For some time now, I've been debating whether or not to keep this little blog going. I have been cooking, quite a lot in fact, but I've not been cooking from recipes and somehow, I never seem to remember to write what I did up. Often it's because I've been enjoying myself too much to bother. Then there's the photos, which, it would be fair to say, have taken over. But a friend reminded me today that it's okay to not always do things to formula; that it's okay to keep things simple. Debate over.
So. Here are some pine mushrooms from June which I cannot remember how I cooked, but whose little skirts I loved. Especially the teeny tiny one on the left.
(Comments are back, yay!)
Now that debate was way more interesting than the "leaders" pre-election one read off cue cards the other week :)
Blogging rule #1 - if it feels good do it, if not don't.
Nothing wrong with tempting photos and no recipes.
Posted by: another outspoken female | August 06, 2010 at 08:59 AM
Yes, we did not speak of the election at all. Terribly remiss of us, but then, it's a bit of a boring old one I must say. P'raps I am just getting old and cynical. Mind you, when the opposition pull John Howard out, I have to switch off to ALL media, stick my fingers in my ears and sing la, la, la.
Rule #1? Feeling better now. X
Posted by: Lucy | August 06, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Yes - when you're blogging for yourself, forget formulae.
RSS feeds are grand - when you have something to say or show, no matter how succintly or irregularly, we'll hear ya! No need to shut up shop (...unless you're paying rent in the meantime).
Posted by: Cindy | August 06, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Please continue to blog, I really enjoy reading and looking at your pictures, even if it is infrequent!
Posted by: Stef | August 06, 2010 at 01:59 PM
I quite enjoy the view over here (recipe or no) and would very much miss stopping by...
Rule #1, though, is key.
I love those mushrooms - what a photogenic bunch!
Posted by: chelsea | August 06, 2010 at 10:15 PM
Hoorray!
Lucy's back!!!!
Well be happy with anything from you...really!
S xo
Posted by: sophie munns | August 07, 2010 at 12:10 AM
I am glad comments are back - I keep thinking about a comment and then remembering they were off and meaning to email but time goes by quickly - even gladder to hear you haven't decided to stop blogging - I miss your lovely recipes but the photos that have taken over are fine compensation - always love seeing you pop up in bloglines
Posted by: Johanna | August 07, 2010 at 12:25 AM
I haven't left a comment before but have been enjoying your blog and making your recipes for some time now. I browse your recipe index when I am in need of inspiration and have made nimboo chutney (twice), mung dahl soup, veggie crumble, beetroot/quinoa salad among other. Your recipes are interesting and reliable and your photography beautiful. Thank you!
Posted by: [email protected] | August 08, 2010 at 02:46 AM
Cindy, it's easy to forget that sometimes! Thank you - funny that one feels as though one needs permission to do things differently. And YES to RSS feeds. Phew.
Hi Stef - it may be infrequent and may be off-topic at times, but I've made peace with the thing now. Thank you!
Chelsea: Aren't the 'shrooms gorgeous little beasties? They were delish. I think...
Sophie, expect a lot more art in and among these pages...we must talk about your Melbourne visit soon. X
Johanna: At last, I've foiled those spammers...at least I think I have...just reassessing the blogging situation (which is always good to do!). X
Welcome, meabh! Lovely to hear from you; even better that you've made the chutney twice...I have a tonne of freshly-picked lemons to play with and I'm going to make a batch right now. Thank you!
Posted by: Lucy | August 08, 2010 at 09:51 AM
i feel the same way about my blog endeavors. i was REALLY into them for quite a long time, but recently real life has become so much more involved that i simply don't have very much time left for blogging, even though i'd like to. and then there's the thing where i'm not really sure about it...do i really need to fill up some etherspace with my ramblings? to what end? these are the things i'm less sure of, because i've also seen how putting this stuff out there constantly affects funny things like relationships. so sometimes (letely), i don'y write, i just live, and take my photographs, and mull it over.
i love your blog though. i would be sad not to read and see of the doings of my wonderful friend in australia.
Posted by: Ali | August 09, 2010 at 02:36 AM
"a" rather than "e"
"t" rather than "y"
(spelling corrections/hurried typing)
Posted by: Ali | August 09, 2010 at 02:37 AM
Phew. That's me breathing a sigh of relief. I'll be honest, I was quite worried after reading your first few sentences. So glad the wiser self won the debate (based on logic AND emotion).
You also follow a few other blogging rules very well:
#2. Authenticity
#3. Serenity
I always leave your blog feeling well nourished and a little more at peace with myself and the world.
Posted by: Elaine | August 10, 2010 at 02:11 AM
Ali, I've a friend who is flummoxed as to why one would spend time doing something creative that does not draw an income. He thinks that all this is madness and, to a certain extent, I agree...but I began it as a way of rediscovering some long-forgotten needs, i.e., that without some sort of creative thread, I was not being myself. And in the process, a whole lot of stuff came to the surface - much like you, I suspect (?).
Living, being and doing are integral to creative thought, Ali, something you're living proof of to me! And, soon enough, there will be so much change around here that the blog will, no doubt, change all over again. Much to mull over. X
Elaine, logic and emotion...I must say that for me the logic part of my brain usually takes a wee holiday in such debates...but AOF did a good job reminding me why I began it and, indeed, why it should continue. You're so lovely, friend!
Posted by: Lucy | August 10, 2010 at 09:12 AM
... and then there's the photos. Yes. All the beautiful photos filled with light and that touch, what is it, the light, the love, the attention. I enjoy them as much without a recipe as with one. I too get nourished visiting. Thank you.
Posted by: Katrina | August 13, 2010 at 03:30 PM
Please don't leave. x
Posted by: Wendy | August 14, 2010 at 06:18 AM
Katrina, they have completely taken over...and, in a way, they do say more than my words ever could. Man, that pomegranate honey of yours has been HUGELY successful down here - all the local bloggers I know and love are addicted to it. Thank YOU.
Wendy, lovely you. XX
Posted by: Lucy | August 15, 2010 at 10:05 AM
I hid my pomegranate honey so well I forgot it and it fermented!
Also, it is perfectly acceptable to ignore your blog for extended periods *cough*
Posted by: Zoe | August 17, 2010 at 08:58 PM
zoe,,,i LOVE what you just said.
Posted by: Ali | August 19, 2010 at 05:46 AM
Zoe, meet Ali. Ali, meet Zoe.
I have a feeling you two would hit it off...
(Thanks, Zoe. Someone once wrote that it's okay not to love the sound of your own typing which I quite like, too.)
Posted by: Lucy | August 19, 2010 at 08:38 AM
Please keep blogging! I don't know what it is, but your photographs and your love of natural food inspires me.
Posted by: Jane Dennett | August 22, 2010 at 09:20 PM
Mrs D, that means a whole lot to me! I'll send you an email when we're settled.
Thank you. XX
Posted by: Lucy | August 23, 2010 at 08:25 PM