worldly wednesday :: Scotland

There's been sickness (again!) in our nest, so the travel has been every other week. This week, with enthusiasm dwindling, we visited Scotland very briefly. We read stories, watched documentaries and talked at greater length about our own Scottish heritage. We have at least four ancestors who've come out from Scotland.... During the week we realised much of our comfort food may have resembled theirs. Porridge for breakfast and neeps and tatties for dinner, with chicken sausages in lieu of haggis... seriously there was no way I was getting the owlets to eat that, but the snags enabled me to explain what haggis is about.



Afterwards, we had shortbread and dundee cake and tea with the teapot my great, great grandmother brought out from Scotland. I told the owlets a few family stories... some true, some questionable...



Huz showed the owlets a Sgian-dubh (sock dagger) he'd be given a long time ago.



Then we looked up our family's tartans, for the few clans among our ancestors. Big owlet decided to design one just for us. Rainbow tartan. Perfect.

worldly wednesday :: India

Little owlet chose this week's country. I don't think it's what she was expecting, but we all had a wonderful time...

We learnt lots about Indian music and dancing, did some yoga, learnt some Hindi, watched a little Bollywood, painted our bodies with Henna, applied bindis, wore saris and ate...

Oh how we ate... Tandoori, dahl, rice, paneer, pakora, naan, raita, mango lassi and papadums. Lots of old favourites and enough there to feed two families...

Then, as a contrast, we discussed extreme poverty, large population... We talked about how there are fifty times more people in India living in a space smaller than half of Australia. Talked about how we could be better sharers. Talked about how fortunate we are. Again.

I'm loving just how much these worldly wednesdays are making us think. And learn. I'm sure we could be doing more for each country. But the owlets (particularly Big Owlet) are extremely suss when it comes to educational activities. They do NOT want to be taught anything. Instead, interesting facts are slipped into conversation. Dress ups and food are permitted, cos they're fun and the odd art/craft activity is permitted too. Also fun. But anything else is met with a folding of arms, a crossing of eyebrows and a pouting of lips. Unless it was their idea, or their motivation, they don't want to know... So Huz and I read up for ourselves, talk together and wait for their ears to prick up or their interests to be sparked and along we go...

worldly wednesday :: Mexican birthday fiesta!

At Big Owlet's request, inspired by Betty's Chihuaua heritage, we made a flying visit to Mexico for her eighth birthday. It was the perfect end to a day spent rollerskating and picnicing on the beach.

With her bestie and her sister beside her, three little amigos played with sombreros and fake mustaches, under papel picado flags made the day before. Actually, we all had a go while the mariachi music played.

Dinner was burritos and nachos and corn...

Followed by cake, designed to Big Owlet's specifications.

Eaten according to tradition, with a big bite by the birthday girl while we all shouted "Mordida!"

Next it was time for pinata, which took quite a beating before the owlets scooped up armfuls of lollies and headed to the bedroom to snuggle and watch Beverly Hills Chihuaua and chatter 'til midnight.

I couldn't think of a better place to spend an eighth birthday. Feliz Cumpleanos, Big Owlet! xx

worldly wednesday :: England

After France, we popped over the channel for a little while. Somewhere where everything was so familiar, we realised just how much of our colonial heritage we've retained. We still didn't manage a double decker bus ride through town, as was promised for little owlet's birthday. But one day soon... What we did manage was fish & chips, bangers & mash and hours of music to listen to, playing everything English in our collection. We read books, lots of old favourites. We watched Time Team, Mr Bean, Pride and Prejudice (an owlet favourite) and a snippet of Lord of the Rings. We took tea with scones and home made jam. We talked about the Royal Family, with particular interest in the Queen, forever known in our household since the recent Royal wedding as Mrs. Buttercup. We ate Sunday roast, as we often do, but with slightly more enthusiasm this week, as well as yorkshire pud, elderflower cordial and trifle for dessert. Then more music, watching as many film clips as we could recall before bedtime... My favourite moment: realising just how chalk and cheese big and little owlet are. We played the British national anthem, God Save the Queen. Big Owlet stood with hand on heart, singing along, while Little Owlet shouted and cried. She didn't like that one. Then we put on the Sex Pistols version. To which Little Owlet danced enthusiastically and Big Owlet cried with her hands over her ears. Yep. She's the Alex P. Keaton of the family. Little Owlet is slightly more Vivienne Westwood...

Then we packed away our English things. Moved on and woke up someplace else. But woke to hear of riots all over London. How could this be? Children. Violence. Poverty. We thought of the world our ancestors left behind when they came here from England and other nearby places. Escaping similar things. And we thought of how little the world has changed. How lucky we are to be here, in our nest, where our children know only love and peace and security. Lucky.

