Capers and Olives

Little arrival

2012-01-23T03:01:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday evening baby Joseph was born.
He has transformed our little house like a new season,

with new smells, sounds and the hushed winds of his loving siblings embracing him into their midsts.

We are very happy and just a tad busy,

so forgive me if I won't be posting for some time.

***

2012-01-04T07:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

We started the new year off with walks amid orange trees, gingerbread muffins(recipe below) then

some Tom Waits as the rains then fell. I made some long overdue clothing for the smalls' smalls; that being a coat and wool trousers for Foxy (debatable if it is a grey fox or a rat), little felt coat for little D's frog and a new dress and little coat for Magpie's sock monkey.

Now time for some tea and that Songlines magazine I found in my stocking!

(ahh yes made some new stockings this year!)

see below

Gingerbread Muffins

2 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup margarine

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 cup molasses (mixed with 1 cup boiling water- let sit for half an hour)

Directions: Cream the vegetable shortening with the sugar then add the egg, separately mix all the dry ingredients and add alternatively with the molasses and water mixture.

Makes 18 (very moist) dark muffins, bake at180/350 for 15-18 min

2011-12-29T04:40:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays

from our little home to yours.
Happy 2012

Time for New Beginnings. . . . . . . . . . . Taylor Addison, Blue Mountain Arts, 1989
"This is a time for reflection as well as celebration.
As you look back on the past year and all that has taken place in your life,
Remember each experience for the good that has come of it
and for the knowledge you have gained.
Remember the efforts you have made and the goals you have reached.
Remember the love you have shared and the happiness you have brought.
Remember the laughter, the joy, the hard work, and the tears.
And as you reflect on the past year, also be thinking of the new one to come.
Because most importantly, this is a time of new beginnings
and the celebration of life."

Hugo

2011-12-15T03:36:00.000-08:00

More than two years ago we were given this book as a Christmas gift

This fall I finally felt like the children were big enough to appreciate it.

So bit by bit every evening we have been reading it.

It is one of those books that is like a treasure.

and now...

They have made it into a film! I take a breath in and hope that it is half as wonderful as the book.
This Christmas we are looking forward to watching it - (trailer for Hugo here).

snapshots

2011-12-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

I managed to take a few very quick shots of some small purses I made before the Christmas Market, thought I would share them with you all.

If I manage before the baby arrives, I will finally update my etsy shop....

its been quiet and empty since my year of teaching History!

Shame.

Christmas cheer

2011-12-09T09:50:00.000-08:00

Friday arrives and finds us baking the first batch of cookies (gingerbread), also of seasonal significance you find bubbling on the stove top, Imbuljuta (the Maltese chocolate chestnut soup) a sweet soup with cinnamon, tangerine peel, cloves and allspice...mmm the smell is heavenly.

Christmas cards to write, mistletoe to hang and stockings to finish embroidering... yes, Christmas is in the air, may your weekend be filled with seasonal cheer.

Stamps!

2011-12-01T23:46:00.000-08:00

Its been a loooong time since I have put to use my carving tools, was so fun to do a few stamps for Christmas, (initially I made them to print on gift bags for the Market) but it also functioned as a fun rainy day project, to get the kids and I into the Christmas mood.
Complete with cheesy Christmas music and thick Italian hot chocolate!

They began just after they came back from Saturday sports club thus the lovely orange atire!

Catching a breath

2011-11-29T23:07:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I participated in my first Christmas Market,
and I so enjoyed the experience! A tad tiring as I was on my feet for nearly 10 hours (being 7 months pregnant) but great to speak with people, network with other artists and to sell my handmade pieces. Foolishly I did not have the chance (was busy preparing right up to the end) to take photos of most of my work so I will include a few shots here, as well as some photos of the event taken by Denise Scicluna at the Patches Christmas Market which took place in the old Market in Valletta last Sunday.

A part of my stall is featured on the right

Food

Live Music

Lastly a not so clear photo of myself and my stall

Thank You

2011-11-23T12:56:00.000-08:00

There is something wonderful about receiving an unexpected parcel in the mail. Today a special thank you to A. whose package arrived and whose tea and cookies I have been savouring.

What a very nice surprise!!!

I do believe that friendships, be they old or new, are one of the grandest treasures in life.

They can brighten the darkest of days, they can inspire, encourage, support or just make us burst out with laughter. Yes, good friendships surely are one of the finer things in life.

May you (those Americans among you) be enjoying the company of family and friends on this Thanksgiving holiday.

Chestnut

2011-11-14T20:13:00.000-08:00

Just when things in the little miracle street house

were getting calm and semi predictable

the resident whale decided she could not pass a certain crying scruffy kitten spotted in the doorway of an old house. So with wind howling, rain threatening, three smalls encircling her ( their bickering and complaints temporarily silenced in mutual looks of pleading) the whale mama decided to heave all the bags onto one arm and gently scoop up the tiny dirty fluff ball and waddle through the maze of alleys towards home.

Resident cat of the house,

wily trouble maker that he is was not so amused or charmed. Whale mama's husband being abroad in the land of the reindeer, had a little surprise as he returned, luckily with his first gesture of scooping fluff ball into his arms, the whale mama and smalls were relieved. She can stay. Sigh, our family continues to grow. Washed and taken to the vet, she is soft and nice smelling now and is already feeling at home, chasing after shoelaces and purring on shoulders as we make our morning coffee.

* It has come to our attention that little fluff adores roasted chestnuts - so that is what we have decided to call her.

6 years ago

2011-11-10T03:03:00.000-08:00

in an old house, in a tiny village surrounded by olive trees

on a small island in the sea

you were born

my daughter

Happy birthday

my brown eyed girl,

my magpie

my middle child

my fellow scorpion

my collector

my drawer of fairies and rainbows

my dear heart.

Reflection

2011-11-06T22:22:00.000-08:00

Graceless is the pregnant woman

The title for this post came to me as I walked out of a pleasant interview,

not a job exactly but volunteering for an organization that I believe does great work here on the island.

Somehow in the brief span of half an hour I managed to spill some of the water from my water bottle before it reached my mouth. tip my purse off a chair while sitting in a quiet waiting room(contents including all sorts of random kid things like crayons, toy cars, a chunky plastic kids ring ..all spilling across the floor, (keep in mind it is difficult to lean down nonchalantly when you have a basketball shaped belly). Then while in the presence of the head of the organization, a calm and cool smiling lawyer, I went to lean on the arm rest with that look of interest as I was listening and missed it, making a very awkward dip towards the floor- I must have blushed crimson. Yes clumsy is the way I feel and my very very limited wardrobe now that the weather has shifted does not help. Nor the lumbering pace I seem to have acquired. When did I start to huff and puff carrying the laundry up to the roof!?

Yes, pregnant women (at least in my case)- nearing the last months do many silly things like bump their belly into chairs, desks, people... not realizing just how far their circumference has grown.

*
May your Monday mornings be starting out swiftly with speed and grace, like a bird in flight
and not like a whale in shallow water.

Ode to November

2011-11-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

1-11-11

Lovely date no?

Ode to the start of November,

here in Malta she has arrived with heavy winds, rain and very dark thundering skies.

The kind of day to sip tea, stay inside, play music, read, paint, write.

I recently came across this artist's work and had to share- Duy Huynh...

I like the mood of his paintings, the rich colours and mysterious melancholy feel.

What do you think?

Little button turns four

2011-10-28T01:08:00.000-07:00

Four years ago little Ms. Destructo came out into the world,

and our lives have never been the same since!

So glad to have this little ball of energy and noise in our midst!

Happy Birthday my little one.

With her papa day one

Sewing

2011-10-24T03:15:00.000-07:00

Trying my hand at making dolls, this is Esme part of a new series.

Christmas Artisan Market on the horizon!

Ode to boxes

2011-10-19T03:07:00.000-07:00

Have I confessed before my love of boxes?

