happy father's day

Harry and Till cooked breakfast for Ben this morning. They brought 'breakfast in bed' to both of us actually! A full cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon, tomatoes and mushrooms. Harry did the cooking, and Till did a great job setting out the tray. It was very sweet and I'm quite impressed with their efforts, especially when they cleaned up afterwards.

After 'Father's Day' lunch at our favourite cafe, we headed to Captain Cook Lookout. Harry was desperate "to go for a drive" somewhere new. Finding somewhere "new" to scout on an island 5x8 kilometres can be a little challenging!!!!!! Amazingly, we did manage to find a short track that we hadn't explored before. It was lovely for all four of us to be together outdoors and the weather was perfect!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there. I hope you had a day filled with chatter and sunshine like we did!

pickles, ferments and kitchen laments

[i] pickled beetroot (in my home-made spiced berry cider vinegar)

[ii] kimchi

[iii] sauerkraut

[iv] fermenting kombucha tea

You could say I've been busy in the kitchen lately, but honestly, when is anyone not busy in the kitchen!? Sometimes I think it would be easier if I set my bed up in there. At least then I could keep a close eye on the almonds drying in the oven overnight, or strain the milk kefir at first light! And if sleep eluded me, I could watch the water-kefir grains dancing in their effervescent infusion!!

There's always so much work to do and sometimes I wonder what on earth I was thinking to take it all on. Lucky for me though, I love fermented foods and beverages - lucky my family does too, cause nobody in their right mind would keep up this routine for ONE!!!! Of course the health benefits make it worthwhile too. And I have to admit, my kitchen often feels like a science lab and that is pretty cool!

Now before you think I'm some kind of fermenting super woman, take heart that I have not included photos of the war-zone where all this action takes place. Right this second there is a mountain of washing-up drying on the sink, a jug of apple cider (Strongbow to be exact) that's airing on the bench ready for vinegar making tomorrow, my oven is in desperate need of a good scrub and my pantry shelves haven't been wiped in, um, I have no idea how long! And I won't mention that our kitchen windows are so filthy with salt spray that we almost can't see out or that there's a pile of dirty tea towels by the back door waiting to visit the laundry. Oops. Did I just make the scene that is our kitchen even more horrific? 

Ah, such is life. Ben and I remind ourselves Every Single Day....eating well is MESSY, TIME CONSUMING AND LABOUR INTENSIVE!

But gee, it's certainly worth it!!!!

PS. My Mad Millie fermenting crock has barely had a day off since I brought it home from New Zealand! Best ever purchase...if you like kimchi (and we do, A LOT)

sunday stills

[i] lady finger bananas ripening on the verandah

[ii] the New Zealand alphabet (a souvenir from our July trip)

[iii] home-made pit paste and my reading pile

[iv] stamped paper and matching gift tags

[v] rain/salt spray on the window

Ben went fishing one day last week and he gave our neighbour some fresh fish. She in turn gave us a bunch of plun (bananas). That's the Norfolk way!

And yes, that's an eclectic pile of books! I have to do a First Aid course this week, a full day course, eeeeek (NOT BY CHOICE). Me and First Aid DON'T go together! I can't even look at a packet of band-aids without feeling squeamish!!! 

I've been using Primal Pit Paste for a while now and I find it works really well, even in Summer. But it's hard to source and at over $20 a jar, I was keen to make my own.  My sister-in-law shared her natural deodorant recipe with me and I finally put it to the test last weekend. It was super easy to make and I like it even better than the one I was buying!

And before you accuse me of being a little keen in the Christmas department, I can explain. In a few weeks I'll be visiting family in Oz. I'm taking presents with me so I don't have to post them later in the year. I'm feeling a bit smug with my efforts to be honest ha ha! I'll be sitting back with my feet up come December!!

Have a nice week Lovelies!

weekends are made for...

...time in the hammock, bed-hair and daggy clothes, breakfast on the deck, yoga classes, play dates, sleep-overs, rescue training, slow cooker meals, walks on the beach, buying veg at the markets and watching a movie! Can we do it all again?

news from the front line

A quick hello, a few photos and a brief up-date. I'm pining for more time here, but life just gets in the way! I don't like mish-mash blog posts, so this really goes against the grain!

Ben bought me a new lens just before our NZ trip, a wide angle lens for landscape photography. It wasn't love at first sight, but I'm finding my way with it slowly. I took this shot tonight (see above) down at Kingston. The light was crazy and foreboding and I was totally digging it. Sadly the rain started to fall, cutting my photo shoot short! Next time I take this big girl out (AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm 1:2.8G), I'm taking a tripod!

Yes we just had a New Zealand trip. It was fantastic and I hope to find time to share photos soon! We rented a motor-home once again, it's certainly our preferred method of travel when it comes to exploring NZ. Below is a photo of Lake Wanaka, it's a favourite spot of ours. This tree appears in lots of photos taken by real photographers!!! I'm such a wannabe!

