des glaneuses {the pecan harvest}

IMG_0004in the fields the pecan trees drop their bountiful treasure

the cockatoos swing overhead and the ticks lurk below shadows

a basket of size or make, soon spills brown eggs to hatch small brown birds

the queen nut and her babies are captured lovingly

while children bounce, frolic, nest and throw.

oh to covet a fireside nut crushing eve

and invent our own fairytales

this kinship and little people wriggles

jaffles in moonlight and the bright silhouettes sway

the foragers filled and the gypsies sleep by the coals in mandarin cloaks

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*

nut tree nut tree

there is treasure hidden in your leaves

nut tree nut tree

drop your gifts down to me

*
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IMG_0082thanking thee dear friends.

and Miss F for the capture of me in the frames above.

pumpkin and pecan pie anyone?

pecan ice cream?

pecan truffles?

pecan and cinnamon cake?

pecan and mushroom soup?

pecan pecan hecan mecan?

xx

did you like my nutty poetree? and my nutty daughter?

because you are what you eat!!

more on foraging here.

 

Salsa verde {a passionate dance with parsley}

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during my pregnancy with Cedar, our lovely midwife recommended this delicious dip/spread as a nourishing supplement to my diet. it has since become a favorite with us all and is used to accompany many dishes. I believe the original can be found in the Stephanie Alexander Cooks companion book.

It has some surprise ingredients….

Salsa Verde

my current version goes a bit like this… all measurements are approximate, let your tastebuds and intuition guide you

simply blend the following ingredients to a smooth paste, starting with the parsley

  • three large bunches good looking flat leaf parsley stems removed
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • 1 clove garlic
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • tbsn of capers in brine
  • anchovies to taste (i use about 40g per batch)
  • olive oil to moisten (i have thinned the mixture with a little water on one occasion)

to make a vegan version exclude the anchovies and perhaps add a pinch of salt

i grind my own almond meal for this recipe. If you want to also, chop the parsley seperately and add the almond meal to it with the wet ingredients

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it’s worthwhile to make a bigger batch and enjoy it for a few days, cover with olive oil to help preserve it in the fridge…IMG_0006 IMG_0011

maybe you know a pregnant lady or a new mama who could benefit from an easy nutritious snack to have on hand..

go on take her some….salsa verde

Oatlands

On our travels up and down the Midland Highway

we pass through Oatlands

an historical village set about an hour North of Hobart

we are lured by fresh Organic Stoneground Woodfired Sourdough bread

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glimpses in the bakery

glimpses in the bakery

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mmmm that ticks all the bread boxes doesn’t it

and not to mention local grains milled in the recently restored mill!

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Lily and I dress in vintage clothing and go on a date to peruse the gardens, heritage buildings and main street

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beautiful dry stone walls abound in this area

beautiful dry stone walls abound in this area

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we play and pose for each other and giggle alot and smell roses and lavender hedges and accidently knock an unripe apple down

There is a free camping spot on the lake front {where you can glimpse Thylacine on the far bank}

and there are many birds and topiary hedges to prune…IMG_1015 IMG_1009 IMG_0021 IMG_0014 IMG_0016 IMG_0036 IMG_0029

 

or you can park up next to the playground which boasts a giant didgeridoo tree with

whimsical native animal carvings and you can pick wild tiny tart plums….

IMG_1013 IMG_1010we feast on giant cherries and smile alot

and are blessed with spectacular broad sky sunsets

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giant cherries grow round ere...

