to do.

im a list girl. it makes my chaotic mind feel a bit more ordered. plus it makes me feel good when i can cross something off

my week (hopefully) looks a little bit like this.

. : frame and hang that awesome 'let's get lost' print from this etsy store.
. : go to the physio. and the doctor. (more on this tomorrow)
. : attempt to make vegan cheese for pizza night. and then eat it.
. : get my year 10's ready for their exam.
. : plant some more kale seeds.
. : transplant the herbs.
. : floss. more than once.
. : find my water bottle.
. : play with the dog. properly. don't just growl at her for jumping up on you.
. : list those last few things on ebay.
. : start putting together a 'paris book' of all the places you will visit.
. : send gran that thank-you card.

thanks for indulging me. what is on your 'to do' list?

quinoa and vegie salad

thought i would share a quick and simple recipe* that really hit the spot on monday night. and then again on tuesday for lunch. and then again on tuesday night.

1. cook some quinoa on the stove as per packet directions
2. steam whatever vegies you feel like / have floating around in the bottom of the fridge (i used brocolli, potato, carrot and capsicum)
3. mix together in a big bowl with some roast pumpkin or sweet potato** (or both), baby spinach, mushrooms, hemp seeds, mung beans and chia seeds
4. serve with dressing. mix equal parts lemon juice and olive oil, minced garlic (i used 2 cloves) plus some fresh mint and parsley.

feta might be nice in here too but im trialing a vegan diet for the next 26 days to see if it makes much of a difference for me. will keep you posted.

*i use the term recipe very loosely here
**i have started roasting a big batch of pumpkin and sweet potato at the start of the week and adding them to meals as desired. saves a LOT of time for us and helps up the vegie intake.

what i have learned.

this week i was asked to speak with my students about some of the things that i wish i had known as a teenager. gosh. i am often struck by how little i knew and understood as a teenager and, perhaps as a result, how difficult those high school years were

here are just a few of the things i have learned since then...

. : that everyone looks nicer when they smile

. : that you should not cut your own fringe on the day that you graduate from highschool

. : that it doesn’t take much to make someones day

. : that a real man treats all women right all of the time

 . : that family holidays are not lame

. : that what is 'weird' as a teenager is 'quirky' as an adult. and quirky is kind of awesome. 

. : that if you find a spider in your car while you are driving you MUST stay calm. punching yourself in the legs to kill the aforementioned spider will not help.

. : that parents are not perfect but they do their best

. : that staying healthy is not just for old people

. : that your world will not stop if that boy doesn't like you back. even though it feels like it might.

. : that manners are important

. : that outside is full of magic and dancing is better if it is done in the rain

. : that everyone should jump fully clothed into a swimming pool at least once in their life

. : that going out for ice cream with your grandparents will not always be an option. do it while you can.

. : that sometimes it is better to be kind than to be right

. : that being happy is different to being joyful

. : that everyone has a story worth hearing

. : that Jesus is a really good decision

how about you? what do you wish you had known when you were a teenager?

thrifted.

a few treasures picked up over the last week. i also managed to find a couple of johnson mugs but they seem to have disappeared into the abyss that is my house. haha. will try and round them up for next week.

hope your op shops are being kind to you.

x

weekending.

1. backyard fires in brand new fire pits
2. being still
3. pretty scraps
4&5. testing out the new holga lens

i hope your weekend was full of beauty too.

slow.

slow. simple.

it's been something we have been thinking about for a long time. and i feel like we are taking little baby steps toward the life we want. we still have a long way to go but we are on the way. and that's enough for now.

happy mail

over the past couple of weeks there have been a few happy pieces of mail that have snuck in amongst the car registration and rates. they always seem to come at the best times - after a hard day or an exhausting week. somehow this kind of mail always makes things better...

1. the most fabulous homemade skirt from Kylie made from a vintage sheet and doily
2. gorgeous handmade cards that i won in a blog giveaway over at reread

i do really love this blog world... for the support. for the inspiration. for the friendship. and sometimes, for the very happy mail.