dark green enough to be blue | welcoming spring

When you start to get emails from strangers asking if everything is all right with you - it's a good indication that perhaps it would be a good time to write another update. The truth of the matter is, I haven't been cooking all that much recently, and when I have, it's either been simple things (nobody needs to be told how to boil an egg), or things I've already written about here, or I haven't had my camera around or the inclination to take pictures.

And if you're expecting recipes, don't hold your breath - I am currently ticking off lists and packing up my pack to head over to Europe for the next month. I leave in just a few days, and as there always is right before a trip, there's so much to do. I keep reminding myself that it's a privilege to be in the position I'm in, and that helps in those moments when certain computer programs suddenly decide to crash, or you spend 45 minutes figuring out how to add a greek letter into a scientific poster using said program. It's certainly satisfying when you finally figure it out!

I've also managed to acquire a new bike to replace the one that was stolen. I guess karma has a way of working these things because although I loved my previous bike for different reasons, the new addition is a sexy old school road bike, much like a bike I used to ride at home that really belonged to my mum, and which she rode through parts of Europe many years ago. So I'm taking pleasure in zipping around town and down the hill to work and out to the beach whenever I like again - bikes are really quite wonderful.

I'll probably update here a bit while I'm away, for the benefit of my family back here who might be interested in what I'm up to and where I am. Maybe you'll be interested too - but if not I'll hopefully be back with renewed inspiration for spring recipes at the beginning of October. Thank you for the kind emails to those who sent them - hope everything is well in your lives too.

PS. A few songs on high rotation here lately below..




I've been listening to music lots recently - work recently has involved lots of computer work which means long hours playing music to keep myself motivated. You may enjoy one or two or all of these..

1. springtime - the annuals
2. heavy metal drummer - wilco
3. holland 1945 - neutral milk hotel
4. in the hot, hot rays - fleet foxes
5. israel by bus - calypso rose
6. where is my mind? - the pixies
7. cellophane - caribou
8. elle est belle - la rue ketanou
9. fifth in line to the throne - camera obscura
10. apple pie bed - lawrence arabia
11. choo choo lullaby - moondog
12. small town crew - the brunettes
13. some dandruff on your shoulder - jens lekman
14. a moment from different angles - jakob
15. mayfly - belle & sebastian

title from wilco - side with the seeds