Tea with me {a long overdue catchup}

Hi!

Hasn't it been ages since we've had tea together?

I've been so busy with life and extra little things that are important to us and I have been thinking of you and wanting to say hello but have just had to be patient and wait for time, energy and inspiration to come my way.

But come in, its beautiful and sunny inside as well as outside of our home today. I can seen all the colors of autumn from where I'm sitting at the dining table. Do mind the hydrangeas on your way in. Actually they are not in the way, I just want you to notice them as I adore them and am just a bit proud. You'll smell my vegetables and quinoa lunch cooking away on the stovetop (there is plenty if you'd like some). I'll turn it down and pop the kettle on instead for now and we'll have tea out on the deck in the sun.

I've been sipping peppermint, lemongrass and ginger or rose hip lately, no caffeine for me for reasons I may explain, if you can stomach it! But you have chai or green or black tea if you like, whatever you fancy.

So we've had an eighth birthday since we spoke last and on the same weekend we had church at our place with dinner afterwards as usual.  It was wonderful to open up our home to new and old friends and learn and pray and sing and share a meal together and have so many helping hands to serve and clean up afterwards.  It is a challenge for me and I hope to be continually challenged to have our home, our family space open to others in this way. I find large groups of people intimidating and extremely tiring. I would rather keep 'my space' private and calm and under my control.  But being willing and excited to join this church plant where living as missional communities is key to knowing Jesus and making him known means being stretched and nudged out of my comfort zone. Eeeek. So preparing for and recovering from that weekend was intense but absolutely worth it.

We set off camping again last Friday, this time with friends, two other families but I have to admit that we hired a cabin this time and I'm so glad we did. It was cold in the Otways National Park and having a real bed and a little heater made all the difference.  I hate to say it out loud or put it in writing but honestly, I MAY be nearing the end of my tenting escapades, many and varied as they've been!

I've been reading some lovely books lately. The Enchanted April and Madame Bovary most recently, the language and setting of both books was just dreamy I think, though don't read the latter if you don't like tragic and depressing tales. I'm now reading Anna Karenina again. I've been following along with 1 and 2 Peter podcasts from our established sister church in Melbourne, and in our small group on mondays we've started 1 Kings which is totally different to Peter, the former being a narative style and the latter personal instruction and encouragement but both have so much relevance to our lives. Its exciting to be able to see how two books from the bible that are so different and so far apart in history tell the same message of love and grace and hope.

I've given up sugar again. I've been pretty much sugarless for 2 - 3 years now. But then came Easter and adventures in Melbourne and eventually poor diet and doing too much caused a sharp decline a my health. Blah! My reliance on dark chocolate blew out a fair bit after Easter and the caffeine and sugar addiction began to mess with my sleep and blood sugar levels and I was just feeling wound up all the time.  Soooooo I gave it up three weeks ago and grudgingly took up the coffee enemas again. Yeeeeees, I take organic coffee beans, grind them up and boil them with filtered water in a saucepan. I then get to enjoy a fresh brew most mornings through the opposite end from where you'd normally enjoy a quality cuppa (if you were a coffee person). All I can say is it helps. You may research into it further if you'd like to. :)

I've still been crocheting and baking cakes (though less frequently). We've started lighting the fire again and gathering around it to read before bed - its the oldest and best place in the house to be in these colder months. We finally got Blake's old piano back from storage and he plays and the girls practice or pretend and I'm so glad we kept it for so long waiting for the day when we'd have room for it.

Have I gone on too long? Of course if you were here I'd have been asking you where you've been lately, what you've been reading or doing and what you are enjoying most right now.  Do you enjoy camping? have a piano? Feel free to tell me if you like. Or have 'tea with me' through Em's linkup. How gorgeous was her video post!?

Things I'm loving

 AUTUMN:: My friend Sarah and I wondered through the beautiful Carlton Gardens to get to the Finders Keepers Market yesterday. There aren't as many autumn leaves about as is normal this time of year but this hardly limited the beauty with the morning sun shining through the trees. Autumn is simply beautiful.

 TEA:: and strawberries with cream surrounded by three gorgeous friends at Belinda's charming cottage. Vintage china and precious company:: things I'm always loving!

A COSY CAFE :: the sight of good coffee usually means I'm with my lovely (crazy) friend Sarah. At Kinfolk cafe on Friday her coffee was instagram-worthy and my peppermint tea was extra aromatic and served in a vintage teapot so with the easy comfort of old friends and the pleasure of people watching we were completely satisfied.

