Thursday - in words and pictures

Been down and out again this week with a full blown migraine (Monday and Tuesday).  After 12 trips (I counted!) to the bathroom to be sick during Monday night, I needed Tuesday to rest and recover.  Finally today I'm feeling 'alive' again, and actually got out and did some gardening.  We had rain overnight (but not enough to make a difference to the bushfires still raging in the central and southern areas of the state), so I got out and put in some time in the garden.  It's so much cooler here today (17'C) with lovely cold (from Antarctica!) south-westerly winds, which my head loves. It's the north-easterly winds that give me trouble, and low air pressure!

But today...all is well, and that is more than enough words from me, so here's your pics...


The granny squares have all been edged in green...

 I've just laid them out randomly to take the photo, but will tweak them a bit before I sew them together.

But because I dislike the sewing up bit, I'm procrastinating, and crocheted this baby blanket instead...

 Just finishing the edging. I hope to get a couple more done (they only need to be 60cm squares), then they will go to one of the nominated February charities for K4C. This time a special care nursery in Victoria. 

Finally finished the book about the Trapp Family I was reading, and really enjoyed it.  So interesting to read about their life in Austria and then their move to America. Now reading this Corrie ten Boom book...

It's from the church library and as I've had it here for awhile, I want to get it read and returned.  It's only a small book (so won't take me long), and I did read it many years ago, but it makes a nice re-read.



Here's a recipe for you, which I made yesterday.  Not only made, but 'made up' as I went along...

tomato, lentil and veg base

Here's what I did...

Fried some chopped onion, capsicum, garlic and grated ginger in a little olive oil.  Added the tomatoes.  I had a lot in the freezer from previous years garden produce, so I thawed (and drained off some of the water), then blended.  I also added some flavourings (curry, nutmeg, sugar, mixed herbs, salt, pepper, and some of my friend Debbie's Kasoundi - India paste mix), but you could add whatever you liked, and fresh herbs would be nice too (parsley, coriander) but I didn't have any.

I then added cooked lentils and some cooked sweet potato and peas.  I had it with my fish (trevalla) yesterday, and today I'm going to add some green beans (from the garden) and broccoli, and maybe some bacon.  It's a good base to make a batch of and freeze in containers for future use, adding meat, fish, chicken or more pulses/vegetables.  

So versatile!  

Enjoy!!

xx

Weekend Words

Psalm 23 from a Japanese Translation - by Taki Miyashina

The Lord is my Pace-setter, I shall not rush,

He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness, which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,

And His guidance is peace.

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,

I will not fret for His presence is here.

His timelessness, His all importance will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity.

By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquility;

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Surely harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours.

For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord and dwell in His house forever.

Extremes

Marnie is in her macrame studio on Tuesdays and Fridays...

So yesterday I met her and we went for lunch at a local café.

You can see more of her work at South of Sassafras Macramé.

Have finished the 'random grannies'...

 all 56 of them

And was able to get the green to edge them with the other day...

 it wasn't the exact colour I wanted and I thought it was a bit bright, but I think it will be ok

It gives it a sort of vintage/retro look...

maybe?

And because I've finally sewn them up, and am no longer procrastinating, we can now mention them...

 two finished but still working on the third

My two new books arrived this week!  I actually ordered (from Book Depository) and paid for them last year, so technically they don't count as 2019 purchases...

says she who is trying not to buy so many books

Still reading The Story of the Trapp Family Singers, but almost finished, and think I'll start the Anne Lamott book next, although I did read a couple of pages of the Leif Enger one (his first book in 10 years!) and am sorely tempted.

FYI - If you go to the Amazon links you can read an excerpt from the books (top left of Amazon page - click on book cover) to see whether you like their style of writing (I love both Anne's and Leif's!)

And no post would be complete without a nature pic!

There are bushfires around (but not dangerously close), and this was the morning sun and sky...

 6.30am on my walk

While at the same time, Benjamin (ex house guest!) sent me this pic from Brussels...

I know where I'd rather be, and would gladly change places!!

xx

Weekend Words

"In every storm cloud there are possibilities..."

I just made that up!

I won't tell you where I was when the thought came to me :)

xx

So this is summer

Down at the river yesterday morning...

