Starry starry night

I went away this weekend, to a little place simple and peaceful.

I love getting away: I love the packing up, the drive, the unplanned stops. It's always a case of leaving later than we want, and usually getting lost along the way. This time we packed little, in fact I only took one t-shirt and you know what I was OK with that. I didn't even pack my camera. Actually I didn't realise that I hadn't brought it until Aaron said that he was "glad I didn't pack it so I could enjoy the moments more". And he was right.

My best moment whilst away was one that A) I couldn't have taken a shot that would do it justice and B) I wasn't wearing anything.

The place had an outdoor bath which sits on a fire pit. During the day the girls had bathed together, as had Aaron and Phoenix. (That was some very cute father son time.) Aaron had thought the two of us should get in later that night. I thought it sounded like a crazy idea.

After we'd put them all to bed and I woke his sleepy head from beside our three girls I whispered "so are we going out?" I think he thought I'd back out, but no. I thought I'd get out there and step outside of my comfort zone.

It was so dark out! All we could see were the silhouettes of the trees, the fire still going, and the steam coming off the tub. Standing shivering in the dark, I was first to get in. It was truly amazing, being in a tub of hot water on a cool night in the middle of twenty acres under the most perfect midnight blue sky, dotted with more stars than I have ever seen.

We laid there we two and just enjoyed the peace, the escape from four children.  Aaron for once didn't want to talk much, it was me chattering for a change.  After a few minutes even I ran down, and we just quietly soaked it in.  Bliss.  There was even a meteor shower.

Falling stars, just for the two of us.

it begins today

Today I saw an opportunity.
I didn't procrastinate I didn't um and ahhh. I asked for what I wanted, what I needed, and I got it. Time to paint or draw, time to find the artist in me again.

Aaron left the house with Circe in tow to pick up Eliza from kinder, and I didn't waste a minute. I knew how precious this time was, I got to work. I cleared our sun room. I washed the windows and floor in there, this room recently housed our baby chicks and it still smelt of hay. I moved a couple of tables in and set up my space.

I dusted off the paints, threw out the hardened crusty ones,I discovered I had next to no paper to draw on except the end of an IKEA roll of paper, have to fix that mighty soon.

My gosh I was home alone and I was drawing not doing housework, write this down I tell you. I did have one visitor, Calvin the cat that thinks he lives here. He sniffed and brushed up against all the new things he hadn't seen till now. I even wrote a corny note on my blackboard so as to trigger this feeling I have in me to start something today.

My first projects are a commissioned painting, something botanical for a nursery. Concurrently I will also aim to get out four pieces for an art show in November, and a donated piece for auction in the art show for my children's school. Oh and maybe even for a small run of my own fabric, is that dreaming too big? I think not!

It begins today.

camping

During these last holidays we took a very spontaneous camping trip.

I like camping, there's not much else to say about that.  I'm happy when I camp.  Aaron gets to be fire boy, Phoenix gets to read, Eliza gathers sticks, Bea builds a shelter, Circe gets to be outside.  It makes you feel more all together.

Everyone stuffs their face with marshmallows.

I'm happy when I camp.

happy birthday baby!

My best birthday brunch

I am a little behind, these are some pictures from the brunch I had a couple of weeks ago for my... ahem 41st birthday.

On our menu

•  Poached eggs by the Poach-master General( Aaron)
•  Smashed potato roasted with sea salt
•  Home-grown sauteed spinach with garlic, lemon, olive oil
•  Lentil salad with baby spinach, home made goats cheese, mint, and lemon. (I think about four of us from the street each had a hand in this one each of us tweaking it just a bit.) It was divine.
•  Stuffed tomato with parsley, breadcrumbs, garlic, and parmesan
•  Bacon (of course) and baked beans on toast for the little ones
• Home-made bread with fresh orange juice.
• Caramel mud cake with a white chocolate ganache, thanks to  my beautiful neighbour. This was the first time in ages that someone else made my birthday cake!

September ten-on-ten

Ten-on-ten is always a bit of a thrill. And a chore, too, but mostly a thrill. Thanks to a bit of sunshine for the idea and the ongoing link-thing. Please head on over to see other's day in pictures. Here's mine...

Caramel salted popcorn

I am a fan of popcorn, who isn't? I love the stuff, in fact one of the things I look forward to whenever I get to the United States is their popcorn, The cheese flavoured ones I could eat by the bag-full.

One pre-made treat I do sometimes buy is the slightly sweet salted organic popcorn, my children love it.  And husband.

Usually for a school snack I just microwave some popcorn, lightly salt it or leave it plain. Then I came up with this recipe and the little feet come pitter pattering out of bed at night to grab before it can even make it to the lunch box. 

Caramel salted popcorn

1 cup popcorn
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cups raw sugar
30 g butter
Sea salt

The popcorn

In a large pot heat the vegetable oil.
Add the popcorn, I like to have a good layer of popcorn in the base of the pot. 
Make sure the kernels of corn are all coated in the oil.
With the lid on, allow them to pop, I remove them from the heat when they slow right down. 
Leave the heat on though. 

The caramel

Now you need to remove the popcorn from the pot, put it into a large bowl.
Put the pot back on the stove, add the sugar and let it just come to melt without burning.
Add the butter and stir.

Add the popcorn back to the pot and toss it around in the caramel to coat it.
Add as much or as little sea salt as you like.

These are just beautifully lightly coated in caramel and are crisp, not sticky.
They will keep in an airtight container for several days.