by Krista | Aug 27, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
Only three days left until Spring in Australia and I can’t wait!!!
These cool, bright mornings are so cheering to body and soul. I feel awakened, alive, and eager to dig in the dirt, gather armfuls of flowers, and generally celebrate my heart out.
It was on just such a day that my brother Ryan and I continued our early morning boat ride through Venice, Italy with our friends Ben and Natty. (To see part one click here)
There is something so glorious about a spring morning in a city like Venice: the slap of waves on gondolas, exquisite old buildings flooded with sunlight, flowers blooming everywhere.
We sat back in our seats, basking in the warmth of the just-risen sun, imagining ourselves living in these aging yet opulent buildings.
How lovely to wake up each morning, step out onto a sun-washed balcony with a steaming cup of espresso and gaze out over glistening canals.
Amazing.
I loved spotting unexpected vignettes like the couple breakfasting on their balcony, utterly oblivious to passersby.
I love the care Venetians take to festoon railings, balconies, window-boxes and courtyards with lavish profusions of blossoms. The buildings are gorgeous all on their own, but the brilliant spots of greenery and vivid blooms make them like something out of a fairytale.
As much as I loved bobbing along the canals, I envied the seagulls soaring above me, swooping over rooftops and perching cheekily atop those lovely striped poles.
They definitely get the best view of Venice.
What is your favorite way to explore a new city? On foot? By boat or taxi? From the top of the highest tower?
by Krista | Aug 21, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It was a glorious spring morning a few years ago when my brother Ryan and I and our friends Ben and Nat scurried through the deserted, pre-dawn streets of Venice, eager not to waste one precious second of our time there.
The sun was just rising as we emerged in San Marco Square and found our way to a vaporetto (water bus) stand. Although not as romantic as a gondola or fanciful as the colorful Venetian boats, Venice water bus tickets are very cheap (6 Euro as opposed to 90 Euro for a gondola) and if you are quick enough to get an outside seat, the views are impeccable.
Since we were among the first in line at just after 5 a.m., we had our pick of outside seats and chose the very outsidey-est ones with views unencumbered by the large hats or telescopic lenses of strangers.
Soon we were motoring along the relatively deserted canals, seeing a Venice awash in pure morning light, the cool, fresh breezes masking the oft malodorous air.
I love seeing European cities before most people are even awake. The lack of interruptions and distractions make for peaceful and thoughtful viewing.
Usually the only people up are locals, heading off to work or stopping by the bakery for their morning bread or pastry. I like that.
I liked the hundreds of boats tethered securely to crooked wooden poles, rolling gently on the waves, creaking rhythmically with each heaving swell.
I was enchanted by the intricate detailing on the windows, balconies and doorways of lavish villas. Who lives behind those huge locked doors, those barred windows, those fluttering white curtains?
Some buildings looked welcoming with window boxes spilling over with flowers and cheery, brightly-painted boats tied up front, but others were austere, like this beautiful but imposing edifice.
My favorites were those with hidden gardens: ivy-covered trellises, lush plants trailing over courtyard walls, and blossoming trees reaching up for the sun. What lovely escapes in a city with so little ground that isn’t covered by towering villas and exquisite churches and palaces. How precious each square bit of earth must be.
If I lived in Venice, I would love a hidden garden to putter in.
I would also love one those fabulous little boats painted in deliciously bright colors. A little Venetian boat, all of my own. That sounds like pure bliss. 🙂
While we’re indulging in such lovely daydreams, what little things would make your heart happy if you lived in Venice?
PS – Thank you with all my heart for your unbelievably kind responses to my last post. Your supportive and celebratory words made me laugh and get teary and feel so lucky that you are part of my world. Thank you. xo
by Krista | Aug 19, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
Ayiyi, what a week it has been!! I’ve been frazzled as can be filling out reams of paperwork, tracking down documents and even getting finger-printed at an Australian police station so I could be verified as legit by none other than the FBI. Phew!!
It’s been a bit crazy.
But even in the midst of the mind-numbing paperwork and angst-ridden waiting for documents to arrive, there is much happiness for I am engaged!! 🙂
Yes, my dear Bear proposed and I accepted. Together we chose this beautiful antique jade ring. It’s not traditional but I love it to pieces and it makes me happy every day. It’s awfully nice to have something to remind you that no matter how bad things get, there is someone in this world on your side cheering for you. 🙂
This weekend Bear took me out for a drive in the mountains to celebrate our relationship and get away from the stress of everything.
It was so good to leave the plains and climb higher and higher into the sunny, cold, and oh-so-refreshing mountain air.
Bear made reservations for us at a place called the Spring Creek Mountain Cafe.
We’d heard the views were spectacular, but nothing prepared us for the stunning vistas of Condamine Gorge, Wilson’s Peak, The Border Ranges and a World Heritage listed rain forest.
Our table was right in the corner near the edge of a hill that plunged down into the valley below.
Although outside the cold winds were blowing fiercely, inside we were toasty warm in a pool of sunshine.
I had pan-fried Barramundi with macadamia cilantro pesto, and Bear had a steak burger with caramelized onions and homemade mayo and the best chips either of us have ever had.
Although the food was fantastic, it was the view we enjoyed the most. Both of us were tuckered out, and sitting there in the winter sun, drowsy from a delicious meal, was absolute heaven.
Being engaged is strange and wonderful. It’s made me think a lot about relationships, particularly about belonging. A friend recently told me that apart from necessary sustenance, mankind’s most basic need is to belong. To someone. To something.
