making sauerkraut.

Sometimes we struggle to use a whole cabbage, and knowing how good fermented foods are for you I have been meaning to explore making sauerkraut for quite a while. 

The other day I went online and ordered a 3L ceramic fermenting pot.  Mad Millie brand, I am very happy with the quality of the pot, it's handmade and I love the bright green of the pot.  So cheerful!  The ceramic weights are perfect and its such and old simple traditionally designed item.  It has a water well around the top to seal it, and a little vent so it automatically "burps" itself.

I know you can ferment veggies with what ever is on hand but I actually don't have any containers big enough to hold a couple of litres of food, which are already not being used.  I decided it would easier with purposefully designed equipment and after searching online I settled with the "mad Millie" pot.  It will be something I use forever I can see already.

This link and instructions popped up into my news feed and it really is delightfully simple. 

Milkwood: making simple sauerkraut with whatever greens you've got.

I love that it's broad, it uses ingredients on hand, there is no need for specific starters as some places mention and that it encourages a variety of different kinds of vegetable ferments.  Which works for me!  I'm always looking for ways to use up left over bits and bobs, and I have since discovered I am completely in love with sauerkraut.  Crunchy, salty, sour, soft and squeaky.  Incredibly delicious.

One more simple skill under my belt.  Do you make fermented veggies?  Is it on your "to do" list to try? 

Much love,
Emma

A wintery beach holiday.

We have just come back from a much needed break to a beautiful little rural costal town called Marion Bay on the York Peninsula.

Goodness it was a good break.  We explored beaches and rock pools, caught tiny crabs,

went finishing, relaxed, talked, played games and the 5 nights just passed us by.  With no schedule to hold, no time tables to fill and no ones expectations on us to do anything other then just be.  It was just beautiful.  I love the beach in wintertime.

Winter time is actually a nice time to go on holidays I think, its so much cheaper for accommodation, life is generally quieter and there are lots of lovely homes with cozy wood fires to snuggle up near.  I find them a very relaxing time away. 

Here are some photos of the trip, when did my boys get so big? 

Much love,

Emma 

Autumn bliss!

It's a beautiful Autumn day here, the sun is shining, the doors and windows are open letting in the fresh air, the birds are singing.

Today we had a rare moment when Henry let me wrap him, there is nothing sweeter then snuggly cuddles, holding him close and high while we look at the world from the same angle, chatting about everything we see. 

Soon these moments will pass, our wrapping times grow fewer and further apart.  One day soon they will stop, and it will be the last time we walk as one.  I savour these moments now.  

Everything is just as it should be in our little corner of the world.  Wishing you all a beautiful weekend!  May there be time to stop, enjoy a cuppa and simply breathe.  

Much love, 

Emma 

Xx

Birthday at the Zoo.

This post is a little late, but couple of weeks ago little Henry turned 3 years old, normally we do a family birthday party but this year with the renovations and all that been going on we decided to keep it simple go to the zoo, which we knew our animal loving toddler would adore - and we were right!  His favourite was the mere cats.  We packed up his cake and stashed it under the pusher - Womens Weekly birthday cook book wins again!   

He liked his raggedy quilt and his Thomas wearing, baby wearing, superhero Waldorf doll, both of which I made.  It was a special day.

Much love,

Emma

xx

How did I get so lucky?

Do you ever look around at your little corner of the world and think......

How did I get so lucky?

I do.  All the time. 

Sometimes I look at our tired old cottage and struggle to see past all the work we need to do.  And not just a bit of paint and flooring.  Salt damp treatment, plastering, wiring, demolition.  The list goes on.  Sometimes I wonder what were we thinking? 

But then I look at my boys, sitting in a peaceful moment, laying draped on top of each other like a bundle of puppies, and my heart stops.  Filled with love for these boisterous, determined little men that have been gifted into my care. 

How did I get so lucky?

I look around the little old cottage and see plaster falling of the walls and paint peeling, thinking of the hard dirty work yet to come.  Then I look past it and see what really matters.  My book cases filled with books to suit everyone in this house.  The warm comfortable beds, with cosy sheets.  More then enough clean warm clothes to protect us from the elements.  Precious teddies and toys that have been so loved their fur is almost rubbed completly off. 

How did I get so lucky?

I look at the never ending pile of dirty dishes that seem to accumulate out of no where into my sink, then I remember last night my boys eating a big nourishing meal of home made spaghetti bolognaise,  Saucy grins and little full round bellies.  We have never truly known hunger. 

How did I get so lucky?

I look into the yard at the demolition that's going on, the piles of rusted twisted iron, the burn off pile of rotting wood and off cuts, and broken old furniture past repair and re-use.  I look past the ugly parts and see the parts we have touched, and I see the soft green lawn, my herbs and flowers growing in the soil we are improving, a fence to keep my boys safe, chooks scratching away, our beautiful dogs eager to see us as they settle by our feet, just to be near us.  Fresh clean country air to breathe.

How did I get so lucky?

Sometimes by the end of the day I'm SO tired, worn out to the bone, mentally, physically and spiritually.  A kind of accumulated tired I didn't know was possible before having children, owning a business and renovating a home.  I wait, frustrated for a break.  A breather for the moment my Grant comes through the door.  But he does come home.  He comes in after his long day and picks us up.  Sometimes not in the way I want, sometimes not in MY way, but he does in the best way he can, and really that's all we can ask of anyone isn't it?  He loves us ferociously, and us him.  The gentlest soul I am privileged to know, and I get to share my life with him. 

How did I get so lucky?

I am in a season of tiredness at the moment, it seems to take all my energy to do what I need to do around here, then there is nothing much left.  My tank is low, our gate is shut.  It has been a tough 6 months.  Even Grant who is eternally energetic and optimistic admitted to me last night it really has been a tough 6 months which made me feel validated in my tiredness. 

It is my birthday today, and I have been so blessed.  I need for nothing, and want for little.  (ok, maybe a dishwasher....)  As I sit here and reflect on my life, mess, chaos, piles of washing, I wonder....

How did I get so lucky?

Much love,
Emma
xx

Simple days...

Our home internet is down at the moment, the joys of country life!  I'm unsure how long it will take to get running again, so posting may be sparse.  We are here, pottering along.  I also have an assignment a week to knock out over the coming 8 weeks which will no doubt keep me busy.  

Henry had a lovely  birthday at the zoo and I have a stack of photos to upload which I will do once our home internet is up and running.  

So here are some snippets from our days.  Completly ordinary days.  

Licking the bowl is always fun!

A hot simple lunch.

Will working on his succulent garden.

Me supervising my new herb bed being put in position.  My birthday pressie!  $120 Seconds straight from the manufacturer.  I love these raised beds.  

Planted out with kale, spring onion, thyme, borage, lemongrass, comfrey, sage, cammomile, St. John's wort.  

My other herbs are looking happy, I also potted up some peppermint and corriander which should be happier now the weather has cooled.  

Much love,

Emma

Xx