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Each week we "visit" a different country. If you feel inclined to do the same, we'd love to hear about it. Leave a comment and a link if you'd like. xx

worldly wednesday :: France (part two)

Well I missed last week's post about our French travels, what with birthdays and flu, but we've decided to stay in our next country for a couple of weeks also, so plenty of time to catch up... France has been our favourite country so far. As I mentioned, there was lots of French conversation, surprising myself at how much I remembered - occasionally making it up! We listened to some of our favourite bands, like Phoenix and Air...



On Saturday, we listened to our Edith Piaf record over petit dejeuner. Then we hopped in the car and after a garage sale, and a wander around the botanic gardens, we went in search of Hobart's French history. A drive down the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, stopping off for a quick cheese tasting at the Grandvewe sheep cheesery, then ate bread and cheese, looking across at Bruny Island.



Sunday lunch the next day was Poule au Pot. A meal eaten in the south west of France, traditionally on Sundays. A delish pot full of chicken, vegies and broth. Very healthy, very yum. Followed by chocolate souffle which did not do what it was supposed to for a number of reasons so I didn't photograph it. But it tasted yum all the same. With full tummies, we watched some Tour de France highlights and a couple of Saunday arvo classic movies. Le Ballon Rouge and then, as the owlets demanded a talking movie, we watched Funny Face. Not easy to find kid friendly non subtitled French films! But these were so perfect.



We've decided to continue speaking French whenever possible and we're going to do a little online course so the others can understand what I'm talking about. Big owlet is particularly keen because she is in love with the Eiffel Tower and all things Paris. She wants to live there one day. I can totally see her doing it. I've not mentioned that her grandparents will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary there in less than a month. She'll be positively green with envy.

worldly wednesday :: France (part one)

It seems Huz picked up a tummy bug in Guatemala, so he wasn't quite up for much exploring or feasting this week when we arrived in France. Bastille Day passed without fanfare. So we've decided to stay an extra week. I'm a bit glad because we're having fun. On Sunday we had a beautiful petit dejeuner and much chatter in French, putting my school lessons to the test. I think the owlets were impressed (I know I was). I have further plans for the week which I'll detail next Wednesday. Hope you can join us then!

worldly wednesday :: Guatemala

We went to Guatemala this week. Actually, it felt like Guatemala came to us. While it snowed outside, I pulled out a box I had in the cupboard, full of beautiful textiles and threads. A friend, who lives in Guatemala, had sent them to us years ago and I've had them tucked away for a rainy (or snowy) day.



A selection of huipiles and some glittery thread, as used in the adornment and weaving of said huipiles. The owlets chose one each and flung it on for the remainder of the day.



While making worry dolls.



Dinner was a simple affair. Not the usual banquet, but a plate piled high with nachos... Blackbeans, corn chips, guacamole, corn salsa, cheese and chicken. Bottled water to drink. The owlets were taken aback at the thought of unclean water. How fortunate we are...



Then Flan de Leche Condensada (or creme caramel), for dessert.



While listening to some marimba and looking a photos of lakes, volcanoes, ruins, trees and wondering how any place so beautiful could be so violent. This world tour of ours is certainly opening our world just a little bit more each week...

How are things in your world? Do you have a weekly International food night too? Maybe look at other cultures sometimes during your week? Would you like to add your link below so we can all journey together? I hope you do. It's loads of fun!

(un) worldly wednesday

Sadly, we didn't travel to our chosen country this week. Not because of the volcanic ash cloud, although it could have had something to do with it. It was one of those weeks. We've all been unwell. Not one, but two different illnesses loitering around our nest. At the same time.



It could have been horrid. If not for the cute. We decided to go for a long drive one day, just so everyone would sleep (particularly the person pictured).



It worked. And proved to be a lovely way to pass the time and make a bad weekend bearable. The rest of the time, we snuggled and stayed very much close to home. We spent the time productively, tidying up, cooking soup, nurturing...



Looking for things under the fridge...



And fashioning charming hats for ourselves to wear while we danced on the coffee table.

Next week we're off to Guatemala. A place we've often talked of visiting in real life because we have friends living there. Hope you'll join us and perhaps join in with our new weekly worldly wednesday linkup. Unless you have one of those weeks too, in which case, we completely understand.

worldly wednesday :: Cambodia

Another short trip this week. Actually, I felt like a week off cooking the feast, to be honest... and that's ok. Each week is an overview and if the owlets show extra enthusiasm, we do more. It helps lots if we can personalise the experience. Like if we know someone in the country we are looking at, or if there's a movie we can watch together...



Anyhow, this week we went to Cambodia. And thankfully, surprisingly, there's a Cambodian restaurant in town. So we went along for a cheap and cheerful meal. And it was great! Curries and leafy salads, chicken satay and rice. Yum.



