22 July 2013

This Weekend

Was spent trying to stay warm as winter finally arrived. It has been cold, rainy and windy, just my kind of weather.

I made more chicken soup to freeze.

As well as a Gluten Free Pear Almond Cake, it smelt amazing. Recipe here.
The first flowers appeared on the pea vines.
And the first of the green sprouted broccoli made an appearance.
Knitting was done, undone and redone and still it isn't right. I think the pattern must be wrong, at least I hope it's the pattern.
Steamy artwork drawn by my youngest daughter.

I also started and almost completed a set of curtains for the kitchen window.
What did you do this weekend?

04 July 2013

Slow Living 2013 - June

Joining Christine at Slow Living Essentials for the month of June.

{NOURISH} 
Making lots of old fashioned stews, pea and ham soup as well as chicken soup to warm us on these cold winters nights.
Also tried my hand at making spelt bread. It turned out better than I expected and I will definitely be making it again.
{GROW} 
My first winter harvest, coriander which along with some chilli, lime juice, ginger and garlic went into chicken mince to make Thai Chicken Cakes which I served with rice and the first of the pak choy, bok choy, kohl rabi leaves and kailaan. Delicious!
 And I picked our very first crop of mandarins.
{REDUCE}
I use to leave any leftovers in the refrigerator hoping that someone would eat it, unforunately more often than not it just got thrown out. I have now started to freeze any left overs in single serve portions which are easy to reheat for a quick lunch and and I don't feel guilty about wasting food anymore.

{GREEN }
I've been making my own laundry powder for about six months now and am more than happy with it. This month I made a surface cleaner (original recipe from Tea with Lucy) . So far I have found it really good, you do need to let it sit for a bit before you wipe it off.

{CREATE
A two tone scarf for my daughter
 Pattern from It's a Stitch Up
and I started a ripple rug for my bed.
{DISCOVER} 

and re-discovered some old favourite TV shows. 
{ ENJOY}
This month I have been  enjoying time with my family, the cold, rainy weather, 
 lunch in the city

and a walk along the river.