we're still here...

...thing have just slowed down (snails pace really).

Ah yes, life seems to be getting the in way of this little project right now...but not in a bad way, we are both really busy with our photography (janis) & graphic design (vanessa) businesses and with getting our little ones ready for school next year. Our personal work projects have taken centre stage right now - yes those income producing careers can get in the way sometimes! 

We have however had some amazing recipes and stories shared with us and look forward to telling you more about them soon..... and don't forget to keep sending them through. We are sure that your gardens are full with a spring harvest just waiting to be picked. There are a couple of fantastic salad recipes for when the weather gets warmer and some cooling drinks ideas also.

We had said when we started this project that we looked to mid 2013 for the launch of the book....well time has indeed got away and what was initially looked at as a 12 month project may in fact be a 24 or even a 36 month project. But the best things take time and hope that you will stay with us on this journey.

janis & ness xx

to market , to market

So the Saturday just gone saw the running of the now famous Somers Winter Market at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead and our fabulous friend Jess and her trusty assistant Cassy put together an amazing stall of local produce and plants sourced from both the pre-school vegetable garden & plant nursery together with other talented local gardeners who were very generous in sharing their harvest. 

One of out favorite items for sale were the colourful pieces of  garden art produced by the kids at the local pre-school (of which we both have little ones attend and are heavily involved). 

Getting ready for the coming Spring was made easy with the fabulous selection of seedlings.

Organic local celery - Yum! 

Once upon a time....

...there were boat sheds at Somers beach!

Can you believe it! Yes, in the early 1930's Somers was home to boat sheds.  Their premature demise however came about after a week of bad storms prior to the war. The original Somers spring bridge was taken at that time too - what a sight it must have been.

We have been delighted to have the most fantastic history lessons with long time resident and Somers historian Rod Nuske.  Rod along with his wife Pauline were intsrumential in recording and reporting on Somers changing landscape from sleepy little hamlet to thriving coastal village!

We are so lucky to have people committed to the preservation of the way Somers was built and created - literally from the ground up by a dedicated group of locals. We have a lot to be thankful for and are so lucky our little town has such a rich and rewarding past!

Image above: Boat sheds at Somers. Taken in the early 1930's. Photo courtesy of Rod Nuske

Stay tuned for more Once upon a time in Somers....

Our gorgeous friend Jess...

The ever-resourceful Jess Brady is a grower, nurturer, maker, sharer and all round lovely lass who will be a regular contributor to this blog.  Over the next year (or so!) she will generously share her immense knowledge of everything handmade and homemade - in and out of the kitchen!

This month she has shared one of her favourite go to recipes when she has an abundance of lemons - it is not only delicious but so easy to make!!  It was passed to her from a best friend and now we are very happy to pass it onto you….

Lemon Yoghurt Cake

1 ¾ cup sugar

2 eggs

½ teaspoon salt

2-3 teaspoons lemon juice

Grated rind of 2 lemons

¾ cup vegetable oil (could use safflower or coconut)

1 cup of natural yoghurt 

2 cups SR flour (I tend to use half spelt and half wheat)

Mix rind, oil, eggs and sugar together in a bowl using a fork.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until combined.

Bake in a well greased tin at 180° for about 30 minutes

to pick

I was thrilled recently when invited to go mushroom picking with the gorgeous Atkins family. I've always watched people picking with envy, hoping that I one day might know what it is you do and more importantly don't look for when picking from the roadside.  

After gaining their picking skills at a local course a few seasons ago Dean and Zoe have been enjoying the fungi selection along Sandy Point Rd and once they get going can collect themselves a fair bounty. Pines and Slipperies were the order of the day with young Finn keen to get in and help with the finding, cleaning and with their delicate placement in the basket. I can't think of a better family winters activity and had an absolute ball on the day - thanks for the invite and for the education. 

we're frozen...

...such a cold start to these last couple of days with our gardens and farmlands covered in a fine layer of frost.

Do you have the ultimate hot chocolate recipe that's helping you to get through these cold winter mornings? We'd love to hear about it if you do, traditional or exotic, with marshmallows or without we are looking forward to hearing how it is you prepare yours!

oursomersproject@gmail.com

a meal in a mouthful

The perfect after school snack and the ideal healthy addition to any lunchbox these muffins are packed with goodness and when baked at the Coles household recently they were an absolute hit.

1/2 cup castor sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup SR white flour
1 cup SR wholemeal flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bi carb
1 cup sultanas
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup grated apple
2 cups grated carrot
3 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla

Sift flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and bi carb into a large bowl. Beat eggs, oil and vanilla until well mixed and add to dry ingredients - mix well. Add fruit and carrot, mix well and place into pre lined patty pans / muffin tins. Bake on 180º for 15 to 20 mins until well browned - Enjoy!