Red Quinoa and Mushroom Pilaf

Quinoa is everywhere - since when did grains become trends? I keep reading about it - and even read that it was pronounced "keen-wa"although I kinda didn't believe it until my gorgeous friend Yas used it in a sentence over the weekend.

So when I saw some red quinoa in Woolies I snatched it up - and I went to Martha for a recipe. I found her recipe for Red Quinoa and Mushroom Pilaf - find it here.

Here's Martha's photo...

Here's me washing the red quinoa - apparently its a very important step as it's covered with something called saponin which is quite bitter.

Here's me cooking up the quinoa with the mushrooms and shallots - choose a saucepan that you have a lid for because it needs to be covered and allowed to simmer.

And here's my finished dish - it was incredibly tasty - I loved the orange pieces with the dill and it's totally made me want to use more citrus in savoury dishes.

Kova

Over the weekend I popped into Kova on James st too. It's another favourite homewares store - I still remember the first time I went in on a shopping trip with my godmother.

I love their wall of cushions - but was amazed at the two embroidered floral ones in the centre - they're the same fabrics and embroidery as one that I bought in Mexico last year - and I can tell you I didn't pay $320!

These graphic printed rugs are Tribe Home - the same brand as my zig zag rugs. I wish ours had tassels like these.

Kova always has such pretty wrapping paper. Though I can never justify simply using it to wrap gifts - one day I'll think of a brilliant craft project to use some.

For Sale - Nanna Blankets etc.

Who doesn't love a good Nanna blanket?

I'm selling the above blankets here, here, here and here.

You can pick up this snappy stool here.

Can you tell I love cane? This glossy little number is selling here.

For Sale - Vintage Goodies

I've got some pretty tchotchkes on sale at eBay at the moment - any Brisbanites should take a look see here and here and here and here for some vintage goodies.

Chicken Pecking Order and Dust Baths

We have three very naughty chickens.

Not only do they delight in playing and taking dust baths in the Chicken Exclusion Zone that Mr Tchotchke has created to help our grass grow back..

(I think they actually think its a partitioned Chicken VIP Area to keep the riff-raff out.)

... but they also delight in being so cruel to each other!

Henrietta always picks on Dr Octopus - who is usually the bottom of the pecking order, but today I spotted Dr Octopus picking on Charlotte - luckily I caught it on my camera otherwise Mr Tchotchke wouldn't have believed me.

In his words - the abused becomes the abuser...

Rose Gardens at New Farm Park

 Here are a few snaps from the rose gardens at New Farm park this weekend.

My mum has always had gorgeous roses in her front yard but it's a project that I haven't tackled yet.

They seem to be pretty high maintenance - and to be honest I don't really love the look of the thorny bushes - but it would be so nice to be able to have your own cut roses to display.

d.i.g

I'm a total sucker for garden design stores - and one of my favorites is d.i.g. on James st.

Ornate garden sculptures aren't usually my thing but I think the catfish on this one make it a little more kitschy. A feature table of potted plants is such a good way to dress up a concrete wall.

And I loved these rustic light fixtures.

How amazing is this glassware stand?  You'd need a fair amount bench space though..

And I can never resist a tufted headboard.

Elephant lamp alert! Are elephants the new birds? This reminded me of this Elephant Accessories Roundup on Apartment Therapy