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

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

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

Travel Tales

It's true what they say about travel broadening your horizons. It doesn't matter if it is three hours from home or a long haul international flight, there will always be something you will learn, about the place you are in, about a different culture and about yourself.

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks in Japan with my beloved. We knew at the outset that it would be an adventure, but what an adventure it was! Not only do I now know how to make chopsticks work enough to not starve and how to say thank you in Japanese, I learnt so much about myself along the way. 

Fushimi Iari-taisha

There are always surprises and unexpected things around the corner. Sometimes you do not find what you were looking for but you might find something else amazing. 

Ryozen Kannon

If you can master the public transport system and cope with being a little lost occasionally, the world is your oyster, or mackerel or prawn. There is a lot of fish on the menu in Japan!

Imperial Gardens, Kyoto

Local knowledge is invaluable. Things are not always what they seem but this does not always diminish their beauty. 

Suirokaku Aqueduct,
Nanzen-ji

Sanmon Gate

Some things are worth getting out of bed early for. 

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

There will be new friends to be made along the way and despite planning, the things you stumble on may end up being some of your favourite moments. 

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

Try new things and always know that even if you don't enjoy it, it might still make a pretty picture!

Nishiki Markets

Gion

Enjoy and embrace all the things that make your destination different from home. 

Hiroshima

 Go with the flow...

Shibuya, Tokyo

Many things about Japan were well and truly out of my comfort zone...and I enjoyed that!

 I tried to speak the language, ate different things, remembered that free wi-fi and google maps are every traveller's best friend, packed an even smaller bag than last time, lost my bags (momentarily and on the way home, thank goodness), enjoyed the uninterrupted company of my beloved for the first time in a long time, got lost, found things I was not expecting and took so, so many photos.

Every time I travel I long to see more. I become braver and my wish list contains more and more destinations I would not have considered before. I want to try new things while I have a new and stronger appreciation of what I have at home. I have had long and monotonous travel time to ponder on what is really important to me, what I am passionate about and how I will prioritise these things. 

So while the dramas and workload of Term 4 that is familiar to all teachers encompasses my days, I dream of the next destination...and the one after that and the one after that!

Kate xx

Here & Now ~ September

It has been a while but I am still here...
This is a very small snippet of what has been going on.

Loving // The change of season and the abundant wildflowers this year. It has been much wetter than it has been for a long time and the paddocks are alive with colour. It takes me back to my childhood and memories of collecting paper daisies or going out on our property to look for Sturt Desert Peas with my Grandpa

Eating // Testing out the Broken Hill School of the Air cookbook, Boots Off Apron On and making jam drops. They make me think of shearing. I think they were one of the Smoko Box staples!

Drinking // Beautiful English Rose tea given to me by a friend for my birthday. 

Feeling // mixed emotions about changes and saying goodbyes. I keep hearing that quote in my head from The Sound of Music ' When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window.'  Other days I just hear Elton John singing 'The Circle of Life'. Ah well, if nothing else I am entertained.

Making // Time to just be. Tricky, but essential

Thinking // About seas of white paper daisies, clumps of yellow billy buttons and splashes of red desert peas...

Dreaming // Of days spent adventuring, exploring, getting lost, being an intrepid travellers
 with my beloved...these days are coming! Soon...

Enjoy the spring flowers (or the autumn colours), wherever you may be.

Kate xx


Linking with Sarah from 'Say! Little Hen' for Here and Now