Today we had the school sports carnival. My kids aren't really sports enthusiasts, but they always join in and do their best. Harry came 4th in the long jump, which is a big result for him! He also made the relay final! I'm not sure about Miss Till's high jump technique, but Ben says 'What do you expect? She's knee high to a grasshopper!!'. I have a photo for my own amusement, but being the nice mother I am and thinking of the damage it could cause down the line, I'm refraining from sharing it!! So here are some cute tunnel-ball experts instead...

Last weekend I did a print-making workshop and it was the most creative fun I've had in quite some time. The artist showing us the way is well known and revered in the print producing world. Google 'Sue Pearson' and you're sure to find images of her amazing work.  Sue was a patient and encouraging teacher and I came away feeling inspired, motivated and eager to get my hands deep into this kind of art making.  This is my first attempt.

Hmmmm...what else is news worthy?

Have you seen 'That Sugar Film'? Ben bought it from iTunes just the other day. We watched it together as a family.  Wow. Such a great film. I defy anyone to ever look at sugar the same way again after seeing this documentary. It has been cleverly constructed and should appeal to *all ages, from all walks of life. I hope everyone I know will watch it! Pinky Promise me you will, for the good of mankind or our children (or something like that).

I'll leave you now, with an image of the 'three legged racers'! Too cute!

NB. Till was a little distressed about the scene where a boy with severely decayed teeth is in the dentist chair having his teeth removed! Must admit, I shut my eyes too!!

ten on ten [June]

So... I missed Ten on Ten last month.

Aaand the month before that.  

Time flies!

I always feel a bit clever when I actually remember, as I did yesterday. I'm not fond of undertaking the Ten project on a school day, as I can't share what is a big and significant chunk of my day. But I decided to go through with it anyway. 

My camera began it's day in the bathroom, but you've likely just eaten, so I'll spare you those images. No I'm just kidding. I did photograph our cute monkey shower curtain, but it didn't make the final cut. However, I do have a few non-identity-revealing (secret or otherwise) school photos to share!!

Before I get to the pics though, I must share with you the details of an "interesting" moment from my day. Today at the school cross country I took myself off to the loo, as you do. Taking oneself to a public toilet is a seemingly harmless business right!? Trust me, on Norfolk it is. Our public toilets are clean, lack graffiti and even smell OK. Well the one of two cubicles I chose had one of those toilet roll dispensers (the clear tubular type that holds about 4 rolls), however there was only one roll left and it was WAY OUT OF REACH and tentatively suspended RIGHT AT THE TOP. So, thinking like MacGyver, I assured myself  'I don't need to relocate, I got this!' and I gingerly and expertly slid my hand and wrist right up as far as I could to try and dislodge the one and only roll. Well do you think it would cooperate? No way. I started flapping that contorted hand round like a demented puppet but with one final desperate snatch, I managed to get that sucker lose. But wait, the story doesn't end there. Do you think I could get my hand back out??? NO WAY! Panic set in and I decided I'd just have to call for help!! Yup - embarrassing. I mean seriously, imagine yelling out "Can someone help me???...my hand is stuck in the toilet roll holder!!!!!". Fortunately a small (but powerful) rational section of my brain booted the 'scream for help' thought right out, which is awesome for two reasons, (i) because it told me to stop freaking out and (ii) to breathe and think strategically! So a bit like a three point turn, that actually takes nine manoeuvres to achieve, all's well that ends well. After a few carefully choreographed movements, I was actually able to pull my hand free (with scratches and sore spots for my trouble), but all bones, and more importantly, dignity, in one piece! It's always weird when you return to the group after an incident like that. I was trying my best to have a 'I've just been to the loo, and I didn't get my hand stuck in a toilet roll dispenser' face!!!! I wonder if they suspected? I bet it was written all over my face!

Be warned readers and think of me next time you see a fancy-pants multi-storey toilet roll housing. No matter how dexterous you imagine your wrist to be, never attempt a fresh toilet roll retrieval. It's just too dangerous. 

Where was I? Ah yes, Ten on Ten, 10 photos taken on the tenth day of the June. On with the show...

breakfast eating and lunch-making

the legs of a runner

heritage in view

little runners

they don't like running much - they smile because it's over and they SURVIVED...and it's home time

a ride home - can you guess who the driver is?

peak hour traffic on Cascade Rd

a break from reality

rosy complexion

washed, but not ironed

Joining Rebekah for Ten on Ten

thirteen

I don't have to look hard to see the same baby face from all those years ago!

Our Harry is thirteen today. He is such a great kid and I am so unbelievably proud of him. Ben and I both are.  He never ceases to amaze us with his capabilities and creativeness. I can't wait to get started on these teenage years - something tells me the best is yet to come!

Happy 13th Birthday Harrison!

taking stock [a list for May]

Making: my own deodorant...well not quite, I have the necessary ingredients...I just need to put them together!

Cooking: Osso Bucco (and it was AMAZEballs)...as good as my Mum's!!!!

Drinking: peppermint tea by the bucket load

Reading: The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (How's that for a lengthy title?)

Wanting: to blog more often

Looking [for]: can you guess? Oh boy....fun times....

Playing: The Cure's Friday I'm in Love...we play it every Friday, it's a tradition in our house! 

