Bhavana’s outdoor setting

Recently I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Bhavana Organic Farm & Cooking School.  Nestled in the hinterland of the Byron Shire in northern NSW, it is so much more than just a cooking school.  The place kind of hugs you when you arrive and provides a day of inspiration, inclusion and love.  I know that sounds corny but it is so very true.  The owners gently show people how to foster a simple and authentic understanding of food and its significance to wellbeing and health. As they say, “Whole foods provide not only our living energy, but are the healing source for so many facets of our life. We believe there is a natural pharmacy in every nurtured garden, and a little knowledge and willingness to learn, provide the ingredients for creating physical health, emotional wellbeing and longevity of life.”  Their vegetable patch is stuffed to overflowing with stunning seasonal produce and their Mt Isa hens are much more than just chooks ~ they are happy, cheeky creatures who rule the joint.  The setting alone is enough to make you feel restored and meditative.  It is a special place.

Byron Shire NSW

During the day  we learned how to prepare some dishes that were not only delicious but genuinely good for you, particularly your gut. The chef, who I like to call “Official Head of Inspiration”, Jo Rushton is a delight and I can’t wait for the Bhavana cookbook which is sure to come.

I really encourage you to check out their website, but meantime I thought I’d share one of Jo’s salads. Its main ingredient is flat-leaf parsley. Whilst very simple, it packs a punch as it is full of antioxidants, a natural diuretic, assists with digestion and is also said to have antibacterial properties.  Personally I’ve always loved the stuff and add it to almost everything.  Jo’s salad relies on nothing more than parsley (6 cups chopped), capers (3tbs), shallots (8 thinly sliced), lemon juice (4tbs) and olive oil (6tbs).  I haven’t been able to resist adding a few more things but I also love the simplicity of Jo’s version.

Here are some more images from the day.

Roasted beef marrow. Not the best looking but I love them.

Here chook, chook, chook!

Chemical-free, organic cabbage as big as my head

Borage

What’s your favourite salad?  Wanna share?

Until next time…

This is not a sponsored post.

Elm blossoms doing their thing

I was watching the elm blossoms fall outside my window this morning and it led me to think about how powerful and evocative reminiscing can be. You see it reminded me of when my daughter stuck some snow into a journal.  She was about eight at the time and did it after spending 10 minutes excitedly ‘whooping’ around our garden trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.  At our farm we are blessed to experience four seasons, but snow that actually settles on the ground for any length of time is a bit of a rarity. As a consequence Grace was super excited to wake and find the white stuff lying prettily across the garden.

Melting snowflakes on a Cotinus

Once she had caught the snow, she raced inside, flung open her journal and tipped a few precious flakes onto a page and attached it using sticky tape.  She was old enough to know that it was a temporary measure, but as she said to me later,  “Every time I look at that page Mama, I will remember the fun I had chasing snow in our garden.” I like her attitude.

Things from nature can make beautiful indoor arrangements

I’ve long encouraged my children to capture their outdoor memories, believing that in so doing, I’m building within them a lasting love of nature.  We’ve taken photos, written stories and pasted things into schoolbooks.  We’ve put things in jars and made homes for insects out of old shoeboxes.

Our recent seaside haul

Shells have been lovingly collected and placed into bowls, along with gum nuts that we’ve then drizzled with fragrant oils to make an instant potpourri or decorated with glitter to make funky arrangements.

Home made Christmas decoration.

You name it and we’ve probably collected it.

An early artwork

My son has always enjoyed observing the growth of things, especially our vegetables.  He used to love taking weekly measurements of our peas as they snaked their way slowly but surely up a trellis and once I remember he tried to estimate exactly how many kale seedlings were growing in the patch.  62 I think it was.

Peas fresh from the patch

Reminiscing about these times fills me with joy.

Scent is another great maker of memories. The smell of Daphne in winter and I’m transported back to my grandmother’s garden. A whiff of wattle and I can see myself as a child sneezing as we walked home from school. Lily of the Valley and I remember the sweet little wreath I made for Grace’s head on her Christening day.

