Friday around here

At the moment I am loving this collection of short stories by Tim Winton.

I am really feeling I need to get a move on with my winter quilt, for snuggling kids on the lounge and for lying under in the tent.

Studying seeds for companion planting.  The idea of planning what we want to eat in the coming seasons and adding a dash of colour which I know will also help things grow and give the bees a hand after hibernation.

Planning for a road trip and picnic gathering with friends.  So far on the menu is rhubarb and coconut muffins and roast pumpkin and fetta frittata.

Wednesday

Long due gardening... love our vege patch!

 

 

Wednesday

A long weekend in Adelaide.  (Albeit a little short!)  I could have easily done with an extra day or two.  For the first time in a long time David and I had the opportunity to walk at our own leisurely pace and have brunch or coffee without rushing or needing to be somewhere.  I missed Nicholas and Audrey, but enjoyed the time to just be.  Lovely morning muesli with berries, fruit and Greek yoghurt.  Savouring good coffee, instead of rushing any coffee.  We thought we were being picky on Saturday morning as we walked around looking for just the right café.  If I was going to have a morning for a relaxed brunch, I wanted t find the right one.  Somewhere that offered muesli, coffee and French toast.  We found it.  :)

 

 

Then it was off to wander the markets.  If I lived in Adelaide, I would be here every Saturday morning!  Unfortunately the heat will see that I never do live here.

A wedding on Saturday night (not as easy having to hold Maggie most of the time, although David did wonders in getting her to sleep during the entree and main meal!

On Sunday we were invited to the grooms parents house for brunch. We had coffee and churros before making our way to the Adelaide Hills.

Little did we know what awaited us.  An 1840's biscuit factory that had been converted to a house by previous owners, the groom's parents have lived here for 40 years.  Thankfully I wasn't the only guest who couldn't resist getting their iphone out for photographs!  Unfortunately I didn't get many photographs inside the house, but trust me, it was amazing!

Wedensday 2

 I love food photography, though I never profess to be much of a food photographer myself!  Of all the things I cook, David loves my Ratatouille the most. 

* 100 ml olive oil
* 2 onions chopped
* 1 aubergine cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 2 large courgettes, cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and cut into 1.5cm cubes
* 2 garlic cloves, crushed
* 1 x 400g chopped tomatos
* 2-3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
* 1 tsp soft brown sugar
* 10-12 pitted black olives
* handful basil leaves

1.  Heat the olive oil in a large pan until it is very hot then stir-fry the onions, aubergine, courgettes, peppers and garlic together for a few minutes.  Add the tomatoes, balsamic vinegar to taste and brown sugar.  Season with salt and frshly ground black pepper and stir well.  Cover the pan tightly and simmer for 15 minutes until all the vegetables are cooked.

2.  Remove the pan from the heat, scatter over the black olives and basil leaves.  Serve at once with the accompaiment of your choice (we have pasta). 


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And I still can't believe she is five!

Wednesday

Apparently my advance copy of this book is already on its way!  I love still photography, and food photography as well.  I 'm looking forward to browsing through this cookbook and mastering a couple of recipes my sister-in-law can eat. :)



While I am kind of talking food, David and I watched a documentary the other week on food.  It came out a little while ago, it just took us some time to get around to watching it.  I am glad we did.  You should watch it too.



During the end credits the following list appears:

* Buy from companies that treat workers, animals and the environment with respect.

* When you go to the supermarket, choose foods that are in season.  Buy foods that are organic.  Know what is in your food.  Read labels.

* Know what you buy.

* The average meal travels 1,500 miles from the farm to the supermarket.  Buy foods that are grown locally.  Shop at farmer's markets.  Plant a garden (even a small one).

* Cook a meal with your family and eat together.

* Everyone has the right to healthy food.

* Ask your school board to provide healthy lunch options.

* If you say grace, ask for food that will keep us, and the planet, healthy.

* You can change the world with every bite.

When there is so much that is readily available to us we can often we think it is too hard.  I challenge anyone reading this to make a commitment to do just some of the things suggested above.

Tuesday

A few weeks ago I caught the bus home from work.  The bus driver looked young.  He had a leather band around his neck, some around his wrist and a beard.  I noted how soothing and relaxing the ride home was.  Why?  He was listening to Classical FM on the radio.  I noticed how good it made me feel.  When I got home I pulled out some of my own classical cd's.  I have two in particular that Melanie bought me a long time ago and they are the perfect mix of classical music.  I put them on when I started my holidays and had time alone and found that it has the same effect on me. I feel happier.    I have been playing them over the holidays and hope that subliminally the kids feel the same way as they are playing. :)



Puccini and Pasta includes music from one of my favourites movies of all time - A Room With A View, so brings back many memories.  A blog post I read today echoed my sentiments exactly.

Last night we had Chinese for dinner.  Nothing particularly remarkable, though the meal was delicious.  David made san choy bow, and steamed some bok choy, we ordered lemon chicken and I made the rice.  I wanted to mention it here though as we used plates and bowls made by a Japanese woman I know who is a potter.  Aren't they beautiful?

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I love the way Audrey writes her name. :)

Saturday

I am grateful for a husband who enjoys being adventurous with his cooking, and for children who are always willing to try the results (even if I am a little reticent at times).  The other night we had David's Coq au vin.  I love French provincial, so am glad I tried it... ;)

Sadly my photography doesn't match the meal... I enjoy looking at photographs of food and look forward to the release of this cook book. I've looked at the Cannelle et Vanille website regularly over the past year and eagerly await the final results! Her photographs are sublime!

back to one

it seems odd, only having one running around the house. i think she is enjoying stepping up to the mark though. taking over collecting the eggs, having the trampoline all to herself and total control of all tv viewing choices. today is Nicholas' first "long" day at preschool. and what to do with too many zucchinis?? make a zucchini chocolate cake: 1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups plain flour
4 tablespoons cocoa
1 easpoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated zucchini

1. cream butter and sugar. Beat the eggs.
2. Add milk and vanilla and sifted dry ingredients.
3. Stir in zucchini.
4. Pour into a greased 23 cm x 30 cm tin and bake at 160 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

a very moist cake. so if anyone needs a zucchini, let me know! speaking of food - we had a wonderful dinner at Senso to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. and i ate SNAILS!!