 THOUGHTS TO MAKE YOUR HEART SING:: I'm reading this with my almost 8yr-old and we are loving it! It does exactly what it says, it makes your heart sing :) Malya is really responding to it too and is eager to look up the corresponding bible verses afterwards in our adventure bible.

I DID IT! :: I am loving that I have started (or even finished) the plate display wall in our cubby that I planned aaaages ago, and the vintage hankie curtain I finally sewed together with the window in mind fits nicely across the green cabinet for now. I am loving being back in our home and being able to slowly tick off my half completed crochet, craft and sewing projects. It is really one of the best feelings.

Tea with me {with 'teacups too'}

What better time to enjoy a cup of tea than in bed while feeling a tad unwell, mildly hungover, or just deliciously relaxed.

Will you take tea with me on my bed? If you would we'd share cake too of course and this week you'd choose from banana coconut or vanilla-ry polenta loaf. Or if you come this very day it'd be classic chocolate cake we'd munch on (all gluten free of course).  My 'cake-a-week' thing has blown out to three cakes this week but I'm hoping to save some of the chocolate one for Tony's 3rd birthday party on wednesday.*

If you were here this morning sipping with me I would tell you how sleep deprived and sore I am after a crazy busy day yesterday. My sisters Birth House had its grand opening yesterday and it was a big day for her after so much prayer and work and dreaming had gone into it. She'll be a busy home and natural birthing midwife from now on I think even with her three most gorgeous little ones in tow.  It was a proud moment for me seeing such a beautiful space open and all ready for each and every new miracle and to give support for new, old and hopeful Geelong mums.

We dropped the girls to their friend Nate's party and rushed off to my friend Justine's wedding.  Its an understatement to say it was a big day and night for me and now (after drinking no alcohol at all) I'm one hungover little lady!

I'd be sipping lemon and ginger tea. No caffeine for me today after overdosing yesterday just to keep me upright.  What about you? Frothy chai brewed from scratch on the stovetop? Or a simple English Breakfast? I know I know, those of you who have already come for tea are nervously wondering if I've finally stocked some cows milk instead of just the lovely fresh goats, or the creamy bonsoy... Well, actually..... do you mind black tea? But truly I promise that next time I'll have milk for you. :)

Another week has flown by hasn't it? Its nearly Easter and school holidays and autumn leaves against cool blue skies.... More tea drinking, a little bit of boot wearing, windy afternoons and shorter days.  

Autumn brings with it an 8 year old birthday for us and Blake and I will turn ten in late May (Eek, still not organised for the long awaited he-and-me time).

What about you? What are you looking forward to in Autumn?

I've just made a big creamy potato and leek soup to send with Blake to church this afternoon. Of course I had a mug full myself and it was so yummy and warm I am now officially ready for the soup-season.  I may have to switch to a-pot-of-soup-a-week instead of cakes, a much healthier option and far handier as easy meal substitutes than baked goodies!

So yes count me in for soup and crusty bread at your house Em and thanks again for the tea date (link) :)

*Tony is Harper's much loved teddy bear. We decided he was indeed due for a birthday soon and she insisted he was to turn 3.  We have planned his party, sent out invitations to his three lala loopsy friends, and will be playing birthday celebrations on our day off together this week. Of course she is super duper excited!

xoxo

Tea with me {and cake too}

If you were to tea with me this week you'd most definitely have to come in the morning.  Our cooling system is yet to be reset and this never-ending heat wave reaches its daily climax by 12pm. You'd find me hot and a little bothered but  bright and cheery enough and dying to sit for a cuppa and a chat with you.

As you walk through from the front door you'll be delighted with the bright and airy space beyond the wide panelled hallway. You might perch on a bar stool while I fluff about in the kitchen and you'll look around you at how open and spacious it is in our new living space. You'll see a few boxes, some half finished projects and bare walls and spaces but you'll like what you see (I hope).

I'd make a pot of tea for us both and we'd sip icey cold water while we wait for it to brew. And of course you'd HAVE to try my earl grey tea cake. Its almost finished and I'll have to fight the urge to bake the same cake so I can try something new for this weeks cake-a-week.

I'm wondering how you are managing in this heat. With school and kindy runs and daily errands and no relief in sight it can be so exhausting. Are you coping ok?

We have just had two gorgeous days at the beach.  We pretended we were away camping (it was too hot to actually camp we decided) and we skipped church and other weekend commitments, packed the esky and hit the waves, just the four of us. It was truly the first time spent together in months and it felt so good. A weight has shifted from my shoulders and I feel like I have my husband and life partner back. He's been so busy renovating our house for so long now. Its not finished yet, but he needs a break and he needs to be with his kids and they with him.  

