Quilt 1
Posted on by Debbie

Live local, Shop local #lifethisweek

The last thing I bought was …..

I like shopping of any sort.

There I’ve admitted it!

I’m also an advocate for shopping locally wherever possible.  As we live in a small rural ,and relatively isolated town, it can be hard at times but you’d be surprised at what you can find here.

We have a few great gift shops, an art gallery, a cafe/bookshop, a Museum and Visitor Information Centre, a hardware shop, a chemist, a newsagent, an antique shop, a bakery, a butcher, two supermarkets, at least two clothing shops, hairdressers and a garden centre. Plus a library, police station, petrol stations, real estates, accountants, a laundromat, council administration, a child care centre, doctors, a hospital and many various other providers.

In a small town, a simple trip into town is never quick.  A recent visit involved several stops and lots of long conversations before any business was even transacted.  Everyone knows you and of course having just returned from an extended overseas trip, borne the loss of both your father and your father-in-law and become a grandmother, all within a few short months, there’s a lot to catch up on.

I wandered the street nodding hello to acquaintances and stopping for chats every few minutes.  It was lovely!  I stopped and bought two delightful books at the Twisted Willow Homestore gift shop after receiving hugs and kisses from the owner – Where the Wild Dads Went and In My Heart which I used as the basis for my recent post have you ever fallen in love?

In My Heart
In My Heart

I visited the garden centre and bought some punnets of pansies and petunias for our hanging baskets and to plant in my sun-room, plus some potting mix. I then spent time in my sun-room rearranging the furniture, planting my seedlings and enjoying the warmth out of the still-cool breeze.

It’s the best place to sit and read during most seasons, apart from summer, when it just becomes a sweat box.  One year I put a blow up pool in there and made it into a pool room!  I must admit it was an inspired idea, borrowed from our Danish friends, to build the free standing polycarbonate kit greenhouse.

My sun room in the garden
My sun room in the garden

I shopped in one of the local supermarkets, stocking up on things and was surprised to see that their range is ever expanding, including items you normally can only buy in bigger places.  I started working in that supermarket when I first moved to town and it also employed my daughters when they were teenagers at school looking to make some extra pocket money. We must continue to support local businesses, or one day they won’t be there!

I visited the post office and bought a stamp and collected the mail which included something from one of my online orders.  I must say I love Birdsnest Online for not only their clothing but their amazing and prompt customer service.

Earlier in the week I’d treated myself to a wonderful hour long facial at the local beauty rooms inside the chemist.  Of course we had to catch up on all the news as well before the facial even got under way. The Mathematician had taught this lovely young mother at the local high school many years ago.  We’re fortunate to have two beauty rooms in town and another great place for healthy foods and massages too.

Yesterday I attended a short concert from a visiting Brass Band contingent and could have spent a small fortune at the Artists on Parade Gallery, where it was held, buying the most beautiful handmade quilts  – alas the ones I liked were already sold! These amazing quilts were made by a local woman, Sue Mann, who just loves hand sewing and creating colourful quilts. There were many more, this was just a small selection!  How amazing are they?

  • Quilt 1
  • Quilt 2
  • Quilt 3

Unfortunately there was a clash in scheduling, I also could have been at the Reggae band’s performance at my favourite cafe, Nest:Cafe/Cinema, just around the corner.

For a small town of about 2000 people we are very fortunate to have all this going on!  It’s a wonderful supportive community.

I must go now as I’m due to meet my Discussion Group ladies at the coffee shop as we prepare to start our next course! The topic this time is Possums, Power, People & Passion – Australia and the Protection of its Environment.  Doesn’t that sound interesting? We will meet once a week over 6 weeks to discuss the readings and do a report on each of the six units.  Last time I used our Food as Literature course as the basis for a very popular series of posts, maybe I’ll do the same this time!

I’ll leave you with two photos of my glorious pink camellia which I get to look at all day as I sit on the deck in the lovely spring sunshine. I shared it on Instagram this morning with the caption ‘The gorgeous pink flowers are a reminder to be bright and beautiful in a world that isn’t always so’.  That’s my piece of Monday Inspiration for you 🙂

  • Camellia - bright and beautiful
  • Camellia in the garden

Some things in life just can’t be bought. Living in a small town can have its disadvantages but it can also be a great delight if you just let it be.  To me, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages!  What do you think?

Feel free to leave a comment below or share my post. I always love hearing from you and try to answer all your comments 🙂

Deb xx

Linking up to Denyse for #Lifethisweek 39/52 with the prompt The last thing I bought…

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Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here

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59 Replies to “Live local, Shop local #lifethisweek”

  1. Pingback: ~ Esme Salon

  4. I never have enough time to shop so I just lived vicariously through you just now. What a nice time. And I’m soooo jealous of your sun room! I had to read that twice to ensure it was your sun room b/c it looks like something right out of a magazine!