No? Well I admit it now then.

With that in mind let me share this site-

Box and Needle

sigh... lovely creations don't you think?

(a 'magnet box' to hold pens on the refrigerator)

Wish I could read Japanese.

Then, maybe just maybe for my birthday next month I would order one!

Monday Morning Muffins and Music

2011-10-16T23:12:00.000-07:00

Good morning,

Monday again hmmm,

after a storm filled weekend here we welcome the quiet peace

(quiet is relative, here I mean it is the usual sounds of dogs barking, roosters crowing, bread sellers honking, church bells chiming). Inside the house some slow music is playing (Madeleine Peroux) laundry is turning and muffins are baking.

almond and plum muffins

Inspired by a simple French children's cake,

(I added a few things and came up with this recipe with satisfying results).

1 cup yogurt

1 and a 1/2 cups brown sugar (more if you like a sweeter muffin)

2 eggs

2 Tbs milk

1/2 cup oil or butter

grated zest from half an orange

(separately mix together the dry)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup ground almonds

1 cup white flour

11/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

mix lightly together and place in muffin tray,

thinly slice two plums and place slices on top of each muffin,

bake at 180 C / 350 F for 15-20 min

Weary Blues

and a little something new (music wise) Mille Lykke....Next Time Around

Rummien

2011-10-12T01:48:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the sweet friend who gave me some pomegranates from her garden yesterday,

besotted with their rosy understated beauty I could not help but try to capture it in a photo.

Later this week I will be making one of my favourite salads of the season

(here is the recipe).

2011-10-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

Back to weekend walks (in place of beaches),

the land mostly barren looking now, bar the cacti and Harruba trees (carob) (pictured below).

Past old farm houses and fig trees.

Pomegranates heavy on their tree branches, nearly ripe and ready to fall.

A new school year slowly begins, gusty winds pulling darker clouds across the horizon,
thundering hints at a new season starting, for myself a welcomed change from the constant sun.

A time to bundle up, bake and get back to some sewing.

No history teaching this year, but a welcomed calm before a new babe.

Hope your weekends have been restful and cozy.

**These photos have not been altered in any way and were taken on an ipod
and an iphone, not my usual little canon! I was surprised at how clear they came out!

** For those of you in Malta, this is a nice mellow walk behind Salmun Palace.

Slipping off to Seville

2011-09-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

I was very lucky

(this time round)

my husband invited me along

to a conference he was attending in Spain.

My in-laws were willing to look after the smalls, so it was five days of bliss,

long walks, late uninterrupted dinners, museums, cafes, concerts and talks.

Almost like the days of traveling pre-children, only now we appreciate these romantic moments alone

so much more.

Of course we missed the children, but they were in good hands and had a lovely time

with their grandparents (whom they had missed after our time in the states).

It will probably will be some years till we get the chance again..so I am glad we went.

It was my first time to Seville (and Malaga) and I loved it!

* * *

a few photos from our trip

While away

2011-09-20T02:37:00.000-07:00

I came across and immediately took a shining to the work of this local Chicago artist

Laura Berger, her blog , and her etsy shop

Drive on the left side, leave the right side free

2011-09-17T01:33:00.000-07:00

Must remember: stay on the left, drive on the left side.

We are back in Malta!

After having sweet visitors from England, we headed off across the big pond.

Three fun filled weeks of biking, camping, festivals, hanging out with siblings, cousins, grandparents and old friends.

Don't worry I won't bombard you with photos.

But I leave you with this....

that taste of lush green that we were so missing on the little rock...

and that bit of pixie dust.

Patience

2011-08-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

TO DO LIST

( to complete by 10 AM so we can go to the park and run errands in town)

call council regarding garbage collection of broken suitcase.
clean kids window and shower stall
wash dishes, counters, floor
hang laundry
wash mattresses- all three
water plants
take down pictures from black board wall to get ready to repaint it

List of interruptions to far.....

girls insistent need for 'popsicle tattoos' to be placed on arms (free in package)
Stella's need for help in cleaning her toys up from all over the living room floor
fight on sofa regarding someone kicking someone ( an accident? doubt it)
Stella needs NEEEEEEEDS SOMEONE to play the 'alphabet' game (which in reality is a math puzzle game that is meant for older kids but she refuses to accept this )
general distress and finger pointing over who put the kids toothpaste where
repeated questions regarding the lost toy of Woody
sofa troubles again, someone took someones pillow.
help needed in cutting windows for a shoebox house for the cat
confirmation needed by middle child (third time in the last hour of how many days till the visitors from England come)
cup of tea for myself only to realise we are all out of milk. blasted!

It is nearing 9 and only the dishes and hanging the laundry have gotten crossed off the list.

Boy am I wishing we had milk, a cup of tea is needed.

May your day contain a decent cup of coffee or tea and an accomplished list of done things.

There is someone in the house who is good and relaxed though.

Summer moments

2011-08-16T03:45:00.000-07:00

Along with local and Sicilian peaches ad nectarines, figs are back in season here,

so ricotta and fig tarts ahead. Fruit smoothies are a daily treat round these parts,

above we have the addition of little Gabi at the kids table.

As is obvious she blends right in, such a dear, suppose this is good preparation for four!

Ode to old walls and peeling paint

2011-08-12T09:29:00.000-07:00

Went walking alone this morning,

actually I got lost, among some appealing side streets and dead ends.

Birgu is like a maze. I ended up walking for far longer then I had expected and with this growing belly, that long walk back up the hill felt mighty long!!!

May your weekends hold some inviting sights and sounds and your legs not get too weary!

Sunday Afternoon

2011-08-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Music playing,

someone drawing,

someone painting

and la mamma cutting fabric for some new projects.

Biding time till the rest of the family wakes from siestas

soon we will all go out for an evening walk

along the water in an attempt to catch some cool breezes.

2011-08-02T02:42:00.000-07:00

Walks at sunrise, salty skin after a swim and getting lost in summer reading....a few favourites

of the season. Hope you are enjoying your summer days too.

Songs and Swaps

2011-07-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

Summer treasures

: can include when you are lucky...

the discovery of a new song that you can not get enough of

and if you are really really lucky a new group that strikes straight into your heart and soul

and ohhhh this one has me hooked!!

Rupa and the April Fishes

Am behind (way behind) in my music exploration

so maybe some of you out there know of this group already (especially you California folk).

If you like Beirut (the group), Manu Chao or a gypsy like sound this group is FANTASTIC.

Plus the main singer is like a character out of a story, what a life already!

By day a doctor by night a singer, child to immigrant parents from India she grew up in Southern France but lives in San Francisco now.

Click on the links below if you would like to give a listen.

The Swap- those of you based in Malta who would like to be part of a clothes swap for charity

hop over to A fish in Malta blog for details

about an upcoming frock swap this weekend.

Ode to afternoon naps

2011-07-21T21:30:00.000-07:00

One of my secret pleasures of these hot summer months

is taking the time mid day for a siesta, a proper lie down,

little D sleeps (for hours!), the oldest boy child quietly reads on the sofa and builds lego worlds.

My magpie middle child and I lay down on my big bed in front of the rotating fan (after ice cold showers) and I read a story a day from her new favourite book. A book given by an adopted grandmother of sorts here on the island (will save that story for another post).

Here are a few pages of our latest story book (I love the old illustrations and the way it's written).

* The best part of all though is if by chance she falls asleep before I do,

I get to gaze for a spell at her sleeping face, something I shall never tire of looking at.

Is there anything as sweet and peaceful as your child deeply asleep?

2011-07-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Hot summer nights,

candlelit bridge bar cafe overlooking the Grand Harbour,

festa fireworks light up the sky and the sounds of Joao's guitar and smooth Portuguese words waft up over the bastions from the jazz festival below.

Yes, we discovered that an evening stroll through the streets of Valetta still contains magic.

When the summer heat keeps you awake....

