girls weekend

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart" - Eleanor Roosevelt

There's a lot to be said about the importance of friendship. Friendships that are relaxed, true and without fuss. I am lucky enough to have many of these friendships in my life and I've made it my resolve this year to try and nurture these. Letting the people who know me so well, know how much they mean to me, especially now that I've moved away from them all.

 

 

So when a few close friends flew from Sydney to  Queenstown, New Zealand to enjoy a girls weekend with me, I couldn't have felt more special. It was heaven. We sat, read, tasted, ate, relaxed, slept, drank, soaked, walked, froze and chatted together like never before.

I tell you if your going to enjoy a girls weekend, then Queenstown is the place to do it! So much pristine scenery, wineries, and adventures to be enjoyed. It truly is a magical place.

When was the last time you got away with the girls? Do you do it often?

in the lunch box - cosmic cookies

This recipe was given to me by a friend about a year ago, and it's been a staple in our house ever since! Its great because you can add or subtract pretty much as much as you want. I like to add cranberries or goji berries for colour and chia seeds for goodness, and if you don't have molasses in your cupboard you can easily use golden syrup instead.....they are packed with goodness and simply yum! (as you know I usually double my recipes when cooking, but this one doesn't need to be, it's huge!)

 

It does look a little daunting with all the ingredients, but it is sooooo simple and sooooo worth it, plus remember, if you don't have the exact sugar or milk or seeds as the recipe, don't be afraid to experiment.....just use what you've got. Just remember to try getting the wet/dry portions similar)

Cosmic Cookies -

2 1/4 cups quick oats
2 cups spelt flour
1 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup flax seeds
1 cup granulated cane sugar
1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 3/4 cups dark chocolate chips
1 1/4 cups raisins
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
3/4 cup canola oil
1 cup soy milk

Preheat oven and line your baking trays.
In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
In a separate bowl combine all wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Portion into 1/3 cup measures and place onto lined tray. Gently flatten cookies before baking then bake for 20 min, or until browned

Enjoy x

I love how it looks in the bowl before cooking - although this photo makes it look a little like gruel!

 



Sewing seat

The house we've moved into here in NZ has a little room right at the front of the house that is just a little too small to use as a bedroom, but funnily enough just the perfect size for a sewing room! So I've got myself sorted by making a table (screwing a large timber length to the top of a little set of draws and supporting it at the other end by simple 2x2 timber legs) and its great. My own little space to hide out and create away. Only thing missing is the chair.......I needed a seat for the sewing room!

So when I saw this old piano stool on trade me, I just knew it would be perfect with a little loving. $35 later it was mine - bargain!
Before......

After........ 

In position........

 

I love it. I can store my patterns underneath and it's just the right height for sewing. Now there's no excuses!!! 

rest!

These holidays has seen us laying pretty low with Bib trying to fight glandular fever and restore her energy. For every outing or activity she did there would be a big rest to follow. For every high, there would be an enormous low. It's really hard watching my beautiful, typically strong girl be crushed and literally wiped out by something we can do nothing about except rest and wait.
So whilst we didn't venture far, we did manage to enjoy the special 2 week break that gave us all a chance to chill, unwind, play and heal.
Here's a sneak peak .......