giant cherries grow round ere…

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the law of des glaneuses

pink cloverin the field

under the gaze of the mountains

the beauty of the mountains

in the deep verdant grass and flowers

lies our stinky bounty

the treasure we hunt

with joy and exclamations of success

the biggest clove ever woody

there in the garlic field

after the harvesters have been

and tirelessly pulled tonnes of perfect garlic heads

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we are free to forage

delightful abundance

food for free

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following the legal art of gleaning in France

as our french guests have enightened me

we gather

a years supply of pungent organic garlic

grown 300m from where we sleep

blessed are we

more paper bag uses

when hands are put to work

and a little effort and a group of willing children

it’s fun for us all

and then a mad dash home hysterical

high on garlic fumes

the rain chasing us

thankyou to the growers abundance!thankyou to the growers who water mulch weed harvest and share this beautiful crop

xxx

Mullumbimby community gardens

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amidst the forest of edible green

little hands and big hands alike are foraging

a tomato wrapped in sweet basil

and popped and spurted between sharp teeeth

a joyous exploration of tasting leaves and  petals

pure vitality and nourishment

flavours piquant and bright

a chile which made me cry

a haven of play for my tired little ones

a carpet of lush green to flop onto in mama exhaustion

a quiet place for us to be together

nurtured by vibrant life

the rustle and whisper of food growing

glorious food

abundant food for all!

gratitude

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i’ve said it before and i will happily say it again and again

Mullumbimby Community gardens are fantastic

and if you can go there you are sure to be inspired

and feel happy simply by being with all the good growth

and feel connected with the ladybirds and the caterpillars

and come away well fed body and soul…

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Waking up to…

Waking up to…

Heidi and Peter bringing in the goats for milking

{we have only just finished devouring Heidi by Johanna Spyri these last days, now look at our new reality!}

an enjoyable chore surprisingly!

I am nowhere near as dexterous as these young ones on the milking front…

I had always thought I detested goat’s milk, but here… yum, so sweet and mild

throughout the day i listen for the tinkle of the bell in the orchard and enjoy watching these nimble girls scamper about, balance up trees to peg down tasty leaves or frolic about in that particular goaty fashion.

I am enjoying the developing relationship with these curious, opportunistic, character filled creatures and am deeply grateful for their delicious milk and subsequent cheeses which our kind friend makes! Yum

something to love on the farm…

Market Mornings

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So many years and so many markets

and so much delight!

I am finding a rhythm of how to approach it with children

Jesse is usually busking so I am in the foray with my little friends

Aiming to meet abit of each one’s desires

Playground, food, fossicking, produce shopping, hello to dad, doll’s clothes, push toys, animals, watching buskers etc etc

Bustling, stimulating, stories to share, strangers to meet, everywhere an eye catcher, hungry, overwhelming!

Whether on grass or a carpark makes a difference,

shaded or not?

with food stalls or not?

with artisans or not?

With playground or not?

Buskers?

many important factors!

having been a stall holder previously I can see it from that side too…

I have so much enjoyment from visiting markets and the market community of friends

and revel in the way people interact in these spaces

it is something unto itself

I suppose over time an atmosphere is built up in the place

when it’s all packed down I can still perceive the fullness of what has been there

Be open to being inspired by what others are doing also

On Sunday at the Shalom markets I met Robyn Crosthwaite who sells beautiful wool crafts with her husband

to raise money for their granddaughter Ayla.

Their stall stood out as one of the only with handmade products.

We connected over patterns on Ravelry, pure wool supplies (I recommended Weave and Bilby Yarns) and just yarned about good old knitting, while her husband needle felted rainbow badges for the stall.

Have a look at their blog or shop!

Some things for me to remember to make marketing easier

Take a pram or a trolley to carry your goods or children so your hands are free for rummaging

Take a list of what you are looking for, it can be oh so distracting

and then allow yourself the spontaneity to get your finds of the day

Take snacks and water for all

Hats and maybe a brolly

Be prepared to go slow and make sure everyone gets time looking at what they want

Take time to look at old things and wonder what they where for and used by who

Ask stall holders about the stories of things

Be open to being surprised and learning something new and meeting a new friend

I am blessed to be able to retreat to the bus for a breather and a meal and then

refreshed we burst back in and feast on the beauty!

It’s often a fabulous full day which we discharge by going to the beach or into nature or best of all a swim in a cool creek…

Which market do you love and why?

What do you hunt for?

What tips would you share to make it an enjoyable experience?

The End of The Day

With happiness at the future sharings at markets, maybe I will see you there….