tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58502943000191755672024-03-13T11:31:17.968-07:00Capers and OlivesLife in the Mediterranean, four children in tow and my other half, a local to help steer the course.Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.comBlogger417125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-41667147328298815742016-01-01T22:25:00.000-08:002016-01-01T22:25:05.888-08:00Tiramisu Tradition<div style="text-align: center;">
New Years is the time in our house when we always make a Tiramisu, </div>
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a tradition started more than 13 years ago, before children, before moving to Malta...back when we were living in England, in a small Victorian flat near the sea, in a city called Brighton. </div>
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It was a chilly windy night, but inside it was cosy, candles, cards, music and laughter. </div>
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We had friends from our post grad days over for a meal and some new years celebrating, together we represented the countries of Australia, Italy, Nigeria, Venezuela, Portugal, Malta and the US. Our friends from Italy came over in the afternoon to prepare a Tiramisu, a family recipe from Louisa originating from Turin, in Piemonte and which she shared with me, and which now finds our way into our ending -beginning of every new year.</div>
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It is a tradition we love, and this year my 10 year old daughter helped (so did her younger sister). </div>
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My oldest daughter- the one we call Magpie for her ability of finding treasures, also has a major sweet tooth and was happy to step in and this year be part of the preparing. She now knows already most of the Christmas recipes by heart, cookies, ginger bread, yeasted morning breads....and it was a pleasure to let her learn this family classic. </div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><u><br /></u><u>Tiramisu Recipe</u></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>(From Turin) </i></span></div>
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500 grams Marscapone</div>
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5 eggs </div>
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5 Tbs sugar</div>
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3 Tbs brandy</div>
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Savoiardi biscuits (2 packs)</div>
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3-5 shots of espresso</div>
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cocoa for dusting</div>
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Step 1. Separate the eggs and combine the egg yolks and the sugar in a large bowl.</div>
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Step 2. Add in the marscapone and stir till smooth. </div>
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Step 3. Beat the egg whites with the salt till they form stiff peaks.</div>
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Step 4. Fold the egg whites into the marscapone mixture then add in the Brandy. </div>
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Step 5. Make the espresso and add in some cold water (1/2 cup or so)</div>
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Step 6. Dip the biscuits one by one briefly into the espresso and line onto the dish, after the layer of biscuits in in place spoon in a layer of the marscapone mixture , then add a second layer of dipped biscuits and finally a layer of marscapone on the top then dust with cocoa and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours. </div>
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Serves 8 </div>
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-21365305605680683902015-12-31T05:55:00.001-08:002016-01-01T06:03:37.162-08:00Returning <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have returned to Malta now and after many months away from the Capers and Olives space I am moved to come back. It is with the closing of the year that I step back to this place, to share small whispered observations, inspirations, little views from this world of Malta that I call home.<br />
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Happy New Year , </div>
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a toast to 2016 may it be marked by hope,perseverance presence, </div>
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and friendship. </div>
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- J </div>
Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-86394457251337548822015-03-12T02:54:00.003-07:002015-03-12T02:54:34.378-07:00Thinking of Malta <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><u>A Reluctant Love Poem</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mhux Veru<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">( pronounced moosh veruu) : an un-truth in
Maltese<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I do not <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">miss you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your dusty roads....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your stretching fig tree arms over ancient
rubble walls....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your wild purple poppies and artichoke
fields<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your open windowed gallerias<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your one eyed observing stray cats <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your chariot like carts, held by weathered
old hands, along the quiet back roads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your silent city on the hill, still wrapped
in golden grandeur<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your old women on door stoops, catching the
evening breezes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your bright colored luzzi gently rocking in
the Marsaskala bay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your Imqaret, still hot in the hand smelling
of dates and cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your gbejna, peppered and fresh from the
goat farm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your Hobz biz Zejt, to eat by the sea<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Miss you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bell MT"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I do</span></div>
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-71513336578527278102015-03-06T05:28:00.002-08:002015-03-06T10:33:25.013-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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March<br />
Here March is much like it was in my home state of Wisconsin, only here it is not quite so bitter cold. The winter snows are pressing on with no hint of spring yet. Wind storms with their arsenal of rain, sleet, ice and then wide thick flakes keep up their regular barrage. The newspapers here say that it has been the windiest winter in Iceland for over 20 years.<br />
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There is a one sliver of brightness though, which is the days are rapidly changing, we now have a sunrise that almost catches my three children on their walk to school and a sunset that joins us at our dinner table around seven pm. This lengthening of days seems small but is actually very uplifting, energising, it feels like someone has started to pull both ends of the day and it is noticeable longer and capable of carrying far more inside it.<br />
