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Jul 17
in Europe 2013, Travels Europe 2013

It’s actually so much more than the food…

What a privilege to have such an abundance of the most beautiful food whilst on our travels…. but you know what …it wasn’t just really about the food though. It was so much MORE than the food. The food provided the palette for sharing, interaction and experience.  We were so fortunate to have such beautiful people to share wonderful food with.

Tables were garnished with fine silverware and crystal glasses… some with fine linen… some were outside under warming braziers; some were on wooden benches overlooking snow capped peaks; some had vases of peonies or gerberas or were adorned with platters of cheese, fruit and quince paste. Some rickety tables were covered in paper which blowed in the salty sea air, held down by plates of freshly flamed locally grilled seafood. Some were kitchen benches with the weeks mail scattered in a rough pile at the end of the bench; some had containers of utensils and stacks of cookery books; some were marble and sleek and seemed to be like an aeroplane runway with stainless troughs sunken intermittently along them. We shared hours of laughter, tears and heartfelt conversations around these tables and benches right through the UK and Europe; sharing meals with and were welcomed into the homes as guests of so many incredibly generous and loving people whom Max and James had met on their various Vintage Car journeys around the world.

I spent time choosing cheeses, breads, confectionary and delicacies to take to the homes where we were welcomed with open arms. Whilst choosing I saw pies labelled with warnings about the inclusion of lead shot.. I saw giant octopus. Blood sausage. Salty crispy chips in huge glass vats. Huge gaping mouths of flat fish. Cured meats and crunchy bread in baskets. Bundles of luminous asparagus spears and even asparagus which were white and as fat as huge carrots! White boxes filled with fish at a fish auction at the pier. Whole legs of ham with mouldy coatings hanging like curtains in shop windows or stacked on pallets like oddly shapen bricks… and of course… cheese … glorious cheese!!!!  I spent time in kitchens chopping; stirring; smelling; tasting; serving; clearing; wiping… all times interacting with beautiful people and sharing stories of experience.

For restaurant bookings and in the homes where we were guests, my coeliac requirements always lovingly considered. The aromas of the cooking of the most amazing chocolate and beetroot cake; vegetable bakes; leek, lime and coconut gratin; roast dinners; flans; fancy desserts; curries; soups – filled the kitchens of where we were guests.

I don’t want to forget also the wonderful experiences Max and I had together in local cafes or having our picnics beside the car. I usually sat on Max’s carry bag and prepared and cooked on the ground. Max was in charge of the cuppa… and I, the food. There was much laughter and sharing during those times, and now are such fond memories of mine.

Many of those things which I have written about I could not photograph. I didn’t photograph singing around a piano after a beautiful meal of quiche and salad and cake. I didn’t photograph the sharing of our lives; of joys, challenges, successes, triumphs, dilemmas or of heartbreak. I didn’t photograph walking gently through gardens and woodlands together speaking of memories and dreams. I didn’t photograph the generosity, friendship and love from so many – those of whom made our journey to Europe and incredibly amazing experience. But what I could photograph were the culinary delights and wonderful produce which brought us together to share such enriching experiences. Below are my photographs of just some of the food.. glorious food which was not only a privilege to savour… but to share so intimately with others as well.

                            

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About the Author: Julie
I am a Journeywoman. I live my life as an explorer. An adventurer. An Observer. An Artist. There is no differentiation between how I live my life and the art that is an expression of it. It is through my experience adventuring the unknown, that I learn more about myself. My aim through this connection is to live where my expression is fully in alignment with the essence of who I am. “In the field of Fine-Art Photography, Julie stands apart from others with the way she sees the world and expresses her connection within it. Julie Stephenson’s photographs are sublime. Her work is an expression of her deep connection; and a gift to the world.”

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skeinydipping

I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have t I looked down and saw my hands. Hands which have touched; have loved; have created; have worked; have nurtured. My hands.   

I looked down and saw on my wrist and fingers items from around the world which have so many stories; items which have all been created from the heart and made by the hands of others. 

I looked down and saw beautiful yarn. Yarn which has been handled carefully through shearing, dyeing, skeining, balling; and now being knit in my beautiful hands. 

My hands are one of my gifts. This year I’ve really missed the touch of another with my hands, to feel the heart of another through my fingertips; but so grateful and love my hands which touch and feel; work and play!

What do you see when you look at your hands?

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Knitting a fabulous  #slipstravaganzamkal by @westknits .
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#gratitudeattitude #westknitsarethebestknits #westknitsmkal2020 #knittersofinstagram #knittersoftheworld #knittersofaustralia #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #handmade #handmadejewellery #fromtheheart #createeveryday #livetotravel #healing #healinghands #creativehands
My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories My life is wonderful… and I have so many stories. I’ve had adventures on all continents. Slept being rocked by the sea; felt the ice on my skin in both polar regions, and felt the silence of the deserts. I’ve walked stone steps in monasteries at altitudes where each step I’ve taken consciously and mindfully; focussing on treasuring every molecule of oxygen in the rarefied atmosphere. 

COVID has paused those adventures, but I draw upon my experiences as I navigate adventuring my days in a different way, on our ‘home range’. 

I recall my steps in Tibet as I walk through our bushland. I am mindful and conscious of my surroundings. I listen. I feel. I feel happy here. I am content.

My new stories may not hold the same experiences of connection with others; and may not be of extreme challenges or crazy things  (which I am rather prone to doing! 🙂 ) but they are not less wondrous… as I smell the warm eucalyptus waft from under my feet. 

I weave my stories, and this story is of my personal journey on my daily walk through our bushland. 
You can see some of my other woven stories on my website - link in profile. 

How do you express your life’s stories?
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#weaversofinstagram #indiedyedyarn #indiedyed #rigidheddleloomweaving #ashford #inspiredbynature #contentcreator #emotionalbalance #homedeco #handcrafted #makersmovement #creativelifehappylife #wellbeing #travellerlife #journeywoman #weavingaustralia
“....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those “....The Assookinakii cowl was created for those times in your life when you need a meditative and healing knit. Assookinakii (ass-s-oo-kin-uh-k-EE) means ‘healer’ in the Blackfeet language, thank you to Cut Woods School in Browning, MT for the tradish language support”. –  Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers 

Knitting this beautiful cowl by Candice from @thefarmersdaughterfibers for @sistersunitedmt ; WAS healing. 

As my hands gently formed the repetitive stitches I reflected on the word ‘Assookinakii ‘ - healer. I am a healer. I don’t understand it. It’s something unseen. Something within me which has been recognised by Ngangkari and ‘clever men’ here in Australia; and shaman and healers around the world as we travel. This recognition always has caught me by surprise; as I seem to walk a line between two worlds. 

As the stitches slipped from one needle to another and the beautiful colours of @spincycle_yarns revealed themselves; in the pauses between the stitches I heard a voice whispering to continue to seek connection with the natural world and listen deeply. 

What has been healing for you this year?
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#healingjourney #meditationpractice #dyedinthewool #assookinakii_cowl #knittersofinstagram #knittingaddict #livinglifetothefullest #happydays #shaman #healer #healersofinstagram #listentoyourheart #indiedyedyarn #handmadewithlove #knittersgonnaknit #knittersoftheworld
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2017 All photographs created by and property of Julie Stephenson.