Sadly one of my cousin’s has developed alzheimer’s and is no longer able to communicate, so I am glad that I maintained contact with her over the years.

Friends and family make up the fabric of our lives.

Update on my felt-making project

My friend Olga recently returned from visiting family in Chile and kindly brought back a present for me of some beautiful carded wool in brilliant colours. I decided I must make a vest-type jacket for her as a thank you. I did some practice panels, and eventually a panel which will be cut into two for the actual jacket. I still need to do more panels in order to complete the vest. One panel I made was a complete disaster as I didn’t use sufficient material and it turned out covered in holes. Perhaps there will be a use for it in a later project. Ken took some film of me doing the felting with the idea in mind of eventually making a short film of the process. He produced what I thought was a nice title showing some of the coloured wool. There’s a lot of perfecting on my part before a film could be made but there’s a challenge on the horizon.

Title for proposes movie showing carded wool

Title for proposed movie showing carded wool

: One of my practice panels

: Panel to be cut in half for vest

Sharing recipes

A couple of weeks ago I decided to look through all my cookery books with the idea of discarding those not used. Goodness what a collection and what memories were contained within those pages. I spent an enjoyable couple of hours recalling successes and failures. My most used book is one given to me as a wedding gift by my Aunt Helen. It has lost the cover and the index is stabled together at the back but it’s still the book I pull out first for an old time favourite. Another of my well used cookery books is one I bought when I first came to Australia in 1976 and is The Rodale Cookbook from Fitness House, Pennsylvania, USA. One of the recipes I’m confident you will enjoy and which I always have in the cupboard is

Almond Crunch Cereal

Preheat oven to 225F/110C
3 cups uncooked rolled oats (not quick oats)
1½ cups dry coconut shreds, unsweetened
½ cup wheat germ or soy grits
1 cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup sesame seeds
½ cup honey
¼ cup oil
½ cup cold water
1 cup slivered almonds
½ cup raisins (optional)

Combine oats, coconut, wheat germ or soy grits, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. Toss ingredients together thoroughly.

Combine honey and oil. Add the cold water, a little at a time, mixing until crumbly.

Pour mixture into a large, heavy, shallow baking pan which has been lightly brushed with oil. Spread mixture evenly to edges of pan.

Place on middle rack of preheated oven and bake for 1½ hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Add almonds and bake for a further ½ hour. Mixture should be dry and light brown in colour and feel crisp to the touch.

Turn oven off and allow cereal to cool in oven. If raisins are to be added to cereal, do so at this point. Remove cereal from oven, cool and put in a tightly covered container. Store in a cool dry place. Yield 8 cups.

A recipe from my book: What to eat if you don’t have meat

BEAN CURRY

1 medium tin red kidney beans
1 clove garlic crushed
4 mushrooms
4 medium carrots
300ml stock
2 cooking apples
2 medium onions
3 large potatoes
2 tsp Madras curry powder (or your own mix)
1 tsp yeast extract

Fry onion and garlic gently in oil then add sliced apple and continue cooking until pulped. Add sliced mushrooms and carrots together with curry powder, stock and yeast extract. Cut potatoes into small chunks and add to curry. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer very gently for half an hour. Add kidney beans and continue cooking for a further 20 minutes.

It’s well worth making up a double quantity of this recipe and freezing because it will be a firm favourite with everyone.

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Well once again I’ve come to the end of the blog but will sign off with a quote:

LIFE IS LIKE A CAMERA

FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT
CAPTURE THE GOOD TIMES
DEVELOP FROM THE NEGATIVES
IF THINGS DON’T WORK OUT, TAKE ANOTHER SHOT

Janice

A NEW SKILL, WATER AEROBICS, PROJECTS, RECIPES

ENJOYING RETIREMENT IN 2016

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WELCOME TO RETIRE AND ENJOY IN 2016

Firstly I would like to thank all my Blog followers for their continued support and wish everyone, including those who are not yet retired, a year filled with opportunities and achievements. It’s probably a good idea to make a plan of what goals you would like to accomplish whether it’s to catch up with friends, start an exercise regimen, travel, volunteer or work on something you’ve been putting off until you had time. Many of us hate making lists but if you write down a “to achieve list” you can refer back to it in the future just to check on your progress. Of course conversely you could also make a “not to continue doing” list which could prove interesting. Here are a few ideas:

