Sunshine

Another fruitful day in the garden:

gooseberries (prickly to pick, but lovely cooked as sauce over vanilla icecream)

new potatoes

rhubarb, pruned so I can reach the compost bins

more sweetpeas

love in a mist, parsley flowers and sage

Sweet things from the garden

Picked at dusk from our garden: 

Some dandelion, to appease the rabbit

giant rhubarb

'Tom Thumb' baby carrot

a tiny perfectly formed wild strawberry

a round courgette the size of a soccer ball

sweet peas and English lavender

Summer Garden

Dave has been making the most of the unusually lovely summer, hard at work in the house and garden.  This week marks our first week of being a TWO toilet family!  The family bathroom is almost complete, just awaiting installation of the shower screen and some finishing details.

This weekend, he's had some invaluable help from Liam, who stayed over this weekend to lend us his manpower to create the patio.  

Meanwhile, in the garden the sweetpeas and peas have grown up to be quite short due to the chilly spring, but lush in both flowers and peas.

The courgette and pumpkin plants have started taking over the garden.  You can't really see the raised bed anymore, it looks like a pot bubbling over.

Some promising signs of round courgettes.

The herb garden is also a delight, with little visitors enjoying the flowering oregano.

Basil

Despite the almost failure of two basil crops due to our lack of summer this year, we still had enough of a harvest for my first attempt at home-made pesto.  I found this simple and brilliant recipe here.  Sure enough, it tastes like summer.  Mmmmm.

(photo from a cup of jo)

Our Garden

We've been having some hot weather at last - a new patio is being laid and we are harvesting fresh greens from the garden.

Perpetual spinach and some flowers for the living room.

Garden

We came home to find a surprise lily in our pond, and lots of spinach growing in the raised bed. The bushes growing out of control behind them are gooseberries, I can't prune them yet because they are laden with fruit!

Someone else is fond of the garden. He has his own hidey-hole in the hedge.

Sometimes rabbit retrieval is a little tricky.

Marshall

Marshall unexpectedly came to live with us on Friday, when Dave came across a dilemma at work. A rabbit had been brought in to the vets to see one of his colleagues and despite only having a sore eye and an upset stomach, which were easily cured, his owners wanted him to be put down. They didn't want to try rehoming him as they didn't think he would be suitable.

He's a big gentle softie with a funny character, and we're enjoying getting to know him. I love having someone at home when I come back in the evenings and it's fun to have him visit us in the living room to have a peek at the Christmas tree! He lives in the kitchen and seems to make the house more homely.

I'm glad we can give him a good home.

Indian Summer

Last weekend, there was an unusual heatwave that made us head out and about to meet our friends. It started off on Saturday, visiting Ottolenghi and using some of our gift voucher from Annette and Flavia to buy a scrumptious morning tea... what a great wedding pressie!

We both had greedy eyes looking around the shop, decisions, decisions.





In the end, the lure of trying fresh figs for the first time made me choose this decadent cake.



Dave went for the cupcake!



Back at home, I was inspired to try an Ottolenghi recipe. This is a Sephardic stew called Sofrito. Using 25 cloves of garlic is not a misprint. My photo is a bit grainy taken under the range hood, but it was tasty! I'll be looking out for more Ottolenghi recipes to try soon.

Simple Pleasures

It's all about simple pleasures and nesting for me, at the moment. This is my favourite corner of the flat... the kitchen window. It has a great view for doing the washing up and my own miniature garden. The terrarium was a bit of chemistry kit, once re-used as a home for a land snail Dave kept under his bed at university! I made the terrarium with moss from the family garden after reading this tutorial. Dave's Mum gave us this lovely amaryllis bulb for a housewarming gift, and I'm now a huge fan. There are now two giant cheerful stripey flowers, so big that I needed to do some structural engineering with some chopsticks. We are really enjoying being in our own little home.

