On Being Quiet and a Little Announcement

Isn't it always the way when your favourite blog is quiet, it's usually because the writer is very busy in real life; taking photographs or writing for another publication, having babies or preoccupied living in other ways. Travel. Adventures. Reflection.

We've been busy here too. At the beginning of 2015 I had grand hopes of documenting Baby Love through a portrait series, one or two shots per day. To my surprise, I completed the entire month of January however, as usually happens when I am distracted by other tasks, the portraits fell by the wayside during February as we pursued another dream that has been brewing for oh, I don't know, the past few years...

We've recently launched our own photography business, Sea and Salt Photography. You can view the website here. We still managed to take daily photos of our little Love however, these remain untouched and therefore, unedited on my external hard drive until I can gather a few undesignated minutes here and there to actually sit, alone, to edit and share.

In more personal news, Byron's mother, Letty, has returned from Dubai to share the next two weeks with us and of course, her darling grand daughter. We will embark on a road trip to Byron Bay and spend the next week dining on gluten free tacos at Miss Magarita and heavenly falafel, sipping coconut water on Main Beach and exploring the tiny stalls and boutique stores that line the streets of the sunny seaside town. I'm particularly keen to visit Spell Designs after seeing the beautiful Jodi of Practising Simplicity in one of their gorgeous ankle length summer dresses. Those photos were taken by my talented friend, Katherine of Lamb Loves Fox and Lamb and Fox Photography (if you don't know about her yet, you really should visit her blog, it's well worth the time). Hopefully I can find something breastfeeding-friendly to laze about in as the cooler Autumn air settles over our beachside bungalow.

When we're finally home, rested and recharged, we will finish some renovations on a house we purchased last year. The private sale was finalised when Love was barely days earth side; a blinking, tiny warm bundle of sweetly scented newborn wrapped and nestled close to my heart.

When I think about it, I'm not too disappointed with the interruption to my Year of Love 365 portrait series. It's challenging enough trying to renovate with an almost mobile baby and to start a family business whilst remembering to dip our toes into the sea of wanderlust and adventure- I'm feeling rather proud of our efforts.

Remember to check out our website if you're interested in viewing some of the natural, spontaneous moments we've captured for local families. Those of you who follow me here will probably recognise a few of the locations along the Mid North Coast and the good news is we're happy to travel to take photos.

seaandsaltphotography.com

Thank you, dear blog friends for the love and support.

Bella xx

Tweet

Weekly Stills: A Winter Holiday at the River House

afternoon light // calm blue sea // a big yawn for a little dog // last night's wine

Our Daily Bread church cafe // homegrown flowers // fishing at the River House

The week that was. Mother Nature provided warm days filled with golden light, and calm seas. We embarked on a road trip to the River House where we fished for bream, marvelled at the beautiful homegrown flowers, drank tea, read books and watched pelicans glide silently by with the gentle current. The warmth from the sun provided us with enough energy and comfort to allow us to spend more time outdoors.

We dangled fishing lines in the river and waited in hungry anticipation. We chatted, laughed, sang and later, we dined on freshly caught fish. This week we filled each day with as many adventures as our young bodies could manage and each night we lazily stumbled into our snug bed and drifted into dreamy slumber.

For me, this week was all about sharing the sweet company of my family during a remarkable holiday in the winter time.

Dear friends, a warm remember to enter my giveaway. The final day to enter is TODAY and the odds of winning are very high. xx

With love,

Bella xx

Tweet

25/52 In-Laws

A portrait of my family once a week, every week in 2013

Popo: Pleased to spend the week with her grandson in a small cottage by the sea.

Byron: Proud to be a tall, strong grandson to his 85 year old grandmother. Here he assists Popo to slowly walk around our home, just as he did all week.

The week my Malaysian grandparents visited was one filled with delicious, traditional Malaysian dinners, early nights and stories about a culture that did not exist in my life until I met Byron.

Thank goodness we shared that first encounter.