Break a bad habit
Learn a new skill
Do a good deed
Visit a new place
Read a difficult book
Write something important
Try a new food
Do something good for someone who cannot thank you
Take an important risk

Now I would like to share the contents of my “to achieve list” with you:

Complete the Upper Advanced Spanish Course that I stopped doing last August because the homework became quite daunting and difficult.
Sew a bomber jacket with felt panels. I have plenty of wool over from the felt hats I made so no excuse.
Complete a book about my family’s adventures with an alternative lifestyle i.e. living without electricity for 10 years, building a mud brick house and running a goat dairy. This book has been in progress for far too long.
Try to practice the piano each day. I’m only a novice.
Enjoy every day to the full.

I’ll keep you up to date. It’s a bit of an ask especially items 3 and 4

5 REASONS TO VOLUNTEER IN RETIREMENT

Because I am very passionate about volunteering I would like to share with you an article I came across recently on the website www.oversixty.com.au which listed five reasons to volunteer in retirement:

Want an active, happy and meaningful retirement? The evidence shows that volunteering isn’t just good for the community, it’s also good for you. Here’s five reasons why you should consider volunteering in retirement.

1. You’ll find satisfaction

It’s better to give than to receive, and the data backs this up. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, volunteers – defined as someone in the previous 12 months who willing gave unpaid help – reported higher levels of life satisfaction than non-volunteers.

2. You’ll be happier

Numerous studies have shown that volunteering not only makes people feel emotionally better but boosts their own happiness.

3. You’ll connect with the community

For some people, retirement can lead to loneliness, boredom and a sense of isolation. Volunteering both opens you up to the wider community and connects you with likeminded people.
4. Your health will improve

Studies have found volunteering has many health benefits, including lower blood pressure, reduced stress and a longer life span.

5. You will have a greater sense of purpose

It’s been long known there’s a significant correlation between volunteer work and social wellbeing but research from Duke University and the National University of Singapore that looked at data of 3,200 volunteering Americans found that volunteering just one day a month will give your life a greater sense of purpose.

JOINING A CLUB

Joining a film making group has been an inspiring experience for Ken so if you have a passion to learn a new skill it’s well worth looking around to find a suitable course. The University of the Third Age is a good place to start or your local Community House. Shire Councils put out a book which includes all the clubs in your area together with contact details likewise the library is a fund of information.

Since his youth Ken has had the desire to ride the high seas on a sailing ship having been inspired by the Hornblower book series. Late last year his dream came true when he found that trips were available on a replica vessel sailing from Mornington in Victoria, Australia. He booked on line and enjoyed himself so much that he took a subsequent trip. I decided to keep my feet firmly on terra firma but was able to take a little film from the cliffs which have been included in the production.

I hope you enjoy the film Ken produced of his adventure:

Crocheting

I have decided to continue joining the group of ladies at my local Community House this year for their weekly get together of crochet, knitting and project discussion. Just before Christmas I was inspired by a blanket pattern I saw on a crochet blog to make one as a present for my daughter. Because the blogger was American the yarn she used was not available here in Australia so I had a bit of difficulty sourcing what was needed. However, with a few false starts, some undoing of rows and issues with row lengths, I managed to complete the task. I did deviate from the pattern by using contrasting wool mainly because I didn’t purchase enough material in the first place. My daughter was delighted with her gift and one of my granddaughters has put in an order for her next Birthday.

Christmas present for my daughter

Whilst searching for wool supplies on line I joined www.ravelry.com – Ravelry is a place for knitters, crocheters, designers, spinners, weavers and dyers to keep track of their yarn, tools, project and pattern information, and look to others for ideas and inspiration. The content is all user- driven and is a great place for you to keep notes about your projects, see what other people are making, find the perfect pattern and connect with people who love to play with yarn from all over the world in their forums.

ROCKET, FETA & POMEGRANATE SALAD

Here’s a salad recipe I located on Pinterest recently. The description is a bright, crisp salad which is a little different but it works really well.

