West Nest

Puppy Love...

What a hoot these two cuties are! Chasing each other through the long grass and laying in the sunshine.  They are a sweet pair.

happiness...

{See the Nest Enterprises Facebook Page for information about our Christmas Photography package.}

Creative Workshop...

Spending my evening prepping for the upcoming creative workshop.  Bright, bold statement necklaces crafted from repurposed t's. 

Hand rolling clay beads, experimenting with colour combinations, and a little side of booty shaking with bear to my new Saturday Night Fever LP.  { A sight to behold, let me tell you! }

Can't wait to get my craft on with some of the local gal's.  If you are a South Coast local and keen to join the fun... { booty shaking not compulsory but welcomed! }  Please email me - [email protected]

 

happiness...

Chocolate and choices, donuts and decisions...

My little big boy is growing... fast.  Too fast.  I am just a tad terrified that he will be a teenager all to soon. 

He is an old soul, a deep thinker. {a maker of mischief!} and an all round clown! 

I enjoy his company and his exuberant sense of humor...and he is an awesome little kitchen hand!

Whilst mixing and stirring {and bowl licking...} we chatted about school and choices for the coming year.  By the time the flour dust had settled {and the bowls were licked clean!}  we had come to our decision.

So big changes for this little guy. {I can't wait to share with you when we have nutted out the finer details.}

So much fun and flour and chatting that we forgot to write down the recipe... in the meantime think molasses and dates and runny chocolate centres. {and we will recreate our delicious donuts and share with you soon!}

happiness...

 

a new find... Milk & Masuki

Meandering through the markets a couple of weeks back, and the soft, pastel hues of Milk & Masuki drew me in. 

{To say it that way is to imply I gracefully sauntered over, I was so excited to find their stall I almost mowed down passers by with the pram... please just imagine the wistful, sauntering version.}

I can not begin to tell you how beautiful their baby wear is.  Made from the softest organic cotton and printed with their own sweet designs.

This gorgeous couple work from their home studio, with their little boy at foot.  {Their handsome little guy is just a few days younger than our bear!}

We are loving the dribble bib and sweet owl onesie.  The cuddly owl is on our best Friend's list right now and I am lusting after the 'Billy Blanket'... of course!

I love a new find...

 

happiness...

smashed potatoes with peppered butter...

Thank you Friday for showing up right when we needed you.  Thank you. 

Long car trips. Tired, cranky, runny nosed boys.  Empty water tanks. Chooks gone mad...    Its a touch of the crazies here this week!

After the longest of days, I wanted something hot the pan when my boy folk came home.

Hot, buttery and just a tad salty... {and a sure fire cure for the crazies...}

Smashed Potatoes with Peppered Butter} serves 4 as a side  

8 kipfler potatoes

1 teaspoon pink rock salt

1 teaspoon mixed peppercorns

1 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup finely diced baby rocket

1 clove garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil {plus a little extra for frying}

Wash the potatoes.  Boil until soft but still firm in the centre. Drain. 

Using a potato masher, gently smash the potato.  Breaking the skin and flattening the potato just slightly. 

In a mortar and pestle, mix the salt, pepper and garlic until it forms a paste. 

Heat the butter in a pan until it browns.  Add the paste and stir through.  Turn down the heat and fry for a minute or so.  Stir in the olive oil and rocket and turn off the heat. 

In a second skillet, shallow fry the potatoes on each side until golden and the skin starts to crisp. 

Serve while hot.  Drizzle with the peppered butter and a little handful of peppery baby rocket. 



happiness...

Good things in small packages...

There are two hungry little banana munchers in this house.  Its like living with monkeys.  I find banana peels in the darnedest places, they have even been found in the shower. 

So with this intense love for bananas, it can be hard to find two that sit long enough in the bowl to become ripe enough for bread. 

Finally, these two smooth criminals are ripe and ready to be transformed into these dense and delicious spelt banana mini loaves...

