call me a hooker

I found myself at Lincraft again the other day, 40% off....I had no inspiration for a new project, I have one on the go already, but I caved and brought some of my favourite wool colours - grey and red.  I came home and plopped my bag of goodies next to my recliner (did I really just say that out loud) and felt a feeling wash over me.  Guilt.  Yarn guilt.  I had a pile of  balls, some new and some left overs gushing out of my basket.  After some quick googling, I came up with this delightful pattern for a happy flower blanket.  Truth be known, I'm not big on colour, but my crochet balls of yarn where leading me to it.  I wasn't sure I'd be braking rules not keeping to all the one type of yarn, but that's the thing I love about crochet, as I do with cooking recipes, I'm finding as my confidence grows - I'm fooling around with the 'recipe' as I keep calling the patterns. Beginners errors :)

I started off using a 4.25mm hook but after some trial and more trial, I pulled it out and used my fav 5mm one.  But no, it wasn't right so back to the first.  The yarns are a mixture of mostly 8 ply and some acrylic and some pure wool.  I do love using the 4 seasons pure wool 8 ply 100% australian wool made for Spotlight, but the colours are limited.  I'd be keen to hear of any yarns you love to use as we are limited here where I live with only Spotlight and Lincraft and I'm actually surprised how poor the range and colours are.  I've seen some gorgeous yarns on Attic 24's yarn shop in the UK, but I'm holding off a purchase until she releases her next CAL (crochet a-long for the uninitiated, up until recently I thought it was short for calorie ;))

I've been at these for nearly a week now and I'm getting more confident with the blending and picking of colours.  I'm actually really loving the bright colours.  I did change a couple of parts of the recipe though.  As I didn't want huge squares, I omitted a round - round 4, as the pattern is using 3.5mm hook and cotton.   I also did just straight double crochet (dc in US terms or tr in UK terms) for rounds 3, 4 and 5 of my crochet.

 I'm looking to start joining it soon, but about another few dozen to do before then, there is no rush, this baby is for moi.

I wish you could all see me hooking and watching cooking shows in my recliner.  This equals one happy Jan :D

Ciao, Jan x

In my kitchen January 2015

I'm really happy to say that my blogging mojo has come back from it's hidding place and I'm loving the process and the way it makes me live more mindfully purely by the process.  Last year I felt paralised by judgement, I'm not sure if putting a blog page on facebook was what started the feeling but I've put an end to that and I'm not worrying about keeping up with others blogs and more invested in how it makes me feel.  And that is, happy.  It really gets my creative juices flowing in a way I've never felt, other than my new love affair with crochet.  I guess this is what people have been trying to explain to me for some time about living your passion.  

I did also have a ripper of a year health wise and not in the good sense, you can read about what that is here and that still plagues me daily, but I'd rather not dwell on that here.

I did also struggle with content last year as I felt I had said so much of what I believe and the way we live.  None of that has changed.  I didn't want it to be stale and the same old types of photos, so I've been looking at joining in some other blogs with a kitchen or crochet theme for inspiration.

I've come across this link up with in my kitchen with Celia from fig jam and lime  that I thought would be fun to do each month.  I'm also a closet voyeur so the thought of looking into other peoples kitchens appeals to me!!  

I'll pop the lid on the crochet one soon....

So here is my first attempt at "in my kitchen at the moment"...although a lot of the goodies have been eaten from Christmas that I was given but heres a peep!!! 

In my kitchen at the moment....I am crushing on this coconut oil big time.  I'm having it mixed in yoghurt, on rice cakes with banana and peanut butter (trust me it is my favourite indulgence), cooking with it as it has a high smoking point, adding to steamed greens and I've popped a jar of it by my bedside table to put it on my dry hands and feet before bed.  I also love the jar and it's a reasonable price at just under $12 from my local GoVita health food store.

After all the Christmas over indulgence, my body is craving healthy food.  I'm not gluten intolerant but I just am less bloated if I limit my intake.  I'm into rice cakes with everything from the above mentioned peanut butter, sliced banana and a smidge of coconut oil(there's a picture of this with some home grown sliced strawberries for a breakfast below), to these that were hummus, avocado, grated carrot, slivers of christmas ham, cos lettuce and a squeegy of balsamic glaze.  I'm also having a few miso soups on the side instead to limit my caffeine intake.

