Walking in Winter

Am i mad?  Am i trying to get the winter sniffles?  Nope, just trying to keep my steps up by going for a decent walk when its wet and freezing, and also trying to get some girl time in with my BFF. Multitasker, yep, that's me.   This event happened a few weeks ago but i was browsing my phone photos today and realised that i hadn't yet shared this free activity with benefits to all my readers. All 3 of you.  You see, I'm thinking of your health.  No special equipment required so put away the wet weather gear, hiking boots and poles, and the new thing, pocket warmers.

So where can you go for a decent walk, stay dry, keep motivated, not get bored. Oh, and stop half way for coffee (only a little Almondine croissant, i promise). After all, you are only half way through and there is a whole lot of more to go, so you need to keep your strength up.

 
Its big, isnt it.  All 82 aisles of undercover walking track with interesting things to look at along the way.  Its so big you can't even see the trade entrance that we parked next too which should be about a centimeter from the left hand side of the above picture.  I think you need a helicopter to get a photo of the whole thing in one frame.

Kerrie and i donned our FitBits and entered into the land of fence palings, sleepers, concrete and besser blocks.  Interesting stuff (NOT) and the coldest part of the warehouse.

Kerrie, the intrepid explorer.  Its a good thing we've been friends forever as I'm sure she thinks I'm nuts sometimes.  

Never-mind, we were warming up.  After dodging tradies and weekend warrior's 4WD, SUV's and Utes loading up in the trade area we ventured into less dangerous territory, the aisles.

 I don't know why I'm showing you this shot, you cant see the other end anyway.

How many different ladders can there be?

We bypassed the Tool Section.  Those who know me know how much i hate this section.  Hubby can go in there and not come out until after dark.  Its such a trap that they have a bench outside it so all the patient wives can rest their feet while they wait.

Was it only a few weeks ago that i threatened him with a giant wrench over the head if he didn't hurry up?

If you started your marathon at breakfast time, then you could stop at the quarter way mark and grab a sausage in bread with barbecued onions, tomato sauce and a dash of mustard for $2.50.  Its for a good cause people, give it up!

Actually it wasn't until we reached aisle 35 that things started getting interesting for us.  We entered the garden tool and what nots section.

Pssss - i have a green one. 

Our increasing interest was marked by the gradual slowing pace of our walk There was even sporadic moments when we came to a complete stop to discuss the merits of a particular item. It could also have been that we are middle aged unfit women who needed a rest and it seemed like a good way to get one. I truly wasn't that interested in half the stuff i picked up.

Did i mention that coffee break?

Not far from the cafe is the DIY Workshop where you can undertake short workshops on various DIY projects (the name kind of gave it away).  Today's itinerary was

Can i let you in on a secret?  The only difference between the bookcase and the shelving was a backing board so its yadda yadda yadda and Oh, here's one i prepared earlier. !!

OK, we are at the other end now and so its outside into the garden section and whiz around all the aisles out here including loading up a trolley with 4 bags of potting mix and a bag of poop.

Why?  Well after that delicious croissant i was feeling guilty and so to punish myself i pushed this loaded trolley for the second half of the marathon, up and down the aisles, taking only God knows how many corners and running in to many many customers ankles who didn't get out of my way fast enough.   Its the wheels people, not me!

Major pauses took place in the tile aisle while we both chose our preferred bathroom tiles.  Its in our future but we both have to win Tattslotto first.

We are both going for large white tiles with a feature stripe.  Kerrie's choice is red and mine will be some shade of blue.  

We stopped for so long in the kitchen and bathroom section that i think you could officially call it an intermission.

In unison we chose this shower enclosure and fixtures.  Both of us have homes approaching the 20 year mark and i know mine is decidedly out of date with its 3 fold sliding shower door that comes apart nearly every time you use it. I want a big door, to get my boobs and butt through at the same time!  (You Jest?  Its working for Kim Kadashian and JLo)

Have you ever noticed how i get Kerrie to do all the embarrassing things for photos.  Well, i am taking the photos, its my blog and she doesn't say no.  Love that smiley face!  XX

After that it all went down hill as we went through storage, cleaning and pool products, plumbing pipes with only brief interest shown on roof vents. The walk got a bit quicker until we reached the final aisle which was internal and external doors.  Once again, our 20 year old project homes came with cheap hollow doors with no features at all and gross white handles.  We both envisage solid doors that actually keep sound in or out depending on where the teenagers are.

