Sunday, June 19, 2016
simply practical : apple corer
Years later we still use this contraption at least once a week. Much to the kids' delight it turns a whole apple into three different parts; the skin becomes spaghetti, the apple becomes a slinky and the core becomes a cylinder. The kids are usually happy to do the hard work of turning the corer and then eating the remains but last week I decided to turn the spirals into apple crumble. It took all of ten minutes and with a dollop of cream it was the very best of desserts.
What to do?
Excuse this rather unprofessional recipe but it goes a little something like this:
- place apple slinky/slices into a saucepan with a little brown/raw sugar and water - simmer for a while
- combine rolled oats (a little more than a cup), 50g flour, 50g butter and a tablespoon raw sugar in a bowl with your fingers (the butter will soften as you knead)
- place apples in a pie/quiche dish and put oat mixture on top
- cook till oats are golden brown
And where can you find an apple corer just like this one? Here (and it's on sale, too!).
More simply practical hints and tips, here
Labels: simply practical
Saturday, June 04, 2016
simply practical : 10 tips for moving house
Daniel and I packed up the old house, got through Moving Day and spent the following week unpacking boxes and putting things in their place. But then normalcy took over, the daily rhythm of life with three children became priority and we went about our days working around the new abode and not really living in it. This week just gone I decided that enough was enough; it was time to put all the books on shelves, arrange the sunroom so it no longer looked like a dumping ground and finally, finally, give the laundry some semblance of order. Granted, there are still some finishing touches that need to be...finished, but all in all we've settled in and we're living well.
Two house moves in eighteen months doesn't make me an expert but I'd like to think that I've got a few tips to share. I’m grateful for heeding the advice of friends, outsourcing where possible and planning right down to the very last box. If you’re moving house soon, here’s how you can make it easier (which doesn’t mean easy, just to be clear):
1. Start packing early : Three months out from our official moving date I started packing boxes (hint: don’t buy them! Bookshops, clothing boutiques and Bunnings have boxes in abundance). I tackled the non-essential kitchen items first and then moved onto a portion of soft toys, books and board games. Unsurprisingly, these boxes are still sitting under our back patio waiting to be unpacked which poses the question: should I skip the unpacking part and drive them straight to the charity shop? I have no idea what’s in them, I’m not missing anything (yet) and the children haven’t pondered their contents, either. Food for thought.
2. Declutter as you go : There’s no point moving things you’re going to throw away (ignore step number 1). Granted, if time isn’t on your side you could skip this step but I find it to be quite therapeutic. As a bonus, moving house is the greatest motivator – there’s no excuses to stop when the job is half done!
3. Start talking about the move with your kids : Moving house is rated as one of the top five most disruptive experiences a child can have. Therefore, it’s best to be clear about what’s happening but, in the same breath, don’t get overly emotional about it. Stay pragmatic, don’t complicate the process and, most importantly, maintain your everyday routine and rhythm so day-to-day life doesn’t get too chaotic. The Usborne First Experiences series has a great book on Moving House which ultimately makes an unfamiliar situation seem much less daunting – perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
4. Pack a moving bag : There’s nothing worse than searching for a school uniform or a pair of running shoes on moving day. The solution? Pack a bag with at least four days worth of clothes – for everyone in the family. It really does make the process so much easier and does wonders for your mental wellbeing. While you’re at it, make sure the crayons, pencils, paper and a few favourite books are handy, too.
5. Stock up on packing tape and garbage bags : Chances are you’ll loose a few rolls of tape along the way so it’s best to have a stockpile. Garbage bags are handy for all manner of last minute items. Plus, they are a great option for transporting clothes and linen.
6. Book the removalists and then the babysitters : Once you have a moving date book the removalists and then search for babysitters. Moving day is much less stressful if the kids are being cared for and, let’s face it, they’ll have much more fun, too.
7. Outsource the final clean : Firstly, request a vacating checklist from your real estate agent to make sure you don’t forget anything. Then, book a cleaner. I find word-of-mouth recommendations to be the most trustworthy. And let me tell you, closing the door on the old house and knowing you don’t have to clean the oven or the windows is an almighty relief.
8. Set up the kitchen and the bedrooms first : As long as you can make tea and toast and you have a bed to sleep in, you’ll be alright. Everything else can wait (it really can!).
9. Be patient : Just because you’ve signed off on one house and you’re settling into another doesn’t mean all the work is done. During the normal day-to-day running of a family household there are only small pockets of time to find a place for everything and put everything in its place. My advice? You can get a lot done in 15 minutes if you put your mind to it. Remember: one room at a time.
