I’m posting the Christmas wish lists of people I know and admire! Today we’re talking to Cate Lawrence. Cate is one of the smart cookies behind Green Renters, a non-profit organisation that teaches people how to live well and sustainably in their rented homes. She’s also a really crafty lady AND she’s a total gun at Nanna things like making jam and chutney and ginger beer and cordial. What’s not to love about that?! (Whoops. I forgot to make ginger beer this year!)
Here’s Ms Cate’s take on Christmas…
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As you get older Christmas becomes more about spending time with loved ones and having time off work than simply getting presents and stuffing yourself silly with cold climate fare. The last few years my family has gone camping in Beechworth rather than have a big formal dinner. It’s nice to get away from the pressures of the holiday season. At Green Renters we run workshops where we teach people useful things such as Christmas pudding making and how to have a green Christmas. People get a lot of pleasure out of creating their own traditions, which are kinder to themselves AND the planet, rather than simply doing things because it’s how they’ve always been done.
Five things I’d love for Christmas
1. A bottle of Lark Distillery’s Godfather Tasmanian Gin: Alcohol is a must for coping with family during the festive season and this gin is delish. It contains not only the traditional juniper berries but also native pepper berries and is divine with soda water, ice and crushed mint. Restores relaxation to any event!
2. A copy of The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz: Katz in an interesting guy. He’s an AIDS activist from way back, lives communally and works tirelessly to educate people about the health benefits of fermented food. I’m teaching a jams, pickles and preserving workshop for Green Renters as part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival early next year and I’m keen incorporate some experiences of fermenting. As we work with renters, we teach tips for cooking and storing seasonal food so it lasts longer and reduces food waste, regardless of whether you have a huge artisan kitchen or a tiny bed sit – everyone can still have fun!
3. A pair of red Mavis shoes: I have dodgy feet (not helped by wearing Docs for pretty much all of the 90’s) and it’s hard to find orthotic friendly shoes that don’t look nasty. I love red shoes, especially ones called Mavis!
4. A Wendy dress by Polly Pratt: Anna does marvellous fashions for women with curves and is part of Olive Grove studios in Brunswick, a fantastic collective of Melbourne based designers and artists. It can be hard to get everything we want made in Australia but the studio is a great example of why we should shop locally and support small ethical businesses. We held a Winter Warmer there as a Green Renters fundraiser and had a wonderful time!
5. Series One of The Bridge: I’m a huge crime fiction fan, both in print and on-screen and I can’t think of a better way to escape the summer heat than pretending I’m in a cool climate like Scandinavia. Failing that, watching this box set with a gin laced beverage sounds like a perfect way to chill. Most people think of Stieg Larsson when they think of the Scandinavian crime genre, but he really is just the trip of the iceberg.
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What’s on your wish list? (Thanks Cate for sharing yours with us!)
x Pip
PS: More great wishlists here… in my Good Stuff Holiday Guide!
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