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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

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« The Glass Lid
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Hiatus

October 14, 2021 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

me

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! ♥

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Posted in Musings | 40 Comments

40 Responses

  1. on October 14, 2021 at 5:14 pm mandyfrielinghausphotography

    <3


  2. on October 14, 2021 at 5:14 pm Karen White

    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!


  3. on October 14, 2021 at 5:20 pm Cindy

    Missing you on the other end of the phone and on email! :(


  4. on October 14, 2021 at 5:43 pm fergie51

    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


  5. on October 14, 2021 at 5:48 pm Sascha Thomas

    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.


  6. on October 14, 2021 at 5:53 pm katechiconi

    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!


  7. on October 14, 2021 at 5:59 pm Denise

    Best wishes to you and your family ,Celia. Good to hear from you.


  8. on October 14, 2021 at 6:01 pm Anne Wheaton

    Was thinking only the other day that you hadn’t put anything up here for ages. I miss your posts


  9. on October 14, 2021 at 6:15 pm Helen

    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


  10. on October 14, 2021 at 7:39 pm lambsearsandhoney

    Nice to see you back, even briefly. And good to know that you’re all doing fine. See you somewhere in the ether! xxx


  11. on October 14, 2021 at 8:05 pm Merry

    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.


  12. on October 14, 2021 at 9:24 pm Lury Budde

    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.


  13. on October 14, 2021 at 9:59 pm Charlie Cook

    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


  14. on October 15, 2021 at 12:03 am Manuela

    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.


  15. on October 15, 2021 at 1:57 am marilynscottwaters

    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. ❤


  16. on October 15, 2021 at 2:48 am susan

    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………


  17. on October 15, 2021 at 5:54 am Liz @ spades, spatulas, and spoons

    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.


  18. on October 15, 2021 at 6:13 am susurrus

    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.


  19. on October 15, 2021 at 6:54 am Kathy Aylward

    Glad to hear you are all doing well having survived your 4 month lock down.


  20. on October 15, 2021 at 7:05 am ordinarygood

    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.


    • on October 20, 2021 at 7:05 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      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


      • on November 2, 2021 at 8:05 am ordinarygood

        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


      • on November 2, 2021 at 7:45 pm Charlie Cook

        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


        • on November 9, 2021 at 4:07 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

          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! :)


  21. on October 15, 2021 at 8:44 am Diana

    Good to hear from you, have missed your posts and recipes ..take care 🤩


  22. on October 16, 2021 at 6:24 am Genevieve Brady

    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” >


  23. on October 16, 2021 at 7:52 am Itching for Hitching

    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.


  24. on October 16, 2021 at 3:41 pm Viki Jones-Lambley

    So lovely to have an update, take care and enjoy retirement. I have missed your updates and hope you stay well


  25. on October 17, 2021 at 2:47 am LB

    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.


  26. on October 17, 2021 at 12:09 pm Maddy

    Thank you so very much Celia,for your insight and amazing kindness.
    Sending continued wishes & well being! xx


  27. on October 17, 2021 at 12:19 pm Jo

    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.


  28. on October 18, 2021 at 2:34 pm Kelly

    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!


  29. on October 22, 2021 at 12:16 pm Skye

    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.


  30. on October 25, 2021 at 5:08 am Beads and Barnacles

    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


  31. on October 29, 2021 at 5:45 am Karen White

    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.


  32. on November 29, 2021 at 4:20 pm Diana Seah

    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 :)


  33. on January 19, 2022 at 11:18 am sabretoothedchickenstour

    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.


  34. on February 28, 2022 at 11:20 pm Maria Worbetz

    Hello from the USA! I was looking for a particular bundt pan and I see you have the one I am looking for. Can you tell me who the maker of this bundt pan is so that I can further find it…the picture is from your bundt pan #10 cool things post about your bundt pans…it is the front pan that looks like a flower with larger petals. Would love to know who the manufacturer of that pan is thank you! Lovely blog BTW!


    • on March 1, 2022 at 5:42 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Hi Maria, I believe the one you’re looking for is the Wilton Perennial Pan. I’m not sure if they still make it but you might be able to find it secondhand. Good luck with your quest! 🙂


  35. on June 8, 2022 at 10:24 pm calm koi

    I hope you and your family are continuing to do well! I just wanted to say I love your blog and am happily reading your past posts and learning a lot. Thanks so much!!



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