Welcome to August. Our theme is REPAIR.

 Welcome to August. Our theme is REPAIR. ✨

Goodbye July: Hello August

July: The Month to Rest

 

June Was A Time to Reflect

AI is Making Me More Human

 What I intend to do with the hours AI is giving me back

My grandmother never owned a dishwasher. For most of her life there was no washing machine humming in the laundry, no dryer, no microwave, no second car idling in the drive. She kneaded her own bread, hung the sheets on the line, and turned the collars of my grandfather’s shirts when they wore thin so they’d last another season.

By every measure we use today, her days should have been swallowed whole by work. And yet — this is the part I keep returning to — she had time. Time to sit on the back step with a cup of tea and watch the light change. Time to write letters in a careful hand. Time to know her neighbours’ names and their troubles, to preserve the fruit and make jam, to simply be in her own home without the low hum of being behind.

She didn’t have a job I hear you say. Well, in fact, she had many. She was an entrepreneur in her own right- always growing, selling, making, bartering… all day, every day.

I have all the machines she never had. Every labour-saving promise of the last century lives in my house. And somehow I have less of what she had. Less stillness. Less margin. Less of the day that belongs only to me.

When the washing machine arrived, it did not give women back their afternoons. The standard simply rose. Sheets that were once washed monthly were now washed weekly. Clothes that were "clean enough" became not clean enough. The labour the machine saved was quietly poured back into more — higher expectations, finer outcomes, a longer list

Because AI is, quietly, giving me time back. The meal plan that used to eat my Sunday evening takes a conversation. The budget I avoided for a fortnight gets sorted before the kettle boils. The mental load — the remembering, the planning, the holding of a hundred small household things — is lifting, just a little, off my shoulders. And it is making me feel, strangely, more human. More present at my own table. Less like a woman managing a home and more like a woman living in one.

And here is the dangerous, glittering temptation that comes with it: now I can do more.

I can start the other project. Take on the extra client. Add the third offer, answer faster, produce more, optimise the corners that were never costing me anything. The reclaimed hour is barely warm before a dozen worthy things line up to claim it. Be honest — you feel it too. The pull to fill the space the moment it opens.

That is the same mistake, dressed in newer clothes. The washing machine all over again. If I take the time AI gives me and pour it straight back into more, I will end up exactly where the labour-saving devices left my generation: surrounded by tools that save effort, and somehow poorer in time than my grandmother ever was.

So this time, I am going to refuse the bargain.

I am going to use AI not to do more, but to do less — on purpose. To let it carry the invisible labour so that I can carry the things that actually make a life: the long dinner that no one rushes from, the walk without a podcast in my ears, the second chapter of a book before bedtime, the phone call to my friend that I keep meaning to make. I want to use the most advanced technology of my lifetime to do the most old-fashioned thing imaginable. To slow down. To sit on the back step. To be unhurried in my own home, the way she was.

This is the quiet inversion at the heart of everything I believe: technology should make us more present, not more productive. AI is the first tool I’ve encountered that can genuinely serve that — but only if I am ruthless about what I do with what it returns. The machine clears the path. It cannot walk the slower road for me. That part is still, gratefully, mine to choose.

I have one test I hold every new thing against, and I am holding AI against it too: does this create more life, or more complexity? Doing more almost always creates complexity — another plate spinning, another thing to manage, another reason to feel behind. Slowing down creates life. The difference between my house and my grandmother’s was never the machines. It was that she let some things stay undone, and called the rest of the day her own.

AI cannot give me that. No tool can. But for the first time in a hundred years of labour-saving promises, here is one that can clear the path — if I have the courage not to fill it.

I am going to leave it empty. And then I am going to sit down in it. I am going to carve out the time for things that truly belong in my life. Things that I choose. Things that make me more human.

Would you like my AI for life list ? Im putting together ny short guide and prompts built for people who actually want to slow down to get things done. If you want to know whe it is ready hit reply or comment AU below and I will personally add you to my list.

Slow Down. Think. Thrive.

Michelle 

June: A Month To Reflect

June is a time to slow down and reflect. Explore how the second half of the year can be more intentional with simple, meaningful practices.

June isn’t the time to start something new. It’s the time to look honestly at what you’ve already begun.

