Food for thought

Really look forward to a weekend away with my beloved next week. We're going to Hobart and it'll be our last holiday before we move. I love Tasmania, especially the amazing cheese and fresh produce!

I've a list of new recipes I'm intending to make over the next few weeks once I get  the time. These include:

• Bean and chocolate brownies
• Corn tortillas
• Soda bread
• my own vinegar plant ( go through soooo much vinegar in pickling and relish making).

Some things that have intrigued me over the last week:

Multiple call outs for penguin jumpers. Turns out the jumpers aren't actually for the penguins in the most instances and the are used to dress fundraiser soft toys like the ones below. You can read more about it at The Great Penguin Sweater Fiasco by Mike Dickison

Speaking of knitting (something I lack patience for), I am charmed by this snail tea cosy by Anke Klempner:



The issue of working for free comes up in a lot of not for profit and social enterpreneurial organisations. I often get asked to provide workshops and presentation for free, usually for big NFP's with hundreds of staff and sizable budget. The staff who attend on the night get paid, the caterer gets paid, the drinks supplier gets paid, why shouldn't I? A critical look at the issue is presented by Jessica Gottlieb in
The Problem is that My Job is Your Hobby

I'm a big fan of Rohan Anderson's work. Whilst I don't agree with everything he says and does and at times find his work unbearably hipster (this could be perhaps unfortunate timing more than anything), his books and blog are also beautifully photographed. I suspect the culprit might be his wife Kate Berry who now has a charming photography project sharing her rural Victoria work with another photographer called Kate Berry in London. Check out The Other Kate Berry for some stunning pics.

I also think this campaign by Catapult to address the issue is female child slavery for International Women's Day is very clever.

I'm also running Community Preserving Day in Northcote on Saturday March 22nd from 11am to 4pm. $5/$10 gets you a day of learning to make different preserves, a tasty vego morning tea and lunch, full instructions and recipes and plenty of preserves to take home which you'e made with your very own hands. I'm also seeking Darebin folks to contribute through submitting and teaching their favourite jam, pickles or preserving recipe (you will be paid for your time) so email me if you are interested. Bookings can be made here. 

And if you're a fan of milk and biscuits, this idea might appeal in a big way...