2011-07-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

You just may if you are anything like me

find yourself late at night stumbling upon sites

that make you stop and gaze and wish for the winning lotto ticket.....

so you could whip your house into some stunning trendy delight.

Pop over and have a gander at this find (West Elm).

New for me but perhaps some of you have known all about it.

Freedom!!

2011-07-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Liliana in the San Anton Gardens

Finished at last!!!

Hop, skip, jump for joy!

Last of the exams corrected, reports sent off, classroom cleared out. sigh

My first year of teaching behind me! Changing career paths after the bubble of having kids was a major move and this first year of full time teaching - and teaching subjects I knew very little about initially was CHALLENGING, would never in a million years have guessed I would get to know so much about Mediterranean history and more specifically Maltese history!

Also learned to drive this year, something I hesitated doing for (good god) 20 years! Ever since a bad accident scared me when I was almost 16.

Ohhh my the freedom!!

Am so happy to be exploring the little tiny maze like roads around this island. Also to be able to take the gang to the beach, parks or where-ever at a moments notice.

Caper Collection is back! - am sewing again and madly trying to finish enough bits and bobs for the artisan market this Sunday (those of you in Malta do come by)!

(Etsy shop soon to be back up and running).

Last but not least, a wee bit of extra news - it seems a little spirit out there thought our family was not complete yet- so by January if everything goes smoothly there will be four children in this house! Crazy.

Apologies for being so silent these last few weeks, am happy to be back and finally able to stop and visit your blogs and respond to emails and comments properly.

* * *

Looking out to Bormla

2011-06-21T11:58:00.000-07:00

You know your in the Mediterranean when.... you park the car next to a rubble wall and find an abundance of grapes, a few paces away an overgrown wild fig tree heavy with fruit.

Views of the three cities, a 15 min walk from where we live and an area which I am increasingly growing more fond of. The top left picture was taken while picking my son up from his art class, this past weekend they were drawing and painting in an old building built by the knights in the 16th century (a really beautiful, but sadly mostly closed up and locked away building) the children were very lucky to have been able to use the space and to have gotten the chance to gaze out the windows and enjoy for themselves the harbours below (Birgu from one side and Bormla from the other).

Summer breezes

2011-06-12T12:44:00.000-07:00

New shells to collect, sand castles to make and ice creams to think up.

We are in the last tipping point of juggling before lazy slow days of summer truly can begin.

Finding it difficult to muster my usually energy.

* *

(We are slipping off to the beach whenever we can lately. days are hot even if the sea is still rather chilly)

My dear middle child, hair chopped off for the summer,

already busy at her usual sea shell collecting.

Familiar waters

2011-05-31T13:27:00.000-07:00

small surprises

Sing along

2011-05-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

A little over a week ago more than 100 million viewers watched the European Song Contest.

One must take it for what it is .. the search for a catchy (usually very cheesy) summer theme song ....

glam, glitz and loads of flashing lights. This was how Abba was found mind you.

I admit after years of teasing those near and dear for taking the time to watch it.. this year we ordered pizza and poured some drinks... must admit it is a laugh (sadly no Terry Wogan hosting here).

The kids watched some of it too and these are their top choices...

(note of caution- even if you hate the song it is so catchy sometimes that you find yourself humming it)

My little magpie likes this one (Norway, yes really) Haba Haba

and the boy child likes this one Lipstick

Desctructo is split between Maldova's

SO LUCKY

and Denmark's pretty boy New Tomorrow

GO ahead, have a laugh if you missed that eventful evening!

The winner was the ultimate Eurovision sap (see here if you like).

My personal favourites were - Bosnia Herzegovina and Switzerland's.

Oh and Serbia's perky number (click here).

A Mini poll
Which do you like? (none does not count)

Finding peace

2011-05-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

an old church yard

scattered with gnarled old olive trees

here is the sense of calm I have been craving

drinking in the sight

sweet secret corners of Lija

sigh

starting to see the light.. only some weeks left

till then it's busy hectic days... last weeks of school term for the children and myself

****

Hope your start to this new week has been

blessed with tiny moments of peace too.

hallways of an old Maltese villa...

calming colours no?

Gems

2011-05-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

Small treasures spotted over the weekend:

Wild Purple Poppies

Appealing tucked away restaurants near by.

Old tiles spotted under my resting daughters bums.

Church corners and dead end alleys.

But my favourite of the weekend, was this..

Let me introduce Gracie

she is somewhere over seventy years old,

and a part of that old time in Malta...a glimpse of what life used to be like here ( she is one of two old women in our village who can be seen very slowly moving down the road selling bits and bobs from their own garden, from fresh garlic to artichokes) their home made carts complete with rusty old scales and even plastic bags! Gracie even had the old wooden caper cup (I have heard talk of it but had never seen one being used). That is the way you used to buy capers, by the wooden cup full. Her hands gnarled from arthritis but far more agile than I expected, her smile easy and genuine. I spotted her slowly walking up a very long hill, she stopped and we talked (a good chance to use my Maltese) I bought capers, lemons from her courtyard, fresh broad beans, eggs, a huge bunch of mint and home made pickled beets. I was amazed how much she had tucked into her small cart. She was selling also home made carob syrup (good with warm water for a sore throat).

The caper bucket

Now days most young people buy new apartments in more suburban areas and you find in the heart of some of the old villages a population of old people, sometimes only one or two left living in very dusty grand old houses, really struggling to maintain them. Could go on and on as regards this topic but I will end it here as the day is soon to start.

***The last term of teaching underway, Maltese and European history taking up all my spare time.

Wee adventures

2011-04-28T02:02:00.000-07:00

Ever catch yourself doing something a little unexpected?

It happened to me today.

I casually mentioned to the children at lunch that I had not seen Dash around ( Dash being our slightly wild cat), they reported that Papa was saying the same thing earlier. Thus began the Scoobie doo inspired WE'LL FIND HIM response, next you know the trio was scouring every room, every cubbord and closet. My oldest getting more and more worried by the minute, little Destructo meanwhile contemplating perhaps getting a new cat instead or maybe even a puppy.

Next you know my magpie middle child has spotted our wiley feline, he was several rooftops away.

The picture of rooftop mazes shown above was her view. A pitiful meowing dash spotted us a,and came as close as he could and meowed for help.

The worried boy child (who is usually drawing detailed airplane pictures) got busy with drawing rescue plans, lots of arrows and boxes and things. Magpie curly top got her shoes on and was out the door in seconds intent on knocking at our neighbours house. Lucky for me she (Magpie)was there, as our very elderly neighbours do not speak a lick of English. She explained our cat situation and before you knew it there were several old people and a few kids near us listening and giving suggestions.

Finally in an attempt to reach the roof top I decided to try from the inside, I tried to see which house was best to ask to enter and was told about the various empty old houses near where our cat was stuck (that old man died and yes that old woman too and yes that one left for Australian many years ago and no one has heard from him since). This particular house, the one with the owners who had left to live abroad had one of it's doors half open, from the outside it looked like it was one small dark dirty room. It is the last door at the very end of the ally and not very inviting at all.
But for a cat in need...we go the extra mile...

so come along with me... into this forgotten home, we must search for the staircase...

(have I ever mentioned that old Maltese houses are like mazes?)

I squeezed in and was surprised to find a small room and then through another small door a very big room with huge 20 foot ceilings and wooden beams (sorry I did not manage to take a photo of this room), everything was covered in dust and vines had curled and twisted their way in the windows and through the old arches facing the garden.

There was a well in the garden, and small nooks carved in the walls of the large room for statues. If our place is old ( just over 300 years old) this place must be very old! Old chairs and a beautiful carved table stood in the corner, I tiptoed through the rooms and finally up a narrow winding stone stairway which eventually led out to a landing which overlooked the hugely overgrown garden.

I called for dash but he was two or three roofs away and could not climb over.