Half the year is behind us. In the Southern Hemisphere, winter pulls us indoors — and that inward turn is an invitation, not an inconvenience.

Our theme for this month is REFLECT as the long nights invite us inward. 

Reflection isn’t navel-gazing. It’s how you make the second half of the year more intentional than the first.

The early evenings are also a chance for us to SLOW DOWN.

Here’s what I’m doing this June:

✨ Asking one question every day: what is this season trying to teach me?
✨ Cooking slow — soups, broths, slow cooked meals with rich flavours from bay leaf and star anise. 
✨ Letting the evenings be quiet instead of full
✨ Reviewing the year so far before I plan the rest of it

What’s one thing you want to reflect on this month? 

You can join us in the free facebook group OLD WISDOM MODERN LIFE if you'd like to continue the discussion or comment below. 

 Ten Things My Grandmother NEVER Did 

We talk a lot about convenience, speed, and keeping up. But when I think about my grandmother, I see a very different way of living. One that was slower, more deliberate, and far less reactive. She didn’t chase ease or instant fixes. She lived with quiet standards that shaped everything she did. Looking back, it’s hard not to notice how many of those habits we’ve let slip in modern life.

Ten Things My Grandmother Never Did

1. She never ate in the car

Food had its place, and it wasn’t behind a steering wheel. Meals were something you sat down for, paid attention to, and respected.

2. She never went out in her pyjamas

Even a quick trip to town required being properly dressed. There was a sense of self-respect in how she presented herself to the world.

3. She didn’t drink coffee when she was out

Instead, she would come home and have her morning tea. Home wasn’t just a place to sleep. It was where routines mattered.

4. She never paid for plants

She grew them herself or swapped cuttings with friends. There was patience in that, and community too.

5. She never bought magazines

If she wanted something to read, she traded. Beans for magazines. A simple exchange, built on relationships rather than transactions.

6. She never bought anything she could make

If it could be made at home, that’s what she did. Not out of hardship, but because it made sense.

7. She never upgraded her car every few years

Things were used properly, maintained, and kept. Not replaced just because something newer existed.

8. She never bought takeaway food

She couldn’t see the point when she could cook it herself. Effort wasn’t something to avoid. It was part of the process.

9. She never ran to the shops for just one thing

She planned ahead. Thought about what was needed. There was less rushing, less reacting.

10. She never felt caught out if visitors turned up unannounced

Her home was always ready. There was food, order, and a sense that people were welcome at any time.

What This Really Shows

This isn’t just a list of habits. It’s a mindset.

She lived with intention. She valued preparation over panic, making over buying, and connection over convenience. There was less waste, less rushing, and far fewer unnecessary decisions.

It’s easy to look at this and think it belongs to another time. But the truth is, most of these choices are still available to us. We’ve just stopped choosing them.

A Quiet Question Worth Asking

What would change if we brought even two or three of these habits back into our own lives?

Not perfectly. Not all at once. Just intentionally.

Calling you to action

If this resonates, take a moment to reflect on your own routines and share with your friends and family. Where have things become reactive or overly convenient? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or via social media 

You might not want to live exactly as she did. But there’s something in this way of living that still holds value.

Herbs and Spice and All Things Nice

 

Fresh herbs 

The herb garden is one of the most underrated additions to any home garden, balcony or window sill. 

Have you ever purchased the herbs from a supermarket ? I have. Many times. 

In Australia they are carefully wrapped in plastic like a bunch of flowers. They look great in the supermarket and you take the bunch home and use the required amount, only to nurse the remainder of the bunch for as many days as you can in order to get 'full value'. Well.... that's my experience.... and it has never worked out well. I always end up throwing a mushy bunch to the chickens after a few days. 

I even by the organic bunches, but I am never using them all and often wasting most of it. Even fressing them in olive oil after whizzing them in the blender is still.... well, we will say 'not great'. 

Over the years, I have had various iterations of herb gardens, big pots and smaller pots on the window sill. 

The trick for me ss usually putting the plants in a location that I don't forget to water. In permaculture terms we would say zone 0 or zone 1 meaning close by the house and easily accessible. 

These gardens have been the most successful because they are fully overgrown with no space for weeds. 

