Well, it's been a long time since I have written a meal plan! Now that I am settled into our new home and the work routine is back up and running, it seems sensible to revive this old regular as well. I've had a busy weekend in the garden, getting a rather spacious herb garden established. It's blissful to have all this space, and I am definitely going to make the most of it! Herbs are so easy and cheap to grow and so very expensive to buy. Anyone, no matter how small their garden is, should aim for at least a few pots of the cooking staples (I love thyme, corriander and rosemary). It will save you a fortune and you won't ever find yourself half way through a recipe, without the herb in question.
Dinner
Sunday - everything-in-the-fridge vege soup with cheesy spelt rolls
Monday - broccoli, mint and feta sauce with penne pasta
Tuesday - satay noodles with seasonal veges
Wednesday - vegetarian Tom Yum soup
Thursday - zucchini and mint fritters with smashed new potatoes and coleslaw
Baking
- banana, chocolate, chia and oat biscuits
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
House - Installment One
As much as I love our darling wee house, there are things I definitely can't wait to change - like the kitchen! However, this may be a while. So, in the meantime, I am focussing on creating pockets of loveliness around the place. Here are a few:
The carpet is in a terrible state and the curtains are not my cup of tea, but it will all do for now, as we slowly save up money to renovate.
The master bedroom is actually my favourite room in the house at the moment. It has a huge bay window that the sun streams into in the morning. I can't wait to get a seat built in, so I can have my morning cups of tea there. The garden requires quite a bit of work, and I can't wait to get stuck in! I am going to have to be very careful to balance my time between house stuff and PhD, as both require substantial attention...
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| Half of the lounge |
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| Other half of the lounge |
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| Dining |
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| Part of the kitchen |
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| 'Whare Sweet Whare' |
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| Max says 'hey' |
The master bedroom is actually my favourite room in the house at the moment. It has a huge bay window that the sun streams into in the morning. I can't wait to get a seat built in, so I can have my morning cups of tea there. The garden requires quite a bit of work, and I can't wait to get stuck in! I am going to have to be very careful to balance my time between house stuff and PhD, as both require substantial attention...
Sunday, January 8, 2012
New Year
Happy, happy New Year to anyone out there still reading this little corner of blogland. I have been gone for quite a while from this space (although MUCH lurking has been done on other lovely blogs), but living in someone elses house with ALL of your belongings packed in boxes makes it very hard to find a little space to be quiet and inspired. While we were suppose to move into our new house a few days before Christmas, this didn't eventuate, due to paperwork required from a City Council currently snowed under by the ongoing barrage of earthquakes Christchurch is suffering. However, Monday 9th January is our day!
I've been lucky enough to have the keys to our new home for the past few days, so have spent a large chunk of time there, with the help of my parents and a friend (thanks so much!!), cleaning (and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning), and getting some of the larger furniture moved. Does any one have a magic way of getting rid of the smell of cat piss??? That is the only thing I can smell in the new house at the moment... yum. Oh the joys of buying an ex-rental!
Our wee 1920s bungalow is definitely a project and I'm still getting my head around the fact that this will take quite some time to get it how I want it to be... But, patience is a virtue and not a skill I currently have, so it will be good for me! In the meantime, it will be a good challenge for me to find ways to make my current space workable, beautiful and homely.
The start of a new year, while entirely arbitrary, seems a great time to set goals. After the year that was 2011, anything has got to be an improvement. Due to the horrible start and ongoing challenges faced last year, I was treading water for most of it. However, some big decisions were made (selling and buying and starting my PhD), so now it is time to get down to business! Here are some of my goals for 2012:
- get up early - 6am please.
- do more yoga - no excuses now I have a yoga studio directly across the road from my house!
- travel - maybe a big call given the other things I have taken on this year, but it's a nice one to ponder.
- become more self-sufficient - vege garden, fruit trees, bees, chickens and making everything I possibly can myself will help with this.
- focus my eating around whole foods - many of the lovely blogs I have found over the holidays have provided delightful and delicious inspiration for this.
- work my arse off on my PhD, and hopefully see the bank balance grow as this takes up a large chunk of my time...
I'll be back in a few days (my new home's internet is not hooked up until Wednesday) for a few photos of my new house.
I've been lucky enough to have the keys to our new home for the past few days, so have spent a large chunk of time there, with the help of my parents and a friend (thanks so much!!), cleaning (and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning), and getting some of the larger furniture moved. Does any one have a magic way of getting rid of the smell of cat piss??? That is the only thing I can smell in the new house at the moment... yum. Oh the joys of buying an ex-rental!