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With this changing of light has come another change, our smallest child, has been offered a place at a near by nursery school. He turned three in January and has been so keen to play with other children his age, so we happily accepted. I can say with some authority that Icelandic parents do not stay home with their children beyond the first year.<br />
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The new school is entirely in Icelandic (like the older children's school) so our little Malteser is being dropped head first into another language and culture. Already he has talked about the lunches (they cook the children a hot lunch every day on the premise). Some days this is white, fish, potatoes and salad other days vegetable soup and home made bread or meat balls, jam and potatoes. It is required by most <i>Leikeskols </i>here in Reykjavik for the parent to stay with the child the first three days. So I was fortunate to get to have some first hand experiences (apologies I could go on for some time about my observations of the nursery schools here, which largely are very positive) but I will spare you that long winded post. I do feel the need share something that impressed me, I was sitting with eleven two and three year olds, I watched them sitting quietly calmly, putting on their own cloth napkins and eating with a knife and fork ....for nearly 45 minutes! No one complaining about any part of the meal! Not something our Beppe is used to, he is ready to get up and move after 20 minutes and is not so keen on things like peas or gravy, so there will be a learning curve on many fronts but he seems happy and I am surely relieved to have a little 'toddler' free time. Also impressed by the mandatory outside time, no matter the weather the children all go out to play for an hour. On one of the 'settling-in' days I was with Beppe it was six below zero, VERY windy and the yard covered in ice. The kids were dressed up in snowsuits, hats and mittens and all ushered out to play, which they did happily. Today it is windy and sleeting and I am sure they are out running around playing.<br />
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The only down side to our smallest starting 'leikeskol' is it suddenly means we have to cut out all the local mum and toddler friends we have made (largely these have been foreign women in the same boat as I found myself in). The minimum hours here are half days five days a week. Beppe has a Brazilian friend, a half English half Icelandic friend, a Danish friend, a Dutch friend, a Costa Rican/American friend and a little German friend and I have been blessed to have made friends with these respective mums which now call Iceland home. This has been through library sing along mornings, Tuesday coffee club sessions and playgroups, it has been wonderful. Reykjavik is small and because there are so few of us at home with little ones you quickly start to recognise each other and cross paths first unintentionally and before you know it you are meeting 3-4 times a week and it is something intentional and lovely- a pop up community of sorts as we all see each other so often. It has been an enriching and inspiring element of my time here and I hope I can maintain some of these ties but our daily rituals will change (thus I do have time to write again). It has been many weeks since I last managed to squeeze in enough time. <br />
March a month of changes.<br />
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-11119695832943318322015-02-15T23:07:00.000-08:002015-02-15T23:07:06.205-08:00Boardwalk<br />
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I am not a T.V. person, in that I have little patience sitting to in front of a screen waiting for the right thing. So in the last few years my other half and I have turned to indulging in an evening ritual of tucking into a series. No time for binge watching as parenthood leaves us close to collapsing by the time we reach the post (kids) bed.<br />
As we rounded into autumn we stumbled into Boardwalk Empire, overlooked for years, it fell into our laps here and we unexpectedly got drawn in. Into the world of prohibition, of Al Capone, crocked cops, new immigrants and post first world war vets. To be honest the gangster slugs and hit men were only tolerable because not only is the acting so good, but the characters complex. It is though the side stories which I find so rich and engaging.... it was certainly a very particular and unique time in US history. I haven't even mentioned the costumes, oh swoon.... for this alone give it a peek.<br />
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-78541417073834377662015-01-22T22:07:00.000-08:002015-01-22T22:07:27.092-08:00After the holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXrQeX_FlEc/VMHcufpp62I/AAAAAAAADv4/3BhzXmhuShw/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXrQeX_FlEc/VMHcufpp62I/AAAAAAAADv4/3BhzXmhuShw/s1600/snow.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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Trying to find that moment of pause to write, has been harder than anticipated,</div>
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to catch it all up and try to paint the picture of these last weeks,</div>
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of gingerbread houses and visitors, </div>
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of nostalgic schmaltzy Christmas music, </div>
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pine needles and puzzles, </div>
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the quiet peaceful together moments </div>
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candles lit, faces of the children rapt with anticipation</div>
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and later, days later the awe and bang which ambushed us upon New Years. </div>
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But before the night of explosions was the evening of the bonfire,</div>
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families young and old all streaming down towards the water, </div>
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to the huge roaring pyre down by the sea, a night where most everyone in our neighbourhood and perhaps beyond came to the frozen beach to watch the tall flames lick the sky. </div>
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To lean in together and taste the smoke and hear the crackle and roar. Feel the heat. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs_-5D4Xinc/VMHZMitmImI/AAAAAAAADvY/N2xtyIDUCBY/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gs_-5D4Xinc/VMHZMitmImI/AAAAAAAADvY/N2xtyIDUCBY/s1600/image3.JPG" height="139" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our Christmas here was merry and bright,</div>
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full of the stuff of Christmas cards, and childhood memories. </div>
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The faces of smiling grandparents were missed, but aunts and uncles blessed our small home </div>
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and added to the coziness and sense of something special.</div>
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Now it is the business of the new year...returning light...</div>
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finding the correct path to tread for 2015. </div>
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These recent days have come with gentle rosy Nordic skies. </div>
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Unlike anything we have seen in Malta. </div>
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So soft and kind,the pastel pinks and purples giving backdrop to the bright white mountain peaks to all sides, (my photos do no justice).</div>