Deciding: I'm procrastinating right now. I should be writing reports, not blogging

Wishing: I could spend more time with my camera

Enjoying: our new slow combustion fire. It's not that cold here but we light it anyway

Waiting: for Till to fall asleep

Liking: time spent with friends

Wondering: where we'll be for Christmas this year!? I know...it's a long way off

Loving: all the pretty origami paper cranes that Miss Till has been making lately

Pondering: what life with a teenager will be like!?

Considering: what I might do with a long weekend - we have TWO IN A ROW coming our way

Buying: well I've just bought a new hair dryer because my old one died (it was 16 years old!)

Watching: Jimmy's Food Farm, Season 1 & 2

Hoping: to see this film soon. Fingers crossed it will be available on the plane to NZ

Marvelling: at the old retro vegetable spiralizer that was given to us recently. Veg noodles are the greatest!!!!

Cringing: at all the anti-paleo articles in the media lately

Needing: a cleaning fairy

Questioning: whether vitamin supplements are necessary or not

Smelling: garlic, Italian herbs and melted cheese

Wearing: the comfy lambs wool slippers my Mum gave me a few years ago

Following: the daily rhythm of this amazing family. I started following Soule Mama way back when I barely knew what a blog was!

Noticing: stunning sun sets like this one...

Knowing: everyday is different

Thinking: my kids are pretty cool

Admiring: the fruit bowl Harry and Till gave me for Mother's Day...

Sorting: magazines that were passed to me, that I'm finished with, and that I will pass on to someone else

Getting: excited...a few more weeks and we'll be in New Zealand

Bookmarking: A Whole Lot of Tiny

Coveting: Ben and I talk a lot these days about owning a Thermomix

Disliking: the obsession people have with 'selfies'

Opening: emails and cans of coconut milk, which relates in no way whatsoever!!!!!

Giggling: at these two testing out their ski gear...

Feeling: old! Our Harry turns 13 tomorrow

Snacking: on coconut butter, by the spoonful, straight from the jar...oooooh

Helping: Ben clean the kitchen most nights, we are a good team he and I

Hearing: the hum of the dishwasher and Ben reading an article to me while I type

So there you have it. This months list with bonus photos. I hope to be here more often, but I'm not making any promises. Life is busy, busy, busy!

taking stock [a list for april]

Making: kombucha and sauerkraut for the first time (like I need something else fermenting in my kitchen!!!!!)
Cooking: paleo, paleo, paleo....and LOVING IT! Last night we ate Meatzza....yeah, it's as good as it sounds!
Drinking: bone broth with turmeric, cumin, lemon and a sprinkle of salt (seriously good)
Reading: more teen novels from the school library...I just finished You Don't even Know by Sue Lawson....and now I'm beginning Butter by Erin Lange
Wanting: a ski jacket
Looking: for my lost mobile phone - it's been missing in action for over two weeks now
Playing: Carcassenne and Uno Rummy
Deciding: that early morning starts aren't always so bad
Wishing: I could travel through time!
Enjoying: the five to six yoga classes I attend each week
Waiting: for a parcel in the mail to arrive
Liking: squeaky clean floors and
Wondering: how long will they stay clean?
Loving: yoga! Oops, did I mention that before??
Pondering: the imminent global population explosion. What happens when our resources run out?
Considering: what can be done about it? Population control seems to be a taboo topic.
Buying: just food really.
Watching: the grass grow...I hope the mower man comes soon!
Hoping: my kids will always know they can ask/tell me anything!
Marvelling: at how great I feel having ditched grains and dairy COMPLETELY from my diet for nearly three months now!
Cringing: at the Global Warming sceptics...for goodness sake people!!!
Needing: wholesome soup, long walks and less computer time
Questioning: my desire for more kitchen gadgets
Smelling: passionfruit
Wearing: new/old jeans that need hemming (sucks being a shortie)
Following: The Paleo Way 10 Week Activation Program
Noticing: that food really is medicine!
Knowing: Facebook can be a real time sucker. I'm...
Thinking: I need more self control!
Admiring: the animation in this divine movie. Oh you have to watch it. It's so so SO lovely!!!!
Sorting: snow gear and washing (hmmm, was I sorting washing in March too?)
Getting: excited about said snow gear being used soon
Bookmarking: wholefood shops I hope to visit in New Zealand
Coveting: this awesome sauerkraut crock. I don't need it, but gee it's cool!
Disliking: that I pulled the sliding door off our ancient Tarago van the other day!!!!!!!!!!
Opening: the washing machine most days
Giggling: at funny things five year olds say
Feeling: healthy, happy and surprisingly calm
Snacking: on chia-nilla custard and activated almonds
Wishing: I could breathe under water
Helping: injured butterflies (it's a long story)
Hearing: Cold Play (the 'X & Y' album)

Oops, I almost forgot to give an explanation for the photos above. We recently had a huge guava fruit harvest at our house. The plants line the fence-line along our long driveway and across the back of our yard. Traditionally, islanders make a clear jelly-like jam from red guava, but I'm not fussed on it (so sickly sweet) and prefer to eat the juicy fruit straight off the bush! It's packed with Vitimin C.