Taking time to ....

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

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...

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

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

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.

day dreaming

So when I am not deep in history books I may be found, sitten in the sun, feet in the kiddy pool, sippen home made lemonade and dreamin of having something like this (found here) in one room or another of my itty bitty house... you see I do miss the constant sight of trees... life in Malta brings with it the constant sight of stone, and at this time of year with the light from the reflection of the sun so intense that there is not much to do but look down. 

A good simple lemonade recipe (makes 2 litres of lemonade concentrated). 

You only need to pour about an inch and half in a tall glass and fill the rest with ice, cold water and a sprig of mint (dash of rose water is pretty nice if you have some on hand- trick from a Lebanese roommate back when I was at University).

7 lemons

600 grams sugar

1.5 litres water

step 1. squeeze the lemons and set aside the juice (reserve two of the rinds).

step 2. boil the sugar in the water along with the lemon rinds - till it has boiled for at least  5 min. 

step. 3 remove rinds and let the water cool, once cool combine with the lemon juice and store in fridge.

whoolaaaa you are good to go for at least a few weeks! 

  

Changing gears

Hannibal Crossing the Alps

With the start of August comes a shift in focus... my head is in the books now days... preparing for teaching this fall... Maltese and European History... oh my is there a lot to cover! Luckily it's fascinating... 

Malta was truly in the cross paths of one Empire after another! 

Friday already?!

 Ode to Jumble sales

jumble sale, garage sale, car boot sale ,flea market.. call it what you like..I'm a fan. 

It's like treasure hunting.

 I heard this little piece this week and thought  of ways I could hop over to London... I just love the idea of combining jumble sales and an afternoon out.

 There is no chance of finding anything close to it here. 

click on link to hear the radio clip.

Bit of local flea market bounty. 

(Every time I catch a glimpse of the blue pitcher it makes me smile.. )

The boy child of mine digs his new tin plane. old wind up toys never run out of batteries.  

Ode to small creatures

So charmed by our time kitty sitting that we decided to enlarge our little family and get one of our own.  Meet Dash our newest addition! 

If he is not causing the children to burst out in excited giggles and squeals as he leaps and bounds after string or stray flip flops  he can be found curled up purring on my shoulder or lap as I sew or attempt to type.  

I grew up having all sorts of pets; 

dogs, cats, birds, mice, hamsters, rabbits and it has to be said I spent a good deal of my teenage years rescuing and raising baby squirrels, rabbits and birds. 

After  a 17 year gap I once again have a small furry creature at my side... 

I can't tell you how happy it makes me! 

And yes, the market last night went well!! So busy though (with customers and crazy winds blowing things willy nilly) that I neglected to take even a single photo! Sorry. 

It was worth all the effort of this last month (many a sewing session at 4:30 AM). Am feeling so relaxed now...time to clean up the neglected corners of my house and sweep away the sewing trail!

Happy Monday to you all! 

Feeling a little daring?

Avocado and lime chilled cheesecake

The Mr. had a birthday this week and I indulged in some full on  cooking time- Mexican in all it's flare takes a little bit of time. Mango salsa, baked black bean burritos, some guacamole and this!  I tried to find a cold desert that would go with Mexican and this one turned out better than I expected.  Actually it was delicious, a good finish to a spicy meal on a very hot evening. Click here for the recipe if you want to give it a try.

Happy Friday to one and all

Hope to see some of you here!

Potato salad with capers and lemon

A recent favourite 

dressing: 2 garlic cloves pressed,

 the zest of one whole lemon

fresh rosemary ( 2-3 springs) leaves finely chopped 

2 Tbs capers

olive oil

juice of one lemon

salt and pepper to taste

*small tip - toss the potatoes with the dressing as soon as they are done cooking and leave to cool in the fridge dressed. 

***

Ahh sweet summer sunsets

sandy toes

salty skin

 iced coffee mornings

rushing to do anything or go anywhere quickly is impossible

 the heat is heavy 

May your Monday be slow and gentle

New in the shop

Little bits of bold summer

and for myself an impromptu lab top case (notebook size)

Pockets for pencils and a pen drive

Wednesday's Corner View: me

Not a very easy cornerview.

 I am shy by nature and although I like being behind the camera taking photos, 

I am not very comfortable on the other side. 

 

but here you go... 

plain ole me

For other 'cornerviews' go here. 

Cold mint and pea soup

Having a bit of a heat wave here in Malta so it is time once again for some cold soup. 

This is one of my favourites, simple and so refreshing!