Bella xx

Tweet

24/52 Byron in Film

A portrait of my family once a week, every week in 2013

Byron: He arrived home today after a long trip away from us. He smiled from behind his thick rimmed glasses and just like that, the weeks apart vanished.

I used the last of a roll of film for this picture and Byron, well... He wasn't ready to be snapped. I hastily delivered it to the print store and we spent the afternoon with Coco at the beach before sitting down with his grandparents, Popo (grandmother) and Kong Kong (grandfather) to eat slow cooked chicken and vegetables in delicious broth.

Tomorrow I will head back to work and Byron will play tourist guide to two of his favourite people. When I eventually return home (some twelve hours later), I will sit down to type the rest (hopefully) of my final uni assignment. The long, drawn out research has dampened my mood and zapped my energy but having Byron here with my Malaysian family has helped with the anxiety.

Tomorrow evening I will share with you all the winner of my giveaway. If you haven't entered yet, a small handful of hours remain to follow the link and enter... Good luck my blogger friends!

Bella xx

Tweet

To Market, To Market

Bangalow Markets// Gluten Free Thai Rice Cake// A Furry Local

Fresh Sushi Food Truck// An Unusual Meeting// Local Limoncello// Handcrafted Wooden Furniture

I love community markets and I love being able to explore them during the cool winter months. Reminiscing over the recent markets we have visited I recall vibrant coloured craft stalls, exotic aromas from the food trucks, locally crafted musical instruments and somewhere in the centre of it all, a band played beautiful folk tunes.

These are regular scenes at the Channon Craft Market and Bellingen Community Markets. We're pretty lucky to live on the east coast, a short drive from these wonderful community events and I love getting out there to support and meet the friendly faces of the people behind the local produce. We met Imogen from Imogen's Farm, a local vineyard deep in the heart of the Byron Bay hinterland. Imogen names each of her special bottled wines after her grandchildren and we were fortunate to bring a bottle of her fortified limoncello home, which was made from bush lemons growing on Imogen's Farm. I will have to wait to try it for a few months but it will be well worth it!

My Bellingen Markets hoard included my first ukulele, a chance meeting with an enchanting camel (my first time, up close and personal. Ok, not too close as I was frightened it might spit on my huge grin), freshly squeezed fruit juice, an aloe vera plant and some spring onion shoots.

My Channon Market treasures included a box of organic veges, Lady Finger bananas, locally made soy tempeh, kombucha tea, sushi made-to-order, freshly squeezed juice, Imogen's prize winning 'Tilly' limoncello, and gluten free Thai rice cake, cut into bite sized pieces and served in a banana leaf.

Byron and I have been seriously considering opening a trialling a little food stall of our own. Once I finish uni this semester, I'd love to plan it carefully. I think it could be fun, with plenty of hidden surprises and fresh challenges.

Do you visit any local markets? Have you ever had a market stall? I'd love to hear your market stories!

Bella xx

Tweet

Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine

As we settle into the cooler months and shorter days of winter, I spend more time in my kitchen overlooking the sea just as my mother did all those years ago. This is a special realisation for me knowing that her culinary skills and love for delicious home cooked food have been passed down to me.

Spiced Poached Pears in Red Wine
Serves 6

500 mL (2 cups) dry red wine (I used a pinot noir)
250 mL (1 cup) water
50g raw sugar (3 drops liquid stevia or 1-2 Tbs agave may be substituted)
1/2 lemon, zest and juice
2 star anise
2 cinnamon scrolls
1 vanilla bean, cut lengthways (or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste)
6 Packham pears, peeled

In a deep pan, combine the wine, water and sugar (or sugar substitute) over medium heat, bring to a simmer and grate the zest from your half lemon into the mixture. Squeeze the lemon, being careful not to drop any pips into the wine, then drop the squeezed lemon half into the wine. Add the star anise, cinnamon and vanilla and simmer for 15-20 minutes, then remove from the heat. In the meantime, peel the Packham pears (say that three times quickly!), they don't have to look perfect, the deep burgundy colour will dress them up, and carefully lower the pears into the wine syrup. Poach the pears over low heat until soft (approximately 10-15 minutes), do not simmer. Turn the pears carefully by the stems one or twice and add more liquid if required to cover the pears as they cook. When cooked, carefully remove the pears and place into a heat proof dish. Reduce the syrup, then pour over the pears and allow to cool. You may serve the pears chilled after soaking in the syrup over night but if you prefer a delicately soft, warm spiced pear then serve immediately with your choice of creamy accompaniment, whether it be vanilla bean custard or orange blossom chantilly cream.

