Evening...the sun's just sinking into the horizon and the night noises are creeping into the house through open doors and windows. Andrew Bird (a.k.a the whistler) is lighting up my ears with "Noble Beast". Beautiful, strange, simple and complex, unforgettable melodies and personal-glimpses lyrics. Anytime music, but love driving with his voice, violin and haunting whistling.
Tall contorting trees
soughing sighing soldiering
breathing art
radiating
breath of life
climbing clambering
limbs entwined
merging resonant spirits
imprinted
infinitely
Fruit is in abundance and I decided to try jam making. It's fun and a lot easier than I imagined. Here is a great tangy apricot jam. Less sugar than is traditional but it worked well. 1.5 kg fresh apricots. 800g raw brown sugar. Juice of 1-2 lemons (1 large/2 med). Wash, halve and stone apricots. Put in a large bowl with 300g sugar and lemon juice. Stir well. Leave for 2 hours. Pour into large pot, add rest of sugar, stir and bring to a slow boil. Lower heat and keep bubbling slowly. Skim off any foam and stir often. Due to the reduced amount of sugar cook at least an hour like this or a maximum of 2 hours. Pour into hot jars sterilised in the oven at 170 degrees celsius for 10 mins (handle with care), seal and turn upside down on a tea towel until cool. This will create a vacuum. Yummy with fresh baked bread! Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
No.15
Hellooooooo.... "Just as long as we've got rock 'n roll then everything'll be alright, it'll be alright", The Duke and the King have overtaken pretty much everyone as the most listened to band in our house right now. There's the Felice Brothers high rebellion and story but in a chilled out soul-y kind of way. And the poetry and under-the-skin tragedy make it an emotional, ethereal experience. So, so good....
Cyclical circles
life
death
daily reminders of
insignificant ancient
tangible fathomless
always
interconnected
love
transient eternity
I was inspired to make some childhood-memory sweets recently and these were the yummiest (albeit slightly updated). Chocolate rice crispie squares. 100g Dark chocolate. 100g Milk chocolate. 2 cups rice crispies. 1 cup medium dessicated/ shredded coconut. 1/2 cup sesame seeds. Break chocolate into pieces in a large heat-proof bowl. Melt over a saucepan of simmering water stirring every now and again (don't allow water to touch bowl). When its nice and smooth remove bowl and add rest of ingredients in order, mixing after each addition. Scrape into a 20x20cm dish, flatten with a spatula and score squares into it now. Refrigerate at least 1 hr before cutting/breaking up. Enjoy!
Cyclical circles
life
death
daily reminders of
insignificant ancient
tangible fathomless
always
interconnected
love
transient eternity
I was inspired to make some childhood-memory sweets recently and these were the yummiest (albeit slightly updated). Chocolate rice crispie squares. 100g Dark chocolate. 100g Milk chocolate. 2 cups rice crispies. 1 cup medium dessicated/ shredded coconut. 1/2 cup sesame seeds. Break chocolate into pieces in a large heat-proof bowl. Melt over a saucepan of simmering water stirring every now and again (don't allow water to touch bowl). When its nice and smooth remove bowl and add rest of ingredients in order, mixing after each addition. Scrape into a 20x20cm dish, flatten with a spatula and score squares into it now. Refrigerate at least 1 hr before cutting/breaking up. Enjoy!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
No.14 (Carla's post)
It's almost summer and now it's hiding. Lifted my face to feel cold splashes today. Looping the headphones tonight is Modest Mouse - 'The Moon and Antarctica'. Weirdly wonderful, melodic, uplifting, darkly charming...altogether just right, right now.
Stream of consciousness...floating childhood memories
outstretched hand
can't catch, the meaning
unconscious tears
laughter
peripheral visions
bitter-sweet remembrance
dizzy joy
spinning sky
winded fall
weightless ocean
endless freedom
This life, may be all.
At a family lunch recently the multiple intertwined memories of love-filled food and ties that bind, bound me again.
