What I wrote while procrastinating over a post title

We had a lovely little Sunday outing up the range today. For a more extensive write up and pictures click here to visit my other blog. I'm making an effort not to double post.
On the creativity front I made this cute bouquet of vintage and new buttons. Absolutely cruddy photo doesn't do it justice. It is SO VERY CUTE! I used florists wire and simply threaded it through the button holes before doubling it back on itself. I made stacks of buttons to form the flowers. Easy, therapeutic and fun to do. I became addicted but unfortunately ran out of buttons. The lovely Miss Heilala, our very own Tongan sister gave me some of the buttons for this. Thank you Lala and Malo e lelei!! I may have a new source though as my brother-in-law's Aunty evidently has an enormous stash. Aunty Rett, here I come!

Sorry, things have slowed down here on Heart's Landscapes, I've become a bit more focussed on Belladonna's Garden. Will need to get my head into dual blog space and get back into posting here. Thanks for being patient.

I'm still here

Yes I still exist. I've not fallen off the face of the earth or been abducted by aliens. It's just been very busy and I am still working out how to get my photos from my new swanky camera to my blog.

Here is aforementioned new swanky camera. It comes in anti-Jeff pink, and is waterproof to 3 metres which is great for all the splashy happiness that goes on there. Looking forward to getting some action shots of the kids in the pool this summer.

Been back sleeping this week, 3 days so far which is something to keep an eye on. I must admit to having been quite busy and active. I've increased my exercise as well as being busy. We had a day at the beach with little M (2), and Miss R (4), then Miss R stayed with us for 3 days. I've had 2 days out attending meetings, getting haircut etc and I spent one very hectic morning supervising a prep class at a local school. I go to help out in my nephews class and supervised the kids while the teacher did some end of term testing. I'd forgotten how full on, quirky and cute 5 year olds are! Fun.

Rob, glad to hear you are feeling better. You'll be horrified to know that I've been given yet another Farah Fawcett haircut. OMG, what was the lady thinking! Why do you and your scissors live so far away!

A winner for dinner

Tonight for dinner I made Seafood Marinara with fettucine. Oh my, it turned out very well so I thought I'd share the recipe.

Ingredients:
Red (Spanish) onion, finely chopped
Garlic, 2 or 3 cloves
Anchovies 4
1/2 cup white wine (or water if you prefer)
1Tbsp tomato paste
Tin of tomatoes, crushed
100grams of marinara mix per person
8 kalamata olives
Greens (I used baby spinach and kale)
Lemon (add some zest to meal or simply squeeze some lemon to taste over food)
Method.

1. Add onion and garlic to pan with chopped anchovies and cook until soft and onion is going clear.
2. Add wine, tomato paste and tinned tomato and cook until reduced slightly.
3. Add marinara mix and simmer until cooked (time depends on thickness of fish etc, usually about 3-4 mins)
4. Add chopped olives and greens. Turn off heat and stir through. Allow to sit while serving up pasta or rice. This allows your greens time to wilt without becoming mush.
5. Eat and enjoy. You could top with fresh herbs like parsley and basil but I didn't tonight and it was still beautiful.
I served this with fettucine tonight but rice, quinoa, noodles and the like would be just as successful. J has been away on a scouts canoeing camp so unfortunately there are no leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Hungry boy.

Artist or chef..

Little Man J was here after school again today and after playing with playdough we headed down the backyard to the fire pit. We'd been talking about charcoal (he'd seen one of my charcoal drawings on the wall). I had explained what charcoal was but decided a demonstration was far more valuable a learning experience. We squatted at the pits edge and messily searched for pieces of charcoal amongst the ash. After a successful hunt we ventured back to the 'art studio' and set to work creating a masterpiece. There's so much movement in it, I think it's brilliant!
On a previous visit Little Man J helped me to prepare a piece of lamb for roasting. He picked the herbs from the garden and helped me prepare the vegetables. He learned what a leek was and how to use it. I talk to the kids in terms of foods being friends in order to describe flavours that go well together and it seems to be something that is working. This particular roast I slow cook for 3 to 4 hours and it just flakes off the bone. Delicious.

A busy day for Little Mr R (and Aunty Sandy)

Little Mr R(2 1/2) is having a rare day at Aunty Sandy's today. It's been a very busy day and it's not over yet. We started our day by reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I made some finger puppets some time ago to accompany this book and we put them in order, and then role played parts of the book.

We had a very looong play with play dough after cooking some on the stove. Birds nests, butterflies, frogs, snakes and eggs featured highly in our creative endeavours.


We played in the sandpit and ran around the yard like mad things. Then we came inside for another story. This time we read Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See also by Eric Carle.

We then started out painting the yellow duck from the story and then descended into crazy painting!

Cooking after school

Today my nephew J came after school and wanted to cook chocolate biscuits. He loves cooking and the obligatory spoon and bowl licking. First we mixed the sugar and butter with some egg. Then we added some flour and cocoa.
We kneaded the dough and then rolled it out with the rolling pin.
We cut out shapes with the biscuit cutters and then put them in the oven.
Yum, they tasted good.

Written by J and Aunty Sandy

The mango thief, a retrospective

Here you see one of our lovely mango trees. For many years there has been no fruit to be had from them. This season we had lovely, large fruit but did we get any? Nope. Not a one. Mysteriously we kept finding the seeds all over the yard. What was eating them? Possums? Flying foxes? Hmmm. Our puzzlement was solved one day when a very satisfied Miss Jess came up to the house carrying her harvest.
The greedy (and obviously underfed and neglected :)) girl then devoured this in a most disgusting and unladylike manner. We had video footage but it's not for the feint hearted.
How pleased does she look with herself!