January- The Catch Up Edition

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It always feels like December is the time to tie ends together and frantically bring the full year to a close. Why I always feel hurried at the end of the year I’m not so sure, it’s not like I haven’t had 11 months to prepare for it.

December however, has come and gone, and now we sit firmly in January. January to me is all about the catch up bits, the pause, the catch your breath before the year inevitably tumbles forward at a cracking speed.

So that’s what this post is about, a few catch ups.

artist as family || cityhippyfarmgirl

First up, you may have heard of Artist As Family. If you have you might also know they’ve been on a three month bicycle peddled book tour for their last year released book, The Art of Free Travel. I was lucky enough to get to their talk at Florilegium in Glebe, Sydney where I had my book signed, my thoughts expanded (and also some most excellent coffee at Brewristas.)

Two pages into the book this is what I had written…

“I feel soft, I feel middle class comfortable, and ridiculously indulged. I’m questioning everything I have. Everything I want, and every thing I thought I needed.”

Have you read the book? What are your thoughts?

urban goats || cityhippyfarmgirl

Now what else?…Goats. Yep goats.

If you ever thought your school would benefit from a couple of goats, well than I think you are onto a cracking idea. For this post I’m over at the honourable Milkwood talking about how you can convince your school to get a goat (or two!) like we did.

And while you are over at Milkwood, I’ve got a holiday bread recipe that you might like to tear a chunk out of, take for a picnic or freeze for later when the inevitable school lunch boxes return…and yes, they will come around again.

And that’s all for the moment people, catch ups are now caught up, and attention is now turned towards my very soggy backyard. 200mls in two days or something like that, rather wet on the toes any way.

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How about you? Has it been raining? Do you have a post I should have read and anything you really should be catching up on?

 

 

 

hello 2016…I’ve been expecting you

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sunrise || cityhippyfarmgirl

Well hello there 2016…I’ve been expecting you.

I just had a quick peek back to see what I’d written for the beginning of 2015…it seems I wished for a connected year. I’m happy to say, yes, yes it was. A deliciously intensely packed full of goodness connected year. There were paths that emerged, choices made, with options that were carefully considered and taken.

I’m also happy to say an incredibly full, connected and diverse life was lived, can’t ask for much more than that I say.

Some of those choices that were taken might become evident over the next little while within these blog pages, while others might take a while to be shaken out while I work out the how’s, where’s and who’s, (hang tight with those ones, but we will get there.)

One that I can say for now is, well, I moved. Yep, that was a big one. Still a cityslicker, with hippy tendencies and farm girl aspirations, just with a little more elbow room to move now. It’s a bit exciting to say, my making loaves of sourdough over the washing machine are behind me…hoorrah to that one too!

So new beginnings, a new start, new ideas, and a brand spanking new year…

2016 let’s get cracking.

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But what about you? What have you been up to? How was 2015? What does the brand spanking new 2016 year hold for you? Plans, ideas anything you want to share?

*** Also, also, also….it has come to my attention that for some wordpressy special reason there has been a glitch along the line with the email notifications and people receiving them when there is a new post up. If you haven’t been getting the heads up there is a new post email, please subscribe again and hopefully that will kick-start things once more. I haven’t stopped blogging, I didn’t stop blogging, a glitch somewhere amongst it all is to blame and until I nut that one out, just hold tight and hopefully all will be as it should be shortly. In the mean time, keep checking in, I’d hate for you to miss out on a post.

The smell of change

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the little baker || cityhippyfarmgirl

There is a smell of change in the air.

A subtle hint at first,

almost ignored.

But not now,

not now that the distinctive aroma of different is settling in and around.

I wonder what all this will brew?

I’m crazy nervous, and a bit excited. A big breath, and a long exhale right?

I’m pushing around more thoughts in my head at the moment than should be humanly possible. Things will be hard, things will be different, things will be…well changed.

There’s a smell of change in the air, and it’s no longer possible to ignore.

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I also thought I’d take a moment to check in with you guys, the readers.

While I can go off my stats and behind the scenes blog details I do love to hear things straight up. If you are a long time reader of cityhippyfarmgirl, I thank you. If you are a short time reader, hey hello there, awesome to have you here and again thank you.

Now tell me, what is it that keeps you coming back to this site? I don’t mean in a shower me in compliments and let me bathe in blogging glory kinda way, I mean which bits do you like? Which bits don’t work for you, which bits do you want more of?

Would you like to read more bread posts, how to’s, community stories, links to other like-minded people and companies, recipes, frugal living tips, photography, or just the general ‘rambles, waffles and digressions’?

