by Krista | Feb 3, 2015 | Summer
Rain is misting lightly outside, cooling things down after a gorgeous weekend spent with my friend Corrie. Neither of us were feeling good, so instead of jaunts here and there, we planned a thoroughly relaxing couple of days filled with eating good food, afternoon naps, and long talks while curled up in comfy chairs.
One of my favorite memories is from Saturday night. After trekking through the bush and spotting a couple of wallabies, we returned home and set up for an evening around the campfire. Bear helped me arrange the fire pit, haul chairs over, and collect firewood.
While Corrie had a good, long talk with her hubby back in Colorado, I sank into my chair with a cold drink and soaked up the stunning light shimmering through leaves and blades of grass.
I never tire of this time of day on our farm. We might be exhausted from wrangling goats or digging gardens, but once sunset begins, stress melts away and you can’t help but be happy to be alive.
As the sun sank lower we opened wine to breathe and brought out ice cold beers. Bear built and lit the fire and I brought out fixings for dinner: lamb sausages made with pepper and sun-dried tomatoes.
As the sausages popped and sizzled we settled back with our drinks, munching on potato chips and sharing stories. It felt so good to laugh hard and chat about our day, thoroughly relaxed and comfy with all the chores done and a free night ahead of us. 
While we chatted and the fire crackled, Bear collected more firewood, fallen branches and bits of gum tree bark to keep the fire going late into the night.
At last the sausages were ready, charred on the outside, cooked on the inside, ready to be dressed with Dijon mustard and homemade chili jam.
Soon the sun was gone and we sat under a star-filled sky wrapped in flannel shirts and blankets, talking about life and work and hopes and plans. Corrie is a writer too, so very, very talented, and it was great to talk shop with her, sharing plans and book ideas.
Following in that vein, I’m delighted to announce that PDF versions of my books are now available for only $14.99 AUS ($12.57 US). With no shipping or printing costs to worry about, they are a great option for anyone who’d like a copy to store on their computer and have inspiring images of Italy and old European doors only a mouse click away.
To purchase a copy or for more information, visit my book shoppe by clicking here.
The rain has stopped, but the clouds and wind are keeping us cool as we reflect on happy memories with a dear friend.
What is your favorite memory from this weekend? xo
by Krista | Dec 15, 2014 | Summer
This weekend Bear and I traveled to Fort Lytton (near Brisbne) for a meeting. We arrived an hour early, giving me time for a wander through the empty fort, exploring dark tunnels and cavernous rooms with beautiful views of the Brisbane River.
There’s something lovely about exploring an abandoned fort. It becomes a blank canvas for the imagination, fed by images and stories from the nearby museum.
I will show you more of this historic place next time, but today I wanted to focus on the wonderful old doors that guard entrances throughout the fort.
This red one is my favorite: the color, the shape, the wonky bits at the bottom. I think I need a red door on our house.
This weathered blue one is massive and sturdy, opening to admit guests who have traversed the bridge to enter Fort Lytton.
This is the most posh of the doors, looking stately and sombre against the aging brick.
I love the contrast between the old brick and the neatly painted door and window frame. Peering through the glass you see a spindle chair, just waiting for someone to sit down and rest awhile with a hot cuppa.
I’m focusing on doors today to set the mood for a special giveaway: one copy of my book “portals” which is filled with black and white images of old doors from around Europe.
To enter the giveaway, leave a message on this post, on Facebook, or via email – ramblingtart at gmail dot com telling me about a door that you’re especially fond of.
For an extra entry, share this link –Â https://www.ramblingtart.com/2014/12/15/old-doors-and-a-book-giveaway/ – on Facebook or Twitter and leave me another message telling me you’ve done so.
This giveaway will run until Friday, December 19 and is open to entrants worldwide. The winner will receive one copy of “portals.”
Wishing you a wonderful week! xo
PS – Click here if you would like to purchase a copy of your own.
