As we exit lockdown here in Sydney, I wanted to drop you a short note to let you know where we’re at. A couple of readers have been kind enough to make contact to check on us, and I didn’t want to leave you hanging!
In short though, we’re doing very well! Retirement has proven to be an absolute joy and I’ve been spending less and less time online as it evolves. During lockdown, we’ve focused on our family, friends and neighbours, renewing old bonds and building new ones, trying to take care of those around us. It’s been an incredibly rewarding time, despite having been stuck at home for nearly four months.
My focus has changed a great deal since starting this blog in 2009. Back then, Fig Jam and Lime Cordial was all about bread and baking, interspersed with the occasional story of our family life. I made a concerted effort to keep things light – aiming to provide a space where folks could come to enjoy an easy, gentle read. These days, my focus is on sustainability (as you’ve probably noticed over the past couple of years), waste reduction, and, as time passes, increasingly on issues of social justice. None of which make for light reading. In addition, WordPress have changed their posting interface, and I’m finding it cumbersome to navigate.
So that’s where I’m at right now. As my friend Lisa is fond of saying, we’re living our best lives! I didn’t want you to interpret the radio silence as a bad thing – I simply haven’t had much to blog about or the energy to put the words together. Thank you for your concern though! I’m hopeful that I’ll still put up the occasional post, but I’ve never been one to force content when it hasn’t wanted to come out naturally. In the meantime, I hope you’re all traveling well during this strange and bizarre period in history. Our best wishes to you all! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
<3
It’s lovely to get an update from you and I’m glad to know you and your family are doing well despite the stresses of lockdown. Your blog is one of my favourites so I do hope to read more from you when you’re in the mood!
Missing you on the other end of the phone and on email! :(
Funny you should talk about this. I went onto my blog the other day thinking I’d start doing a few more posts again and couldn’t due to the changes. Spent ages trying to work out a new theme and left very enamoured. Might get back to it, might not. Glad you are coming out of it, still many down here stuck and to be honest I have no idea how they have survived it. XX
Good to hear all is well with you and your family. I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs, though found it not straight forward to leave a comment! (I’m in the UK)
Wishing you well in whatever you do in the future.
You can still use the ‘Classic’ editor if you prefer it, the block editor is not (yet) compulsory. I’m glad you’re enjoying retirement, and I’m happy to hear the radio silence isn’t for sinister reasons!
Best wishes to you and your family ,Celia. Good to hear from you.
Was thinking only the other day that you hadn’t put anything up here for ages. I miss your posts
Dear Celia, so happy to receive this as i have been very aware of your absence! It’ s wonderful news that you are loving retirement and that your energise are now devoted to your family, friends and your neighbours. Lockdowns have provided us with the opportunity to value this :-))
I have really enjoyed your blog postings over the years- keep well and I look forward to those times when you feel inspired to write something new
Nice to see you back, even briefly. And good to know that you’re all doing fine. See you somewhere in the ether! xxx
Ditto to all of the above! I’ve missed and wondered about you, and I look forward to whatever you post. It doesn’t need to be an easy read for me–I think we’ve all got some not-so-easy choices to make about how we want our world to be.
Thank you for the update I’ve been worried about you and your family. So glad to hear your enjoying life as much as possible. I’ve been baking weekly with the starter you so generously shared with me.
Celia,
it’s lovely to read your message. I’m in the U.K. but my sister lives in North Rocks. N.S.W. so I have been following your lockdown. I think Australian citizens should be proud of their low Covid numbers. I haven’t used this site for sometime since it’s changed everything. All the very best to you and your family. Next time I’m in Sydney I’d love to meet you for a coffee. Kindest regards, Charlie (Charlotte) Cook
It’s so nice to see a post from you once again, Celia! I was wondering what was happening and if you are all ok. I kept checking back to see if I had missed a new post somewhere.
I am very relieved that you’re all doing well as I was starting to worry. Take care and hopefully you can enjoy a lovely Spring/summer.
What a treat to hear from you! There is nothing like a good old fashioned blog post. And I love your sustainability posts. They are inspiring. More please!
I baked a big old loaf of sourdough last Sunday and thought of you. Hugs and love, Maz. ❤
Celia, I had been wondering how you were doing….4 months lock down! OUCH
but you all weathered it well and are in good spirits. YES, retirement is indeed underrated ! Love from here………
I am happy to hear you are well and have weathered both retirement and Covid with aplomb. I’ve missed your posts but completely understand the reluctance to sit in front of the computer. It’s often better to live life than write about it. I hope Australia can stay open and vaccinate all their citizens. Wish we had done a better job of it, I am sometimes embarrassed by the U.S. these days.
