I almost wasn't going to post this blog entry, simply because part of the reason I have a blog is for clients to get to know me.. and I know at least 3 or 4 people who won't like the image below because they are vegetarians. I didn't want a potential client to come on here, think "she's a callous murderer!" and then not book me. But that's silly. There's no point not being honest about our lifestyle here. We are meat eaters, and intend to have free range animals on our land that we will eventually eat. And as a meat eater, I want to know that whatever I'm eating had a happy, humane and stress-free life.
Chicken brothers Reggie and Ronnie (Hussein's sons) were named after the Kray twins since their main hobby in the chicken lair was to peck and bully everyone else. This weekend we killed Reggie and ate him for Sunday lunch. I say "we" but actually Steven did the former and I took care of the latter cooking part. Just before I put the chicken in the oven I remembered that we ought to get a photograph of Steven with his first home-butchered chicken!
I collected all the fluffy down feathers so I could make a pillow out of them at some point.. but whilst we were busy preparing the chicken.. the dogs got hold of the bag of feathers and tore it apart, spreading chicken feathers EVERYWHERE. There is one in my car, even though I don't remember opening my car door yesterday. Considering the luxurious lifestyle I treat the dogs too I wasn't impressed with their behaviour. Here they are relaxing on the front step in a pile of their duvets after a stroll on the beach:
Anyway, Reggie was very tasty and provided enough for a roast dinner for 4. Plus if I'm extra housewife-keen I might make a chicken stock out of him too. For those who've been reading my blog awhile, I just want you to rest assured that Hussein is pretty safe for the meantime since he's such a gent.
Of course the cutest of all baby clothes is the baby sock... my mum sent me over a whole package of these socks in all different patterns and colours. Aren't they just gorgeous??!
They're divine and even more so with a pair of chubby feet in there...I'm glad you chose the Irish colour for the photo!
M x
Aw! So cute! And I agree with your mum... so much cuter with a pair of baby feet inside.... x
(08.31.09 @ 01:33 AM)It must be the hormones, but I felt compelled to take some shots of next door's little baby cows (I know they're calves, but baby cows sounds nicer)...
I thought all baby farm animals were born in the spring, but this is the middle of winter and these guys seem to be doing really well. Mind you, it did hit 23 degrees celcius during a brilliantly sunny day yesterday. Do I need reminding why I'm in New Zealand???
This blog post has been SO long coming. I have been meaning to post a photograph of me pregnant for ages, but have somehow been really busy. This week about 8 people said to me "where's the pregnancy photo??" so I thought I'd make the effort. Half the problem is that being the sole photographer in the house, Steven rarely bothers to get his camera out nowadays - he presumes everything's already been recorded. So its back to the self timer...
I thought I'd get some of me and the dogs too, since me standing still for more than 2 seconds without dogs trying to cuddle me is very rare.
This is me with my first baby.. (Nails the dog).
You'll notice the HARSH Dunedin winter in the image above that everyone here has kept warning me about. I had to wear... duh duh DUUUUH.... A cardigan.....
Steven made a proper dog kennel for winter that sits inside the barn with all the old cushions and blankets.
And one more of my handsome boy since next month I'm sure the dogs'll have a bit of competition infront of the camera!
So we get one shot of you looking pregnant and several of the dogs... Nice chair by the way is that an antique?
(08.04.09 @ 07:04 PM)Yeah... good point!! haha. If I'm this bad with the dogs imagine what I'll be like with a camera and a BABY! Just a warning.. Yes the chair is actually a rare antique, we had it valued recently and will use it to finance the house build :)
(08.04.09 @ 08:23 PM)About time! You look gorgeous Shun x
(08.04.09 @ 11:09 PM)Ah you never cease to amaze me 'nead', only you could take a decent shot of yourself..I only seem to get a good shot up my nostrils..though the timer would help but I have usually got bored waiting and turned my head (limited concentration span). It's nice to see the dogs as once the baby is here we will probably not see another for at least say 5 years...I took one of the cat the other day, was such a novelty...oh well fatty best I enjoy the last month of being able to call you fatty..fatty fatty fatty!!!