This style suits me as I am working hard all week and don't give a single thought to the garden... but when that need hits and I get all domestic again.... it's wonderful to walk out and get just the right amount of fresh herbs..... no trip to the supermarket, no throwing most of the soggy left overs away, no cash spent and most importantly... no plastic wrap! 

Ther herbs I seem to use the most are rosemary, oregano, thyme, parsley and garlic chives. Maybe I just use them the most because they are there! 

What I am really missing at the moment is basil and coriander. In years gone by I have had a lot of basil, but something has taken to eating all the leave and I don't have anything but stems left. Coriander is a herb that I really need to get started again because we use a lot of it in the summer in salsa and in the winter we use it in soups and curries. 

Where are you up to with your herbs ? Are you yet to get started ? Do you have the little pots on the window sill in the sun or are you off an running with a healthy supply. I'd love to know!. 

The Messy Kitchen

 My kitchen is rarely clean and lovely like you often see on social media. 

It is often clean and pretty, only to be messed up again by the next cooking session. 

Today, when I was making a chocolate loaf cake, I looked the mess and thought how wonderfully functional it was. 

This kitchen is literally the heart of the home. It is where the cooking and the talking all happens. 

This long weekend, we cooked quite a few meals. I cooked some, our visitors cooked some, Hubbie cooked some and at other times it was all in. 

The containers in this photo are from my baking centre. I realised as I got them out to cook with today that I have had these containers for so many years. The post that I have linked here is from 2007 - that is 17 years ago. 

They may not be the latest trend, they are not the glass pretty ones I see on instagram, but they are functional and hard wearing. Because they are made of plastic, I want to use them for as along as I can. You see, if we followed 'green living' advice it would tell us to buy all new eco friendly containers with no thought of where all the old plastic containers end up. We all know they go to land-fill so we buy new ' eco friendly' ones. Don't be fooled!. 

So... I stand in my messy kitchen with my old storage containers and I am joyful! 

What do you have that you hold onto in your kitchen ? You can leave a comment below. 

April Theme: Re-organise and Transition

In the Southern Hemisphere, April is in Autumn. 

The days here are still warmish, but there is a sneaking whisper in the wind. That whisper is saying 'winter's on its way'. 

This time of year always makes me think about the transition into winter. I start to prepare things for the cooler months. 

We often reserve spring time for cleaning, but there is a also a cleaning energy that arrives in April. It's more of a 'reorganise and transition' type of energy. 

I find myself packing things away from the summer, decluttering, washing bedding and preparing blankets knowing that I can still wash them and dry them in the warm sun well before winter arrives. 

I often think about herbs, oils, foods, flowers and other things around me with a seasonal view. 

It's a time for harvesting lots of rosemary, adding cinnamon to my coffee on cooler morings, using lavender oil on my pillow for a better sleep, baking apple pies and watching my trees turn from green to shades of yellow and then orange. 

My April summary would be:  

Word or Theme: Re-organise and Transition

Herb: Rosemary

Spice: Cinnamon

Oil: lavender

Fruit: apple

Colour: golden yellow

Seasonal Tasks: preparing bedding

Song: 59th Street Bridge Song (Simon & Garfunkel) 'Slow down'.

Garden tasks: harvest the last of the summer crops, prune back any overgrown plants, burn off the garden and tree lopping for charcoal and ash, prepare the soil and plant the winter crops like peas, broad beans, onion and garlic.

Does April bring a particular feeling for you each year ? What is happening where you live ?

Next year I will look back and see whether the April theme comes again on the wind.

Harnessing Old Wisdom for a Fulfilling Modern Life

If you have been around here for a while, you know that I love to look to the old ways to find wisdom to apply to a modern world.

 

I have no desire to go back to days that were often peppered with intolerances, hatred and inequality, yet, when I cherry pick through the old ways and old sayings I seem to find so much value.

In our fast-paced, crazy, technology-driven world, it's easy to overlook the timeless wisdom that has been passed down through the ages. Whether it be from our grandparents, or from ancient philosophies and practicesm this sort of wisdom offer insights that can greatly enhance our modern lives, providing a sense of guidance, mindfulness, and balance that's often missing in our digital age.

