Amanda Brooke

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,

Hallway organisation

I can be impatient. Once I get going on an idea I just have get stuck into there and then...well...not always, but most of the time! In the very wee hours of the yesterday morning I came across a 'command centre' in a hallway where everything had it's place and it was conveniently located close to an entrance. I wanted one. I almost started clearing space then and there! I measured, listed pieces I might need to create one and when daylight broke today I got started.

This is what was here before. A part of our home I enjoyed, but it wasn't functional.

This is how it looks now.

I wanted to buy an Ikea Expedit piece, baskets to fit etc, but I managed to use items from around the house to make it work. It doesn't look as pretty as my old sewing display, but it feels like it will be very functional and I really like the idea of having everything in one convenient place. The baskets at the top hold my handbag, shopping bags and one for Little Eco parcels to be sent to customers. There is a shelf for shoes (mostly school shoes) and underneath is space for the nappy bag and the kids school bags. I hung a noticeboard above it and plan to only attach school and kids things that need attention.

This is set up at our front entrance which we rarely use, but as there was no space to create something similar at the back door it had to be the front. I imagine I will change this around a bit as time passes and commitments change, but for now it is just good having everything in one space.

Do you have a similar space dedicated to keeping your family organised?

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

 

 

Buddhism for Mothers

A few years ago a book changed my life. Simple Abundance. I wrote about it here. A few weeks ago another book came into my life in much the same way and I am embracing and reading it with passion.

 

The Complete Buddhism for Mothers. It is 3 books in one volume - Buddhism for Mothers, Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children and Buddhism for Mothers of Schoolchildren. It kind of follows me around the house...yes...it is one of 'those' books! I hadn't heard of it before, read a recommendation or a review...but I was destined to pick it up, buy it, start reading, start practicing and begin some shifting and changing. I am living more patiently, more aware, more mindful...and I am only part way in.

This book is for every mother and you don't need to follow or even understand Buddhism to practice the advice and embrace the authors own journey. I love it. In as many as a few weeks I feel more in tune with me, more aware of my children, and less angry.

I am uncomfortable to admit it, but I think that most of my anger and frustration as a parent comes from when my children interrupt my thoughts or interrupt my the simplest tasks. By being more aware and living in that moment I am able to tune out of my thoughts (and I am learning to minimise the thoughts also) and into them. I am able to carry on a task without the mindful chatter and take notice of them and their needs. I am enjoying my children more and feel like I am slowly becoming happier to be around too.

I didn't purposely seek this book out, but I have been searching for something and I think this might be it. Are you searching for something to guide you as a parent?

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

P.S I haven't been asked to review this book. These are my own words and I just wanted to share as this book as it is making a positive difference to my life.

 

Some more wedding snippets

These pics were taken by our neighbour...a beautiful and treasured wedding gift for our family. We ended up with two photographers and I will share our favourites from our other photographers album very soon.

Enjoy!

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x

 

Reconnecting with 'Simple'

I have to admit that in recent months our lives have not been as simple as they usually are. Life has not been as frugal, slow or as creative as it normally is and that has been a little unsettling. After our wedding we had a few days to clean up and spend time with family before heading off on our mini-honeymoon to Wilsons Prom. I was looking forward to getting back into a slower rhythym, eating well and spending time with my new husband!

We stayed in accommodation only a minutes walk to the beach and had spectacular views of the Prom from our cottage.

Our view at sunrise on the first morning of our stay.

Our view at sunrise on the second morning of our stay.

We travelled to the Prom on the second day and stopped off at some historic lime kilns at Walkerville on the way. The beaches are stunning here.

A beach in Waratah Bay...we were the only souls on the whole entire beach...it was lovely!

The rocks at Tidal river. The river meets the sea on Nelsons beach and the diversity in the surrounds is spectacular!

This is us on Nelsons Beach. I couldn't find somone to take a photo...so this is it!

It was a great mini-honeymoon and I was pleased that we chose to see some of our special state and not trip off somewhere overly touristy and surrounded by shops. We didn't spend a penny whilst we were away and took all of our meals with us. Simple and very relaxing...just what we needed!

In the week before our wedding I sought out Rhonda's new book Down To Earth and was thrilled to find it at our local Collins Bookstore. It took every ounce of inner strength to take the book home and put it aside for our trip away and not peek inside!!! It was VERY, VERY difficult!

I am glad that I did wait, as I had the perfect spot to relax and start the book and I was so relaxed that I couldn't put it down. I read it entirely from cover to cover and it is brilliant, simply brilliant!

Down to Earth is beautifully styled and a real pleasure to hold. I never wanted it to end. It was also a pleasure to discover new ideas and suggestions that I haven't come across on Rhonda's blog and I have referred to the book often over the weekend. Rhonda's writing style draws you in and it is almost as though she is sitting right there with you sharing her life, thoughts and ideas for slowing down and living more simply. I especially enjoyed the housework chapter and I although I am aware that 'house work never ends'...I can add to that statement that I won't try to 'finish' it!

I have followed Rhonda's journey with her 'book' and I am so pleased for her that she is now a published author. She had a dream and a special life to share...and we are blessed to be able to hold Down to Earth in our hands and keep it in a special place for whenever we need inspiration, ideas or support.

Thanks for visiting,

Amanda x