A sneezing machine

So I’ve decided I’m going to encourage my now teenaged children to spend time every other month to sit down and reminisce. I’ll cook their favourite meal (15 years on and it’s still schnitzel, peas and mashed potato) and together we’ll explore the memories we have made and those that we hope to create in the future.

A recent collection. Everything was found in our garden.

What’s your favourite memory and are you a collector of them?

Until next time…

For more tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, look out for my book “Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday”, published by Sally Milner Publishing. Available from 01 December at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

March and April saw autumn again fail to find a foothold. I am becoming desperate for cooler weather and much-needed rain. With late snow in New York and temperatures in the high 20s (celsius) for much of the time in Sydney, Mother Nature has become seriously confused and climate change skeptics should hang their heads in shame.

The unusual weather means Australia’s venomous snakes are still active, which saw a large brown snake come to our back door in late March. Quite possibly the most hideous creature on the planet, it was dispatched with the use of a shovel. Apologies to those who believe their protected status is warranted. Me? I think the only good snake is a dead snake.

We are in desperate need of rain. We’ve been forced to buy feed for our cattle and every plant in our garden is struggling, dying or dead. It is soul-destroying to witness. Although I still do find wonder and beauty in this.

Spent thistle

Australian Gum Tree

Over Easter I ate this stunning terrine made by a good mate. It’s a Serge Danserau recipe which you can find in his book here. It is heaven on a stick, or heaven wrapped in streaky bacon as the case may be.

Country Terrine

I’m amazed by my dog’s ability to find mud on each and every #morningwalk we undertake.

Two-tone Cavoodle

I’m making fermented vegetables. My total addiction to this powerhouse of goodness is relentless so I’ve given up buying it and instead I’m using this simple recipe by the talented Jo Rushton. For more delicious recipes by Jo, you can pick up her book ‘Rocket Fuel On A Budget’ here. You can also read more about the benefits of eating fermented vegetables here.

I’m re-reading Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader. It’s a quirky tale about what happens when Queen Elizabeth discovers the local Westminster travelling library at the back of Buckingham Palace. I think I’ll also re-read The Lady In The Van as the movie has just been released. Anything, anything written by Bennett and featuring Maggie Smith is worth a look.

I’m subscribing to the international edition of The Art Newspaper.  It’s always chokka block full of fascinating articles about the Arts from around the world.  I encourage you to take a look.

Logan and Mason bedding…

I’m redecorating my bedroom with some new bedding because who doesn’t love a new look every now and then?  What do you think?  Huge thanks to the team at Just Bedding for supplying me with this look. What’s more, if you leave a comment on this post, you’ll go into the running to win your own choice of bed linen to the value of $200. The winner will be selected by my 14 year old son who, given his druthers, would spend most of his time in bed.  THIS COMP. IS NOW CLOSED.

I’m visiting cruise ships. Until recently I wouldn’t have considered taking a cruise, as my prejudice had me believing that they were jam-packed with seniors, with constant potential for a gastro outbreak of epic proportions and smelt permanently of bad hospital food. How wrong could I be? The Celebrity Solstice was docked at Circular Quay, Sydney before heading off into the South Pacific and I had the opportunity to take a good look around her.

One of the suite bedrooms

Dockside

One of the 10 restaurants on board

The amazing 12 storey atrium in the centre of the ship, complete with a seven metre Ficus benjamina tree

Wow. Seriously. The ‘cruisers’ were all my age or younger (no rude comments on my age thanks), the ship was truly stylish in its decor, with unique artworks dotted about including beautiful Murano glass installations.  And there are endless places to visit and things to do, which is important when there can be many days ‘at sea’.  You can choose from 18 different retail outlets, 10 different restaurants, cinemas and live theatre and the requisite Day Spa.  Never in a million years did I think I’d find wonder on a cruise ship of the size of Celebrity Solstice.

The most walked upon turf in the world?

Of particular interest to me is the 2130 square metres  (over 1/2 acre) of lawn on the top level.  It is estimated to be the most walked upon lawn on earth (given the ship travels half the globe regularly with over 2000 passengers each trip).  The lawn has to battle constant sea spray, the vastly different climates of both the South Pacific and Alaska and meet strict customs control at each port. It’s a credit to the two full-time green keepers.   The Environmental Services manager told me that many people just like to kick off their shoes and wander barefoot on the lawn every other day.  Others enjoy picnics, or the occasional game of bocce, golf or croquet.  It’s inspired thinking to include lawn on such a ship and if you are considering a cruise anywhere in the world, I’d strongly encourage you to visit the Celebrity Cruises website.