Everyone enjoyed it.



Then home to watch some youtube clips on Cambodian Ballet and shadow puppets. Followed by a quick discussion on the country's history, as much as an owlet could absorb of it anyhow... and a chat about what some people we know are doing there and what it might be like for a child living in Cambodia.

It's quite interesting how common themes in handicrafts are occurring in our travels. It gives us a chance to really look at them and have a go if we can. I'm looking forward to this week and throwing ourselves into it with a bit more revived enthusiasm!

Starting this week, I've decided to make Worldly Wednesday a linkup. I thought it could be a great way to share information learned, and make a great postcard from one family to another.

worldly wednesday :: Fiji

Bula! Well I must say it was quite a leap from Finland to Fiji! This week we had a go at masi decorating to adorn the wall during our feast and the owlets danced (and posed awkwardly) in grass skirts.



Our feast was a little tricky to prepare... not a great deal of tropical food available in winter in Hobart, but still, bellies were full of curry, sweet potato and pineapple bake, rice and roti...



I had a bit of an incident preparing the coconut pudding for dessert, so we made do with icecream, pineapple, banana and tinned guava... hmmm... not the finest of banquets, but for a Tuesday night, it fit the bill.



What I'm loving about our banquets is the concept that we get, of the flavours in each country. Each, so far, has been quite distinctive, even though mostly prepared using ingredients that we usually cook with. Interesting!

So after bidding farewell to Fiji with a rendition of Isa Lei, we hopped on random.org to choose next week's country... Cambodia here we come!

worldly wednesday :: Finland

Over the long weekend, we went to Finland. It's somewhere that none of us knew much about and interestingly, the internet didn't know a great deal about it either. We did find out that it's purportedly the happiest country on earth. And the food is not really for all the members of the family. I'd probably do well there though, so a solo mama trip somewhere in the future might be possible.



Kippis! The challenge for our family and food right now is that I'm the only one who eats red meat and seafood with any confidence. Actually, I'll eat just about anything. But sadly I'm alone in my adventurous appetite, sadly, so our worldly wednesday escapades require a great deal of planning and research. I'm loving that the owlets will try new things.



They tried everything on this platter. Including herring in aspic, pickles, rye bread and graavilohi... Amazing stuff! They did very well. That's what I'm loving about our travels. They are willing to try so many new things in the spirit of adventure.



But, because I knew we'd need full bellies at some stage, and we all felt like some comfort food after a long day driving though the country, dessert was the main event. Crepes and berries, much to everyone's delight. We dined off a table decorated with a length of finnish fabric, talked about marimekko (see top picture) and forests and saunas... Then tumbled into bed after a hot steamy shower to fall asleep listening to some Finnish Folk and fairy tales. Bliss.

worldly wednesday :: Uganda

Our world tour this week took us to Uganda. Lots to talk about. Some good and some not so good. Certainly lots of hope. It's the first time we've ever really discussed hunger, in depth, with the owlets and they were shocked, outraged that children anywhere should have less than them. Or fear violence in their daily lives. They understood that the Ugandan feast we had may not be a typical weekend dinner for an average Ugandan family... And when it was all laid out on the table, we felt very blessed.



We ate Chickennat, Spinach and Simsim, Rice and Mandazi. All absolutely delicious! We noted that cornmeal has been a staple in every country we've visited so far and talked about why that might be... And we were amazed that we could come up with a feast of Ugandan food at all. I'm loving that this world tour of ours is challenging my cooking, our taste buds and our understanding of the world.



Earlier in the week, we looked at Ugandan handcrafts and particularly textiles, looked at batik and weaving and had a go at designing some textile borders of our own. Happy times for this textile loving mama. After our feast, we practiced some newly acquired Ugandan phrases while dancing to some Ugandan music on youtube. Happy times for our music loving owlets.

worldly wednesday :: Canada

I was fearing this one ever so slightly. After a friend talked about the wonders of Poutine a while back... Chips with fried cheese curds and gravy. Traditional French Canadian fare. A signature dish. Gulp. When our random number generator selected Canada as our country of the week, we weren't quite sure what we'd get up to. It seemed that the lifestyle there isn't too dissimilar from our own. Aside from Poutine. And bears.



Actually Huz's Poutine was quite yummy. And once we'd overcome that hurdle, we relaxed into an evening of listening to our favourite music... The vast majority of our music collection is Canadian, so it felt just like a regular Saturday night. Then we watched some Anne of Green Gables and Degrassi... And thanks to the internet, took a little journey into Inuit territory and the lives of indigenous Canadians. And we discovered there was plenty to talk about.



Then a plate of waffles with maple syrup, a look at the flag and the landscape and we were ready for a bedtime story. A pleasant trip in a busy week and we may just come back again some day. After a piece of fruit.