**** COMMENTS NOW CLOSED! Winner to be announced shortly ****
Hello everyone! I'm on the mend but still not clear-headed enough to decide on what to include in a giveaway to celebrate my third blog anniversary, so... it's a Mystery! LOL.
It will definitely include some of this:
But I'm still not sure about the rest yet ;-) Actually, it's probably better to wait until I see who the winner is since I can't post some things like seeds overseas or to WA.
To be in with a chance, leave me a comment and tell me a bit about yourself and why you read my blog - 'cause I'd like to get to know a bit more about you all!
I'll close the comments on Sunday night US time (Monday morning for us Aussies) and draw the winner via random.org's random number generator.
Good luck :-)
**** COMMENTS NOW CLOSED! Winner to be announced shortly ****
71 comments:
Hi! I found your blog while searching for info for my new/old Singer sewing machine I just got!
I will definitely be back!
Hi Julie, I read you blog because I find your garden work inspiring, I like that you are willing to step outside your comfort zone in other areas and learn new skills in crafting etc. I still use your blog as a reference point sometimes but lately I just like to see what you are up to. : )
Hi Julie,
I'm a young single mum who is trying to live frugally and simply. I read your blog for inspiration and just to see what you've been up to.
Alicia
http://onemumsmusings.blogspot.com
Your blog is a great read I enjoy anything to do with self suffient living - gardening - DIY.
I am a mumma of a whole lotta peoples LOL Six Earthling children and 1 Angel Son, my husband & I bought a little farm (almost 4 acres) coming up a year ago now..so we could move towards a more self suffient life.. I enjoy baking,crafts preserving, I am just getting into cheesemaking, we homeschool our children.. & I am long winded LOL
I read your blog because it's in my areas of interest and it really reflects the energy you put into it. It's a professional designed blog with diverse posts and an interesting blogroll that also has been handy.
James
HI Julie
I read your blog because well because. It's funny and informative and you are doing what I am trying to do. Some of your posts inspire and other's remind me you are just human like the rest of us.
Hope you are feeling better soon...happy blogaversary!!
Choccies as prize? Wow! :)
It is always great to have a peak at your blog to see what is happening in your garden, what's cooking in your kitchen and what crafty things you are thinking up.
Can I have the choccies now? ;)
Dark Chocolate - my favourite. I love your adventure into unusual vegetables, I have copied many of your ideas for the garden - the turmeric and ginger will be going in this weekend.
Hope you feel better soon
x Deb
You mean you'll post overseas?!? Well! I haven't entered your previous giveaways because I figured I wasn't eligible. How very generous of you!
I read your blog because, even though the things you can grow down there make me insane with jealousy sometimes, I learn things from you, and you provide inspiration on the path I'm trying to follow. That's pretty much the only reason for me to read anyone's blog, but yours is better than most. So thanks!
You know, I keep hearing about the Green & Black's chocolate but haven't gotten around to trying it.
Why I read your blog? Simple living appeals to me on so many levels. I do better at it sometimes than others but reading blogs of people's journeys helps keep me on track and gives me ideas and inspiration for my own journey.
why do i read your blog...coz you're nice. sometimes 'downsizers/frugalers/sustinable livers can be a bit holier than thou but you put yourself on the line, show your self and have a sense of humour about the whole thing. plus you remind me to do stuff!
I think I came across your blog via Down to Earth some time ago. Happy 3rd Blogaversary! Your enthusiasm for everything you do, be it gardening, cooking and caring for your family shows thru in your comments. Also your blog shows that alot can be achieved on a smaller block of land, although I do hope your wish of an acre or 2comes true.
I started my first vegie garden last spring, and I am looking forward to growing strawberries, snow peas, tomotoes, carrots and will experiment with different lettuce this year as last years was too bitter.
Hope you are soon feeling better. From Jenny in Melbourne
Okay, you've found my weakness... I LOVE chocolate (as you know).
Sorry to hear you're still a bit woozy though. Sending you much health and self-care.
Now why I read your blog - gosh - because its GREAT! I think you were the first person I haven't met in real life that I ever linked to in my blog. I've learned so much from you over the last 3 years.
