::NAV BAR::

home about about

Monday, 28 October 2013

43/52

"A portrait of Audrey, once a week, every week, in 2013"

Our first evening in Brisbane saw us with Sangria in our hands and burritos in our laps at The Gasworks. You were amazed by the trees that appeared to be changing colour before your very eyes...

The second week in a row that this little girl has stolen my heart!


- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

Monday, 21 October 2013

Magic In The Mundane


Early morning playtime
Late afternoon baking
Figuring out how to walk in thongs
Not happy she was not allowed to wear the floral crown I made to bed
Drying the floral crown
New (old) colourful clothes
Gifted cookie jar
Collecting ingredients for dinner


Joining in with Emily and a world of talented bloggers

Community :: In Need


What I love most about the community that comes with a husband who works in the police force is the support they offer their own in times of need. Graeme Donnelly was an inspiring policeman who was regarded and respected by all. He passed away in August after suffering a heart attack while riding his beloved push bike, a hobby that provided relief and separation from his demanding role as Chief Inspector. His passing rocked the policing community and they instantly rallied to raise support and funds for Graeme's family. A family fun day with a charity football game between the two local commands where Graeme spent most of his career was just one of the events our community put on. It was amazing to see 1000's of people turn up to offer their support and enjoy the day in honour of a great man.



Sunday, 20 October 2013

Magic In The Mundane (the REALLY late edition)


Refreshing
Best friends, our little animal lover
Toilet learning
Splayds :: "For use by the television set or for party entertaining"
What she is helping to cook here
"Raaaaaaaaa lion!"
Our Floss has grown a strange obsession with the lawn mower
A delicious go-to for an easy summer dinner


Joining in with Emily and a world of talented bloggers

42/52

"A portrait of Audrey, once a week, every week, in 2013"

You have always participated in the workings of our home, cleaning up your toys at the end of the day, putting your dirty clothes in the washing basket and helping set the table at meal times. Most recently you have shown interest in preparing meals, cleaning up spills, trying to dress yourself and helping with the dishes. Patience has never been one of my strengths, I still search the house for birthday and christmas presents! But my dear Frog, you have taught me patience has it rewards. Like the proud smile on your face whilst eating a meal you have helped me prepare.

There is nothing sweeter then a little fountain top!


- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

Saturday, 19 October 2013

Creating Crowns


It was by chance I discovered the flower circlet/crown workshop at my local WEA. Before attending the centre for a course for work I hadn't considered the training facility as anything more then an odd looking building where businesses held seminars and courses. How wrong I was! Upon perusing their Spring course guide in my lunch break I was surprised by the multitude of courses on offer. Pottery projects, soy candle making, everyday Indian meals, cheese-making, Italian desserts and hula hooping as exercise are just some of the courses that caught my eye. I had been wanting to learn how to create a fresh floral crown since I made myself a plastic version for Audrey's birthday last year so I was ecstatic to find a course was not only available for Spring but also affordable.

Full of whimsy, delicious smells and even more delicious food it was a magical day with two of my best girls...

** For upcoming workshops and courses at your local WEA pop in and pick up a course guide or you can find them online.

Sunday, 13 October 2013

41/52

"A portrait of Audrey, once a week, every week, in 2013"

"Dadda!" "Dadda!" So excited to see your Dadda's car pulling in the drive after his day at work.

You cant help but smile at little Clementine's big beautiful smile.


- Joining in with Jodi and a world of talented bloggers -

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Eating Like Kings

The food you eat can be the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest 
form of poison. - A Wigmore

In an attempt to feed my families bodies with the right fuel I have been on the hunt for healthy and nutritious meals. I was recommended Drea's blog by a friend and will be forever grateful. What I found were pages of delicious and nutritious meals and snacks for the whole family with a mix of knowledge, insight and humour.

As I cook I like to think about the origin of our food... Where was it grown? Whose hands foraged and picked it? As I made this meal in particular I couldn't help but be extremely chuffed that many of the ingredients had come from our very own backyard (and the neighbours lemon tree).

Drea's Mac & "Cheese"
Ingredients:
3/4 to 1 cup carrots - roughly chopped
1 small onion (about 3/4 cup) - roughly chopped
1 cup butternut pumpkin - roughly chopped/cubed
1 1/2 potatoes roughly chopped/cubed (preferably of the creamy or red variety) 
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 cup nutritional yeast (also known as savoury yeast in Australia)
1/2 stick vegan butter (plan to set aside one table spoon for bread crumb topping)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 to 2 cloves garlic 
a pinch of cayenne (optional)
a pinch of turmeric (optional, mostly for coloring)
bread crumbs (optional, for topping)
smoked paprika (optional, for topping)
salt 
pepper
1 package of your favorite pasta (we used macaroni)

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine: potato, carrots, pumpkin and onion. Fill with enough water to slightly cover the vegetables (about 3 - 3 1/2 cups) and bring to boil. Add a generous amount of salt. Once boiling, lower heat, and allow to simmer, until all the vegetables are soft (about ten to 15 minutes, depending on the size of your vegetables)
Prepare pasta as directed on package, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 190 degrees celsius.
While your vegetables are simmering, combine: cashews, butter, garlic, lemon juice, and if you choose to use them: cayenne and turmeric. Add a heavy pinch of salt and pepper. Puree with immersion blender, vitamix, or food processor (I used our thermomix). Make sure to puree the cashews first because you want them as smooth as possible. Add a bit of the simmering vegetable water to add moisture, if necessary. Slowly, begin to add savoury yeast and a bit more of the vegetable water and continue pureeing. Once the vegetables are ready, begin to combine those too. Add more of the vegetable water, as necessary. Don't pour the vegetables and water in all at once. Patience and step taking is key so that you are left with a creamy mixture, and not buttery vegetable soup. More than likely you will end up using all the water anyway, just be sure to add in as necessary. Once everything has been mixed and your "cheesy" sauce has been made. Combine "cheese" sauce and pasta and pour into an oven safe casserole dish.
Melt the extra butter, mix with breadcrumbs, and sprinkle over mac and cheese with a sprinkle of savoury yeast, smoked paprika, and a bit more salt. 
Cover with foil and bake for ten minutes, or until slightly bubbling around the sides. Uncover and bake for one to two minutes, until breadcrumbs are brown. 
Serve hot, and enjoy :) 

*** recipe taken from Drea's blog and edited slightly with my own notes.
*** we served with a garlic and coconut oil vegetable salad.



Monday, 7 October 2013

Magic In The Mundane


Miiiiiine! No one else is allowed to touch her fish
She takes her chores very seriously, even reminding me some days
Aqua ceramics making our chooks eggs look too good to eat!
The perfect bananas for cake
Addicted...
Luke and I have been indulging in hot cacao and star anise in the evenings (and mornings)
Vegan macaroni and cheese, will be sure to pop the recipe up soon
New life
Tough decisions
That little boy on the right is my great grandfather


Joining in with Emily and a world of talented bloggers