It’s amazing what a few weeks of ‘time-out’ engaging in the things which delight can do for a person. Tomorrow I am back to the corporate world and I am hoping I can maintain the calm and sense of joy that the past two weeks have afforded me.

The first week was spent with my lovely and talented friend Fenella (postcardsfromfenella.wordpress.com) who lives in the most perfect setting in Bellingen on the N.S.W Mid North Coast. We went on a bit of a road trip, stayed at the idyllic Coco’s Cottage at Possum Creek, not far from Bangalow which is in the Byron Shire. On the way there (and back) we lunched at ‘Harvest’ at Newrybar – a Café, Bakery, Deli & Farm which practices sustainability.

Harvest Newrybar

Harvest Deli

Baked Carrot & Quinoa Salad

Spanish Mackerel

Coco

Garden around the cottage

Coco’s Country Cottage

On our trip we also traveled up to Tweed Heads to visit the regional gallery where we enjoyed the permanent Margaret Olley exhibition (and lunch), we strolled through the Shambhala Gardens which surround the Crystal Palace, had morning tea at ‘The Farm’ at Ewingsdale, where Daren Robertson and team have recently set up ‘Three Blue Ducks’, & took several trips into picturesque Bangalow where we enjoyed strolling through the village shops and having lunch at ‘The Italian Diner’ (of course!).

Margaret Olley – Tweed Heads Regional Gallery

Margaret Olley – The Yellow Room

View from Cafe – Tweed Heads Regional Gallery

Shambhala Gardens

Three Blue Ducks – at The Farm

The bakery selection – Three Blue Ducks

The second week I was home alone back in Sydney, Aron still away enjoying a crisp European spring. The cyclonic weather which lashed Sydney, the Central Coast and Newcastle for several days didn’t dim my spirits as I found my bliss being back at the stove spending time making preserves, lemon curd, tartlets and several meals for family and friends which included, simple pizza,  sea food tagine, goats’ cheese tart and my version of Basque fish stew (oops … we ate it before I remembered to snap a photo).

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

A good use for the roasted tomatoes

Picked Plums, Stewed Plums, Lemon Curd & Preserved Lemons

Lemon Meringue Tartlets

Tarte au Chevre

Such a lovely few days shared with much loved friends and family….as I finish this I am reminded of a quote,“ There is no path to happiness: happiness is the path” -Buddha.

Kathryn x