Project Life

I have been a follower of Becky Higgins' blog for some time, and have watched/read as many of the other scrappy bloggers I follow have embarked on the Project Life adventure. Last year I decided that I was really going to do it and pre-ordered my Clemintine kit. It arrived in late December and I spent a few hours on the phone to Moira while I sorted it out, and set it up. I've had a few teething problems, like figuring out which is the best collage app to use, and how to get white borders on my photos using snapfish. I've just received my last batch of photos but I'll have to reprint as some didn't get a thick enough white border. So, here are weeks 1-6 as they stand so far. I'm missing a few photos and one journalling card...but that is pretty darned good!!!

Week 1 - 2012

 Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

I'm yet to figure out how to present these newspaper clippings.

I'll reprint these so they aren't sideways..but for now this will do!

Emily xoxo



Baking 4 Roma

What a totally amazing week I've had! While horrific flooding has inundated the town I live in for the third year running I have had the pleasure of witnessing a small country town commuity pulling together to help those worst effected by the flood.

My idea of coordinating a Baked Relief effort here in Roma called Baking 4 Roma on Facebook,  took off in a HUGE way and it has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. Through the Baking 4 Roma Facebook page my friend Janet and I coordinated a week long effort of baking, sorting and delivering home baked goods.

Volunteers hard at it at the RSL hall on Monday!

 Me in the background telling them all what to do!!

Volunteers packaging baked goodies ready for delivery!

We had men and women making sandwiches, volunteers dropping of individually wrapped baked goods and even more volunteers driving the hot, smelly, muddy streets offering people cleaning their homes and their helpers cold water, a sandwich and some baked goodies. The response from the community has been wonderful. Janet delivered to one gentleman on Wednesday and as she offered him a muffin, he burst into tears. I think the amazing part is that it has simply shown people who were flooded that those of us who were lucky enough to not get water in our homes were doing what we could to help.

At the Lions Den on Wednesday after some serious challenges on Tuesday.

Sponsorship by the Roma Lions club meant we could continue providing

sandwiches as well as water and baked goodies.

On both Thursday and Friday we had enough home baking to send these

9 boxes, bags and eskys to the Mitchell residents!

 

Welcome to Roma, at this point the bridge into town was submerged.

Down the road from my house during the flood and after, this car was

left on the corner of Miscamble and Northern roads - the usual place to

park your car if you are trying to sell it privately. The owner moved it to

higher ground but was not allowed back to move it again as the water

rose even higher.

The heartbreaking job of throwing out ones possessions.

This was the largest pile we saw. Brought tears to my eyes.

Delivering a boot full of food the the Mitchell Retirement Village.

I have had several phone calls from journalists and have decided to tell the Baking 4 Roma story, not for money or recognition of us in particular, but to raise awareness of what a community is capable of when they pull together in times of need. I am so proud to have been part of it all.

Emily xoxo

Launching Roma Baked Relief

Roma has is currently experiencing it's worst flood on record. This is the third major flood to hit the town in 3 years and the devastation is heart wrenching. Following the lead of this inspirational woman Digella, I am mobilising a group of kind hearted, kitchen savy locals to bake, make and deliver food to people while they clean the flood waters out of their homes.

Through all the communications I've read on Facebook, one of the things many locals are struggling with is knowing what to do to help. So here are my recommendations!!

1. Sort through your clothes and make a pile to donate. Do the same for your linen.

2. Buy a loaf of bread and make a huge batch of sandwiches to be handed out tomorrow and in coming days. I suggest simple sandwiches of vegimite, jam etc that do not need to be refridgerated.

3. Package sandwiches individually and write what is in it on the label.

4. Bake Bake Bake!!! Scones, pikelets, muffins, sausage rolls, mini quiches, brownies, biscuits - simple recipes that can be eaten by hand. Check out these recipes for ideas.

5. Package your baking into individual serves in cling wrap or zip lock bags and label with ingredients and what it is.

6. Contact me about getting the food you have made or the donations you have to give and where to take it. You can contact me via Facebook or on the Roma Flood 2012 page.

7. Ring the volunteer line and offer to help someone in need clean up their home on 1300 007 662.

I'll be back with more news tomorrow!

Keep baking!!!

Emily xoxo