Ingredients:

• 200g feta
• ½ lemon, zested and juiced
• 120g rocket
• 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 red onion, sliced
• 2 pomegranate, seeds only
• Salt and pepper, to season
Method:

1. Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, vinegar and olive oil together in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
2. In a separate large bowl, combine rocket, pomegranate seed, red onion and feta cheese. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

REMINISCING

I wonder if like us you have piles and piles of old films in various forms that haven’t seen the light of day for many a year. One friend told me that her husband had transferred their films to a memory stick (hope I have that right) and when they take a coffee break they watch and enjoy. Ken has recently decided to transfer our old footage and what a walk down memory lane that has turned out to be. A few tears have been shed when seeing parents and family members no longer with us.

Here’s a real antique that our son came up with of Ken in his ‘alternative lifestyle’ days.

Ken on the farm with the leader of our goat herd

I’ll sign off this blog with a quote from Abraham Lincoln:

IN THE END, IT’S NOT THE YEARS IN YOUR LIFE THAT COUNT, IT’S THE LIFE IN YOUR YEARS

Janice

ACTIVITES, PROJECTS, IDEAS VOLUNTEERING AND MORE

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Follow my blog with Bloglovin
Hello everyone. I have lots to chat about so here goes.

Recently I came across BLOGLOVIN which is a platform that allows users to read, organise and discover their favourite blogs on mobile and desktop. You can easily find blogs on any subject in which you have an interest. I have been inspired by the creativity of people especially the dressmaking and crochet blogs which provide so many ideas and in many instances free patterns to download. My eyes pop at the possibilities. Of course some of you may already subscribe to Bloglovin but if not here’s the link: http://www.bloglovin.com

Update on my crochet and dressmaking

I’ve been continuing to enjoy the weekly meetings with the group of ladies who crochet, knit and chat about all manner of things. The envelope purse I was making morphed into a small bag to carry my crochet hooks and pattern book. I’ve since made a cushion cover which I have to say left a bit to be desired in shape. The ladies of the group suggested I enter my “bag” in the local show in the Beginners Section but I’m somewhat reluctant.

Joining a group at your local Neighbourhood House or Learning Centre is a wonderful way to get to know people and learn a new skill.

I’ve finished the two piece I was sewing in Peruvian Cotton and am reasonably happy with the outcome though I did make a mess of the shoulder seams at first.

: Two piece in Peruvian cotton

: Crochet bag

Milton Film Club – do watch the film they produced

Ken recently received a newsletter from his film club with details of films that had been made by various clubs around the country. I selected one which I’m sure you are going to really enjoy showcasing a ukulele-playing group of women from Milton-Ulladulla, NSW Australia, with a sense of humour and rhythm who enjoy just jammin’ with their ‘ukes’ and having a glass of bubbly or three. Apparently some of the members were a little hesitant about making the film, especially in regard to the personal clips, but they bravely went ahead and you can see the result here. They call themselves CHOOKS ON A HOT TIN ROOF.

Ken’s latest video

Ken’s latest video is a reminder of how we used to travel way back in our past. We can both remember standing on the platform waiting for the train to take us to London. It came thundering along like a huge monster belching and hissing steam before finally coming to a stop. We also remember as children standing on the bridge over the railway line waiting for the train to pass under and envelope us in steam. It all seemed great fun in those days.

At Coal Creek Community Park and Museum in Korumburra (120km south east of Melbourne) you can ride on the Count Strzelecki Steam Train and take part in other activities. I submitted the video to the Museum and received a notification that they were so impressed that they were going to include it in their web site. Watch the video and enjoy the experience.

Whilst waiting for Ken to do his filming of the train I popped into the General Store in the village where they sell all kinds of sweets packed in the old fashioned way together with other goodies. One of the things that took my fancy was a small pack of recipe cards which the lady in the shop told me were reproductions of recipes of cakes and breads made every week by a volunteer for over 30 years and served in the cafe in the village. Here are 4 of the recipes that I have tried and which turned out really well. You will be amazed at the simplicity:

JOHNNY CAKES

250g plain flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbs baking powder, biutter

METHOD – Mix flour, baking powder and salt, slowly adding water until mixture is stiff. Make into small cakes and fry slowly in butter (5-8 minutes each side). Serve with honey, jam, molasses or golden syrup for a real bush treat. The flavour is greatly enhanced if served with Billy Tea.