I’m glad to read this catch up post and have been nodding my head with all that you’ve said. It’s always interesting to read your thoughts, even if the topics are not easy reading.
Glad to hear you are all doing well having survived your 4 month lock down.
I am very pleased to hear from you again and to learn that you are safe and well. I live in New Zealand and it looks as if we are going to go through a difficult patch with Delta and the race we are in to get vaccinated. I would really value learning more about how you built relationships more strongly with family, friends and neighbours through your long lockdown and the virus causing much suffering for many people. It seems valuable knowledge to share if you have the time and energy. Kia kaha.
Thank you for asking! We were fortunate to have great neighbours who we already knew prior to lockdown. During this time, we had a group text for our street – I think the big thing was making sure no one felt isolated or alone. I baked weekly and dropped treats to front porches; my neighbours in turn left all sorts of goodies on my back deck. We talked loudly from a distance through screen doors with masks on. I think the sense of community helped to protect our mental health! Family was trickier as we were limited to our own local government areas, but thankfully we live in the era of facetime and video calls. I think we really have come out of lockdown more tightly knitted. I’m not sure what your community is like, but if you’re keen to build stronger relationships, then I’d suggest being proactive. Leave a note in letterboxes letting folks know that they can call on you if they need help (if you feel it’s safe to do so). Reach out and make sure folks who live on their own don’t get too isolated. Bake and share! All the best, stay safe and strong. x
Thank you for your very full reply to my enquiry. I’ve been under the weather with complications post tooth extraction but my brain is coming back again thank goodness. Our vaccination rates in NZ are climbing so we may avoid more lockdowns but we still need your advice and ideas as this pandemic is not over yet. Stay safe and thank again. xx
Wonderful suggestions Celia. I live in the Mews in Hereford, England. My sister lives in Sydney, and typically English, folk are so reserved. It can be a real effort to strike up a neighbourly bond. But I keep trying.
Charlie Cook
Good for you, Charlie! One of our best friends is from Cornwall. When he first started visiting, he wouldn’t ask for a cup of tea, because “it’s polite to wait until it’s offered”. Now he gets up and puts the kettle on! :)
Good to hear from you, have missed your posts and recipes ..take care 🤩
Dear Celia, not sure if this will reach you, but lovely to hear something from you. I refer to your posts many times, for tips on reusing jeans, knitting wash clothes, composting, baking hot cross buns,… thank you for your generosity. your body of work is a wonderful resource. all the best, Genevieve
On Thu, 14 Oct 2021, 6:11 pm Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, wrote:
> Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial posted: ” As we exit lockdown here in > Sydney, I wanted to drop you a short note to let you know where we’re at. A > couple of readers have been kind enough to make contact to check on us, and > I didn’t want to leave you hanging! In short though, we’re doing very” >
Thanks for the update, I was wondering where you were. Take care Celia and enjoy your new freedoms. It has certainly been a time for reflection.
So lovely to have an update, take care and enjoy retirement. I have missed your updates and hope you stay well
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and it’s good to know that you’re doing well. Thank you for sharing your insights and ideas with us! I hope life “offline” continues to be full of rewarding adventures for you.
Thank you so very much Celia,for your insight and amazing kindness.
Sending continued wishes & well being! xx
It’s lovely to hear that you and yours are thriving during these uncertain times Celia. Your blog has been and continues to be an amazing resource for me since before I was lucky enough to win a golden ticket. Much love and thank you.
Thank you for the update, Celia! I have been thinking of you and reminding myself to “assume the best” when favourite bloggers take a break. I’m so pleased it has been a mostly positive time for you – exactly what retirement (even in a pandemic!) is meant to be! Please do share your social justice thoughts and stories with us when you are moved to write, I need to be inspired by them as much as the posts about baking!
I’m so pleased you’re ok. I’ve checked weekly if not more often to see if there was a post to let us know how you were doing and spent time sending good thoughts your way.
Glad to hear your enjoying life and have some good takeaways from lockdown.
Motivation for blogging always comes in waves but it’s always great to read your posts when ever they are published
I commented earlier but just wanted to add that I’m interested in whatever subjects you blog about, sustainability, reusing, recycling etc are especially welcome.
Hi!! I’ve been a silent reader here for awhile. Wanted to just say that your voice will be missed but glad to hear that you are well :)
Glad you are all travelling well. We are ok here in Perth too and are on a similar journey towards increased sustainability and community connection.