Wednesday, October 29, 2008

My sense of rhythm is incontrovertibly shite

Firstly, an apology. A series of events in the last couple of weeks (which fairly did my head in) led me to put myself on an internet diet, and I am currently limiting myself to half an hour a night.

And it's great. I'm less stressed, spending more time outside, cooking more, seeing more of my lovely friends in real life. The downside, of course, is that I only get through about four blogs per night before I hit the "mark all read" button. Hence the apology - I have not been blogging or commenting on blogs, and I doubt it will change anytime soon. Please don't take this as being a sign that I don't still love you.

Quickly, before my time is up...

* I love my job - I'm rather enamoured with the subject matter and the fact I finally get to use that geography honours degree I got 18 years ago. The bus commute still sucks, but it's also the only time I'm crocheting these days, so that's a good thing. Do I miss being at home, sewing all day and being my own boss? Absolutely. But I'm enjoying the company, the weekly pay cheque and challenge of working 38 hours a week without a snooze in the middle of the day.


* I spent time with my friend and her family on Sunday, and dropped in to visit her neighbour's garden on the way home. Gloria loaded up my bike basket with Seville Oranges so I could make marmalade. I've never made marmalade, or indeed any jam before. My mother, though, is a fantastic rosella, cumquat, pink grapefruit and lemon jam/marmalade maker so I hoped that it might run in the genes, like the sewing/crochet thing (unfortunately I missed out on the blonde hair/blue eyes/skinny thing). A night of soaking and a night of cooking, and it was done. It tastes great, and I can now say I'm a jam maker. A few bottles are going to my friends (and Gloria), and one to mum and dad when they come to visit.

Seville orange marmalade

* The vegetable patch has become a a huge addiction. We finished the irrigation system on the weekend, I planted the first lot of my potatoes, and I'm looking forward to a bumper strawberry crop. Our apple trees are fruiting, but the nectarine is going to let us down this year due to the strong winds and a bad case of curly leaf. I check it every morning on the way to work, and every afternoon when I get home. The gardener (Mr QM) does most of the work though. I mostly get to plant it and cook it.

* We had lots of spinach this spring and I'm trying to find inventive ways to use it. We're a bit over spinach and mushroom risotto, so this weekend I made spinach and fetta pie (in vintage Agee Pyrex, of course).

Spinach and fetta pie

(I would have taken a photo of a slice of it, but we ate it too fast)

* Thanks so much for the nice comments on the new sox box. That first one was Kylie's birthday present but I want to make heaps more - maybe this weekend, using the gorgeous fabric I got on Monday. I also have some sewing to do for me - now I'm back at work I need some new clothes.


* Last night we had the most fantastic dinner with some friends who were visiting from Queensland. It was so nice to catch up and we laughed and laughed and laughed. Good Vietnamese food helped of course, but the company was the highlight.

* There is nothing better than going to sleep at night with a new pillow, fresh sheets, and the sound of frogs croaking a (very loud) lullaby.

* The new Kate Miller-Heidke album (where the title of this post comes from) is brilliant.

17 comments:

  1. I'm so glad you're enjoying your new job and taking some time for yourself....that marmalade on toast looks very very yummy!

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  2. Marmalade looks fantastic! Glad to hear the job is working out well too - I'll have to tell Izaak the frogs are talking! Rather appropriate too - he's getting laryngitis and sounds a bit croaky!

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  3. Something for the spinach to mix it up: Spinach and ricotta canneloni. We had it Tuesday night and I used 3 whole plants in one dish! My Father in Law has grown heaps and doesn't know what to do with them so I relieved him of some LOL. Glad the job is working out for you, I'm loving my sunny boy for my sock knitting, thanks again!

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  4. I think I'll be taking a little distance from my obsessive blogging once Blogtoberfest is over. You're right it's good to go back out there in the real world.

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  5. Winter seems to be a more blogging kind of season too I think.

    Having now completed a full year of blogging I certainly noticed a drop off from May- Sept here in the UK.

    Or maybe they all just hid from me......

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  6. It sounds like you are finding your balance my dear. Glad you are enjoying the job!

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  7. Mmmm... nothing like home-made marmalade and home-grown veggies.

    GOod to hear that life is regaining some sort of balance. I'm hoping to find a bit of that here at some point soon....

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  8. Glad you're enjoying your job- and fancy using that education :) I could use an internet diet too...

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  9. What a lovely post - you're excused from not being around for a while! (laughs) It sounds as if you are happy and busy and looking forward, and that's all wonderful to hear.

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  10. oooh, I've been dreaming about making marmalade and jam, and anything else I can make in little jars!!
    Great post too - you SOUND less stressed and I'm glad you're loving the new job (though you forgot to mention the best thing about it - the lunching company!)
    =)
    xo

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  11. heh, I don't think I could physically stop myself from using the internet after half an hour, you are a strong woman!!

    I used to make spinach and ricotta triangles when I was at uni - easy to make, freeze and reheat well.

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  12. I wish I would limit myself to half an hour - I am going to bed later and later and am like the walking dead!

    great jam making - one day I will get to making jam - esp marmalade.

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  13. AQdore seville marmalade and have mad lots - I use Steph alexanders recipe
    love the sock cube - just goreous
    have been reading blogs but not commenting because I feel so awful - think yourself lucky - and honoured!

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  14. I have that exact same pyrex dish !! A recent find at an Op Shop..... Glad to hear you're enjoying your job

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  15. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm marmalade. On cold toast with lots of real butter. Yummo. I use heaps of our spinach in pumpkin, spinach, pine nut and ricotta cannoloni - its delish!

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  16. hehe... your version of not being around is still so much more 'around' than my version! Mine is just completely invisible for months at a time. Still trying to work that one out.
    I love your new title bar!!

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  17. Great to here you are enjoying work (and the company). I'm considering going back to work too. Living life through the internet, sewing and spending too much time at home can do your head in. If I could just find a great daycare I could also use those under and post graduate degrees. Enjoy the cash!

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