Our wee 1920s bungalow is definitely a project and I'm still getting my head around the fact that this will take quite some time to get it how I want it to be... But, patience is a virtue and not a skill I currently have, so it will be good for me! In the meantime, it will be a good challenge for me to find ways to make my current space workable, beautiful and homely.
The start of a new year, while entirely arbitrary, seems a great time to set goals. After the year that was 2011, anything has got to be an improvement. Due to the horrible start and ongoing challenges faced last year, I was treading water for most of it. However, some big decisions were made (selling and buying and starting my PhD), so now it is time to get down to business! Here are some of my goals for 2012:
- get up early - 6am please.
- do more yoga - no excuses now I have a yoga studio directly across the road from my house!
- travel - maybe a big call given the other things I have taken on this year, but it's a nice one to ponder.
- become more self-sufficient - vege garden, fruit trees, bees, chickens and making everything I possibly can myself will help with this.
- focus my eating around whole foods - many of the lovely blogs I have found over the holidays have provided delightful and delicious inspiration for this.
- work my arse off on my PhD, and hopefully see the bank balance grow as this takes up a large chunk of my time...
I'll be back in a few days (my new home's internet is not hooked up until Wednesday) for a few photos of my new house.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Things I Love
Peonies - my favourite flower.
A big bowl of fresh fruit salad - mango, strawberries, apple, nectarine, pineapple and mint, marinated in coconut water.
New shoes!
Treasured gifts from special friends.
Vintage skirts.
A ridiculous, water-loving puppy.
(please excuse the photos, I am stuck using my point-and-shoot until I can find the cable for our dslr camera...)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
New house!
I've been making a bit of a habit of these monthly posts lately, but life has been in a bit of disarray, making it hard to find the time and equipment to actually post anything! Since I last posted, a few things have happened. We have bid our first house farewell, and are now living with a VERY generous friend, who has taken Paddy and myself, Max the dog, Fang the rabbit AND the entire contents of our house on as guests. Unfortunately, many of the things I wish I had access to, became packed e.g my camera cable... This makes it tricky to share photos of the lovely bunch of peonies I have sitting in a new hurricane vase in the lounge (one of my favourite flowers) and a perfect Crown Lynn swan, rescued by my dear friend from life as a drip-catcher for an overflowing gutter.
But, what I can share is a picture of our new house!!
Isn't she cute? Settlement day has not yet been decided but I can't wait to get in there and get stuck into the garden! With a massive (for us) 678 square metre section, the possibilities for my vege garden, dwarf orchard, bees, chicken house, cut flower garden and compost heap are endless! Not to mention all the lovely things we can do inside the house too. So, watch this space for lots of exciting developments (just as soon as I've tracked my camera cable down...).
But, what I can share is a picture of our new house!!
Isn't she cute? Settlement day has not yet been decided but I can't wait to get in there and get stuck into the garden! With a massive (for us) 678 square metre section, the possibilities for my vege garden, dwarf orchard, bees, chicken house, cut flower garden and compost heap are endless! Not to mention all the lovely things we can do inside the house too. So, watch this space for lots of exciting developments (just as soon as I've tracked my camera cable down...).
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Life Update
Well, it's been over a month since my last post, in which I filled you all in on the many exciting things that were happening in my life at the moment. I do have somewhat of a tendency to over-commit myself, and this have been another example if this...
But, I've had a few successes, despite my over enthusiasm:
1. I sold my house, all by myself, last Sunday. We don't go unconditional until this Friday, but as it's only conditional on insurance getting approved, and that is just about sorted, it looks like we will be all good to go! This also means we have to move out of our house, in three weeks time... Luckily it's a long weekend in Christchurch next weekend, so we will aim to get a large chunk of it done then. As of yet, we have not found anywhere to buy yet, so at this stage, are moving in with a friend until the right house comes along. House hunting is a tiring hobby, and I can't wait till we find the right one!
2. I have been approved, and officially started my PhD on November 1st. No news on scholarships yet, so fingers are still crossed, but the study is all go! I am going to work and study for a while, until things get too busy, and then I'll cave, and go back to being a student again. I may wonder what the heck I was thinking in a few months time, but oh well, too late now!
3. Paddy and I celebrated our six year anniversary last week. Well actually, we both forgot about it as things have been soooooooo busy. However, a delayed celebration will occur next weekend. I can't believe I've been with this lovely man for six whole years! He still makes me warm and fuzzy inside and I can't wait to start our next adventure together.
4. We had a lovely trip to Melbourne, in which lots of delicious vintage goodies were purchased. And an iPad, which I am quite smitten with. I'm typing this very post on it actually! Speaking of which, if anyone knows of any nice covers, please point me in the right direction. I will share my goodies in a post with more photos in the near future.
