home

San Diego. Still adjusting to life back here. Strangely almost feels like I never left. But I'm thoroughly enjoying the warm sunshine, jasmine perfumed air, hoards of hummingbirds around the yard, and just being with everyone I missed. Finally cooked something for myself in our kitchen today, and now it really does feel like I'm truly back home. When I went shopping for groceries a day or two ago, I was overwhelmingly pleased to see all the gorgeous green spring things still in stock. So I came home with a lot of it. Kale, spinach, broccoli, peas, leeks, edamame, avocados, beans, herbs, you name it. If it was green, into my cart in went. And tonight a lot of that went into my dinner. A super simple but super tasty pasta with some broccoli and avocado pesto. I threw it together, piled it into my favorite bowl, and sat down to enjoy it with a big bouquet of peonies in front of me. Couldn't have been better. And I do still have lots to share from my last days in Australia, but I'm afraid you'll have to give me your patience, it's just too weird to look at it all right now. But perhaps I'll start showing you around my hometown!

If you're so inclined to make your own bowl of green goodness, here's how:

Steam some broccoli until it's bright in color and just tender. Toss into a food processor with some garlic, parmesan, pine nuts, a good handful of basil, a ripe avocado, a splash of lemon juice (I got to use one from our new tree!) and some olive oil. Pulse that all into a delicious pesto, then toss with pasta, or any kind of grain, or spread in sandwiches, or just eat it straight! Broccoli pesto is there for whatever you want to do! I had mine with some gluten-free corn penne and fresh peas. Perfect. 

easter

Babka is beautiful inside...

Well, Easter has quickly come and gone. And it was great. We started the day by popping in over at Petra's to say hello and deliver some chocolate babka (my extravagant treat for the day. Won't post any process pictures or recipe because it might put you off trying to make it yourself! And I say- why not?), then Sarah, Pasca and I went to church. I'd been craving some kind of ritual leftover from so many Easters with my family in the states, and once I saw in the paper that one of our local churches had an organ, I was determined to go check it out for myself. The organ itself was heartily disappointing, after being spoiled with the magnificent ones at Spreckels and Foothills, but still enjoyable in a funny kind of way. And I was happily surprised to turn around during the greetings in the service and see our guests for the weekend, Sarah's friend Morgan and his wife Dina up from Melbourne. We're all interested in the social rituals and psychology of practicing religion, so it was a nice diversion. Then back home, and greeted by more guests, Sarah's brother Robert, his wife Querida, and their two adorable daughters, Phoebe and Vivienne. They had all had a hunt for chocolate eggs while we curious few were in church, and then we all headed down to the Sunday market. A quick look around just as the stalls were packing up for the day, then a quick rest and chat on a little lawn before everyone but me caught the last ride of the day on the old tourist train. I headed back up the hill to the gardens, said hello to Timothy at the cafe, and had a quick Skype session with a friend back home. Then back home to meet up with everyone and have some dinner. It was definitely a day of good eating, we had babka for breakfast, enchiladas for lunch, and a giant vegetable potpie for dinner. Delicious. And finally, after the sun had gone down and everyone was stuffed on pie and chocolate, we broke out the Paas kits. American style Easter egg dyeing! A bit out of order, and sadly no hunting, but still lots of fun. The kids loved dipping the eggs in dye and then decorating them further with stickers, shrink-wrap and glitter. And I think they turned out beautiful! And made a wonderful addition to some wholesome gribiche the next day. Seems like life here at Hightor is revolving around the kitchen lately, and I love it!

...and out!

Tasty and cheap market finds. We were all of one mind when it came to strawberries.

My Sunday best included my handmade skirt. Really love it. 

Eggs and dye ready to go

I did a few tie-dye style eggs

Lovely jewel tones with the brown eggs we used

Pasca did multiple shrink-wrap on several eggs. Clever girl! 

leg one

A yarn-bombed tree at a pitstop in Echuca

On the road again. This time we headed to Canberra, Australia's capital city. The first day of our journey took us to Yarrawonga, where we dropped off the boys with a friend and had a fun evening, cooking dinner on an out of control barbecue on the edge of a beautiful lake. Then Pasca and Maeve and I went for a stroll along the lake's edge, enjoying the gorgeous light of the "golden hour" and just being silly. You'll see...

Echuca is famous for it's paddle boats

We are models

Pasca and Maeve showing off real talent at the pool at our hotel

After many hours in the car and no real lunch, our quick dinner of burgers and the like was SO GOOD

A tour boat on the lake, and the beginning of a goofy photoshoot with the girls

Maeve looking as happy as can be

The beginning of our model shoot...

We were more than delighted to be out of the car. Can you tell?! And in such a picturesque setting! Great start to the trip. 

happy birthday fiona!

The birthday girl was having her face painted when we arrived

Fiona turned 60! A fabulous friend here in Daylesford had a birthday this last week and the party was great. A big Italian dinner cooked and delivered by friends from all around, plenty of champagne to toast the woman of honor, and our favorite face painter, Phoenix.

Sarah (in a fabulous vintage suit) and Ange

An over the top cake creation from a friend

The real action was in the kitchen

Rina's turn to be transformed

Rina, Fiona and I all decorated

With our creator, Phoenix