a family picnic in the forest

last weekend the family met up at our midway meeting forest, where we used to meet loads when we were younger and walk dogs, play with sticks and generally mess around in the ditches between trees. it was so nice to revisit this memorable place that's halfway between our homes for a picnic in the sunshine.

♥ there was quite a spread - everyone brought something, and i was tasked with bringing interesting salads :)

♥ the sky was an unusually bright blue, with very few clouds and not very much of a breeze. i did wonder whether i'd flown home to the correct country at one point!

♥ i made a cauliflower egg salad (otherwise known as a no-potato potato salad) which everyone had seconds of because it was so delicious. and i made a simple mozzarella mediteranean salad, which was crispy and fresh and perfectly weather appropriate. i also brought the leftovers of a new experiment - spicy chickpea marrow loaf - which tastes phenomenal :)

♥ all in all, it was a truly lovely day. so nice to just be hanging out with family again, and relaxing in their company. i also enjoyed getting my legs out in the sunshine for the final time this year!

we're doing really well with saving money at the moment - as soon as we put our mind to it, it seems there's more money than ever being saved up in the account! how wonderful! i'll be letting you in on my money-saving tips and recipes soon :)

currently reading: the food and cooking of russia by Lesley Chamberlain - so interesting discovering more about this countries traditional foods, dishes and ways of cooking/eating.