Murray

Despite having many well-intentioned talks and making the difficult decision of 'head over heart' over giving Murray to a new home, his prospective home fell through yesterday for the second time. Unfortunately, the first time around the man hadn't asked his wife about a 3rd cat, and this time around the future owner's landlord changed their mind about their pet policy. So Murray is still with us and we're starting to think he's supposed to be part of our little family. We'll have to think of how to make it work (with no garden until we move, and going on holidays). but hopefully with some thought we'll find solutions.

Dave put up our Christmas tree today, and Murray is being surprisingly very calm about it all, even though we shifted his favourite tv watching chair!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

We've had a lovely Sunday even though the weather was wet and grey. Dave and I went to High Wycombe for a movie preview - Denzel Washington in 'Unstoppable' in the morning, then a leisurely day at home making smoked salmon sushi for lunch, then creme fraiche chicken and bread and butter pudding for dinner. We've been enjoying spending time with Mr Murray, who will be off to his new home on Tuesday. We will miss him a lot, but he really needs a garden and a safe place away from the main roads. We both hope to have a cat just like him when we are more settled and certain.

The Envelope Project

Clever crafty Pip from Meet Me at Mikes is hosting a fun project at the moment- Send a decorated envelope with a few fun crafty little things inside for the display in her shop window, and at the end of six weeks on show, Pip will send all the things received in the mail to a lucky person by drawing one of the envelopes. It's international, too!



I decided to use one of my envelopes from my days of corresponding with my lovely German pen pal, Alexia. It was fun looking for some things to put inside - I found a Frida Kahlo tattoo, a cheeky printed tissue paper, some beads and buttons, and some nostalgic collage scraps.



This was a few days ago but I have to brag a little as I have a sweet man who makes a killer lasagne. Look at the size of this monster... sooo lucky!

Rain, Rain

Christchurch Rain

There's been plenty of rain in Christchurch and the whole of the South Island, in fact, for the last fortnight. I cheated and took this picture from indoors, hence the dappled raindrop effect. According to Mum, I had a brave little black and white cat visitor at the door this morning, but I was still snuggled up in bed. I've had plenty of days curled up reading books and having little day dreams about being in warm places. Blog reading is good inspiration - it would be nice to be enjoying exploring Oak Alley Plantation (aka Louis's house from Interview with the Vampire) like Anya of Clever Nettle or pootling through Southern Italy like Rowena of Rubber Slippers in Italy. Two more weeks and Dave and I will be back together! We're hoping the visa arrives soon.


Invercargill Rain

Pikelet

Someone new decided to take advantage of a warm resting engine on a cold rainy day... We only met briefly but I managed to get a picture to help prove it's not Pudding, Peanut or Porridge (there are subtle differences between the black & whites). It's wet but colourful out in the front garden, with a few feijoas and crabapples ripening. Time for a hot drink!

Little Cat Highway

Our garden and driveway is a junction of cat territories, since our neighbours (and their cat) moved house. Dave calls it a little cat highway, with different faces appearing during the day. Most of them are black and white. My sister has given them all nicknames - this one is Porridge, because that's what she happened to be eating when she first saw the cat. Porridge is a very active character, she was hard to photograph because she was more intent on stalking my camera strap than having her portrait taken. Other regulars in our garden are Pudding, Peanut, and a shy long haired grey cat I call Fluffybum because that's usually all you can see of him.

My first week of my new job as a community support worker has gone well. It's not the same as working a physio, which I miss; but it's great to be meeting new people in their homes everyday. I also enjoy the novelty of working around the local suburbs instead of being based in a hospital. Dave is coming back for a weekend visit next week - can't wait!

Last day of Cat-sittin'

It's been a fraught few weeks getting things together for my UK visa (wish us luck please!), but it's nearing completion. Once it's been submitted we'll just have to wait! I've been cat-sitting Tiger for the last fortnight and it's been fun keeping him company and playing Guitar Hero at his house. He's an old friend. Work opportunities for me have been scarce but I've filled in an application for something alternative to physio. Dave finishes his working week at 3pm today and we'll be off for an overnight trip to Hanmer Springs. I'm looking forward to soaking in the hot pools...

Hope you all had a great weekend and enjoy the week ahead.

