4+1= goodtimes

it's been a long long time since i have written anything! a break i obviously needed....as to not rain a whole lot of negative on you poor unsuspecting blog-readers. lets just say after months of 'unfortunate events' my/our luck has made a well-received turn for the better! although i am still camera/computer/car-less (yes all part of the foggy blah months) which means no new pictures and bare access to old ones and well having no car ....well....pretty much just blows smack bang at the start of winter!
 as i say that ONE spectacular event has arisen through the cloudy-yuk-ness...i have a baby growing happily in my tummy. such a blessing. number three and destined to be the youngest member of the Larsen clan.

LOVE LOVE LOVE.

currently nursing a cold...fighting it with elecrolites, miso soup and chicken broth...i am not a 'drug' taker at the best of times. also have had a craving for poppadoms, which in turn now Honor is also an addict. mmmmm.

skippity skip!

fluffing the nest.

My handsome other half Lars has one more week in the NZ Army...then a wee break before back to the grind.

So...i have been list making for him. ha. holiday? i think not. time to get all the little projects done around the house.

he shouldn't complain when he has little helpers like this...

they really 'help' too....

every colour of the rainbow.

Indie, my artistic, sensitive, funny, gorgeous girl turned four yesterday. celebrating with a rainbow party. an extreme rainbow party. full of luscious rainbowness.

unfortunately my camera is going through some kind of personal camera-type crisis and only works when she feels like it. so i am reliant for other party-goers to filter back photos of the event for me.

Indie had the best time this morning. going back to Montessori as a four year old was so important to her. she was so excited. bless her.

i do however have a picture of evidence that there was a rainbow explosion in our house yesterday.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

*** *** ***

nothing says i love you like ♥ shaped pizza...

Indie was in charge of dinner tonight for valentines day...it's not really a 'holiday' we celebrate, but it's fun to do things with the girls.

Indie made these all by herself...love pizzas.

pizzas made with aroha :)



BALLS.

I don't really have a sweet tooth, but these little gems are the perfect thing with a cuppa. or...i will confess a quick breakfast snack ~ gah!
i don't feel as bad reaching for these than for the bikkie tin.

peanut butter oat balls

1/3 cup of honey
1/4 cup of natural peanut butter
2 tbsp butter
1 cup of ricies
1 cup of rolled oats
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 sunflower seeds

~ heat together the honey / peanut butter and butter in a pot until melted
~ take off heat and add remaining ingredients
~ stir until coated
~ spoon into patty pans and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

seriously good.

i ♥ soup.

i do ....i really do. i am a total soup nut. although i tend to forget about it in the summer daze. well, at least until i have tomatoes up to my eyeballs.

but i just found this beaut @ annabels blog  it has even surpassed leek and potato as number ONE in my books. big ask i know.

it's not the prettiest of soup. it doesn't have the glossy orange of pumpkin, or the rustic charm of minestrone. but good god it is summer in a bowl.

i am pleased to introduce my version of.....

Tuscan courgette soup.

1kg of small green courgette. (i had a couple of big guys that i left in the garden too long...just had a take the white spongy seed part out...did the trick perfectly!)
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic
30-40 basil leaves
1 tsp salt
pepper
4 cups chicken stock
1 tbsp italian parsley, chopped
50g parmesan.

heat oil in a large pot, add chopped courgette (about 1 cm diced) and chopped garlic. cook for a few minutes to soften. add salt and pepper. add stock and herbs. cook for 10 or so minutes. put in batches in blender. put back on stove and stir in parmesan.  taadaaa!!

i added some extra chopped italian parsley. good god man... it is delicious.

i had it for lunch and then dinner again after an afternoon of swimming with my girls. Lars made cheese and bacon mousetraps (cheesy toast). i know, i know. heaven!