Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diy. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

New phase


So, many things have changed since my last post - woah - over three years ago. Melania moved to WA, Hannah moved to Newcastle, I moved three times - all around Brisbane. But what hasn't changed, is my drive to learn new things. So, we begin a new chapter in SkillCycle. I'm excited to have it back in my life in an official way. It never really left, I never really stopped learning - but documenting things in this format has been something I've missed.

I think I'm going to start back into it with a sewing day very soon. It's one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon. Gather a few people together with a couple of sewing machines and mend and repurpose a few pieces you of your clothing while catching up and eating food.

I hope you'll join me at a SkillCycle day soon or think about hosting one of your own one day.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Home Dairy

 . ricotta .

 . yoghurt .

. 'butter' .

I dream about the day I have a steady supply of fresh milk at my fingertips. I first learnt to milk a cow when I was on holiday in Chile. I have an aunty who is renowned for her fresh, white cheese. I remember her making it when I was a child and was still doing so
when I went back in 2007.  People come by the farm to pick it up, she makes and sells it daily.

Whether I ever will have my own cow, or a herd share, is yet to be revealed.  But I love the idea, even though it's quite a commitment. For the meantime I will live vicariously through books such as The Dirty Life and blogs such as Longest Acres.

I will also treasure the affordable supply of raw milk that I've been able to receive recently. This happy situation unfolded just at the time that the book Home Dairy arrived on my doorstep.
It has meant that we can master familiar recipes like Paneer and Yoghurt while experimenting with a whole bunch of other things, starting with Ricotta and 'butter' (more like whipped butter).
It is humbling to embark on such experiments and realise just how much time and milk goes in to making the final product. But you can't beat the satisfaction that accompanies this process either. Buttermilk pancakes with homemade butter, ricotta and local honey. Yes please!


 . breakfast time .

 . and I couldn't resist adding a photo of
 the eggs from our lovely ladies.



Friday, October 7, 2011

A Plentitude Economy

Watching this video gives me hope for the future. Change is possible and the happenings on Wall Street right now make me believe there's more people who want this than just me.
 

Monday, September 5, 2011

Cycle Skills!

*Photo from Cycle Skills

Mel and I have had many discussions recently about how we'd like to have a SkillCycle day devoted to home bicycle maintenance. You can imagine my surprise and happiness when I stumbled across Cycle Skills. Even the name made me happy! I can't wait to head out to Seventeen Mile Rocks for a sticky beak. Might even have to drop into the Rocks Community Garden while I'm there.