vinegar mother anyone?

Crazy amazing things, but beautiful too! Have you ever touched one of these living organisms? Probably not. Well....it feels slimy and gummy...and jelly-like...but firm...and?....look, it's just BIZARRE! Come on over and pat one anytime you like!

My collection of vinegar "mothers" is getting a little out of hand. I have so much ACV in my pantry right now that I've put these babies into cheap white vinegar for a holiday. I buy the dodgy inferior stuff (the kind I pour into my washing machine, NOT my stomach) to keep them in a dormant but blissed-out state, a hibernation period I suppose, until they are called for again.

I love my AVC and use it in numerous ways, but mostly I drink a small amount in water every day. The father of medicine himself, Hippocrates, thought vinegar was pretty amazing stuff. He believed it to be a powerful elixir that could fight common germs. I reckon he knew a thing or two!

If you need a 'mother' of vinegar, give me a bell and I'll hook you up. I'd even think about posting one (that's how I got mine in the first place!!!).

PS I'm dabbling in milk kefir these days too. Currently experimenting with goats milk! I'll keep you posted.

encore, bravo!

It never ceases to amaze me how much skill, talent and creativity exists on this little island. We have a tiny population with very limited resources, and yet, somehow I sense that my children have experienced many opportunities here that perhaps would not have come their way otherwise: involvement with theatre being one of them. 

After many months of rehearsals, NATS (Norfolk Island Amateur Theatrical Society) presented - over two nights, a musical production titled The Pied Piper. Loosely based on the traditional story, the play had all the typical "pantomime" characters including a lazy fat cat, a boy with a magical violin, an incompetent mayor and his bossy but unproductive wife, a bumbling rat catcher and his witless, blundering assistant. Plus, as with all good muscial theatre, there was energetic dancing and rousing singing! With tunes set to the familiar melodies of Sullivan and Rogers, the lyrics and script were all original and cleverly created by two of Norfolk's most respected theatre enthusiasts - Ian and Monica Anderson.

I should mention that the play was rather short so in order to give folks value for money, some of Norfolk's talented musicians and singers gave performances prior to the show. Hence the photos of Harry on stage with his guitar. He played a classical piece called Evening in Venice. He wasn't even nervous - what a champ!

I can't wait for the next show!

PS Is that not the cutest little rat you've ever seen?

the fig thieves

Mmmmm figs. I don't know about you, but I love them! 

Those pesky birds do leave enough for us, luckily!

black and white bubbles

Black and white: not everyones cup of tea. I just thought it worked with these images.

My parents went snorkelling and it was kind of a big deal. My Mum had never snorkelled before and she donned flippers and a mask like a pro. I'm so thrilled Mum and Dad could see our magic underwater world (up close). I've been telling them for 5 years how special it is - now they have seen it for themselves!

teach me how to drive mum?

Kid starts highschool and wants to grow up all at once. 
Steady on there Big Fella! Give us a few more years please!!!!!

testing the waters

No-one can deny that Emily Bay is at its' best when the sun is shinning, but I'll let you in on a secret, it's also pretty special on a warm rainy day when the tide is low and smooth. At least, we think so anyway. My parents have been visiting this past fortnight and the weather has not been crash hot to be honest. Rather than mope around indoors though, we've been getting out as much as possible - wind gusts, raindrops and all!