Mindfulness and Presence:

Incorporating ancient mindfulness practices can be a game-changer in today's hectic lifestyle. Drawing from Eastern traditions, techniques like meditation and deep breathing help us find solace amid chaos. By focusing on the present moment, we alleviate stress, boost mental clarity, and enhance overall well-being.

I love to read about the science behind these concepts. Of course, in days gone by, people didn't need to know that an MRI machine can validate their findings on the benefits of mindfulness or meditation - they just did it!

Stoicism and Resilience:

Stoic philosophy, practiced by figures like Marcus Aurelius, teaches us the art of embracing challenges with grace. Applying Stoic principles—like distinguishing between what's within our control and what's not—fosters emotional resilience. Gratitude and a pragmatic mindset empower us to navigate uncertainties with strength and composure.
The works of Ryan Holliday are such a great source of inspiration in this space.

Simplicity and Minimalism:

In a world driven by consumerism, ancient teachings on simplicity and minimalism resonate more than ever. Embracing a less cluttered lifestyle—both physically and mentally—frees us from distractions. By adopting a minimalist approach, we gain focus, contentment, and room for what truly matters.

It amazes me that one of the growth businesses in recent years is the leasing of storage sheds to hold all our 'stuff'. Gone are the days where your belongs fit into a suitcase.
I really like the work of The Minimalists in this space. I have learned quite a lot from their exploration of what really matters in life.

Community and Connection:

Across cultures, ancient societies thrived on strong communal bonds. Applying these values in our modern lives fosters a sense of belonging and shared experience. Concepts like Ubuntu, rooted in African philosophy, remind us of our interconnectedness. Strengthening our support networks enriches our lives and enhances our well-being.

Balancing Technology and Nature:

Ancient civilisations intuitively balanced technology with nature. Today, we can learn from their example. Carving out time for nature, practicing digital detox, and cultivating a deeper connection with our environment can mitigate the adverse effects of our tech-centric lives, rejuvenating our minds and spirits.

I always surprised to hear myself saying 'I don't have time' or hear someone say 'I'm too busy'. I think it would be an interesting exercise to see how much time we use across different aspects of life to see where we can collect the moments that we need to do some of the things that really matter to us.

Incorporating ancient wisdom into our modern lives offers us a map to navigate the complexities of the present while embracing the timeless truths that have endured through the ages. By practicing mindfulness, resilience, simplicity, community, and connection to nature, we enrich our lives with a sense of purpose, balance, and fulfillment that transcends the challenges of our time.

As you've read about these timeless practices, which one resonates with you the most? I'd love if you could share your thoughts so that we could collectively work out how to incorporate these elements into our modern lives.

 

Making Tea

 

When we think about making tea, we immediately think of the brand, the bag, the pot. 

We are so conditioned to associate an item with a brand first and foremost. 

I can still recall jingles about tea bags from my childhood..... and that is frightening. Where is this data stored in my brain for all these decades ? 

Did you know that gresh spices make a lovely tea ? They are the same spices that I often use in cooking and you can buy them in bulk. 

For a refreshing tea, the basis would be coriander, fennel and cumin seeds, however, I like to 'spice mine up a little. 

I like to add some cardamom pods (broken open) and some cinnamon stick. I also add some mulberries from the freezer from last year's surplus. I like to call the tea ' Mulberry Spice'. 

You can make enough for a week or so by putting those ingrediatents into a dry jar. Don't woryy about quanities.... just find your own taste and change it up as you like. 

I have a little jar that I fill when I am travelling. 

I have a little tea strainer ball that cost me $1.00! I also use an old inside of a tea pot... or if you like, why not make the pot! 

The point is, it's straight from the jar.... sooooooo cost effective, no packaging (after the bulk purchase) and you can change it to suit the season and your taste. 

It is the perfect ritual to start the day with.... to sip slowly.... to be at peace..... THEN, you can dive into the coffee and the crazxy world. 

Looking To The Old Ways in Uncertainty

 

There is so much that I love about the 'old days' and the 'old ways'. 

I like the  'can do' spirit of the people, particularly those that lived through the Great Depression and World War II. 

I love their ability to 'make do and mend' and work with what they had. 

Of course, this is just a romantic view of the past. A way in which I am cherry picking the good from the bad. I fully recognise the trauma, the oppression, the ineqaulity, the poverty and all the other things that were prevalent in these time. 

