bashing, birthday style

My brother and I finally, are in sync! I had a great night. Many demons laid to rest and 40 people came to my 40th bash. Spooky. The Bloke pulled out all stops, hired a local eatery, had fizz and canapes served and all my friends invited (well those that live nearby, anyways) who all agreed to join us on the condition they payed for ther own meal and made the cakes! I really just relaxed and enjoyed everyones company, cried a bit (that was probably aided by the fizz but i do love an opportunity to tell everyone how much i really appreciate their love and friendship). Im liking being 40. You can publish pics of yourself looking like an idiot and not care. And to The Bloke "wow, thanks, I love you!"

Haiku Friday

Sheltered in the barn,
we listen and wait as wind's
bite, our bellies full.

finally - produce bags!

These lovelies have arrived, ready for my approval and signing of a contract. Soft, unbleached, reclaimed organic cotton worked into a useful produce bag for all those who dont have the where-with-all or nouse to make them themselves. I like these so much more than the plastic net bags. Something pure to house your market treasures.

I cant describe the pleasure at finally being at this stage of this wee little dream. But stay tuned, more types of bags to come!

40

Ok, so i turned 40 last week. Thats not the reason I havent been blogging. Thinking back I cant remember how I had the head space to blog as I did. I often log in an want to write, connect with everyone, but i just cant seem to muster a useful sentence nor dig deep and draw on myself. I had a wonderful day. The girls rose early to cook me my favourite breakfast before they hopped on the bus to school; eggs benedict. They did me proud that b1 and b2, they split the tasks and cooked up sourdough with perfectly poached eggs and a HOME MADE HOLLANDAISE. No adult help. Seriously. Couldn't be prouder. Go girls. They also made the most perfect peace tree. If I ignore the squabbling which surrounded the night before the big four. oh. over who was doing what task, who forgot to go get a tree branch, who promised they'd have what part ready and fosicking around in the garden inthe pitch black at freezing temps screeching at each other I might have felt even more serene about the gift. But it was made with such a truckload of love that all I could do was laugh at their drama.

The Bloke in his indemible style gifted me a master fishing rod and full tackle along with a guide to the best fishing spots in South Oz, all wrapped tucked up under a dirty floor runner. Love that guy. He's bright green. He's lucky to have me.

He topped it of with a superb dinner (he actually introduced me to a dish I had never seen nor heard of, a vegetable tian, now thats a gift) and a beautiful baked lemon cheesecake with gingernut crust. 40 so far is feelin' pretty good. Big bash to come.

bits n pieces

:: the kale is growing.

:: B1 made a cake and decorated it as a fractal. Speechless.

:: the boy bean turned two. he's dead cute and yakking away and calls me 'darling' like his lovely Dad does. Heart mush moments abound.

:: manufacturing of The Ethicurean bags has finally begun. Hats off to all small business owners, this journey has been a real eye opener for this lifelong academic.

:: after only eight weeks in operation, Food Connect Adelaide has hundreds of subscribers on the books. Awesomely impressive and a real measure of community interest in alternative and sustainable food systems. I love being a central part of this food based social enterprise.

:: biochar manufacturing has begun in earnest at Chez Pan.

:: having to think about high schools for B2 for 2011. I hate this part of parenting and schooling. High scool is such a pain in the ass to navigate, primary school is so easy! I love primary school.

:: facebook has quietly and earnestly taken over my life. I'm seriously considering a techie moratorium for 6 months. Told the kids about the mooted idea and the heart palpatations were physically discernable from across the dining table.

:: have finally admitted to myself that the loss of privacy felt from B1 and B2's Dads invasion of my blog, blog space and the kids space might have affected my enthusiasm for blog posting. Thinking I may be on the road to recovery.

:: looking forward to my 40th birthday party in a few weeks. Loads of friends and family celebrating at a local restaurant is just what Im up for right now.

:: have been wondering when I might feel like engaging in some more personal, reflective writing and when I might get round to some deeper thinking.

:: still in love.

:: paid way to much for some swanky (hehe, freudian slip and wrote wanky! lol) new shiny black gumboots. Flocked heaven in a rubber boot.

:: my abstract for a conference in Barcelona has been accepted. I cant believe my luck that two of my bookclub members will be there at the same time for conferences. Looking forward to the joy of friends in a foreign land (well foreign to me, one of them is a Catalanian native).

:: thinking how I have a certain level of 'love' for special bloggy comrades. Strange? or do you feel that way about certain bloggers too?

:: am awaiting the return of my PhD dissertation.

:: my fanatacism for all things 'gratin' has not yet diminished. I think this interest has now passed fad status and developed into a lifelong staple.

:: B2 has entered 'kids masterchef'. Im looking forward to a behind the scenes view of the ins and outs of a reality tv show and simultaneoulsy wondering how they will make prime time viewing out of 8-12 year ols in the kitchen. Not many years of expertise and a matured palette to draw on!

:: thinking that I should have got back to regular posting a while back when reviewing the mountain of stuff i have just written down!.

in my inbox this morning

Dear Colleagues
I wish to take this opportunity to wish all mothers on staff a Very Happy Mother’s Day for Sunday, 9 May 2010. I hope that you will have an enjoyable and memorable time with your family as you get pampered with chocolates, flowers, breakfasts in bed and hugs. Shower your mother with love and hugs too. From my experience of what mothers do for their families, I think Mother’s Day should be every day.
Regards,
Johann


* at this moment i fell off my chair and then had to post. I like our new dean!

Haiku Friday

yes! a noise from me.
How extraordinary, no?
Just to say he's two.