PIONEER BOSTON BUN

1 cup mashed potatoes, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup dried fruits, 1 cup milk., 2 cups self raising flour.

METHOD – mix potatoes and sugar into a cream, add the fruit, mix well then add the milk and flour gradually. Put into well-greased sandwich tins and bake in a moderate oven for half an hour. When cool ice lightly and sprinkle with coconut.

BUBBLE BREAD*

METHOD – Mix 1 cup plain flour, 2 tbs grated cheese, 30 gas butter, pinch salt, mustard, cayenne, squeeze of lemon juice and a little water to combine.

METHOD – roll out thinly, cut into fingers, cook in a very hot oven.

* I sprinkled the fingers (and twisted them) with black pepper. They turn out like cheese straws. Very yummy.

BISCUIT FRUIT SLICE

Place in a saucepan 125 gms butter, half cup sugar, 1 cup mixed fruit.

METHOD – crush 250gm arrowroot biscuits then mix with boiled mixture. Press into greased tin. Cover with lemon icing.

(ALL RECIPES COURTESY OF COAL CREEK MUSEUM)

A new member of the family

Last week we adopted Ferdy, a fox terrier/x, 8 years of age from Save-A-Dog at Malvern, Melbourne. We have been looking for a companion for Sophia for some time without success. Apparently small dogs are very popular so it has been quite a search. We took Sophia to introduce her to Ferdy before making a decision and they got on really well from the first sniff. Ferdy is a little over-weight so has had a hard time keeping up with Sophia when we go out walking but I think he has already lost a little bit of his fat. He likes a lot of attention so we are being really careful to make sure Sophia is top dog. I think it will all work out well. Here’s a photo of them together:

: Sophia on the left

: Sophia showing disinterest in Ferdy’s attention seeking

Volunteering

I received the sad news this morning that Josephine, the lady I have been visiting in the aged care facility, (Community Visitors Scheme) is fading fast. Recently it has been very difficult to communicate with her due to the strong medication she has been prescribed which makes her sleepy. Jo is only one year older than I am which is very sobering. During her lucid days we were able to chat about our youth in the UK as we came from more or less the same area.

For Josephine

Volunteering in whatever field you choose is very rewarding. If you are interested contact your local Council or search the internet.

Interesting people

Yesterday I was lucky enough to meet up with Noelen Lyons who is a Genealogist and Family History Researcher also a Cemeteries and Local Area Historian. Although she is a very busy lady she has promised to give me a little of her time to have a chat about her work and hopefully give me a few snippets I can pass on to you all. Her moto is: To know who you are, you have to know where you came from

Buddhist Prayer

In closing off I would like to share with you this Buddhist prayer:

MAY YOU BE WELL

MAY YOU BE HAPPY

MAY YOU BE PEACEFUL

MAY YOU BE LOVED

Until next time

Janice

Getting ready for Christmas, Crafts, Good company, a recipe and trips

Trips, projects and people who inspire

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Well, it’s certainly been a while since my last Blog, but I have some stories to share and some inspirational people to chat about.

JOURNEY TO NED KELLY COUNTRY

Federal Standard Printing Works

Ken’s quest for film and information about printing methods from the past, recently took us to Chiltern which is in northern Victoria about 300km from Melbourne. Chiltern is very close to Glenrowan where Ned Kelly made his last stand. The purpose of the visit was to go to the National Trust Printing Museum, which is in the original building of the Chiltern Federal Standard printing works, and see the original letterpress machinery in operation. It turned out to be a rewarding experience. The custodians, Robert and Mary Martin, made us really welcome and their enthusiasm was catching. Now it’s up to Ken to document our visit on video. Hopefully that will be available shortly.