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I am savouring these views, for I am certain to miss their presence in years to come.</div>
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-87749131253112746492014-12-11T01:19:00.001-08:002015-01-22T20:37:10.540-08:00Winter <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0n6pyqWm8bQ/VIleuBmJJqI/AAAAAAAADuE/zwrDDR52DnM/s1600/snow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0n6pyqWm8bQ/VIleuBmJJqI/AAAAAAAADuE/zwrDDR52DnM/s1600/snow4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This last week has brought days and nights full of snow, the quiet gentle kind at first, lining the trees and houses like frosting...and leaving an air of hushed peace. The photo I took above is from a walk last Thursday morning into Reykjavik.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGHK7mLB16g/VIle54OLRPI/AAAAAAAADuM/wvf0rFg-I90/s1600/snowday1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGHK7mLB16g/VIle54OLRPI/AAAAAAAADuM/wvf0rFg-I90/s1600/snowday1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were days filled with flurries, busy bees of snow, wistful and floating horizontal rather than falling vertical. Then the strong winds arrived, a night of rain turning to ice and followed by what felt to all accounts like a proper blizzard. A blurr of white when we peeped out the windows after breakfast, there was the dark sky but a a mad haze of white. Accompanied by hurling howling sounds. Blinding waves of snow. But life carried on as if totally normal, kids walked to school (ours squealing in frightened glee, eyes pinched nearly shut and leaning fully into the wind) . People out scraping off their cars... (Other than us ....who were in complete awe)....there was no drama, no unusual stress.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx_b6bRDDo8/VIlgEsd8ftI/AAAAAAAADuw/86YUeBSLo84/s1600/sledding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx_b6bRDDo8/VIlgEsd8ftI/AAAAAAAADuw/86YUeBSLo84/s1600/sledding.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now there are layers of snow everywhere and it feels like we are in the middle of proper winter and really truly in Iceland! It's been marvelous, sledding, snowman building, even skating on the lake in town! Truly a time of winter magic....houses aglow...happy rosy faced children, excited to recap the days snowball fights. Humming Icelandic Christmas tunes. Inside we have filled the house with baking, with embroidery ( something my eldest daughter has been learning in school and is keen to work on) as well as knitting projects and all sorts of christmas decorations.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-touQ_BREZwM/VIlfhTr1OVI/AAAAAAAADuk/K5P76Xl652c/s1600/star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-touQ_BREZwM/VIlfhTr1OVI/AAAAAAAADuk/K5P76Xl652c/s1600/star.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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For a girl from the Midwest,( home to truly bitter cold winters) these last 14 years have felt ....well like something important was missing....and here we are...the feel of completeness, that missing piece. For once my children, raised in Malta, are getting to know the feel of snow, the difference between the wet- good packing snowmen kind and the powdery light fluffy perfect for sledding type. They are getting used to the different sounds snow can make when you step through it and how it feels to bundle up to where only your eyes show as you walk out the door.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp1wUMNct28/VIlfC4yfF4I/AAAAAAAADuU/DNgDfLIK5GQ/s1600/snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xp1wUMNct28/VIlfC4yfF4I/AAAAAAAADuU/DNgDfLIK5GQ/s1600/snow1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Winter has arrived here.</div>
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-24056825162435706002014-12-02T06:17:00.000-08:002014-12-02T06:17:09.828-08:00Sail awayIs there nothing as grand as being swept out to sea by a good book?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjxaQlsUaug/VH3IIFKo3cI/AAAAAAAADts/UcfHEXtuhhY/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjxaQlsUaug/VH3IIFKo3cI/AAAAAAAADts/UcfHEXtuhhY/s1600/book.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It is the book Ahab's Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund that I am enjoying right now. </div>
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A sea faring tale from long ago, well written and very engaging. </div>
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Here far north amid the storms swirling round Iceland you can find us tucked inside a cozy flat. Fiercely lashing wind, rain, sleet and snow beat at the windows, it is the perfect time to be cuddled up inside, turning the pages of a book.</div>
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(<a href="http://icelandreview.com/news/2014/11/30/epic-storm-brewing">The recent storm</a>)</div>
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Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-77559018870990029462014-11-22T10:37:00.001-08:002014-11-22T10:37:47.342-08:00Up the street<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dT6sf0Kjqpk/VG9kwocjJhI/AAAAAAAADtc/skHN3L63ohY/s1600/pickerimage-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dT6sf0Kjqpk/VG9kwocjJhI/AAAAAAAADtc/skHN3L63ohY/s1600/pickerimage-2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not long after we moved here, a little cafe opened up at the end of our street (featured above).</div>
In the weeks before they opened we would pass regularly on our way to the local shop, on the way to the pool, on the way to take the recycling, on the way to basketball ( so in essence all the time).<br />
The owners happen to have dogs, a big sweet black one and a chocolate brown lab who without fail offered a tail wagging-straining-the leash greeting every time. Always ready for some petting and attention. Being that my kids love dogs (and we have yet to get one of our own) , we had the pleasure of petting these dogs regularly and as a result often ended up talking with the owners and their families and friends who were helping with the refurbishing of old doors, windows, tables and chairs, painting of awnings, etc. as the setting up of the cafe was underway. So it was very nice to see it finally open its doors, ohhh the temptation- homemade fresh crossaints just a few doors away!<br />
It has a warm inviting glow and a I like the subdued blue grey palat of the inside. Thus far it has been a success ever since the moment the doors first opened! The owners are three friendly fathers from the neighborhood. So if you happen to be in the Vesturbær area do give it a try, it is a stones<br />
throw from the pool and across the street from the beloved little MelabuĂ°in Shop.Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-75509077397654413472014-11-19T09:12:00.000-08:002014-11-21T01:23:20.001-08:00Icelandic Clothing<div style="text-align: center;">
Today for you, some Nordic clothing inspiration from a few of the local Icelandic brands. </div>
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Enjoy.<br />
<i>*The links in orange below will take you to their home sites. </i><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb5JgcOSqEs/VGy14QQLhqI/AAAAAAAADqE/YNR5i-vYILc/s1600/Geysir-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb5JgcOSqEs/VGy14QQLhqI/AAAAAAAADqE/YNR5i-vYILc/s1600/Geysir-1.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.geysir.com/">Geysir </a></div>
