Touristing in my own Country feat. Jess Molina

I was at a loss as to what could fill my Valentines Day without my Valentine being around! Valentines madness takes over every year and usually I'm caught up in it! But this year, my other half is away down south and I had no plans. 

Zip. Nada. Lie in bed watching Greys Anatomy. 

But this blog post wouldn't be quite as exciting if I'd stuck to that!

I decided to take a gal pal on a road trip around my own part of the country. The outdoors can be motivational and inspiring and I needed fresh juice in my creative tank. 

Also, friendships are strengthened through time spent together and we spent a lot of time together today! If you want a taster of some of the daily inspiration I get from her, you can find her blog here. Special lady. 

• Firstly, we adventured to the local markets and bought flowers and coffee. Flowers for Valentines Day, and coffee because I don't usually find myself at the morning markets in my town on account of, well, sleep.

• We then went the long way to the next town (lost ourselves) to find a plant shop that didn't exist! So obviously no pics.Then we took the most direct route we could find to the cutest cafe in another local town where we took wall pics to fit in with the setting of 'cool'. And I had THE nicest lunch I've had in a long time!

• Then we took an extended drive (lost ourselves again) to a local lavender field where I spent time lying in the dirt, trying to contemplate life, while avoiding the large amount of bees and the scratchy sticks digging into my back. Also hayfever. 

• I also found, to my shame, that rubbing lavender flowers on oneself, while it can achieve the desired affect of transferring smell, can also look weird to foreigners who have found their way into my general area. For shame.

The trip back was a combination of relaxation and inspiration as we chatted about life and future ventures and plans...

I think this needs to happen more often.

Table One // Shrimp Ceviche with Chili-Cumin Tortilla Chips

Today is the beginning of my attempt at cooking my way through The Kinfolk Table. I decided to start with what I thought was a simple recipe: Shrimp Ceviche with Chilli-Cumin Tortilla Chips.

Simple is not quite the word I'd now use! But it was both tasty and delicious. Although I used far too much chilli on everything and I am now suffering the consequences. Enough said.

The birds will enjoy the charcoal goodies I left out for them, but thankfully the second round of tortilla chips turned out to be a winner! Turns out when a recipe says to place the tray in the centre of the oven, right under the grill doesn't count. Also, I realised my oven can get quite a way through burning something before I can smell a whiff!

I encourage you to give this recipe a go. It certainly made a change from my usual recipes and I can't wait to try some more!

And the finished product...