in my kitchen march 2016

Afternoon treats for my boys. Frozen Bananas with dark chocolate, coconut and walnuts. I've been making these weekly with different nuts. The kids can't get enough of them. Thank you Lunch Lady!

 Afternoon treats for me! Raw Chocolate Coconut Bites inspired from here.

Spaghetti Bolognaise made with organic beef mince and loads of Rob's homegrown garlic and our fresh garden herbs. Organic pasta for the boys and organic zucchini noodles for us.

Free range chicken wings with garlic and oregano and thyme and drizzled in Australian Olive Oil. Coleslaw with a tasty garlicy sunflower seed sauce.

We had a cold spell so I made the gang Coconut Curry Chicken and Vegetable Pie. Mostly organic from the pastry flour to simple vegetables. The sauce is made with a cup of homemade chicken stock, a small can of ayam coconut milk and some natural arrowroot powder to thicken up and pepper for taste. Wholesome and comforting family food.

Vegan Mexican Bowl with brown organic rice. Red kidney beans sauteed with onions, paprika, cumin, garlic and fresh oregano. I have started to prioritise "clean eating" foods after my ambulance trip to the hospital. The delicious vegan tofu coriander dressing really accentuates this dish.

Chickpea, Spinach and Pumpkin Curry with organic rice for the whole family. Similar recipe to this one.

My mum came to stay after my surgery to cook and look after the children. She prepared all this food the night before a 7 hour bus and train trip from Sydney to the Snowy Mountains. Stashed in her suite case: Babaganoush, Tabouli, Serbian Cheese and Spinach Pie, a ball of Lebanese Shanglesh, A big piece of Prosciutto from Fairfield, Lebanese Bread, and four Lemons cross lime cross grapefruit from her tree. Her description not mine. Dinner was sorted the first night! Oh, and she carried a big curry plant on her journey too!

The next night, Bubba Masa (my mum) made traditional schnitzels served with Rob's delicious wild fermented saurekraut.

The day after she made traditional Serbian Cheese and Spinach Pie, also known as Burek, before anyone woke up!

What have you been cooking folks? Or like me, is someone else cooking and giving you a bit of a break.

Zena xx

a craft swap and hormonal health

So happy my craft swap partner in Israel, received her package in time for Easter.  I sewed a scrappy pouch from an organic Japanese fabric bundle, HAIKU by Monaluna. The pouch pattern is from Sew Delicious. A bar of natural Australian Lemon Myrtle Soap, a local beeswax candle and good quality Snowy Mountain Cookies.

Thank you Mamashara at One Grey Elephant blog for hosting the Project Bag Swap.

From my swap partner Jodie at Jelly Wares blog. I absolutely adore my Autumn themed project bag. Inside an exquisite crochet washer almost too good to use; delicious cinnamon black tea; gorgeous Noro yarn I've always wanted to try; and a fingerless mitts pattern. A big squeal on the handcrafted buttons Jodie made from wood sourced on her property. Feeling so spoiled! I found this package on my doorstep on our 4 hour return drive from Calvary hospital in Canberra. It was a lovely surprise to come home to such thoughtfulness after a health scare.

Venturing in to Fair Isle and stranded work. Ripped this back several times due to the pattern being out of sync until I finally realised that all a long it was me that was out of sync!

Aside from lovely crafting, I have been on one heck of a roller coaster ride these last few weeks. Rushed to hospital by ambulance and then surgery 10 days later for removal of a cyst on one ovary and a "clean up." The diagnosis is endometriosis. I am so thankful it is not something worse. This concludes months of exhaustion, depression and an unexplained muffin top that grew from not over eating.

So begins a lot of research in to the world of women's hormones and excess estrogens and xenoestrogens. The surgery, although a laparoscopy has really taken it's toll on me mentally and physically and I never want to go through it again. Being this sick is a burden to my partner and family members that have to travel up to a day to help look after the children.