(Spot my trio on our rooftop watching me)

Included in this post are a few quickly snapped photos from my phone

It was a sad somber dinner as thunder rumbled in, wind howled and rain poured down, still no dash. Even with the help of even our rougher neighbours - (ones I had never really spoken to before) but who turned out to be very willing to help, and were up ladders and climbing ledges too as he rain rolled in.

Just before we went to bed though, we heard a soft meowing at the window and found a soaking wet and shivering Dash. He made it home and was very happy to curl up on a warm lap and sleep.

Am left with this odd feeling - thinking about this forgotten house, now when I glance down to the end of the ally I can picture that empty old sofa gazing out at its garden of vines.

Speaking of sisters

2011-04-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

One of my two sisters is here visiting Malta, I have been enjoying the chance to share this world of ours here with her. The first of my four siblings to make it over to the island!

Sisters

2011-04-02T12:22:00.000-07:00

Spring!

2011-03-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Almond blossoms and green hillsides

spring is in the air

Friday!

2011-03-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

Why hello again!

between my sister in law's wedding, my mothers visit and a huge on going bout of sickness I have been missing completely from the blog world. Hope you are all well.

Its Friday (whopppie!) and 'normal' life seems to have resumed again- (praise be!)

Friday means Pizza at our favourite little Sicilian joint and a glass of well earned red wine and maybe a film if we can keep our eyes open that long! May you all be enjoying your Friday evening rituals too.. !!

Carnival 2011

2011-03-10T09:34:00.000-08:00

Took only a handful of shots this year, (my two wee fairies and grumpy pirate were not much for waiting around for me to snatch out my camera).

Thought I would share a few shots of the weekend in Valletta.
***

May be a bit quiet on the blog front for some days.

Grandma is in town!

What one brings back from England (part 2)

2011-03-06T04:38:00.000-08:00

Tea

I love nothing better than to try a new tea (although Twinning Assam is still my all time favourite - Twining Earl Grey a close second when it comes to black tea ).

In living in a country with no indoor heating herbal tea has taken on a new cherished place.

So I was thrilled to bring some interesting sounding combinations back with me.

On to something totally unrelated- music

A little something to share...

- RUMOUR HAS IT by the British Adele,
note: you may just want to be standing because this song makes you want to move.
The album has just been released in the states.

-SECOND CHANCE BY Peter Bjorn and JOhn (catchy like that first one we all got stuck in our head)

( on the pop side and cheery but when you are stuck inside cleaning and correcting the last of exams thats exactly what you need).

Monday Morning

2011-02-27T20:34:00.000-08:00

A fresh week

And the end of February.

Time to simplify and consolidate, thoughts, desk tops, spring plans and summer dreams.

Ode to Wisconsin

2011-02-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

the place where I am from

how I wish I was there now to lend my voice and support.

Click HERE to see more
on whats going on.

Or as seen in the papers - The Guardian , BBC , Al Jazeera, New York Times

Wednesday's Cornerview: Blue

2011-02-23T11:04:00.000-08:00

a blue galleria in the center of Attard

for the latest corner view theme
go here - http://www.fuoriborgo.com/

Not far away

2011-02-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

My heart and mind keep coming back to what is happening just miles from this island....

(photo from the the Al Jazeera site)

a few minutes ago I read this quote from one of the few voices able

to come out of Libya at the moment (as you probably know the internet for the most part is being blocked and foreign journalist are not allowed in the country).

(From the BBC World news live feed on the Middle East and North African unrest)

11:40 pm 21st Feb.

Mohamed from Tripoli in Libya sent this: "President Clinton said that the one thing he regretted during his presidency was that he didn't intervene in Rwanda. Will President Obama regret not intervening in Libya... You can stop this so please don't stand and watch us fade away."

His words send chills down my spine, I hope someone from the outside does something

(besides verbally condemn the voilence) soon.

Fancy a walk?

2011-02-20T11:13:00.000-08:00

Am taking you along with us again, hope you don't mind.

A small morning hike.

This time- Northward.

Following the remains of a road, past an old man and his horse training for what looks like the charriot races, some friendly dogs and a church tucked up among the cliffs ( a place near Mtahleb)

the wild winds howling away.

The raging rain storm having left the land looking a bit shaken.

A cheery yellow dog leading us along (notice that little cluster of houses below).

Down the hill past blooming almond trees.

Tall wispy fennel plants and groves of lemon trees heavy with fruit.

Down through what seemed to be a ghost village, of 7 or 8 buildings, only one looked like there may be someone living in it.... the others had been abandoned and left to the elements...

Then past a tiny cared for vineyard

to a place where a smal stream trickled by and tadpoles were spotted

through something like a bamboo jungle

past banana trees!

and pretty little flowers

(wish I knew their name)

**That yellow dog spent the whole morning with us and then jumped in the car between the kids, as if he belonged there. Felt cruel to drive off and leave him behind watching us,

such a happy cheerful fellow.

Back home.

Windblown and rosy cheeked, date scones and a pot of hot tea.

What one brings back from England (part 1)

2011-02-17T22:21:00.000-08:00

Aside from hmm hmmm perhaps an item or two of clothing from H&M or White Stuff

is a BOOK!

or two!

Am already lost in it and LOVING this book(thank you Adele),

especially for those who have lived or traveled in India (or Nepal)you will

with really enjoy this one!

Book 2 was

yet another you-know-what...(cookbook!)

I have a problem, I am a sucker for a nice looking cookbook,

this one is all vegetarian and will be put to use this weekend.

Back

2011-02-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

from that city by the sea that I once called home- Brighton, England.

Slipped away solo for a few days to visit with friends, walk the lanes, and enjoy scrumptious delights in little cafes and restaurants. Feel very lucky to have been able to take the trip.

Back now to Malta and to the task of guiding my students towards that looming horizon called mid yearly exams... off to steer the ship of anxious (and a few very rowdy) youths.

After a little lazy reading

2011-02-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

with the kids

(this book comes highly recommended)

on a Saturday morning.......

coffee and a full

Breakfast

we went off on a little adventure

down a new road......

Past the wheat fields, green with new growth

Near the sea

Beyond a tower

to a windy field filled with yellow flowers

not long after sitting the winds changed

and dark clouds covered the horizon so back we came...

and just in time!

Wednesday's Cornerview: Evening Light

2011-02-02T21:48:00.000-08:00

I am very fond of the closing softness of the day, it's golden light.

Friday!

2011-01-27T21:09:00.000-08:00

I leave the house at 7 every morning and cross the island to the school I teach at, tucked in a valley in the far north of the island. This photo was caught out the car window on my way to work.

Happy Friday to you all.... I for one am sooooo glad it's here.

Has been one of those weeks, not time for Maltese lessons, not even time for Zumba class

(which is mighty fun!)

the finale to a crummy week was slamming my own hand in the car door - have a black thumb today.

Wednesday's Cornerview: Favourite Artist

2011-01-25T12:52:00.000-08:00

This was a hard choice but here is one I certainly am fond of, Carl Larsson, I like his gentle calm window onto family life. His ability to paint snow with all it's subtle textures in the northern light of winter. lastly I like his pallet of colours.

Happy Weekend

2011-01-21T23:51:00.000-08:00

Its time again for kumquat ricotta cheese cake (recipe here),

our little tree's branches are heavy with fruit!

It also is the season of artichokes so I will be stuffing them soon (recipe) mmmmmm,

looking forward to it!

Aside from some left over smiles from a Zumba class, food is clearly on my mind,

have not been cooking as much as usual this year and I miss it!

Hope you are sleeping in, enjoying a slooooowwww coffee and the paper ...or a leisurely conversation as you walk with an old friend, so many small pleasures to have when the weekend comes,

don't you think?

* Special note, we had the unexpected pleasure last weekend of having round some guests from Sicily, a blog friend you may know (Dim Sum, Bagels and Crawfish) and what a treat it was!! A delight to meet her and the rest of her lovely family in person, (it felt almost like an old friend coming round for tea!)
.... good conversations, laughter and excited happy kids all around!

