Manning Park

A few weeks ago, we spent a couple of nights in a cabin in the mountains with my dad, brother and his girlfriend. We started coming to Manning Park with my dad when we were kids; it's where I learned to snowboard and the scene of many happy memories. After not visiting for so long, it was a real treat to go back and see that not much has changed.

My dad calls it the "anti-Whistler" and he's spot on. It's not trendy or fancy in any way, but the resort has everything you need and a rustic charm that can't be ignored. More importantly, it's breathtakingly beautiful at this time of year. I felt like I was in a postcard and despite the frigid temperatures, I kept trekking back outside to take photos.

Clementine, however, was less than impressed with all the snow. We've learned on this trip that she is definitely not a winter baby. It snowed in Vancouver shortly after we arrived, and when we finally convinced her to get out of her stroller, she leaned over, touched the snow and exclaimed dramatically, "NO, NO, NO, NO." So you can imagine what she thought of Manning Park… She seemed to be getting the hang of it all by the third (and last day), but I think she was happy to get back to the milder weather of Vancouver.

these winter days

photos by Gui Jorge

These winter days have been so nice. The weather has been absolutely perfect; bright blue skies beckon us outside and we're usually at our local park by 9am. We have been spending so much time outside, mostly because Clementine is at an age where she has energy to burn. If we stay home for too long she very quickly destroys the place and undoes any of my efforts at housekeeping.

Speaking of, the husband and I dropped off another carload of things at the op shop last weekend and it's amazing what a difference it makes. I love the resulting feeling of space, and the fact that it takes half as long to clean up. For the first time ever, we actually have empty drawers. Incredible! Also incredible? Our heater. This is the first Sydney home I've lived in that isn't an absolute freezer come winter. For our apartment's many faults, it is quite toasty and for that I am grateful (especially because that heater becomes an air conditioner in the warmer months).

I have to say, it's totally shallow but I've been quite enjoying dressing Clementine in winter clothes. There is nothing cuter than a toddler all rugged up in bonnets and scarves. Seriously. She's such a lucky girl too, because her grandmother has been spoiling her with handmade accessories that are to die for. It'll be interesting to see how we handle the challenge of dressing for actually cold weather, when we're in Canada later this year. It will be Clementine's first experience of true winter, and my first cold winter in 5 years. I think one of these might be in order.

This week we're seeing friends, working on a very cute sewing project and planning another newborn shoot. When my husband and Clementine get home from the grocery store, we'll settle in for the night. Chicken congee for her, and miso-curry pumpkin (from this favourite cookbook) for us for dinner. Later tonight I'll have a bath (my muscles are achy from chasing a toddler all day) and then we'll watch Masterchef and eat ice cream. Have a good night everyone!

a cozy scarf

Like I said in my last post, the weather has shifted again and our days have been drizzly and grey. I've been bundling up against the cold, grateful for hand knits and heaters.

This little scarf is one of those super simple hand knits. I used chunky black wool and purled every row. When it was done, I sewed a couple of wooden buttons to one end, buttons that don't need special holes - they fit through gaps in the knitting just fine.

Easy, and much more successful than the last knitted project I shared :)

apple crumble yum

This weekend was a wellies and peacoat kind of weekend. A weekend of sniffles, a sore throat and a cold I've been trying to shake. So I stayed close to home and drank lots of green smoothies, coconut water and warm, comfort foods.

Last night I felt like baking so I whipped up a simple crumble with the apples I got at the market earlier that day. I used this recipe that I've posted before, just swapping the pears for apple slices. Though I have to say, if you like topping, you may want to double just that part of the recipe. Either way, comfort food at its finest!

sunday is my favourite

Sunday is my favourite day of the week. While midweek days off are nice, there's just something about a leisurely Sunday, where you have no plans whatsoever, that makes my heart sing. Slow bike rides, Addison Road Markets, fresh coconut, tree climbing and a treat from Gorman - my idea of a perfect Sunday.

winter days

I'm wearing my friends' new yoga clothing line in the above photo, more on this later...

I just got this cute Vancouver pin in the mail from my mom

My days this week have been a bit fuller than normal, but in the best of ways. Between teaching my regular yoga classes, picking up cover classes, and bits and pieces of freelance work I've been fairly industrious. But the wonderful thing about my life right now - and I say this fully realizing that it won't always be so! - is that my schedule is pretty flexible.

This means I can start my day off with a leisurely coffee, and squeeze in a stroll to the beach before a class, as I did yesterday. In the sun, by the little rock pool, I soaked up the vitamin D. And when it was time to step back into my day, teaching class followed by numerous hours in front of the computer, I was ready. Refreshed.

butternut pumpkin soup

It's been pretty chilly here in Sydney this week, and even chillier inside my house. Whereas in most parts of the world winter means bundling up to go outside, and shedding layers when you're inside, my experience of Sydney is the exact opposite. When I'm home I'm usually wearing about 10 layers (which often includes a toque!), but outside I can still get away with cardigans and open shoes. Oh, and I should mention that it isn't just me, everyone says the same thing!

But what I actually want to talk about is soup, glorious soup to warm your belly. I picked up a butternut pumpkin at the market on Sunday, which became this simple soup last night.

Butternut pumpkin soup

- 1/2 of a butternut pumpkin (otherwise knows as butternut squash)

- 1 big onion

- 4 cups veggie stock

- salt and pepper

Peel and roughly chop your pumpkin. Do the same with your onion. Throw your pumpkin, onion, 4 cups of veggie stock and some salt and pepper into a heavy pot. Cover with a lid and leave at medium heat for about half an hour, or until the pumpkin is soft. Throw it all into a blender (I did this in 2 batches - nobody wants hot splattered soup all over the kitchen!) until smooth. Enjoy!

to market we go

Since getting home from Canada, jet lag has been seeing my rise much earlier than I normally do. Yesterday morning, Sunday, I was up at 7:45 am. By 9 I was cycling to the market to fill my front basket with fresh bread rolls, butternut squash, apples, mandarins with leaves still attached and some wintery purple flowers.

Of course I also had to fill my belly, with coffee and an organic muffin followed by the yummiest fresh pasta and sauce once I was home. On days like yesterday, winter in Sydney is glorious. Bright light, mild temperatures and lots of time spent outdoors. What's not to love?

Edit: For those of you who asked, my bike is this one from Giant. I love her.