Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Lissanthea J Taylor

An ode to my beautiful sister.
An inspiration.
not just for me.
but for you swell.



She says and does great things.
Keeps me on my toes... to do better, see better and be better.
She won't let me rest on my laurels, won't let me sink beneath the waves of commonplace... but keeps me fighting. Keeps my sparkle alive... 
Always fighting, challenging and seeking that one step higher. 
I've spoken of 10 thousand girl before; and now Miss Lissanthea shares her history, wisdom and insight into the world of moolah... this potentially petrifying/ potentially liberating world.

http://www.10thousandgirl.com/2011/03/29/this-stuff-is-for-you/
Enjoy.
xo 
This is also an experiment to see if she checks my blog or not!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Better than sliced bread...

...Pretty obvious that sliced bread, actually bread in general isn't much my cup of tea. Try some nutty little amazing!!




[First and foremost. May I add that... this is not my own creation.
The ever beautiful David, Luise and Elsa have trialed and tested this wonder for us over at Greenkitchenstories.com]


Yet I post this in my own manner. Because so many people have asked me for the recipe. Because it rules. and Because I like posting little bits of fun.

so. You'll need.
2 cups of Nuts. (I used almonds, sunflower, pepitas, and linseeds. But any would suffice!)
1 egg.
2tbsp water.
1 tsp salt.
Num num num sprinkles: Salt/pepper, nigella seeds, sumac, mixed herbs, sesame seeds...What ever you wish!
Nuts!
Prep O.v.e.n at 180 degreeeees.
Put the nuts in a food processor and go Chop chop chop. So they make little tiny nuts = flour.
Transfer into a bowl and add the egg. mix around and add the water if needed ( some eggs are BIG and don't need it) 
Should have a nice firm dough. Divide into 2 or 3 balls. 
Roll out with rolling pin... hmmm 2mm maybe. Yes, I'm very scientific!
(sometimes it sticks to the rolling pin. Cover with extra sheet of baking paper)
Spray with water, add Num num numbs...roll over again to press into dough.
Flat nuts.

Cut into bite size squares.. 

Turn o.v.e.n down to 150. bake bake bake. Keep watch on them...
15 minutes should be premium.

Take out of o.v.e.n and let them go all dry and crunchy.
and then try try try not to eat them all.
so so good.
Such a whole food. Nuts and an egg. perfect!
Make some guacamole, invite some friends over.. and you've got a party!




Lazy saturdays... Making nut crackers to Bonobo.
("for distance we create whimsy to battle the odds"-O) 
Just chillin' 
xo









Friday, March 25, 2011

Quirky Containers.

On resisting a darling little antique colander full of succulents today ( hoarding tendencies on off mode)... Decided to honour some of my self-spawned oddities. 
Always reminds me that growth wants to happen!
Yet on the same note... I am a fan of ye old succulent. Need less drainage = Harder to kill = Less heart break. </3

Not even slightly taking ownership of this piece of beauty. Twas a present from a dear friend, whom is off finding various parts of himself around the world. 
An old memory: my Nanny Mac's donkey and cart planter. Marrickville markets found me my own miniature. Just for nostalgia.
Hey herb garden! You are so fine. 
My lust for vintage drawers right now is gaining momentum. Kale for winter is sprouting in a beautiful drawer i found in my daddy's shed. But thoughts spread to a whole chest of drawers... blooming, edible and bountiful.
Thinking of abundance today. The markets provided me with a sense of all the things I didn't need. 
Oh... except a little red bus.

ps. LOVE is for my Miss Marlie. Whom gives amazing house warming niceties in the form of scrabble fun.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Postal boxes and messages of hope.


Tomorrow marks week 3.
Operation High School Teacher.

and after fighting off a stress induced cold.
...Am fighting fit and ready to start a new week.
5 more fun outfits.
5 more pairs of crazy earrings
and 5 more adventures up the mountains.
Until the weekend brings new beauty and respite.

So each day, as Joyce and I tra la la to Big school; no matter how groggy or sooky I am, I drive past this...
...And smile. 

My little yellow ray of postal sunshine.
Keeps the grey mountain gloom away. 
and the "petrol-metre half-full" mentality up.

Now this is me merely showing off: this is my little office space.
Instructions for the first day of school: "Bring a hat and a cup for tea." My kinda school.

The kids eat herbs from the flower beds. On fridays we learn to make mens shirts into all sorts of crazy clothes. I've started my classes with small meditations and yes, the canteen rules. and yes, it uses the spinach from the school garden :)

How's this for a playground = wonderland ... wander land?

Much love to all my beautiful creatures out there.
Thoughts are with my old housemate; recently diagnosed with MS. 
A strong little cookie.
All my love Jamie.
xoxo
"May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near."- An Old Irish Blessing

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Reality Check

Sweet Vanity.
Its the 9th of March.
Which means its been a month.
Since the GHD got put away...


...And Miss Pearl Harnessed her mass of crazy.
Who knew my hair was so curly!
And why would i run from this?


Vipassna gave me 10 days with no hair maintenance.
Liberating.
It also articulated that my constant straight, straight straightening...
was not only killing my hair.
But making me unhappy.
Because of the impermanence of it all.
Anicca in hair philosophy.


So I've embraced the reality that is my hair.
That it falls somewhere between brilliant beach hair, sensuous sex hair and fantastic frizz free fun.
Yet I feel, vanity aside... 
It stands as a symbol for larger notions. For some internal shift that has taken place...
Where seeing things as they are. and not how i wish them to be is key.
... where else may we manifest this?
Where else may we need this understanding in our lives?


Just something to ponder on this over cast Mountains day... When I've taken half the day off school to regroup, reinvent and retouch. But mostly just to sleep.


Night Night/ Good Morning World.
xoxo Bryanna pearl