New books and tunes

2011-01-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

From the book Orlando the Marmalade Cat, a camping holiday.

Pictured above is his wife singing to the family before bed.

Nothing like some new books to start the new year off right-

(on my end Country Driving, a journey through China from farm to factory)

As for music- this is the latest hit in our house.

The original song that my kids got hooked on in the car yesterday and which may well become the theme song for the start of 2011 and this is a version that is pretty darn sweet.

Happy New Year

2011-01-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

(after dinner round the tree)

We are all back to the small rock (it is green and bursting with flowers at the moment)

Just in time for school to begin tomorrow.

Our adventure into the snowglobe of Wisconsin was like some kind of dream, candlelit dinners with many near and dear. Sledding hills and late night walks under that blue stillness of moonlight on snow.

Sleeping late (eight counts as late in my world),

sitting next to the fireplace putting together small pieces of a puzzle (perhaps an overly ambitious one) sipping eggnog or hot toddies.

Yes.

Slowing down felt wonderful.

Coming home...to our noisy alley. and our little home.

The kitty safe, well cared for and rounder. The inlaws open arms
and ready for that bubble of little voices.

Yes coming home
can be a kind of sweetness too.

Now facing work- the hard bit..

I hope to post and visit others but I fear these next few months will be again running to stand still...

I will do my best.

I hope you have enjoyed the turning of another year and that there are some tender memories you too are folding away for a rainy day.

Happy 2011

Time for cookies

2010-12-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hazelnut crescents, gingerbread cookies and chocolate dipped walnut stuffed figs, yes it is time again for baking and sweets. School days have ended and I am nervously watching the airport departures online. will be travelling the next few days, so till after the holidays - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to one and all! (those that celebrate Christmas)
Shall be back in the new year.

Local Talent

2010-12-19T22:17:00.000-08:00

Part 2.

Perhaps yes perhaps I have spotlighted this artist before.

Her latest creations (it's the winter addition you see) are so sweet that I can't help but show them off

For the lovely E. enjoying being back in France I hope.

Find her here and her shop here.

Surprises

2010-12-13T03:37:00.000-08:00

This weekend there have been a few of the good sort, like this gift from Portugal.

S. you know me well- nice soap!!!

a little something for someone else (love the picture and the tea)

what a better thing to do then pass it on.

and then came the surprise that my gang- (the Mr. and child A.B. and C.)

did indeed land in the windy city but with them arrived a major blizzard so they are stuck

and I feel 100,000 miles away. You see I needed to stay and teach so they all went first.

I miss them already and am counting the hours till I can call and hear their little voices

(and tales of the wind and snow and hotel room details)!

(these two snow photos were not taken by me)

From sunny 14 degree (Celsius) Malta wishing you all a good start to the week and oh!!!

Happy Santa Lucia Day!

Winter Feasts

2010-12-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

I went to collect my Italian friend for our weekly evening stroll around the harbour (The Grand Harbour as it is officially called). Just down the street I met this procession, the Bormla Feast was in full swing and the local statue was making her solemn way through the narrow streets. Its been a bumpy week of late nights,work stress and kid mishaps (my little Mr. T had a bit of crash and is pretty battered and bruised).
The chance meeting with this statue as she made her annual pilgrimage through the village streets was a highlight of the week, isn't she stunning?

Sometimes

2010-12-05T21:19:00.000-08:00

A slow weekend feels utterly delicious ....

a few of my gang were under the weather so we sadly had to opt out of picnic and art sessions
but with the cold winds finally blowing (its around 13 now) (nothing like the white wonderland the South of England has been having or Germany or Wisconsin or Colorado) but it felt really cold to us, so it was nice to stay in, cut out paper snowflakes, get down the Christmas box, put some lights up (and with my Mr. Grinch away working) I could blast cheesy Christmas songs with no worry!

The wild ones; magpie, lego-head and D are the most excited yet.. every day really is a count down
(which confuses little D so she plays it safe and every morning asks to be sure- is it today??!!! Christmas birthday is today?! ) NOOOOoooooo come all our voices ....not yet.
I think in her mind Christmas is Father Christmas's birthday.
We baked cookies and danced around to Louis Armstrong's ... Zatt you Santa Claus.
I do love the season... time again for chocolate chestnut soup!
Happy start of December to you all.

Confessions

2010-12-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

Am blown over at the moment,

back to work full time is one thing and first year of full time teaching another.

Parents day (half way through) is quite an experience I must say, when its from the teacher side..(till now I had only been on the parent side).

Back to the confession bit... so I have no time

none at all,

not for crafting,

emailing , calling, creativity in cooking or baking

or sewing these days and for sure not time enough to be up to date with

the laundry or the housework

but

I have somehow managed to squeeze in

(READ - make time for)

Wee 30 min bits of time

to watch this new series (not so very new I guess but new to me)

I heard an interview about it recently

(on the radio show NPR fresh air)

it's a show called In Treatment.

I have never gone to therapy myself but

I find the premise and the episodes fascinating

very thought provoking ...(and very well acted)

so yes I ought to be ... dusting, sweeping folding laundry, preparing lunches, signing fieldtrip forms, making up field trips forms and worksheets but I am in all honesty trying also to fit in a bit of 'me' time ...a.k.a wake up the mind time... something apart from the family and work..

sometimes we all need that right?

I know I do ....to feel whole.. and alive.. this new series is my guilty indulgence...

what about you?

What bit of 'me' time do you make time for ?

*apologies another Cornerview missed, I may have to remove myself for this year.

Let us

2010-11-28T09:03:00.000-08:00

go away....

to a small island

(called Gozo)

and bring the wild ones

and notice the silent old houses

past the blown rocks

down to windows which frame the cobalt sea

for some bursts of happiness, laughter, food and wine

and let us make some time to give thanks...

Happy belated Thanksgiving to those of you out there who are American (North American).

candles and colds

2010-11-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

Another birthday, this time mine, lemon poppy seed cake (my favourite) and organic lotions

I can not complain... although it was a rocky and long work day

and I am down for the count with a cold.

The kind of cold when the pressure in your head makes every movement feel an effort in slow motion, as if attached to your shoulders is actually a sphere of led.

So as the evening falls and chilly winds blow(it's all relative)
I will be making this...
Discovered when six years ago (almost to the day) we were visiting Dublin on a particularly frosty weekend, we stopped in this old smoky pub and I was offered this- a large lemon wedge stuffed with about 8 cloves, some boiling water, a tablespoon of honey and a small shot of Whisky...
PERFECT I tell you, for when you have the chills and are ready for bed.

The other thing I like to make when someone in our family is sick with a cold or a sore throat is this,
Greek Egg Lemon Soup

4 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1/4 cup orzo pasta

the juice of one lemon

one egg

salt and pepper to taste

The directions are as follows, Boil the orzo for 12 min in the stock, meanwhile whisk the egg and add in the lemon juice, when totally blended add small spoonfuls of the stock to the egg mixture till you have added about 1 cup of the hot liquid, then add the egg mixture back into the pot and reduce heat, do not let it boil. It will thicken a bit as it cools. Add salt and pepper to taste.

serves two

Wednesday's Cornerview: 'Anything Goes'

2010-11-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

I had wanted to do a six year's ago post (in response to Guusje's question) but low and behold I have no idea where that cd full of photos is!!?? Somehow in all our moves it seems as if most of the photographic proof of life before kids has vanished!?

