Nice things happen at my kitchen bench.

It’s a place to gather, chat, drink & eat. It’s currently quite small & we have a huge living/meals area attached but people only ever sit at the bench. Consequently, the bench in the new place will be much more accommodating.

The lovely doodle above was begun by my sister in the afternoon. She inked the leaf & then left it sitting on the bench. In the evening Trace came over for a swim & a pretty drink. The red pencil was moving the whole time she sat & chatted.

I think I’m going to see how much creativity I can draw out of “accidental artists” this year.

The date has christened himself “crap courier”. He reckons everyday when he goes to pick up seriously important mail from PO Box there is some new piece of Kirst crap to bring home.

I’ve tried to explain the seriousness of the etsy situation but he just doesn’t get it.

for a week of baking at Mikes.

It’s OK there’s only Vodka in the icing (which can, of course be substituted for tap water).

How we love a Capiroska.

Now we can eat them too!

Capiroska Cupcakes
1 & 1/2 cups of SR flour
1 cup of Brown Sugar
1/2 cup of dessicated coconut
grated rind of 1 lime
2 eggs
125gms unsalted butter
1/2 cup of ginger beer
1/2 cup of milk

Preheat oven to 180 C.

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

Melt butter in saucepan.

Add melted butter, milk, ginger beer & eggs & mix with a wooden spoon.

Spoon into patty cases & cook for around 15 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

Icing
1 cup icing sugar
grated rind of 1/2 lime
vodka (around 1/4 cup)

Sift icing sugar, add lime rind & then vodka (gradually until a smooth consistency is achieved).

Ice & enjoy (just as you would the drink).

Do you have a favourite place to sit? This is mine – a little unconventional I know, but it’s all mine.

When my brother, sister & I were growing up there was definitely an IT spot.

It was the cane chair closest to the TV. The chair was awfully uncomfortable & had exposed nails that caught on your clothes & your hair. BUT… it had tier 1 status because in the days before remotes arms reach was vitally important.

It was only your spot until you had to get up to go to the loo or grab a gingernut biscuit from the bickie barrel. As soon as you took your first step someone was waiting to nab the “top spot”. These chair wars usually ended in tears & a bit of blood. So, genius children that we were we came up with “spot reserved”. If you declared this prior to leaving your seat no-one could assume your position & it was a no go zone until you returned. I love the politics between siblings!

No-one wants my spot now – but just for old time’s sake…”spot reserved”. Don’t anybody pinch my patch of floor (or my pretty drink).

I had lots of ideas for people to invite to a sensational dinner party with the date but in the end I’ve settled on my friends from school: Jo, Tan, Soph, Lise, Jen, Tiff, Megs & Myself.

The date will decline his invitation & we will all sit around drinking pretty drinks & laughing til our cheeks hurt.

Sure – we are all very different people now & our lives have moved us in different directions & around the world. Maybe if we met in the street today we wouldn’t all be friends. BUT… there is something really special about a shared history & the easy, honest & kid-like way you interact with a friend you’ve had forever. It’s priceless.

The photo with the pink cut outs is the final list but we need to add Jo & Megs into the pink voids. Can you match all my friends with their before & after shots?

Thank you Lily & Agathe and Three Buttons.