The finish line was in site.  Just a trip to the trade desk to pay for the bags of soil and a quick discussion with the boom gate operator on the way out.  Nope, I'm not so big that i cant fit through the normal entrance/exit but this is where we parked the car, remember?  He did tell us that its a huge security risk as people walk out the central exit with their register slip and then come back in, pick up the same item and go out the trade exit showing the same slip.  Its only stamped at this exit and they estimate they loose $1 million a year this way.   Pretty brazen isn't it.  Oh, don't get any ideas!  I trust you all.

So,  how did we go on the steps.  You would be thinking close to 10,000, wouldn't you!  I was (my feet told me it should be) and wasn't i disappointed to find out that it was only 3,500.  Hang on, Kerrie did 4,000.  Did she run on the spot in the shower when i wasn't looking?  Apparently, Fitbits only record when your hands are free.  Just like the treadmill, if you hang onto the handles and your feet move but your hands don't, it doesn't record.  Hello! I was pushing the bloody trolley for extra effort !!!!! Go Figure... and yet, if you keep your feet still and move your hands it still doesn't record.  I tried!

See, this wouldn't work, her hands are holding something.  

My Fitbit is on my wrist but Kerrie's is attached to her bra.  Personally i think she might have gained a few extra steps with boob wobble.

So have you enjoyed your visit?  Yes, i will write about anything.  After 262 posts, you would too!

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Going Potty in Tottenham - CDLS Paramount Pots

Nope, I'm not on a holiday in jolly Ole England, I'm in the western suburbs of Melbourne and about 2 min from my work in West Melbourne.  Tom and I drove through this industrial sector after having picked up the work ute and made our way to the depot where his new mattress was ready to be picked up Saturday morning.   Out the front, between two rather ugly factories,  were two big red SALE flags that caused me to turn my head to the left (imagine comical speed) almost giving me a crick in my neck.  What was on sale?

There they were, pots and pots and pots and pots of all colours and sizes just waiting for me.  It was like pot nirvana.   No time now, we were on a mission.  That's not to say however that when i returned the ute an hour later, on my own, that i didn't call in for look.  

So, was this impulse buying and blatant consumerism gone mad.  Was I  lured by those big red flashy flags or the word "SALE"? Was i a victim of my own love of pots?  Probably, but i just happened to need a specific size that i didn't have already.  Honest!

Besides, i won Tattslotto this week.  I don't normally pay $12 for a piece of paper that goes in the bin but sometimes it seems that you are surrounded by people in need and my desperation led me to buy such a piece of paper in the hope i can FIX everyone's problems.  - no lectures please.

Actually, I've had a small win for three weeks in a row.  I'm on a roll.  I only paid $12 for the first ticket and they keep funding the rest.  This week however i won $160 and so its coming out of Tattslotto's bank account and into mine.  I'm a fully funded pot shopper.

During the week i used one of the contacts i had made by placing a FREE plant ad on Gumtree to get rid of the rest of the clumping cliveas in my side garden.  I think they are beautiful but not in the ground.  They take over when they have their ideal growing conditions.

As you can see they were taking over the beds and paths.

At 7am (lucky I'm an early riser) an older gentleman who loved to talk (way too much at that time of the morning) arrived to dig them out and take them to a lady friend with a farm in need of greening.   I asked him to leave me several to put in a pot.  So, there you have it.  I needed a pot.  Not just any but since it would be instantly on show as you stepped into our front room through the side window (now naked of shear curtains).  It had to be beautiful.

Am i justifying my purchase too much?  Why do I think I need too?  Oh dear, more therapy needed.

What a find.  Not just the merchandise but the loveliest Vietnamese couple I've had the pleasure to meet.  I was offered a cup of tea on my arrival.  Hello?   I was given space to browse but also advice.  I was picky, I took my time, I was (a pain in the arse) changing my choice over and over but she smiled very politely and sought out any request i had, often offering cheaper pots.  I think she could recognise a fellow pot lover. Great customer service.