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<a href="http://www.farmersmarket.is/">Farmers Market</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14XkVdFHsMk/VGzIw0vguTI/AAAAAAAADrs/KuEEkse6Dgc/s1600/Korma%CC%81kur%2B%26%2BSkjo%CC%88ldur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-14XkVdFHsMk/VGzIw0vguTI/AAAAAAAADrs/KuEEkse6Dgc/s1600/Korma%CC%81kur%2B%26%2BSkjo%CC%88ldur.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://herrafataverslun.is/">Kormákur & Skjöldur</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://nikitaclothing.com/">Nikita</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-Gc-ZetHIo/VG2tO2D9g3I/AAAAAAAADsU/DcSC_ht0r3E/s1600/cintamani.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5-Gc-ZetHIo/VG2tO2D9g3I/AAAAAAAADsU/DcSC_ht0r3E/s1600/cintamani.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.cintamani.is/en/">Cintamani</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikMKFGOMK34/VGy34XqNMGI/AAAAAAAADqo/dslF3qExnus/s1600/66%2BNorth%2BKaldi%2BWinter%2BWhite%2BJacket%2B110%2Blg%2B450%2Bjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ikMKFGOMK34/VGy34XqNMGI/AAAAAAAADqo/dslF3qExnus/s1600/66%2BNorth%2BKaldi%2BWinter%2BWhite%2BJacket%2B110%2Blg%2B450%2Bjpg.jpg" height="400" width="287" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.66north.is/">66 North</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28rAq0qpf5w/VGzFuABl8HI/AAAAAAAADq4/hP6KA1zwN9s/s1600/icewear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28rAq0qpf5w/VGzFuABl8HI/AAAAAAAADq4/hP6KA1zwN9s/s1600/icewear.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.icewear.is/is/default.aspx">Icewear</a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx0Mw2WJaBA/VG2wbx3YaPI/AAAAAAAADsw/nPfwck4Ae8I/s1600/icewear2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx0Mw2WJaBA/VG2wbx3YaPI/AAAAAAAADsw/nPfwck4Ae8I/s1600/icewear2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.icewear.is/is/default.aspx">Icewear</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryBP27IRPiU/VG2wMEnhtfI/AAAAAAAADso/R55FPIaV2HU/s1600/nikita4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryBP27IRPiU/VG2wMEnhtfI/AAAAAAAADso/R55FPIaV2HU/s1600/nikita4.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.nikitaclothing.com/">Nikita</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.farmersmarket.is/">Farmers Market</a></div>
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A few to start with, more in a later post...perhaps I will have to share a bit of the other Scandinavian brands that you find here, as they are new to those of us coming from Southern Europe. </div>
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Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-64816392196298558262014-11-17T01:16:00.000-08:002014-11-17T16:32:50.721-08:00The transition <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0eDpDERZms/VGm16TLJcBI/AAAAAAAADo0/MkKJqN98qSg/s1600/fennel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V0eDpDERZms/VGm16TLJcBI/AAAAAAAADo0/MkKJqN98qSg/s1600/fennel.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Life in Iceland is a HUGE shift from Malta, in so many ways. </div>
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I admit the knowledge that it would be a significant change for the children worried me for weeks before we left, how would the children take it, would they adjust....would they blame us and miss home every minute of every day? Would they wish for their grandparents ( so much a part of our day to day life in Malta), and their friends? would they long for the heat and sun? Their house? ( and toys?). We came with one suitcase each. Left all the rest behind. Somehow I was convinced in my mind that regardless of the difficulties we would surely face, it would be something positive for the children in the long run ( even in the face of some doubtful friends and family members), who questioned the move, the children's schooling would suffer etc.</div>
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I am here to tell you, now that we have been here almost five months, that from the very start it has been a surprisingly smooth and wonderful( in every sense of the word) transition. The children ( ages 10, 9, 7 and 2) have made such a swift and easy transition that my husband and I were truly amazed. They are all thriving in such a clear way, that we have already been confirmed in our decision to move here ( for a year), they are happy in the local school, confident, independent ( in a way they never could have been in Malta) and picking up the language very quickly. They are so chipper and free spirited, and with friends they can call on (and who show up almost daily after school to play). We were lucky that the neighbourhood we live in is very family friendly, kids everywhere, parks down the street, natural geothermic pools at the end of the block and an easy 15 min walk to the center of Reykjavik. </div>
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I think we were lucky when we found this sabbatical home swap. </div>
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The local school ( which the children attend) is at the end of our street.</div>
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My husband and I too have been surprised by how quickly we felt at home here, have made friends and fallen into a gentle routine. Bike rides by the sea to work replaced daily traffic jams. Clean air and wide quiet streets. Kids walking on their own to friends houses, to basketball practise or the local shop for milk. Reykjavik feels like a very safe place, and the approach to children very loving but free, kids are allowed to play and really be kids. There are no annual exams for elementary or middle school children here, very little homework and there are cooked- on the premise healthy lunches every day, (fish and potatoes for example ). A far cry from the exam oriented very serious and not so creative quality of schools in Malta. so far it seems there is in addition to the usual subjects of science, math, literacy, history, and study of world religions, textiles, cooking, woodworking, art and music. Music interwoven throughout actually. </div>
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So many things have been an eye opening shift for us as parents.</div>
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Iceland may be small in population ( less than Malta!) but this island too is very rich in culture, history and nature and I won't even go into the love of books and high rate of authors here or musical talent. </div>
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It is indeed a special place and we are enjoying our time here.</div>
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So any of you out there who are thinking of making a leap to a different land, kids in tow, consider doing it. It is bonding as a family and such a rich adventure to have as memories for the future. </div>
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Have already probably said more than enough so I will end here.</div>
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May your mid November days be healthy and hopeful.</div>
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-83022112237559750912014-11-13T01:40:00.002-08:002014-11-13T11:56:51.622-08:00and who can resist this salt?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I fell for the combination of blue and orange</div>
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and the details, </div>
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the sliding front opening and the map of exactly where in Iceland the salt has come from.</div>
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It reminded me of an old timey food container and I gave in to buying it.</div>
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Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-72071744187908700482014-11-11T11:18:00.000-08:002014-11-11T12:32:37.162-08:00Street Art of Reykjavik<div style="text-align: center;">