How far we have come! Its been one hell of a journey, huh!
Hello Julie,
My name is Mim and I'm a yarnaholic(everyone say hello,Mim) LOL. I'm a struggling locovore in the Midwest of the United States. My family and I are raising our own chickens for eggs and sometimes meat. I'm enjoying reading about your journey "towards sustainability".
I also enjoy seeing your posts on crafty stuff.
Hiya, as you know my name is Cat. I can;t remember if I came to your blog through Crossroads (Molly) or Witsend (Lara), but I have stayed on because you always seem to have what I am looking for at the time!
Ginger, bam you do a post on ginger etc.
In fact just today I couldnt remember where Id seen the recipe for citrus cordial, so I googled it and you came up!
Just no escaping you luv : )
Hi!
We are two vegans, 12 cats and 3 pigeons trying our best to live simply, frugally, and with as little negative impact as we can.
We live in Canada and are covered in snow for about 5 months per year so our growing season is VERY short....we love to see how the "other half" (as in hemisphere) live. The wonderful things you can grow! I love your "this is how it is" attitude towards new things you try....embroidering canvas bags for fridge veggies for example. I have just taken up knitting...and am trying to muster the same spirit! I really want to try to embroider the veggie bags (I have to source some first)...embroidery would also be a first.
Keep inspiring...thanks
Jane ( + hubby,12 cats and 3 pigeons)
I too have a desire for an acre of my own, but do the same as you- grow what I can, try to live in a way that does the least damage to the earth. People sometimes think I am crazy too for staying at home with my daughter, and for trying to live a healthy, kinder lifestyle. But we know what's really important, huh! Not to be high and mighty either, we just want to take care of the things that matter. Thanks for the inspiration!
I sooo wanna win.
I think I came across your blog when searching for sustainable living on my google reader. I think many people are starting to realize how dependent we've become on the system. We don't know how to grow our own food or make our own clothing. We know how to go out to a store and pick up something wrapped in pretty packaging. And it's not a secure place to be.
I want to learn how to do stuff on my own. Without the wastage, and with all the satisfaction. I am a mother of 2, learning to cook whole foods from scratch and grown my own veggies etc. And I love your blog.
Hi,
I'm Erin. I am a working mother of two (soon to be three). I love growing herbs and have a few vegetables planted on my patio. I have recently bought a house with enough room for a small garden and really like your garden tips and stories as I plan to start a "real" garden next spring. I also enjoy your entries on recipes as I am trying to rely less on pre-packaged foods and take away.
I come here because I am trying to learn to be self sustaining,and you are a great "teacher",lol:)
tmw1223 at gmail dot com
Hello and Happy blog anniversary. I found your blog just recently and have very much enjoyed reading it. I guess I am drawn to it because I am so interested in the environment of our planet. I grew up in the wonderful Ozark Mountains of Missouri, USA surrounded by beautiful hard wood trees and free flowing water. As an adult I was forced to live in the desert for awhile and just hated it. I am concerned that global warming is going to turn my beautiful green area into a barren wasteland too. I am trying, in large and small ways, to make a positive difference everyday. While I may not be able to heal the planet, I can at least strive to not make the wounds worse than they already are.
hi julie,happy to hear your feeling better! :.) I love reading your post beacause you give me ideas and a goal to shot for. I just started using the computer alittle over a year ago and that is when I found your site.
I've learned sooo much from you and miss Rhonda that I tell my husband sometimes that my head hurts when i get off of the computer from all the the things that you guys do and teach and share. (inspuration overload, as martha s, would say "it's a good thing")Keep sharing and teaching. a friend in Yuma.
Hi,
I just don't remember how I found your blog but I enjoy reading about your garden, cooking and things. I live in Virginia, USA and love to quilt, knit, read, garden, cook, embroider and many other hobbies. Too many actually to get much done. But I do enjoy reading blogs about other peoples lives, seeing where they live and what they do in their daily lives.
congrats on 3 years of blogging.
Robin C
Happy Blogiversary!
