I just had to share this as I find it so cute and inspirational! Sustainability and community... yet with the perks of being in the big city.
This is not far at all from where we currently live, and some of the places we have been looking at for our next move are in this suburb.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Monday, 3 October 2011
Reflections and changes (warning: contains copious rambling)
I know I have been a bit quiet over the last month. This has been for two reasons, firstly, not much to report, then, too much going on!
Until about a week ago Matt and my lives' had been our version of mundane. We both have jobs we love within careers we love and that is the way we love it! The only downside to this is that we both become very invested in our work (time, mental energy and emotionally). This was very much the pattern of September. Weekends were one or both of us working and when we had time off it usually wasn't together and we went into chillax mode. No reasons for photos and not very interesting to blog about.
We have also both been doing a lot of reflecting, especially given our not-secret-at-all desire to start a family, and there may be some changes. Mostly plans and what-ifs at the moment but will let you know if and when they come to fruition.
Then, somewhat out of blue, on a Wednesday evening I had a phone call from my brother Joel. He suggested that he put my other brother, Liam, on a plane, the next day, to come stay with us for the holidays. Kind of dramatic but there is context to this. Liam has had a tough few years and he was not very happy about where things were going for him (or lack thereof). He had indicated this to me a few months ago and Matt and I had chatted and previously floated with him the idea of coming to live with us for a while. A fresh start in a different city, see if that sparked something. Flash forward a few months and Joel decided to step in to give Liam the extra kick up the **** to make a change. In the end, Liam didn't get on the plane the next day. He took a few days to tie up some loose ends and say some goodbyes to family and friends, by Sunday evening he was here.
The last week has been a blast. Matt and I are loving having him here and I think he is enjoying it too (or at least he tells me so). Despite the weather we done a couple of the tourist-in-your-own-neighbourhood things - going to cafes and walking around, he helped me with a trip to IKEA and in the evenings we have been watching DVDs, listening to music (I haven't listened to so much Triple J in years and Liam has introduced me to Gotye - double awesome!) and chatting.
Last week was holiday week, this week we are all back to the gym, Matt's working a ton, I'm working a bit and Liam is looking for work etc (already enrolled in a barrista course for tomorrow).
Hopefully towards the end of the week the weather will be nicer and we can head into the city for an explore.
Good times ahead!
Since writing (but not posting) this we have had another unexpected turn. Smokey had a stroke, probably due to a blood clot day before yesterday. Poor little guy is quite wonky. He seems fine until he tries to stand up or walk, then he stumbles and sometimes tumbles sideways. We took him to the Vet who said these things are quite common in cats and most recover within a few days. He's not in any pain, maybe a little confused and frightened but we are giving him even more than usual cuddles, which I think he is loving. For us, it was scary and a reminder that he is an old little bloke.
Until about a week ago Matt and my lives' had been our version of mundane. We both have jobs we love within careers we love and that is the way we love it! The only downside to this is that we both become very invested in our work (time, mental energy and emotionally). This was very much the pattern of September. Weekends were one or both of us working and when we had time off it usually wasn't together and we went into chillax mode. No reasons for photos and not very interesting to blog about.
We have also both been doing a lot of reflecting, especially given our not-secret-at-all desire to start a family, and there may be some changes. Mostly plans and what-ifs at the moment but will let you know if and when they come to fruition.
 |
| My tattoo Matt has the same text in a different place & style |
Then, somewhat out of blue, on a Wednesday evening I had a phone call from my brother Joel. He suggested that he put my other brother, Liam, on a plane, the next day, to come stay with us for the holidays. Kind of dramatic but there is context to this. Liam has had a tough few years and he was not very happy about where things were going for him (or lack thereof). He had indicated this to me a few months ago and Matt and I had chatted and previously floated with him the idea of coming to live with us for a while. A fresh start in a different city, see if that sparked something. Flash forward a few months and Joel decided to step in to give Liam the extra kick up the **** to make a change. In the end, Liam didn't get on the plane the next day. He took a few days to tie up some loose ends and say some goodbyes to family and friends, by Sunday evening he was here.
 |
| Officially part of the household |
The last week has been a blast. Matt and I are loving having him here and I think he is enjoying it too (or at least he tells me so). Despite the weather we done a couple of the tourist-in-your-own-neighbourhood things - going to cafes and walking around, he helped me with a trip to IKEA and in the evenings we have been watching DVDs, listening to music (I haven't listened to so much Triple J in years and Liam has introduced me to Gotye - double awesome!) and chatting.