In this place I focus on the pearls of wisdom that I can take from days gone by. I look to the previous generations for their knowledge of running a housegold, keeping the family budget on track, bartering, growing a garden, sharing with their community and finding joy in the little things. 

I have always loved these 'old ways', but as I write these words in 2022 it seems that I am seeking this wisdom now more than ever. It times of uncertainty, looking back to see how our older generations dealt with adversity is a great source of reliable, tried and tested information. 

Here are some of the posts I had written years ago about my love of the old ways.  

The Outback House 

My Grandmother's Money Tin 

Cash as a last resort 

The spirit of my ancestors 

101 Years of simple living 

The Jam Stick

Reviving the Wisdom: Cash as a Last Resort

 

I have  very fond memory of my Grandmother wrapping home gown beans in damp newspaper so she could share them with people. It makes me think that we need to tap into our childhood and community memory because there is so  much wisdom there.  

I think back to the way my grandmother and my godmother ran their homes as friends that lived close by to each other. 

Both of them grew their own produce and baked from scratch. My godmother  had chooks and used to barter the eggs around town. She traded cooking, mending and eggs for people to do jobs at her house. She got egg cartons from another neighbor, swapped another neighbor for the newspaper and even the home brew was bartered. She never owned a car and different people often took her into town when she needed to. 

My Grandmother always had the latest newspapers and magazines on hand, but she never paid for. She always traded pumpkins, zucchinis or anything else that was in season for them. 

 Of course, no-one ever used the term 'bartering' it was just the way things were done.

They were quite enterprising really. A dollar saved here and there would have really added up.

For these ladies cash was really used as a last resort. If you couldn't swap or do a deal for something that you really needed then you would have to use your cash.

In contrast, today we don't share our things around. We are almost like 'hoarders'.  Just look in our houses at all the clutter! We would be better off having something flow into our homes, use it for a period and then have it flow out again for others to benefit from as well.

Rather than using our cash as a last resort, we tend to jump straight to it. If we want something, we buy it. No questions asked. We think of something, we conclude we 'need it' and we jump in the car and go and buy it or order it online straight away. Even if we haven't got the money, we just stick it on the plastic and will worry about it later!

I am therefore going to look at the principle of using my cash as a last resort. I will stop and think of creative ways that I can obtain things without using my cash. My beans will be ready soon I can wrap them in newspaper and trade them for eggs and macadamia nuts.

In order to start the bartering circle happening I will have to think of things that I can GIVE to people, for it is truly IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE.

 I am sure that once I start the ball rolling other people will come on board with the concept. I am sure if I asked a friend if they would teach we basic quilting skills they would love to be paid with home made cakes.

This thinking doesn't come naturally to my generation. I will probably subconsciously cruise past many an opportunity to swap instead of spend. I will turn my mind to this more over the coming weeks and keep you updated.

Does anyone have any ideas for reviving the 'swap instead of spend' tradition ? Perhaps you are already doing a lot of it. Please share your ideas so that we all can benefit.

Living with Uncertainty

 

This is my Grandmother - aged in her late 90s. 

She was born in 1907 and lived a life that was two weeks short of 102 years -living on her own until almost 100 years. 

She saw much uncertainty; The Spanish Flu pandemic, two world wars, a great depression, the early death of her husband..... the list goes on. 

In this photo she is briging in her tomato seedlings for the evening to proect them from the cold. She raised the seeds from last year's crop. 

After living a life of uncertainty, she had learnt to always be prepared. That meant that she always had produce in the garden, preserves in the cupboard and frozen veg and meals in the freezer. 

In these times of uncertainty I am reminded to look after the basics. Keep my house warm, preserve the produce and be prepared for rough economic times - just in case. It worries me to think that these skills of growing, baking, preserving and budgeting are slowly being eroded away by clever marketing. That is why I will also advocate for the simple life and retention of the old fashioned skills. 

Of course, I also know the secret that there is much joy to be had in the simple things in life ! 

Cumquat Marmalade: Winter Sunshine in a Jar

 

This year's cumquots have made the most delightful marmalade. It's like winter sunshine in a jar! 