Speaking with her husband later i discovered it was their 2nd anniversary of business that day and so as i do, i started asking all those business questions that accountants love to ask.   I applauded them on their success as so many small businesses fail in the first two years.  With a history of being a machinist and then a landscaper i could see many examples of his handiwork in the healthy plants in well placed beautiful pots. Great advertising.  

The traffic of customers was steady while i was there and they seemed to have a good rapport with most, greeting them as friends.   The prices were extremely cheap in comparison to larger chain stores.  Looky here.....

Those decorated pots in the top left were only $5 each!!!!   The larger on the top right only $15.  So many designs to suit everybody.

I thought it very clever that they arranged the pots in waves of colour.  If you are shopping for a pot you usually have a particular colour in mind.  From greens to blues to reds to grey and that very boring neutral colours that are all the rage now.

They also have a few eco options around and sell their own potting mix.

1000L Water Tanks - 1 for $80, 2 for $150

OK, so i think you get the message.  This place is a find.  No website i can find but here is their business card.

Go potty everyone..

Oh, if you want to know what i bought (why wouldn't you) then you'll have to wait for the next post where i spent my weekend making over the side garden.

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Queen Victoria Market - Melbourne

It's great when visitors come to town because you get to go to places on your own door step that you wouldn't otherwise.  The Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne is one such place.  Thousands of local and international tourists visit each week (often by the bus load) and i guess if you are someone who dwells in the inner city suburbs you might make it your weekly shopping destination.  Many do.  How awesome would that be?  By the time we have driven in and paid for parking the savings would certainly deteriorate and so for us it is a tourist destination, one that certainly delivers.  

I dropped our much younger visiting relatives off to wander the variety stalls full of clothes, handbags, jewellery and and and.........  all spread out over two city blocks.  This historic markets have been apart of the Melbourne landscape since 1878 and it doesn't come much older that that in Melbourne.    

Today the markets were transformed into a Turkish Pazar Festival with traditional and modern Turkish music and speciality stalls of regional foods.  Yummo, it all looked so good and many were in traditional dress.  We are so lucky to have such a multicultural city whereby on any given weekend you can find a festival from almost anywhere in the world. Given that i  am not into shopping, i wandered the organic fruit & veg stalls admiring the veggies and the stall holders displaying their home-made relishes and sauces (well done - a dream come true I'm sure) and then into the main building where there are stalls present that have operated for decades and by many generations of the same families.   I'm going to let my pictures do the talking. Food, doesn't get better or fresher than this.

You can visit the QVM website here and keep track of the myriad of activities taking place throughout the year.  Upcoming events include the Night Markets, Sticky Fingers (stick food), Brocante Marche (French Vintage Market), or you can join in one of the many cooking days where you can be guided by some of Melbourne's best chefs.

After wandering around looking at all the wonderful food and soaking up the atmosphere, i found myself a strong long black coffee with some Italian Crostoli and a quiet corner to read a book.   I enjoyed myself and vowed to come back more often and very hungry.

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Handmade Gifts From Simply Living Shop

Isn't it beautiful.  Its my new market bag, handmade by Teena.  It says so on the label inside.  Lucky me, I've met this Teena.  She is Gavin's (Greening of Gavin) sister from Queensland and we were both at Gavin's 50th. She is talented.  The stitching is first class and its lined with calico making it "like totally" washable.  I'll be sure to turn it inside out for drying to avoid the fabric fading, its so pretty.  There is also a gusset in the bottom to give it lots of width and it holds plenty,   So how was i so lucky to score this one?

Last week Gavin posted that the Simply Living Shop over at Little Green Workshops was open for business. Did you not here the trumpets blowing all the way from Melton?  I'm sure i wasn't the only one to click on the link and peruse the items for sale.  Go on, if you haven't already, have a look .........

I'm waiting for you to come back.....