Even though I lead a pretty good wholefood and natural lifestyle I was extremely tired and depressed and plagued with health issues for over a year. Now I know that the imbalance of hormones has caused this. I keep thinking I'm still 29 years old when in fact I'm a 40 year old mum with young kids which means 40 year old health issues.

Among all the craft and foodie posts on my blog it looks like women's health care will be popping up quite a bit but in some ways it's all related.

 Now back to dodging paper airplanes in bed.

What have you been making dear crafty friends? Are you dealing with a women's health issue? I would love to hear your story. If you would prefer to share privately, please email me using the link next to my profile picture.

Joining in with all the crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On and Yarn Along
Zena xx

in my kitchen february 2016

Joining in with In My Kitchen at Orgasmic Chef, previously Celia's invention from Fig and Lime Cordial blog.

Rob's fermented sauerkraut on proscuitto and mountain bread. This was a delicious hit, unfortunately the ones in the back were misses. But you loose some and win some with fermentation; it's just part of the learning process. Rob is a big fan of Katz Sander's wild style of fermentation. A prosciutto shoulder piece was gifted to us from my mum. Ordered months ago from Liverpool, Sydney. A delicious treat for us every day to the last bite. Until next year!

Tomato Sauce especially for Mr Eight. I used what I had in the fridge - an assortment of tomatoes approximately 600grams, 1/4 onion, cumin, cloves, mustard seed, salt, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar on the stove top for an 1 hour, cooled and wizzed up in my new Froothie.

Sunflower seed condiment especially for Rob and his month detox from the Christmas holiday excess. I can't find the recipe link! One cup sunflower seeds, juice from one lemon and some Himalayan salt and home grown garlic to taste.

Warmer weather means lighter food. Vietnamese Spring Rolls: Tofu, carrots, cucumber, coriander wrapped in Rice Paper. The dipping sauce is made of Bragg All Natural Purpose Seasoning and fresh ginger.

Haven't made the move to the capsule craze and although tempting for the convenience, I won't for environmental reasons. However, for a change, I would like to try a different ethical and fair trade brew. Any suggestions? I like my coffee strong and sweet.

Pumpkin, fetta, caramelized onions and sage pizza. Our toddler's favourite. I absolutely love rolling out dough; I actually find it liberating. This is how I feel in action, shown here on the Radical Homemakers book cover.

Lots of Juicing over the warmer months. Celery, apple, pear and lemon recipe inspiration from Reboot with Joe. Incidentally, I have put on a whole dress size over Summer eating "lighter" foods! Zero excercise and perhaps two servings of dinner and baked goods may have something to do with that!

Last night I made everyone Chicken Korma, since a cold has claimed us one by one. Free range chicken, organic carrots and good ole dependable frozen peas, fresh coriander on a bed of organic basmati rice. I always add a cup of homemade chicken stock and a can of Ayam coconut milk to my curries for nutritional benefits and delicious natural flavours.

Warm and nourishing Chicken Korma with homemade chicken stock and Ayam coconut milk enjoyed by the toddler of the house. I just can't get enough of his little pudgey hands.

Lunching on Red lentil organic curry spice soup with potatoes, carrots, onions, homegrown garlic, homemade chicken stock and a little Organic Vegetable bouillon. Our saviour - Rye bread ordered weekly from our little local Bakery.

What a great way to showcase your cooking. I must make an effort to capture the actual cooking around here and take note on night time shadows. So, dear fellow cooking friends, what's in your Kitchen?

embroidery, a shawl and cushions

The Original Dropcloth Sampler, by Rebecca Ringquist.

I have embroidered since I was a teen but never such a vibrant sampler and learned a few new fancy stitches along the way. Instead of stitching fabric around the edge, I stretched the sampler over a piece of foam core and framed it. I smile every time I walk past it.