10. Make new memories : Taking the time to create stability and make fond memories in your new home is a priority, especially for your children and their sense of security and place. Open the windows and play some music, take a walk through your new neighbourhood, plan an indulgent family movie night complete with popcorn and ice-cream, have a picnic in the garden and find the perfect corner of the house for storytime.
More from the simply practical series, here.
This (modified) post first appeared on Mumtastic.
Labels: simply practical
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
simply practical : wash the windows
I've procrastinated about washing the windows for about six months. In that time flying ants and summer bugs have been caught in window webs and the salt air, while good for the lungs, has left a chalky residue on each pane.
You would think that these glorious old windows, that we look out of each day, deserve the very best treatment. But, no. Because in the family home the cleanliness of the windows isn't exactly a priority. In fact, the only reason I cleaned them is because the front room of my home is turning into a photography studio for the next two days and dirty windows don't make for pretty backdrops.
It was hot today and as I washed and scrubbed and sweated and fought with the flyscreens (a different shape and size for every window because.....old house) I realised that a dedicated window cleaning session doesn't really take that long. Soapy water, a sponge, an old towel and some newspaper and you've got yourself some mighty clean glass.
Is there anything more pleasing than clean, sparkling windows? I'm not sure there is. And perhaps what is most satisfying about the result is that it can't be undone as quickly as the walls or the floors or the bedrooms. Because Percy is nowhere near reaching the windows and Che and Poet wholeheartedly understand the importance of looking and not touching (for the next two days, at least).
I'm going to go as far as saying that the entire house looks cleaner because of the windows. And they aren't even rose-coloured!
So, wash your windows. Or better yet, get your kids in on the act! It's the perfect summertime chore.
Labels: simply practical
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
There's a lot to be said for practical gifts that tick all the right boxes: simple and purposeful items that are made to last. This guide was a joy to collate...and if I'm being completely honest, it's basically my wish list. There's items light enough to send in the mail (without attracting exorbitant postage fees), there's gifts for teachers, gardeners, homemakers and cooks, a special cup for a passionate tea drinker and the perfect beach towel for an ocean swimmer. If you're after for a thoughtful gift that is both beautiful and practical, look no further...
1. Local artist Lauren Merrick has a unique, whimsical style and her 2016 wall calendar features a gorgeous collection of nature-inspired paintings / 2. I haven't quit sugar but I absolutely love this book...Simplicious is brimming with hints, tips, recipes and ideas to make the most of your food - every last smidgen! Frugavore has a similar message / 3. I flick through The Little Vegie Patch Co every time I'm at the bookshop and have asked for it for Christmas...I appreciate its conversational tone and magazine-style layout. If you're after a similar book for a city-dweller without a garden, The Edible Balcony comes highly recommended / 4. The perfect gift for the creative gardener who loves the document / 5. Just call me the basket lady...but in all honesty, a bolga basket has so very many uses / 6. I wrote about Futah towels here and basically I'm a convert - lightweight, absorbent, vibrant - a summer essential / 7. Bee Eco Wraps - wraps your food in beeswax and stop buying the plastic alternative. Genius! / 8. A nifty herb drying rack - practical, country style / 9. a good quality knife is an absolute necessity in every kitchen / 10. A pretty packet of seeds (that comes with an envelope) that will attract "good" bugs to your garden / 11. a naturopathic range of skincare made in Australia from the very best ingredients / 12. don't save this for special occasions, everyday tea drinking should always include a beautiful cup / 13. wee willie winkie for romantic candlelit evenings (and beeswax candles, too) / 14. keep those mozzies at bay with this terracotta coil holder / 15. for the cook who loves a curry night, this Indian copper/stainless steel pot makes for an authentic cooking experience / 16. my very favourite range of block soaps, I always buy dindi for gifts. Made from the freshest, natural ingredients they smell absolutely amazing and are soft and nourishing to your skin.
This post contains affiliate links which, when purchased, earn me a small commission.
