running free

There is nothing like long grass and flower treasures to let the mind be free.....we have much to learn off our own children!  The freedom fuels the imagination big time!  

Free running through the field of long grass,
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Finding buttercups... "do you like butter?"
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

 

Dandelions get a helping hand to seed...
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

Tigers in the long grass,
Whangarei, NZ (November 2016)

magic tea potion

After the tea bag art Freya wanted to make her "magic tea potion"...

Magic tea potion,
Whangarei NZ (November 2016)

Magic tea potion,
Whangarei NZ (November 2016)

Showing "Splash" her new magic tea potion,
Whangarei NZ (November 2016)

a cheese called "Kevin"

This morning the kids had a great science lesson in the kitchen with a Anna who has been making cheese this week in the fridge.

She kindly said the kids could join in with her next batch of cheese making!

So first we got introduced to "Kevin", the well fed kefir culture.   We were informed about the process in which he ferments and how it is important to feed him or he will turn sour.

Anna introduces the kids to "Kevin" for the first time, he has been feeding for a while and ready to be used
Whangarei, November 2016

Freya tipping in the well fed "Kevin" into layers of colanders and cloths.
Whangarei, November 2016

Blake finding "Kevin" again!,
Whangarei, November 2016

Separating "Kevin"from the curd and whey.  Kevin will be then ready to go back to sleep once Freya makes his new bed
Whangarei, November 2016

Making "Kevin's" new bed and food for the next 24 hours in a dark place
Whangarei, November 2016

Trying to place "Kevin" gently back into his own bottle ready for a good snooze
Whangarei, November 2016

Apparently this is Blake's way of gently rocking "Kevin" to sleep
Whangarei, November 2016

Kevin being put to bed by Blake
Whangarei, November 2016

Blake keeps peeking to make sure he's asleep.
Whangarei, November 2016

The whey gets discarded (or used for other cooking), and the curd kept to drain,
Whangarei, November 2016

In the meantime the "cheese" is put in the fridge to drain and harden.
This could be as many as 2 days away before it's ready to eat. YUM!
Whangarei, November 2016

 Thank you Anna for a delightful cheese making lesson with SO many questions!!! You have such an amazing patience both with cheese and children!

And the next day........ the flavours get added and the sampling begins....YUM!

whangarei herbs

Having a herb garden on a boat is pretty hard, and even though I absolutely LOVE fresh herbs with our meals, we often do not have sturdy enough plants to last a very long time.  In the meantime... while we are visiting Whangarei, the kids had a job to do!

This required the kids to sort and divide the plants into even locations around the soil, dig holes, gently plant their plants and water them when they can remember!

Gently removing the plants from their containers and locating them in the best spot
Whangarei, (November 2016)

And the final product!
Whangarei, (November 2016)

And after 1 week......

Remembering to water at the base of the plant and not over the leaves!

After 1.5 weeks they are looking so very healthy!
Whangarei, (November 2016)

hibiscus matters - kids ninja

The photo I took at training one night has appeared in the 2nd November 2016 Hibiscus Matters Edition for an article covering the Kids Ninja training. The kids love their training and have recently attended the training in Whangarei which was also great fun.  To read the article, click here.

nature's special treat

auckland city sunset

herne bay, auckland city (October 2016)

orange treats

Careful selection of the oranges
Kumeu Kottage (July 2016)

Waiting for their treats!
Kumeu Kottage (July 2016)

Hand feeding
Kumeu Kottage (July 2016)

Sand paper tongue
Kumeu Kottage (July 2016)

Wish you can do this?
Kumeu Kottage (July 2016)

Kumeu Kottage (July 2016)

chasing oranges

The kids had to collect oranges... and be farm kids!

Shake, rattle and roll!
Kumeu Kottage / (July 2016)

Feeding the animals
Kumeu Kottage / (July 2016)

Getting ready for business
Kumeu Kottage / (July 2016)

Ready for business!
Kumeu Kottage / (July 2016)

kumeu sunrise

Kumeu sunrise (July 2016)

mahurangi sunrise

Woke up to this glorious sunrise!

puhoi creek swinging

Blake testing the rope swing
Puhoi River, (February 2016)

mita bay crabs

Always fun seeing what hides under rocks.  Freya and Blake had friends to share their excitement in collecting and making homes for their temporary pets.

Hunting for crabs
Mita Bay, Mahurangi (February 2016)

Mita Bay, Mahurangi (February 2016)

Found a huge one!
Mita Bay, Mahurangi (February 2016)

summer horses

Getting the feed ready for each horse.
Mahurangi, (February 2016)

Special apple treats for after their feed
Mahurangi, (February 2016)

Trying to guide the apple & miss those teeth!
Mahurangi, (February 2016)