Monday, September 30, 2013

The simple Joys in life

Dad had promised Amina that they would make a fire the next day.
Today Amina came up to me and looked somewhat sad. It took me a while of hugging and encouraging her to tell me what the matter was until it came out that she really wanted to make a fire with dad and was a bit sad that he did not come up to her yet to take her outside. I said he might have forgotten about it, maybe you go and remember him? But she as too shy and asked me to go and ask him. I usually encourage her to go ask herself but today my heart melted and I reminded him.
Then I was asked to prepare a delicious dough for "bread-on-a-stick" and Amina helped me to prepare a herbal/ garlic butter we could eat with it.











Here is the recipe for the bread:
1 kg organic flour
2 sachets dried yeast (or 2 cubes of fresh yeast if they sell that in your country grr ;))
3.5 Tbsp Salt
3.5 Tbsp Virgin Olive Oil
500 ml lukewarm water

you could leave the oil away for less fat and add some water and you can now add garlic, cumin, any herbs you like to spice up the recipe :)

For the garlic butter, take half a butter, add 2 cloves of finely chopped garlic, chopped chives and herbal salt











For a vegan alternative, I love pumpkin dip:
1 kg butternut/ hokkaido etc. pumpkin
1 tbs olive oil extra virgin
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
add salt and or pepper if you like

Peel and seed the pumpkin. Cut into 2cm pieces. Place in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes or until tender. Drain.
Wipe the pan clean. Heat the oil in the pan over medium heat. Cook the garlic and cumin for 1 minute or until aromatic. Stir in the pumpkin. Use a wooden spoon to mash. Set aside to cool. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Cover and place in the fridge to chill.

We spent a lovely late afternoon baking the bread over the fire. Some tasted really good, some was a bit blackish haha. The banana leaves made great plates. And if it weren't for the sand flies, we might have stayed out a little longer :)



Monday, September 23, 2013

Anastassja is a crown-less Princess from a far away land in which it snows almost all year round. She loves running with the animals, looking for roots and nuts to eat, catching snow flakes with her tongue, building igloos, throwing snow balls at your back when you are not vigilant enough. She walks in her snow shoes, many many miles to visit her friends and to school and sometimes she needs to lie down for a rest, covering herself in her coat.

She is sharing her poem with you:

Winter's beauty comes again
As little stars of snow
Makes me happy there and then
Because this is the season I know.

I love to see the glistening trees
The mountains and the lakes
Oh how it makes me feel at ease
Everything is covered in white flakes.

The nose is cold, red are my hands
And yet I truly know
It is so peaceful in these lands
When winter comes and makes everything glow.

Nowhere do I feel at home
As in this whispering windy nest.
I'm running out and freely roam
Until it's time to come home rest.

I wish to find a family or friend
Where I can share my happy heart
Adventures and some time to spend
A new life, a new start ♥

Anastassja will be available in the "For the love of dolls" Hyena Cart store on the 25th at 11 am AEST.

My husband's sweet description of Anastassja: 
Introducing Anastassja the snow princess (without a crown) from the magical playground of winterland.  Her exotic looks and delicate appearance contrast against the bleak chill of her homeland.  Her cheeky smile and flashing eyes the first clues of her wonderful being that easily melts the coolest of hearts.  Adorable and cute Anastasia will endear you with her warmth and style as her dazzling beauty enchants and mesmerises you.  She will show you loving kindness even while playfully lobbing snowballs at your back... When Anastasia is around the only sure thing is that laughter is not far away!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

 It's baby week. My aunt has 2 lovely grand kids and she wanted to give them a baby each and I wanted to make another couple to share with my customers too.
So here are the Babies. In the shop now.