My name is JJ and I have a problem with love of shoes. Just because they spread across two closets, multiple baskets, and a free standing 5-shelf storage unit with a double row of boxes on each level doesn't mean I need help, really... I've been much better in the past few years though - and other than a set of hiking shoes for the Inca Trail and a pair of black bad-ass boots during our last trip I haven't bought any in ages. However my niece is walking now and so it only made … [Read more...]
Almond & Coconut Cookies
. "You know, I've been thinking... we-should-have-chocolate-pudding-tonight..." The words tumbled out, stepping on each other in their urgency to be heard, as if she thought I'd say no. Funny thing was I too had been craving pudding only a few hours earlier, and even if I hadn't, who am I to say no to chocolate pudding? L and I made our way through the supermarket which sells food that is whole [ahem] collecting bits and bobs for the next few days and plotting what dinner that evening would … [Read more...]
Passports, check. And it begins, again.
In just a few hours we are off on a bit of an adventure... well that's if you call 11 weeks, 'a bit'. You see, RJ and I have itchy feet. For two people who didn't really start traveling until their early twenties - unless you count summers at the Jersey Shore or school holidays up at The Entrance as 'traveling' - we don't tend to stay still very well. It started almost as soon as we met. Three months in we booked around-the-world tickets - there were two weddings and a visa renewal to attend … [Read more...]
Vegan Vanilla & Chocolate Cashew Cheesecake
I don't do normal particularly well - especially when it comes to recipes. I always have to go slightly left of centre, or right, whatever, but rarely straight down the middle. I make pies with beetroot or purple carrots, I make ice cream with avocados, I make sandwiches with fruit. So when we chose 'Nuts' as the Sweet Adventures Blog Hop theme for July my mind started ticking away. Baklava did occur to me, as it had for our 'Layers' theme in March, but the same thing that put me off of it … [Read more...]
Fluffy Blueberry & Spelt Vegan Pancakes
No matter how beautiful the view, it is always difficult living somewhere that is at least a 24hr trip away from family and friends. But it is always a bit more, obvious, when there's happy news, difficult times, special occasions and holidays which would otherwise be spent with those who are far away. Now on this weekend in many cities around the globe there are fun runs for Mother's Day. Sydney has the MDC each year and RJ and I have done it off and on over time, but growing up my family … [Read more...]
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice…
...that's what little girls are made of. And lets be honest, whether we are 6 or 30-something or 70-something we all like sweet, pretty things, you know it's true. Things and Stuff and More Things Thursday is brought to you this week by a couple of sweet links a SABH announcement and a Christmas gift flash-back. Up first the food: I remember years ago being told that you could grow a pineapple from the crown. Turns out it's true, no joke. Check out these step by step instructions from … [Read more...]
It’s not that I’m not thinking about you…
...I have been, really, but most of my free time not in the office [ie the job that buys the groceries and plane tickets] has been spent finishing up the packaging art for @ThePantry [!!!!!!!!!!] and not cooking, or taking pictures or doing blog posts. So instead here is some random stuff and stream of consciousness and what's been happening updates, just because.... It has been bloody cold here. The mornings hover around 8 degrees [mid-40s or so] but THERE IS NO INDOOR HEATING in most … [Read more...]