So, the Morning Benders - 'Big Echo' is playing the nostalgia-for-now soundtrack. And although summer is shy we've been loving light healthy food! Quick stir-fry. Serves 4. 2 cups cooked brown rice. 2-3 courgettes/zucchini, washed, halved and sliced. 1 sweet red pepper, washed, halved, seeded and thinly sliced. 1 small punnet mushrooms, wiped and sliced. 1/2 cup fresh basil & 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves washed. 1 TBSP sunflower oil. 2 TBSPs Soy Sauce. Heat oil in a wok & stir fry veg on a med-high heat, about 5 mins. Add rice and stir through. Reduce heat. Using kitchen scissors cut basil and coriander into rice & veg mix. Stir through. Add soy sauce and stir through. Add whole coriander leaves when serving. Enjoy.
Stream of consciousness...floating childhood memories
outstretched hand
can't catch, the meaning
unconscious tears
laughter
peripheral visions
bitter-sweet remembrance
dizzy joy
spinning sky
winded fall
weightless ocean
endless freedom
This life, may be all.
At a family lunch recently the multiple intertwined memories of love-filled food and ties that bind, bound me again.
So, the Morning Benders - 'Big Echo' is playing the nostalgia-for-now soundtrack. And although summer is shy we've been loving light healthy food! Quick stir-fry. Serves 4. 2 cups cooked brown rice. 2-3 courgettes/zucchini, washed, halved and sliced. 1 sweet red pepper, washed, halved, seeded and thinly sliced. 1 small punnet mushrooms, wiped and sliced. 1/2 cup fresh basil & 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves washed. 1 TBSP sunflower oil. 2 TBSPs Soy Sauce. Heat oil in a wok & stir fry veg on a med-high heat, about 5 mins. Add rice and stir through. Reduce heat. Using kitchen scissors cut basil and coriander into rice & veg mix. Stir through. Add soy sauce and stir through. Add whole coriander leaves when serving. Enjoy.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Lucky 13
Apologies for the unplanned hiatus....sometimes technology just doesn't play along. I tried to blog from my cellphone; just couldn't do it. I need a proper keyboard in front of me! 'Deer Tick - War Elephant' is soundtracking tonight....he's got one of those unmistakable voices and I love the images their lyrics conjure up. There is something dusty and world-weary yet optimistic about it.
Cynicism seems to be a respected form of wit, a show of intelligence, a mask of superiority. 'I have done and seen so much I'm bored'. Granted, cynical comments can be very funny, but I always get a little shiver of sadness. Children capture me with their wondrous innocence. We can't hang onto that indefinitely but we can unburden ourselves of the heaviness around us. Don't limit yourself to a life lived by opinions and judgements. Liberation lies in true freedom of thought. Try it.
Here is a super yummy healthy side dish. Baked sweet potato. 4 med sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed, skin on. 100g butter, softened. 2 cloves garlic, crushed. 1-2 med-hot chillies chopped. 1 TBSP fresh grated ginger. 1/2 cup fresh coriander, washed and chopped. Pre-heat oven to 190 degrees celsius. Prick sweet potatoes a few times and bake in oven until soft. About 45 mins - 1 hr. Mix rest of ingredients and refrigerate until sweet potatoes are cooked. Slice open sweet potatoes and fill with butter mix. Enjoy!
Cynicism seems to be a respected form of wit, a show of intelligence, a mask of superiority. 'I have done and seen so much I'm bored'. Granted, cynical comments can be very funny, but I always get a little shiver of sadness. Children capture me with their wondrous innocence. We can't hang onto that indefinitely but we can unburden ourselves of the heaviness around us. Don't limit yourself to a life lived by opinions and judgements. Liberation lies in true freedom of thought. Try it.
Here is a super yummy healthy side dish. Baked sweet potato. 4 med sized sweet potatoes, scrubbed, skin on. 100g butter, softened. 2 cloves garlic, crushed. 1-2 med-hot chillies chopped. 1 TBSP fresh grated ginger. 1/2 cup fresh coriander, washed and chopped. Pre-heat oven to 190 degrees celsius. Prick sweet potatoes a few times and bake in oven until soft. About 45 mins - 1 hr. Mix rest of ingredients and refrigerate until sweet potatoes are cooked. Slice open sweet potatoes and fill with butter mix. Enjoy!
