The decluttering continues...

 Someone told me recently that they thought that my Pinterest boards had gotten a little out of hand.




I disagree. For me, Pinterest is no different than ripping pages from magazines or newspapers and either pinning them onto an 'actual' pinboard or making a folder of favourite things. This is something I have done all of my life.



Recently, in my never ending quest to declutter, I came across a box (high in the cupboard) labelled: kids clothes. I knew for certain, that the contents of the box were definitely not kids clothes. I left the box in the hallway for a few days, unsure if I should open it. What could be in there? What would I do with it? It is not like me to mislabel something.








Nothing could have prepared me for what I found - the covers of nearly all of my school books and folders from High School - WHAT?! I had no idea I had saved them and shuddered when I thought of all the times that I had moved this box from house to house. What for?

This incidentally, brings me back to a quick point on decluttering. After reading many books and blogs on the subject I have been able to identify our clutter: Memory Clutter and Just In Case Clutter. This has been an amazing revelation and has made my decluttering so much easier. Also I have found that repeating the catch phase "Would I take this if I was moving?" Has been invaluable. The boxes for the thrift shop have been filling up fast.

There is no reason to keep something so useless, that is taking up valuable cupboard space.

The folders go!

But wait... I do love a good trip down memory lane... so I am grateful for the 'space saving' Internet and will share some of the folder covers here - with you.




 You see, I have always been very fond of cut and paste.



I'll post up some more photos soon.

Farm Dreaming

These photos were taken on my visit to my cousin's farm. I am missing her a lot right now and wishing, everyday, that I lived 5 minutes down the road.

F.O.O.D Week - The Producers Lunch

Prompted, once again, by the arrival of the latest Country Style Magazine, I am reminiscing about my time spent in Orange earlier this year.

The Country Style's Producers Lunch at F.O.O.D Week, has been on my 'to do' list for a while. It was the only event that my cousin and I had pre-booked. In fact, this lunch was the reason for my trip.

I couldn't have dreamed of a better way to spend a rainy Thursday.

The perfect setting, the perfect weather, the perfect food! Oh my - the food!

Complimentary sparkling and cups of warming, roasted, tomato soup greeted us on arrival. Figs picked from a nearby farm (the night before) were served with fresh mint and drizzled with this amazing caramelised verjus. It is true, that we ate a little too much of the Trunkey Creek pork belly with zucchini relish. We wondered:  

"Would we have any room left for our lunch?".

We chatted to the producers and did some more tasting, before moving in to the beautifully decorated hall. Lunch was amazing - that venison - WOW! Lunch was simple and light and fresh and very, very local.

"Seconds anyone?" 

"Yes please!"

We enjoyed the wonderful company of wonderful strangers, and I loved listening to the producers talk. What an amazing community and how passionate they all are. I certainly have renewed respect for all small producers and farmers everywhere.

At the lunch, my cousin bought me Sophie's lovely book. Each night, I would snuggle up in bed, when the rest of the house was asleep and read. I enjoyed reading more about the farmers I had either met, or heard speak at the Producers Lunch. I felt such a sense of community on this visit. Not only because of the Producers Lunch, but on hearing of how my cousin and her family, are settling into this close knit community of farmers and country folk. Even though I am from a small country town myself, my life was never lived on the land. I am in awe!

I cannot end this post before mentioning dessert.

THE BEST PLUM CROSTATA EVER!

Sadly, there were no seconds offered for this! Maybe they will serve that again next year... Because, yes, there will be a next year!