On a shelf in my kitchen is a picture of my husband and daughter in Grieve in Chianti, Tuscany many years ago.  It keeps my memories alive.  We had coffee, many gelato, cakes, biscuits, pasta dishes, Chianti wine, salami's, breads and conversations in this town square we called home for a week.  There is also a little bird that I brought for a friend and I to share one each as a symbol of our friendship no matter how far apart.  A stack of inspiration cards sent to me by another dear friend, I change them everyday with a shuffle and see what that day's words will inspire me with.  Today's say "derive strength from those that love and support you".  There is also a vintage bowl and tiles that just make me happy sitting up there too.

In my kitchen are these words that are mounted on the wall....not that I need reminding, surprise surprise!!

In my kitchen is a Christmas foodie gift of red onion marmalade and chutney...I'll save these for a rainy day slow cooked casserole in winter I think.

In my kitchen fridge are a few of my condiments of the moment.  From left to right: The last of my chutney, some chutney from another dear friend - beetroot and raspberry, my absolute must have is lanas garden rhubarb sauce.  It's like a really, really good bbq sauce.  I add it to everything, and lastly this aioli "Blessed and lucky" made with free range eggs.  Oh and can't forget some of hubby's red onions.

In my kitchen there is some crochet paraphernalia, a spin cushion I made for the darning needle I kept losing and my latest project slowly taking shape, an elephant I picked up in Thailand last year and a few sentimental things. 

In my kitchen, sitting up high, are my nan's old scales that I cherish but don't use.  I thought it deserved a sepia photo seeing as they are over 70 years old.  I'd love to know their cooking memories.

And lastly in my kitchen are a jug of freshly picked basil leaves from the bountiful crop outside.  I love the smell of them, but they are also added into lots of my salads at the moment.

So that's it for this month, that was fun...until next time.

Ciao, Jan x

garden happenings and the last of the December photo a day challenge

Short and sweet ramblings today....Here is the final days of the photo a day for the month of December.  I've noticed it has gone from a month long challenge to a weekly one.  You can check it out here if you are interested.

Day 29:  "I need less of this" I will be trying

Day 30:  "us"

Day 31:  "my best bit of 2014" learning to be a hooker :D

I thought I'd also share some special garden moments that happened over the past few weeks.

There is no picture of the first tomatoes as they were greedily eaten before I even thought of getting a photo of them.  Gosh, I wish you could taste them.  They were picked on a hot summers day, still warm from the sun and even though it had a hint of orange, not the perfect red hue, it was sensational-juicy and sweet as a lolly.

First of the zucchinis and the last of the parsnips - these were made into sea salt and chilli chips as a little appetizer before dinner one night

my first apricot....I've been lovingly nurturing these along, covering from the birds but the winds we experience over the Christmas period I couldn't control.  Nevermind...walking out and picking my breakfast never tasted so good

 a new lot of beetroot, cos lettuce, and leeks coming on

I spy with my little eye....

the next lot of spinach coming up

Cavolo nero my fav leafy green...I've been lightly boiling it with other leaves (beetroot leaves, spinach, kolrabi), drain, get as much water out as you can and mix with a good tablespoon of coconut oil, salt and pepper - delicious and something I'm never tired of

I can't wait to go out and pick tonights dinner, what ever that may be :D

Ciao, Jan x

New year resolutions and all that Jazz

Honestly, I feel a tad like, here we go again, another new year, another resolution.  I'm not big on them really, but I do like the idea of starting a fresh with the best of intensions.

There were a few posts that hit a cord with many of you and I'll share a couple here:

Last December, I mean 2 Decembers ago :) I was really excited by this 52 week money challenge for 2014 but unfortunately we hit some tough times and I had to break into the piggy bank half way through.  I love the idea of this challenge, but it really is a lot of extra moola to find once the 30 and 40 weeks hit.  So, no this won't be on my to do list this year, but it was the most popular post on my blog, so there must be some people interested in it!!

