This Saturday I will be bunkering under a home made shelter in one of the best locations in Dorset, sleeping under the stars and beside a burning fire is what summers are made for. Amongst the ferns and pine trees down the aptly named nutcracker road on the edge of Wareham river lies RSPB Arne nature reserve. Last year I spent three care free days of volunteering at the reserve; from sleeping in tents, to homemade shelters and finally sleeping on the beach watching by chance one of the best meteor showers I have ever seen. What do I enjoy the most about camping? I guess it is the guilt free time to be idle and take in my surroundings without any of the daily distractions that fight for my attention. It sounds cliche but it is like all things, you realise what actually makes you happy when your given the time to think and dream. Material items and stresses fall to the wayside when you have the freedom and beauty of the outdoors to enjoy.
This year the Big Sleep Out weekend is happening from the 16th - 22nd of June. Arne nature reserve have a few wild camping events in the next couple of months info here. But you don't need to go to an event, anyone can take part. Dust down those sleeping bags from the attic and invite over some friends, or even better take a road trip to hidden spot you've always wanted to explore.
Here are a list of extra packed items I was grateful of;
1. A woolly Hat
2. Multiple pairs of socks, cotton under layer than as many woollies as you can find
3. leggings under trousers
4. Lots of Blankets
5. Head Torch
6. LOTs of DEET!
7. Sage for the fire
8. Chocolate (A given really)
9. My own mug
I would love to hear about your outdoor adventures, Fingers crossed this sunshine continues!
Wow! The last few weeks have flown by. We have been loving this beautiful sunshine, and are getting out and about as much as possible. Here's a few snapshots of what we have been up to lately.
-Our garden is blooming!-thanks to the green-fingered goddess that is my mother-in-law. We found two of these tin baths in a charity shop, and knew they would be perfect as planters. My father-in-law drilled holes in the bottom for drainage, then we lined them with cardboard to protect the roots from over-heating. We filled them with compost and got planting. Do not ask me what any of these flowers are called-it's all the goddess' doing. She is amazing.
-World Cup fever has definitely hit our house. The biggest of the littles is enjoying his Panini sticker book immensely. Nearly as much as his dad...
-We have been enjoying our record player a lot recently. Billy was given to me as my Mother's Day gift. My boys have great taste in music!
-I organised a load of our spices, grains, etc, recently and has been a revelation! It's spurred me on to organise other areas of our house. I'm planning on a big clear out and some car booting this summer.
-Badbury Rings a few weeks ago. There were thousands and thousands of butter cups-as far as the eye could see. I took far too many photos. I couldn't help myself.
So this is the first day of the holidays that I have actually indulged in the duvet and listening to music. But I am grateful for being busy, for the love and company of my family and friends. Sometimes you need a grey old day to slow you down and make you realise everything you have and not what you think you need. Book I am currently reading: Perfect by Rachel Joyce Next on my Book shelf: Shadow of The Wind Music: Avett Brothers, Bright Eyes, Ruari Joseph, Low Anthem, Matthew And The Atlas, Chris & Thomas
My mind has been wondering to the thought of building my very own nest for years, but this year it's become an incessant yearning. To fuel this fire even more I have 24 hour access to pinterest were I can pin all the kilam rugs and white wash walls and gallery photo walls I want, falling into a world of clean interiors, until my eyelids drop and sleep prevails. I have never wanted something so much .....apart from a guinea pig when I was 6.
My parents although found hard, could piece together what they could find, and get on the property ladder, it seems increasingly impossible nowadays to climb the greasy ladder of the housing market. Many thoughts hinder my over active mind at the moment; but no more so the urge to be living as an adult. I feel stuck in perpetual '20 something' mode, trying to make ends meet. Without sounding self important/ pompous, I feel those days should be behind me. In my early thirties with a good job and time spent investing in my career I feel it is time that I should be able to live comfortably ( I don't mean lording it up being fed grapes) But working taps, and a warm house. But the realities are; still living in a shared house, a collection of mismatched furniture to match the sometimes thrown together housemates. Although some of these years have been great fun and I have made life long friends, it gets to a point were the little things (grown up things) do start to bother you.
So this year it is my aim to scrimp and save and perhaps borrow, so that I can lay down roots in the place that I now call home.
It was a wind blown road trip with my flatmate and friend to Southbourne early this year that established my contact with Coastal Creatives. My flatmate gave me a small voice of encouragement to talk to the shop owner about my little home thrown wares. And I am so glad I did, Louise Mitchell and Rachael Johns are as lovely as their amazing shop, full of coastal delights. All the items are made by British Artists and beautifully displayed by these two very talented stylists.
I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to sell my little pots in their gallery/shop. It was only in January that I was making my new year wishes, (which never get met) but launching my Etsy shop Home Thrown Studio was one of them, I had no idea that actually selling my little vessels in a shop would happen this quickly. It's amazing what can happen by a quick conversation with like minded minds, so if you are thinking of setting up your own little creative venture, do it! I found this quote "A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something" by Frank Capra. I strongly believe in this, I never feel more content then when I am making!
If your local make sure you make a visit! This week Coastal Creatives have a Pop Up Exhibition on the Theme of Flotsam and Jetsam. I loved the sculptures and images made from an array of seashore bounty! My Dad was very impressed with them all, but especially the Whale. Louise and Rachael also find the time to run a fantastic beach wedding styling service!
In recent days the sun has been shining and my mind has been distracted on summer; hazy long days, BBQ's on the beach and afternoon picnics that venture into long evenings chatting around a home thrown fire. Some how that same feeling is reaching my belly and it is craving delicious salads, new potatoes slathered in butter and fresh, colourful produce.
So I thought I'd use this new sense of energy to hunt down some new delicious recipes. I like most foods I can cook quickly preferable eaten from a bowl! So you will see a pattern here. I am also going to cut down on the amount of meat I eat and will try and buy local and eat as fresh as possible. Here are my favourites so far! Click on Images for Recipes
2. This is one of my favourite quick and easy spring Squid salad, Oh and Sophie Dahl's cook book is stunning!If however verging on Utopian! I wish I had more time on my hands to sit and watch Squirrels! (Skip to 1min in if you can't bare to watch Sophie looking whimsical on a park bench)
3. I love writing this blog, as I am always falling upon other great bloggers who are endless sources of inspiration. Like this one - 101cookbooks This Roasted Squash Chile Salad from the Kinfolk Table book looks the bees knees!
Image property of 101cookbooks
4. I can't wait to try out Kinfolks Hobo Meals - All I need is a warm evening, a few logs, some jumper cladded friends and a roaring camp fire.
Images & Recipes co Kinfolk
Recipe: Herbed Butter
Ingredients 1 stick of butter, room temperature 1 bunch of chives, finely chopped 1 bunch of garlic scapes, finely chopped 1 lime Salt, to taste
Method Place butter in a bowl and add chopped herbs and the juice of 1 lime. Mash with a fork until the herbs are incorporated. Season to taste and serve on top of sweet potatoes.
Serves 4
Recipe: Fireside Quinoa
Ingredients 1 cup quinoa 1 3/4 cup vegetable stock 1 cup toasted pepitas, chopped Salt, to taste
*2 large pieces of tin foil
Method Rinse quinoa thoroughly. Make a pouch out of the tin foil and place rinsed quinoa within. Pour vegetable stock over the quinoa and securely seal the edges of the tin foil. Leave space within the pouch for the quinoa to expand and double in size. Wait for the fire to die down and place on coals. Check after 15 to 20 minutes, making sure the quinoa is cooked through. Fold in pepitas and season to taste. Serve on top of sweet potatoes.