I do own a sewing machine but I'm running on all thrusters at the moment and there isn't room/time for sewing and craft.  I could also do with a little tuition so feel free to start a sewing workshop as well Gav & Kim.  In fact i can think of lots of skills I'd like to learn, bread making being one of them.  That would be really bad though because I LOVE BREAD and I'm on a diet with no wheat and starches. Making dairy products like butter and yoghurt would be another workshop id sign up for but same again, I LOVE DAIRY food and at the moment I'm limiting dairy products.  I could go on and on and at the end of this monologue you would be left with the very strong impression that I LOVE FOOD!!!!!   Problem is that food loves me too and doesn't want to leave.  Its all over my on my butt, my legs, my arms, my chins, my.......

Oh, was i talking about the Simply Living Shop .   You know us bloggers, its all

Since you've all had a look at the shop now, you've seen a some lovely bags and a couple of nursery items in the handmade gifts section.  They would make lovely gifts for Christmas, especially for someone "greenish" who would appreciate that they are handmade and would use them instead of shopping bags.  There is also a range of Gavin's books, cheese making kits, ingredients and equipment and some candle products. This is only the beginning so I'm sure the range of products will grow and I for one am looking forward to it.  Don't forget to checkout the workshop tab as well and see if there is something you are interested in.

Now here is what i was most impressed about.  This is a fully functioning on line shop.  Gav has used his IT skills and created a shopping experience similar to EBay or Amazon.  I'm so so impressed.  It was a seamless transaction.  I'm so dumb about techo stuff that i really appreciate knowing people who aren't.

Once you visit the Simply Living Shop site you can register online, which is followed very quickly by an welcoming email confirming your registration and another to confirm your subscription.

You then fill in your profile and shipping details and then select payment options, including PayPal.

Then you go shopping, adding to your cart and confirming purchases.   Shipping costs are very reasonable.

I received three emails confirming my order, receipt for payment and lastly a shipping advice which included tracking details.

Two days later, on Saturday morning no less, there was a loud knock on the door and my parcel was hand delivered.  Me, sitting in bed with coffee listening to some smooth George Benson, was handed a parcel. Parcels come into this house all the time (electronics, computer and car parts) but never anything for me.  It was like Christmas morning.

Now you just know it wasn't going to come wrapped in plastic express bag didn't you.  Gav practises what he preaches and it came wrapped in brown paper, brown cardboard and some bubble wrap. The only thing missing was the reused string but i'm not sure if Australia Post could handle that.  There was a little personal thank you note from Gav & Kim inside and an extra little note from Kim apologises for the bubble wrap.  They are waiting for a shipment of tissue paper.  They need not have feared though as i have shredded the brown paper and it is already mulch in my garden and the cardboard and bubble wrap have been stored for future use.  Very handy.

I wish Gav and Kim all the best with their workshops and online store.  I'm hoping it grows and becomes not only a medium for teaching but a profitable business that they can run post Gav's retirement.  I'm sure this is his plan.    If only we were all such forward thinkers.  I am certainly happy to support any of his ventures. Through his blog he has inspired and taught me so much. I'm sure he has done the same for you and many others around the world.

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I Forgot the MOTB's Shoes

That's right, the Mother of the Bride's shoes.  Aren't they gorgeous. You will have to click (here) to read my post on the rather unique night wedding for Mr & Mrs Guy last weekend.  These shoes caused great drama as they only arrived the day before and my sister was very anxious.  In the country, if you want the latest fashions you order online.  These were bought from Myer and made by Guess.

Plasmas Floral Pumps

I must have been getting some strange looks as i was chasing Sam around all night trying to get a good shot. You'll note that she has stabbed a leaf walking around on the bare ground. They look fairly out there and the ad online suggest that they are sexy and adventurous, for the girl not afraid to make a statement.  I had a good giggle over that one.  While she will put her hand up to help anyone (and often does) and she's not afraid to make a statement (read give her opinion LOL) I don't think of her a sexy and adventurous.  You never know what these Pastor's wives get up to though.  I still see lots of sparkles between her and Trev.  