Since arriving in July I have been snapping photos of murals around the city. </div>
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Here are a few ...</div>
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Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-49196566821470458902014-11-10T02:00:00.002-08:002014-11-11T11:19:42.789-08:00Dwindling Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Darkness spreading.......<br />
From it's tucked away place behind dawn it has tipped over the rim and has encircled the alarm clock buzz, surrounded the coffee making grind, it is peeping in through windows as the spoons are being layed down upon the wood grain.<br />
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It is through this quiet deep we must pull the drowsy dreaming children, light the candles, fire up the kitchen glow and tred into the day.<br />
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The children trundle off to school, hats pulled down over ears, boots laced up, packs slung on backs, off into the dark wind. It is only after, when the last of the cars on the street pull out from their nightly resting spots that the sky begins to glow, pale rosy shades of pearl, wiped with puffs of a blue grey steel.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">from the kicthen window, sunrise nine am </span></i></div>
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<i>'Is the darkness effecting you?'</i> They often ask us.<br />
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It is not with the closing of the trimmed day because<br />
then the stars do twinkle as dinner in its sembledges simmers, steams and browns, the dough rising in the heat, children all home again.... this feels cozy and comforting, to be home as the early night falls, together.<br />
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There are books and playing cards, checkers and big bath tubs full of steaming water, there are films and late night conversations...the evenings are centering, the gathering together so that in the secure blankets of our beds we may go exploring into the pages, or as modern day would have it into blue white flickering screens.<br />
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It is instead, I find, the process of emerging from slumber in the midnight darkness that is difficult, feeling still blanketed in a thick coat of dreams and ...somehow this changes the quality of the day, for beginnings have a way of staying with you till the end.<br />
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We are starting to feel the change of the shortening of day,<br />
<i>'It is only the start</i> 'they say.<br />
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-44078464100886897522014-11-06T10:18:00.000-08:002014-11-06T13:58:36.003-08:00Music amid the mountains<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3vlG2FKi1E/VFu5c0_6boI/AAAAAAAADf8/PkctzMNqmfk/s1600/image-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3vlG2FKi1E/VFu5c0_6boI/AAAAAAAADf8/PkctzMNqmfk/s1600/image-2.jpeg" height="262" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<i>photo care of Icelandholidays.com</i>)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Music in the air of Reykjavik tonight!<br />The massive music festival <a href="http://icelandairwaves.is/line-up/">Airwaves</a> has begun.<br />Hoping hoping hoping<br />to catch some of the off venue shows around town!<br />The calendar line up is packed,<br />feeling lucky to be a stones throw<br />away from so much creative talent in action! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-43860300729638180582014-11-05T01:20:00.001-08:002014-11-10T05:50:51.817-08:00<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Greetings from the land of fire and ice, </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">we have moved from Malta and are now living on another island.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just a bit further north. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Iceland! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have come for a year and it has been a soft and magical beginning, somehow my words have been stuck ( blog writers block) and I have not managed to find the space to write although I feel like there has already been so much to say! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am some weeks late but I think it is time to start.....to share this adventure, the travels of a boisterous family of six relocating from the ancient rocky island of Malta to the Nordic island of erupting volcanos and glaciers. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So let us begin. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCdJdarIntQ/VFnrlHfRD_I/AAAAAAAADfs/4Sg0cYCk0Tg/s1600/pickerimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCdJdarIntQ/VFnrlHfRD_I/AAAAAAAADfs/4Sg0cYCk0Tg/s1600/pickerimage.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-55061445474247176862014-02-27T06:02:00.000-08:002014-02-27T06:02:09.213-08:00around the bend <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxvSzXnrLcw/Uw4X9OaZQTI/AAAAAAAADVU/cIKvALTj__k/s1600/stairs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kxvSzXnrLcw/Uw4X9OaZQTI/AAAAAAAADVU/cIKvALTj__k/s1600/stairs2.jpg" height="301" width="400" /></a></div>
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this photo was taken just around the corner from my sons art class.</div>
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The sun was starting to set over the grand harbour below and couples, young and old were coming round the bend as the church bells called.</div>
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My focus of late has been distracted with what is around the bend for our little family (more on that later) but in the process of this I have found the organisation called Internations (http://www.internations.org/about/internations)</div>
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to be very helpful and useful and ... at the same time regarding the local Malta scene they asked if they could feature Capers and Olives! </div>
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If interested, here is the interview- </div>
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<a href="http://www.internations.org/malta-expats/guide/recommended-expat-blogs-malta-16254/juniper-capers-and-olives-4">http://www.internations.org/malta-expats/guide/recommended-expat-blogs-malta-16254/juniper-capers-and-olives-4</a></div>
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Hope you are all well, </div>
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Carnival is also just around the corner here </div>
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and below is a drawing my 8 year old left on my desk yesterday-a wish list for costumes I think</div>
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(she often leaves me small notes around the house, </div>
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some more specific than others).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg0kpl9m8uk/Uw9Dcs80-0I/AAAAAAAADVk/WOiXNyMMVOA/s1600/carnival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qg0kpl9m8uk/Uw9Dcs80-0I/AAAAAAAADVk/WOiXNyMMVOA/s1600/carnival.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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(I like the snow flakes and fire details...incase I needed some background)</div>
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Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-60783986555993300132014-01-20T06:55:00.000-08:002014-01-20T06:55:48.463-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIMF-LrnUro/Utk7-dFuuUI/AAAAAAAADUs/vU2mW5WXq_c/s1600/them.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OIMF-LrnUro/Utk7-dFuuUI/AAAAAAAADUs/vU2mW5WXq_c/s1600/them.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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There comes a time in a family with four children when you as parents, </div>
