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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

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« I left my heart…in San Francisco
Jono ♥ Laura »

Happiness is…

August 11, 2016 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Happiness is…

…eating tender ginger beef on a cold, rainy night…

happiness9c

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…rocking my black heart sunnies with my red Clint Eastwood Ecuadorean hooded cape. Because it’s winter in Sydney, and the red hearts felt like overkill…

happiness1

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…escaping into the city for a couple of hours on my own. Even when it’s grey and overcast, Sydney is always beautiful, and it’s always home…

happiness3

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…catching the cute baristas at Gumption in the Strand Arcade cracking themselves up over their inability to pronounce the name “Hugh”…

happiness2

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…baking Small Man’s favourite buttermilk scones for International Scone Week, hosted by the lovely Tandy at Lavender and Lime. Pop over and join in the fun!

isw

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…finding an hour to temper some 70% Amedei dark chocolate into after dinner bites…

happiness4

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…achieving the plasticky sheen and holey crumb so coveted by Italian bakers everywhere…

happiness5

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…running into Steve the Bush Jeweller at the Rocks Markets and finding that his new pendant matches my other pieces exactly. Made from an old silver plated fork and spoon, it came on a sterling chain and cost just $28…

happiness6

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…learning from Auntie Sim how to steam a fish head in the microwave.

Pop a split and de-gilled head (just one side, about 350g) into a dish and cover with sauce and ginger, then cling film the top. Microwave on high for three minutes, medium for three minutes, then low for three minutes. Scatter over chopped scallions and serve.

I ate this on my own for lunch…

happiness7

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…discovering a new brand of shoes for my Hobbit feet. These are Wolkys and unfortunately they’re not available here (I bought then in San Francisco). To date, they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn…

happiness9

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…knitted churidar pants from Fabindia – super long, über comfortable leggings that bunch at the ankles, hence the name “churidar” which means “bangle-like”. Best of all, they’re just US$22 a pair from Fabindia online, delivered anywhere in the world for free if you spend over $100…

happiness9a

. . . . .

Happiness is…

…a new dryer.

We really did try to fix our old one, but after 16 years, it was no longer possible to get parts. We were pretty happy though when the repairman told us where to buy a Miele demonstrator model for $700 off the recommended retail price!

The model we bought uses heat pump technology, which my engineer husband believes will save us $300 a year in electricity…

happiness9b
. . . . .

Happy days! Hope all is well in your world too!

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Posted in My Photos | 36 Comments

36 Responses

  1. on August 11, 2016 at 8:26 am Marilyn Ryman

    Happiness today for me is a beautiful sunshiny day, a cool brown Labrador nose to wake me up, another drop in my pain medication, and reading your blog this morning! I would so love to say hello one day Celia. If you are ever coming up to the Sunshine Coast, I have a little cabin on my block here at Maleny in the hinterland that you are most welcome to use. Many blessings your way and much happiness.


    • on August 11, 2016 at 8:35 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      That’s very kind of you, Marilyn, thank you! :)


  2. on August 11, 2016 at 8:30 am Heidi

    I always wish there was a little heart or ‘love’ button I could click after all of your photos!


  3. on August 11, 2016 at 8:43 am Sue

    Strange! I’ve just written the ingredients for scones on my shopping list and didn’t even know it’s international scone week. Haven’t made them in years. Love the sunnies Celia!


  4. on August 11, 2016 at 8:44 am justalittlepiece

    Very uplifting to read.


  5. on August 11, 2016 at 9:16 am Francesca

    I haunted the Fabindia stores when I was in Kerala a few years ago. They make great cloths. These tights look excellent- do they have a ‘normal’ waistline, meaning not an Indian drawstring thing? Good to see another comfy pair of shoes- now that is happiness. The silver pendant is rather special too. Love your style Celia.


    • on August 11, 2016 at 9:20 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Fra, the knitted ones have an elastic waist, but the regular cotton ones are huge with a drawstring. They delivered five pairs to me, freight free, via FedEx!!


      • on August 11, 2016 at 9:23 am Francesca

        excellent. Those big cotton ones become annoying. Must have a look when I get home. xx


        • on August 11, 2016 at 9:23 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

          Just sent you an sms…


        • on August 11, 2016 at 9:31 am Francesca

          I didn’t bring my phone to Vietnam- always too scared about mastering the local sim card thing. I’m now in Dalat. We’ve been floating around Vietnam for about three weeks and will be travelling for another 3. xxx


        • on August 11, 2016 at 9:39 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

          It all sounds a bit too wonderful for words, Fra! :) So glad you’re having such a great time! xxx


  6. on August 11, 2016 at 9:46 am Sally

    Happiness is….. reading this wonderful post. Thanks for sharing Celia. Off to put the sour dough loaf into the wood oven. Your recipe… that’s another great happiness for me. Have another wonderful day. :) X


  7. on August 11, 2016 at 10:06 am ksbeth

    wonderful and uplifting post, celia )


  8. on August 11, 2016 at 10:57 am EllaDee

    Happiness is sitting in Broome drinking morning coffee under the mango tree shading our van reading what makes you happy 💗


  9. on August 11, 2016 at 11:45 am My Kitchen Stories

    Hi Celia. Its lovely to hear your happy thoughts and to be reminded that happiness is in the everyday. Go the sunnies girlfriend!!


