Time out

A precious morning alone was intensely needed. Two weeks of family holiday can be hard work with two young children. The squabbling, the shouting, the endless cleaning, entertaining, later bedtimes and very early mornings. We even felt this year we had very little by way of evenings as by the time they were sleeping we were shattered too. But, they are amazing wee people, as complex and trying as both their parents. And no one really ever says how hard but rewarding family holidays can be, do they? I remember my parents frustration as well, I'm sure we all can. 

So for an hour, thanks to D amusing the kiddos, I stayed in Reading Lasses, I caught up on emails, I browsed the shelves, sipped coffee and contemplated the next few days before we returned to 'real life'. Reading Lasses is a women's book shop in Wigtown, Scotland's book town. 

I have written about our love of Wigtown before. Taking time out in Galloway is a little like money in the bank for D and I. Just today in my minds eye I could see myself on the road to Cruggleton Church, the kids singing in the back of the car, green hedgerows and that expansive Galloway sky above, feeling belonging and a relationship to the landscape we have never felt so strongly anywhere else. Until the next time......

Fragments

When I started this blog, it was to get what's in my head all the time, that voice down in print. To see what it all looked like. The photography element of it started off simply as images to illustrate what I wanted to say. Right from the start I didn't want to think about either element too much. There is so much amazing writing and photography out there that I didn't want to over analyse what I was doing. 

Photography for me is approached in much the same way as my writing. Like there's a voice in my head, there is an image or a set of circumstances that need to be captured. We have been away and I have captured a few scraps of inspiration. Like all attempts at art for me it's like chasing a fragment of light or a shadow out of the corner of my eye. With practice I will catch/capture more I'm sure.

Walking in clover

She walked over that carpet of wild clover 'just because it feels so lovely, Mummy'.  Her little light step left no indentation on that springy green carpet.

The yellow Irises were so spectacular, and sometimes I feel so overwhelmed by the beauty in nature I can't believe its all just there to take in. There is so much we can miss if we don't take time to look.

The country park we visit several times a month is glorious just now.  We want to be there as much as we can, they never seem to get bored by the woods, the wild adventure park, the river, or the formal walled gardens.

The sun lights their red hair making it look like fire, dancing around their faces.

I hope your summer has begun in earnest, Jo xx

Folk Club

It was a typical West of Scotland summer evening, warm, close, but so, so wet.  Torrential at points. A good friend and I ventured to the local folk club for the first time.  We had kind of expected a raucous, smoke filled room, but then that is really just the images that my Dad's tales of youthful Humblebum's gigs (and other Scottish folk greats) have implanted on my mind.  It was BYOB, but I had never thought to check so it was steaming mugs of tea and diet coke for us!  As the night went on we saw beer, wine and cider produced from plastic bags on the floor- we will know for the next time!  The main attraction for us was the acts, Yvonne Lyon headlining and Andrew Howie as support.

These days Yvonne is rarely off my playlist having seen her play for the first time earlier this year. I have also seen Andrew before at a very special house gig.  To see them play on the same bill and together for a song was just perfect.  If you don't know either of them click on the links and check them out.  The picture above, captures perfectly, them playing a beautiful new song they have written together.

Roddy Woomble is playing the Folk Club in October, and he is another favourite of mine.  Then I will return with red wine, but I might still have a cup of tea at the break, served through the hatch by the organiser's mum (plain biscuits 3p, chocolate 20p!)!

{This post is for my Dad, a much, much better musician than he gives himself credit for.}

Weekend Reading

Happy Friday everyone!

Thanks to two of my favourite bloggers, Jen from Little birdie and Cherry Menlove I have some new reading.  Has anyone else noticed the bottom has fallen out of the secondhand book market?  You can get just about any paperback for as little as a few pennies these days either on Ebay or Amazon.  As someone who still likes an old fashioned paper book to read I have been indulging in some new (old) books.

These two are just brilliant and both written by wonderful women with unique and poetic voices. Please seek them out if you haven't already.

And yes, another cushion from Jane at Teawagontales.  Just because her cushion's are perfectly made, reasonably priced and the most amazing colours and patterns.  Thank you Jane. 

Pattern

Its been a while since I shared anything from my home, hasn't it?

Well to remedy that here are a few new fave things.

1. Very lucky rummage in the fabric section of the Salvation Army. Pillowcases and a perfect set of curtains!
2. Mainly to show you those silver trays at the top - they are designed by Gerald Benney for Viners and I can totally see them at a 70's cocktail party!
3. My new cushion from Jane at Teawagontales. I love it and I love Jane's Etsy store, please visit if you haven't already. 

Have a wonderful week, Jo xx

Summer Rice

I was born in July, so most every celebration that I can remember for my birthday involves a barbecue.  I know its near that time, well summer, when I start to think about making this rice dish. I call it summer rice here but it is really my Aunt Moira's recipe.  My Aunt, despite what she thinks is a good cook and she used to feed lots of us in family gatherings at her house with delicious food and with ease.

She made this rice to go along with her Chilli, served with pitta breads - it seemed terribly exotic to me at the time.  And I never forget how good her Chilli tasted, it was ever so slightly sweet and went so well with this rice.

You make it by frying an onion in olive oil, with as many crushed or chopped garlic cloves as you like, then you add a finely chopped red pepper.  Once the onions and pepper start to brown a little add your rice. You can use basmati or long grain, although my Aunt used long grain and I do too.  Stir the rice in the vegetables until coated in the oil, then add a teaspoon and a half of turmeric and a table spoon of white wine vinegar.  This rice works on the 'double the amount of water as rice' absorption principle. For example if I make it for the four of us I use a standard mug of rice to two of water.  It is easily doubled.  Pour in your water and crumble in one chicken or vegetable stock cube, bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer.  Just when the water is about to be absorbed completely I turn off the gas, put a tea towel over the pan and put the lid on top.  After 5 minutes or so fork it up and transfer to a serving bowl.

I find that this rice is a great accompaniment to a barbecue, where you may have grilled some vegetables or chicken, or maybe some veggie burgers.  With a green salad and a potato salad you have a good  mix of dishes.  The bonus is that small children love it as well as adults, and its good the next day with a little lemon olive oil stirred through.

And yes that is a retro sprinkling of smoked paprika on the top!