Robert operating the type setter

Printing machine

Chiltern Athenaeum Museum

Chiltern has lots of other attractions to offer like the Athenaeum Museum where I felt I could have spent the whole day. I was especially interested in the life of Alfred William Eustace who came out from England in 1851 and was initially employed as a shepherd. Whilst tending his flocks in the solitude of the bush, he turned his attention to painting and music to while away the long and weary hours. He endeavoured to capture the spirit of the bush sometimes painting on board, canvas or tin plate, but as these materials were not always readily available he then started painting on large round eucalyptus leaves from the White and Red Box trees that grew around about. By the turn of the century his paintings had become world famous even being acknowledged by Queens Victoria. Some of his leaf paintings are displayed in the museum. I found this all absolutely fascinating as I had no idea you could paint on leaves. However, having searched the internet I see there are many artists who use this medium today.

One of Alfred Eustace’s leaf paintings

Whilst walking in the Mt Pilot National Park I was able to pick up some of these large leaves. Of course I’m no artist but had a doodle with a pen to see the result. The leaves are really thick so presume that’s why it’s possible to paint on them.

My doodle on the large eucalypt leaves

Actually there’s lots more to tell about this trip like the Chiltern Recipe Cookbook from the Past printed in it’s original format, but I’ll leave that for next time after I tried out some of the recipes.

INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

Rustic Cacao Factory and Cafe

Some time ago a friend suggested I went to a cafe in Loch (Gippsland), the incentive being that one of the partners was from Spain and it would give me the opportunity to chat in español. It turned out to be a great experience and I can certainly recommend the food and the atmosphere of the cafe. You can challenge your taste buds with some of the hot sauces or experience milder flavours as well as indulge in delicious chocolate beverages. It’s called The Rustic Cacao Factory and Cafe. Diana and her husband are working very hard to make their venture a success and have now produced an outstanding website (link below). I’ve extracted the following from their site to give you an idea of what they are doing and what’s available if you visit or order on line.

Here Diana tells their story:
“In this beautiful Village of Loch was born the first Rustic Cacao Factory and Cafe.

When you arrive in Loch you can feel some of the rustic spirit of this country and the old-fashioned hospitality.

We, Alan and Diana, think that we just may have the opportunity of creating something different, like manufacturing genuine and tongue tingling products and merging the Spanish and Aussie tastes by cooking dishes that embrace both cultures.

Here, I manufacture a thick raw cacao with Australian sweet spices or chilli. You can have a “free tasting” of this unique hot drinking chocolate or iced chocolate, every weekend, at The Rustic Cacao Cafe.

Alan grills tasty meals on the barbecue and you can give your lunch a kick with any of his 20 varieties of the World’s Hottest Chilli sauces… if you dare!… We always have a glass of milk ready to put out the fire inside your mouth.”

The Cafe

Diana

Follow this link to their web site: www.rusticcacao.com.au

Kira’s Legacy written by Joan Woods

I met Joan Woods, a local resident of Wonthaggi in Gippsland, a couple of years back but didn’t realise what hidden talents she possessed. Kira’s Legacy is Joan’s first full length work detailing the History of the first Twenty-one Years of the West Australian Ballet Company (1953 to 1973). It highlights the triumphs and difficulties of members of the Company in those fledgling years whilst at the same time brings to life the performances of the ballet together with photographs.

The heroine of this book, Kira Bousloff chose Perth as her home and through hard work and perseverance, so emotively described in this book, started what today is the highly acclaimed and successful West Australian Ballet. If you decide to read this tale of the birth of a ballet company it will be obvious to you that Joan Woods not only has an intimate knowledge of the West Australian Ballet but also great affection for all the many dancers who gave so generously of their time and talent. This is a story that perfectly illustrates that dreams can come true.

Joan plans to visit WA in the near future where she has been invited to do a book launch and signing. The book is published by PJW BOOKS, 4/13 Hunter Street, Wonthaggi, Vic. email: [email protected]

Book cover of Kira’s Legacy

I’m going to sign off for now but in the next few days will continue with details of my quest to learn how to crochet and also my latest dressmaking challenge plus more.

Here’s a saying sent to me by my son: “It’s easier to keep up than it is to catch up”

Janice

Plot .31	Plot 32	Plot 33	Plot 34	Plot 5	Plot 36
Jones A	Dodd C			No plaque