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become very aware that you have become outnumbered. </div>
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That is where we find ourselves now, with our youngest, 'Beppe' turning two. </div>
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Our feisty rolly polly little one is officially off with his older siblings, part of the gang, be it dancing to the frustratingly catchy Frozen songs while jumping on beds, playing cards (or trying to), drawing sprawled out on the floor with every possible reachable pencil or crayon or hiking down the trail. This changing over is most evident at the start of meals, the bubble of noise comes thundering in with the children, their laughter, squabbles, stories and frustrations fill and quickly dominate the space. </div>
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At the moment we seem to be drifting quickly into the background and finding ourselves holding on to each other for stability and sanity. Are they out of control, perhaps at times it feels that way, do we often roll our eyes at one another from across the room after a question or situation comes up- yes, do we love them so much it hurts- yes, would we have it any other way...no.</div>
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One day we hope to travel footloose and fancy free, leisurely stop for coffee and talk for hours as we once did but that feels a very long way off at the moment. So from the centre of the lively circus that is my life I bid you good day and goodnight.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeHJw7Vv9jE/Ut036XFDidI/AAAAAAAADU8/aalmnFS83os/s1600/running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xeHJw7Vv9jE/Ut036XFDidI/AAAAAAAADU8/aalmnFS83os/s1600/running.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-52863519654332036002014-01-14T01:12:00.003-08:002014-01-14T01:12:45.376-08:00What keeps us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nEWbPIu8_w/UtT-tPLyQaI/AAAAAAAADUg/q-yep5S_3bw/s1600/fawwaracollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nEWbPIu8_w/UtT-tPLyQaI/AAAAAAAADUg/q-yep5S_3bw/s640/fawwaracollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These walks, these moments of clean fresh country air, sun and smells of the sea, they are golden. Almond trees are blossoming and the orange festival was last weekend, life is good. </div>
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(if you live in Malta, I highly recommend the walk near Fawwara)</div>
Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-1343986960571046362013-08-26T02:07:00.000-07:002013-08-26T02:07:36.576-07:00The Nudge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLDGFjRuf2o/UhsX2XbAd7I/AAAAAAAADSg/dBXjh2D9ZM4/s1600/ginger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLDGFjRuf2o/UhsX2XbAd7I/AAAAAAAADSg/dBXjh2D9ZM4/s400/ginger.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Why hello! </div>
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It has been awhile, a long hot summer sort of while.</div>
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From conference talks (yes me!) regarding refugee integration in Malta to sewing projects like sword cases and Chinese calligraphy brush carriers! Exciting and busy times.. but it has also been a very hot summer and the ice cream making has been in FULL SWING, </div>
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(had a goal of 11 flavours for the 11 weeks of summer ) this was reached his week!</div>
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So here goes, in no particular order, this summer's flavours </div>
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<i>Maltese honey and cinnamon</i></div>
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<i>Fig (with a hint of cloves)</i></div>
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<i>Maple and walnut</i></div>
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<i>Dark chocolate and orange</i></div>
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<i>Espresso with chocolate bits and toasted hazelnuts</i></div>
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<i>Dark chocolate with raspberries</i></div>
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<i>cardamon and date</i></div>
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<i>Toffee </i></div>
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<i>Black sesame </i></div>
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<i>Green tea</i></div>
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<i> Ginger </i></div>
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I needed a little nudge, you know that kind that gets you moving again, </div>
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time to get back to the computer and the blog (thank you Isabel!) so here I am...and here is the Ginger ice cream recipe which I MUST share as it is so easy and sooooo good! </div>
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<u><b>Ginger Ice Cream</b></u></div>
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peel and chop into big chunks 1/2 cup of fresh ginger root</div>
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2 cups milk</div>
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1 cup cream</div>
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4 egg yolks</div>
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3/4 cup sugar</div>
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Directions: heat until almost simmering the milk, cream, chopped ginger and 1/2 cup of the sugar, meanwhile separate 4 egg yolks and whisk briskly, add in the the remaining 1/4 cup sugar just at the end. Ladle in VERY gradually the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks, whisking all the while, return the mixture to a pan on very low heat and stir continuously 7-10 min. until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon, so as you can draw a line in it. Do not let it boil. Remove from heat, strain out the ginger and set the mixture in the fridge to cool for at least 3 hours before putting in an ice cream maker (churn for 20-25 min.).</div>
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Hope you have been enjoying your summer,</div>
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I leave you with a recent picture of our youngest, 'Beppe' and his new word for this week- PIZZA! </div>
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Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-62820186228722357202013-04-04T03:45:00.000-07:002013-04-04T03:45:54.358-07:00Just looking <div style="text-align: center;">
well and dreaming... </div>
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but realistically it is not so long now till we out grow our present house. So lately I find myself peeking in at for sale listings probably more often than I should. We still have the hassle of selling our present house. </div>
