What I Know...

Sometimes we learn from experience, sometimes from wisdom shared and sometimes it is just life lessons and the passing of time that are our teachers...

I know that... fairy bread is often the answer, there should ALWAYS be sparklers, every day is a new day, you should always make time to play, enjoy the little things, coffee, take time to talk to the trees. Trees are wise!

I have also learnt that I am not good at regular blogging, even when I set myself a challenge, which I have spectacularly failed in 2018! There have been no more recipes from my beautiful calendar as promised, but I do now know that this is not something I can commit to. I spend a lot of work hours faffing with photos and writing stories on my laptop so the families of my preschool students reap the benefits of my storytelling and photography skills. Sadly I do not then choose to do this in my spare time for any lucky blog readers. Sorry. 

I DO promise that while I stalk the light, kayak, walk among the trees or around my neighbourhood, read, chase coffee vans and go on little family adventures I will share these with you :)

Today's forecast is for a sneaky read, maybe a movie, hopefully some cake and time in the unseasonably warm sun (probably from under the clothesline!)

Happy weekend

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ February 2018

January and February are a time for taking stock, relaxing, spending time with family, birthday celebrations, change and adjustment, new challenges and just hanging by the pool.


Loving//  having time with my brother, sister-in-law and nieces and nephew over summer. We have been able to just hang out and enjoy being in each others space.

Eating // sun dried tomatoes. It has been so hot we have been making use of those rays and a sheet of  corrugated iron in the back yard. Delicious!

Drinking//  a cheeky Bird In Hand Pinot Rose or two. It's my favourite drop :)

Feeling//  the winds of change again. My youngest has started high school this week so, as with the nature of life, we are dealing with some adjustments, enjoying new things and wishing for the comfort of the old at the same time.

Making//  birthday cakes and celebration dinners. There are a few family birthdays at this time of the year and every milestone should be celebrated!

Thinking//  about how much we need rain where I live. It is so dry and the land around is starting to    look desolate and dusty.

Dreaming// of autumn sunshine. It has been very hot and, while I love the slower rhythm of summer, I do not love the days where the temperatures soar to over forty degrees celsius. 

start the year as you mean to go on!

So here's to a great year. It is certainly off to a good start and I am so pleased to be joining in with 'Here and Now' again with Sarah at Say! Little Hen

I hope you have taken any New Year changes in your stride and that there is cake in your life at the moment too.

Kate xx

My Calendar Recipes - January

I do not make new year resolutions as such but, like many others, there are things on my mind at the beginning of each year that I would like to achieve. One of those things for 2018 is to not ignore my little blog space as I have done in the last while. I am going to try to see it as a space for creativity rather than another thing on the to-do list and time where I can create something both here and in the kitchen.

Every year on January 1st, I hang a Red Tractor Designs calendar on my kitchen wall.  It is a tradition! All the special birthdays are lovingly transferred from last year's calendar to this and then usually what date school starts and our annual dentist appointments are marked. We are ready for the year ahead.

Inside the covers of the Red Tractor Calendar are great pictures, funny and inspirational sayings, important dates and a recipe for every month. I have decided that, instead of looking at these recipes and thinking how delicious they sound, I will have a go at each one throughout the year. This will give me a reason to blog, a challenge (I am not a natural in the kitchen) and something to look forward to with the beginning of each month.

January kicks off the year with a tomato salad with basil and capers.This is the smell of summer in a bowl and I only wish that I had some basil or tomatoes growing in my garden that I could have used. Another challenge... maybe?! It was so easy to put together and with ingredients that I had in my fridge. The perfect partner to the last of the leftover Christmas ham.

How do you keep your year in order? Do you use a calendar or a diary? Where do you look when you need recipe inspiration?

I hope that you have had the chance to enjoy a small summery break over the Christmas/ New Year season.

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ July

Loving // School holidays! I was ready for a break and have enjoyed taking each day at a slower pace. I have taken my time over tea and toast at breakfast, enjoyed catch-ups with friends and family, read books, been crafty, watched the whole 327 minutes of the BBC Pride and Prejudice and eaten cake!

Eating // July heralded an invitation to the annual Fire and Flour Day with Jane @ The Shady Baker and Terry. This year we were treated to the chance to get our hands floury again and a long lunch including pastissi, sourdough pita and hand cut pasta made by us, along with goat chops, a cheese platter, homemade dips, olives and sweet treats. Such a wonderful day of eating along with catch ups, new friends and a sharing of ideas and enjoyment of great food.
I am also eating my own backyard eggs! The girls have finally worked it out ;)

Drinking // out of my KeepCup. Did you watch War on Waste on ABC TV if you are in Australia? I have not been able to have a take away coffee since as the guilt about the amount of waste we create from coffee cups alone has been too much to bear. Don't even get me started on cheap clothing and food waste...

Feeling // like I have neglected this space but, I find that it is still here, and it does not judge me for my absence! Nor is it jealous of Instagram, where I spend most of any time I have to devote to such things.

Making // my family wait for me more than I normally do! I have a new camera and have been enjoying playing with it and finding out what it can do. The theory is the same but the feel and the photos are quite different.

Thinking // about my upcoming birthday. It is a 'significant' one but I find that the overwhelming feeling is of gratitude and anticipation of what could still be to come rather than despair at the amount of candles. I remember my parents turning 40 and they seemed much older than I feel now. I am guessing that they had those very same feelings, as did their parents before them! I told my children that age is not important, unless you are a cheese or maybe wine. My son pointed out that if I was milk I would be more concerned!!!