So I'll tell you how grateful I feel right now. Filled to the brim with gratitude. And relief too. I feel more rested and more inspired.  I might tell you though, how I've felt so spiritually dry for the last few months. I might even ask you to pray for me.  With all the busyness of moving in and out of different places, christmas and the new year starting I've let distractions settle in, I formed unhelpful habits, things like watching (more) catch-up TV which I began using to help survive the stress and loneliness without Blake around.  I've let mindless distractions crowd out my most important relationship.

And now I can't just pop it on my to-do list along with all the housey jobs.

        To do:

        -paint stools

        -make curtains for cubby

        -catch up with God and work harder at being His friend.....

Nope. Thankfully I don't have to try harder or even try to find Him and hope He's still my friend. I simply have to fall into His arms and rest in Him. Then ask Him to help me depend more on Him.

But I do have to set aside time and make time spent reading His word and prayer a priority. Not for His approval but for my own survival and my own joy and to honour Him.

I'd want to know how you find time for Him. Do you remember to pray continually?  Or if you don't believe like I do, from where do you draw strength? Whom do you lean on and where do you find your hope? I'm interested, and I'd love to know.

Thankyou for coming. You've inspired and encouraged me as always. I can't wait for our next heart-to-heart.

I'm linking up with the gorgeous Em at Teacups too for this fortnightly post.

xoxo

Tea and cake

Before we moved home I decided in this little hard working brain of mine that I would not just have a vast array of tea on offer for those who care to visit and stay a while, but I would endeavour to always have fresh cake in the pantry, fridge or oven to share with one and all.

Because tea and cake are just so perfect for one another and I really want them to be best friends around here, along with aprons and smiles.

So I'm starting today with my 'cake-a-week' challenge, and of course I am not starting with a simple chocolate or butter cake.  I'll save the carrot cake and my favourite apple tea cake for another week.  I'm starting out with an Earl Grey Tea Cake, my first ever and I'm a little bit excited because it is gluten free which suits me and my littlest to a tea! And I just LOVE earl grey tea.

I've used a recipe from here but changed it to suit my Thermomix so I'll share it with you so you can share tea and cake with me wherever you are.

You will need:

•               300g of brown rice 

•               150g chickpeas (for garbanzo or besan flour)

•               1/2 Tbsp baking soda

•               1/2 tsp sea salt

•               2/3 cup canola oil

•               1-1/2 cups brewed Earl Grey tea 

•               1/2 Tbsp + 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

•               1-1/2 cups pure maple syrup (I used 1 cup because one bottle only had a cup in it!

I know, there are no eggs or chia seeds in it! My cake is cooking as I type so I am a little worried that I'll be sharing a failed recipe with you, but isn't it great for those with allergies? No dairy either.

So wiz up the brown rice on speed 9 for 30 seconds and set aside. Then mill your chickpeas in the same way (definitely block your ears for this one!)

Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix gently on speed 4.

Mix all of your wet ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine in the thermomix and mix together on speed 5, scraping down now and then. It may take a minute or so.

I noticed two things.

The mixture is very runny! Fingers crossed.

It is an expensive cake to make! I used a whole bottle of pure organic maple syrup and I was ½ a cup short.

Pour into a lined loaf tin and cook on 170 C for an hour or until it springs back when you touch the top.

Once your gorgeous smelling cake has cooled, enjoy it with your favourite tea.

Verdict:  My cake is extra super delicious and perfectly moist and springy! Its too sweet for me even with only a cup of maple syrup, but perfect for my little people. So definitely cut back to one cup or less.

I can't wait to serve some to my friends this week, esp. my earl grey-loving friend Kellie 

xoxo

An imperfect home and a full heart

This morning my friend Sarah popped in for a cup of tea and a peek at our 'new' home. We sipped black tea and munched on my 'rustic' looking almond meal choc-chip cookies while we chatted easily about our surroundings, and about our little ones.  We discussed birthday parties because her little boy's is coming up and my biggest little has been invited to her first sleep over party and lets just say there is only one person around here who is excited about it!*

Sarah, my amazingly talented thrifting friend brought with her the best house warming gift for me: A vintage Atlas for decorating, an Eloise Wilkin 'big' Little Golden Book, and some gorgeous vintage wallpaper which I'll be using to upcycle a chest of drawers. Excited!!

She peeked at my untidy work-in-progress wardrobe and I gabbled about the plans I have for each space to make up for the current disarray.  I noticed all the unfinished paintwork through her eyes and we could have tripped over numerous yet to be sorted 'miscellaneous' piles and boxes.  But there are a handful of corners in our home that are complete enough to make me glad to be here and glad to share it.