Orange Blossom Chantilly Cream
200mL cream
2 drops of organic, gluten free orange blossom water
1-2 tsp caster sugar (I used raw sugar, which I whizzed until fine and powdery in a cup blender)

Whip all ingredients using an electric beater until light, then dollop a generous spoonful over a spiced poach pear in syrup to serve.

This sweet dessert is best served warm with a with dessert wine or in my case, with traditional chai tea.

As I sit here staring at the misty grey sky and charcoal sea through the glass with my warm bowl of spiced poached pears, I recall memories of my mother teaching me how to combine beautiful ingredients to create delicious meals. Blurry rain drops form curved lines that blend and fall against my window and I am comforted by the feeling that comes from knowing that some of our more treasured family traditions will endure over many seasons throughout my lifetime.

Bella xx

Tweet

10/52

"A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Us: One part crazy, two parts happy and full of life. Here we're celebrating the end of the month of heavy rain.

There was a constant light drizzle, which felt like a gentle mist on my face. Elated to be outdoors, despite the overcast sky and soggy earth we enjoyed every precious moment. As the afternoon hours ticked by and with our bellies full of our smoked tuna picnic with oysters, fruit and cool refreshing water we made the most of the wholesome country air. Soon after this picture was taken, the moisture in the air began to fall in heavier droplets, dotting the pale grey timber pier. We hastily packed up our picnic and raced back to the car before driving home, listening to the soulful, folky sounds of Ben Howard.

Maxi stayed at our little beach bungalow and was sorely missed, however we found him curled up in the same place we left him upon our return. I think he enjoyed the break from the energetic puppy to carry on with his important cat business- Napping.

Tweet

8/52

"A portrait of my family, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Me: Playing around with Byron during a quiet escape to the country. I love that I can share my childish enthusiasm for adventures with him.

Usually I'm the one behind the lens but occasionally I pop up in the photos. On a quiet day we drove along a winding road that wrapped it's way through dark green mountains. We stopped for a couple of hours in a beautiful area to explore our surroundings and were surprised to find we were the only people there.

Byron and I both captured moments from our day trip and seconds before this shot was taken he took several pictures of me smiling normally into the round glass lens of our camera. I thought he would put the camera away when I skipped forward, poking my tongue out at him the way I usually do when I think nobody is watching us. It was then that I heard it. Click.

When it's just the two of us, we often joke around. We don't make a habit of playing on country roads, this photo was taken when there were no cars visible for miles. There was nothing but the sound of beautiful birds calling to one another and water trickling nearby.

I thought about adding pictures of my family for this week of the 52 project but instead decided upon this picture. I'm a part of my family and the person who took this picture was my husband. He captured me the way I am with him and that's something sweet and unique to us that I thought would be fun to share with you.

I've really enjoyed being a part of Jodi's project and have visited countless sites from other friendly bloggers out there who have linked up.

Thank you for sharing parts of your lives with the rest of us. I hope your family and friends take as much care and interest in taking your picture as you do taking photos of them.

Love Bella xx

P.S. A quick reminder that our giveaway ends on the 28th of this very month. That's four short days left to enter! Click here to enter and Good Luck!

Tweet

Today

We walked here

We sat on the grass

We ran a little

Then ventured home

Where we lazed with Maxi outside in the shade

He stretched his long feline body across the little old metal table with the flaky white paint in the Tuscan garden

We relaxed, dozed for a little while and before we knew it, night time fell.