Dreaming // of the adventures to come with my husband. He has completed his pilot license and has become the owner of a most beautiful plane with buckets of vintage style.

How are you passing your time this winter? Are you sitting by the fire with a good book? Spending time with friends or family? Planning a holiday...

Happy July

Kate xx


Linking up with Say! Little Hen for Here & Now

Here & Now ~ April

the girls...

morning light on the Yarra

Melbourne sunrise

olive picker

Loving // the chance I had to go to Melbourne for some professional development recently. Not only was the conference inspiring and refreshing, but I love Melbourne and even the small amount of time I had around the two day conference was enough to explore, eat and generally take in the city vibe.

Eating // far, far too many Easter eggs. Somehow I won first prize in the raffle at preschool, where I work. My children were delighted...of course but there were daggers from some of my little preschool friends as their teacher made away with the booty.

Drinking // Lamington tea from T2. It's amazing, no wonder it's a best seller!

Feeling // that Autumn is finally here. I have had to find a jumper and some socks after months of relentless heat and it's wonderful. I love the more laid back summer lifestyle but not the temperatures that go with it. Our Olive tree agrees as it drops its Autumn bounty all over the backyard.

Making // Bed rolls. My daughter and I are off to our first State Camp with Girl Guides next week. There is some very cool stuff organised for us to do, a lot of which we have not had the chance to do before so it will be a grand adventure. FIngers crossed for blue skies and starry tent sleeping nights!

Thinking // about our chickens. I am turning into a crazy chicken lady who goes and talks to her brood, feeding them strawberry tops because they are their favourite! We are stalking the girls as they are at the egg laying age now and we can't wait for our own fresh offerings...we are thinking that the Easter Bunny might beat Stella, Tepinyaki and Peepachu in the Great Egg Race though...

Dreaming // always dreaming of maps, tickets, passports, adventures...

Happy April

Kate xx


Linking with Sarah for Here & Now 

Mother Nature

"Mother Nature has the power to please, to comfort, to calm and to nature one's soul" 

Anthony Douglas Williams

This is something I need to take to heart and remind myself of every day. There are always moments when, even the things I enjoy and love to do, leave me feeling a little overwhelmed. I feel a bit like Winnie the Pooh, in need of a honey sandwich  which I might even take to my bed...the ultimate comfort food!

Instead of filling my sheets with crumbs I have taken to the garden, not specifically for gardening you understand, but to feel the green under my feet and to enjoy the shade, the flowers, the quiet. 
I have put on my sneakers and taken to the streets to enjoy the head space and the neighbourhood fruits and flowers. 
I have taken an early moment to enjoy the golden light of sunrise.
I have stepped away from the couch or the kitchen to take in the sunset.
I have filled my back table with little pots of greenery and there are distinctly green corners in my house too...

I still feel a little swamped but, at least I am enjoying the view and the company of Mother Nature!

Do you have somewhere you retreat to? 

Kate x

Nella Mia Cucina ~ In My Kitchen

Crostata di lamponi ~ Raspberry tart

A few years ago I was asked what my hobbies were and, sadly, I was lost for an answer. Nothing I liked to do, other than read, seemed worthy of being called a hobby. As I have grown and matured I have discovered more about myself and I can quite happily say that food is definitely one of my hobbies. I love food and I love trying food from different countries, preferably in that country, but anywhere will do. Travel is another hobby and I have added photography to my list as well. 

Now travel is not something I can achieve whenever I want, but food and photography can both be found in my kitchen. I have been consumed by all things Italian lately and, inspired by Silvia Colloca's blog, her recipe books (coincidentally full of amazing photos of Italy as well as recipes) and her television series recently seen on the ABC, we have had some Italian heaven on our plates!

Invotini di melanzane con ricotta e spinaci ~ Stuffed eggplant rolls with ricotta and spinach

Now, I'm not wandering between to aisles of fresh produce at the Campo de' Fiori or sipping cappuccinos in the Piazza Navona. Nor am I marvelling at the stained glass windows at Il Duomo but one day I will, and I might just know what I am ordering from those Italian menus if I keep practising in my kitchen until then...

from Made in Italy with Slivia Colloca

looks like the picture in the book!
(made by my husband and daughter)

What is your favourite cuisine? Is it a family recipe or one you have perfected?

Happy eating, or cooking, or both!

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ January 2017

Well hello 2017. I wonder what you will bring? Is it a year to embrace balance and take time? Is it a year for big adventures? Is it a year that will scamper along? Maybe all of the above...

Loving // The lazy days, filled with good books, a movie or two and time to pursue hobbies at leisure.
Eating // Italian cuisine. I have been inspired by Silvia's Italian Table. I have been watching on ABC                     iView and doing a spot of cooking myself!
Drinking // Gin and tonic!
Feeling // A bit hot under the collar...it's summer in the outback and the rhythm of our day follows                       accordingly
Making // A photo book of the family photos from 2016. I hate them languishing on my laptop! I                            use Snapfish
Thinking // About belonging, what it means to me and how you can create it
Dreaming // Of kayaking in New Zealand, eating gelato in Italy, taking a train through Switzerland...

What are you dreaming of for 2017? Do you feel a belonging somewhere?

Kate xx



Joining Say! Little Hen with Here & Now