Category Archives: Rambles, Waffles and Digressions

Rambles, waffles, and digressions…

thankful for being a mama

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cityhippyfarmgirl Today is Mother’s Day.

A day I’m incredibly grateful to be able to celebrate. Not only as a mother but also celebrating my own mother.

Years ago I wondered whether I would ever get the chance to be a mother. I hoped and wished. Shed tears when I wasn’t, shed tears when I was. An incredibly journey, that has brought every known emotion along with it.

Today I’m thankful for my children for allowing me to experience every single one of those emotions. As without it, I’d be a completely different person, and certainly not for the better.

I’m thankful for my other mama friends who are always such a wonderful source of support. Friendships that are so rarely properly acknowledged, and yet those tiny moments, those meet ups, those conversations, those coffees… have the ability to completely change a day. Hours of tantrums, tears, lost shoes, and late school times- forgotten in the space of a minute with a softly placed hand on your arm, a knowing smile and a ready laugh.

A few days before, I was asked what I wanted to do on Mother’s Day. I wanted nothing flashy, nothing fluffy. No arguments, and yelling. I wanted a slow morning, filled with pancakes and biscuits. Hand drawn cards, sitting next to deep pots of chai, surrounded by the ones I loved the very most.

I wanted to take them all in, count their little toes and fingers as I had done on the day they were born. I wanted to read stories, play games, dance in the lounge room. I wanted snuggles on the couch and kisses at the table. I wanted a slow day, to enjoy everything I truly loved about being a mother. That’s what I really wanted to do.

(And after all that. I wanted to sneak off, to go sit in a café, nurse a luke warm coffee…. while they all cooked dinner.)

Happy Mother’s Day Mama’s, you do a truly amazing job.

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Biscuit recipe is from SBS Food Safari- Plum Jam Biscuits and they were delicious!

Where do you find your inspiration?

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The inspirational hour.

That time when darkness still lurks on the corners. Soft greying light gets slowly pushed out of the way for bright orange and pink streaks. The sun is yet to emerge, and my chai sits steaming before me. The rest of the household sleep on. This is my time. Quite often far too brief, but my time non the less. This is when ideas sprout, words seem clearer and inspiration is welcomed. I love this time of day. For me, it truly is the inspirational hour.

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Some wonderfully inspiring things going on at the moment that may tempt you just a little.

Crowd farmed catered event at TEDx Sydney– Saturday 4th May. Inspiring, a truly inspiring day. I’m not going to the event, (unlike this incredibly lucky lady) but do plan on going to one of the satellite events.

Three day Strawbale Building course- Mudgee, NSW. Strawbale houses would have to be at the top of my most oohed and aahhed over houses.

Bhutan- the first country in the world to go 100% organic. This is truly inspiring.

If you’ve ever considered eating locally before, but haven’t quite had the courage to start, this maybe the challenge to help you. Local Harvest encourages individuals, households and communities, to take on bite sized, meal sized or feast sized challenges. The annual challenge week has already passed, but you can do your own at any time. I’m really tempted by the feast sized challenge, it would be hard….anyone else want to do it with me??

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Tell me, what’s inspiring you at the moment? Person, place or thing?

loving…simplicity and farm life

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cityhippyfarmgirl

“Often life’s pleasures pass us by simply because we don’t take a moment to focus on them… Make a point of noticing everyday something that uplifts your spirit or tickles your heart… Stop to breathe in the joy of this moment and then tell someone about it. Share your joy and revel in it. When your joy is savoured, and then shared, it is magnified…” ROBIN GRILLE

For me, there seem to be a lot of things to think about at the moment, and never quite enough time to do all of that thinking. What I have noticed lately though, is that life seems deliciously wonderful when those tiny moments of joy are grabbed hold of and held for just moment longer. Pausing a weary brain, and clearing a head full of thoughts.

A clear head… there is a lot to love of that.

Waking in the middle of the night, being showered in moonlight from a very full moon….loving every moonbeam of that.

Weekend away to a beautiful farm, where we were able to pick whatever we wanted to eat. With persimmons, pecans, eggs, spinach, sweet potato, tomatoes, mandarins, and home made blackberry jam from blackberries just down the hill to choose from…we all loved every second of it.

Dappled autumnal afternoon light hitting my kitchen table… loving that.

Dimpled baby smiles and cheeky chuckling boys…loving them.

Drinking coffee from my grandmothers 1960’s coffee mug. There is something about it that grounds me every time. The connection to her, the history behind it, the brief quiet time that is usually associated with it and importantly the lip. Nothing worse than a coffee cup with an annoying lip…loving drinking from that cup.