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    1. hanks, I’m more than happy to have you along for the ride. My sun room is fabulous, especially at this time of the year and the best thing about it is, my husband put it together! It came as a kit and luckily he loves puzzles because that’s just what it was! I do grow things in it and use it as an outside room and for entertaining. Highly recommend it 🙂

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    1. That’s great Molly, I hope you enjoy it! I’d love to hear what you think of it.
      Yes, I agree the quilts are magnificent, especially considering they’re hand sewn. The lady who makes them is so humble about her talent, which make them even more special.

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  9. Thank you so much for this story about your town. If I did not need such regular Sydney-based appointments we could be very happy in a town such as yours.

    Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is Share Your Snaps! Denyse

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    1. I wouldn’t change it either Rebecca! Our daughters couldn’t wait to leave town but they love to come home these days and relax in the quiet and catch up with friends. The sun room is brilliant!

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  12. Deb there is so much to love about this post. I I agree that we need to support our small communities. Your community sounds wonderful. I’m very envious of your involvement with a discussion group, looking forward to hearing about the Ps. #MLSTL Will share on SM

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  13. I want to live where you live, Deb! There is something about living in a smaller town that really builds community. It takes me back to growing up and although we lived in Sydney, we had a small local group of shops. We knew all the shopkeepers and always had time for a chat. I have to say I’m guilty of only knowing two people that live in my street in Brisbane and you just can’t get that special community feeling that you get where you live. I loved all your purchases and those quilts are amazing. Thank you for sharing and linking up to support #MLSTL and have a beautiful week. xx

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    1. Thanks Sue, it’s a lovely place to live. I’m lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community, but it’s sometimes hard with everyone knowing things. Our daughters hated it when they were teenagers but love it now. The quilts were fantastic!

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  15. I’m not sure I could do a small town haha. I’m not chatty and don’t really like the everyone knowing everyone thing. I like space and somewhat anonymity. Which is probably ironic as a blogger 😉

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  16. Oh, I’m in love with your sunroom, too! And the colors of those quilts are delightful. I don’t live in a small ton but often feel that way having lived here so long, can’t go anywhere without running into someone I know. Yours does sound a bit more tranquil, though. 😊

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    1. I LOVE it too especially in spring where I can look out on all the flowers and blossoming trees. But having said that, a wet rainy day is also good with lots of atmosphere and coziness. It’s been a great addition to our garden and we’re lucky to have so much space to have it! Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment 🙂

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  19. That sounds wonderful! I also like to shop locally but it’s a lot harder in a big city (or, maybe I should say that there are way more non-local options close-by). I love that you know so many people In your town… that sort of reminds me of walking from one end of our block to the other: that short walk can take an hour because of all the chats along the way.

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    1. It is pretty wonderful I must say Janis! Yes its exactly as you say, like walking the block and chatting all the way! We moved here 27 years ago and really love the lifestyle and activities available to us. Thanks for our visit 🙂

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  20. I LOVE living in a small town, Debbie. Being able to walk everywhere, and recognize/chat with so many people along the way, is a true gift. Our town has six coffee shops (not including restaurants where you can also get coffee). We definitely like our coffee out here!

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    1. I’m so happy to hear you have similar experiences Donna – wow 6 coffee shops is a lot!! We have about 3 or 4 and all are busy most days with locals and tourists alike. It is a supportive town but we’ve definitely had our ups and downs along the way. We’re still not considered proper locals because we’ve only been here for 27 years! 🙂

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  21. What a lovely post Deb on the joys of shopping and living local. I live in a small village style suburb so I know full well the joys of living and supporting local traders. Beautiful camellias too! xx 🌸

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  24. I live in a small town too and a ‘quick’ trip to the shops means 20 minutes by the time you chat to people you know in the supermarket, chemist, newsagency and post office, but it gives you are warm fuzzy feeling if you’re not in a hurry. I love the colourful quilts too, what a talent and I am a birdsnest fan too, there little kind messages in parcels are a nice touch. 😊

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  25. I adore your glasshouse – and yes, that little town has so much to offer. I bought a copy of an old calendar that had my dad’s 4th year photo in it from the museum and some cast iron pans from the op shop when I was last there. My uncle Col saw them & thought I’d be interested lol.

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  26. It doesn’t seem like a small town to me with all that on offer Deb – it sounds like it’s just the right size! I also love your sunroom and how you have it set up – I imagine it would be a lovely spot when the sun’s out but the wind is cold. I enjoyed my walk through town with your and we’ll have to do it IRL one day!

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    1. It’s a great place to let be Leanne!! My sunroom is soooo good but I can waste a lot of time in there. I even have power so I can use my laptop, it’s like a little studio. You are welcome to visit anytime 😊

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