Dirtgirl

I love a good role model for my girls. This one might have a massive head like a vacuous Bratz doll but she's intelligent, kind, promotes environmental consciousness and has way more clues about gardening than I do.

Look out for the chooks rocking out in the clip.

Mountain Missive

It has almost been a year since we moved up to the Dandenongs and I think we're about 90% sure it was the right thing to do. (Leaving a margin for the times particularly during bushfire season where we simply say WTF did we do THAT for?) The spectacular Autumn just passed helped to anchor my deep love for this place and even as the Winter sets in I am making new connections, discovering new places and becoming entrenched in the community that now has my heart.

After doing some extensive research on the local educational facilities I happily enrolled the eldest into the local primary school for next year. (Already?!!! Wasn't she just born?!!) Their Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program and Permaculture garden was a massive drawcard but the educational curriculum, namely the Walker Learning Approach won us over as well. I had a little tour with the school principal and found that each classroom we visited was full of seemingly contented and engaged kids. The teachers were teaching in a relaxed, and engaged way and didn't have to waste their time to stop to 'discipline' kids every 30 seconds. Hopefully their enthusiasm is not just for when visitors walk in...

Random pic of self sown silverbeet that gives me a little thrill everytime
I look out the loungeroom window. I am apparently easily pleased.


Speaking of Permaculture, I have bought a small load of bare rooted heritage fruit trees from Pete the Permie to begin our mini orchard and am seriously considering doing some study in the field...could be a new career direction..


Oh, and look who came to live at our house! These pretty ladies are Belgian Bantams, and the brown blur in the middle is Coco the silkie.


I'm still working on better enclosure and day run. There's just too many predators around to let them free-range so I figure a decent run should keep them safe and happy.

Look What The Cat Dragged In...

Well me actually. We don't have a cat. A dear neighbour adopted him when we moved because we didn't think he'd cope with a big change and I don't believe people should really have pet cats up here so close to the bush (unless they're indoor or aviary pussycats).

Anyway, this ace brazier came from the local hard rubbish collection and I think it's pretty rad. The same day I found it I saw an ad for a glam version called the Brad Pitt brazier. Very chic and only $1100. Mine will do me just fine.

I Love This!

via hula seventy

This clip makes me feel a little hopeful, a bit melancholy, a lot grateful and so aware of the passing of time! I like how it's celebrating the small moments in (a first world, mainly middle class) life and is a reminder to me that each moment, no matter how seemingly mundane, is a valid piece of your life. Life is happening all the time. Not just in the exciting parts or the future bits you have mapped out in your brain.

If you have a spare 4 minutes and 16 seconds check it out. (Look out for the awesome letterbox.)

Quinoa Epiphany.

Way back in my early Naturopath days I learned about a curious grain called quinoa (pronounced 'keen-wa') which was purported to be a nutrient dense, fibre rich, protein packed alternative to rice. After a half-hearted and poor attempt to cook it I dismissed it as too wholesome even for me.

More recently I have rediscovered the grain and realizing that I must have really been a dodgy and/or lazy cook to stuff it up I am finding it to be a delicious and even preferable alternative to rice and couscous. Abundant availability has aided this epihany and even my local stupormarket stocks the grain in white, red and black!


After a somewhat shaky start, I have discovered quinoa to be a hit with the small folk of the house.
First taste (after removing from own bowl and transferring deftly to plastic lid for consumption). Ech! No thanks Mum!



What is that texture on my tongue? Get it off!



Eh, perhaps I'll try a bit more, just in case...



Actually I'm really in to this, now I'm going to eat yours too!

Quinoa Salad

Cook about 1 part rinsed quinoa in 2 parts rapidly boiling water until softened but not sloppy. (Look for the 'Saturn-ring' that appears when it's ready). I used a mix of white and red quinoa just because) and drain.

Add salady ingredients according to season and what you have already. I used a small tin of tuna, chopped red onion, avocado, left over cooked broccoli, crumbled fetta and chopped herbs. Grated carrot would be a good addition.

Dress with olive oil and sherry vinegar/lemon juice.
Season to taste and bon appetit!

A Few Words. Many Pictures.

A vividly beautiful Autumn has set in up here in the Dandenongs and as we moved here only last Winter, I am reveling in the spectacular palette of colour it has smattered around us. I have now witnessed almost a complete annual cycle in the garden so I have a good idea of what happens when, and now I can launch into my grand plans...as funds allow...


In the garden the Tigerellas continue their bounty.

Autumn seedlings are planted.


There are signs of life in my potted Coral Bark Maple that I thought had dehyrated to death.


And small people honing their gardening skills.




Inside, there are rainbows on my pages.



Hearty cooler weather salads involving couscous or quinoa with roasted pumpkin, herbs and flaked almonds.


And of course an almost constant supply of baked things.

Small people around here are way into that.

Ooh Look At That. I Made Something!

And about time too! My incentive was the imminent arrival of a small person. Let me explain.

One of my dearest friends had a baby blessing (Forget the baby shower concept; we do blessings) last weekend and requested that we each bring a small animal to hang on a mobile for the baby's room. There was no pressure to make anything but as most of us did I think there was an outpouring of creative energy for this yet to be born babe.

Maybe a macro shot was a bit much to expose my dodgy stitching skills but I was working with some extremely temperamental silk there. The green business is a net bag that previously contained avocados but I thought it kind of resembled fish scales and could help me out. The trouble was I had already done the eyes, fins and the bit on the side by the time I decided to use it so I had to stitch the avo bag on and then snip it away from all the decorative bits. I think a few more goes at this and I could have a rocking fish softie design.

Still needs its guts stuffed...

I'll make sure I get a snap of the full mobile once it's done.

Ooh, did I mention I'm going to be at the birth?