What a coincidence - I'm running a giveaway at the moment too, and I'm also giving away some Maya Gold, amongst other things!
I read your blog (and have done for a while) because I love reading well-written accounts of other people's lives, from all around the world. My friend Jo put it well when she said it's like having permission to look through people's front windows and get a glimpse at their lives. So I suppose it's just that I'm nosey!
I live in the UK, have two children, and also enjoy blogging. I think I'm coming up on my 3rd blogiversary in October. I find it great to be able to vent frustrations and boast about little successes, or share happy days or places I've experienced. I think on the whole I treat my blog like a good friend who I keep in close contact with!
My DH and I have begun our own journey towards sustainability and WE read your blog because you not only inspire us...you teach us!
Can't beat that :)
I read this blog because I like to see what others are doing to green their lives, it gives me ideas on how to better green my own.
Congrats! I go by DramaMama and I enjoy reading your blog for so many reasons! You're crafty, you inspire me to be more adventurous in the garden, you live somewhere I consider exotic and you are smart! Plus, I just enjoy your commentary as a whole. Thanks for including all of us!
Hi,
I like to read your blog because you are real and you are helping us in trying to be more real.
Ryan in Iowa
Well first of all there is that whole fascination that we Americans have with you Aussies! And you are living the life that I aspire to, in my hopes to tread with lighter feet.
hee hee And I just noticed that you subscribe to Homemakers Who Work (where I am one of the contributing authors) and Confessions of a Pioneer Woman (who I absolutely adore!)
Heather in South Florida
Hi Julie, well, I use a lovely bag that you made me every day for a swap, and its still holding up well!
I guess we met through Aussies Living simply and although I don't go there anymore (too much time spent reading and not enough doing) my journey to sustainability needs you as a poker and prodder. I tend to do much more when I have a gentle virtual kick up the bum, as someone else said above, you always are working on things that I was just thinking about. I am busy with work at the moment, but still trying to spend my Fridays making cordial, baking, etc Oh and tried the bagels this week, YUM!! Will definitely be making them again. Love reading about your day and kids and the I-am-not-an-expert-but-learn-with-me-attitude that you really have.
Annet, long-winded!
Hi Julie. There a several reasons your blog is one of my all-time favourites.
1st, your recipes. A few Julie recipes have become staples at my house and many more are saved for future reference. They're quite easy to make with obtainable ingredients.
2nd, your articles are interesting, sometimes humorous but they are pithy. I don't always have time to read looooong posts!
3rd, your garden. I live in a different zone and couldn't aspire to some of the things you grow but you inspire me to try alternative plants and give things a go.
4th, like one commenter above, I live to have a sticky into how other people live. Thanks for letting us peep into your life.
Hi Julie, I check your blog every day, your interests and values seem similar to mine but you are waaaaaay further down the sustainable living path than me. Your garden is amazing and I literally find it awe inspiring to drop by and see what you've been cooking with produce from your own garden. I am slowly incorporating gardening, sustainable living practices and general craftiness into my life and I get lots of great ideas from you, thanks, like peeling ginger with a spoon for example - brilliant. Thanks for running a great blog, I always enjoy reading about you and your family.
Hi, I enjoy your blog immensely and feel it helps to change my mindframe from a consumer to a conserver. This coincides with us moving from suburbia to our rural block. We are ready to face the challenges of living off the grid!
Thanks for making time to post on your blog.
Hi Julie. As you know ive been a long time reader. I love to read your blog because you arent afraid to show us that you arent perfect. That sometimes bugs eat your plants and you have no idea why, or that your knitting isnt perfect but you love it any way. It is such an inspirering trait and I think alot of bloggers forget that you dont have to be a master of trades to live the way we live, you just have to love it.xx
Billy
Hi Julie
I started reading only recently, and enjoy it very much. One - because our lives are roughly parallel, two - because we live in a similar area (east coast Australia) so your gardening tips etc are relevant, three - because the more self sufficiency stuff i read the more likely i am to stay on track and motivated, and finally because i like your ideas, and your non-sanctimonious style. cheers from Brisbane (to which you can send seeds and cuttings...and chockies :) )
I am a mum to a 2 year old who is trying to live a more sustainable life. I like reading your blog for recipes and craft ideas.
http://amummy.myhabari.net
LOL 36 comments! Here goes...
