My thrifting senses are tingling.

Living etc.

Right or wrong I needed to go to this new demolition yard I found in the local paper, I never know where these ideas come from but Ive learnt to trust them. I needed to find pedestal sinks so I assumed that was what I was going to find. Only I didn't find any pedestal sinks (well I did they just weren't appropriate, Im not ready to put those fabulous pink sinks back into house's yet)  My thrifting senses were still on overload but I wasn't sure why until I spied the biggest treasure of all treasures for my bathroom... The Bath...OMG the Bath, an original 1940s cast iron claw foot in virtually perfect condition. I had given up the search for these years ago, I had resigned myself to the fact that we'd have to either buy a new one ($1200 was the cheapest Id found) or be prepared for the biggest ebay fight of my life and still probably pay too much and travel too far.
A bath was the last thing on my mind but there she was with the more than fair price tag of $500. The Man comes over to see if he can help, we get to talking, he gives me his life story, it turns out he knows my family, we both grew up in the same area, our family's are two of only a hand full left that are (as he likes to call it) true locals (100 years or more, old old school.) "By the way, ignore all the price tags", he says "they're wrong, $250 for you love"...  I always trust my thrifting senses...

It is in excellent condition for it's age.
I have a fair bit of work to do but that's never scared me off.

    

She was born on the 24. 12. 40  he says as he turns it over just to show me the date stamped underneath.
Cast on Christmas eve!

How cool is this... It even has my initial under the rim...

We'll be painting the underside black.

The Claws. Rusty but solid.

I love the detail on this one.

They'll look great when they're painted.

We also acquired 3 new/old doors.

We currently have those flat characterless hollow doors and have always wanted to change them for solid moulded timber but couldn't justify the expense. We've never found any at a reasonable price even at demolition yards, today was a very different story, my new best friend gave us all 3 for $100.

They need a good clean and a fair bit of work but they're in good solid condition and they will make an enormous difference to the feel of the house.

Bathroom scavenger hunt

Today im searching for these.

At the only reclamation yard around here.

Wish me luck.

xx

A long post about good food and books.

In the spare time I had over the weekend I did finish reading the Moosewood cookbook and I have to say that sadly I was a little disappointed. Although the hand written text was cute I found it a little hard to follow and it kinda made every page the same, a little dull. The layout was confusing and the pictures were not in sync. From what I've heard the Moosewood is a bit of an institution in America so I was expecting something quiet interesting and innovative. I didn't get it. Most of the recipes were pretty ordinary. Having said that It did inspire me to cook and I will use it for some dishes in the future, perhaps it was just me, I have pretty high standards for vege food. This book was written in the 1970s after all and most of the updated recipes still called for the same ingredients available then just in different quantity's for a more health conscience era.

For starter vegetarian cooks its probably pretty good, the recipes are simple and after all it is about getting people to eat good fresh food but if you want truly amazing and innovative green cuisine than you can't go past the Greens cookbook

Ive had this since the early 90s (it was released in 1987) its now yellowed and battered and the slip cover is torn but it is well loved and well used and no vegetarian cookbook has ever come close. The recipes in this book are so good I have actually had carnivores turn for them (albeit not for long, but hey its a big comitment) It uses all manner of interesting (but available) foods in interesting ways. I cant recommend this book highly enough.
Rant done and thank you. ( when did this become a food blog?)
xx

This is what I cooked.

Loosely based on a Refrito (refried beans)recipe from Moosewoods.

very loosely.

Chilli bean fajitas 

Onion garlic sauté, add green pepper.

Add water. Reduce slightly.

        

Add tomatoes, chilli and spices. simmer 5 mins

Chilli flakes, 1 teas cumin, 1/2 coriander, pinch thyme, sea salt to taste.

Add Mushrooms and red kidney beans.

Simmer and reduce 20 mins /half hr ish.

  

        

Assemble.

Lettuce, cucumber, spring onion,avocado,yoghurt, cheese. 

This was really good.

Sorry for the unappealing final photo,I left out all the greens we'd gathered from the vege garden. There are none of the finished product either because we were all too hungry to hang about waiting for me to take pictures.
Enjoy
(It seems this is where it became a food blog)
xx

Happy Birthday Jesse

What a busy weekend. This is the first chance I've had to sit down at the computer for days, hence the lack of blog posts. This weekend was my baby's 3rd birthday. I cant believe he's already 3, its shocking and scary how fast its going, which is why I've been spending every spare second I have with him, playing with his new toys, painting and drawing with him more than usual. It has brought me back to the realization that it will soon be gone and I need to be here with him enjoying every second. I knew this already of course but sometimes it hits you harder than usual and so you go the extra mile, answer a few less emails, avoid over scheduling yourself so as to have more time doing the things they love, you know how it goes.

His party was fun. It was a very low key affair, just family a BBQ a pinata  and of course the cake.

He wanted a dino cake.

Of course.

Spongebob was a tough one.

It took many many whacks  before he'd release his treasure.

 

We needed backup from his big brother and cousins (Whom I cant show because I need permission first before I put photos of them here, the problem being that none of my family know I have this blog so I cant ask. Just in case you were wondering why there never seems to be any other kids about.) He had lots of fun and is still recovering from the sugar overload.

Anyway I must go, we have a Diego puzzle to finish.

xx

New cookbook

This arrived yesterday.

It kinda goes hand in hand with the whole organic thing.

I was vegetarian for nearly 7 yrs. 

 I do love a good vege cookbook and I've heard good things about this one.

This one looks good also.

I think I just like it for the title.

It looks fun.

Ive heard mixed reviews though.

We'll see.

Toast

Ahhh Toast. You nail it every time. 

Tiles Wow!

I found a stack of these jars once

You even make bins look pretty.

(Images~ Toast)