A Maiden's Walk

The Dragon Fly

Down among the bulrushes

A little friend I made

He reminded me of times gone by

When all his kind did raid

And knights fought valiant: to free or die!

For maidens in distress (like I).

He's tamer now and t'is just as well

For though a maiden weep

I fear it will not break the spell

That's made the knight-hearts sleep

By Rachael Pengelly

What To Do With Apples

 Stewed Apples are a really great way to use those tart apples, including the ones with unsightly marks.  Just cut out the bad bits, throw them in a pot with some water, juice of a lemon, and cook.  Add some sugar (whichever kind you like... I used up some hardened old icing sugar that had been exposed to liquid at some point).  Don't overdo the sugar, you're not going to store this stuff.  You're going to eat it, and FAST.  (It'll keep in the fridge for plenty long enough for you to demolish in pies, with your cereal, and straight from the jar!)

Here's one tasty little number: spoon your stewed apple over some left over white rice in a dainty bowl;  dollop some plain Greek yogurt on top.  Dust the yogurt with ground ginger, and crunchy golden sugar.  Oh yes, it IS as good as it looks!

We Drew Aside

The gap created by the (unfortunate) removal of one chestnut tree from the line forms the impression that these two have drawn aside from the others for a private chat.

Another Way to Show Off Your Mussels

Flour in butter in your pan

A good couple of tablespoons of Curry Powder

A few squirts of Tomato Paste
Then slowly mix in your Can of Coconut Cream

Now put your Mussels into it!

Spoon over your Organic Trade Aid Rice

Coconut Curried Mussels

One Way to Show Off Your Mussels

  

Way no. 1 calls for Green Tea with Lemongrass, Tarragon, Lemon, Garlic, Red Onion and Chives.  (If you have Lemongrass Pure Essential Oil from DoTERRA it would beat this hands down.  I sadly didn't have any to hand when this was taken last summer.)

Changing up an Unwanted Leftover

Ever had a meal that was nice the first time, but you just didn't feel like having it again for a while?  I felt this way about my left over can of spicy red capsicum, tomatoe and brown rice.  It was a warm, heavy dish the first time round, and after it sat in the fridge for a few days, I knew it was going to end up wasted if I didn't do something to make it appealing again.

It needed a new edge, so I sauteed a whack of garlic in butter, then added the leftovers...

Now I needed something to lighten and freshen the dish overall, and give it a new colour.   After ladling the 'soup' into my serving bowl, I laid a bed of fresh, grated beetroot on top, then a few heaped teaspoons of Matakana Market's beetroot and orange chutney in the middle, then some good thick curls of fresh red onion (Mangawhai garage sell these).  The result was very palatable.

A Walk on the Beach

Here's a craft inspired by the beauty of God's creation.  I've decoupaged a tin can, made a 'holder' by balling up some chicken wire inside the can to hold the branch, then filled it with sand. Bunny tails are beautiful reminders of your walks on Northland NZ's east coast beaches.  

Evening Mint

Home Made Peppermint Marshmallow with coconut coating, and gorgeous mug of Rush Hot Chocolate with the perfecting drop of Do TERRA Peppermint Pure Essential Oil....   mmmmm 'Pepfect'

OH MY!! I've just made another Hot Chocolate and used just one DoTERRA Peppermint Beadlet.  Good for you and delicious.  Soothing and delicious - what a perfect After Dinner Mint.

For the Love of Leftovers Part II

 Left over mashed potatoes?  Throw it in a pot with a can of baked beans.  Five minutes later put it in a nice looking bowl, top with red onion and special cheese - and you have Rustic Beans and Mash fit for a ... nice meal for one :)

The Secret Gate

This delightful passage from house to park is like something out of a story-book.  It's a delight to my eye each time I walk through it.

Presenting.... Your Meal

We've all got to eat, and sure, we can see it as simple fuel-up exercise, but I like it to be more that that... make it an experience with a little extra care in presentation, and then meals (whether shared or just for you) become special moments in your day.  Take a photo and stick it on Facebook and you'll connect with your friends and inspire their next plate up as well :)

For the Love of Leftovers

There are those near and dear to me who throw away leftovers straight after a meal!  Others who keep them... but too, too long!  I am one for the middle ground: keep them and eat them!  But Upcycle!! Here's a dish I made with a few bits of left over roast potatoes and chicken breast from the roasted chook from Mum's the day before...

Chopped the potatoes smaller, drizzled with olive oil, threw in a hand's pull of Rosemary leaves, a dash of Himalayan Rock Salt.
A few quartered mushrooms and slices of aubergine in butter - all in the one oven tray.

Burger had aioli, lettuce, fresh red capsicum, cold cooked chicken breast, a dash of Chia seeds, the oven baked eggplant and mushrooms.  Served with the side of Rosemary, Garlic Potatoes.  Mmmm-mmmmmmmm!

From the Autumnal Beauty of Canterbury to the Green Delights of Northland; No matter where I go, I am His and I am Free