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Here have a look and tell me your mind doesn't dream a little too...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzKlN-twGRk/UV1XSjaOyII/AAAAAAAADQQ/CVGobinX8h8/s1600/Zejtun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RzKlN-twGRk/UV1XSjaOyII/AAAAAAAADQQ/CVGobinX8h8/s400/Zejtun.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8q1vtnmX9w/UV1Yb3Cj9QI/AAAAAAAADQw/pslgFsjXFtk/s1600/l_ceb26a409ac644bf9922153ac9bdfe50_ilist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k8q1vtnmX9w/UV1Yb3Cj9QI/AAAAAAAADQw/pslgFsjXFtk/s400/l_ceb26a409ac644bf9922153ac9bdfe50_ilist.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Not a bad place..it a village called Zejtun ad you should see the outdoor pool....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLEN_1SMkCk/UV1Xb2_11LI/AAAAAAAADQY/iQyJvUEpdKs/s1600/Siggiewi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aLEN_1SMkCk/UV1Xb2_11LI/AAAAAAAADQY/iQyJvUEpdKs/s400/Siggiewi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-2569642869265770162013-03-15T02:21:00.000-07:002013-03-15T02:33:28.778-07:00Forays into Printing<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes you just need a little push (at least I do anyway), and this month I got just that from my dear friend Melissa over at <a href="http://ahappystitch.com/">A Happy Stitch</a>. Melissa invited me to take part in a hand printed fabric swap organised by <a href="http://www.lesliekeating.com/">Maze and Vale</a>. </div>
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Having never considered printing onto fabric before, </div>
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it was just the little nudge I needed to give it a go. So I joined and was happily surprised with how some of the prints came out. I also really enjoyed the process of linoleum cutting. Am actually now thinking of making a few hand printed linen skirts for the upcoming arts market next month. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ezyKkM_NXBs/UULqnf2dg9I/AAAAAAAADPg/3CCozh9DFeM/s1600/printingsquare-collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ezyKkM_NXBs/UULqnf2dg9I/AAAAAAAADPg/3CCozh9DFeM/s640/printingsquare-collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As it was a the long election weekend here in Malta and I had all four children plus an extra one with me. I decided to include them all in the stamp designing and was especially impressed with the images they came up with! I will however have to show them in a later blog post because I am off now to the post office, my four fabric squares will soon be on their way to new homes in New Zealand, Australia, the UK and the US. </div>
Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-29545529334364875792013-02-27T00:06:00.000-08:002013-03-03T23:53:09.351-08:00Red Castle Walk and Octopus Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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There are times when I am so thankful that we are living here in Malta, </div>
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and that I begin to realise that I have fallen under her spell, </div>
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officially charmed</div>
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(I speak of Malta as <i>she</i>, I don't know why but it must be so). </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNw_4ArbTHQ/US25-KC6fhI/AAAAAAAADOA/CAl91rshDWQ/s1600/oldcollecting+fowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DNw_4ArbTHQ/US25-KC6fhI/AAAAAAAADOA/CAl91rshDWQ/s640/oldcollecting+fowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Her gentle magic </div>
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has seeped into us </div>
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more than I would have predicted </div>
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or known it could have. </div>
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The first year living here, I found difficult, </div>
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the many built up parts of the island and heavy traffic jams closed me in and I felt trapped. </div>
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I longed for the calm quiet streets of England (where we had been living), </div>
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for the small cosy cafes and familiar faces of dear friends. </div>
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There is nothing quiet or calm about Malta </div>
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but a friendly spirit there is and be they loud and seemingly sometimes harsh I have found the Maltese people to be very genuine and sincere. Once they know you, they are trusting and will go out of their way to help you. I have been tracked down at the butchers to be told that a towel has blown down from my clothes line on the roof. The old man who lives beside us spent an entire morning once helping my husband clean up a clogged up sewage drain (not a pretty sight) </div>
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and insisted on nothing in return for his help. </div>
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Everyone up the alley knows and greets each morning my littlest son, as we set off on our errands,</div>
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old men, ladies washing their front door stoop and young kids will shout from windows and doorways- 'BONGU GIUSEPPE' !!! </div>
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You would never find that in England.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVoqI3BSpnE/US26nplSWiI/AAAAAAAADOI/WGAeGEtWZ2M/s1600/oldredtowerwalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVoqI3BSpnE/US26nplSWiI/AAAAAAAADOI/WGAeGEtWZ2M/s640/oldredtowerwalk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then there is the Nature, </div>
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you can find stunning nature to every side of the island and such a vibrant air here. </div>
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It may sometimes be hidden (tucked away like the gardens in villages, hidden behind tall stone walls), but its there- you smell it and at times catch brief bright glimpses through opened doors. </div>
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It takes some patience to get to know her but Malta is ever so beautiful and rich, </div>
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rich with history, traditions and culture. Rich in Language, poetry and music. </div>
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If you let it, it can draw you in and capture your heart. I am realising that it has mine. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3oJ4y8whbM/US27Pu9N0KI/AAAAAAAADOQ/Xwsps4eRgu4/s1600/oldadrianredtower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G3oJ4y8whbM/US27Pu9N0KI/AAAAAAAADOQ/Xwsps4eRgu4/s640/oldadrianredtower.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Something about our simple weekend picnic near the sea, walking along a high ridge, looking out to cliffs and sparkling water to either side, wildflowers and almond blossoms in front of us and the faint smell of fennel in the air, made me really appreciate this island we are living on.</div>
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The children explored and collected wild flowers. </div>
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Ate fresh bread and drew pictures. </div>
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We returned home, windswept and satisfied.</div>
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Part 2</div>
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Once home </div>
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I set about making a Maltese traditional dish- Octopus pasta, </div>
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(having observed my mother in law making it and taking careful notes) </div>
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I tried it out myself. </div>
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Here is her recipe. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iV35t7AcQWI/US201ogli6I/AAAAAAAADM4/ief92924hso/s1600/arnitacollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iV35t7AcQWI/US201ogli6I/AAAAAAAADM4/ief92924hso/s640/arnitacollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Simple Octopus Pasta </u></span></div>
