BOOK: Jane Austen's Guide to Thrift

This book, JANE AUSTEN'S GUIDE TO THRIFT, is on my night stand right now. I am a huge fan of the well crafted, entertaining non-fiction read and I have been delighted by this unique look into Jane Austen's famous novels.

Anyone who has read most of Austen's books (and really who hasn't) will know money plays an important role in the characters lives. Either the revenue abounds or there is a complete lack thereof. An independent female at a time in history when females were not valued or protected by law, Austen had her own small nest egg to handle and handle it she did. She did well to stay within her means and left a tidy sums for her family upon her passing.

Austen's opinions regarding prudent spending and careful penny pinching abound in her books. Men who gambled their money away were painted as rogues, the types of men who could not be trusted. The men and women who were careful with their expenses came across as wise and organized.

This book has a different take on thrift than others I have read (and believe me I have read many, many books on the subject) and that makes it entertaining, fascinating and fun. Halfway through the pages I have yet to stumble upon any nugget of information that I had not come across before but that is not where this book gets it's value. The value is in the comparison between what Austen's characters would do, how they would perceive a situation and how Austen imparted her own opinions on the subject through the deeds and misdeeds of her characters. Call it a wake up call from two centuries prior. Debt was still debt in the Regency era with the only major difference between then and now being society's willingness (dare I say eagerness) to take it out.

All in all, it's an interesting book for fans of Austen and anyone looking for a recharge to their financial health. But I would charge you not to buy it, rather check your local library first and Jane Austen would approve.

Christmas Gift

I made this rainbow scarf for my 8 year old niece this year. She loves everything rainbows and so I think she will like it. My knitting skills still leave a lot to be desired but I am working on it. I am a much better spinner than I am a knitter.

The Way We Travel... (Part 1 - Washington D.C.)

The family and I just got back from a 10 day vacation to the States. We drove to Washington D.C. and spent a weekend before driving to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee for seven days. Each part of our tour was inspiring in its own way and we now rank this vacation as one of our best ever (second only to Prince Edward Island which will always remain our absolute favourite - it was our first family vacation in 2007 and it was absolutely amazing for so many reasons).

As a Canadian I did not hold Washington D.C. as one of those places "I have to visit". I figured we'd go when the opportunity presented but besides the Smithsonian museums I doubted there would be much interest for us "foreigners". I was wrong. Two days was simply not enough time. While there we visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and walked the length of the National Mall surrounded by scores of American tourists, scout groups, and loads of tourists (some of whom looked like well-off elite, others gangs of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts). There is something about America's capitol that draws together and inspires people from all walks of life. The diversity was very evident as we walked the pavement.

I stood under the massive stone that makes up the Martin Luther King Memorial, his likeness carved beautifully into the stone and I was inspired by the sheer number of tourists, mostly African Americans. We were literally the only Caucasians there and I could not figure out why.  I wish I could have told the scores of tourists haunting the Lincoln Memorial that just across the way was another inspiring memorial that held just as much significance for their nation. My son stood in the spot where Martin Luther King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech, over looking the reflecting pool and Washington Monument. I do not exaggerate when I say Americans sure know how to build impressive monuments that inspire a nation.

In the end two days was not enough. We did not even get to see the White House. There just was not enough time. After much debate about which museums we had to see, we went to The Natural History Museum and the Air & Space museum. My favourite exhibit in the Natural History Museum was the Human Origins exhibit and I really enjoyed the Wright Bros exhibit at the Air & Space museum. We left Washington D.C. with a promise to return, the next time for a week, where were could freely explore every nook and cranny at a more relaxed pace.

My next post will talk about our stint in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free "Clean" Granola Bars

This recipe is an amendment to my original Fat Free Granola bars. It is Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Egg Free. And I am just starting on my clean eating journey so I believe it can be considered clean with a few adjustments.

So here's the recipe, enjoy!

Gluten, Dairy and Egg Free Granola Bars

3 cups of rolled oats*
1/2 cup gluten free flour
1 cup ground flax seed
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup of honey (may need 1/4 cup more if it does not blend evenly)
3 to 6 tbsp of almond milk

Here you can add nuts, coconut, sesame or sunflower seeds and dark chocolate chips.

Spread onto a greased or parchment covered cookies sheet and pressed down into pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 mins until the edges start to get brown. Let cool completely and cut into long rectangles or squares.

*make sure they are certified gluten free

All in a Year

It's been a year since my last post. A lot has happened in the last 12 months. I published my first book and finished a second one which is currently with my editor. We finished renovations on our basement, overhauled our second floor bath and are currently installing hardwood floors throughout the bedrooms. We took our first trip outside North America (Cuba) and my kids have asked to go to public school this fall.

My world is changing physically and mentally. I have been working out diligently since Oct 2012 and have lost a total of 30lbs. I am struggling with my children's request to go to school and my desire to build my career as a writer. Everything is changing and I know it's not a bad thing. These are all normal processes that come about with the passage of time.

Change brings new opportunities for growth and development.

One thing I want to change back is my simple living chores. I want to quilt and create more. I want to make soap and bake. I want to install a laundry line so I can return to hanging my clothes to dry. I want to reclaim the lifestyle that got lost in the shuffle of moving, settling and renovating. I want to blog about my simple life, my triumphs and struggles like I use to.

It won't be easy. With the big changes that lie ahead I know I will be challenged but this is something I feel compelled to do. It's as if something has gotten lost in my soul and is struggling to the surface. In this time of progress and forward movement within my own career and my kids' education I feel this urge to reclaim those pieces of me, that simple life that lifted my spirits for so many years before we moved.

So I hope you stick around and join me on my quest to reclaim the simple life.

Thrift store score!

Look what I found at Goodwill this afternoon! 18 one liter jars and 24 500ml jars for $12 for the lot. I am so excited for gardening and canning season this year. The weather has been gorgeous here, 20 degrees Celsius, very unusual for March.

Aw Puppy!

Meet Watson everyone! My new urban homestead guard dog! Watch out or he'll lick you to death!