Such a fab sitting spot.

I’m admiring the beauty and diversity of our local flora.  Look at this wonder spotted at the new Barangaroo development on Sydney Harbour.  My horticultural mate Tim Entwisle thinks it’s probably Acacia terminalis, commonly known as Sunshine Wattle.

Acacia terminalis or Sunshine Wattle

And to finish the month of April, my beautiful daughter returned home this morning after a month touring around the U.S. with her very generous Grandma.  I have physically ached for her each and everyday and despite her embarrassment, I couldn’t help but smother her in kisses at Arrivals A at 6.00am.  It was like a scene out of Love Actually ~ one of my all time favourite films.

I love this girl to bits…

I hope you find some wonder in your everyday.  I’d love to hear from you as to what that might be.  Oh, and don’t forget to leave a comment if you fancy some new bedding!

Until next month…

This is not a sponsored post, although Just Bedding provided Caro & Co with the bedding set mentioned above.

The hot and humid mornings have had one positive. The sunrises have been absolutely spectacular and I’ve enjoyed trying to capture them each morning during my morning walk.

The most wondrous thing of all happened to me in February.  My new book Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday is now officially on its way to being published! It will feature over 150 outdoor or nature-based activities, recipes, seasonal eating and planting and craft ideas for kids (aged 2-9). The team at Sally Milner Publishing and I are in the throes of edits and it will be on-sale internationally in December 2016.

I want to show people how easy it is to find wonder in everything we do ~ indoors and outside and of course wonder is amplified tenfold when kids get into nature. The book will feature activities during the various seasons (eating, planting and getting outdoors), recipes, craft activities, what to do when weather is inclement, how to foster imagination and discovery and so on. I also have chapters where I provide tips on how to enrich the senses and also learn about various concepts such as colours, shapes, letter, numbers, time and the web of life ~ all with a focus on the outdoors. I’m so thrilled that my writing will have another place to call home.  Do contact me if you’d like to order an advance copy.

Meantime, I’m crafting the look for our Easter celebrations. I just adore these little nests from Papaya. Our family always celebrates Easter at our farm with longtime friends. It’s become a lovely tradition and it’s a beautiful time of the year to be on the Southern Tablelands of NSW. Autumn has arrived, the trees are turning, the skies are impossibly blue and the snakes are starting to slow ~ always a blessing!

Faux eggs and nests from Papaya

Food and quality wine always plays a big part of the festivities. Fish on Good Friday, followed by an enormous feast of roast something for Sunday lunch. I’m afraid Church doesn’t get a look in but we do spend time reflecting on friendship, love, conviviality and community. Egg hunts are held and this year we’ve changed it slightly and for the first time, the kids will hide the eggs and the adults will be the seekers! I have a feeling that we won’t find a single egg, such will be the skill of the kids in hiding them. All of us look forward to visiting the annual Bigga Markets. What started as nothing much more than a glorified garage sale, now boasts over 30 stalls selling delicious foodstuffs, craft, plants and bric-a-brac. If you happen to be near Bigga on Saturday 26 March take a look.

Oven roasted cauliflower, eggplant and onion

Autumn means some of my favourite vegetables are coming into season. We’ve been eating Cauliflower (a much-underrated vegetable in my opinion) in salads, with roasts or just by itself. Try slicing it finely and pan-frying with a good knob of butter until soft and starting to turn golden. Sprinkle with some sesame seeds and I guarantee you’ll be a convert. Okra, Pumpkin and Turnips are also on offer and are quite delicious roasted, sprinkled with some soft feta and a drizzle of some robust extra virgin olive oil. I can highly recommend buying some Alto Olive Oil if you get the chance. Produced on the Southern Tablelands of NSW, it is full-bodied and perfect with a multitude of dishes. Better still, it is reasonably priced.