I've been reading your blog for ages now. I read because I'm in the same sort of situation as you: trying to become a bit more sustainable even though I live in suburbia and have young children! I am often inspired to try the handmade recipes on your blog, and am looking forward to the day I can put my gardening into real practice!
Hi Julie, We are a family of a vegetarian mum, four boys aged 9, 7, 4 and 6 months and a carnivore husband!! I started reading your blog from a link somewhere for your fabric sandwich wrap. I find your blog to be one of the most inspiring i lurk through. I love that you are just an 'average' person, with an 'average' Autralian block - and yet you have achieved so much. Reading your blog has helped to change the way I think about sustainability and the contribution I CAN make in my life NOW - I don't need to wait until ( if ever!)we have a few acres and can afford the bells and whistles, however environmentally friendly. I love your recipes - we had your potato curry and naan bread for dinner last night actually!! and i just like to read what you write about your life - lately i was following your daughters birthday and party ideas with great interest. I suppose I read your blog because I find you to be very relateable and incredibly inspiring :)
Hi Julie, I found your blog about a year ago on ALS when we were both posting there, and in fact you inspired me to start my own blog (so thanks!)
I love your blog because... 1) you have such a variety of things that interest me - some gardening/food growing, great craft ideas, yummy simple recipes, green cleaning, and 2) I admire your views on ethical and moral issues and 3) you write it all in a 'real' sense that is genuine and warm.
In fact the only thing you seem to be missing is chooks LOL !!!
Keep on bloggin' .....!
:-)
Julie, happy Blogsiversary! I love to read your blog because I usually nod and say, "yeah I do that" or "hmm that's a great idea, I'll add that to my list of things to do or because you are a great reminder to get me out in the garden planting again.
I continue to read your blog to see what recipes might inspire me, to see what you and your family are up to and because you have been kind enough over my first year to keep me in your side bar ;) Thanks! I get a lot of traffic visiting from your site, I do hope they enjoy what they read as I just love writing meaningfully and sharing purposefully!
Keep up the great work!
Cee :)
Hi! I read your blog because I write a similarly flavored blog, and I love your ideas. I'd like to use your cracker recipe on my site, if you wouldn't mind. I promise to give you props.
http://damselindisdress.wordpress.com
I've only recently discovered your blog (maybe two weeks ago?) but I find myself checking in most days to see what you're up to! I like your approach to life and I appreciate someone who is in tune with our seasons (i.e., southern hemisphere). I've been inspired so far to make your lentil & spinach lasagne (which tasted fantastic - but the best thing was the "earth mother" feeling I got when harvesting spinach & silverbeet from my small vegie garden). You've also inspired me to preserve my first food: I made the red onion jam... but I'm not sure how long it'll stay in the fridge as it smelled great when I was making it. And I'm hoping to make some of my own (SLS free) handwash this weekend; inspired by you.
Congratulations on your blogiversary and on making the most of each day!
Hi Julie
Your blog covers a bit of everything with a 'no fuss' attitude, eg. you try it, if it doesn't work... no big deal, we can always try again. I like the way you try things without the fear of failing. (That's how it comes across anyway.)
I also appreciate that you live in Australia... nothing against other parts of the world, I read a ton of blogs from overseas, but it makes things easier for me (a real beginner in the garden) when you are writing about things relevant to the season, my season.
Hoping you are back to your 'not as old as me' self very soon.
Deb
Hi Julie,
I find you an inspiration and check in whenever you post as your blog always gives me a feel-good feeling :) . I love the life you are creating for your family (and am a little jealous too! :) )
Jen
I read your blog cause I like to torture myself with all the tumeric and garlic you can grow [grin] - I'm only 9 hrs further south but a few in a greenhouse pot is all I can hope for until global warming really kicks in!
Then again, I can grow kilos and kilos of berries, so it's not all bad.......