Monday, September 20, 2010
No.12
Hello again. Here in the southern hemisphere summer is rolling on in and the Fleet Foxes are helping it along. So pretty and harmonious and deep with the perfect hint of intrigue. Saw a Vincent Moon directed vid of them on youtube a few days ago. Ridiculously talented boys captured in an edgy, bleached polaroid, unadorned, just-right kind of way. They've got a new album coming out soon...love being impatient about the release of an album or book!
I know I've said this before, but feel it needs a bit of expansion. Never underestimate the power of being in the presence of nature. Mountains, gardens, rivers, parks, breathing trees, singing birds, quiet beaches all keep your senses alive. Our world is often noisy and frenetic, contradictory and exciting. There is something so dynamic and peaceful about letting natural surroundings wash over you. Close your eyes and breathe in the salty waves, warm green scrub, forest leaf tea stream, earthy moss, perfumed lavender, splashing rain, bracing snow. Live, live, live.
Aaah Midlake...the only possible follow-up. Today's recipe is a perfect sunshiny day meal. Apple and brie salad. Enough for 4. A large colander full of mixed lettuce (butter, rocket, cos, iceberg, red and green oak leaf etc.), washed and dried. Half a cucumber thinly sliced. 2 crispy, slightly tart apples cored and sliced (squeeze a little lemon juice over and toss to prevent going brown). About 1 1/2 cups sweet rosa/cherry tomatoes. A wedge of brie thinly sliced. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts / pecan nuts. 2 TBSPS each apple cider vinegar and fruity extra virgin olive oil whisked together. Put all ingredients in a large salad bowl leaving apple, brie and nuts for the top. Splash dressing over. Enjoy!
I know I've said this before, but feel it needs a bit of expansion. Never underestimate the power of being in the presence of nature. Mountains, gardens, rivers, parks, breathing trees, singing birds, quiet beaches all keep your senses alive. Our world is often noisy and frenetic, contradictory and exciting. There is something so dynamic and peaceful about letting natural surroundings wash over you. Close your eyes and breathe in the salty waves, warm green scrub, forest leaf tea stream, earthy moss, perfumed lavender, splashing rain, bracing snow. Live, live, live.
Aaah Midlake...the only possible follow-up. Today's recipe is a perfect sunshiny day meal. Apple and brie salad. Enough for 4. A large colander full of mixed lettuce (butter, rocket, cos, iceberg, red and green oak leaf etc.), washed and dried. Half a cucumber thinly sliced. 2 crispy, slightly tart apples cored and sliced (squeeze a little lemon juice over and toss to prevent going brown). About 1 1/2 cups sweet rosa/cherry tomatoes. A wedge of brie thinly sliced. 1/2 cup chopped walnuts / pecan nuts. 2 TBSPS each apple cider vinegar and fruity extra virgin olive oil whisked together. Put all ingredients in a large salad bowl leaving apple, brie and nuts for the top. Splash dressing over. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
No.11
Sunday, Sunday... The Felice Brothers are winding down the week-end with their smoky piano whiskey saloon songs. I guess we all have a little of the wild west in us even if only planted in our youthful minds at saturday afternoon double bill shows. It's not about whether you were the cowboy or the indian but instead how, unconstrained by concrete and metal, life on the frontier played out. Sleeping under a mysterious, blinking, star-splattered, inky sky. Living and breathing survival.
Somehow now we live in a world where those fighting for survival are only a few decisions away from those creating dramas to enrich their blandly complacent lives. It's not a judgement, but an uneasy observation. Treat everyone you meet as you would like to be treated. An unexpectedly effortless way to live.
Sometimes the gravity of humanity makes the recipes seem frivolous. I remind myself of the philosophy of simple pleasures.