I’m learning next month how to keep bees. So exciting! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time as many of the world’s bee populations are in decline. I currently don’t have anywhere to keep them, but when I do, hopefully I’ll be knee deep in honey in no time and will feel good that I’ll be doing my bit to protect the humble bee from extinction.

My daughter, along with a gaggle of her girlfriends and I went to the Crookwell Picnic Races last weekend. It was delightful to watch the girls wandering around in their cute Dotti frocks with a cloud of young boys in tow. It would appear that Dotti clothing is very much the must-have choice of 13 year old girls. The races are such fun. Only ever around 4 horses in each race so it’s hard to ‘do your dough’. Very homey, but with so much colour and movement, it’s always quite the spectacle.

That’s quite some hat!

Sadly, this month some things just continue to leave me wondering. To date, over 250,000 people have been killed as a result of the conflict in Syria. That’s a quarter of a million people. According to World Vision, 4.6 million people have fled Syria with a remaining 6.6 million left displaced within the country. At least half are children. It is the greatest humanitarian disaster of the modern era and there appears to be no end in sight to the barbarity. If you can, I’d urge you to support the vital work of World Vision by donating here. www.worldvision.com.au/Syria

I am also left speechless by the out of control train wreck that is the Donald Trump campaign. That a narcissistic bigot has got this far in the U.S. primary process leaves me speechless. Totally speechless.

Onto lovelier matters.

I’m reading David Malouf’s latest offering, Ransom. It’s a compelling re-telling or reinterpretation of several sections of Homer’s Illiad. For any of you who have read The Odyssey or The Illiad, I urge you to pick up a copy of Malouf’s book. It’s sheer genius. He is arguably Australia’s greatest living author.

On my beside table is John Newton’s latest book, The Oldest Foods on Earth. John writes, ”This is a book about Australian food, not the foods that European Australians cooked from ingredients they brought with them, but the flora and fauna that nourished the Aboriginal peoples for over 50,000 years. It is because European Australians have hardly touched these foods for over 200 years that I am writing it. We celebrate cultural and culinary diversity; yet shun foods that grew here before white settlers arrived. We love ‘superfoods’ from exotic locations, yet reject those that grow here. We say we revere sustainable local produce, yet ignore Australian native plants and animals that are better for the land than those European ones.” Wow! About time. I can’t wait to read this book and learn more about how to use and where I can source indigenous food.

What filled you with wonder in February and what are you looking forward to in March?

Until next time…

Oh the smell!

My daughter and I went to a spiritualist recently. Don’t ask me why. We just happened to walk past a shop and there she was, sitting, waiting for us. She didn’t know us from Adam but as is so often the case she managed to pinpoint what was going on in our lives with unnerving accuracy.

She told me that my abiding passion was words and their use. Tick. She mentioned that my overarching love was nature and our connection to it. Tick. She told me I should reboot my championing of the charity I support. Tick. During 2016 she told me it was important to continue putting pen to paper as it keeps me balanced and that she felt it was really important that I focus on seasons and cycles. She used the word wonder repeatedly. I’ve never really believed in such supposed mumbo jumbo, but wowsa, she had me completely pegged. She had no way of knowing that wonder is my favourite word and that I have been planning for a very long time to start a regular schedule of posts so I can share my monthly or seasonal moments of wonder.  What I’m reading, doing, cooking, learning, loving, watching, buying, making, planning ~ in short, whatever has inspired me during the month ~ in the hope that they might also do the same for you.  In coming months I’m also going to work hard to be able to offer you some of the products I feature in each post.

So here’s my first post for the months of December 2015 and January, 2016. I hope you enjoy it and it gives you a little moment of happiness…

I’m watching beautiful sunsets at our farm.  Each and every time they take my breath away. I’m also watching Harlequin Beetles race industriously up and down our Linden tree.

Sunset on the Southern Tablelands. NO filter.

Harlequin Beetle

I’m reading a fascinating book by Martin Tedeschi called Eugenia.  It’s the true story of a woman who lived almost her entire life disguised as a man.  She married twice and for four years, her first wife Annie had no clue as to the deception (not sure how that works).  Eight months after making the discovery, Annie was dead.  Riveting stuff.  I encourage you to pick up a copy today.

