by Krista | Jul 10, 2012 | Gulliver Tuesday
I am home safe and sound after a marvelously fun weekend of medieval camping with my Blackwolf friends at the Abbey Medieval Festival this weekend.
What a jolly time we had roasting a pig on a spit, talking and laughing at night around the campfire, and meeting people from all over the world.
One of my favorite things was visiting the other groups at the festival. Especially the medieval gypsy caravan.
I fell in love with the delicious colors, dreamy fabrics, and gorgeous jewels, tassels and coins that adorned everything from tree trunks to hemlines.
I wanted to shoo the crowds away so I could escape into one of these scrumptious little tents festooned with swathes of silk and tapestry, and disappear from the modern world for a while.
Then there was the medieval gypsy clothing. Oh my. Such luscious swirls of fabric and tinkling of bells as the women twirled and danced. It is all so exuberant, joyous and beautiful that I couldn’t wipe the beaming smile off my face.
I loved it so much that I dragged Bear back for a second look and arrived just in time for a medieval gypsy wedding!
We weren’t quite dressed for the occasion, but this lady was. Isn’t she stunningly regal in her exotic jewels and glossy black braids?
The medieval wedding was announced by the lovely old man with the wonderfully interesting staff.
The drummers arrived next. First the men in their fir-trimmed hats, then the women in their lavish outfits.
The groom walked in wearing a jaunty red sash and then at last the gypsy bride in her sumptuous red, gold, and white dress.
I liked standing at the back so I could see the gorgeous veils embroidered in gold, the circlets trimmed in leaves and flowers, and the multi-layered skirts that swished and jangled as the women swayed.
Gorgeous.
I’ve never seen anything so wondrously fairytale-ish.
Have you ever seen a gypsy wedding?
by Krista | Jun 5, 2012 | Gulliver Tuesday
It was a blindingly sunny morning when I joined my dear friends, Janet and Barbara, for a jaunt to see the Azure Window on the tiny island of Gozo in Malta.
We piled into Janet’s open-topped jeep and roared off down bumpy roads, luxuriating in the cool breezes whipping our hair and fanning our faces. After a bit we jounced off the mottled side roads and onto smooth asphalt, curving our way over craggy hills and down to Dwejra Bay.
Dwejra Bay is a beautiful spot, and the Azure Window its crowning glory. A natural rock formation, the Azure Window is a favorite spot of photographers, rock-scramblers and scuba divers.
I was happy to stand on the rocky shoreline and gaze at it, easily imagining pirate ships lurking along the base of the cliffs.
The rough shoreline fascinates me. At first glance you think the pock-marked with amoeba shaped holes are encrusted with ice or filled with snow. But upon inspection you discover they are thickly frosted with salt that crunches underfoot.
Since we arrived early there was hardly anyone about, so we happily posed in the sunshine for squinty-eyed pictures before clambering over the barren rocks while the wind tore at our hair and sent our skirts whipping wildly.
We gazed in awe at towering cliffs plunging down to the sea, and peered into tide pools for glimpses of tiny creatures.
Soon the blistering Maltese heat was upon us, and we were ready for a cool drink and some shade, so we took one last look at the beautiful Azure Window and headed back.
We ambled past a pretty little church perched on a hill, and headed down to the Inland Sea in search of a cuppa. I’ll take you there another day. 🙂
What is the prettiest natural formation you’ve ever seen?
by Krista | Apr 16, 2012 | Gulliver Tuesday
I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced a more glorious Autumn than this year in Australia.
I wake up to cool, foggy mornings that are quickly dissipated by the rising sun, turning into breathtakingly sumptuous days of sunshine, brilliant blue sky, and a cacophony of bird song.
After a year of nearly incessant travel, I am luxuriating in quiet days in the country with time to just be.
Time for hanging laundry to dry in the sun, for walks with Luna and Fletcher through crunchy leaves, and for washing dishes as afternoon light streams through my kitchen windows.
I think it’s the light that gets me. It seems mellower, more golden and soft than the summer light.
It comes through different windows than during the spring and summer, and I love how it makes my kitchen glow with warmth as it shimmers off the wood walls and glints through the old glass bottles on the window sill.
The yard looks magical at sunset with the light shining through hundreds of feathers from our molting ducks, geese and chickens.
It’s inspired me to embrace Autumn in all its richness and depth of color. I even bought new nail polish in a gorgeous Aubergine as my own little salute to the changing season.
The farmer’s markets have been overflowing with tomatoes and capsicum (bell pepper) lately, so my oven has been running overtime roasting them for soups, sandwiches, and even snacks between meals.
I made a crustless quiche with them the other day, and as I set it to cool on the counter it looked so gorgeous in the afternoon light that I had to capture it.
