A TABLE FOR SIX

 Oh my glob, can you believe that this entire set was sitting on the side of the road? As soon as I saw it, I pulled over, knocked at the front door and asked if it was free. You can only imagine the beating of my palpitating heart when they said yes. I took two chairs with me and then came back to claim the rest by foot. It was only nine houses down the road from mine, and it was a collective effort taking the four chairs and the table (which is quiet heavy as it has an extendable center) down the road and up our dirt driveway. So the old table got promoted outside to our deck and this little set got a wipe down and is now our main table. I am inlove and feeling very lucky!! This is exactly what I have been looking for and I would have been willing to pay for it. 

Thank you Universe! What are your top pre-loved finds?

 Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Please do not use my images without permission.

DINNER FOR BREAKFAST

He had a ham and cheese croissant and I had left-over salad for breakfast. Last night for dinner this salad was accompanied by some free-range chicken thighs which were fried off in a pan with some coconut oil for some quick colouring and then baked in the oven for fifteen minutes to finish cooking right through. We had a squeeze of fresh locally grown lemons and sea salt to season the chicken after it came out of the oven.

The salad was adapted from Hetty McKinnon's cookbook, Community, salad recipes from Arthur Street Kitchen, and I was feeling inspired by the zataar roasted carrots with kale, freekeh and blood orange maple dressing. However there was no zataar or freekeh in my cupboards and our oranges had been eaten days ago, so i skipped the zataar and freekeh all together and replaced the blood oranges in the dressing with some little cumquats which we had in our fruit bowl. I also added some roasted canned chickpeas in place of the hazelnuts and some cauliflower which I threw ontop of the roasting carrots for the remaining ten minutes. To serve I pinched a tiny sprinkling of sesame and sunflower seeds over the carrots.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Please do not use my images without permission.

LIKE MINDS

We don't mean to but sometimes us Mum's take over small spaces. Believe me when I say that we feel equally as uncomfortable as you when our babies start to fuss or when we disrupt the flow of movement because of our strollers or travel seats, but sometimes we just need to get out of the house and enjoy the freedom and deliciousness of a freshly brewed coffee or a nice breakfast which doesn't involve us having to do the washing up afterwards. Small things like this which make everyone's day a little bit better also makes ours a little bit better too. I couldn't be any more apologetic for taking over your peace and quiet, but please understand that we are doing our best. Cafe's like this one attract members from all over the local community, not just because of the amazing food and coffee but because of the wonderful way in which everyone feels at home as soon as they step up into their cosy little space. The way in which the personalities and the people come together to enjoy their space, food and coffee often results in a chain reaction of laughter and communal small talk, the perfect ambience of casualness and joy.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Kodak Portra 400

Please do not use my images without permission.

SURPRISE, CHRISTMAS IN JULY!!

I was feeling jittery with excitement. I kept watch as we waited for them to knock on the door.

I am terrible at keeping secrets and the anticipation was making me feel faint. Bing Crosby was crooning his christmas songs as the guys tried to keep an eye on who was winning the surfing while the kids played in front of the television and us girls busied ourselves getting the food ready and setting the table. There were a couple of false knocks at the door which were enough to have me break out into a small sweat and go crazy hissing and yelling to everyone to sit at their seats at the table, and as annoying as it was, it was fantastic opportunity to perfect our surprise. The real knock was faint and unassuming and when we opened the door to them, seeing her face brighten and shy away into her hands made my eyes well up with salty drops. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

 

Images taken using Canon 5D Markiii//50mm 1.4

Kodak Portra 160 & Ilford HP5

Please do not use my images without permission.