We didn't have to drive anywhere, our meals were prepared at home and the highlight of my day was spending it with my little family. Byron, our cat Maxi and our puppy Coco.

How did you spend your Sunday?

Bella xx

Tweet

Winter is Around the Chilly Corner...

I haven't posted in a little while. The usual thing to do would be to give you a brief update so here goes...

My Mother is ill. She suffers from something you cannot catch like the common cold. She must be hospitalised and the idea frightens me. Nobody wants this to happen to a child, sibling or friend and I especially do not wish to see my mother suffer. The good news is she has a positive 'can do' attitude and I believe she will commence the road to recovery very soon after her treatment.

It is always a shock to your system when you hear bad news and it can make you feel very tiny and insignificant but from this we inevitably grow and manage to cope somehow in some remarkable way, like a bright green grass shoot from a crack in a heavy, grey concrete block. Life finds a way, perseverance pushes us further and hope prevails.

Of course I have more news but I think I will leave those stories for another entry. Sometimes it is better to step back from the hustle and bustle of daily life, close your eyes and take a deep breath.

Tweet

After Easter Thoughts

This is my second entry and already I have a confession to make.

I am excited about sharing and especially now as I have just returned from a short break over Easter. The confession I have is that I wished to immerse myself in blog writing but felt that too frequent entries may seem self indulgent. I have decided to write when I am drawn back here. To this very page. No matter the hour or reason and after this entry, the blogs will be shorter.

To begin, Easter saw me make the biannual pilgrimage north to visit various relatives and friends. We cooked, we swam, we ate and drank red wine and homemade iced tea. We collected driftwood and broken shells from the beach and sat on the riverbank with the fox terrier, Sheriff wondering why it is I only visit twice a year as he playfully chased the water dragons from the gardens to the slow-flowing river.

We then played Scattergories, the board game with a timer, which, no matter how many times I played, still startled me to within an inch of my sanity each time it noisily 'clacked' to signal our time was up- pens down, like in my university exams... the pressure was incredible at times! You would be surprised how many ideas seep into your thoughts once the pressure of a 60 second time limit has finished but it is too bad when time has run out as the ideas are unable to flow out of your pen onto your answer sheet.
A body of water beginning with the letter 'P'... I have no idea why I spent half the allotted time trying to think of a river when I could have easily written pond, puddle, pool, the Pacific...

It was familiar and comforting to be surrounded by my family, if only for a week that honestly felt more like a weekend in duration. I managed to frame two of my mixed media pieces, one of which is mounted on my bedroom wall for want of a better location. I also began reading Evelyn Waugh's The Loved One for the umpteenth time, though I faintly recall finishing it twice. Ever. And sadly not this weekend.

I also managed to bring twice as many parcels home with me as what I originally left with. Mostly paints, canvasses, books and a new stick blender which is an improvement on the wardrobe I transported last time. Less is more.

I am surprised at the sadness I felt as I pulled out of the driveway to return to my real home. Jack Johnson did not prevent those blues, though his slower melodies lulled me into fond reflection as I promised myself I would return again soon. This prompted me to think about work and planning more travel around even more work. I have come to realise that I am not involved in a vicious downward spiral, but rather a series of events that repeat at my leisure and convenience. It's not so far in reality, I do not have to board a plane, nor do I have to take another week next time.

Perhaps I could visit for a weekend, arriving in the late Autumn afternoon. The time of year when the mosquitoes have moved on and the sky refects brillant pink and cool blue from the glassy river. I will paint next time, seated at the white iron table and chairs beside the jetty that stretches out from the riverbank. I will sit wrapped in a snug scarf cocoon with a white tea.

What more artistic inspiration could I want in such a peaceful place?

Self-indulgent confessions aside, I must admit I find the whole scene both serene and inviting. What an escape- I hope you were as relaxed as me over this long weekend.

I will stop by again very soon with a brief update and images of some of my recent and on-going projects and another glimpse into my life. Meet you back here?

Bella xx

Tweet