I love belonging. Love being part of a healthy relationship, community, goal or project. I’m thrilled when I see someone’s eyes light up because they like belonging with me too. That is exquisite.
But I’ve also seen the dark side of this need. I’ve watched myself and others subject ourselves to abuse of all sorts, overlooking egregious treatment and behavior simply so we could belong. The need for belonging is so strong, we’re even willing to belong to bad people, bad family members, and bad groups just to fill that need.
Before I met Bear, I willingly subjected myself to neglectful, unloving, and downright abusive relationships simply so I could belong somewhere. It took me a long time to realize that in a healthy relationship – be it friend, family, or loved one – you never belong to someone, you belong with them. Equals and partners, respectfully learning and growing together. There’s no control or manipulation or crushing of body or spirit in this sort of belonging. It is safe, peaceful and happy.
Healthy belonging is not perfect. There are still apologies to be made and forgiveness to be given, fights to be had and misunderstandings to be sorted out. But the goal is always wholeness and happiness for all parties involved. I love that.
It is this new understanding of belonging that gave me courage to embrace my past, my present and my Bear with a delighted, “YES!!!”
I don’t belong to him, nor he to me, but we belong with each other, and that is the coziest, happiest, most peaceful thing.
by Krista | Aug 14, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
I couldn’t believe it when Bear announced last week that he had bought me a spinning wheel AND loom!!!
Ever since I was little girl I thought it would be wonderful to spin wool and weave it into beautiful rugs and blankets, or knit it into gorgeous sweaters or cozy socks and mittens. But I never, ever thought I’d have the chance to try it.
My friend Ann has spun wool for years, so she’s going to teach me how to use the spinning wheel (yay!). Neither of us have used a loom though, so that should provide much hilarity as we attempt to figure it out. 🙂 I’ll keep you posted on our efforts!
We picked up the spinning wheel and loom from a delightful Aussie couple who sell all sorts of marvy things at the fabulous New Farm Park Markets in Brisbane.
In addition to golden honey and delicious honeycomb, they also sell gorgeous orchids that they grow on their farm.
I was thrilled when they offered to give me a tour.
I admit I was only expecting a few rows of the exotic blooms, so my jaw dropped when I saw an entire greenhouse full of them.
Can you imagine working in this environment every day? How inspiring to be surrounded by such beauty.
I couldn’t get over the range of orchid colors, from deep burgundy to lime green.
The sea of blossoms looked similar until I bent down and saw the unique details: delicately striped petals, freckled hearts, some looking like they could take flight while others were like tiny exotic tea cups.
Amazing.
The generosity of this couple was incredible. Not only did they give us the spinning wheel and loom we had purchased, but they filled our arms with containers of honeycomb, a bag of wool, stacks of spinning and weaving books, and a gorgeous bouquet of orchids that has been brightening up my kitchen all week.
Such dear people.
With such beauty to inspire me, I got to work and made one of our favorite comfort food recipes: Peppered Steak Pie.
I love heaps of black pepper with my beef pie, but if you don’t fancy pepper, it’s still yummy without it. The beef is slow-cooked ahead of time, so it’s tender as can be and packed with garlicky goodness.
What comfort food are you hankering for this week?
Peppered Steak Pie
Ingredients:
2-3 beefsteaks
8-10 peppercorns
1 onion, peeled and diced
3-4 potatoes, diced
3 carrots, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
salt to taste
3 Tbsp corn starch
ground black pepper to taste
Pie dough for double crust pie
Directions:
- Place all ingredients except corn starch in slow cooker and cover with water.
- Cook on high 4-6 hours until meat is tender.
- Drain meat and veggies, reserving liquid. Remove peppercorns.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cover meat and veggies then place broth in saucepan. Mix corn starch with 1/4 cup cold water, stirring until a smooth paste. Pour into broth, stirring constantly until incorporated. Add ground black pepper to taste (I use 1/2 to 1 tsp).
- Place saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and let boil 1-2 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and pour over meat/veggie mixture. Stir until coated.
- Place half pie dough into bottom of pie pan and press into place.
- Pour meat/veggie mixture into pie crust. Top with remaining dough, trim to fit, seal edges. (Use trimmings to make shapes to decorate top of pie.)
- Cut 2-3 slits in crust to let steam escape.
- Place pie in oven and bake 30-40 minutes until filling is bubbling and crust is nicely browned.
- Serve warm.
by Krista | Aug 13, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It’s been a rough week with my Bear injured in a car accident, me sick as can be with an awful flu, and caring for a very ill baby goat as the laundry piles higher and vacuuming goes undone.
It’s just been one of those weeks. 🙂
But in the midst of the pain and the illness there has been so much goodness.
Like deliciously warm sunshine on chilly winter days. I can’t get over how beautiful Australian winters are.
And learning how to make artisan bread in a cast iron pot. I confess I was giddy with happiness over how beautifully it turned out.
Is there anything more comforting than slices of warm bread slathered in creamy butter?
I love looking over from my sickbed and seeing Luna (my dog) sleeping beside the baby goat, licking her gently. So sweet.
Having life go topsy-turvy now and then makes me so grateful for all the little good things in my life: essential oils that make the house smell good, hot cups of tea and buttery toast soldiers, episodes of “Who Do You Think You Are” to keep me entertained.
I feel pretty darn lucky.
What little things are making your life good today?
_logo.svg){kind=logo}