Labels: gift guide , simply practical
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
simply practical : scrub the vegies, clean the fruit
Take for instance my new full circle vegetable scrubbing brush* that I picked up on a whim whilst browsing the aisle of my local grocery store (the things you do when you have twenty minutes to go shopping - alone). The bamboo ring is smooth and contoured; the perfect fit for my hand. And the bristles? Tough without being harsh, they are most effective at getting rid of dirt from the dutch potatoes, kumera and carrots that make their way into the pan come roast chicken night. And because I believe in keeping my dishes to a minimum, I recently started adding green beans and kale to the pan once the chook is removed. Just enough of a coating in oil and fat promises to produce crunchy beens and crispy kale in a matter of minutes.**
While I like the idea of eating organic fruit and vegetables 100 per cent of the time (we get a delivery once a week from Nurtured Earth Organics), I can't justify spending $12 on a tub of strawberries that will be devoured in minutes. So, I've taken to soaking my non-organic produce in a sink of lukewarm water and apple cider vinegar (about 1/4 cup) to remove the traces of pesticides (15-20minutes does the trick).
*I also use (and wash, reuse, repeat) the full circle cellulose sponge cloths and tidy cloths.
**If you're starting your baby on solid foods, mashing up last night's roast is a quick way to make a nutritious meal. I shred the chicken, mash the potato, carrots and kumera and finely chop the greens. Percy devours it (and sleeps very well afterward!).
More from the series: simply practical
Labels: simple home , simply practical
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
simply practical : for your socks
Socks are rarely a covetable clothing item but they definitely are an essential in the smalls department. They also have a habit of going missing on a regular basis. Cue enormous frustration and the rhetorical question: "Where did that sock go?"
Enter the humble sock holder. While it doesn't promise to find those missing socks, it does make the hanging-drying-folding process so much easier. As a bonus, it saves room on the hills hoist which is always necessary after a few days of rain.
It's the best $3 (from Bunnings) you'll spend all week (perhaps second to the coffee after a restless night).
Also:
Bamboo pegs
Wooden "peg people" pegs (perfect for school holiday craft)
My preferred, smells-so-good, laundry detergent
Labels: simple home , simply practical
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
simply practical : sorting children's clothes
A few weeks ago I went through the big plastic box of size 000 to size 1 clothes and pulled out everything that would be suitable for the next six to twelve months. It was a job well done but on the flipside, Percy has already outgrown a collection of teeny tiny clothes; I'm pulling clothes out of boxes and replacing them with smaller versions. It's a cyclical chore and in keeping with my desire for a minimalist wardrobe, I figured it was time to embark on a new sorting system. I've embraced a "clean as you go" mentality; eradicating the need for a mammoth sorting session.
At the bottom of the wardrobe (Percy and I share) I placed a plastic tub with a lid and a small cheesecloth bag of lavender (to ward away bugs). Every time I try to squeeze Percy into an item that no longer fits I place it in the tub. Day by day the tub fills up and when it's brimming I'll move it to the top of the wardrobe to be stored for the next baby.
I've done the same in Che and Poet's wardrobe; a box for hand-me-downs and a bag for the op-shop.
Do you love or loathe sorting through the wardrobes?
Labels: simple home , simply practical
Monday, April 27, 2015
When I was younger I firmly believed that pimples were teenage concerns and that once I hit my twenties I would be blemish-free. Consider me a naive idealist. The hormonal changes synonymous with pregnancy and breastfeeding have caused me relatively mild skin issues for the past few years (stress and a daily sugar hit doesn't help, either) so when Poet was a toddler I started searching for skin care that would clean, nurture and rejuvenate my skin.
For the record, my skin tends to be dry and sensitive so I'm always looking for a soothing cleanser and replenishing moisturiser. I've always searched out products free of nasties and those made with natural, quality ingredients. And, where possible, I've found it most beneficial to go to the store or chat to the creator of the products I'm considering purchasing - I find it most reassuring to shop this way.
Consider these products tried and tested (and highly recommended).
Lhami* : I don't think natural beauty products should cost a fortune so it comes as no surprise that I discovered Lhami when my budget was tight. Made locally by a radiant woman named Natalie, every single product in the range is created by hand in her home studio from certified organic ingredients. Natalie introduced me to oils when I was looking for a luxurious cream moisturiser...I have never turned back.
cleanser : pink grapefruit cleansing gel (I prefer this in spring/summer) or rose and chamomile cleansing milk (for the cooler, drier months).
moisturiser : wild rosehip face cream is luxurious yet light and the perfect cream to use under makeup. At night I prefer to use an oil - the pink grapefruit balancing oil is great for hormonal breakouts but when my skin is settled I prefer the wild rosehip face oil.
skincare starter : if you're keen to try the products skincare starter kits are available
Aesop : as I've become more frugal I tend to ask for Aesop products for my birthday as opposed to purchasing them for myself (it's a hard to justify luxury more often than not). That said, I adore the entire range. It smells sublime and works a treat. My favourite products?
parsley seed cleansing oil / camellia nut facial hydrating cream / primose facial hydrating cream /
Subtle Energies : I first discovered this ayuervedic brand last year and I must say, I'm besotted with the facial blend. Whilst I use it a few times a week as a nightly moisturiser, I use it every day as a perfume to soothe and relax.