Last week was holiday week, this week we are all back to the gym, Matt's working a ton, I'm working a bit and Liam is looking for work etc (already enrolled in a barrista course for tomorrow).
Hopefully towards the end of the week the weather will be nicer and we can head into the city for an explore.
Good times ahead!
Since writing (but not posting) this we have had another unexpected turn. Smokey had a stroke, probably due to a blood clot day before yesterday. Poor little guy is quite wonky. He seems fine until he tries to stand up or walk, then he stumbles and sometimes tumbles sideways. We took him to the Vet who said these things are quite common in cats and most recover within a few days. He's not in any pain, maybe a little confused and frightened but we are giving him even more than usual cuddles, which I think he is loving. For us, it was scary and a reminder that he is an old little bloke.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Street Art
One of the reasons why I love living in Sydney's inner west. The sign has been RockEnmore for as long as we have been here (occasionally the council tries to clean it up) but the spider's web was new today.
This graffiti is near the Bourke Street Cafe in Surrey Hills.
This graffiti is near the Bourke Street Cafe in Surrey Hills.
Take a closer look at the coral and hair!
August in the Balcony Garden
Matt and I had a day off together - we finally had the chance to work on the veggie planter.
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| Before |
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| Legs - room for storage boxes underneath - for growing mushrooms and storage |
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| Pond liner |
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| With drainage holes *see note below |
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| Rocks as a base |
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| Soil (store bought potting mix as the compost from the worm farm is not ready yet) We slept in, had a lazy brunch then got into it. 15 mins and 3 screws later the battery on the drill was flat. 3 hrs charging later and we were going again. By the time we finished it was dark! |
*Note: after the success with my seeding pots I had looked into DIY options to make the planter also self watering - most involved specialised equipment (= very expensive) and/or large water reservoir (= weight on the balcony) . That very night after we had finished the day's work, while looking for something else, I stumbled across these instructions:
I may in the future empty the planter and set up this or something similar (shh... don't tell Matt, yet).
The next day I finished cleaning up and did a bit of pottering including a reorganisation of the overall layout. Later that day I was hanging out the washing and thinking, even without plants in the planter, how much nicer it was on the balcony. I could feel the microclimate developing already, when... something caught my attention out of the corner of my eye...
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| Beneficial bugs (or at least I hope so!) |
Monday, 22 August 2011
Garden Update
I can't believe it is week 6... halfway thru term. As half-expected the garden has been progressing at its own pace, we still haven't finished the veggie planter. Weekends have been Mat working and/or me working and/or wet. This past weekend we did get as far as buying the necessary gear from Bunnings, then it rained.
I spent a few hours on the balcony today, sun on my face (with the occasional sun-shower), 24hr news on in the background and Smokey for company. A beautiful relaxing Monday. Here is how it is looking:
I spent a few hours on the balcony today, sun on my face (with the occasional sun-shower), 24hr news on in the background and Smokey for company. A beautiful relaxing Monday. Here is how it is looking:
*** bonus points if you can find Mr Smokey!
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| Bottle Brush - has lots of new growth |
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| Lettuce |
Onions (up the back)
Onions, Alpine Strawberries, Capsicum and Carrot, Carrot, Carrot, Broccoli and Cauliflower
Natives (for companion planting, beneficial bugs and to be pretty - I love native wildflowers) - Everlasting, Golden Everlasting, Grass Tree and Kangaroo Paw
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| Break time! |
Monday, 8 August 2011
Vegetarianism and Semi-Vegan
For anyone who hasn't had the memo, Matt and I have become vegos. I won't preach the reasons why but it all started a few months ago and despite a few 'yeh rights' we are going strong.
We have even started dabbling in veganism, thanks in part to Matt's colleague Townie (also Matt). His wife sent me a link for a great recipe blog: http://www.theppk.com
This was tonight's dinner (x3, one for me, two for Matt), a variation on something that was on the blog recently. I am a lousy cook, so am very proud of this effort. It was YUM!
We have even started dabbling in veganism, thanks in part to Matt's colleague Townie (also Matt). His wife sent me a link for a great recipe blog: http://www.theppk.com
This was tonight's dinner (x3, one for me, two for Matt), a variation on something that was on the blog recently. I am a lousy cook, so am very proud of this effort. It was YUM!
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| Cheeseless pizza with roasted pumpkin and garlic, and caramelised onion |
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