When I'm not drooling over your ginger I really enjoy your recipes (I've made several so far) and your independence day updates which provide lots of inspiration
Hi there. I'm newish to your blog - and blogging in general. I think I came over via Consumption Rebellion, and you also visited me on my crafty blog. I've been so challenged and encouraged by the thoughtful living that I see modelled on your blog, it's had a great impact. I'm really glad that you're including a Kiva loan in your giveaway too - heart of gold.
Hi Julie,
I found your blog in my quest for living simply. I love to read what you do. Hopefully soon i'll be starting to grow my own veges ect. Can't get to carried away as i rent so i'm going to try the "no-dig" method. Jeanette
Hi Julies,
I read you because I like your style. You're an inspiration - I'm working on living a sustainable, self-sufficient life, but tripping over potholes on the road...(made peanut butter recently, for example, but have a hidden commercial number in the pantry that I keep sneaking off to...dammit. It tastes so much better than mine.) Bad, bad hippie.
Keep up the good work!
xRach
Hi Julie,
I always check your blog ( I have you linked on mine) because you have a non-judgemental way of discussing sustainability AND you have good recipes AND you are an Aussie and I like reading about gardens upside down (you're picking when we in Canada are planting etc...) AND you seem like someone I would like as a neighbour. I would give you zucchini right now and you would say 'uh, no thanks Jan'. Joke here: why do Canadian's lock their cars at home in the fall? To keep the neighbours from filling them up with zukes." ha ha.
Jan
Hi Julie,
I have been following your blog for several months now but have been too shy to comment until now. Originally, I was mainly interested in your chemical-free cleaning alternatives, but like many of the others have said, I am now also interested in keeping up to date with what you are up to! You have also now inspired me to start my own blog...I would be honoured if you could pop over for a visit some time :)
http://www.simplicitystreet.blogspot.com/
Congratulations on the 3 year milestone, and I hope you feel better soon.
Kate
I share posting on SGF with you ;-)
and I love to read about your different temperate zone growing methods!
I love reading your blog and I agree, it is like visiting a load of different friend's houses to see how they live :-)
Mmm G and B chocolate mmmmm
Hi Julie, I originally came to your blog following a post on Graves Disease, can't remember how I found you, maybe from Down to Earth, as I was newly diagnosed myself. Still check in every day, because you are an ordinary woman, wife and mum in a typical house in a typical suburb in a typical Australian city who is not just talking about making a difference but is actually doing it, every day, every month, all year. I just find you utterly inspiring! Congratulations on 3 years! Regards from Julia in Mackay
Morning Julie. :)
I've been reading your blog for a few months now, and appreciate that you're an Aussie woman with a down-to-earth attitude, inspiring ideas, and honesty.
Cath in Sydney
Hi Julie,
Julie here too! I can't remember how I found your blog, but I've been reading and enjoying it for a bit now. I would imagine it was something to do with natural cleaning or organic gardening as I'm very passionate about both.
The hubby and I are trying to grow as much of our own produce and herbs as possible. We recycle, reuse, and repurpose whenever possible.
Congratulations on your blogiversary and here's to many more!!!
Hey Julie! I came across your blog for the first time from ALS and just stayed. I use your blog as inspiration to do more in my own life to become more sustainable as I find you do, and explain, things in a NORMAL way. I love the pictures as well as I'm a visual learner. Thank you for making the changes in your life and lifestyle and encouraging us to do the same. God bless!
Felicity
Happy Blogiversary!
I'm from the northern US and can't remember how I found your blog - haha. But I love your gardening posts, and your crafty/creative pursuits. We are going to close on a house in mid September and it has a 1/3rd of an acre lot! After a few years of 300 square feet of community garden plot, all of my dreams are about to come true. haha. I love seeing how other people scale back and live less extravagantly. Thanks for all the work you put into the blog!
There isn't any exceptional story behind my stumbling upon your blog, I was looking for a diswashing liquid recipe actually. But after looking around I realized how much I enjoyed your honesty and passion for all that you are trying to do. You humbly present to the world your persuits and endeavors to live more sustainably in the most non pretentious way. Your blog has become my favourite read.