5. Earlier this week, 15 litres of elderflower champagne was bottled and is carbonating away in the garage. If you have elderflowers in your area I can't recommend enough to make this incredible elixir. In a glass with some ice and mint, over gin or feijoa vodka or by itself, it is the ultimate summer drink. I posted a recipe here, last year.
Apart from sulking about not getting to do any gardening at the moment, that's pretty much my life in a nutshell! I'll be back again once the packing is done, hopefully with a new home announcement!
But, I've had a few successes, despite my over enthusiasm:
1. I sold my house, all by myself, last Sunday. We don't go unconditional until this Friday, but as it's only conditional on insurance getting approved, and that is just about sorted, it looks like we will be all good to go! This also means we have to move out of our house, in three weeks time... Luckily it's a long weekend in Christchurch next weekend, so we will aim to get a large chunk of it done then. As of yet, we have not found anywhere to buy yet, so at this stage, are moving in with a friend until the right house comes along. House hunting is a tiring hobby, and I can't wait till we find the right one!
2. I have been approved, and officially started my PhD on November 1st. No news on scholarships yet, so fingers are still crossed, but the study is all go! I am going to work and study for a while, until things get too busy, and then I'll cave, and go back to being a student again. I may wonder what the heck I was thinking in a few months time, but oh well, too late now!
3. Paddy and I celebrated our six year anniversary last week. Well actually, we both forgot about it as things have been soooooooo busy. However, a delayed celebration will occur next weekend. I can't believe I've been with this lovely man for six whole years! He still makes me warm and fuzzy inside and I can't wait to start our next adventure together.
4. We had a lovely trip to Melbourne, in which lots of delicious vintage goodies were purchased. And an iPad, which I am quite smitten with. I'm typing this very post on it actually! Speaking of which, if anyone knows of any nice covers, please point me in the right direction. I will share my goodies in a post with more photos in the near future.
5. Earlier this week, 15 litres of elderflower champagne was bottled and is carbonating away in the garage. If you have elderflowers in your area I can't recommend enough to make this incredible elixir. In a glass with some ice and mint, over gin or feijoa vodka or by itself, it is the ultimate summer drink. I posted a recipe here, last year.
Apart from sulking about not getting to do any gardening at the moment, that's pretty much my life in a nutshell! I'll be back again once the packing is done, hopefully with a new home announcement!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Long Time, No Post
Well, I've been a little MIA for a while. I've still been around, just not so much on here... Things have been crazy busy, as I've taken on 3 MASSIVE projects, all at the same time. Probably not the best idea, but it's how it's worked out...
Project Number 1: PhD, kick-off, hopefully 1st November (applying for study and scholarships takes a lot of time!).
Project Number 2: Sell our house... A bit of work needs to be done before this is possible, and we are going to have a go at the private sale thing too. So... wish me luck!
Project Number 3: As a result of selling the house we live in, we also need to buy a new one. And we want a project. So, again, wish me luck!
I'm still planning on blogging, of course. But I just need to get through the next few weeks which will see me a) complete applications, b) have the house listed, and c) take a week's holiday in Melbourne (unrelated, but well deserved).
As the weather warms up, the number of fabulous things to be done outside greatly increases! It's elderflower season very, very soon, so elderflower champagne and hopefully elderflower vinegar are definitely on the to-do list. And of course, many hours spent in the garden. Spring is so refreshing, after a long, cold winter. Max and I are very much enjoying our night time walks, and I love coming home when it is still light outside!
So, I'll be back soon, with hopefully some exciting news and lots of fabulous spring/summer projects.
Project Number 1: PhD, kick-off, hopefully 1st November (applying for study and scholarships takes a lot of time!).
Project Number 2: Sell our house... A bit of work needs to be done before this is possible, and we are going to have a go at the private sale thing too. So... wish me luck!
Project Number 3: As a result of selling the house we live in, we also need to buy a new one. And we want a project. So, again, wish me luck!
I'm still planning on blogging, of course. But I just need to get through the next few weeks which will see me a) complete applications, b) have the house listed, and c) take a week's holiday in Melbourne (unrelated, but well deserved).
As the weather warms up, the number of fabulous things to be done outside greatly increases! It's elderflower season very, very soon, so elderflower champagne and hopefully elderflower vinegar are definitely on the to-do list. And of course, many hours spent in the garden. Spring is so refreshing, after a long, cold winter. Max and I are very much enjoying our night time walks, and I love coming home when it is still light outside!
So, I'll be back soon, with hopefully some exciting news and lots of fabulous spring/summer projects.
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