Moroccan Carrot & Orange Salad

For afternoon tea I took myself to the backyard to watch the Rosellas, Lorikeets and Bower Birds. It was lovely. I decided to make something special for my break. Moroccan Carrot & Orange Salad. I really enjoyed the citric and cinnamon combination mixed in with the crunch of pine nuts. So many textures! The dressing is to die for over the carrots. Next time I will be more heavy handed with the dressing I think :) I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.  Photos to come once I find my camera cord.

Moroccan Carrot & Orange Salad

Prep Time: 5 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

450g carrots, peeled

2 large oranges peeled and cut into segments (reserve any spare juice)

1/3 cup rasins/sultanas 

1 tsp grounded cinnamon

2 tsp roasted pine nuts

Dressing- 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, pinch of sugar

Method

1. Grate carrots into serving bowl

2.Combine oil, lemon juice, sugar and any spare orange juice in a separate bowl.

3. Toss orange segments with carrots and stir in the raisins and cinnamon.  

4. Pour over dressing and scatter pine nuts just before serving.

Random Weekend

Like the heading suggests...random weekend. Alright exciting news, I picked up my wedding ring. YAY! I love it and it looks great on my child like hands. I also have learned that working two jobs sucks especially around report writing time and on top of that planning a wedding means no sleep for me. Sadly no exciting cooking or crafting this week. To busy trying to work out this national curriculum and getting through my 20 hour professional development I need to do in my own time (sleep????)

On a random side note. We have a Cockatoo in the neighbourhood who has decided I am a good perch. Scott and I put out wild bird seed so we can get a free show each morning. See this post about some of our visitors. However, lately each time I have gone to put food out a 'wild' (I use the term loosely) Sulphur Crested Cockatoo either lands on the fence right next me, lands on the bird feeder as I am filling it OR on me. This scared me half to death the first time. Especially because I was wearing shiny earrings and just had a mental image of one being ripped out. It keeps doing it and I don't know why it thinks landing on a human is a good idea???? For those who don't know this type of cockatoo weighs about 900g and is 50cm long. It is not small animal to have chilling on you. I am hoping it either stops or I learn to get used to it. I have started talking to it. Perhaps it was a tame one that escaped who knows. I shall call it Bob.

Backyard Vistors

A few of our birdie friends that swing by each day. In order, Bower Bird, Lorikeets, Cockatoo, Pale Faced Rosellas. They are great fun to watch and with our nectar eaters product we are hoping to attract a wider variety.

Maggie Island-watch out for green algae

Echidna Curled Up- she/he heard Scott

Not the best start to the day. We missed our Ferry and when we finally got to Horseshoe Bay it was covered in green algae which smelt FOUL. However, we regrouped and headed on over to Geoffrey Bay. Everyone was going to Alma to swim and play so we scooted on down to the opposite end of Geoffrey under the pine trees and stretched out on the beach for a good 3-4 hours. It was so relaxing to hear the waves and just chill out reading. Scott got to explore the exposed reef at low tide and managed a nice gash in his toe. I was also super lucky to see my second ever Echidna in the wild. Scott was the one who spotted it. So small and spiky, he/she blended in beautifully with the bush. We found it on the walking track that takes you back to Nelly Bay from Geoffrey. I also snapped a pic of two mischievous Galahs!


Inquisitive Echidna

Silly Galahs!

Hiking around Town Common

First Sunday where I don't have to work. WOOT WOOT! Scott took me out hiking behind the Town Common on a beautiful trail. The birdlife was fascinating to watch. A pair of Brolga spent a good 15 mins dancing in the wetlands. They have just finished back burning so the paths were nice and clear. Some wonderful views that photos just cannot do justice for. Here are a few pictures of the local wildlife. I will hopefully be able to add some cute bird pictures once my camera charges. Enjoy.