This is one of my favourite posts from last year, and a popular one too.  I really need to keep reminding myself to CTFD and take my own advice!  This is on my resolutions list.

This recipe for a whole roast of beef was hopefully inspiring to many of you to not just read it but have a go at cooking one.

Although this was an old post, it's one of my favourites and I still make this no knead bread every few days.  If you have been thinking of trying bread making, give this a go - it really is easy and so rewarding.

Given school and work will be back on our agendas, this post on lunchbox dazzlers might get  you inspired to get organised and do some baking for the freezer.

I'm going into 2015 with some resolutions, but the main one will be to blog more this year.  It might take on a more crochet/lifestyle edge due to my one new years resolution I conquered last year, to learn to crochet, which is probably part of the reason I really didn't nurture my little blog last year.  I won't force it, but I just know how much I enjoy it in my little patch of this crazy cyber world.

Ciao, Jan x

a photo a day for the month of December - week 4

It's that time again, and here is week 4 of the photo a day for December challenge...although there will be 3 more days on new years day :)

Day 22: "tis the season" to send cards and little presents

Day 23: "tree"

Day 24: "colour"

Day 25: "celebration" my christmas table

Day 26: "animal"

Day 27: "I like..." food :D

Day 28: "book" me in for lots of garden greens to wash away the gluttony!

I hope you are all having a great Christmas time and see you all in 2015!

Ciao, Jan

a photo a day for the month of December - week 3 and a Merry Christmas from me

Can you believe it's the 21st of December!!  Buckle in for the ride in the next few days!!
Here is the 3rd weeks installment of the photo a day for the month of December.  You can see week 1 here  and week 2 here

Day 15: "super" chuffed with how my little project without a pattern turned out

Day 16: "beautiful"

Day 17: "sunshine"

Day 18: "sign" of rain

Day 19: "something to be happy about" I found this in my daughters school workbook, touched my heart

Day 20: "food" I love this time of year: fresh basil and garlic from the garden with home made pizzas

                                    Day 21: "this is interesting..." 
                                               our new chook 
                            house my clever husband has made out of 
                   an old swind set...very interesting process: more on the blog 
                                              in the new year

I did plan on doing some more blogging but unfortunately I have to say my Merry Christmas' now.  I'm having 14 people for Christmas lunch and there is lots to do before Thursday.  My health hasn't been very good so I need to pace myself :)

This past week has also had some terrible news stories that have touch so many of us, both in Australia and around the world.  My heart goes out to all involved and I think it's a timely reminder to give your loved ones that extra hug or I love you....life can change in the blink of an eye.

Ok, lighten up Jan!!  What I really wanted to say was to all who pop in and read my blog, take the time to leave comments and even the ones of you who don't, a heart felt Merry Christmas to you all.  I hope you enjoy the break, if you are lucky enough to get one, and relax and recharge.  If like me, you are hosting a big whoohaa on the day, try and remember it is all about being together, not how perfect everything has to be, well that's my mantra anyway.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Ciao, Jan x

a photo a day for the month of December - Week 2

   Wow the weeks are zipping past aren't they.  I've been doing lots of Christmas baking, card writing and crocheting: I will do a post later this week with all that's been going on in my world lately.  But for now, here is week 2 of the a photo a day challenge.  

Day 8: "simple pleasure" the last of our broadbeans...
I just love their little natural cosy looking beds

Day 9: "decoration" made for me by a dear clever friend

Day 10: "closed door"

Day 11: "something red"

Day 12: "skyline" 
this is how being mindful gets you to be in the right place at the right time :D

Day 13: "much loved" :)

Day 14: "drink"

So that's week 2 down, I haven't even taken a look at this weeks words yet, must go and get inspired.

I'm sure all of you are in the full swing of the Christmas silly season.  I hope you have time to take a breath, relax and enjoy the moment in the coming weeks as it really is about taking stock of the year that's been, indulging and taking time to be with those near and dear.

Oh, and I have to confess I totally dropped out of the 52 week money challenge many, many weeks ago.  I really loved the idea of it but I just found as the weeks got higher as did the money to put away, I just couldn't afford it.  I wonder if anyone actually finished it? Of course I'm disappointed now but nevermind :)

Ciao, Jan.