YOU WILL NEED: 

About 500g of cumquots 

a cup of sugar

The juice of half a lemon 

METHOD: 

Slice the ends of the cumquots and cut them in half. 

Chop the fruit and pulp coarsley 

Mix in the sugar and lemon jouce

Cook on the stovetop sitrring constantly until the mixture thickens 

Bottle in clean jars whilst hot and seal. 

This is one of those experimental recipes. You can try different citrus or blend flavours together. 

All I know, is that when you have a smear on sourdough it is a burst of sunshine in your mouth ! 

Rustic Lavash Cracker Recipe

Ingredients 

315g of flour ( your choice of plain, rice, wholemeal etc) 

1/2 tsp of sea salt 

1 tbsp poppy seeds 

1 tbsp sesame seeds 

1 small egg ***

1/3 cup milk ***

30g butter *** 

***i swap these ingredients for good quality olive oil. I don't measure it, I just keep adding until the consistency is not too sticky and easy to roll. 

I use the pasta maker to roll the mixture into sheets, but you can also use a rolling pin. Then I transfer the sheets to baking trays and slice across them with a pizza cutter. I don't bother moving them apart, as they separate once they're baked. 

Then bake at 180 degrees for about 8-10 mins or until they are golden brown. When you get the crackers of the tray, they fall part where they were cut. 

This recipe makes a huge container of crackers and is worth the time investment for the beautiful result. It also means that you have crackers on hand in the cupboard whenever they are need and they extremely cheap when compared to buying rusti crackers from the store. 

As an added bonus there is zero waste because you are not bringing home any packaging. 

You could change this recipe to any flavour by adding spices or other seeds or change it to a gluten and dairy free option. The best way to find out what works is to experiment. 

Do you have a similar recipe to share ? 

Passive Solar Technology

Making the most of a warm winter day. 

Earthy Quiche

I love this quiche and I bake it regularly. It has become a really good breakfast food for hungry teenagers - it keeps them going all day!

I start by browning some onion and garlic, perhaps some bacon or sweet potato cubes. You can add anything you like that needs pre-cooking.

I whisk 4 eggs, some corn kernels, chopped spinach, half a cup of self-raising flour, half a cup of milk,  some grated cheese... you get the idea, basically anything you have on hand.

I add  lots or rosemary at this point. It is my secret ingredient to give the quiche a really earthy deep flavour.

Stir everything together and pour it into a glass pie plate. I have used a sheet of frozen pastry under this one to hold everything together, although you may find it is okay without the pastry.

Bake for 50 minutes at 180 degrees. Slice into 8 pieces when cooked.

Do you have a quiche recipe ? Do you add in anything you have on hand ? If you try this one or have an interesting recipe, please share in the comments below or on Facebook. If you know someone who will love this recipe, use the buttons below to share the love around! 

Old Wisdom and the Spring Equinox in Australia

I just love spring! It has such a special feel to it.

The Spring Equinox happens in Australia between September 21 and 23. This year it happens today at 6.23pm.

Mathematically, we are at a quarter point for the seasonal year. Day and night are completely equal in time and from tomorrow day will be longer than night.

This balance in the earth’s days reminds me that we should stop and calibrate things in our own lives. We should seek balance. This often means that we need to do a clean sweep, re-evaluate and change things a little.

In days of old, the Spring Equinox held great hope to people because it symbolised the end of the cooler weather, the emergence of seedlings and the anticipation of new crops. The houses were opened and the soot of winter fires cleared out.

We still hold onto this time of ‘Spring Cleaning’. It’s time to pack away blankets, tidy our cupboards, donate clothing that doesn’t fit and generally de-clutter.

We take this time to sow our summer seeds, work out what seedlings we will need and think about harvesting what is abundant now.

Lavender is in abundance at the moment, which tells me it is time to make new skin care products and soap. After harvesting this crop of lavender and picking some rosemary and spinach for dinner, the house smelt sensational ! 

On the 28th of September I celebrate my birthday, another reason to stop and think about the season and the year to come.

The many new colours of the flowers, the sounds of the birds and the smell of a potential summer breeze on the wind makes me stop, think and bring everything back into balance, ready for a fresh new season.

Do you have a spring ritual, a cleaning ritual or any other special things you do to bring in the new season ?