I’m listening to BBC Radio 4 Extra live via Tune-In Radio on my brand new Sonos system.  A surprise Christmas gift from my beloved.  Technology makes my head spin nowadays.

I bought two beautiful framed prints for just $50 each, found in said spiritualist’s shop.  Isn’t the owl particularly beautiful?

Crystal Owl

Crystal Raven

I’m loving our garden after a much-needed shower of rain.

Cotinus or “Smoke Bush”

Such delicacy…

I’m making beetles and bracelets out of pistachio shells with my daughter.  Such fun!

A little nail polish and et voila!

I’m wondering how it can be 35 degrees one day and 10 degrees with a Scotch Mist the next. I am also filled with wonder when I see that life and death can be equally beautiful.

Scotch mist comes to the Southern Tablelands

Roses and Rosehips

I’m baking Pavlova with my family. Because you can never have enough Pavlova.

Pavlova ~ two ways

I’ve found my cooking mojo, which had gone AWOL after Christmas and am now wondering if there is any way of combining these two items found at the back of my pantry. I very much doubt it, but I’m having fun thinking about it.

Orange Blossom Water and Truffle Oil

I am filled with joy when I witness the bond between Grace and her dog Blossom.  Oh, by the way, the spiritualist told Grace that she is a natural leader, that she must step out of group consciousness as she must learn to love herself more (than others) for periods of time. That’s Grace to a tee. Of more interest to Grace however, is that she will have three children and marry a tall, dark-haired spunk.

Grace and Blossom

I’m smelling the beautiful scent of the frangipanis in my suburb during my #morningwalk and then smelling it replicated almost exactly in the new offering by Sniff Soy Candles.

Frangipani flowers bursting forth

Polynesia ~ a must-have scent

What has filled you with wonder this month? I’d love to know…

Until next time…

Looking for something that is filling and warming when it’s as wintry and cold as a witch’s whatnot outside? Then this peasant soup is for you. It’s also a very easy meal for your children to make. Serve with some crusty bread and a sprinkle of parsley. You could also top with some Parmesan or Tasty cheese ~ whichever you prefer.

This is a very flexible recipe, designed to take advantage of the vegetables you have sitting in the bottom of your fridge, at the back of your freezer or lurking somewhere in your pantry. In other words, use up what you have ~ tinned, frozen or fresh. Although in winter, root vegetables are at their prime and give the soup a deliciously earthy taste and texture. I never peel mine as it helps maintain the integrity of the vegetable as I simmer the soup for so long.

This soup can also be vitamised and used as a beautifully healthy and flavourful baby food or as a pasta sauce base.

I served with a pan-fried scotch fillet and a fine pinot noir although it is also a beautiful stand-alone entree on a lovely autumn day. (That’s Starter or Appetiser for the Americans amongst us).

Dahlia

And so to flowers.  If you wander your suburbs right now, you’ll see Dahlias, Chrysanthemums and Salvias doing their thing. Camellias are also preparing for their winter display and may be spot flowering. In the veggie patch, your Echinacea should be flowering their pretty little heads off. Also known as Cone Flowers, they are well known for their germ fighting properties and will attract bees to the garden.

Hibiscus – did you know they are edible?

Hibiscus are at their best now. They look fragile but are as tough as old boots. Sadly they make a totally useless cut flower. You may also see Roses having a final flush before the cold months set in. Tibouchinas with their eye-popping purple flowers are also putting on a display. Personally I can’t stand these small garden trees but guarantee your teenage daughter will; purple generally being a favourite of most young girls. Why not encourage your children to hunt for these flowers, pick some for a pretty arrangement or have a go at pressing them.  Similarly, encourage them to pick some autumn leaves and once at home, try leaf stencilling, or drawing them with the aim of matching exactly the colours they see on the real thing. For those of you who celebrate Easter, now’s also the perfect time to have a go at blowing and decorating eggs.

“Grubby” Hibiscus. Brown eventually turns to a mauve.

And finally to a song. Inexplicably, my daughter has recently started playing double bass. So in honour of her enthusiasm, here’s a cute little song just for her.