One thing Sam does love is colour and there have been times in the past when she has tried to inject a little more into my wardrobe.  She is also responsible for teaching me to A. buy good bras and B. not to cover my size with big tent clothes.  I wear fitted clothes now (i actual do have a waist) and if i do say so myself, I look a lot better.  What are big sisters for if not helpful advice.

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Steam Cleaning

Seems like every man and his dog has one of these lately and they have been recommended to me over and over again.  I waited because surely you don't need another contraption to do what women have been doing for years with a mop and a bucket, a wipe and a spray and a good dose of elbow grease.  Well, I'm not saying i need it but bloody hell its pretty good.  I got one this week and though I'm still feeling the guilt of being a consumer, yet again, its had a pretty good workout this week.  

I like the idea that it comes with handy accessories that we will actually use.  The hand nozzle has been most used as it allows you to clear the grout between tiles (and i mean really clean them) with just water in the form of steam under pressure.  This one comes with a continuous flow water holder so you just keep pouring the water in, even while its going.  It takes 6 min to heat up.

Now before you all start saying how disgusting, this was a previously clean floor, or so i thought.  20 years of build up grime in the grout between the tiles, simply wasn't being removed by mopping.  I don't know why i am apologising but i work full time and i do not have the time and inclination to get down on my hands and knees with a scrubbing brush each weekend, each month or for that matter, each decade. If it got mopped it was lucky.  As usual, if there is a new toy going, the boys are all in.  Hubby after a full day's work, managed to spend several hours walking around the house testing it on this and that until i had to take it off him and send him to bed at 11.30pm.  Enough Already!!!

Now this one look really bad.  Honest I've got it under zoom.  No one would have thought my cupboard doors were so dirty.  But with steamed water only, they've come up almost new and instead of replacing them, i might just change the handles for a complete makeover (when funds allow).

As i said, its got a real workout this week and its been tried on windows, wooden architraves, tiles, white goods, honestly Tilly was lucky she could move fast.   Tom did the entire kitchen floor one day and so this weekend, after a sweep, i just steamed it and all the other hard floors clean in minutes, with just water.  It will come in really handy when the carpet has been replaced with bamboo (one room down, many to go).  It uses less water than a bucket with soap/vinegar and then another with rinse water.

The cloth on the end of the head needs to be changed regularly and they have provided one cloth which looks like a piece of nappy to me.  So instead of racing off to buy a box of them i tried a micro cloth folded into 3 lengthways and it fitted perfectly, giving a much better finish.  I will run up a packet of them in different colours for kitchen and bathrooms.

There are many brands to choose from in different price brackets.  I went to one store that was advertising them on TV and they were only interested in demonstrating one that was $1600.  WHAT????   This was a mid range one and it cost $340.  Hubby like the Karcher brand and he is a firm follower of German engineering.  We use a Karcher pressure washer on the cars and have always found them reliable.  So, though i know you can buy cheaper ones, i would recommend this one.

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Gavin's 50th and Weekend Mish Mash

That's right, Gavin (who really does need no introduction (Greening of Gavin)) is now 50!  He can now join the rest of us known as "old and wise".  Some might say this title comes much later and I'm well aware that i learn more every day, but i'd like to think that once 50 you've been around the block a few times and might have accumulated some wisdom from having made so many mistakes and survived to talk about it.

This is especially true with Gavin and there are many, many, many, many (OK, so he has a lot of followers and readers - don't rub it in) who have benefited from his wealth of experience and knowledge.  What i love the most is that if he doesn't know something, he researches it, masters it and then freely shares it with the rest of us.

I'm keeping both Gav and Kim in my "friend" book because when the world does go to shit and we have to start looking after ourselves a bit more, i want him close. Did i tell you i was 50 and therefore wise?

The opening picture was drawn by the lovely Kim (Gav's better half) and was on the front of MY invitation. Note that he carries a bottle of beer and a pizza.  I can assure you that this was an accurate representation of last night as the homemade pizza and beer flowed freely.  Nothing taste quite as good as pizza cooked in a cob oven.  His garlic pizza is to die for -  it had a sprinkling of sea salt on it which gave it the wow factor.

Mega Lasagna!!!   Loving this tin.