*****************************
Giveaway is now closed. The winner is Val from More Than Burnt Toast. Congratulations! 🙂 Your book will ship to you shortly. xo
by Krista | Nov 26, 2014 | Spring
It’s dark and cool tonight after a gorgeous rain that soaked deep into our parched soil. The air smells delectably clean and fresh and frogs are croaking happily outside my office window.
It’s long past my bedtime, but I don’t mind. It’s the last day of my 30’s and I feel quiet and thoughtful, happy to indulge in some quiet moments to settle my heart and embrace this next big adventure: turning 40.
I feel deeply thankful to be in this place, this time in my life. Not because things are idyllic and stress-free, far from it, but because I’m handling things so much better. I love sitting back and observing my stronger self, getting little chuckles of pride when I don’t crumple before a bully or have my health shatter at the first hint of stress. It’s a lovely, amazing thing to grow, heal, and strengthen, to feel courage and self-confidence instead of crippling fear and self-doubt.
A few months ago I decided that I was going to do something brave and creative before my 40th birthday, something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little girl: publish my own book.
Although I’m thrilled with the history book I was commissioned to write, and can’t wait to share it with you in a month or so, I really wanted to make a book that was all mine, my words, my photographs, a sharing of something precious to me.
So, bit by bit over the last months, an hour here, a few snatched minutes there, I’ve been working on a black and white photography book about Italy. Although I initially thought I’d write words to go with it, the photos took over and it became a book more about inspiration and reflection than words. I finished up the last edits today and am delighted to be able to share it with you on the eve of my 40th birthday.
These are not images of famous buildings, fashionistas, or posh restaurants, they’re moments of daily life. From laundry blowing in the wind and a farmhouse breakfast to surprising works of art and treasured moments in Italian homes, these are the photos that I love: quiet, simple, reflective. (You can see a little preview below.)
If you would like a bit of Italian inspiration of your own, you can
order the book here if you’re in Australia, and
order it here if you’re in any other part of the world. And if you’d just like to bask a while in the preview photos, that would be lovely too.
In the morning Bear and I are off to spend my birthday together and I can’t wait. We’ve both been working so hard and it will be bliss to set aside a whole day just to have fun and make good memories.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend.
xo
by Krista | Nov 20, 2014 | Spring
It’s a beautifully quiet morning at home after a wild storm blew in late yesterday afternoon. It’s been wickedly hot and dry here in Queensland, so when we looked up to see heavy, dark clouds on the horizon, we hoped for rain but held that hope in an open hand.
Much to our delight, the first drops fell just as we were nearing home from a day in town, and as we pulled up to our gate, I jumped out to open it and got gloriously drenched.
We made a mad dash for the house as almighty gusts hurtled rain at us in sheets, and decided instantly that our afternoon break must be held on the back veranda.
Bear poured us icy glasses of homemade green apple soda while I topped old tin plates with treasures from our stop at the bakery. Then we settled back to enjoy the storm.
We sat quiet and comfy in our chairs, munching happily on apricot cream turnovers as the rain poured down.
When you’ve gone without rain for so long, there’s nothing to be said when it finally comes. Your whole body takes it in, basking in cool swirls of wind that toss sprays of fragrant rainwater on weary skin. It is wondrous beyond words.
We watched in amazement as wood that had been dusty and bone dry moments before, suddenly sprouted tiny green shoots of lime green moss.
Lacy fans of lichen popped up on the railing as the cracked, dusty yard turned into a checkerboard of puddles.
The rain was accompanied by stunning streaks of lightning, sometimes three or more flashing at once, and massive cracks of thunder that shook the house. It didn’t take long for our power to get knocked out, and we didn’t mind one bit. As the power disappeared, our to-do lists vanished with it. Without electricity we couldn’t do cooking or laundry, there was no writing of books or editing of photos, no using power tools or wood-burning implements. We could well and truly rest with nary a hint of guilt or pressure.