Here is a very easy girly cake icing. I made a vanilla double layer cake for a friend's daughter yesterday and topped it with this and fresh strawberries. 1/2 cup softened butter. 1/3 cup icing sugar. 1 cup fresh strawberries blended to a slightly chunky pulp. Cream butter and sugar, with an electric beater, until light and fluffy. Add strawberry pulp. Beat until combined. If consistency is too soft, refrigerate about 15 mins and then top cake/s. Enjoy
Postscript: Onto 'Tonight at the Arizona' and 'Rockefeller Druglaw Blues' another play it twice favourite. So nostalgic and modern.
Somehow now we live in a world where those fighting for survival are only a few decisions away from those creating dramas to enrich their blandly complacent lives. It's not a judgement, but an uneasy observation. Treat everyone you meet as you would like to be treated. An unexpectedly effortless way to live.
Sometimes the gravity of humanity makes the recipes seem frivolous. I remind myself of the philosophy of simple pleasures.
Here is a very easy girly cake icing. I made a vanilla double layer cake for a friend's daughter yesterday and topped it with this and fresh strawberries. 1/2 cup softened butter. 1/3 cup icing sugar. 1 cup fresh strawberries blended to a slightly chunky pulp. Cream butter and sugar, with an electric beater, until light and fluffy. Add strawberry pulp. Beat until combined. If consistency is too soft, refrigerate about 15 mins and then top cake/s. Enjoy
Postscript: Onto 'Tonight at the Arizona' and 'Rockefeller Druglaw Blues' another play it twice favourite. So nostalgic and modern.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Downing Street
Another day of more buds on all the trees in our garden and busy birds building nests... Love the changing seasons. Got the headphones filtering some anthemic rock in the form of Doves "Some Cities" (soon to be followed by "The Last Broadcast") into my ears. It's that real English alternative rock; music with so many layers and intricacies and rollercoaster emotions...I can never listen to 'Walk in Fire' just once. Got to love it.
Balance. Rolls off the tongue so easily but is a bit more difficult to apply day to day. I find it a lot easier to deal with things when I accept that some days are better than others. Today wasn't a great day...although this music is helping a lot! I couldn't imagine life in monotone. I am grateful that I feel incredibly happy most of the time and it seems that the occasional down day makes me appreciate happiness even more. I guess the lesson is in the acceptance of events rather than the resistance of them. I am not talking about accepting anything other than what you want from life, but realising that there are ups and downs.
Here's a cop-out pasta recipe that is super healthy and delicious. Enough for 4. 18-20 cherry/ rosa tomatoes cut in half. 1x tin of tuna (I did say cop-out). 18-20 black olives pitted and quartered. A handful of flat-leaf parsley chopped. Good (organic if possible) extra virgin olive oil. Pasta of your choice. Cook pasta al dente, rinse, drain put back in pot and onto a med heat. Pour in a good glug of olive oil, toss and add rest of ingredients. Stir through to warm. Serve with grated parmesan. Enjoy
Balance. Rolls off the tongue so easily but is a bit more difficult to apply day to day. I find it a lot easier to deal with things when I accept that some days are better than others. Today wasn't a great day...although this music is helping a lot! I couldn't imagine life in monotone. I am grateful that I feel incredibly happy most of the time and it seems that the occasional down day makes me appreciate happiness even more. I guess the lesson is in the acceptance of events rather than the resistance of them. I am not talking about accepting anything other than what you want from life, but realising that there are ups and downs.
Here's a cop-out pasta recipe that is super healthy and delicious. Enough for 4. 18-20 cherry/ rosa tomatoes cut in half. 1x tin of tuna (I did say cop-out). 18-20 black olives pitted and quartered. A handful of flat-leaf parsley chopped. Good (organic if possible) extra virgin olive oil. Pasta of your choice. Cook pasta al dente, rinse, drain put back in pot and onto a med heat. Pour in a good glug of olive oil, toss and add rest of ingredients. Stir through to warm. Serve with grated parmesan. Enjoy
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