New year, new cushion covers - Buzoku Cotton Canvas and Buzoku Cotton Duck from Spotlight. I had a little mental breakdown in there. I only get a chance to go once year and it's always at a new location so I don't know where anything is. Usually the family are waiting in the car and I have a very short time limit to frantically get what I need. I get so overwhelmed and distracted by the huge selection of craft from every category that my eyes scan each item desperately trying to take it all in and I get a little dizzy. Must make more trips to the big city Spotlight store to feel "less dizzy". Yes, that's just what the doctor ordered for one overwhelmed crafty mama from the bush.

 I started another lace shawl but found it too hard to concentrate on while everyone was home on holidays. So I frogged it and cast on the Sunlight Shawl for Sad People (and I do get sad!). There's lots of mistakes I didn't go back to fix as I wasn’t use to working with slippery lace needles and such thin yarn. In saying that, Malabrigo yarn has a wonderful feel and mesmerising colour way. I’m not bothered by the mistakes because they remind me of special moments in time, mostly difficult times.  However aren't those times important for personal growth, realisation and reflection?

From my iphone. Threw on a hat to disguise bedridden hair from a head cold and sore throat.

Over the Summer holidays I (over) indulged in Netflix viewing. (One of the perks from moving out of Kosciuszko National Park) Currently knitting and cross stitching through Downton Abbey episodes. WW1 has just been declared over. Hurrah! Oh I do hope Lady Sybil and the chauffeur can fight against class barriers to be together...Aren't these British drama's  - Call the Midwife, Land Girls and The Paradise - just the bees knees?

Have you discovered the Women's Hour podcasts? If not, please click through. Intelligent interviews and discussions on current issues from a female perspective. 

What have you been crafting, reading, listening and watching?

Joining in with all the crafty folks on Keep Calm Craft On

2016, intentions and handmade gifts

I'm so happy we made it back home just in time to bring the New year in quietly and peacefully. Just us. Yes, so very glad to be home after the whirlwind of Christmas.

I've been told it gets better as the children gets older; easier travel, less cheap massed produced toys and presents from well meaning givers. Certainly less stressful if we lived closer and saw everyone on a regular basis. 

I was not on top of my game at the end of last year so we cut short our travels to visit all the family from 10 days away to four. 

What are my intentions for this year? To be connected through local community work. I have a deep desire to be once again back in the community through professional employment. In my previous life (before children) I worked for a municipal Council with a strong community and sustainable focus. Currently I'm studying a Bachelor of Information Studies in Librarianship and  I can't wait to get back in the community and make a professional contribution locally.

Now on to happy birthday makings!

Our littlest peep turned 3 a week before Christmas. Keeping with my tradition of birthday hand makings, I knitted him a Shaun the Sheep toy. He had a lovely Waldorf look; after a few days Archie noticed he didn't have eyes, so I hot glued two big crazy googly eyes, just like in the pattern. Details raveled here.

I also made him a play quilt with 2 packs of 5 inch charm squares. Happy Sunshine by Keiki for Moda and Bella Solids Porcelain. Backing fabric is a Michael Miller one and the batting is natural cotton/bamboo. The quilt pattern is a charming baby quilt with no binding just turn inside out and stitch around the edging. Embroidery thread is used to tie the quilt together.

I took a class on Craftsy by Amy Gibson from Stitchery Dickory Dock. I've made a couple of small quilt projects however I loved learning from such an esteemed teacher.

Felt breakfast food for Archie's birthday gift - a wooden kitchen from Bubby (grandma). My supply of 100% wool felt comes from Indigo Inspirations; always a joy to work with. The pattern for the breakfast food is from SewMamaSew.

A bowl of felt ravioli: I cut 3cm x 3cm squares with my pinking shears and stuffed them with some polyester filling and sewed them up with a simple running stitch. Now I'm inspired to make a fresh batch of ravioli!

How was your Christmas/New Year? Was it stressful or relaxing? What are your intentions for 2016?