 There is enough order in the pantry and the laundry and the bedrooms for me to be content and get on with life.  We wholeheartedly agreed that an imperfect home that still has order to it is much more inviting than a perfect home.  But oh my, you should see the garage and the front lawn, and the study/crafty space.  Blake is finishing our en suite vanity as we speak and then I have a list of shelving for him to tackle.  Its hot hot hot this week in Geelong and the cooling system is not yet up and running and this time last year we were having regular swims at the beach before autumn really hits. I have rugs to make and walls to decorate.  We are keen to get a little more order happening so we can have church here for our new Sunday afternoon meetings.  Its a crazy season for this little family.  I'm glad I have friends like Sarah to help keep me sane.

*Blake and I have been dreading the sleepover parties starting. We feel like if we let her go it will be the start of hundreds of them (huge exaggeration but easily done when one is as mortified as I am), she will want one for her 8th birthday in April (which we will say 'no' to), we don't know the parents very well, and she will come home exhausted and will take out her sugar hangover on us!

xoxo

Tea with me

I have to be frank. It would really be so unlikely that you could tea with me this week! I'd have booked it in no problem and been excited to see you, to show you my home and chat again.  But I'm so utterly exhausted now and I'm not sure I'd be much company.....

And where would we sit? There are half emptied boxes everywhere and the girls have strewn long lost treasures across every surface and chair.

And did I mention how weary and sleep deprived I am?

But I really do need a cuppa and would so love to see you.......

...and I have an idea.

Lets have tea upstairs on my bed.

Its light and clean (the bed that is, not the room...yet) and I can lay back and be sure of stringing full sentences together because my blood flow is even while i'm horizontal.

After we've chatted and sipped tea I'll feel better, I know I will because you'll empathise and encourage and I'll be able to see past myself again. Our little ones will run and play and explore all the new hiding spots and the cubby outside and we'd likely not see them at all as there is so much to do.

I'd want to know how you are and what you've been up to. 

I'll tell you the past week is a bit of a blur but the feeling of being home again on Saturday was my highpoint.  I truly felt like a caged bird being freed. The relief was immense.

Before you leave I will show you around and point out the little bits of loveliness that have already popped up to make me glad. Handmade touches or forgotten treasures I've displayed. You'll see how far we have to go to be settled but you'll get a sense of what home will be like for us in time. Never perfect of course. Hopefully always real and often lovely.

It really is good to see you again. Thankyou for sitting at my bedside for a spell.

Thanks Em for being the best host of this fun tea-linky

xoxo

Tea with me

If you would tea with me today you'd find me upstairs in a teeny tiny flat above Blake's parents garage. You'd see lots of organised clutter about in every corner and tell-tale signs of the morning rush here and there, breakfast dishes stacked or a stray nightie tucked into a couch.

But its light up here, and there is a pretty view of Newtown. I have every kind of tea you could want, and if you are happy to take me as I am, imperfect but oh so happy to see you, you'll feel right at home.

I'd love to hear all about you and about your day thus far.  What has inspired you or made you sad lately? What have you been dreaming about?

I'll tell you how excited I am to finally move home again soon, to settle and give my girls some space to call their own. To have our own backyard and front yard and garden and to have my own kitchen.  There would be a hint of desperation in my voice because its been so long living out of suitcases and feeling misplaced and waiting and hoping.  I'd try very hard not to complain about the weariness of it all because in the scheme of things there is nothing really to complain about.

You'd see that despite it all I'm happy and grateful and you'd see signs of life and creativity all around me, signs that we can make a home anywhere as long as we have each other, some natural light, tea and pretty things made or found.

I'd so love to hear about your little ones if you have them, and I'd be even happier to see them. Though we have no 'boy' toys I'm sure our small people would be happy to play or draw or giggle over one of my special, secretly healthy chocolate balls.

If we talk books I'll tell you I'm working my way through Victor Hugo's Les Miserables and that it may well take me all year to get through but how determined I am to finish.  If you are from another state or country I'd love to hear about your climate and your favourite season.  I'll tell you how much I dread winter here in Victoria and how the ONLY good thing about it is it brings more opportunities to drink tea. 

I'll tell you I'm a little sad because my 7 year old tells me that no one in her class likes her this year and she feels left out. I know it will pass but it still breaks my heart.

I'm sure you'd cheer me up and empathise with your own feelings, and before you leave we would book in another tea date in a few weeks at my home, maybe even a tea-in-the-nook date.  (or coffee, of course)

Thanks so much for coming.  You've cheered me no end.

Thankyou gorgeous Em from Teacups Too for hosting this fun link.

xoxo