Alongside these simple pleasures, I’ve been working hard on some exciting projects and I can’t wait to tell you about them. 🙂
What is projects are exciting YOU these days?
Roasted Tomato and Pepper Quiche
(makes two quiches)
Ingredients:
1 cup roasted red bell peppers (capsicum), diced
1 16 ounce container cottage cheese
8 large eggs
1 4 ounce container mild green chilies
2 cups diced ham
4 scallions, sliced
2 Tbsp powdered mustard
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup feta cheese, cubed or grated
24 oven roasted tomato halves
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Mix all ingredients except roasted tomatoes and pour into two greased pie pans.
- Top with roasted tomatoes and bake for 45 minutes or until top is golden and firm.
by Krista | Feb 27, 2012 | Gulliver Tuesday
When my friend Ann asked if I’d like to come along for a drive to Brisbane one fine, sunny day, I was thrilled.
Drives with Ann are never a Point A to Point B affair. Not a chance! They are delectable meanderings along the prettiest routes she can think of, punctuated by stops at all sorts of interesting places. So we packed water bottles and snacks and, accompanied by her daughters Lizzie and Katy, cranked up the air conditioning and Enya’s latest cd and headed for the city.
Although I’ve been to Brisbane a few times, I haven’t had the chance to do much exploring. We more than made up for it on this trip. After stopping for lunch (delish toasted sandwiches) and a sticky-bick (look around) at a wonderful bookstore with cookbooks on sale for $1 each, we arrived in Brisbane in time to park the car and walk Lizzie to the University.
Rounding a corner we found this little fellow almost invisible against the pavement. He stayed just long enough to pose for me, then scurried off into the crunchy leaves.
We strolled past hundreds of palm trees, their fronds rustling gently in the breeze and looking marvelously tropical against the vivid blue sky.
We sauntered past restaurants positively humming with the mingled sounds of music blaring and patrons visiting, and strolled under vast arbors dripping in fuchsia bougainvillea.
All too soon we had to drop Lizzie off, so we hugged her tight and promised to get together soon, then headed for the waterfront for a stroll along the Brisbane River.
Our path lead us past more towering palms and beside swimming pools surrounded by white sand. The skyscrapers of Brisbane provided a stunning backdrop.
After stocking up on a colorful array of Australian lollies at a local sweet shop, we found seats beside the river where we could watch the city ferries motor past and catch cool breezes off the water. It’s the perfect spot for people watching and discovering small beauties like the intricately inlaid mosaics in the pavement.
The Brisbane riverfront has such a jovial feeling of community about it. Children splashed and squealed in the swimming pools while perfectly formed teenagers bronzed themselves on the sand. Couples strolled hand in hand along the promenade and office workers found shady perches where they could eat their bag lunches and read a novel. Students were everywhere being lead on tours by their student guides, looking nervous and excited as they navigated the crowds, tentatively smiling at their fellow students in the hopes of making new friends.
We escaped the crowds for a bit as we entered a sea of green: lily pads, lush grass, palm trees and amazing mangroves with their Dr. Seussian roots and branches.
It was a gorgeous interlude on our Girls Day Out, and we all felt relaxed and happy.
But soon our To-Do List beckoned and we got back in the car and onto the busy streets, heading for an adventure of another sort: visiting the foodie shops of Brisbane. You can read all about some of my favorites here. I love Brisbane food shops! There are so many cultures and cuisines represented and the prices are very reasonable and sometimes downright cheap. I picked up Russian sunflower oil, Ethiopian berebere, Indian curry, and Mexican salsa verde. My special treat of the day was gorgonzola dolce which I plan to serve with roasted peaches. Mmm, mmm, good. 🙂
What is your favorite city to wander in?
by Krista | Jan 30, 2012 | Gulliver Tuesday
by Krista | Dec 5, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
Mornin’ luvs! It is crazily chilly, windy, and dark in Queensland, Australia this week. Brrr! I heard that this is the coldest start to summery they’ve had in 51 years and I don’t doubt it. Shiver!
Today I’m packing up my little suitcase, making sure I have sweater, pashmina and umbrella to keep me warm as I head to Brisbane for a few days to visit my lovely friend Barbara (from Winos and Foodies) and her hubby Bryan. We are going to attend the annual Taste Trekkers Christmas Tour and I am SO excited!! I’ve never been on something like this and am really looking forward to learning about Russian, Greek and Italian Christmas traditions and foods, meet some other food lovers, and dig into a delicious meal made by the Taste Trekker herself, Sally. 🙂
I promise to take heaps of pictures and tell you all about it. 🙂
What Christmas traditions are you most interested in?
xo
