My Happy List: Idea from inner Pickle, from Fox's Lane Blog

 Idea from Inner Pickle, from Fox's Lane Blog

 

Living in a beautiful, pristine environment. Meeting up with kangaroos, lizards, small marsupials and the odd snake, almost daily!

 My lovely, relaxed,supportive husband. Seen here relaxing in ugg boots on the deck.

 Our beautiful sunny place, to sit,relax, share time with friends and family and soak up the view.

 Happy, silly, funny children. The best thing I ever did!

Our silly, naughty, gorgeous little boy. There's never a dull moment, and so many happy times....

I Don't Write So Much Anymore....

 As you can see from the photo, my two year old manages more time at the "pooter" than I do these days.
Life has been a bit of a whirlwind lately, and I hardly seem to catch my breath. I am struggling to do very much for myself, but I realize I need to get back to my knitting, sewing and the garden, (though it has had some attention lately, and I shall endeavour to post some pictures later.)

 In the last couple of months, much has been happening. We got back from our holiday to a new term, and then the organizing of Michael's 50th birthday party. We had a "sleep-over" party for 16 close friends, then the following weekend went out to lunch with Michael's family and my parents. There were about 16 of us there. It was a very pleasant lunch and I feel we celebrated his birthday well, just as he deserves.

 As well as the extra things going on, life powers along for a family of seven and there's rarely a dull moment (I wouldn't mind a bit of dull to be honest!). Charlie entertains us daily with his antics. Having young children, though exhausting, is just so entertaining and joyful. He is a little ray of sunshine.

We are trying to toilet train him, and starting to wean him off breastfeeding through the night. Perhaps that is adding to my level of exhaustion!

 I'm also busy cooking and baking for the family everyday. This gorgeous creation was an Angel food cake, which was very much like meringue, which was used in a trifle - just add jelly, custard (made with the egg yolks left over from the cake, and baked in the oven - so easy) fruit and cream.

And on top of all that, our big boy, Guthrie has been very busy studying and sitting his final exams. He will graduate next week. I can hardly believe it, but glad the stress of exams (mainly my stress) is over.

So maybe things can slow down now? Only 4 weeks til the summer school holidays start. Then we can enjoy no alarms, no breakfast rush, slow mornings, the beach and sunshine....ahh...

This Moment

Easy Vegetarian Curry (very yummy and eaten by the whole family)

This really is a very easy recipe,, mainly because it involves cheating by using a store bought jar of curry paste. But it tastes so good and the list of ingredients on the back doesn't include any nasties. So here it is:

Ingredients:
1 red onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped finely
6 medium potatoes cut into 2cm(ish) cubes
2 medium sweet potatoes cut into roughly the same sized pieces as the potato
1 large carrot,cut into 1cm cubes
1 cup chicken stock
400ml  can of coconut cream
400g can of haricot beans
1 jar of Valcom Massaman curry paste
2 Tablespoons of sugar
3 Tablespoons of fish sauce
Natural yoghurt to serve
Coriander and spring onions, chopped, to serve


Method:
Use about a tablespoon of rice bran or avocado oil to brown the onion and garlic. Add the vegetables and saute for a minute or two. Add the jar of paste and cook and stir for a minute or so.
Add the fish sauce and sugar, stock, beans and coconut cream.

Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through.

While that's cooking put your rice on to cook. I used jasmine, but it is nice with basmati or brown rice too.

Serve topped with coriander and spring onions and yoghurt if you like.

This tasted delicious, was warming and filling. It isn't too spicy and my 2 year old happily ate it.

You could use other beans( I think chickpeas would be nice), and any vegetables. I've made it before with cauliflower and peas and it was just as good. I also make it with chicken.

Sorry, I don't have a picture of it.....

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

It's been so long...

...since I last posted. I'm finding it really hard to find the peace and presence to write on my blog. I often think that it is silly, as I'm sure I don't have anyone reading it regularly, but I suppose as a record of our family life (or a tiny part of it) I should try to keep it up.Perhaps my children will enjoy reading it one day.

Since I last wrote, we have been on holiday in Augusta.

Charlie is growing and learning new words daily.
Charlie is presenting me with too many challenges to list.
I've decided to banish clutter and organize our living space (Ha! This should be challenging).
And now I must dash off to get ready for Michael's 5oth party. More later....

This Moment

What happens when you leave a toddler alone: