Plumpness

These two fat kererus were hanging out in our garden yesterday. We see lots of tui's and kereru's around but these two looked particularly well fed. Are'nt they beautiful and plump. They almost look to big to be flying so gracefully through the air and perching up high on flimsy branches. Don't worry I did not break any laws and they are still flying plump and free but I did have a thought that I could totally see why they were historically the equivalent of roast chicken.


I read about ceramic drawing/painting here and was keen to give it a go. I bought two pens at spotlight, black and peacock. I got the milk jug and sugar bowl at a farmers sale and had a go at making them a bit prettier. I really love the final result, and the whole process was so simple. The picture on the milk jug is inspired by a pattern from a paper cutting website, that I painted free hand on to the jug and the sugar bowl is just a simple vine. I think the milk jug is really sweet.


At the farmers sale I also picked up this gigantic cup and saucer. I was in the midst of a bit of 60% off histeria and couldn't seem to control myself. It has made a really cool herb pot though.

Adaptation of the food pyramid

Baking is not always such a good idea, so far florentines have served as lunch yesterday and breakfast this morning. I suppose you could say it is a balanced meal with 'good fats' from the nuts, dried strawberries could scrape by as fruit and dark chocolate for a healthy heart.

Here is the recipe,(adapted from two different recipes) it makes meal time fun!!

Ingredients
115grams of dried or glazed fruit
345grams of nuts
1/3 cup (45grams) plain flour
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 cup (100grams) brown sugar
1/2 cup (120mls) honey
Melted dark chocolate

Preheat oven to 170 degrees celcius

Place your selection of nuts on baking paper and bake till roasted. I used macadamias and almonds. Cool, roughly chop and set aside.



Chop the fruit and add to the nuts. I used dried strawberries because I don't like glace cherries or mixed peel but you could use any dried or candied fruit.



Add flour, allspice and nutmeg


Heat sugar and honey till sugar dissolves. Place dessert spoonful sizes on baking paper and bake in oven till golden.


Spread melted chocolate on one side.



Eat for breakfast lunch and tea

High Tea

Despite the rain and more rain wellington was lovely. Lots of walks on the beach, movie watching, book reading and spending time with my Benjamin. I had a great time with my sister, we talk most days on the phone and I love spending time with her. She bravely had a final go at teaching me to knit, and I truly got the hang of it! She finally figured how I would miraculously start with 15 stitches and end up with 30 on the needles. Each time I put the needles down to do something I would come back and often start knitting backwards. I love what I made, so soft to wear, and the colours are beautiful. They liven up any outfit. On the way back from wellington I stopped off at the wool company full of inspiration and bought a beautiful ball of teal merino wall that I plan on knitting it in to a back up pair of wrist warmers, also because its the only thing I know how to knit!



We had an early birthday celebration for my sisters birthday which is tomorrow. She requested a sponge cake. Sponge cakes are so quick and simple to make and so yummy. We had run out of icing sugar so some sugar was pounded in the pestle and mortar. For some reason the icing sugar that was made was so much better tasting. I never thought there would be much difference between packaged icing sugar and freshly ground, maybe homemade just does taste better.


It had anathoths raspberry jam spread over with whipped cream on top boysenberries and grated chilli chocolate. We drank tea out of beautiful cups and ate cake. Everything tastes better when it looks pretty.

Rainy days

Isn't this pretty. I love the flower on the top. We are away in welly for the week. The rain just keeps on falling. We sheltered in a little cafe in Plimmerton. The hot chocolate was just as yummy as it was pretty. I love Plimmerton, it reminds me of England where so many of the beaches have boardwalks to stroll along. The plus seems you are higher up and have a better view of the beach and sea stretching out in front of you, it seems more expansive, but is always good to get the toes out and feel the water.


Yep, there is a puppy under there. Even Harper is hiding from the rain and cold.



I wonder if a Kate owns this boat? I have never seen a boat called Kate. I am glad that the boat I happen to find called Kate has some character. It looks like a happy boat, something appeals to me about it (other than it sharing my name!) I think it is the simple blue and white colouring, it looks solid and rustic. I would like to take a trip on that boat.


Doesn't he look like he is having the best sleep ever. I don't mind rain at night, the heavier the better. I hope it pours tonight, nothing better than snuggling down in bed, listening to the rain pound down on the roof and hopefully having a sleep as peaceful as this.