March 16, 2013

kitchen peace

It’s been a scratchy kind of week and I have been feeling decidedly out of sorts for a while now.

The Melbourne heatwave, the vagaries of adjusting to the Batsman being at primary school (I miss him so) and an unexpected emergency ride in an ambulance for the Captain (he is fine now), have left me feeling wrung out physically and emotionally.




On a long weekend with three hot days stretching out in front of me, I couldn’t really work out what to do that would make me feel better. Lunch with a dear friend on Saturday helped and a Sunday evening out with the boys to eat gelati was fun too. But by Monday, the peace felt elusive again.




The Captain picked all the last of our summer produce in the cool of the morning, packed up the kids and headed for the pool. Just me and the humming airconditioner remaining behind.




I began to chop the remainder of our summer tomato crop, a plan of a sauce unfolding. The sauce worked its way into a couple of other dishes and before I knew it I had chopped and simmered and seasoned my way to tomato sauce, some braised chicken, some Bolognese, vanilla egg custard for the boys and a big batch of passionfruit cordial.




And I felt peaceful. Cooking in my kitchen really and truly brings me peace. It’s just that in the flurry of life, I forget sometimes.

March 14, 2013

unwinding

I am not so good at unwinding from my stress.
It is a skill I am yet to master in my forty something years. 

One of my major goals for this year is to work on unwinding the knots. I want to carve out time for me, relish a little peace, find my well being and vitality and manage my (over) commitments. 

Weekends and short trips away are a part of that plan. Changes of scenery are so good for heart and mind. After the rigors of our big boy starting school then, the timing of Unblogged, the brainchild of Clairey Hewitt, was just perfect. 

We took our time, we lazed, we ate casually and the kids played. It was just beautiful.












In the very beautiful Halls Gap, unwinding was most certainly within reach. Thanks Claire and other “unbloggers” for lovely conversation and company. And Halls Gap, you are stunning. We will be back.

March 8, 2013

lunch on a friday




beautiful gardens

warm day

new friend

shared values

acknowledged realities

no bullshit

chicken sandwich

water bottle

mutual respect

and in the end, that's all there is.