It was a truly delicious respite that restored our bedraggled spirits.
After our sojourn on the veranda, Bear got a brainwave for a project he’d been contemplating for months and dashed down to the shed to see if it would work. I seized the chance to start the new book I’d found at the dump shop, and made a cozy nest in bed right under the window where I could glance up to the storm in between tales. Soon I was shaking with laughter as I read one hilarious and ridiculous story after another.
It was just what we needed.
What is your favorite thing to do when storms knock out your power? xo
by Krista | Jan 8, 2010 | Fabulous Friday, Winter
It’s a quiet Thursday night and I’m nursing a sore throat with salt water and hot tea. It’s kinda nice to be cozy in bed, listening to Mediaeval Baebes, playing Scrabble on Facebook, and reading Anne Lamott.
A few days ago I was reading my new blogger friend Chaya’s post at Sweet and Savory Says It All and was startled to see my name in a list of blogs she’d chosen for the Sugar Doll Blogger Award!!! Thank you, Chaya! 🙂 Chaya was one of my first readers and bent over backwards to make me feel welcome in the blogging world. She provided tips and encouragement and I love her homey recipes that she makes for her beloved hubby and family. 🙂 I’m such a newbie at all this she had to tell me what I was supposed to do with the award. 🙂 So, dear Chaya, here goes! Better late than never! 🙂
10 things about myself:
- I have lived in 24 different places since I was born.
- I wish I had a treehouse.
- I am Canadian but have spent more of my life in the United States.
- I love to travel and Turkey, Romania and Australia are at the top of my go-to-next list.
- My favorite author is John Buchan, and I must have Earl Grey tea when reading his books.
- My favorite color is red and it never fails to cheer me.
- I do not like mushrooms. Nope. Not at all.
- My dream house would have a library. And a secret passage.
- I hang jewelry on my wall because it’s too pretty to hide away until wearing.
- I rediscovered the Library this year, and still can’t believe they let us take books away for free.
This past year has been a rough one with health issues, so I’ve been operating under the mantra if I put good things in, good will come of it. This year I’m determined to use a greater variety of whole grains in salads, soups, gratins, etc, and today I’m dining on a Quinoa Pesto Salad with Broccoli and Almonds.
I was inspired by Heidi at 101 Cookbooks and rummaged about in fridge and shelves to see what I had to work with.
I found red quinoa and set it to cooking in a pot of water with a bit of salt. Then lightly steamed some broccoli just until it was gorgeously bright green. When the quinoa was cooked, I fluffed it up and mixed it with a jar of pesto then added chopped broccoli, some grated feta cheese and sliced almonds.
Deeelicious! The pesto makes it feel richer than it is, and the red quinoa, bright green broccoli and pale almonds bring color and festivity.
Quinoa Pesto Salad with Broccoli and Almonds
3 cups cooked quinoa
1 bunch broccoli, steamed and chopped
1 small jar pesto
1 ounce feta cheese, grated
1 handful sliced almonds
Combine and enjoy!
While Corrie had a good, long talk with her hubby back in Colorado, I sank into my chair with a cold drink and soaked up the stunning light shimmering through leaves and blades of grass.
I never tire of this time of day on our farm. We might be exhausted from wrangling goats or digging gardens, but once sunset begins, stress melts away and you can’t help but be happy to be alive.
As the sun sank lower we opened wine to breathe and brought out ice cold beers. Bear built and lit the fire and I brought out fixings for dinner: lamb sausages made with pepper and sun-dried tomatoes.
While we chatted and the fire crackled, Bear collected more firewood, fallen branches and bits of gum tree bark to keep the fire going late into the night.
Soon the sun was gone and we sat under a star-filled sky wrapped in flannel shirts and blankets, talking about life and work and hopes and plans. Corrie is a writer too, so very, very talented, and it was great to talk shop with her, sharing plans and book ideas.
