Tag Archives: Seasons

The Farmers Market

by Katie on March 10, 2013 in Adventures, Daily Life, Food

We love farmers’ markets. The second weekend of the month is always our favourite because the Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market is on the Saturday and the Girgarre Farmers’ Produce Market is on the Sunday. Today some of our friends came over from Bendigo and we all headed over to the market at Girgarre together. Unfortunately it was extremely hot and the flies were absolutely horrible so we didn’t hang around for long, but a quick lap around the stalls was all we needed to pick up some veggies, as well as homemade tomato relish and basil cordial. Can we stop a moment to talk about the basil cordial? The lady who made it was also selling mint, lemon and elderflower cordials, but I went with the basil because I fancied something a bit different. And oh my! It is good. And so perfectly refreshing on such a hot day. Basil cordial! Who knew?!

I hope you’re weekend was most lovely. Wishing you peachy things for the week ahead!

Katie x

PS We are officially sick of scorching summer weather. Autumn, where on earth are you?!

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Summer Strawberries

by Katie on January 14, 2013 in Daily Life, Food, Recipes

Yesterday was cool and rainy here which, after weeks of scorching temperatures and months of intense sunshine, was utterly blissful. To make the most of the cooler weather we slipped into long sleeves for the first time in ages, and headed to the local farmer’s market to wander about the gorgeous fresh produce. While we were there I snapped up four big punnets of strawberries for just $5! A lot of the strawberries were perfect but a few of them were beginning to look a little worse for wear, so after picking out a few of the best ones and having them on toast with cream cheese and honey, I decided I needed to do something with the rest sooner rather than later. Happily, the cooler weather made yesterday perfect for baking!

I drizzled the strawberries with a little balsamic vingar and sprinkled them with brown sugar, then roasted them until they were wonderfully syrupy. Of course, there was only one option for the resulting pile of delicious, sweet and tangy, roasted strawberries. I obviously had to put them in a cheesecake. Since my first foray into baking cheesecake I’ve quickly become the cheesecake queen around these parts. That recipe is a keeper!

Once I was done baking, Reubs and I spent the rest of the afternoon curled up on the couch on my mum’s back verandah with our Daisy dog. We read our books and listened to the gentle pitter patter of the rain on the roof. Later, we had roast veggies and chickpea sausages for dinner, followed by strawberry cheesecake for dessert. It was lovely. A perfect Sunday really.

I hope you’re weekend was equally as delightful? Wishing you all shiny, happy things for the week ahead!

Katie x

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Hi There October

by Katie and Reuben on October 4, 2012 in Daily Life

October! When did you creep in? You must have snuck up on us while we were distracted with September’s tulips and bushwalks and birthday celebrations. Nevertheless, we are glad you are here. We’ve got a very good feeling about this month!

So hi there October! Hi there daydreaming about summery roadtrips. Hi there longer days. Hi there sandal weather and icecream. Oh lovely October, won’t you stay a while?

Katie and Reuben x

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Fruit Blossoms and Spring Cleaning

by Katie on September 12, 2012 in Daily Life

Spring has sprung and it feels so good! Little by little, the days are getting longer and warmer, little seedlings are pushing their way through the earth and we are creeping out of hibernation. The trees are absolutely bursting with gorgeous spring blossoms now. It makes me so happy! I like the cold and the quieter months of winter, but this year I don’t think I could have taken another moment of it. I was so ready for fresh flowers and sunshine! And it’s extra special experiencing this gorgeous season in Victoria. Though we were here for spring last year, we were so caught up with the busyness of moving and settling in we didn’t have much of a chance to take it all in. This year we are soaking up every moment. The seasons here are so much more distinct than they ever were in New South Wales or Queensland. It’s just beautiful.

In honour of the new season and fresh beginnings, we’ve been busy spring cleaning and decluttering. We had been searching for a new place to rent but we’ve not had much luck and we’ve decided, at least for a little while, to stay put. It seems now is just not the right time to move. So rather than lamenting our little shack’s (many) flaws, we are pouring our energy into making the most of this higgledy piggledy space. We’ve bought some new shelving for our second bedroom/craft room and we are finally getting it organised. We’ve thrown out lots of junk and donated some things we no longer need or love. We’ll probably take a couple of boxes of stuff we want to keep, but don’t really use, over to store in my mum’s shed too. Our house is so tiny and lacking in storage, we have to be really careful about what we keep. As well as cleaning up, I’ve ordered a couple of little things to freshen the place up. I think a new rug here and a bright quilt there can make a world of difference, don’t you?

Oh, this dear old house. It’s not much, but it’s home!

I hope everything is sunshiney in your world right now. Don’t forget to stop and savour the season. These spring blossoms (or autumn leaves as it may be for you) don’t last long.

Katie x

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Hello Spring!

by Katie and Reuben on September 2, 2012 in Adventures, Daily Life

Yesterday was officially the first day of spring here in Australia, and the shift in the weather this weekend has been so dramatic, it’s almost like mother nature flicked a switch. After months of cold, grey, rainy weather, the last couple of days have been warm and sunny and glorious! This morning we headed out for a late brunch before a walk around Lake Weeroona with Miss Daisy Dog. The trees were filled with spring blossoms, the lake was dotted with ducks and the grass was covered in families celebrating Father’s Day. We ate hot jam doughnuts, gleefully wiggled our toes in the sunshine and bathed our skin in the warmth. It was exactly what we needed.

We hope you’ve all had the peachiest, happiest, loveliest weekend. Happy Father’s Day to all the papas out there, with extra love to our own dads, who are back home in QLD! We love and miss you both so much.