It's a Classical Life

Simple living is one of my favourite topics to discuss here on the blog. There is so much inspiration to be found on this topic in the classics, and for me living well  is much easier when I'm living simply . This is in part due to the fact that when the classics that we discuss here were written, life was in many ways simpler. I don't necessarily mean easier, but certainly simpler, less hurried, less distractions, less of always chasing more. The proponents of simple living are different for everybody, so I've just chosen some of the easiest and most enjoyable ways I know to embrace simple living.  In this article I thought it would be fun (and helpful) to refer you to certain books for certain aspects of simple living. That way, you can use the book as a sort of guide to direct you to certain aspects of simple living, whilst offering a entertaining and in some cases, a rollicking good read (I love that old-time expression!) Where possible, I also add a link to other art...

Some people were of the opinion that a sober and abstemious mode of living    considerably reduced the risk of infection. They therefore formed themselves into groups and lived in isolation from everyone else. Having withdrawn to a comfortable abode where there were no sick persons, they locked themselves in and settled down to a peaceable existence, consuming modest qualities of delicate foods and precious wines and avoiding all excesses. They refrained from speaking to outsiders, refused to receive news of the dead or the sick, and entertained themselves with music and whatever other amusements they were able to devise.                                                                                           ...

Good morning (or afternoon!) and welcome! If this is your first time, I'm so glad you've found us, and if you are returning then it's lovely to have you back. A few weeks back I mentioned Flora Thomspon's 1938 classic, From Lark Rise to Candleford in a post on happiness. This trilogy of books, which has since been turned into a television series, focuses on life in a small village, Lark Rise, towards the end of the nineteenth century. There were a lot of little observations which I found quite inspiring and enlightening and thought that you might enjoy them too.  "There were no bought pleasures, and, if there had been, there was no money to pay for them; but there were the sights, sounds, and scents of the different seasons: spring with its fields of young wheat-blades bending in the wind as the cloud-shadows swept over them; summer with its ripening grain and its flowers and fruit and its thunderstorms, and how the thunder growled and rattled over that flat land ...

Hello friends and welcome back! If this is your first time, my name is Kirsty and I love to share ideas and tips inspired by the classics - literature, poetry, music, art and more! Homemaking is one of my favourite topics, and in times past it was considered an important role, thus exists in many forms of classic works. I know there are also many women (and men) who still consider it an important role and they all do well to encourage and lift up other like-minded people to do their best to make home a happy and welcoming place. The world we live in has the ability to create anxiety, stress and even illness if we let it. Having a home that is a sanctuary, a place of retreat from the outside world, is a wonderful way to safeguard hearts, minds and souls. It can look differently for everyone. In my opinion, h omemaking includes (but is not limited to): cooking; cleaning; being prepared; creating an atmosphere of welcome, peace and sanctuary; and seasonal living.   I have shared homem...

We are deep into autumn and winter is knocking on the door. We've had the gamut of weather lately - beautiful sunny autumn days, freezing cold nights with frost, blustery winds and grey drizzly days. Last Monday as I drove to work I saw that there was snow on the mountains! I wasn't really surprised because Sunday had been freezing and wet. Autumn is absolutely, hands-down my favourite season and it inspired me to get creative. Earlier, when summer was weighing us down with her heat, I did a bit clear out of things and went for a whole "minimalist" look. I always think I like this look, but quickly learn I like it better in pictures than in my own home! I thought I would share with you some autumn shots from what's been happening around our home lately. So, grab a cuppa and come enjoy some autumn goodness. The lounge room got a bit of colour injected into it! I bought out all the things I had packed away over summer - the deep navies and ruby...

  Seasons of life and seasons of the year have a way of sneaking up on us, which is funny because we know that are always coming. Whichever way you look at it, seasons usually have something to do with change. Sometimes this change is expected, anticipated, even longed for. Sometimes change can be thrust upon us when we least expect it or want it. We all know that change is an inevitable part of life; simply watching the passing of the seasons each year reminds us of that, no matter how much we may wish to slow time. Spring has arrived where I am, and by following friends in the northern hemisphere, I can see that signs of autumn are reaching there also. Watching the seasons change is a wonderful, natural thing. It is a time to remind us that one season is ending and a new one is coming. We shan't see the likes of winter for a while now. Although we may get the occasional frosty morning or low lying fog, the depths of winter have passed. The days are longer. Buds and new leaves are...

  I believe that we, as a family, live well. Over the years we have made a number of choices that best suit our family - some of them intentional some of them just lucky. I cook most of our meals from scratch, which I enjoy. I also bake our bread each week. I worry about the state of the planet and if I can save on buying store bought bread, with its plastic wrapping, then I feel like I am making small steps to do my bit. There are other ways that we try and help the planet. We use reusable cloths and wipes, pads and towels as much as possible. In terms of toilet paper, this year we started ordering from Who Gives A Crap, an online toilet paper company that wraps their rolls in paper and sends them out in cardboard - again no plastic. I take the time to shop for second hand clothes for myself and the kids (online or in the op shops when they are open), or at least, clothes made from natural products that are on sale. I watched a documentary on Four Corners about clothing waste and ...

  Nonna Knows Best  - she knew it then and she knows it now! The summer continues to roll slowly along in our little corner of the world. The grass has died off, leaving funny brown patches and sporadic spots of vibrant green weeds. The tomatoes, zucchini and capsicum plants are all full of flowers. The potato plants are looking sad on top but are flourishing deep beneath the warm, brown soil. There is nothing better than potatoes for producing a rich, nutrient-dense soil. Every afternoon I give the chickens and the rabbits a cooling shower. I spray the trees above their enclosures so that drips of water continue to drop down on them long after the hose is turned off. In the cool mornings, we collect eggs, feed the chickens, water the plants and breath the summer air. By late morning we are inside, enjoying the slow days with board games, lego, movies, paper crafts and reading. The children want to play on their devices (of course) but we encourage as much creative play as we ...