My bed has been my home for the last four days. I am quite fed up with being, or what it feels like being, constantly ill. (This occasion we can blame on the boss who came in to work all last week with the flu!) I am hoping this will be the last time this year. I had to work today and tomorrow, so I am looking forward to the three-day weekend where I can get some much needed rest, and hopefully soak up a little Vitamin D from all the sunshine we'll be receiving.

homemade baked beans

Normally I'm the cook in the house, but on the weekend my husband had a go at making homemade baked beans. I've never been a fan of the canned variety, but I'm sure any one who is would be converted! It didn't take long to make and it's a very simple recipe for those lacking confidence in the kitchen. We doubled the recipe, which has supplied us with breakfast for the whole week.

Homemade baked beans
From Bill Granger 'Everyday'

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion
100 g pancetta
1 garlic clove
2 anchovies
1 teaspoon finely chopped thyme
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped oregano
400 g tin chopped tomatoes
2 x 400g tin canellini or butter beans
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 160C. Heat the olive oil in a large flameproof casserole over a medium heat. Add the onion and pancetta and cook, stirring for 5-6 minutes, or until slightly crisp. Add the garlic, anchovies, thyme and oregano and cook, stirring, for another minute. Add the tomatoes and 125ml of water, bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer for another 10 minutes. Stir in the beans, put a lid on the casserole and bake in the oven for 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve on toasted sourdough with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.

the week that was

This week has consisted of:

-way too much shopping. That dress and those jeans. Country Road sales are evil.

-pulling my neck out when trying to put my on my cardigan while throwing my handbag over my shoulder. Never again. I'm going to try book a remedial massage appointment tomorrow as it's still killing me.

-the arrival of the Tolix stool, Eames chair and Eames hang-it-all I ordered a month or so ago (all replicas I'm afraid, until we can afford the real things)

-yummy macarons made by Callum Hann from MasterChef. He launched his range of macarons on Friday, available to purchase at Providore in the Central Market, with flavours chocolate, beetroot, peanut butter and pistachio (packaging by Adelaide co Black Squid Design). The husband and I scoffed our way through them in 20 seconds flat - the beetroot is absolutely delicious, but the peanut butter wins hands down (no photos it was gone that fast!)

-the beautiful wedding of our cousins Mike and Chloe, followed by some crazy moves on the dancefloor (mostly some ridiculous robot-like dancing on my part due to the neck injury!)

-waking up this morning with a sore throat, runny nose and aching body (everyone has been sick at work so it was inevitable I would eventually get it). I'm propped up in bed with my laptop while the husband cooks some homemade baked beans for breakfast, so I suppose I can't really complain!

plenty by yotam ottolenghi

'Plenty' by Yotam Ottolenghi hit our shelves a few weeks ago (I am lucky enough to work for a company that also operates a fine food store), and I was immediately captivated by the beautiful cover illustration. Looking inside, I discovered it was a vegetarian cookbook. This is exactly what I've been looking for - I often find myself using meat in every meal, mainly because I struggle to create interesting vegetarian meals on the fly. The delicious photography and flavour combinations in this one book alone has given me all the inspiration I need.

I love the simple yet beautiful illustrations, used to section the recipes into categories. Above: Mushrooms. Below: Roots.

The photography (by Jonathan Lovekin) is stunning. The food jumps right out the page.

I immediately want to make this potato salad.

And this - Shakshuka (aka baked eggs).

This looks devine - black pepper tofu.

Perfect picnic food - pasta, fried zucchini and edamame salad with torn buffalo mozzarella.

Suddenly I can't wait until eggplants come into season. I want to eat this - now.

Nothing beats the simplicity of quality ingredients - ripe summer tomato and fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Soba noodle, eggplant and mango salad. Bring on summer, I say!

(Now the hard part: I have to stop looking and start cooking...)

round the bend

Billy has taken to chasing his tail. Round and round he goes....

And biting his tail.

We stop him, then give him a toy to bite instead, but 10 seconds later he's back circling the floor. It's driving us round the bend!

But when he looks up at you with those eyes (Sorry Mum!), you can't help but still love him.

Does anyone have any tips to help curb this habit?

party

Yesterday was our nephew's 4th birthday. Cake, a piñata, lollies everywhere, and a new cool race car. Oh, and let's not forget the jumpy castle! (Unfortunately my camera battery died before I could capture evidence of my husband and brother-in-law doing backflips on it - ever so young at heart!) The birthday boy looked quite dapper in his navy corduroys and shirt - it is rather frightening how suddenly grown up he is. I am sure it will be his 18th before we know it. 

nesting

We moved into our house a little over two months ago, but we are still surrounded by unfinished renovations and packing boxes. I am a true nester - I need photos, magazines, vases and just my things around me to feel happy and at ease. I have been feeling restless for some time now. I am very impatient... everything needs to be now - right this minute - with me. But we are slow renovators, and our weekends are only going to get busier with multiple engagement parties and weddings coming up, so I have resigned myself to the fact we will be living like this for a few more months. I unpacked a couple of small boxes and displayed a few little things in our loungeroom. It will keep me for happy, for now.

what should i make for dinner

Loving this website.

I will have to remember this next time I'm struggling for dinner inspiration.

things i am loving

Some things I am loving at the moment (but refraining from purchasing):-

1. ABCs poster by Honey & Bloom, found via Lovely Design.
2. Soft toys by MAIIKE, discovered through Lucy at The Design Files.
3. 'You are loved' garland by Shanna Murray. I could easily buy all of her decals in a heartbeat.

(I really need to get onto painting our kitchen wall in blackboard paint so I have an excuse to buy one of those decals.)

frankie 2011 diary

Anyone who knows me is well aware that I have an unhealthy obsession with stationery. I spend a good two months researching my pocket/handbag diary for the next calendar year. I think I may have slightly frightened my co-workers, however, when I saw this, the first ever Frankie diary. Squeal! Love, love, love. Pre-ordered immediately. (Sorry Kikki-K. For 2011, Frankie wins.)