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1 Kilo Octopus (wash and remove the beak) </div>
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1 onion chopped</div>
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2 Tbs tomato conserva (tomato paste)</div>
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8 Olives, chopped</div>
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2 Tbs capers</div>
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1/4 cup peas (optional) added at the very end</div>
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1 medium potato chopped into 1-2 cm pieces</div>
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1/2 cup red wine </div>
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salt and pepper to taste</div>
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Step 1. After you rinse the Octopus remove the small beak underneath and chop it into 1 inch pieces (best to do this while partly frozen). So if you get it fresh from a fish market freeze it overnight first. </div>
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Step 2. Saute the octopus pieces in olive oil till they turn red - around 8 min.</div>
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Step 3. Remove the octopus and leave the juices, add the chopped onion to this and let cook till translucent.</div>
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Step 4. Add the olives, capers, conserva, and potato and a half cup to one cup of water, let simmer for 8 min or so and then add in the octopus pieces and the red wine, add in the peas if you choose to use them and walllaaaa your sauce is done! Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mostly the flavour comes from the octopus. (it is one of my favourite Maltese dishes)</div>
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Step 5. Serve on pasta with a grated hard cheese and fresh parsley.</div>
Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-91731180059848690452013-02-19T23:52:00.004-08:002013-02-20T11:50:57.467-08:00Some new music in the house<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNiTahrtnUQ/USR5pWwqt_I/AAAAAAAADCs/Oj1W_Y4VL2U/s1600/laura-veirs-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNiTahrtnUQ/USR5pWwqt_I/AAAAAAAADCs/Oj1W_Y4VL2U/s400/laura-veirs-cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hoorahhhh a new album from a much loved Seattle artist and it's not just a pleasure to listen to for the sake of my little(est) one but enjoyable for all in the house. </div>
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Here have a listen <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z5CvnqbAKI">(one of the children themed songs)</a> </div>
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but mixed into the album are also plenty that are not so aimed at children.</div>
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***</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBJQyzR1d6M/USR76LzJwUI/AAAAAAAADDo/mF8EFxf5Hjc/s1600/pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JBJQyzR1d6M/USR76LzJwUI/AAAAAAAADDo/mF8EFxf5Hjc/s400/pancakes.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sunday morning pancakes and our little Giuseppe</div>
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What does the photo have to do with the above mentioned cd? Not a thing, only that it's mellow morning sounds were filling the kitchen as I flipped pancakes and sipped coffee with the Mr. on a slow Sunday morning not long ago. </div>
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Ohhh and a little new food discovery to share! </div>
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a new pancake topping- <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><i>lemon ricotta and sliced kiwi </i></span>!</div>
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I know it sounds odd but it is very good, especially rolled into a crepe.</div>
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simple instructions</div>
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(blend 200 grams (around 1 cup) of ricotta with a tablespoon or so of powdered sugar and the juice of half a lemon, blend till creamy and serve up with tart kiwi slices or thinly sliced blood oranges- </div>
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it is very light fresh and tasty- really. </div>
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<b><u>Simple (American style) Pancake Recipe </u></b></div>
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As I am on the pancake side of things- here is a simple recipe for pancakes that we use- </div>
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3 eggs</div>
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3 cups milk </div>
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1 tsp vanilla</div>
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pinch of salt</div>
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3 cups flour(blend how you like- half whole meal etc.) </div>
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if you are not using self rising flour then add one and half tsp baking soda and one and a half tsp baking powder </div>
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half tsp cinnamon</div>
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(optional) 1 Tbs of brown sugar</div>
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separately mix the wet ingredients in one bowl and the and the dry ingredients in another-</div>
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lastly add the wet to the dry and<b> briefly</b> whisk, important not to over mix</div>
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serves 4-5 people </div>
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<i>small note: if you like a lighter pancake you can add 2 Tbs lemon juice to 2 cups of the milk- let stand for 15 min (making butter milk) and use it in place of part of the milk. </i></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZit9gvK29I/USSFZU7OvBI/AAAAAAAADEk/FFZyYA4g6VY/s1600/Bildschirmfoto-2013-02-02-um-07.26.12-480x312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZit9gvK29I/USSFZU7OvBI/AAAAAAAADEk/FFZyYA4g6VY/s320/Bildschirmfoto-2013-02-02-um-07.26.12-480x312.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLilpPtY2JU">July Flame </a> by Laura Veirs</div>
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(A family favourite from a few summers ago)</div>
<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5850294300019175567.post-6534104121243385192013-02-14T17:47:00.000-08:002013-02-14T17:47:25.891-08:00Maltese 'Karnival' Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kiTU81N_Hg/UR2QRcaDe9I/AAAAAAAADBo/GwgWvF1Ryv8/s1600/nadurcarnivalcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kiTU81N_Hg/UR2QRcaDe9I/AAAAAAAADBo/GwgWvF1Ryv8/s640/nadurcarnivalcollage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I couldn't resist sharing some photographs taken by my talented friend, Xavier Cornhil Wambergue. </div>
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These photos are of the Carnival procession in Nadur, on the island of Gozo, Nadur is a small hilltop village which has a particular reputation throughout Malta for its Carnival spirit. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eshCjplkCNY/UR2QjU1wxhI/AAAAAAAADBw/x7RLTXDa7vU/s1600/carnivalnadur2collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eshCjplkCNY/UR2QjU1wxhI/AAAAAAAADBw/x7RLTXDa7vU/s640/carnivalnadur2collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Juniperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16779192722462442800noreply@blogger.com1