At the edge of the world

Nine adults, five kids, one baby, and a number of cameras.  And you know, the most picturesque sunset in the history of ever.  We ran up a hill, cameras clicking, and stayed until that pretty orb disappeared behind a screen of rolling waves.

Country Life pt. 2

Eatings.  Before we moved away from the city, we set the lofty goal of trying to source as many local, organic foods as possible, once we hit the countryside*.  In two years, we are still far, far from meeting this goal, but we definitely take pleasure in eating local goods as often as we can.

Neither Zan nor I are particularly gourmet chefs, our fare is simple, and mainly vegetarian.  But it feels soooooo super good to see a plate filled with more local produce than store bought items, and our kids devour these country-style meals.  Some typical summer meals:

We are definitely finding that it is easiest to source vegetables, eggs, seafood and a few little extra treats like garlic and pine nuts (that's my homemade basil/rosemary pesto up there!).  Still on our list is local, free range meat, organic raw milk and cheese.  I hope to start buying locally pressed olive oil too.  Slowly, slowly.

And to balance out all of that greenery, much of this homemade bread.  Much.

And of course, plenty of sugary, processed food slips through.  We are far from sainthood around here.

*Not that living in the countryside really makes much difference, as it is just as easy to source locally grown food in the city.  But anyway...

Forage

Gifted by one of Zan's clients

One of the nicest and most unexpected things about living in the countryside, is the abundance of locally harvested food that we are so frequently gifted.  Whether it's fresh eggs, fruit, seafood, a leg of goat (yes!), or a gigantic basket of home-grown vegetables, we are utterly spoilt by our amazing friends and neighbours.

 A jar of  honey from a dear friend's hives

So I might not have a green thumb (this has been proven quite definitively), but I was certain there was a way for me to join the food swapping spirit of our local community, and my clever sister found the solution for me.  It just happens that there are one or two huge Stone Pines decorating our driveway, and today I had my first successful attempt at harvesting pine nuts.

Turns out it's actually quite easy, despite all the horror stories you read on the interwebs.  Easy.  But time-consuming.  After about half an hour I'd already decided that maybe pesto rather than pine nuts would be my thing.  After an hour, and this many pine nuts, it was confirmed.  Pesto.

I did learn a thing or two in the process, and have figured out how to be quicker next time.  For starters, I didn't cotton on until somewhere towards the end that Eleanor was amping to help, and actually was, so helpful.  Plus, bonding.

Following our harvest, we collected a bunch of nuts to shell next time, and Eleanor very graciously thanked me for helping her.  I guess this is her thing now.

In anticipation

We've been enjoying spending a bit of time on Ma's lawn.  Resting in the shade, retrieving items out of babies mouths (okay just one baby, who will enjoy his very first birthday in a few days time), and gazing at the abundance of fruit and vegetables growing before our eyes.  Reeeeally can't wait to bite into those peaches as soon as they've ripened.  Mmmhmmmmm.