A Colourful Tote

Yesterday I finally got around to finishing the tote I started back in Febuary and I am so glad I did. It worked really well and was not at all complicated once I got my head around a few of the trickier instructions. I am a little bit unsure of the material I used though, I'm glad it's only for my music books as I can't quite see myself going shopping with it!

Mocha Cupcakes and a Rather Pungent Drive

This morning I had the dubious privilege of delivering 160 kilos of pre-diced onion packs 70 kilometres away up north. The order was late and couldn't fit on the trucks so I got to take it in the car. I don't want to smell another chopped onion for a long time! It was great getting to do something different though. When I got back I arranged these little mocha cupcakes on a stand to give to everyone for morning tea. One of the ladies that I deal with a lot in the office has been less friendly this week and I thought that taking in some baking might be a good idea. I took them around to everyone at their desks and when I got to her she said she didn't like coffee. Oh well. I tried to console myself with the fact that I had tried. Sometimes that is all you can do.

Shadow of Time

It's been too long since I got the camera out of it's bag. I have been pleasantly busy though.
I grabbed the first spare week day I had thanks to school holidays and went on a delivery run with Ben last Wednesday. It was great fun, and I got to drive through a beautiful part of Northland I had never seen before as well as being entertained by Ben's hilarious and nonstop dialogue.
Sunday I drove out to see one of my dearest friends. She has recently moved to her Uncle and Aunt's property to be able to study Midwifery and I got to see her little two roomed cottage for the first time. It is so gorgeously old, with rafters in the ceiling and a bee's nest humming in the walls!
And then amongst the out of the ordinary things there has been work and music, two things that definitely keep me grounded. The shadow of time keeps running on.

Liquidamber Seedpod

Grey Cord

I have been loving my new grey cord tunic these last few weeks. It's a change from what I usually wear and so comfy and warm for the cooler weather of Autumn.

An Easter Tradition

When my brothers and I were little Mum would make an Easter garden with us. We would all traipse down the road to our friend's house and walk up the back of their land to a beautiful little waterfall. Growing all around the base of the waterfall was moss and we would pick just enough for our garden, slipping and sliding on the wet rocks and muddy ground before walking back home again. It was a special part of Easter and now Mum has started doing it again with my little sister. It is a beautiful reminder, sitting there on the table, of a sacrifice I will never be able to comprehend. Thank you Jesus.

My Favorite Hot Cross Bun Recipe

I cannot imagine Easter without these. They are one of my favorite Easter traditions. It is so lovely spending the afternoon in a warm kitchen, surrounded by the fragrance of spices and yeast.

Hot Cross Buns:

Measure 1 cup of milk, 1/2 a cup of hot water and 2 tablespoons of sugar into a bowl.

Warm or cool to body temperature and add 1 tablespoon of yeast. Mix well and then add 2 cups of flour, cover and leave to rise in a warm place.

Meanwhile in another bowl cream 100g of butter with 1/2 cup of soft brown sugar.

Then beat in 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of mixed spice, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, 1 tsp of ground cloves, 1 tsp of vanilla and 1 cup of dried fruit. (I used sultanas and currants.)

When the yeast mixture has risen to twice it's original size, tip it into the creamed mixture along with an extra 2 cups of flour. Mix well and if you need too add in enough extra flour to make a dough firm enough to turn out on a bench top and knead.

Knead until the dough feels satiny and does not stick to the bench top. It should spring back when pressed with a finger. Divide the dough into four pieces and cut each of these into six. ( I made mine a bit larger than this.) Shape each one into a ball and place in buttered baking trays, leaving space between each one to allow for rising. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to rise until twice their original size.

Make the crosses by rubbing 60 grams of butter in 1 cup of flour and then adding enough water to make a stiff dough. Roll it out and cut it into strips. Brush these with a little milk so they stick and place them on the buns.

Bake uncovered for 10- 12 minutes at 225 C.

As soon as they come out of the oven brush them with a glaze made from 2 tablespoons golden syrup warmed with 3 tablespoons of water.

These are gorgeous! Serve them warm with butter.

'Deprez a Fleur Jaune' Against a Grey Sky

This beautiful rose caught my eye defiantly withstanding the bitterly cold wind in our garden today. So pretty. It has a perfume to rival it's beauty as well.

Jury Service and Juice Deliveries

Change is refreshing. These past few weeks have been quite hectic but fun. I have had two Mondays off from work; one to look after Briar while Mum was away and one to attend a summons for Jury Service! I really did want to get on the jury but with sixty to eighty people and only 12 places it was a slim chance: my name was not pulled out of the box. It was very intriguing seeing how it all works though.

I came out of the court after being dismissed and just as I was walking across the busy intersection in the middle of our city I saw my brother's new truck (he has just bought a juice franchise) parked across the street. I met a friend of ours just as I was getting to the pavement on the other side so off we both went and did a few deliveries with him. From being in a court to juice deliveries, it was definitely not a dull day!