COLD MINT AND PEA SOUP

2 onions chopped
1TBs butter
1/4 cup fresh mint
450 grams peas (frozen is fine)
450 ml vegetable stock
400 ml milk
single cream to garnish

Step 1. sauté onions in butter till translucent.
step 2. add in mint, peas and stock and cook on low heat for 30 min.
Step 3. Take off the burner,  add the milk and puree. Place in fridge to chill for at least two hours.
Step 4. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a drizzle of cream.

Also of note this week in the Francalanza house hold is we have been kitten sitting for this sweet fella. He will be very missed when his owner returns to collect him tomorrow.

Today's impromptu muffins were plum and almond..which turned out to be delicious!

General recipe follows (as once again it was spur of the moment and not from a book).

PLUM AND ALMOND MUFFINS

175 grams margarine (keeps it moist when baking with fruit)
200 grams brown sugar
3 eggs
400 grams self raising flour (if not using self raising add around 2 tsp to plain flour)
pinch of salt
150 grams ground almonds
6-8  red plums cooked down and pureed (I had them on hand in the freezer)
1/2 cup milk

Start with the margarine, add the sugar and mix in the eggs, next add the flour and almonds and last the wet ingredients (you can alternate the wet with the dry of course).

makes 24 muffins.

*Often if I buy more fresh plums or peaches then I can possibly eat (or they are not as great tasting as they looked) I cook them down and freeze them to use in smoothies or muffins.

and the winner ...

of last Friday's give away (July 2nd) was chosen with the help of my four year old and her hat. 

Congratulations Janis !!

Will happily be sending something from this sunny rock your way. 

Corner View: Saturday

Running

 climbing

 exploring

spinning

squealing

 and making new friends

 Saturday often brings a stop at the park

For more corneviews visit Jane. 

Of gifts and long days

Little gifts my husband returned with... he knows me well... some local coffee and a special beer to try! It seems he fell for Portland the same way I did. 

Notice the words on the Vixen Coffee Blend - I arise in the morning torn between the desire to save the world and a desire to savour it, which makes it hard to plan the day...

E.B. White

The beans are from a small roaster on the island of Vashon, an Island not far from Seattle which I had the good luck of living on for a spell. 

Fingers crossed there is a job opening in one of our fields and we find ourselves in Portland one day!

Till then its the start of summer holidays... long days of occupying the wee ones.. 

a small walk to explore a nearby grove of trees.. nothing like a picnic. 

At last!!

The recipe that I mentioned some days ago, the fig ice cream. Especially for you Guusje. Sorry it has taken me some time to get round to writing it down!  It is an original recipe so sadly I am not completely certain on the amounts I used.  I am also including a very dependable tasty strawberry ice cream recipe. 

 I have opened a little etsy shop!!! 

It is called The Caper Collection and can be found here,
I still have quite a few items to add but here are a few. 

To celebrate I would like to have my first give away! 

Who ever is picked can choose one of the following: an animal of their choice, one of the small purses, a make up carrier or the jewellery carrier. 

In your comment please leave your name, which you would prefer and your email address. I will choose someone in one weeks time.

Strawberry Ice Cream
400 grams chopped strawberries
100 milk
300 ml fresh cream
100 grams sugar
Directions: puree all ingredients together and pour into ice cream mixer.

Fig, Walnut and port ice cream
7 large very soft figs
50-100 grams toasted walnuts (chopped)
300 ml fresh cream
100 ml milk
orange rind
100 ml port
pinch cinnamon
Directions: Simmer lightly in a covered pan the figs in the port ( fork some holes into each of the figs). add in sugar, orange zest (around 1/2 tsp) and the pinch of cinnamon. Let cool and then scoop out the fig insides and add to the liquid, remove the peels. Gently pour in the milk and fresh cream. Lightly stir and add to the ice cream mixer, add the nuts just as the ice cream is getting thick. Obviously this is according to your own taste so feel free to increase or decrease amounts of orange rind, sugar and figs. This was my first time making this ice cream, sadly the Bajtar Tal San Gwann figs are finished so I will be trying it with a different sort of fig when the new kind are in season at the start of August.

Wednesday's Cornerview: Summer

The joy of such simple entertainment.

Happy Monday

A small taster to what I have been working on lately.

Still without the Mr. but I have been making the most of my quiet evenings with some new sewing projects, having fun designing and trying out ways of making a small make up carrier bag (for the times you are away for two or three nights and just need a few things, one or two lipsticks, mascara, eye shadow a blush etc. ) and a jewellery carrying case and lastly a hand purse (but I have not taken photos of those yet).  Am making some things for the next arts market here in Malta and yes... the etsy shop (planning to have it ready by the end of the month). Not many days left! Will let you know when I do get it off the ground. 

Any feedback much appreciated.. still working on the pricing.. I find this part very tricky.