There is a new year coming up and like a blank piece of paper, the possibilities are deliciously endless… errr, saying that it’s highly unlikely I’ll be doing sponsored posts for nestle and huggies any time soon. But if it’s in the umbrella term of cityhippyfarmgirl.com, hit me with your requests if you have them. Bonus points for obscurity! (If you would prefer to shoot me an email rather than leave a comment, I promise I won’t bite…cityhippyfarmgirl(at)gmail(dot)com)

loving…

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PB280450 copy PB280337 copy PB280289 copy

Loving…

weekend sneaky swims before breakfast

reluctant kids that don’t want to go, changing their minds

friends that make you laugh

pictures that make you think

words that get shifted around until they fall into their ‘slotted’ place

and standing up for things that you believe in, (you should always do that.)

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What are you loving this weekend?

[“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]

Swedish Pancake Cake (and the joy of getting older)

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Swedish Pancake Cake

I just had a birthday.

Another year gone where I have taken breath, a breath that has been held while diving into the oceans, a breath that can hasten while riding up steep hills on a bike. A breath that can sing songs with my kids for no other reason than it feels good to sing with them. That same breath that has been granted to me, just got to blow out a candle that signified another year passed, and for that I’m incredibly grateful.

I don’t begrudge the late thirties grey hairs, I don’t shower hate on the lined page on which I write my age. I love that I am here. I could easily not be.

With my accrued numbers, I’ve played, learnt wonderful new things, talked deep into the night, eaten dishes that have delighted the taste buds, sobbed entire afternoons away, drunk deep weekend coffees in my favourite cup, had three kids that have pushed me to dizzy limits I didn’t know existed, while they’ve also exploded my heart with delirious happiness and exquisite divine love.

All of these, along with 68790 daily other things have helped create the evolving lucky layered person I am today.

Luck yes. I do feel lucky to be here as so many people who wanted to be, simply aren’t. To be able to age it’s a wonderful and curious thing. So how does it feel to be in my late 30’s?

Well at this age, choices can be contemplated and ideas are challenged, (and I love that.)

At this age I’ve got a fair idea of what I like, and what I don’t like, (which makes things a hell of a lot easier.)

At this age, I know what my body needs and what it doesn’t, (I just have to make sure that I listen.)

At this age, it feels far more confident than 28 ever did, (and hooray to that I say!)

Now I know at whatever number my age may sit, there will always be an endless supply of curiosities to discover, of thoughts to think, and of a diverse array of people to learn from. And with the time that I’m granted? Well I intend to go seek out as many of them as possible, until that simple act of getting older, well it just isn’t an option any longer.

swedish pancake cake 1 || cityhippyfarmgirl

A Swedish Pancake Cake seemed like a sensible idea to celebrate another year gone by. 

This was the first time I had made one, and I’m quietly hooked. Layered, pancakes, berries, no sugar and a second slice yes please.

Swedish Pancake Cake

What you’ll need:

your favourite pancake/crepe recipe (keep them fairly thin and then build them up)

mascarpone and cream whipped together with some vanilla and honey to sweeten

mixed berries

and some extra honey drizzled over the top

A call for kindness

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candle || cityhippyfarmgirl

I had another post already for today, and yet at this particular moment, it just doesn’t seem to fit. For today’s post it seems far more fitting for thoughts and words to be directed towards others that could maybe use support in a variety of ways.

So that’s what I’m doing, pointing you in a couple of directions where things can be done, words can be read and actions can be taken. What just happened in the last few days in Paris and Beirut is deplorable and after some hand wringing and emotive words exchanged, it’s time to work out what can be done, what I can do in my context.

I can have an opinion, stay informed, remain involved in our community, be generous…and at the end of the day just remember to be kind. Here are a few others that could maybe use some of your support or kindness.

detention-centre-kids-webbanner

Eco Toys Detention Centre Christmas Toy Drive

“Imagine having to flee your hometown to save your own life? Or having to witness the death of loved ones in your community? Imagine having to walk for days, weeks or even months with little food, no shelter and the lingering fear of how to keep your children safe from harm? This is what thousands of refugees face every day. It’s something that we could simply not even begin to imagine but this Christmas Eco Toys is gathering hundreds of toys to deliver to refugee children arriving into Australia for Christmas and to kids in detention centres. Now imagine the smiles on the children’s faces when they are given your toys?

Eco Toys is local toy company with a difference. “All our toys have been made ethically using sustainable and quality, natural materials.” Says Director & founder Melinda Bito. There are no batteries or mass produced plastic toys in our toy store because plastic is such a huge waste as it never completely breaks down and particles end up in our beautiful oceans destroying marine life.”