With time running up and the pasta water nearly boiling (the music playing) I will have to settle with the only thing I could find the photo of a nice soup I made yesterday care of my all time favourite cookbook -

3 Tbs Olive oil
1/2 Large Spanish Onion(diced)
2 garlic cloves
1 rounded teaspoon black cumin seeds (I used normal green cumin seeds)
750 grams beetroot(peeled and diced)
1 large potato(finely diced)
1.25 liters cold water
3 Tbs good quality red wine vinegar
1 small bunch flat leafed parlsey
100 grams plain yogurt, (thinned with a little milk and seasoned with a clove garlic crushed salt and pepper).
Saute in olive oil the onion and pinch of salt, cook for 10 min, add teh garlic and cumin and cook for 2 min. Add the beetroot, potato. Add the water and let it all simmer for 15 min. Blend then place back in pot, add vinegar half the parsley and salt and pepper to taste, garnish with the yogurt and parsley. Serve warm/hot.

The Moro

(Beetroot and cumin soup)

and it was tasty!

and with that
the recent favourite song
(for those times in the car) by Micah P. Hinson
(for some reason we tend to bend to the melancholy this time of year )
....so this is to those dear people I miss when I think back to our life in Brighton
(yes even now I long to return) don't you forget....
ok one more - (from dear old Seattle my home before married life)
Laura Veirs -July Flame (warning on the slow end)

Inspiration

2010-11-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

I was given an early birthday gift this weekend (I confess that I am a cookbook addict, especially those kinds with pictures of not just food but that show the people and places the food came from). I must say, for all the hype around dear plain speaking Jamie Oliver, I do still like him and his books. He is an artist at heart with a good eye for the sometimes unglamorous but delicious authentic foods out there. I like the way he pays homage to the people who taught him recipes and tricks along the way. His latest cookbook is no less lovely and inspiring than his Italy one.

So here's hoping to fit in some time to cook amid the work stress!

Cheers and a happy Monday to you!

As time goes by

2010-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

Fate brought us back via a lazy Sunday kid martial arts morning to the tiny tucked away village of Zebbug (pronounced Zeebuj) which in Maltese translates into Olives.

As the two older children learned to sit quietly and still, my husband and I wandered the familiar streets, it's been five years since I walked through the tiny alley ways of this hilltop village.

We lived here for a short spell in 2005, in fact that is where my Magpie child was born, at home in a four hundred year old house under an arch carved from Stone.

Today that same Scorpian child turns five. Oh how time goes by - as beautifully put by Souad Massi (whose song helped welcome her into the world).

We found our way along the very same tiny windy road, passed the very same old garden I used to weave stories to little Tano about ..
forbidden still, a forgotten garden, part of a closed up abandoned villa...

Peering through the gate and wondering this time with little D. ... what games, old fountains, and fancy people once strolled through its grand paths?

Somehow a feeling of peace, to find myself back at it's rusted lock, this time with another child. As if for a very small moment I nodded to the ghost of my pregnant self, she who was jarred by the transition to the small island and at that time terribly lonely in the new surroundings.

A few photos from that time...

*(We lived in Malta for a small window of 8 months before work drew us back to England)

Sorry no Cornerview this week, I will take part again next week.

Happy Friday

2010-11-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

Check out THIS clip if you haven't yet

Wednesday's Cornerview: 'Famous'

2010-11-03T02:32:00.000-07:00

One of the things you may not know about Malta is that apart from the mighty battle of 1565 (the Great Siege) it is famous for its many neolithic temples,

here is the Hagar Qim temple,

thought to be one of the oldest free standing human made structures on earth today.

For other corner views you can go to the right hand panel here .

Small finds and fresh air

2010-11-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

Small finds....

My middle child,

She who lives for sweets and has eyes like a magpie-

she who is clever at finding small hidden treasures,

she who will soon be five is now up to new silent past times,

little creations that I have been stumbling upon in my efforts to 'put the house back in order'

(my first month of full time teaching has knocked my socks off and the house is hidden in layers of laundry and toys). I have been coming across small neatly made displays, small towers decorated with coins, flowers and left over ribbons, small boxes within boxes with tiny rings, a feather or two and special rocks neatly lined up with care...

I have come across these under the desk, under the stairs, under her bed, under her sisters bed, next to where the cat sleeps, next to the stack of boots...and who knows where else I will find them, she never announces them to us (the way our oldest son does when he has made anything).

I am loving these little discoveries. Here are two I took photos of today.

My stone (feather, marble, flower) collector

Fresh air - because it is mid term holidays here,

which means three days off this week

I am very relieved to have this small break, to clean, to bake, to hang out with the kids and play dominos and not least to catch some sunshine in the nearby forest.

(I even managed to read a few pages of the Sunday paper!)

Bliss.

2010-10-31T22:47:00.000-07:00

Hope you all had a happy Halloween weekend!

* The birthday party was fun and went better than expected, egg races, chinese latern making and all
...sorry only a small smidgen of photos to share as I was on the run from start to finish!

Wednesday's Cornerview: 'Pondering'

2010-10-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Has it really been three years since little Destructo entered our lives?

Pondering Stella's start into the world today, she could not be happier at

'turning twee'.

(hat party to come!)

Birthday thoughts..

2010-10-24T20:56:00.000-07:00

Birthday time again here

Desructo turns 3 this week

my little magpie turn 5 a week after

the truth is with work blinding me like a mad blizzard

I have not been able to think beyond tomorrow.

In a rare moment of sitting and drinking tea - I am inspired by some clever birthay ideas out there...

like these ....

a candy dress to a candy party By Fine little Day

an India theme By the creative Miko Designs

and rainbows by the by the very talented Elsie Marley

In all honesty I think this year may be a small balloon filled simple affair in the nearby Chinese garden... if by some miracle of the time fairy I manage to pull off anything more I will make a post.

Monday thunderstorms booming us into the new week here!

Hope your Monday is off to a flashing start too!

2010-10-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

its been a little bit of a wet week here and I have gotten caught out in the wind

and rain more than once...

thus the late night searching....

time for a new rain coat.

This site (Rainfrog) made me smile--- orders almost in the mail- a wee early birthday present for myself I was thinking. You see my old one is from ahum..cough..12 years ago,

it has made it through treks in China and Laos, to Pai (Thailand) and Perugia, Pike street walks in Seattle to Brighton strolls by the then still standing Palace Pier. Meeting he Mr.

Pregnancy days when it was all new- waddling through the wet lanes with a big belly and the quiet excitement of the unknown future ...as a mother! To sheltering one, then another, then another wee one tucked snug in a baby bjorn as rains fell (which was especially often) when we lived in England.

Now days though my raincoat is no longer resistant and the time has come to let it go- memories and all.

Am tempted by this one but am open to any suggestions - am on the look out.

Blue skies and the finding of new friends

2010-10-17T12:01:00.000-07:00

Two of life's simplest delights.

My middle child,

she -with- curls

found a new friend today,

sometimes it can happen in a moment!

Was heart warming to witness.

I was lucky enough this week to catch a view of a wondrous sky, made me wish I possessed the words of a poet, would have certainly written a poem. The sight had the pleasing affect of making me feel caught up in some vast net, like a small fish, the magic of something larger (a nice feeling after an especially exhausting week).

Hope your weekend has been a little restorative.

- J

Of tombs, lizards and candlelight

2010-10-11T04:38:00.000-07:00

(Top photo care of the lovely Liz at Malta Inside Out)

Birgu by candlelight was a pure delight, the magic of this ancient city was beautifully enhanced by a night of only candles, local food, music and wine

It was my first time going (and surely not my last!)

The great wall of Malta!

While walking near Dwerja we crossed this bridge, made under the rule of queen Victoria (straight through what I understand are Punic tombs! Seen along the bottom of the rock face in he far left picture.

Lizards?!

While out on our Sunday hike we crossed this little fellow on the path, Mr. T was brave enough to hold him , notice his feet!

Lastly but easily the highlight of the entire day for the children were these kittens jumping the fence to come home with us. We very nearly did bring them back with us!

Lastly to this epic post is a special thanks

to Mr.C, who apart from showing us the way was endlessly patient with the children, stopping to point out and explain local bugs, plants and trees.We look forward to our next adventure with him!

Fabric fancies

2010-10-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

Oh to have a little time to sew!