It’s all about the Bass

Can’t you just imagine listening to this, curled up on the couch, fire blazing with a good glass of Pinot in one hand and a book in the other?

Until next time.

*Lettuces, pears and walnuts are all in season now.

Thai or Holy Basil

A few things you might not know about basil including a recipe for my basil insect spray.

Basil is the common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the family Lamiaceae. It is sometimes referred to as Saint Joseph’s Wort. Mints are also in the Lamiaceae family.

I love basil. It’s one of my go-to herbs. Our mild climate in Sydney ensures that we always have some in the veggie patch, but it’s perfectly happy indoors in a pot if space is at a premium or your weather is harsh. It is incredibly easy to grow. Use seedlings rather than seeds if you decide to have a go at growing it. All it needs is regular sunshine, water and love.

If you plant basil beside tomatoes it will send White Fly packing.  And of course basil and tomatoes are beautiful culinary companions.

Beefsteak tomato, Holy Basil and Hummus.

I use basil almost every day as it complements most meats and fish, is a great addition to salads, casseroles (dried and fresh) and forms the base of most pestos. Try using it to make panzanella ~ a beautiful tomato and bread salad.

There are hundreds of varieties of basil. Some of my favourites include: Sweet, Holy (or Thai), Red, Lemon, Greek, Basilico and Bush basil. I recently found a great website dedicated to all things basil which you can find here.

But did you know that basil can also help deter insects and calm bites and stings? It purportedly also has antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. It will ease a cold, calm the tummy and is even said to aid eyesight.

 Caro’s most excellent Basil mozzie deterrent

Roughly chop a small handful of basil leaves. Now crush in a mortar and pestle with a little oil until you’ve formed a green gooey paste. Alternatively, briefly blitz it in your weapon of choice. Put the mix into a spray bottle with some hot water. Once the water has cooled,  you can use it on yourself or spritz* around the places you will be sitting.  It smells gorgeous and will keep insects at bay. It’s said that actually eating basil will also deter insects. The spray will keep for about a week in the fridge, however, I tend to make small amounts to ensure it is fresh and pungent.

And of course there are two rather famous Basils in contemporary culture.  Both of whom I adore.

Boom! Boom!

John Cleese aka Basil Fawlty.

Who or what is your favourite basil?

Until next time….

* Avoid clothing or furniture as the mixture might stain.

Lilac and Rosemary

It might be the sound of magpies squabbling, the smell of the season’s first Lilac or the sight of a new calf struggling to its feet having just been born. A full-bellied laugh from my children will also always do the trick. These moments tend to happen to me most at our farm, when I’m outside mucking around with the kids. If I could, I’d up-end the entire family and move there tomorrow but that’s just not possible right now.

So instead we escape whenever we can. And this weekend we did just that in “Babe2”, the Ford EcoSport Titanium that has been loaned to me for review by Ford Australia and Kidspot for being a finalist of Voices of 2014.

Crossing a ford in a Ford

I must admit to thinking she wouldn’t handle the farm at all well. She’s not a 4WD; instead a snappy little SUV, which I imagined to be far better suited to zipping around the streets of Sydney. Let me show you a few photos to prove just how wrong I was.

Cattle work

Babe2 helped us move cattle.

Farm entrance

She delighted in driving around our garden; loaded with new plants and old tools for planting in some new garden beds.

The road less travelled

More stones than you can poke a stick at

She took my daughter Grace and me way out into the back paddocks on roads that haven’t seen a council grader in years, if at all. She even killed a snake with her sturdy little tyres.

Over the hills….

How many kangaroos can you spot?

Aussie mob

Despite the ‘joe blake’, it was a beautiful morning and we marvelled at how many kangaroos were about, the fierceness of the cows protecting their calves (Babe2 got charged by a very cranky cow) and the loveliest mob of sheep I’ve seen in a while.

Best of all? She cost only a tad under $100 (in petrol) for a round trip of approximately 600kms.

Dirty but delighted

Babe2 is now back in town, dirty but delighted and I thank her for giving me a weekend full of little, but very happy moments.

Until next time.

Enjoy ….

What’s your favourite winter warmer?

Until next time…