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simply practical : my hiatus from this series wasn't intentional but now seems like as good a time as any to return to it. Past posts include wash the dishes, dry the dishes and bag it.
*any Lhami products purchased earn me a small commission
Labels: simple body , simply practical
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
The ever-so-practical string bag is one of my favourite household items. I usually have a string bag hanging somewhere in the kitchen - on a hook or over a chair - and it holds everything from just-picked citrus fruits to onions, kumera and garlic (these hemp soap bags are great for garlic, ginger or limes).
I hang a string bag off hooks in the bathroom to hold face washers and hand towels (we have a lack of shelving), in the garage to hold the beach toys and in my wardrobe to hold scarves.
The bag above was found in an op-shop but I also have these produce bags and a few of these for my weekly shopping trip.
Do you share my odd love of string bags?
Labels: simple home , simply practical
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
simply practical : dry the dishes
my favourite dish cloths/tea towels from small batch productions
An obvious sequel but sometimes predictability is a good thing.
There are two ways I can tell the story of drying the dishes.
Number one: a tea towel. You may think that's a sufficient answer but, no. Because a quality tea towel should never be underestimated. It doesn't merely dry dishes; it's slung over the shoulder in a passionate cooking session, it hangs on a handle or a hook waiting to dry hands and it cradles the just-out-of-the-oven casserole dish or baking tray. It's one of the most useful items in the kitchen.
Number two: linen.
I could end the post right there but that might come across as a little contrived. I'm not ashamed of my love affair with linen. It's beautiful to look at, a pleasure to touch, it softens with use and it's quick to dry. It's the latter point that really makes a difference for me. I want one tea-towel in the kitchen - no more - and I need it to be useful.
Linen is an eco-friendly product (the cultivation of flax/linen requires little if any pesticides), it absorbs well and dries quickly. However, it's absorption qualities also means it sucks in oils and odours so you do need to wash it regularly. A short soak in warm water with some baking soda and a drop or two of lemon oil works well as does a regular wash in the washing machine. If you have the opportunity to hang them on the line and dry them in the sun do so.
After using linen in the kitchen I'm considering introducing it into the bathroom, too.
Fancy some new linen in the kitchen? I love this citrus hue, a rainbow or muted collection and a classic stripe.
What are your requirements for a good tea towel?
Labels: simple home , simply practical
Thursday, June 05, 2014
simply practical : wash the dishes
winter sun through the kitchen window / beeswax candle, fressia buds, buddha, hand wash and wooden dish brush
I realise that to some a wooden dish brush versus a plastic one is a very trivial matter. But when your small home begs for simplicity you soon realise that its contents need to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
If meditative cleaning was ever possible I would achieve it at the kitchen sink (it's also the perfect opportunity to strengthen my core). The window above my sink frames an abundance of towering gum trees and the windowsill holds an ever-changing vignette - candles, fresh flowers, a buddha brought back from Bali. As far as chores go I really don't mind the dishes (I'll take it over bathroom cleaning any day).
When it comes to the practical elements of dishwashing I've done a bit of research and discovered products that fit my criteria of eco-friendly, reusable and practical. When I found out that a single plastic dishwashing brush takes 1000 years to decompose I sought out an alternative.
I've tried a few brands of wooden brushes but my favourite by far is the Redecker range - it has a little metal hook on the end so you can easily hang it off the sill and it comes with a replaceable head which I change every 5 months or so. I've had the handle for a year and a half and it's still going strong. I also use the pot scrubbing brush and place both in a cup of water, vinegar, bi-carb and lemon juice for a few minutes when they need a good clean. The best way to ensure wooden brushes last (and don't succumb to mould) is to never leave them soaking in a sink of suds and to always dry them in sunshine, if possible.
I've noticed there's quite a range of bamboo and eco dishcloths available in the supermarkets now and whilst I've tried a few brands my favourites at the ones that can be washed and used again and again. These tidy cloths are great if you want a textured cloth and these sponge cloths can be washed over 300 times. If handmade is more your thing I adore these knitted cloths.
"simply practical" - a new series that documents the simple and practical things I use around the home.
Labels: simple home , simply practical