Happy Blogbirthday!
I've been blogging for a few months and I came across your blog from Rhonda-Jean at down-to-earth. I keep coming back and reading your blog because I find useful things on it like your cracker recipe, yum! And I'm in NZ so it's not that far away to compare what we grow and do. I guess I have lofty aspirations to live more sustainably and your blog helps me take the baby steps towards that. Keep it up!
Hi Julie, I can't remember how I came across you initially, but I've been reading your blog for a couple of months now. I've always liked to think that I try to live more sustainably than I could, so it's really good for me to be challenged by people like you to keep taking it further. It means that I'm less likely to be complacent, and will be more thoughtful about taking the easy option when I feel lazy!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Julie. I read your blog because although it seems that while there are many people trying to live more sustainable lives I just don't know anyone in the flesh who is sharing my journey. I get to come here and it feels like visiting a friend, and the fact that you live in NSW makes me relate all the more to your gardening etc. A cup of tea one day would be lovely! ;)
Hi! I love your blog because its great to read about a real person trying, like a lot of us, to apply sustainability in a practical way. I love your ideas and they always encourage me to try new things in order to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
I believe that we share the same value set and that you are congruent and trustworthy. A hard thing to find in people these days. I remember the day that I started my blog back in Feb 2008, and you were the first person I added to my blogroll.
I also remembered that you recommended me to become a writer at the SGF Co-op and I felt so chuffed for about a week that someone actually thought that my writing and opinion was worthy of such a knowledge repository!
I also remember the first day you put your photo up on your blog and though to myself that you had a warm and fun loving heart and a great smile. Some times you can just tell these things.
Anyway, enough hero worshipping :-). I think our journeys have been very similar and that's why I really keep coming back each day to have a look and see what you are up to!
Gav xx
Congratulations on your thrid year blog anniversary Julie! It's quite an achievment what an amazing blog you have created, and quite special how generously you share your adventure in sustainability with us all - thank you!
I visit your blog (and SouleMamma and Beauty that Moves, which are also amazing blogs) pretty much on a daily basis, because I love the ideas you share, the inspiration your positive attitude and fantastic photos give me, and the way your blog makes me feel connected to such a wonderful group of people...
Keep up the wonderful work :-)
Cheers,
Ally
www.happyearth.com.au
Hi Julie, I read your blog because it's an honest take on life's little challenges. Whether it be about keeping the kids entertained, growing exotic stuff in a suburban backyard or baking - you make it seem so do-able for anyone.
While the content of my blog has more to do with the challenges of a larger sized property, I still find the content in suburban backyard blogs, very appliccable to me. Because we still juggle the same difficult choices in amongst the little challenges of life.
Happy third one! :)
Hi Julie,
I read your blog because my husband and I live in the remotest indigenous community on the east coast of OZ, so we rely on our vege patch and homemade goodness for fresh food. Your advice and hard work is a great source of inspiration! Keep it up, we are addicted! x
Hi, I'm mum of 4 and wife of 1. I live in Tasmania and mostly read Australian blogs. I've been reading your blog for a long time now and keep coming back because you seem so real. An ordinary person doing many of the things that I try to do and giving me so much motivation and inspiration to keep going. Your writing is easy and enjoyable to read.
cheers Kate
Good morning Julie,
I found your blog while reading some of my other favorite blogs. I started reading yours when you posted the bagel recipe and have been "hooked" since. I am married, have two girls, work part time and love cooking, gardening, arts and crafts, knitting... the list goes on. We are also trying to live "greener" and I am always on the lookout to find ways to incorporate that into our daily lives.
As always, love the blog! Fingers crossed! Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi Julie,
I've been enjoying your blog now for a little while. I have been striving towards making my family more green and "homemade". I have to say, the "mystery" prize is quite intriguing!
Hi Julie,
I'd love to win the book - having been to the area to support the very close-by Yarra Valley wineries, I saw first had just how many people fought to save their properties and buisinesses, and how much the bushfire victems still need the wider community to support them whilst they're getting back on their feet.
Michelle P
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to
say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://illinoislottery.info
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