Unplugged Sunday

DH and I have noticed a phenomenon about ourselves - ultimately much of our time is spent in the pursuit of good food.  When we reminisce about our overseas adventures much of our focus is on meals eaten - that spicy goulash in Dresden, curries at the Civil Service Club in Singapore (incidentally my in-laws are moving back to Singapore so I forsee many Civil Service Club curries for us in the next couple of years), felafel in Egypt, and that really good hot chocolate in Munich (should you ever go - it was at a bakery next to the entrance to Nymphenburg Palace). 
When we look back on our previous postings and talk about where we would go back to, again the issue of where we would eat comes up.  Malaysian at Mamak in Sydney, lamb shanks at the Athenian restaurant (also Sydney), noodle soup at Noodle Kingdom and pasta at Pelligrini's in Melbourne.  We have hardly eaten out at all this posting because dining out with a toddler is just not worth the money or effort.

It is probably not surprising then that when we have time to cook on the weekend we go to town.  Unplugged sunday is allowing us this luxury.  Essentially slow food, lovingly prepared together.

This weekend we did The Hairy Bikers South American Chilli Con Carne (recipe here) - my changes: black eyed beans instead of kidney beans, 2 red capsicums (peppers) instead of one red, one green and I cut the chilli down so that Ginger could eat it.  It was really good fresh, reheated the next day and, yesterday for lunch on rolls with avocado.

Some meals just do not photograph well!

While I made dinner DH got on with shortbread - his second batch for the week; fortunately he took the first batch to work to share and I took half of this batch next door to our Laotian neighbour to say thank you for some freshly made spring rolls she had dropped round.

Also in the works was an apple and rhubarb pie.  Again, DH's handiwork.

All in all, a hearty winter feast.  Warming to body and soul. 

Another successful unplugged Sunday.

Unplugged Sunday

This weekend we joined Heather's family in having an unplugged Sunday.  For our family we set the disconnected (no technology) hours as between 6am (Ginger's waking) and 7pm (her bedtime).  It was so refreshing and we got so much done.

For the first time in  months we made it to church on time - usually we arrive with the first hymn.  We went straight from church to the local monthly country markets where we picked up some local fruit and vegetables, and a toy for Ginger.  I had seen something similar on Jennifer's blog and she had said it was the favourite toy for all her four children when they were toddlers.  Ginger was certainly impressed when she woke up from her nap and got to play.

During Ginger's nap DH and I got on with some hobbies - DH worked on his aeroplane model and I pieced another strip of my quilt. 

Ginger woke for a late lunch and we had some yummy avocado that has been ripening on the windowsill for weeks.  There is an avocado tree on base and DH climbed it and got us down quite a number - nothing like free produce!

Then, there was time for a walk.  Ginger loves walking, but her pace is more of a doddle than a walk.  We compromise now - she gets to walk some and then she gets pushed.  We found some holly and some interesting seedpods on our wander.

Home again in time for some of DH's wholemeal scones and a pot of tea.  He is becoming quite the man in the kitchen!