Greek food and bike rides.

Another lovely Christmas gift from my husband was the latest Tessa Kiros instalment. I wonder if he’s trying to teach me how to be a good Greek wife? Not so bad if I get to dress like the super cool Kyria above!

I think who better to teach me the ways of Greek cuisine and home life than a Finnish/ Cypriot born in London and raised in the UK and South Africa, who married an Italian and lives in Italy? That’s got to be some delicious food. Looking forward to making him Skordalia and Keftedes. I hope I make them as good as yiayia.

Last night we took the boys for a run/ ride along the Yarra. The big one got to try out his new wheels- a proper big boys bike, this one will do him through to his teens. Scary thought.

Wishing you a Happy New Year. xx

Tags: cooking, running

Nigella’s number biscuits.

Today we had a playdate at a little friend’s house. There was one 6yo, three 5yo, a 4yo and a 3yo. 5 boys and one girl. It was loud, rough and a bit boisterous. It was a perfect morning to take along a batch of Nigella Lawson’s iced biscuits. I used the number cookie cutters from her range- I think the numbers are fun.

mine.

As you can see from the photos, mine aren’t as tidy as hers, but what I lack in neat I made up for with embellishment. The sprinkles were just the thing to draw your eyes away from the messy edges!

Nigella’s.

They won the taste test. An empty plate dotted with a few sprinkles were all that was left, although after all that sugar I did have to peel my boys off the ceiling to take them home.

Bits ‘n’ bobs.

Here’s a little of what life’s been serving us up lately.

Recently in need of a little nostalgia I dug out my grandmother’s enamel pie dish and baked a Jamie Oliver Apple pie, which has seriously the best pastry ever. It’s short, buttery and has this wonderful aroma of lemon (from the inclusion of lemon zest- encompassing without being overpowering). A delightful pie, a little sad that the Greek men in my life have no appreciation of my anglo roots. Translation: I ate most of this myself!

Every girl should have some animal print in their closet. When I wear them, I feel a little Mad Men. Martini anyone?

From the book that started it all- for me that is. Crazy bus toy from the “Make fun stuff! by Aranzi Aronzo” craft book I received from my lovely mother in law for Christmas 3 years ago. Now I know she really does listen to me when I rabbit on (off she trotted to the super cool “genki” store in Flinders Lane and chose this out for me all by herself.) Isn’t she awesome?

This is the book that reawakened the textile junkie in me- repressed from years of new motherhood. This is the book which spawned the bus, the blog and the fabric shop.

Super delicious, you really must try this yummy chorizo soup from Jamie Oliver’s “Dinners” cookbook. It’s been such great soup weather lately- read “super freezy”! Now I hesitated before adding this photo, as it’s not the most appetising looking dish- and then I remembered that I had added a photo of Sheperd’s pie not so long ago. Another dish which tastes a whole lot yummier that it photographs. N’est-ce pas?

I love these photos. Now, a vineyard, some cyclists, a week old calf. Guess where. Rural France? Rural anywhere, right?

No, Collingwood Children’s farm. Only about 3km from the city. It’s quite surreal to feel as though you are somewhere quite rural, to turn around and see the city skyline at “reach out and touch” distance. We were lucky enough to see this beautiful doe eyed calf, born in the same week we visited. There’s a lovely outdoor cafe and we had a lovely al fresco breakfast in the chilly, watery winter sunshine. Resplendent in scarves and beanies.