gettin' figgy with it.

A few days ago I celebrated having a lovely new kitchen with a lovely old friend.

I picked fennel from alongside the river when walking Rafi in the sunshine, gave it the place of honour in an old jam jar on the windowsill.

The figs they came from the old place, from the trees I still hope to raid daily even when there are new tenants. (We must beat the bats to the fruit though, the trick is to pick when it rains.)

My favourite thing about the new backyard, a LEMON tree. The most handy fruit you could ever have.

Gabi & I took a quick spin to the local wholefoods store to purchase eggs, almond meal & raw caster sugar - usually I have eggs coming out of my ears, thanks mum & dad, but today time was of the essence so we opted for happy eggs closer to town - still free-range & local, just not from chooks I have named.

And the products of our labours - Fig cake with honey & lemon syrup, & preserved figs.

Served with spiced marscapone.

Lovely.

(soon I will be taking a BEFORE shot of our backyard - 

so I can show you all the pretty things we do to it!)

pearson street.

Two sleeps ago we made the move into the new house.

As expected, everything was thrown into a pile in the spare room, to be sorted at my luxury. 

Box by box, we have turned an empty cottage into a colourful & cozy home, still fill of boxes, 

but also full of pretty things & nooks to relax in.

Tonight we celebrate with cider & ice cream.

(thanks be to dad, henry, ryan & bruce.)

Alby Mangels in the kitchen. (from Dad's shed.)

Huckleberry Finn on the fireplace. (from the op shop.)

Travel books, succulent & green op shop stool in loungeroom.

Futon & surrounds in loungeroom.

Christmas present on my handmade shelf on my desk.

Polaroids on the fireplace.

I always seem to have a lot of projects on the go, which is exactly how I like it.

This one began almost a year a go, upon my return home from my time in China/Nepal/Tibet/India. 

This trip was a big deal. Leaving home, traveling for the most part alone, language barriers, poverty, 

single white female, volunteering. 

But, above all else I was ridiculously enamoured with any dog I came across. 

They became my dearest friends, little loves I could dote on & feed & pat & be my dose of familiarity.

I took so many photos that I had to do something with them.

So I made a zine.

And 5 countries later I have many more stray dog opportunities to capture, so maybe one day a book, here's hoping.

This is 'dear rafi'.

My ode to my love.

harvest.

Another exciting bounty from the garden:

- the zucchini became zucchini slice

- made with eggs from my mum & dad's place

- we had the cherry tomatoes in our salad

- the figs became poached figs in red wine syrup with marscapone

- made with wine saved from the bin at work

GROW YOUR OWN.

grandma's house.

This is from December.

We went to visit my grandparents for lunch, & we had sandwiches.

Everything there is the same as it always is.

A house full of knick-knacks & love, & a sheepskin rug in front of the fire for me to read on.

me.

Well looky here - friday in the mail I got my brand new phone, now obsessed with instagram.

So, this, is me:

feb four.

Today I found this sneaky bugger had reached way above my head - we have four terrific sunflowers & I am so happy they bloomed before we have to leave them. 

They have survived many gentle attacks from the pup, who loved to grab the leaves, pull the stalk down & watch it fling up again. Often we caught her slowly & slyly chewing upon this gorgeous green giant. What a naughty girl.

We also have a tiny pumpkin growing up upon the fence railing - hiding behind the incinerator, trying to reach the sun. Or perhaps just the height of the sunflowers. Another bounty we will be leaving behind but I hope the new tenants enjoy the veggies as much as we do & have.

Also I am wondering what will happening when the pumpkin gets too big. I think it will fall.