Joining in with all the lovely hand makings at Keep Calm Craft On.

rainbow rag rug

I bought the zpagetti rug kit from Hoooked Zpagetti a few years ago. At the time all I could crochet was chain stitches as long as infinity. I watched the Crochet Rag Rug tutorial taught by Cal Patch on Creativebug for only a few minutes and had a ‘aha moment’ and the rest is crochet history!

Zpagetti t-shirt yarns are considered sustainable. They are made with off-cuts from new fashion garments sourced from European textile manufacturers. The colourful cones are perfect for upcycling in to your favourite crocheted projects.

I found the yellow and purple ribbon yarn quite thick and the pink, red, green and aqua ribbon yarn quite thin. At the start I had a lot of curling in to a bowl shape and ruffling when I tried a looser tension. Eventually I found a nice tension, although the finishing row does not sit very flat, the rug turned out great. Ravelled here. As you can see Archie is delighted and the rainbow rug gives a lovely atmosphere in his room.

I borrowed The Dressmaker book from the library to hold me over until I can see the actual movie. Yes, it's true; right now I do want to see the movie more than read the book! I mean for starters, Kate Winslet plays the main character and she is such a wonderful actress. The movie is set in dry, sparse outback Australia; there's spaghetti western music; 1950's haute coutre to squeal and dream about for weeks; and who doesn't love a good makeover for an underdog. Oh and some of the best Australian actors I've watched since childhood - Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving...

What have you been making, reading or watching crafty friends? Crochet peeps, any tips on how to finish a rag rug so it stays flat on the last row?

Joining in with all the crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On and Yarn Along. You can too.

Update: This post was written just before the tragic Paris and Beirut attacks.  More than ever we need to stay united.

the imposter shawl

The Imposter Shawl taken with my phone camera.

The boys playing with my new toys - a swift and ball winder.

Ready to get my knit on!

Archie "gently" immersing the shawl in tepid water with a drop of wool wash.

Using a salad spinner to remove excess water.

Blocking mats coveted over at Small Things and bought from Knitpicks.

I couldn't resist a quick Instagram post before blocking.

Named the Imposter Shawl because the stitch patterns mimic crochet and weaving but is all sneakily knitted including the “faux-crochet” scalloped edge. Overall the shawl was quick and easy to knit with a few new to me techniques. You can buy the pattern on Ravelry or check out the online class at Creativebug. Amber and Jaime are a lot of fun.

I used the recommended 2 skeins of Heirloom Romney and you knit all of it so there's no left over yarn. This coarser yarn is not as soft as merino or alpaca but will make for a long lasting garment and from a 'slow fashion' perspective this is a step in the right direction. After soaking the shawl in wool wash and blocking, it was much softer and quite dreamy in fact. I can't wait to wear The Imposter Shawl for many wintry seasons. My new swift was hand made by Mary's husband in the Cooma-Monaro area. Thank you Mr Mary.

I'm reading the Spring chapter in the Way of the Happy Woman.

Sara says Spring is an opportunity to bring to life whatever lies within. Awaken your creativity and let it be know. Encouraging right?

Break out of Winter Stagnation by getting up early and get moving - at the gym, on the mat, running or walking. The key is to be persistent!

Declutter to make space for new opportunities. The more clutter you have (including files on your computer) the more energy gets dissipated. Ask yourself is the item genuinely useful? Did I use it last year? Does it reflect who I want to be this year. I did a massive declutter when we moved to a smaller house but it's a constant thing with a growing family, crafting hobbies, bikes, skies, snowboards, gardening, tools...so many things!

Time to start eating lighter foods after winter stews and oatmeal. Sara offers a Spring green smoothie recipe, Cinnamon Amaranth Flax Porridge, Quiona and Asparagus Tabouli Salad. Yum and seasonal!

There's also yoga and meditation sequences especially for Spring detoxification - yin yoga for PMS, hot flushes and mood swings. Vigorous yoga flow to stimulate digestions and lymph, break up winter stagnation and loose weight. Sounds good to me!

What have you been making lately? Have you been Spring Cleaning?

Joining in with other crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On 
and Yarn Along.