Thirty :: Holidays ::

It's school holidays, and there are plenty of outdoor excursions planned to keep the peeps entertained. I preparation, I made them each a "treasure bag" from an old piece of nylon flywire (so that the dirt and sand mostly falls out on the ground before we get back home ;-) and some fabric scraps.  The pattern is from Soule Mama's Handmade Home.

Cheers,

Twenty Nine :: Warm Feet ::

Brrrrr, we almost* had a frost last night; very unusual for this area. Today I am thankful for my sheepskin slippers and warm morning sunshine.

* There was a frost in low-lying areas, but fortunately the taller palm trees protected our back yard.

Cheers,

Twenty Eight :: 'Free' Energy ::

OK, so solar energy isn't really 'free' when you take into consideration the materials and energy expended in manufacturing the photovoltaic panels etc, but nevertheless, we are very excited to have had the opportunity to participate in a consortium which has enabled us to sign on the dotted line for a 1.5 kW grid-connected solar energy system, at a hugely discounted price! Due the high Aussie dollar at the moment amongst other factors, getting in just before the latest price rise this month and the consortium discount, we have saved about 50% on what it would cost to buy the same system today - gotta be happy with that.  We're not sure when installation will take place at this stage, but hopefully in the next month or two :-)


Cheers,

Twenty Seven :: Fair Trade Coffee ::

Fair Trade, locally, sustainably, roasted. Totally delish.

Cheers,

Twenty Six :: Good Books ::

Our local library is quite new and, as a bonus, won a Sustainable Development Award after completion. However, there are a number of reference books on my coffee table which I love to open time and time again and pore over the juicy inspiration inside.  I'm not convinced that more environmentally-friendly e-books are going to have the same tactile & visual appeal for me? Having said that, they will be the way to go for me for fiction and biographies, so maybe I will be able to reach some sort of compromise... In the meantime, physically turning a page never stops being a thrilling experience for this bookophile.


Cheers,

Twenty Five :: A talented sister ::

OK, so we haven't got our chookies just yet, but her cake-decorating skills are still awesome.  The baking-and-decorating genes definitely by-passed me and landed with her ;-) Happy birthday Sister!

Cheers,

Twenty Four :: Prodigious Lemon Trees ::

It's a dwarf Meyer Lemon and I'm glad I only planted one ;-) What people do with all the fruit off a normal-sized lemon tree, I have no idea!

Cheers,

Twenty Three :: Hand Made Goodness ::

Flanellette rag-quilted goodness, made by my Mum. When we moved our lounge room from one end of the house to the other last summer, it meant that we traded in the one living area which can be closed off and heated with a small oil column heater.  This winter we are cold - brrrr! - and are fighting over the flannel quilt.  Clearly, I have to learn to make my own ;-)

Cheers,

Twenty Two :: Bromeliads ::

What can I say? My favourite plants of all time; awesome colours, textures and forms. I'm addicted!

Cheers,

Twenty One :: Cherry Tomatoes ::

Which are still going strong despite night time temperatures down to 3'C. Gotta be happy with that :-)

P.S. Happy Winter Solstice!

Cheers,

Twenty :: Furry Companions ::

Pity he hogs all the best sunny spots outside though ;-)

Cheers,

Nineteen :: Kale ::

My favourite winter leafy green. It's pretty, it's super-tasty and Peter Cundall credits his longevity to a daily dose of kale, so clearly, it's good for you as well ;-)

Cheers,

Eighteen :: Laugh Lines ::

I refuse to call them crow's feet; they are merely a happy reminder of how much time I have spent smiling over the years ;-)

Cheers,

Seventeen :: Bare Bones ::

As much as I love the lush greenery of summer, the fabulous textures which become apparent in a bare winter garden, are quite wonderful.

Cheers,

Sixteen :: Summery Projects ::

If I start now, they may be finished in time for summer ;-) In the meantime, I can warm myself with a hot chocolate & dream of t-shirts and sandals weather.

Cheers,

Fifteen :: Beetroot ::

What's not to love about beets in winter? The leaves alone of this Bull's Blood beetroot are lighting up the veggie garden beautifully; I can hardly wait until the roots are big enough to eat.

Cheers,

Fourteen :: Learning to wink ::

Too cute ;-)

Cheers,

Thirteen :: Cables ::

Behold my very first attempt at knitting cables; I taught myself using this video. When finished, it will be a hot water bottle cover, pattern here.

Cheers,

Twelve :: Winter sunshine ::

What was a shady spot in summer is now letting in the warming winter sun. Lovin' it.

Cheers,

Eleven :: Sun-drenched Vitamin C ::

I think it's awesome how nature provides us with a delicious source of the vitamins we need the most when colds and the 'flu abound, and it doesn't get any fresher than right off your own tree, warmed by the winter sun.

Cheers,

Ten :: Pikelets ::

Pikelets

½ cup unbleached self-raising flour
½ cup wholemeal SR flour
pinch salt
¼ tsp bicarb soda (baking soda)
2 tbsp raw sugar
1 egg
½ cup milk
1 tbsp melted butter

Sift dry ingredients, add the egg, milk and butter and beat until smooth. 

Heat frying pan to medium, grease lightly with butter and add tablespoon-fuls of batter. Cook until bubbling, flip and cook until lightly browned underneath.  Remove and serve immediately with your favourite toppings, or cool and store in an airtight container for up to five days.

Recipe is readily doubled or trebled.


Cheers,

Nine :: Chai Syrup ::

Chai Syrup adapted from Angry Chicken's Chai Concentrate

1 can sweetened condensed milk (or equivalent homemade)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cardamon
½ tsp each ground cloves, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg

Combine thoroughly and store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to six months.  Use 2 teaspoons stirred into each cup of strong black tea.


Cheers,

Eight :: Kids who think making pasta is fun ::

Dish: Homemade Khorasan (Kamut™) fettucine with homemade basil & cashew pesto.  

Made by: Miss Eight. 

Taste: Awesome.

Verdict: Proud Mumma moment.

Cheers,

Seven :: Quiet moments ::

Cheers,

Six :: Big bold flowers ::

Yucca sp.

Cheers,