One of my favourite charities. I have a huge amount of respect for these wonderful people….Donate to Medicins Sans Frontieres

Blood. Donate it if you can and if not there are plenty of other ways you can donate to the Red Cross. Someone, somewhere will always be in need. If you do decide to give blood it’s pretty easy and quick to donate a bag. (Plus you get bonus quiet time afterwards. Time to sit down, read the paper and have a few crackers ‘n cheese. That’s a win right there in my book.)

Also important when staying informed as to what’s going on in the world, choose your news sources wisely. Some alternative news sources (Australian based):

The New Matilda, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian Australia

And Edith, there will always be Edith….

Top Tips for making Beetroot Kvass

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how to make beetroot kvass || cityhippyfarmgirl

Whether you are are just starting out on your fermentation journey, or have been dabbling in the delights of beneficial bacteria for awhile now, making beetroot kvass should be on your to do list. Here’s a couple of quick wonderful reasons why.

It’s Easy- Really, dead easy. Doesn’t require any crucial measuring of ingredients and is incredibly satisfying seeing the fermentation process begin within a relatively short space of time.

Your Liver- Will thank you, yes it will. Lots of info on what it does can be found here.

Probiotics are your friend- That’s good bacteria in a nutshell. You want your gut full of this stuff, full of a wonderful diverse array of different bacteria and enzymes. (Anything naturally fermented helps with this.)

seasonal beetroot || cityhippyfarmgirl

Now importantly how does it taste?

If you are already accustomed to the earthy tones of raw beetroot in fresh juices, this stuff won’t be pulling any surprises. Seeing as though I’m a relative newcomer to actually liking beetroot in it’s (ahem) uncanned state, to me it tastes like…licking dirt.

Being an avid fan of anything fermented though, I shall persist and my liver will thank me for it. (Or it had better, there has to be some perks of drinking this garden tasting juice.*)

Making Beetroot Kvass || cityhippyfarmgirl

Beetroot Kvass

3 medium sized beetroot

1.5 litres cool boiled water

2 pinches of salt

Peel the skin off your beetroot and dice them up, approximately 1cm squares, if they are 2cm it wouldn’t be a tragedy however.

Pop the beetroot in a large clean glass jar, something with a wide mouth. You need the air yeasts to get to the kvass, so a large wide mouth jar is great to use. Add your salt and water, give it a little swish around to make sure the salt is dissolved and cover with a square of muslin (or paper towel) and a rubber band. Now to get things cracking a little earlier, I did add about 1/4 cup of sauerkraut juice to kick-start things a little, you could also add whey (as per Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions) or nothing and just be dependent on the air yeasts that will get things fermenting.

Have a good smell of it before you put the muslin on. Your nose, eyes and taste buds are the key to great fermenting. Smell the changes as they take place, see them and lastly give it a taste test. Let those three things guide you.

I started seeing bubbles with 24 hours surprisingly, however I let it ferment for a further few days. The length of time is going to depend on the season and how warm it is in your kitchen.

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If you are new to fermenting I highly reccommend Sandor Katz’s book The Art of Fermentation it’s easy to follow and really is a ‘forever’ book that you’ll keep dipping into dependent on what you’re interested in at the time.

* You can add ginger lemon rind etc as a second ferment to tweak the flavour a bit.

 

Unshackling Ideas and the Art of Daydreaming

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duck feet boots || cityhippyfarmgirlcityhippyfarmgirl.com

Daydreaming, completely underrated.

A few weeks back I did a post with a link to the Susan Cain TEDx talk on The Power of Introverts. There were lots of parts of the talk that had my head nodding but there were four words in particular that stuck in my brain….”the transcendence of solitude“. Now I’ve often thought this, often talked about this, often simply just wished for it, but I’d never quite described it like that.

Listening to those four little words in her 20 minute speech?

She had nailed it.

Not always does solitude and transcendence go hand in hand, actually in my experience it’s not often at all, but then again it’s not particularly often in this stage of my life do I get to be alone. But when it’s there, when it happens…

It’s exquisite.

That’s when ideas flourish, when creativity sparks, and that’s when problems get turned on their head. If our brains are constantly being switched on and running at even a low-level concentrating point (facebook I’m looking at you), you don’t get that. You won’t get that, (or if you do I’d love to hear from you.)

In my view it’s unlikely that scrolling through your FB feed you’ll suddenly exclaim, I’ve got an idea!!! Or be inclined to go create something incredible. While I’m not squashing the merits of FB, I do think we need those blank spaces to be able to get more out of life, to do more we need the “trancendence of solitude”, and that’s especially important for our kids. We need for them to know what to do in those pauses.

To be able to let your mind wander.

To let your subconscious run free.

To let your ideas…

Unshackle.