  10. on August 11, 2016 at 12:50 pm Kathy

    Great post….think I’ll have to try that first recipe of ginger beef…looks delicious.


  11. on August 11, 2016 at 2:46 pm Eha

    happiness is . . . watching a really classy 18-year-old schoolboy win the blue riband 100 meters freestyle in Rio: think how many mornings his parents must have driven him to pool practice when it was still dark . . .


  12. on August 11, 2016 at 3:42 pm Meg

    Who knew there was such a thing as International Scone Week. I love scones…pumpkin scones especially! Happiness, for me, is all around in the beauty of the natural world, in family and in friendships and…a honey-coloured Labrador’s nose!


  13. on August 11, 2016 at 4:30 pm Chica Andaluza

    Lovely! Happiness to me right now is knowing we’re heading back to England in a few days! Love those leggings 😀


  14. on August 11, 2016 at 6:48 pm thecompletebook

    Fabulous! Happiness is knowing I will see my Pete in just over 3 weeks for a whole week!
    Have a beautiful and happy day Celia.
    :-) Mandy xo


  15. on August 11, 2016 at 6:55 pm Sally

    So many joyful moments Celia. Nearly stayed with the first one, just staring and longing! This post says everything about why you have so many friends around the world


  16. on August 11, 2016 at 7:21 pm Jane @ Shady Baker

    So much goodness Celia…I have loved following your travels recently and I have not disappeared from your blog completely! Is the plastic looking sheen a good thing? Sometimes I look at glimpses of this in my bread and wonder. You rock those shades! x


    • on August 11, 2016 at 7:24 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jane, love catching up with you too! I’ve been told the plasticky sheen is a good thing – it usually comes with an elastic chewy crumb. It was always in the wood fired Italian ciabatta and pane de casa loaves we used to buy!


  17. on August 11, 2016 at 7:50 pm Anne Wheaton

    Little Red Riding Hood or Caped Super Hero?
    Happy Days.


    • on August 12, 2016 at 5:28 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oh, nothing that classy. Think the gunfight scene in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. In red. 😉


  18. on August 11, 2016 at 10:42 pm Judy @Savoring Today

    Hmm, I’m gonna have to look for those shoes, I have some hobbit feet of my own that need new kicks. :) Have a great day, Celia!


  19. on August 12, 2016 at 12:44 am choclette

    Happiness is … your blog Celia and I’m only sorry I don’t get to visit nearly as often as I’d like. You’ve reminded me it’s International Scone Week. Must be about time I participated again!


  20. on August 12, 2016 at 6:46 am The Life of Clare

    Oh Celia, how I love this post! What a lovely thing to have written. Thank you. I really just try tempering chocolate one of these days, but the thought of buying new bits and starting a new hobby is slightly daunting.


  21. on August 12, 2016 at 9:15 pm Jan

    Happiness is … Sheer bliss being home on a cold and rainy night and sharing something delicious and warm. How does one achieve that plasticky look. Is it something that remilled semolina flour would help?


  22. on August 13, 2016 at 6:33 am themateriallady

    Happiness is ….. being reminded to take pleasure in small things.
    It’s still summer here in the UK, and is actually warm today, but the mornings now have a nip that says autumn is coming. I’m looking forward to the first casseroles of the cooler weather. Your ginger beef looks well worth a try – but I’ll pass on the fish heads Celia!


  23. on August 14, 2016 at 6:48 am Jean | DelightfulRepast.com

    Celia, every time I read your blog I think “I should’ve read this first thing this morning; would be a great way to start the day.”


  24. on August 19, 2016 at 2:07 am Gretchen

    My happiness is now having all three boys in the same school all day. Oh the things I can get done now, and it’s quiet. Well except when I crank up the music!


  25. on August 21, 2016 at 6:35 am ChgoJohn

    Beautiful post, Celia. There are plenty of reasons to be happy surrounding us much of the time. We need but to slow down and take note. :)


  26. on August 24, 2016 at 11:03 am yourguidetohappiness

    Nice post! It’s the little things in life that make us happy


  27. on August 26, 2016 at 8:31 pm Walter Mason

    Why didn’t I know about International Scone Week!!!??? :-)


  28. on November 4, 2016 at 7:49 pm Leen

    Love this post!



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