Simple Living Sunday 40

Life has been busy lately with the boy's football and now athletic commitments so it has been nice to enjoy a rare weekend at home. I have been lacking motivation for the garden which I was so looking forward to planting this Spring. I am hoping that will return once I spend more time outside...and start embracing and accepting my life the way it is now. These posts always made me feel good about so myself so Simple Living Sunday is a start to finding my way back again.

The recent rains have done wonders for the mulberry tree. It is back in full form...and massive.

The branches are laden with berries...

...and judging by the various stages, I will be picking for a few weeks very shortly. Yummo!

The leafy greens have kept me going for most of this year. The kale is still plentiful, and I am loving this rainbow chard with my eggs...

...speaking of which, look at the amazing yellow colour in this omelette. The chooks have been a welcome addition to the household and I collect 3-4 eggs per day at the moment. Enough to have breakfast every day and pass on a dozen to my daughter when she comes over on Sundays.

The regular cherry tomato patch under the stairs is blooming again.

I have been slack with the greenhouse...once a day watering is not enough to keep the pots moist in the heat so I will stick to planting my seedlings upstairs on the balcony in summer.

The cape gooseberry has taken off...it will eventually be a large shrub I discovered when I visited a permaculture farm last weekend.

The leeks are finally starting to look 'leek-ish'.

I harvested my first cauliflower and have a couple more growing. Controlling the caterpillars has been the biggest challenge. This is a purple cauliflower.

And a regular white one growing well.

The arrowroot in the food forest is starting to multiply...and add valuable nitrogen to the soil.

The mint is also spreading out...I am hoping to get some black mint going too.

The yard has been getting a big cleanup which included the fireplace. 

A welcome sight on Saturday night.

And a welcome sight on the way to work...dairy crow crossing.

That's the week at my place. What have you been up to at yours?

'Stand n Stuff' Quiche

I have recently come across this easy quiche made in the slow cooker. Last night I decided to bake some in the oven...just to make sure the shell stayed crispy. They turned out beautifully and I packed one for lunch today with some salad. So why did I call them 'stand n stuff'?

Well, because I used these beaut little soft taco boats as the base. Super easy and lower in calories than pastry.

I placed four 'boats' on a greased oven tray.

Then chopped some bacon, kale, tomato and capsicum.

I placed the fillings into the boats, then poured whisked eggs (six) to cover, and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

Voila! I baked them for about 30 minutes at 150 degrees. You don't want the oven too hot or the 'boats' will burn on the edges. These look a little dark in the photo but were just perfect!

How is that for the easiest, quickest quiche on the run?

                                                   

Time To Let Go

Two years ago today I was on a beautiful beach in Nai Yang, Phuket for my sister, Krish's wedding. It was such a beautiful, romantic ceremony, complete with bare feet and these amazing parasols we picked up for a couple of dollars at one of the temples. I was so honored that Krish asked Paul and I to attend as we had shared their journey from the very beginning of their romance when they met online, and we supported Krish through her breakup with her ex.

I am so very proud of my little sis and so ecstatic that she found the love she deserved after years of turmoil. Congratulations Krish and Pete!

Ironically one of the reasons Krish asked us to attend was that Paul and I understood what it was like to have such an incredible romance...that the depth of affection we had for one another was akin to hers with Pete, soul mates. Unfortunately, at the time of going overseas we had just been through another major flood earlier that year...and it was taking it's toll on us. We really needed the break, and despite my checking on the kids all the time, we all did have a lovely time...except for one big mistake I made which I planned with Krish before we left Australia.

I arranged with the celebrant to have a renewal of wedding vows for Paul and I, under the flower arbour, after Krish and Pete were married. I wanted to try and capture some sort of romantic spark that had been missing from our marriage. Mental note....never ever spring a surprise renewal of wedding vows on someone. Like that situation would ever present itself again, right? It was incredibly awkward, Paul didn't get the gesture, and later said he didn't think it was a good idea.

The reason I share this story is that I think I realised then that my marriage was hurting, that large romantic gestures shouldn't be necessary to keep things moving. Now, two years later my marriage is over.

You cannot go back from someone telling you they don't love you anymore, that they don't want to grow old with you...and that nothing you do can change that. You have to let them go. If they are so unhappy then there is no point holding on to save your broken heart. You have to realise the fairytale is over, even though you would have tried to save it over and over again because you made solemn vows and promised to do so....and, let's face it...you still love him.

A month ago I couldn't talk about this, hence the reason for my bloggy break. Some would think it's not appropriate to air this in public but I felt like writing what was in my heart today, especially on this anniversary of such a moving and beautiful wedding. A day that will always hold a special place in my heart regardless of who was there.

Pete and Krish, I know you will have an eternity of anniversaries and I so look forward to sharing them with you. Don't be sad for me, I deserve to be with someone that will love me for a lifetime, no matter what...just like you.

Thanks for helping me let go...love you both so much!!