Moments of simplicity. Often far too brief lately, but jeez….loving them when they are there.

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cityhippyfarmgirl

If anyone else would like to do a ‘loving’ post, please let me know, link back to this post and I’ll do a link up. I try to do one the last Sunday of the month (or you can simply write something in the comments). I would love to know about those little moments in your week that have tickled your heart.
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Have a look at what is tickling Kari’s taste buds at the moment.

capturing those moments

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a rainy day dance with a shower cap

Since the beginning, when this little person first decided to mark us with her magic. I have taken a picture of her. Once a week, every week, since she was born.

At first I was just going to take it for the first year of her life and the photo would have a black and white theme. Then she turned one, and I just couldn’t bring myself to stop. If I didn’t want to stop, then why would I? So each week on the same day, I take her picture. A portrait style, a brief capture of that moment. There are always plenty of other photos that are taken, but this one is just simply, her.

Everyone always says, childhood…you blink and they grow up. Being the nostalgic kind of mama that I am, I can’t imagine ever having too many photos. I take lots, and every single one of them is treasured by me. A single moment captured, a sneak peek at the person emerging, a memory to talk of later. I don’t do it for anyone but myself. If someone else enjoys what I take, that’s an added thrill. But for me I take a picture because I want to soak up this moment and remember this time as really she is only going to be like this once.

This week I’m linking in with Jodi for the first time.

the best city bicycle- part two

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cityhippyfarmgirlcityhippyfarmgirlcityhippyfarmgirlA few weeks back I put the call out for a little help on the bike purchasing front… What was the best bicycle for a city gal wanting to get around on two wheels?

Turns out I had quite a lot of choice, and so I slowly narrowed it down to two, with 5062 hours of research and the help of you- my awesome readers. Every piece of advice was duly noted and I can confidently say, without everyone’s advice there is no way I would have found the bike that I did.

The cool looking retro bikes were trying to entice me but it’s a trusty 21 speed hybrid Malvern Star that finely came through with a skidding halt to my back door step. Despite being daunted by all the seemingly excessive gears, after two rides, (yes, two) I got them. I understood the gears and can confidently say….I love them! Gears are amazing and make bike riding a joy… who knew?

This little bike has everything I wanted- stand, mud guards, step through, basket, rack, upright position, 21 speeds and a comfy seat, (without a crazy price tag.)

The first few rides were a little daunting, the footpath getting a good workout along with the breaks. Every car going by seemed to be a potential to, well… die! However I’ve decided that if I’m going to ride in Sydney I just have to get more confident. It’s a busy city, with not a lot of apparent love towards bike riders, (and just quietly, more than it’s fair share of hills.) But it’s my city and there is nothing to say, I can’t make that all work for me.

Early morning rides to city farmers markets? No problem, with my basket on the front and my bell finger at the ready, ting ting…out of my way drunken Friday night partiers, city hippy farm girl coming though on her bike…ting ting.

Taking the bike away with us last weekend, I got a different view of what it’s like to ride around another city. Newcastle this time, which is incredibly flat and bike friendly. Peddling furiously to make it to the beach in time to watch the sun sneak over the water I had a moment.

I got it, I really did.

With the wind on my face, the light slowly touching the scattered clouds, my breath catching a little as I peddled faster and faster. I had time, I knew I could get there before the sun snuck over the horizon. I kept going faster though, not because I had to, but because I could… and that’s a pretty wonderful feeling to have.

cityhippyfarmgirlMy top tips for anyone looking at getting a bike in the city.

Research…and research your butt off. Ask oodles of questions, try the bikes out and take your time making a decision. You want to use it, not for it to be an expensive ornament. The low gear retro bikes look amazing, but if you don’t live in a flat cobblestone city, maybe think again. If you are going to be riding up any sort incline, gears are your friend. A superb wonderful friend, that you will love getting to know.

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For an interesting comparison on riding in a different city, have a read of Richard Tulloch’s cycling in Amsterdam…44,000 bike spaces to park in!

loving…

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cityhippyfarmgirl

“Often life’s pleasures pass us by simply because we don’t take a moment to focus on them… Make a point of noticing everyday something that uplifts your spirit or tickles your heart… Stop to breathe in the joy of this moment and then tell someone about it. Share your joy and revel in it. When your joy is savoured, and then shared, it is magnified…” ROBIN GRILLE

Surprise bunches of flowers, with perfectly tiny pink blooms…loving their tiny pinkness.

Eating simply, with lots of whole foods. I really do enjoy eating like this, it feels right and combined with eating with the seasons…well, I love that.

This is also led me to playing with a lemon tart. Using sprouted buckwheat, no butter, no wheat, no sugar and gluten free. Sounded a little unlikely when I was writing down how I thought I might make it. Turns out… we all loved it.