(08.06.09 @ 12:34 AM)can I have my antique chair back?
(08.06.09 @ 12:35 AM)Mmmm, looking forward to all the baby photos. This new boy will think he's a model. You look great by the way! M x
(08.06.09 @ 10:02 PM)Thanks everyone!
Liana, on our next job you'll be on half pay for insubordination. And I'm keeping the chair!!!
Hiya Sinead,
You are looking really great.
Only you could take photos of food ha! ha!
Wow Sinead you look fantastic!!! Such exciting times ahead!!Cant wait to see pics of your bouncing bundle of joy !!!!Love all your photos throughout your blog !!AMAZING!!!!!!
(08.27.09 @ 08:20 AM)Hey Sinead! The cutest dogs I've ever seen - so scruffy and sweet. Great photos on your blog too - love the food, flowers and weddings. Looking forward to seeing some pics on the new Jenkins arrival :)
Take care out there! x
I'm officially a grown-up today, as its my 30th birthday!! Here is a (slightly faded) photograph of me 30 years ago (not quite to the day) hanging out with my parents. As you can see I was born in the 70s.. Thats my big brother's arm in the background, he's not in the image because he's too busy plotting lots of nasty tricks to play on me, and when to inform me that santa doesn't exist :(
I've always been told I was a model baby, but apparently that doesn't mean I was reading The Illiad at 8 months old, it just means I slept all the time. Oh well, they always say the greatest sleepers turn out to be the most intelligent and the most beautiful.*
*I just made that up.
From this photo it is easy to see where you got your brains and beauty from. Once again, happy birthday.
(07.15.09 @ 10:42 PM)p.s. I've still got that tie.
(07.15.09 @ 10:46 PM)But I won't let him wear it! How many more old photos have you got???
Any parent would prefer a sleeping baby to an Illiad reader...but you are right, look how beautiful and intelligent you turned out.
M x
Hi Sinead - belated happy birthday - I love looking at your site - those mountain wedding photos are amazing. I have to say I weep bitter tears that you are now on the other side of the world and can't take any more beautiful pictures of the girls! I do need to think about finding a photographer now that Kate is nearly 1 and it still looks like Aoife is an only child if you judge by the photos on the wall - poor second child syndrome - I guess you and I know what that is like! Hope all is well with you - take care. Sue x PS Mike I would love to see that tie!
(07.20.09 @ 10:50 AM)Aww, thanks Susan! I'll be home next summer if that helps! I've seen recent photographs of Aoife and Kate and they're both looking gorgeous, can't wait to meet them. Lots of love to you all xxxxx
(07.31.09 @ 11:12 AM)Hi Sinead. How are you doing. It was my big Three - uh oh a couple of weeks ago. Nevermind, if we don’t get older then we die!! As you can see I’ve become old AND grumpy! Steve Palmer thinks he recognises your dad. Lets hope not.. Things are great here. Believe it or not we are having a good laugh. Steve P has gone mental. His mother in law is over from Antigua and staying for 6 months. Loving the new baby look. I wondered how long it would be before there were mini Jenkins’s. Weather is very sub standard, wish you were here. All the Best Owain. P.s. at least you do not have to go the equality steering group :)
(08.20.09 @ 03:15 AM)Sinead - you look gorgeous pregnant! I just facebooked you and it reminded me of your blog so I thought I would check it out :-) It looks great as always; loving the food pics!
Mxx
I just noticed I'm in this photo!
(09.15.09 @ 11:30 PM)
Wow Sinead, I'm impressed! Go Steven! And I like the juxtaposition of the dead chicken vs. the flourishing pot plants hehehe
(09.03.09 @ 02:33 PM)Yes - good point!!!
Hopefully Reggie is in chicken heaven, surrounded by pot plants and, well... uncomplaining lady chickens.
(09.04.09 @ 01:36 PM)