 

 

Spelt Banana Mini Loaves} makes 2

2 very ripe bananas mashed

1 cup spelt flour

1/2 cup almond meal

1 tablespoon peanut oil

1 egg

1/2 cup plain greek yogurt

2 tablespoons golden syrup

1 tablespoon black chia seeds

1 tablespoon sunflower kernels

1 tablespoon Pepitas

Preheat the oven to 180^oc.  Grease and line two 6 x 3.5 inch tins with baking paper. Combine mashed banana, golden syrup, oil & yogurt.  Gently whisk egg & add to the banana mixture.

In a second bowl, combine the dry ingredients.  Stir the banana mixture through the spelt mixture.  Pour the mix evenly into the two tins.

Bake for around 40 minutes. 

{I under baked my little loaves just slightly, taking them from the oven just a little sooner then you would any other cake.  Say when the skewer comes out just a little doughy rather than clean, as you normally would.} 

I really liked hows these little babies turned out.  They were lovely & dense but still moist & the yogurt made for a slight tang. 

Happiness...

a few things...

• Sweet blossoms everywhere telling me spring is here
• The most delicious dark organic chocolate that I whipped into an amazing dessert {A tasty tale for next week...}
• This little guy is walking, walking everywhere.  Suddenly he doesn't seem so little anymore!

happiness...

little mister...

Our lunch companion on Sunday was this little mister.  With his all of a sudden BLAST of personality and little sense of humor, he was delightful company. 

Waving to other diners, kissing mama and dabbing his little mouth with his napkin.

Funny little guy..

happiness...

 

 

whole hearted...

Once upon a time, (long before I knew any better) my pantry was stocked with packet pasta mixes and jars of sauces.  I had yet to discover the love of cooking or the desire to stock my larder with a bounty of wholesome ingredients.

We are so spoilt for choice really.  Our regular downtown grocery stores have a plethora of fresh, seasonal produce.  There are farmers markets and organic produce boxes.  Whole food markets are popping up allover. 

It is no longer strange, "alternative" or ''earthie" to eat a diet rich in whole grains and natural, unprocessed foods.

Its something I am drawn to.  Challenged daily to fill the bellies of my boy's with tasty, wholesome meals.  I don't always get it right and I am far from a natural food goddess.  There are still a few sneaky tins of baked beans in the pantry and I don't think I will ever rid my big boys of their love for "plastic bread", as hard as I try! 

I have been scribbling down my recipes as I go.  I am loving sharing them with you as I have this little whole foods adventure. 

So here are a few very basic tips to start filling your pantry with whole foods:

• Add wholemeal flours to your pantry - They add delicious flavour and texture and of course are far better for you.
• Replace your margarine with butter -  There is nothing quite like the flavour.  Whole foods advocates advice that using butter (in moderation) is the healthier option.
• Throw your white sugar to the ants - Raw sugar is the natural alternative.  Adding other natural sweeteners to your stash will add sublime flavour to your cooking.  Honey, maple syrup... the list goes on.
• Eggs are gold - Reach for these on nights were you need something tasty, quick and filling.  The possibilities are endless

Theses gorgeous girls are the whole foods guru's.  If you haven't already take a visit to Sprouted Kitchen & 101 Cookbooks.

happiness...

Passionfruit & Coconut Frozen Yogurt...

I couldn't me more eager for warm, sunlit days. I am willing on the sunshine with daydreams of sundresses, picnics and juicy, juicy mango's.  Little boys will splash in the waves and this frozen yogurt will be my new favourite treat...

 

Passionfruit & Coconut Frozen Yogurt

500g tub of plain greek yogurt

200ml coconut cream

4 passionfruit

2 heaped tablespoons honey

1 vanilla pod

{toasted coconut flakes to serve}

Add the yogurt and honey to a mixing bowl. 

 Add the passionfruit pulp and stir through. 

Pour the coconut cream into a saucepan and warm on a low heat.  Slice the vanilla pod length ways and add to the coconut cream. 

 Stir though for 3 minutes.  {do not boil}

Remove the vanilla pod from the cream.  Drag a knife along the pod to remove any remaining seeds and add those seeds to the mixture. 

Discard the pod, add the cream to the mixture and stir.

Pour the mixture into an ice cream churn.  Mix and freeze.

Serve with toasted coconut flakes for a yummy {summer will be here sooon!} treat!

happiness...