Perhaps I will find a small window in the hushed quiet of Sunday morning-
before the sun and children rise.

2010-10-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

Passing down a street in Valletta last Sunday,

so many worn down slanting streets, with small hints of the city's former glory days.

Small hints of stories tied to this place or that door.

Am down with a cold, so not much posting or commenting this week.
Barely enough energy to get through my lessons and the upkeep of children and house when I get home.

Blessed is the weekend

2010-10-03T13:46:00.000-07:00

Feeling happily restored as the new week opens( thank you for your kind comments),

with small hands clenching wild flowers,
giggling laughter at darting butterflies and happy muffin dusted faces.
Fresh air and sunshine does do wonders for a sense of calm and perspective.

Let the new week begin!

p.s. The date night and reconnecting space to walk and talk was much appreciated too.

Happy Friday

2010-09-30T20:57:00.000-07:00

Horray we've made it to Friday!

Now it's time for a cosy date with the Mr.

Legligin being one of our favourites, unassumingly tucked down a side street in Valletta,

the owner a real food and wine lover means we never leave disappointed {unless its all booked}.

Hope you all have a calm relaxing weekend!

Thorny start

2010-09-28T20:43:00.000-07:00

Hello and thank you for all the great comments as regards the banner!

My personal choice was two - {morning light in Valletta} but perhaps having the family up there is not a bad thing. The photo for this banner was taken two weeks ago at a picnic in Salina Park near Qawra, under the Eucalyptus trees and next to a modern rendition of a typical Maltese hunting hut

{which you still come across often}.

The photo in this post was taken last weekend, autumn in Malta actually means only a few things are brown. Mostly the island is waking up after a long dusty brown toned summer, the heavy humid heat is almost subsiding and the rains have begun. The plants are happy and turning to a lush green again.

Thorny because we all started school this week, child 1, 2, 3, and myself teaching- bit bumpy at the start [photo copiers jamming just before class, wrong room key, projector cable not matching etc., meeting some 200 students and attempting to learn all their names}

I suppose settling into a new routine is never very smooth.

Hope your week is going by with less sharp edges,

* Am afraid no Cornerview today , I just could not manage it this week.

Capers, year three

2010-09-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

We are just past the two year point and beginning year three of life in Malta {and of the blog} so I am overdue on updating my banner - problem is I can't seem to decide.... am open to suggestions- which would you choose?
1.

or 3

or 4

Wednesday's cornerview: 'humour'

2010-09-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

When I think of humour the first thing that comes to mind at the moment is this show, Modern Family

that the Mr. and I have recently started watching. We find it pretty funny, well cast and well written.

For more corner views go here.

New York moments

2010-09-19T20:41:00.000-07:00

Nearly forgot, I had the good luck the last few days of my trip to the States to be with my brother and sisters in Brooklyn, and I must say I am a converted woman, if I could live in Brooklyn I would not mind living in NYC in fact I would probably love it. There were great little shops, restaurants, parks, farmers markets and flea markets . A vibrant truly international feel and very family friendly.

Flea market- trendy as ever and with some great food...notably the home made fruit sodas-loved the plum, ginger cinnamon combo

Local six point star beer at The Farm bar-

The brewer happens to be a friend of my brother's with Wisconsin ties so we learned some of the secretes,

Walked past an evening jazz concert just starting...

local streets

You betcha- I had brunch!
It is something I really miss, there is nowhere here in Malta that serves brunch as far as I am aware.
So I fully enjoyed eating at this little restaurant, the plum crepes were calling my name, so too the rhubarb muffins! Yummmm

Off to a new week, hope yours is starting off well!

Happy Weekend

2010-09-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

What a sweet parcel arrived today!!!

Thank you Janis, I love the hand printed bag and card...mmm nothing like that soft sweet smell of lavender!!! Love the card you made as well. A good reminder to breath in, and relax, I have a bad case of last minute nerves at the moment, a new job teaching history starts this week! Teenage students and full time work... will I manage?!

Hope the rest of you out there have a relaxing weekend!

Wednesday's cornerview: 'seven'

2010-09-15T13:14:00.000-07:00

Seven delicious little stroop waffles from the Netherlands,

perfect with our afternoon tea, thank you Guusje!

For more corner views go here.

By the way, here was the look out the window at midday today- it's time again for rain, summer is at its end. Storms thundering in - pomegranate season has started.

the rooftop view

Back from America

2010-09-14T00:55:00.000-07:00

Hope you all are well. My trip to the states for the funeral of my grandmother was bitter sweet. I still deeply regret that I did not get the chance to see her in person one last time before she passed away but going to where she lived and being around family and her old friends gave a very soothing, peaceful kind of closure. I am including in this post a few old family pictures of her.

Young Alice second from right

Alice, in the center

Grown Alice with her daughter

Alice, second from left, with her siblings.

A photo of my great grandmother's wedding, don't you love those hats!

Happy Friday

2010-09-02T21:09:00.000-07:00

Have a good weekend!

We shall be enjoying sharing our small local alleys and island treasures with sweet visitors, (some of you may know) and then it is away to New York to be with family and friends for the funeral.

So see you all in a week or so!

Necessity the mother of invention

2010-08-31T20:57:00.000-07:00

My recent fix for the problem of earring storage, a strip of cloth attached to the inside hinges of our wardrobe doors, it's proving very handy. If any of you find your self in the same boat, this solution only takes an hour ( I did it by hand but with a sewing machine it would take 5 min). Measure the distance between the hinges first. Then you make a fold at the top and bottom of the cloth strip, add a small tie through the loop at the back to tie it on at the top and bottom and your set! It in no way interferes with the opening or closing of the door.

Looking forward

2010-08-29T23:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all for your thoughtful comments. Traveling state side in a weeks time for the funeral, looking forward to seeing my sisters, brothers, nephews, uncles, aunts and parents.

Recently the Mr and I walked down to this restaurant(Lupanara) in Birgu, it is literally built into a cave, along the backside of Fort St. Angelo, which dates back to the Phoenician period. Was a nice evening, and sitting out near the water we managed to catch a wee whisper of a breeze (the heat has been a little overwhelming these last weeks).

**Side note. Am reading a book called the Sword and the Scimitar which describes the period when this area was a thriving hub of activity (1560's) - a good read if you like history and are at all interested in Malta.

• Needing a little smile? Have a look here !

Feasts ad farewells

2010-08-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

It's the village feast of where the Mr. is from, so we have been out amid the festivities of St. Helena in Birkirkara (as also seen last year). Band marches, endless fire works, music and great enthusiasm (even with the thick humid heat).

Alice T. Winfield

My mind is not here though, we received news that my grandmother passed away suddenly, and without having the chance to say good by or to speak to her one last time makes my heart feel like lead. These are the moments when living so far from family and old friends is difficult. It had been a year and a half since last I saw her. To be fair she was 97 years old. Until the day she died she was still reading the New York Times, a lady who wore berets tipped to one side in the winter time, could argue with the best of them about any given topic, loved to travel (and did a fair amount- from Kathmandu to Cuba). She was an optimist who was always willing to have a conversation with a stranger, a curious, tennis playing gal, my hero. The woman who taught me to play cards, to swim in the sea, to iron a shirt and to drink afternoon tea. We share the same feet, hands and eyes.

The world feels slightly duller with her not in it.

I will be taking a few days leave from the blog.

Amid the heat

2010-08-17T13:41:00.000-07:00

Some places to put pencils and paintbrushes

(thought it was about time to put some of those old cans to good use and I do so like oil cloth).

Reversible headbands for the girls

ohhh and a new Ice cream!

Carol Jean I call it (after my mother who first introduced the glorious combination of

dark chocolate and orange to me)

This recipe is much like Zanzibar (found here) except using 75 grams dark unsweetened cocoa, and the 3/4 cup sugar needs to be brown sugar, when you simmer the milk and chocolate add in one strip of an fresh orange rind (roughly two inches by half inch wide), a 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla and be sure to remove the peel before adding the cream.

