to market, to market...

so I leave next week for Barcelona. Looking forward to it, very muchly. The friends, the food, the culture, the work, the time to rekindle my self. But after Barcelona, I go to London for two days, purely just because I'm passing through. Why waste a chance to wander a foreign city by yourslf when you can? and all those miles and nothing gained? Solo travel I quite like, exploring at your own pace, but I do like to share. I am lookinging forward to those historical sites thats Ive never managed in previous visits to London, and I'm a total sucker for a pure set sparkly and all that time to myself, a whole 42 hours! But I am feeling a little aggrieved at the lost opportunity for market shopping and cooking for friends. I have no one in London to cook for! Any takers out there?

escama studio

A friend gave this to me yesterday; a gift for my birthday. She knows me well! Its 100% fabbo! Pull tabs from soft drink (soda) cans have been crocheted together to make a shoulder bag with some great attention to style! It reminds me of fish scales, a modern eco-twist on the Glo-mesh. I love it.

green business

So you all know me pretty well by now...I try and 'do the right thing'. I eat local, seasonal, I public transport it, I take my stuff with me, I recycle, I consume few stuff and when i do i know its provenance, we solar power, passive solar, time showers, make stuff, eat basics, yaddah yaddah yaddah, so when it came to my work trip this time i had to DO something different, ( i know the jet fuel carbon costs) I chose a 'green' hotel. Small rooms, local menus, green powered, recycling facilities in the room, no takeaway toiletries in shameful bottles, minimal. Happy to make just a small difference and support a business with a conscience.

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.