It is the last week of summer vacation in Australia, and Bear and I have been working from dawn until dusk making the most of these long, sunshiny days.
Although we’ve been working hard, we’ve been having so much fun together.
Bear taught me how to drive a tractor. This gorgeous old red tractor, to be precise.
My lesson may have included the following conversation:
Bear – “OK, ease up on the throttle.”
Me – “What’s a throttle? Is this it? AAAH! How do I stop this thing???”
It was grand fun, and I am proud to say that I can now start, drive AND stop this beauty without running over anybody or into anything.
While we built two new paddocks for our goats I found this shady nook under a tree in a flower-filled meadow. I love hiding away here for a quiet break with my journal and a sparkly green pen.
Today my project was jazzing up my trusty farm stool.
Bear has the cutest little orange stool that we both love, so I decided it was high time to turn my wonky old stool made from black metal chair legs and a slab of wood into something equally charming. I sanded it down, applied two coats of red paint and added a perky little yellow bird on top. It cheers me up no end.
We’ve added a whole gaggle of birds to our farm family this week.
I’m smitten by the Muscovy babies and their parents – they’re so quiet and gentle.
Gus, our Pilgrim gander, is thrilled to leave his bachelor days behind thanks to the arrival of four girls: Sister Mary Kate (we think she looks like a nun), Gertrude, Annabelle and Anika.
After the decadence of the holidays, I’m drawn to familiar, comforting food: oatmeal cookies, ham sandwiches, and this Toasted Coconut Peach Crumble. It’s so easy to throw together with whatever bits of stone fruit are on hand. Although the following recipe is for peaches, it’s works just dandy with plums or nectarines.
What projects have you been tackling this week?
Toasted Coconut Peach Crumble Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
8-10 peaches and/or nectarines, pitted and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp each of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup wholemeal flour
1/4 – 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (about 200 degrees C).
- Melt butter in large saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced fruit and brown sugar and cook for five minutes. Add spices and continue cooking until fruit browns and begins to break down and get juicy, about five more minutes. Stir in vanilla. Pour into buttered baking dish.
- In a medium bowl stir remaining ingredients except butter together. Add melted butter and stir until mixture clumps together loosely.
- Sprinkle evenly over fruit.
- Place in oven and bake 30-40 minutes until topping is nicely toasted.
- Serve with vanilla ice cream or heavy cream.
Love the coconut and walnuts included in the crumble topping Krista. Although farming is hard work there is so much pleasure in everyday little things like completing a lovely project like this stool. It will make you smile every time you sit on it.
You are so right, Val. 🙂 The stool is so cheery it even makes Bear smile to see it!! 🙂
Mmmm, peaches or nectarines make a great crumble – and I love the addition of the coconut! As for the driving lesson… nothing says “i love you” like letting you drive his favourite red tractor 😉
You are so right about the “I love you” bit of this adventure, @2eb70b12c39ce30341355bd259e7914d:disqus 🙂 He is a man of great patience and trust. 🙂
Such cute ducks! – both the babies and the grown ups. Loving your stool overhaul, it looks great. I’m never very good and crafty refurbishments but I like to see the results of other peoples’ efforts.
Thank you, @twitter-55556956:disqus 🙂 I was nervous starting on the stool, but it turned out and I’m so relieved and happy. 🙂 It’s inspired me to try something a bit bigger, so I’m working on an entire chair this time. 🙂
OK! i may just have to change some gears myself!!!!!! from wanting to be the Krista-travels-the-world to the Krista-who-lives-on a flower carpeted farm! the flowers and fowl are gorgeous. i think foxgloves have to be my very favorite flowers. happy tractor driving on your green acres girlfriend! xoxo (today we’re getting warmer weather – yes!)
Oh you make me laugh, Paradis! 🙂 I will definitely have happy times with my ol’ tractor. So happy you’re getting some warmer weather at last. 🙂
I love the stool, I love your ducks and I love your crumble Krista as it has two of my favourite things – peaches and coconut! Yummy! 🙂
That’s my girl!
