Yesterday I cooked and cooked and cooked. I even packed my own apron and knives in preparation. Getting used to other peoples ovens is such a chore. My little helper wore his apron too and is the Bossy Breadcrumb Basher.
Today my daughter Sopsta flies in from Melbourne, (I just spoke to her – she is in a cab going to the airport), when she arrives the cooking begins in earnest. Over the last few days I have made a goodly amount of tomato sauce from local fresh tomatoes and garlic. Baked bread, for the crostini and breadcrumbs. On Friday we have about 30 people coming for dinner on site at the wedding farmhouse and I will be serving a vegan lasagna (made with butternut and sage) which I will make today so it can press overnight, a vegetarian lasagna (made with, aubergine, beans and basil) and a gluten free omnivores lasagna with Everything. (I have bought garden labels to stick into the dishes so everyone knows whats what!) We will make Huge local food salads. A quinoa salad, a green salad, a tomato and cucumber salad and a watermelon salad. My sister is bringing a pasture raised ham and I will be pulling loaf after loaf out of the ovens. That should keep us busy for a couple of days!
The main job tonight will be to complete The List!
I spoke to Our John yesterday and all is well on the farmy. The weather is still mild (thank goodness) hovering around freezing point and sometimes warmer. Jake has given everyone new straw and John closes the barn doors at night to keep out the worst of the drafts and Jake opens them in the morning to let in the sun. The chickens are laying and the kunekune are wandering the fields when they are not sleeping with cats. Boo is living the life in town with Nanny (where he cannot get into trouble unsupervised on a farm).
Jake just sent me a message that our new cow is coming sometime today. He is going to take some pictures for us. This is pretty exciting.
My daughter in law (from the wedding a couple of months ago) is sending me to the manicurist to have my nails done! Today! Oh lordy! Can you imagine? Miss c with painted nails.
Wellington, New Zealand is still a little cool. It is a Southerly wind (the cold wind in this hemisphere) so no swimming on the beach today! Might have fish and chips for Tea though.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on my travels,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
41 responses to “Pop Up- Up Date”
Thank you so much for taking time to share with us. The cooking and the cleaning of just getting ready for the large crowd has to be taking tons of time, so this little connection is lovely! Enjoy being pampered, it’s a rare thing for farmers. Usually farmers are doing the pampering!
Linda
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I knew there must have been something behind that interesting luggage! Something delicious! Something that everyone can eat and enjoy. Of course! Hairdresser last week, manicure this week… relax (as much as you can) and enjoy 🙂
A few decades back there would have been just the one lasagne 🙂 ! Wonderful menu!!! Hello to Sophie: you two are going to have fun!!!!!!
off topic: Dear people meeting in the ‘transported’ Lounge for coffee and tea – DO be careful with the cards you use when paying for stuff. For the first time during my life found my one and only account has been literally emptied by someone buying an Etihad airlines ticket yesterday and then needing some ‘pocket money’. Have spent the morning getting extensions for utilities payments as the bank closed all cards and accounts! Happy Australia Day . . . .seventy doillars in my purse: not one iota funny!!!!!! At least ten days to resolve and then no surety I’ll gate my meagre funds back!!!!!!!!
Oh how awful..completely miserable.. hopefully you were able to come within the time restraints for a claim.. I have a special debit card just for internet use but still.. hackers are very clever.. hope you get your money back.. c
Oh Celi: so do I ’cause that was ALLl I had!! Still shaking!! Sorry for letting ‘loose’ in the Lounge – just so upset!!!!!! Do have a good time with Sophs and the fam!!!!!
I am sure you are upset, it is a terrible blow, and hopefully the banks have insurance for this kind of thing? I hope you day gets a little better.. c
Ten days to wait . . .so sorry to have ‘sounded off’ . . . honestly! Have a wonderful time . . . .
I am sad that you aren’t at the farm for the new cow’s arrival and amazed at your foresight to have garden labels to indicate what’s what!! I think we’d all like to know exactly how Boo is doing “in town.” Being a Momma’s Boy, he must be beside himself.
I sure hope your daughter loves “All The Light…”
yes, I have it for her, I think she will.. after all WE do!.. c
What tasty food! – sounds like hot work but I’ve just heard that Wellington has been having a much cooler summer than Auckland. Painted nails Ha! Ha! I wonder how long they will last back home. Make the most of playing ladies and have a fabulous wedding.
Good to know all is well at home in America and in New Zealand. I hope you are having a wonderful time there, although it does sound like you are doing quite a lot of work. I suppose we would think it rather odd if you wrote that you were doing nothing more than keeping those manicured nails dry and clean and sparkling fresh though 🙂
Deep breath and WOW…a new cow and a wedding and food for all, sooo thoughtful and soo much love dear C….I envy your skills and energy !!
Lots of love (and luck!) to you.
Sounds like you are having a lovely time with your family, all of you busy busy busy! Lovely X
Eha I hope you get your money back, that’s a horrid thing to happen.
Busy, busy busy, not a moment to stop and turn….So you thought that you would get a rest…that was definitely blown out of the window..
It sounds wonderful to have such a big family, and although there is much work done and still lots to do..it does sound as though you are having fun ( even so you’ll be happy to be home)
Manicured nails for Miss C..well that is a luxury that does not happen very often, will we get a picture?
I bet we are all looking forward to see the picture of the new member of the animal farm…. and it is good to hear that all is well.
Cor! Fish and Chips…my favourite all time food. You are so lucky, but are they shop boughtor homecooked..I like the shop bought ones from a shop in Herne Bay Kent UK..really yummy for my tummy
Lots of Love C have fun xxxxx
We must have a picture of the polished nails! (Will you feel like yourself…maybe memories of your former self? giggles)
Oh, can almost smell all the cooking and feel the warmth. It all sounds perfectly delicious – food, too
Still busy busy, even though you’re not on the Farmy!