Little Happinesses

Often it's the everyday things that give me a happy smile and a warmth in my heart.... summer flowers, finding unexpected artwork at London Zoo, a particular expert pancake maker, a visitor in the garden - he fell into my snail-trap (left-over beer in a jar) overnight and was released in the morning, and tending my tiny herb garden.

Birthday Pav

An early birthday cake for my favourite boy. There are a few candles missing but I don't think that he minded. The recipe is one from a famous NZ icon, the tried and trusted Edmonds family cookbook.

Happy Birthday, Dave!!!

Pavlova

3 egg whites
3 tablespoons cold water
1 cup caster sugar
3 teaspoons cornflour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon white vinegar

1. Beat egg whites until they are stiff.
2. Add cold water to the eggs, beat again.
3. Add castor sugar gradually while still beating. I like to slowly pour the sugar into the moving beaters to disperse the sugar evenly.
4. Add vinegar, vanilla and cornflour, again, while still beating.
5. Put greased paper on a greased tray and bake at 150 degrees C (300 F) for 45 minutes. The pav will be a very light golden colour. Cool in the oven (don't open the door until the oven is cool!).
6. Top and decorate with whipped cream and fresh fruits.

I'll next see you in Iceland - we're off on Wednesday. I have to leave you here to do some packing - thermals, thermos, hot chocolate, swimsuit, hot water bottle, passport, check. And no, there is no odd item out! Meanwhile, I'm reading the Iceland Express Blog and sincerely hoping the weather report changes by Thursday...

No Nigella

I'm definitely no Nigella Lawson, and there is absolutely no attempt styling in this picture at all (note the dishing spoon) - but the cannelloni was very yummy. Thanks for all the ricotta suggestions! In the end, I had fresh spinach, basil, and leftover tomato paste, so I decided to do a quick imitation of Mum's recipe. Basically, the filling is a chopped clove of garlic, fresh basil leaves, baby spinach, ricotta, parmesan, an egg, pine nuts. I precooked the pasta because I do not like undercooked pasta even if the pack says you don't need to precook. Topped with a can of chopped tomatoes and tomato puree, and a basic white sauce on top of that. Like Gordon says, DONE. Olga helped me with some, and the rest has been put into freezer containers for some days when I don't feel like cooking.

I am really looking forward to going to the Design Museum's late night on Friday, and seeing the Tim Walker exhibition on his home turf!

The End of Home Detention is in Sight!

Mum sent me an e-mail this morning saying there was a Royal Mail envelope at home with 'Strictly Confidential' marked on it. It was my CRB - I'm cleared to work in the UK's hospitals! My locum agent rang to confirm it was all done, unfortunately my job got pulled as they had wanted me more than a month back. He thinks he can find me a job starting Monday though, so I am now more happy waiting at home for job calls as the end of unemployment is within sight. You have no idea how relieved I am! (Or maybe you do as you've all been supportive of me all these months! ^0^ Thank you).

I really want to start earning some £ towards a dream holiday next year, June. Cycling in the Loire Valley from storybook chateau to chateau, sampling the food and wine....ah, bliss.

Maybe London is getting a bit friendlier as I'm getting used to the city. I chatted to a sales clerk today after he remarked on my bank card (an NZ National Bank one with the famous rearing black horse). He noticed it wasn't the Lloyds TSB famous rearing black horse, but it looked much the same. I explained I was from NZ...etc.


Here are a few pics of my home improvements as requested. My room is not ideal for photos as it is dark (great for sleeping and lounging though!) and London is overcast, so please pardon the quality. I tried to grow mint plants on my windowsill as they are supposed to like shade, but I've put them in the kitchen as I think I could be arrested for cruelty to plants otherwise.

I had fun trying to be creative with op-shop finds, my favourite are the two frames which I painted white, and the Alice in Wonderland cake soap (I can't host children here as they might take up the offer to eat the cake soap and drink the room perfume). I found the Mackintosh mug with the red roses today while scouting out some crockery for Clare. Mission successful.

Dai the Grogg says hi. You can tell he's a Welsh sheep by his long tail and that 'stupid, fearless look on his face'! At least here he can't sit in front of approaching cars.