Saturday, February 09, 2008

Lentils and Rice

I recently found a blog called Lentils And Rice. After reading about Robyn's extreme decluttering, her window quilts, and the big pot of lentils and rice that feeds them all week long...I knew I'd love to speak with her in person!

You can hear us chat at Frugal Conversations this morning.

*This interview has been removed due to privacy concerns!

10 comments:

The Mom said...

That is a good decluttering article. Spring has sprung in London, England and I feel a wave of decluttering coming on. I only hope I can be as ruthless as I want to be!

Roberta said...

I enjoyed your chat and reading some of Robyn's family convictions and ideas.
It was also nice to hear your voice...funny when your not from the South how the accent takes you by surprise.

Anonymous said...

It seems to me that you and Robyn have totally different ideas of what frugal mean. I have not listened to your chat but I clicked on her blog and found out the woman got rid of most of her furniture, blinds and her kids' toys. She is so extreme she makes that Amy Tightwad woman seem extravagant. If her family is happy living like that, that is fine, but it is not for me! I don't want to put things above God, but I feel blessed to be able to enjoy things of beauty and comfort (and yes, I am talking about material things as well as "free" things of nature).

Meredith said...

You know, I really enjoy talking with people who have different ideas about frugality.

Does that mean I'm about to get rid of everything in my home and start eating a pot of lentils at every meal?

No.

But her drive to live without being attached to material things gave me a lot to think about, in terms of my own relationship with stuff.

The series of Frugal Conversations will feature women of all walks of life and how they are making conscious decisions about spending, living within their means, and saving money for what really matters to them.

The Nester said...

I've been reading Robin's blog for a few weeks. I think about her often and find her new way of life so intriguing. The simplicity is certainly something I long for and the lack of things to have to clean and keep track of is very appealing!

I appreciate her way of living and sometimes I feel like I am the exact opposite of her! Me likes my windows overdressed--shutters, drapes and valences would be my choice!!

I do enjoy reading about her life and am looking forward to listening to your interview. Or whatever you call it!

PS This high heeled, toile sofa, too many pillows girl even has a pot of beans soaking today thanks to Robin!!

Anonymous said...

Robyn gave verses for what she is doing. I thought of one myself, "He gave us all things richly to enjoy." I would say that I prefer Robyn and Family's Spartan life much better than her "before" pictures where every square foot of housing was full of "stuff." I just wouldn't have gone that far. Quality toys - even if they be cardboard boxes and wooden blocks - are important in a child's learning process. Part of the process is learning to obey when Mom or Dad say "Pick up your toys now." She is so right about "TOO much stuff though." Just my opinion.
Vicky

Anonymous said...

Here is my opinion, for what it is worth! Surely God expects us to put Him first in our lives, but I do not think he expects us to live a Spartan life. Material things are gifts from Him when properly viewed and assigned the proper place. How happy it can make us to create a beautiful home environment for our families and any guests we entertain! How we can use our God-given creativity to enrich our lives and those of our friends and neighbors! And I must say, a lifestyle so radical (which is certainly their right), would not make me open to listen to their message if they are trying to bear witness to God's goodness. I personally would be put off by the extremeness of their way of life. I am in agreement with simplifying our homes and environments, de-cluttering and living frugally, but I want my children to have beds, a reasonable amount of toys, and most of all, a well-balanced attitude toward all things--both spiritual & material. Moderation in all areas of life is what I would strive for!

Anonymous said...

What some of you may have missed, is that Robyn has enough stuff for them. No excess, but why have excess? She didn't get rid of all the girls toys. They just have a smaller amount to take care of and play with. She didn't get rid of her well balanced attitude. She is keeping her home very simple in case they need to move and do it quickly. Her children are well dressed, fed, happy and I am certain, less stressed by the nonsense cluttering their lives.

Should we look down upon people in Africa for example, because they don't have alot of things? If not, is it only because it's not their CHOICE? Children can be completely happy with a ball and a partner to kick it to. They do NOT need a bunch of developmental stimulating things in order to develop.

HOLLY

Unknown said...

Just curious - I used to read the Lentils and Rice blog occasionally and really enjoyed doing so. Now when I try to reach the site, a message comes up that says that one must be an invited guest to read the blog. I'm not in the least blog savvy - does anyone have an idea what has happened? And how does one request invitation to a blog? Thanks for you help!

Meredith said...

I am sorry to say that by highlighting Lentils and Rice here, Robyn acquired a steady stream of commenters who wanted to tear down the simple life her family works so hard to establish.

Thanks to them, and out of concern for privacy, Lentils and Rice is now closed.

I'm very sorry to report this because I learned a lot from Robyn. There's not really a private blog, though, that's just Blogger's default option for storing an old blog without public access.