It is very good, the chocolate being dark, the orange a solid hint without being overpowering.

Taking time to ....

2010-08-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

give thanks.... (as inspired from this blog).
Thanks so much Melissa for pointing it out!

Taking a moment to give a small momentary thanks -
- to the scrawny old man across the ally from us (their front stoop five feet from our door) who is blasting out old Elvis records ( am all shook up is echoing through the stone ally at the moment in the noon day penetrating sun)

- to the quiet few hours my husband gave me while he takes the children to the park and shopping ( I can clean and run errands in complete blissful peace.... podcasts filling my morning). Long lines at the post office with no stress.

- to the breeze that gave a short reprieve from the down ward beat of the sun and which made me look up at the rustling leaves of a fig tree heavy with fruit leaning out beyond the school fence.

- to the three boys racing in our ally, cheering and hooting with the thrill of the competition, they made me fondly remember those care free never ending summer days of when I was a child.

- to the chance this morning to give my full attention to a particular story on womans hour- (knitted lives) oh how it made me smile.... what full of life women!!! What a delightful project. It appeals on so many levels. The knitted swimming shorts excerpt a particular hoot.

- to the cool dancing police guys in this video who made me want to get up and move too.

- and lastly thanks to my middle child (whom I tend to worry most over) who yesterday made me smile with her cuddly soft caress as she layed down for a mid day nap next to me, kitten purring between our shoulders, the fan rhythmically beating on and blowing gently the small curl by her temple... these are some of the moments my spirit appreciates.

And you? Which things could you give thanks for today or yesterday?

Happy Friday

2010-08-13T03:26:00.000-07:00

to one and all..

Dash assisting T in rescuing a paper airplane

wooiee there is nothing like hot weather and trying to do a few errands with three kids in tow... some moments are fine, even nice, and fulfilling in that parental sort of way, kids singing and skipping down shady alleys. Tanned legs cheerly making their way past beaming stooped over grannies sweeping doorsteps and past crowds of old men standing or sitting in the shady part of the piazza drinking small glasses of sweet tea.

Then come the testing grating on your nerves moments when not shouting takes every bit of strength you have, like when you have gone to the bank and your 6 yr old boy scoots up very close in order to get a very good view to the random lady trying to get money out of atm machine in front of us, at the same moment curly topped older girl child teases your younger girl child in stroller -within seconds come a few high pitch screams and the loud sound of the aluminium water bottle clanging onto the stone floor, ..it rolls, knocks past to older already annoyed people waiting in the hot sun and on into the street and traffic - just at the moment you are trying to explain to said 6 yr old - please give the lady some space... atm machines are a time for PRIVACY (for lack of a better word)(privacy a relatively newly introduced term in the house). This slightly chaotic moment is then topped off with curly topped middle child (who is obsessed with finding coins) screams she has found a MONEY!!!! Younger child (aka destructo) demands A MONEY TOO!!!! I NEED A MONEY!!!!

Moving right along that was peanuts next to the crowded hard ware store experience.... waiting in line, having various small hands belonging to my wee tribe nearly tipping over huge rolled up hoses, black shade material, aluminium trash cans neatly stacked up as I wait in the short but sloooowwww line (and get skipped by a stocky old lady) what can I do?! Arguing in Maltese is not my strong suit. Finally when it is my turn, I try to explain what I mean by a glue gun. Meanwhile boy child insists I ask them for sparklers.. first time I ignored his interrupted question but upon the fifth repeat I finally excuse the child, tell him off quietly and then start trying to explain what a sparkler is in sign language.. with two old men behind the worn out dusty counter looking very very confused... cake candles is what they eventually handed to me... so yes, coming home, out of the sun, is heaven sent.. time for huge juicy peach and banana smoothies..(the peaches in Malta are absolutely delicious right now) what else can cure frayed nerves right?
I won't bore you with the next thing asked for (aside from painting all the windows with random paintbrushes and muddy water and setting the kittten up in his own boat... in the kiddy pool). Actually ( I only just narrowly rescued the poor little guy from his sea fairing adventure .. much to the extreme dismay of child 1,2 and 3). Its not even lunch time. Sometimes half a day with the 'tribe' is like one bumpy and uphill treck.... some nice sights and sounds, loving lovely moments but there is no way around the fact that it takes heaps of energy and patience.

For sanity I find a run down to this bay as the sun comes up helps me keep my cool, in moments of being pulled (sometimes literally) in three or four directions.

Wee little gift I made this week for a friend thinking of making another for the shop...

2010-08-11T21:54:00.000-07:00

Zanzibar ice cream

Named more for an ice cream I remember loving as child then the exoticness it may allude to.

Now I am not exactly sure if there ever really was a Zanzibar ice cream that I tried as a child but I seem to remember it and it was most certainly a dark chocolate type (I come from the midwestern state of Wisconsin known for it's dairy products, ice cream being one found in unusual abundance).

Here is my version of the Zanzibar Ice Cream

(or dark chocolate ice cream with a hint of mint)

2 cups full or 2 percent milk

3/4 to cup dark cocoa powder ( I used dark Perugina powder)

(Picture shown)

*of note, I am not entirely sure if it is just dark unsweetened cocoa powder or perhaps something you make the thick hot Italian hot chocolate with.

4 egg yolks

3/4 cup sugar ( I used a tiny bit less than this)

1 cup single cream

1 spring fresh mint

Heat two cups milk in a medium saucepan.

Mix 3/4 cup cocoa powder with the milk.

add 3/4 cup sugar ( I used demurera but any plain sugar would do)

* I like my chocolate ice cream to be on the dark and bitter side as I like to taste the chocolate so you may want to add a little more sugar).

Let the mixture heat just to a gentle simmer (then add one three inch spring of fresh mint) and watch closely so as not to burn for 2-5 min, stirring continuously. Then remove from heat ( also remove the soggy mint spring) and add the 1 cup single cream (in the US it may be safer to use double cream) (here single cream whips just like double cream, only difference I can see is single cream is a little less thick to start with and it is near to impossible to find double cream).
Separately beat 4 egg yolks till fluffy, (should be ribbon like when you bring a whisk through).
Add the heated milk and cocoa mixture in a tiny smooth stream to the whipped egg yolks, and when completely combined bring the mixture back to the stove top and heat slowly till it thickens enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, remove and let cool , then refrigerate for a few hours and lastly pour into ice cream churner (this recipe makes about 10 two scoop servings).

The weeks are galloping by at an unusual pace here, sorry I have not managed to write many posts or leave many comments. amid visitors and neolithic temple reading here I have been working on some sewing commissions. But here are a few tiny snippits of the week,

The season of village feasts, Birgu (our close neighbour) had hers on Tuesday. The sound of fire works and marching bands have been a constant all week.

Going out, and enjoying skirts ( I go through phases of forgetting to wear them)

but ahh in summer heat they are the best!

Little creations- oil cloth bag for kids

Happy Monday

2010-08-08T23:58:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a full weekend of activities and nice slow meals with friends to help the back to business of Monday mornings! Am coasting from the nice talks, new faces and interesting films caught at this weekend's short film festival.

Hope your week is starting off well.

oh!

I tried out a very tasty new recipe - Zanzibar chocolate ice cream I am calling it- recipe to come soon! Swimsuits to rinse and hang on the rooftop and kitty boxes waiting to be cleaned...

more soon though!

p.s. Isn't Zibibbo a fun name for a grape?!

Like some old time roving hobos

2010-08-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Pokey Lafarge and the 3 c's

This made me smile SMILE .. late last night while sewing.... perhaps I am missin my lil sister and her guitar playing (and making) husband... this music makes me think of them. Seems straight out of a different era. I like this guy's face- he is like a living cartoon or something.

What a name ...Pokey. Find more info here.