What i cant show you is how beautifully setup everything was.  My photos are really too dark.  Tables were grouped intimately, with candles burning and lovely table settings of rosemary, lavender and the odd pumpkin thrown in. Twinkling lights surrounded the roof.  A warming brassier was burning down one end and the heat from the pizza oven warmed the other end.  Lovely and cosy.  Jessie  (rabidlittlehippy) kept me in stitches most of the night and (lets just call him) The Wanderer kept us on our toes.  Hubby was also there and having met Gav for the first time has cheekily asked for a return visit.  The two tech heads can talk solar while Kim and I chat it up.  Gav needs to harness Hubbies big brain and lifetime of trade skills and bring him over to the self sustainability (Light) side.

The highlight of the evening was a musical interlude sung and played by Kim and the family.  The original song was titled "Its All About You" and it brought many laughs and the odd tear from Ole Gav.  My favourite lines from the song (which i have a very bad recording of) were:

Yesterday Teddy asked us how old are you
Holly said you were 92, Its all about youuuuu......

Bunty said your very cute, shes in love with youuuuu
The chickens, all agreed you're a hundred and twoooo...

Well you get the picture it was very funny and sweet.  It was truly lovely to see a family who obviously enjoy being together and having fun.

When Jess, Gav and I were huddled around the dying embers of the pizza oven we were playing phone wars showing photos of our garden. Thank God i had something to show as my garden is half empty and minuscule compared to theirs.  The following were my weapons of choice taken Saturday morning:

My first mandarin, ever!

Something is munching on my lemon tree - these are my first real crop of lemons.  Jess tells me i need to get my big girl panties on and pull em down to pee on it.  The men in my house have declined even though it would be so much easier for them since they come with a convenient hose!

Miss Tilly proof onion bed - looking good.  

Peas on their way up and podding already - crazy weather  

Miniature cauliflower

Lots of Cos

Thyme

More lettuce and garlic chives

Pepper bush still going from spring of 12/13.  Something is eating the leaves on this as well.  

Keeping in mind that it is Mid Autumn and we should all be starting to rug up and have all our winter crops well and truly in, Melbourne's weather for the last two weeks has been crazy:

Temps in Celsius

Wed 14  - 21
Thur 15  - 22
Fri 16     - 23
Sat 17    - 24
Sun 18   - 21
Mon 19  - 24
Tues 20  - 26
Wed 21  - 22
Thur 22  - 23
Fri 23     - 23
Sat 24    - 21

This is the longest run of over 20's ever recorded in May.  I don't think the veggies and other plants know what to do.  There are so many things flowering they must think its spring.

Early Saturday morning my big sis turned up bearing orange juice, bread and bacon.  I guess she wanted breakfast.  Coooool.  We later went SHhhhhhh  "shopping" for some winter clothes (on sale) and spent the afternoon visiting another friend who was supporting her daughter's new business venture selling Oasis Homewares.  If you are interested in anything or looking at a catalogue, please email janettehyslop@gmail.com.

I don't need any more homewares but this stuff is made from recycled materials and environmentally sound products like bamboo. So to give support as well, I bought a large glass bowl and matching smaller ones with visions of a trifle (i seem to have misplaced my usual bowl),  parfaits or a bowl of my lettuce in a salad sitting on a table looking marvellous.  The bowl is made from recycled glass.

Karen was one of my Shoestring leaders when i was first starting out on this gardening adventure and so i was keen to see her garden.  She now works full time and so she had not been out there for a while.  It was amazing to see what grew all on its own with no attention.  She reached down and grabbed a hand full of leaves and pulled up a bunch of heritage carrots all sizes and shapes.

Funny how men go all silly when they see a misshaped carrot - well mine do anyway.   

Well Karen, who seemed embarrassed by her offering, today those carrots became carrot soup for lunch and they tasted like yummy carrots to me.

Time to Escape to the Country (my normal Sunday wind down viewing) and some yummy cottage pie that has cooked whilst I've been entertaining you (or myself).  Made from my slow cooked meat pasta sauce from the freezer, some added veggies (peas, corn etc) and covered in garlic mash a bit of cheese.  Yummmm.

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