You have a wonderful girl, @google-01bbdd9fc7f53cd54265810538a0c5c5:disqus 🙂
Peaches and coconut are SO marvelous, aren’t they, @wanderingsheila:disqus ? 🙂
I love this post and your “new stool” looks just perfect. I’m in love with the ducks and geese and I wish I could drive a tractor. 🙂
Thank you so much, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂 The tractor scared me for a long time, but now it’s becoming an old friend. 🙂
I love your life! I want that stool haha!!!
Aw thanks, @twitter-112533047:disqus 🙂 It’s a crazy life sometimes, but I love it too. 🙂 XO
I always feel happy after reading your posts and looking at your beautiful photographs. I like your stool both before and after. You put me to shame with your projects – I cannot think of any I have tackled – shocking. Oh wait – I am losing weight and exercising more – now that is a project!
Losing weight AND exercising is hugely exciting, @budgetjan:disqus !! 🙂 Definitely something to celebrate. Well done! 🙂
I would have loved to see you on that tractor, K. I’m glad to hear you’re having a good summer!
You would’ve LAUGHED to see me on that tractor, T! 🙂 And possibly run for the hills. 🙂
How have you guys been coping with the monster heat??
With much complaining and sweating, Andrea. 🙂 Thankfully a cooling storm came in last night and although it’s still hot, it is MUCH more manageable. 🙂
I do hope you will share some photos of you driving the tractor Krista.
I will ask Bear to take some, @google-9c2cabc6737d76d3ba841e28d670a9c0:disqus 🙂
Love the combo of coconut and peach. Yum! And beautiful farm pics!
Thank you, @8c55800e368a37aa499c24f6424eb7b2:disqus 🙂 I feel so lucky to live here. 🙂
This just sounds idyllic, Krista! driving a tractor, new baby critters, an inspiring place to write… so glad you’ve been making the most of your last week of the holiday! I am just getting back into writing – finally feeling inspired again, so I guess that’s my project at the moment 🙂
I’m SO happy that you are writing again, dear @katyabroad:disqus 🙂 I have really missed your words, but fully understand the need to take a break sometimes and get restored. XOXO
You are so funny and I wish someone could have filmed the driving lesson. Too funny. And the animals and the craftiness – what kind of Utopian life are you living, Krista? Beautiful! And fabulous wonderful crumble!
Oh @71eb07213759ab4e5611e1dd9f1df8a7:disqus , it was hilarious. 🙂 Good heavens. 🙂 I’ve never learned how to drive a manual so wrapping my head around this is causing me no end of grief and panic. 🙂 But I’m getting there!! 🙂
Woohoo on the tractor! I can barely drive a car so major kudos!!
This crumble looks amazing! The perfect summer treat!
Thanks, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus !! 🙂 I’m attempting to learn how to drive a manual car as well, but not nearly as successfully as the tractor. 🙂
You really have the best posts Krista! This one made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside… your Bear sounds like a real sweetheart. And I can’t think of a better day than hanging around on a farm with these adorable “chicks”.. plus, the Peach Crumble looks to-die-for…. you are one talented gal! xo xo
Bear is an absolute luv, with the patience of a saint. 🙂 He makes every day better. 🙂
Love the geese. 4 girls, 1 boy. They could be on Sister Wives. 🙂 The farm looks lovely and comfortable. I’m thankful we can’t feel the heat from here. But all your pictures of blooming things and happy animals is a welcome departure from the depth of winter here.
Sister Wives! HA! 🙂 That’s hilarious, @37854c7777b9b21d0ae36d3aa8184779:disqus 🙂 Our own little gaggle of Mormon geese. 😉 I’m so glad I could whisk you away from winter for a bit. 🙂
I love anything with coconut. So your gorgeous recipe has been noted. Stunning images Krista xx
Oh good, @twitter-178266953:disqus 🙂 I hope you like it. It’s definitely become a staple around here. 🙂 xo
Thank you for the recipe Krista, I have 10 kgs of fresh peaches, so I’ll be making lots of toasted coconut peach crumble.I can just see you on that tractor, what fun! Your stool just makes me want to do some work. Thanks for the great post.
Oooee, that will make a whole lot of delish crumble, @e80d1cf14c9904b2fbc801c25a5f2996:disqus 🙂 I think I’ll have to invent reasons to drop by your house in the next few days. 🙂
What a gorgeous summer you’re having. I love the crumble and the stool and the amazing, beautiful life growing on that farm.
Yum! That looks so delicious.