An introduction....... I decided to start this blog having enjoyed so many others especially from the 'Green Parent' forum. I have benefited so much from the sharing of ideas, information, recipes and joy and really felt that maybe, just maybe, I should drop my idle ramblings into the pot. I live a pretty good life in the hills near Siena with my two children and husband and a very old lurcher. We moved from Devon in 2007 and are trying hard to plunge ourselves in Italian Life. My philosophy is simple, the more money we spend the more we have to earn, the more we need to earn the more we have to work and the less time we get to be with our children doing what we love. Tracey Smith of 'International Downshifting Week' inspired me greatly when we met a few years back to stop playing at being self sufficient and to grasp this life firmly by the horns and get on and take charge of our lives and how we live them. There you have it, we are trying to live well, within our means and be part of our children's journey to adulthood. Do not be mistaken we are not there yet, we have large bills to clear and no savings so I am working everyday to get to a place where I will no longer need to put in the hours.
Things we have done both mad and good over the past few months:
Made 2 solar ovens - dried figs and toasted bread OK, Pasta was a washout!!!
Planted - Peas, Onions, Toms, Herbs, Courgettes, peppers, aubergines
Made - sundress for Tabitha Trouble (age 4)
Made - Chutney from Courgettes and Toms
I plan to: Make facecream and shampoo, cover our cushions, store firewood, turn the boiler off and be brave enough for cold showers