And this morning it was already 17C at 7am, and supposed to get into the 30s, so I'm hibernating, and dreaming of cool climes...

...as in climates and climbing!

But it's never too hot for coffee and Castello!!

Finally finished Us Against You.  Was reading in small increments towards the end.  It was intense, very good, but also sad.

I felt I needed a change, so started The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (from the library)...

 definitely different...will see how it goes

Still working on my random grannies...

And trying to decide what colour to edge them in...

I'm thinking maybe a sage/moss green? or a brown? to tone it down a bit?

(and we won't mention the baby sweaters/cardigans I'm still sewing up!)

I'll leave you with this 'bit of colour' I pass each day on my way to the river...

Blakes Manor

Stay cool!

Keep warm!

Be Happy!!

xx

Into the new year...

I've been down and out for two days with a full blown migraine.  Back in the land of the living again now and catching up...

So, let's see...

What's been happening...

The weeds are growing, and I've started picking my green beans...

And I posted this pic on Instagram, and Natasha wanted the recipe...

Chicken and Pineapple Stir Fry

In a large fry pan, saute some chopped onion, garlic and grated ginger in a small amount of olive oil.

Add chopped or thinly sliced chicken breast and cook.

Then add whatever vegies you have.  I used chopped capsicum, celery, carrot, zucchini, broccoli, peas.  Add a little water, cover and steam, until vegies are still slightly crunchy. Add some tinned pineapple pieces. 

To make the sauce:  the pineapple juice from the pineapple pieces, a tablespoon of brown sugar, a tablespoon of vinegar (I used red wine vinegar, but you can also use apple cider vinegar), a tablespoon of soy sauce and a tablespoon of cornflour (to thicken the sauce).  Mix all together and stir into chicken/vegie mix. Depending how thick you like the sauce, you will need to add some water if it is too thick, and you can vary the quantities to adjust to your taste.  And because I was using a combination of two sauce recipes, I can't  remember if I added a tablespoon of tomato sauce (I don't think I did, but you can try it!).

I served with brown rice, and some cashews (because they are my favourite) sprinkled on top!

Bon Appetit!

Continuing to work on the crocheted squares, but have change my mind...

Instead of making them into 10" squares, I am going to make them smaller (maybe 7"?) and edge them in (don't know what colour?)  It all just sort of evolves as I go along :)

Still reading Us Against You.  It's good.  Intense, but so very good!  Savouring it.

And this one arrived today...Sunlight Through Dusty Windows...

looking forward to reading it when in the right frame of mind

Every morning, I get up and make my early morning cuppa...

And take it back to bed to spend half an hour 'waking up' and enjoying my 'quiet time'...

For years I've been using the Our Daily Bread devotional booklet, but then vary my other reading material with a couple of other devotional books.  

This year I'm using Grace Notes - Philip Yancey (one of my favourite Christian authors)

and

Closer to God Each Day - Joyce Meyer

I also aim to read through the Bible each year.  Start of well, and then...

So this year I'm being a bit more realistic and endeavouring to read the New Testament, at my own pace (no time pressure).  I might even get through it a couple of times :)

Do you have any plans/aims/goals for 2019?

xx

January Yarn Along

All the projects I am working on at the moment are for charities...

 cot blanket finished

I really like working with this self patterning yarn...

baby jumpers/sweaters and cardigans

These will eventually be 10" granny squares, using up my left over bits and pieces of yarn...

 to be made into blankets

Reading Us Against You (the sequel to BearTown)...

really like the way he writes, how he gets inside the character's heads

And while we're on books...these are some I read in 2018...

Also, from the library, so not pictured, The Better Son - Katherine Johnson; and Britt-Marie Was Here - Fredrik Backman.  There were probably other, but these are all I can remember.  I usually write (in pencil) in the backs of my books when I read them, but this year I will make an actual list!

And did you know Ann Lamott has a new book out: Almost Everything. She is one of my favourite Christian authors and I have read all her previous non fiction books.

And after 10 years Leif Enger ( Peace Like a River and So Brave Young and Handsome) has a new one too: Virgil Wander. I really enjoyed his two previous books.

I've ordered both these books from Book Depository, but I can truthfully say I've bought no new books this year, as they were both purchased the last day of 2018 :))

Check out Yarn Along on Ginny's blog to see what others are reading and crafting!

xx