Watching this little girl’s face light up on the discovery and pure delight of, well, everything…loving her so much.

That sweet moment when the coffee hits, and all the world is realigned again. Clarity in a coffee cup…loving that.

History lesson for my boys, both of them so very interested…loving that.

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If anyone else would like to do a ‘loving’ post, (or simply write something in the comments). Please let me know, link back to this post and I’ll do a link up. I would love to know about those little moments in your week that have tickled your heart.
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Have a peek at Erin’s little cutie who has just found her new legs this weekend.
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Making me want to move immediately to the country is Kim and all her preserved goodies.
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Also have a look at what the lovely Kari has been up to… I do have a little garden envy.
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make it a wonderful one

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 cityhippyfarmgirl

cityhippyfarmgirl

It’s that time of year when there is a whole lot of fruity looking buns with crosses lingering around and a suspiciously large amount of chocolate on offer.

Whether you celebrate this time of year for religious purposes or like to rejoice with the Goddess Eostre. The changes of Autumn and Spring being celebrated, quiet time in a church, happiness over a long weekend with loved ones, or simply enjoying some time out with a good book.

What ever you get up to… make it a wonderful one.

cityhippyfarmgirl(And if by chance you feel like making some hot cross buns, here’s a few to get you started.)

Hot Cross Buns

200g currants/raisins

200mls hot water

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cardamom

1/2 tsp dark malt flour

1 tsp dried yeast

250g sourdough starter

100g sugar (2/3 cup, more if you like them sweeter)

250mls milk

100g softened butter

11/2-2 tsp salt

4 1/2 cups flour (675g)

Soak the fruit in the hot water, leave for a couple of hours/ over night.  Mix all ingredients together, except for the salt. Autolyse period 20-45 minutes. Add the salt and mix again, then turn out on to a lightly floured bench to knead until you get a lovely smooth ball of dough. Pop the dough back into the bowl, plastic bag over the top and leave to prove.  A couple of proves and folds over the next few hours. Then out onto lightly floured surface again and divide into 16 or so portions. Roll into balls, or simply divide to get a more square shape. Pop them on a lined baking tray, cover and leave for another prove.

Crosses

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

Mix together and spoon into a piping bag just before they hit the oven.

Then bake at 210C for approximately 15-25 minutes, (depends on the size, bake until golden.)

Glaze

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

Bring to a simmer for a couple of minutes and then brush onto hot buns.

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Hot Cross Buns- commercial yeast recipe

Hot Cross Buns- whole sourdough recipe

Chocolate Hot Cross Buns- semi sourdough recipe

lavender and inspiring women

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A gnarly sun kissed hand pushed a bunch of wattle towards the car window. The driver reaching out for it, swapping the vivid yellow for a few coins and on they drove. The traffic continued, until the next change of lights, where the gnarly hand would once again push forward, offering the small bunches of bright yellow to the driver.

How wattle got to be a symbol of International Women’s Day in Italy I’m not sure. But this is how a number of Italian menfolk show their love and gratitude towards the women in their lives on the 8th of March. Mothers, wives, daughters, co workers, friends…they are all acknowledged, with a little bouquet of wattle. Whether those little bouquets are given as symbolism for the political and social struggles of women this day was initially started for or it’s more a mark of respect, love and appreciation I’m not sure.

Either way, I think I like it. A small symbolic gesture, that I would imagine be really appreciated. Now wattle originated in Australia, so does Australia have a similar culture or giving tradition on International Women’s Day?

Unfortunately no, nope not in the slightest, but I’m wondering… perhaps it’s time we started?

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Some inspiring women in my life that I’ve been thinking of lately, and would love to give a small bouquet of lavender to…

My gorgeous friend who made the mammoth shift of moving states, to give her family a new start- Taking that plunge takes incredible courage.

This wonderful woman is a Doctor with MSF. I’ve been lucky enough to meet her a couple of times, being a good friend of my good friend. The site won’t let me embed the video here, but PLEASE take the time to watch it. (3 mins)

Another artist friend who is at the very beginnings of studying law. As a mama to two little people, I’m in absolute awe of her, (I can barely finish a cup of coffee at the moment.)

And my wonderfully strong blogging friend Mariana, who is still dealing with the aftermath of severe flooding on her property.

All incredibly strong courageous women, that I feel honoured to know.

Which women are you inspired by at the moment?

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Also a few books I’m thinking about for my girl…

Not one Damsel in Distress-

Grandmothers Stories-

Fearless Girls, Wise Women and Beloved Sisters-

I think my boys will enjoy these stories too.