Well hello everyone.
*waves
It has been a while.
I was trawling though the back catalogue on eat my street recently and I realised it has been a really long time since I wrote a general post about life. So inspired by my Blog with Pip friends, I thought I would compose a “taking stock” for April piece.
Because I work in a school, my life is basically formed around the teen week term and two week holiday period, as well as the 5 day week and two day weekend. I think I may even be starting to think in terms of a 6 period day and a little break/ big break/ end of day. It’s funny what you get used to but I certainly never imagined myself “back at school.”
So April has had some holidays with my kids and some time at work and lots of other busy little moments in between.
Here is what I have been doing.
Making
My own recipes videos. I am definitely in the novice category but it is fun to learn a new skill.
I have also been thinking about making my own wax food clothes after seeing this simple little tutorial.
https://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/diy-reusable-beeswax-wraps/
I am a little unsure about how you wash them/ keep them clean so I’m not convinced yet.
Anyone given it a go?
Reading
It has been an excellent month for reading with two different books that I loved.
Force of Nature by Jane Harper and Americanah by Ghiamanda Ngozi Adiche.
I got lost in both of these books and they made my holiday a richer experience.
You can buy them both with my affiliate link at The Book Depository Australia.
Planting
I have been very busy in my little garden inspired by my son and also the very affordable little Aumanns nursery discovered near my house.
This month I have planted. Cardamom, dill, hot lips, spinach, coriander, Kaffir lime and Vietnamese mint.
Fingers crossed that I can keep it all alive….
Watching
I went to the Peter Rabbit movie with my two little boys and I really enjoyed it. Somehow I have developed a very soft spot for all things Peter Rabbit and the movie did not disappoint me. I even teared up a little, and my son declared it “the best movie ever.”
Cooking
I have been cooking a lot of different things. I always love to experiment and try something new and the school holidays are a great time to give it a go.
- I am already making a lot of soup. High on rotation so far is my Oma’s chicken soup and also this porcini, lemon and chicken ball soup.
- I also made this white chocolate mud cake recipe about 7 times in 3 days for my nieces engagement party. We sandwiched it together with the white chocolate ganache and then covered it in swiss meringue frosting. This was definitely hard work and there was much excitement at my house.
Hats off to professional cake makers from me.
- Bircher museli. Grated apple, fresh blueberries, coconut shards and roasted nuts. This made for a breakfast treat at my house.
- I also made my own basil pesto with my beautiful crop of fresh basil from the garden, and some homemade marscapone with balsamic roasted figs (another great gluten free breakfast ideas).
Perfecting
My gluten-free repertoire.
I have now converted this egg & bacon pie recipe successfully to gluten-free, as well as my favourite, much-loved brownie recipe. This best ever chocolate cake recipe also works well and has no flour.
Drinking
Too much coffee. Should I cut back? Or should I just drink more? Only time will tell.
Celebrating
My best friends 40th birthday.
What a blessing a good friend is.
Merren and I have been friends for nearly forty years and it made me a little bit emotional to think about how important she has been in my life.
This month I also celebrated 18 years of marriage and a little bit of time away from my three children. Both things were good, but the long dreamed of trip to the Lake House Daylesford was pretty special.
Wondering
What will go on my “40 ways to celebrate turning 40” bucket list for this year.
I am currently at about 24 things that I hope to do, including owning my own apple tree.
What would you add to yours?
Liking
My Woolworth online home delivery service.
It has actually changed my life.
Anyone else dread the weekly grocery shop?
Since I went back to work 4 days a week, and since my children started growing at astronomical rates, I have had to be very organised about food purchasing.
My current solution is to order my groceries on the Saturday and simply pick them up on a Sunday afternoon, ready for my Sunday evening cook off. Preparing all my lunches for the week on the weekend is the only way I can stay healthy.
Lately I have even been receiving a hand written thank you note and a few little chocolates as a gift from my “personal shopper.”
I think the best bit is that I can order absolutely everything I need, with my recipe books right next to me and with no worry about being able to carry what I order.
If you like ordering online too, then please use my affiliate link. Go on. Here it is. Woolworths
Bliss.
Trying
An excellent new restaurant Kazukis in Daylesford. It came highly recommended to me by a fellow food blogger and it did not disappoint. It is not often that food is completely surprising (in a good way) and I honestly experienced flavours that were completely new to me.
I. Loved. it.
Hoping
That camp goes well for my daughter this week.
I will miss her…..
Thinking
About home and lifestyle and my ever present daydream about living in the country. Life is busy and full and I really love where we live but I often have an intense desire to disappear amongst the trees.
Noticing
How good I feel when I visit the countryside. Particularly when the horizon opens up and there are open skies and green space for miles. It has such a soothing effect on me.
I must remember to go more often.
Feeling
Tired and overwhelmed and like I am craving a little bit more white space in my life.
So there it is, my April wrap-up.
I wonder how your April has been?
Here’s to a healthy and happy May.
Dani xx