MakeCookGrow.com – Some gardening, cooking, creating and everyday suburban life

Dogs, More About EV Cars and Blue and White China

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dogs

Louis didn’t like going to the groomer, would eat anything, with or without a designer label and made it quite clear early on that he wasn’t wearing a waterproof coat to the park.

Do you own a dog? A quick scroll through Instagram shows the explosion in dog ownership. It also highlights how important dogs are to their owners. Once you ‘owned a dog’ now you’re a dog parents. Dogs were once ‘pets’ now they are members of the family. Dogs are being targeted by high end marketing. There’s a plethora of perfumes, prebiotics, pupcups, massages and other spa treatments, icecream ( roast chicken flavour) and ‘super foods’ being created by vets. These treats are now available in luxury establishments, such as Hôtel de Paris (Monaco) and Le Château de la Messardière (Saint-Tropaz. Matching outfits are also popular, with matching nail polish, too.

At the end of 2023, the Xerpi Institute reported sales of pet products had reached 5.8 billion euros in France, which is a 48% increase in a decade. And before you think this is just a French things, a quick scroll online reveals so many dogs dressed in designer brands, eating above mentioned treats and enjoying designer beds, toys and snacks. Dogs being taken out in backpacks and prams (I recently read more dog strollers were bought this year in Korea than baby strollers) into cafes and restaurants where their meal is ordered from a separate menu. Then off to the spa from a few treatments. I hope the dogs enjoy them!

blue and white china

Double happiness ginger jar from an antique market in Guangzhou. Although images of Mao were everywhere in the markets there were other beautiful finds, too, ginger jars, woven fabrics, wooden ornaments and other china pieces, such as teapots and cups.

Some English, some Chinese, some very old, some a lot newer.

Three ginger jars, a lovely gift from my cousin.

I grew up surrounded by pieces of blue and white china, mostly English, and I also collected a few pieces myself. Then we began traveling in Asia before finally moving to China and I had plenty of opportunities to buy both antique and more recently made pieces of blue and white china. Our driver quickly realised I was interested in both old and new pieces and took me to fascinating antique markets and small scale manufacturers. I also collected Japanese and Korean pieces.

This collection, in the upstairs bathroom, from many different places is about to get a lot bigger as I have many beautiful plates I inherited from my Mother.

So, I couldn’t resist when I saw these miniature ginger jar Christmas decorations. They are so lovely! Last year I made blue and white baubles. Blue and white decorations are becoming a bit of a theme. I have also just inherited my Mother’s collection of blue and white china but have had no time to sort it. There are no small children coming here for Christmas so I haven’t decorated a tree but like to display decorations around the house.

Ginger jar Christmas ornaments

ev ownership and charging arrangements

I’ve had a couple of interesting discussions with people about EV cars since I wrote about them a week ago. Then I read an article (ABC News, Dec 17th James Purtill) outlining the new problem for EV owners living in strata titled apartments. Strata owners are increasingly banning EVs from recharging in apartment basements due to the risk of battery fires. Strata owners have have wide-ranging powers to ban EVs and EV charging within their buildings.

The risk of batteries igniting and the subsequent damage to surrounding vehicles and the concrete structure is becoming a problem. The Australian Codes Board and EV fire safety experts insist these batteries are no more likely to ignite than petrol or diesel vehicles. At the same time, state fire authorities says buildings with charging facilities should be given the same hazard warnings as chemical plants and firework factories.

Fire and Rescue NSW recommend EV charging points only be available in open air. If EVs ignite they burn hotter than other battery fires and are impossible to put out. If a lithium battery ignites, internal cells decompose, liberating the heat, which causes more cells to decompose. These fires cannot be extinguished by water or oxygen starvation (foam). Another article referred to ‘catastrophic’ fires caused by end-of-life lithium batteries wrongly dumped into landfill sites. Fires in rubbish trucks are now regularly reported. More work to be done.

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EV Cars, Home Fire Safety and Other Things

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EV Cars in australia

A report by McKinsey & Company, released in June 2024 summarised surveys from almost 37 000 consumers across 15 countries, concerning EV cars. For several years, interest in EV cars was high, but the above report indicated 49% of EV owners in Australia would like to switch back to diesel or petrol.

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Globally, reasons for abandoning EVs included poor public charging infrastructure (35%), the high cost of ownership (34%) and the impact on long trips of no charging opportunities. (32%) Range anxiety is a big thing in Australia!

In the first half of 2024, according to The Australian Automobile’s Electric Vehicle Index, sales of petrol and diesel cars represented more than 75% of all cars sold. The article also mentions the surge in sales of hybrid electric vehicle sales. These vehicles have a battery which charges while the vehicle is running. Another limiting factor is the popularity of utes and SUVs in Australia. Passenger vehicles represent 15% of sales in Australia, SUVs account for 57.5% and light commercial vehicles, utes, dual cab utes and vans represent 22.9% of sales.

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The RAC (Royal Automobile Club ) list consumer concerns about EV vehicles as too expensive (66%), poor access to charging infrastructure, range anxiety and concerns about the life of the battery. Interestingly, there is no mention of the difficulties in disposing of, or reusing any parts of the battery once it is exhausted. Neither is the extraordinary high cost of repairs to electric vehicles.

Based on an article published in the Horizon magazine, by the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia, Summer edition 2025

household fires during summer

The same magazine has an article about household fires, not just in summer, but generally. When we had a light fitting hung by an electrician recently, we got him to check the smoke alarms upstairs and downstairs. They were over ten years old and needing replacing. He wrote the date of replacement inside the cover of each alarm. Apparently, an out of date smoke alarm can effect any insurance claim relating to fire damage.

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This is a quick summary of the points raised in the article. The lack of cleaning of indoor and outdoor appliances and general maintenance can lead to increased fire risk. Second/party fridges stored in garages or sheds can over heat and ignite. Be aware that the coolants in newer fridges are more flammable than older models.

The biggest issue is lithium-ion-batteries. The number of fires linked to cheap batteries made in countries with poor quality control is increasing. The article suggests you never leave the battery charging overnight or while you are away from home, make sure you only use the cables and accessories recommended or supplied by the manufacturer, buy only batteries which meet Australian standards and avoid cheap replacements.

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There is also a warning to avoid overloading powerboards and keeping unused points on the board free of dust as this can accumulate and become a fire hazard.

Interestingly, in researching EVs I found the majority of Chinese manufacturing of EVs rely on coal fired power.

and other things

This has been a very difficult year for my family. Moving our Mother into care and then her passing was very distressing. The last twelve months of traveling to visit her, helping her move and sorting out small problems in care required a four hour round trip. We tried to accommodate our own interests and activities but that wasn’t always possible.

When my parents moved from the farm to their new house they took so much stuff with them. I think my Mother thought she’d sort through the four generations of paperwork, photographs, tools, maps, sporting gear and furniture. Time ran out. Luckily she’d sent an enormous amount of historical records to various museums and collections all over Australia.

During the emptying of the shed (bigger than most country fire stations) other members of the family contacted local museums who took a lot of information and equipment. I still have boxes of photos to sort and get digitalized. I need the dining table for that, but with Christmas coming it has other things on it!

Eventually the shed, garage and house were emptied, with help from other family members. We are having a break from traveling down the Forrest Highway for a few weeks. Our son came down last weekend and we marveled at what have been achieved. We marked the end of an era with champagne and chocolate, because you should eat something if you’re drinking.

Our son has also taken care of our Christmas celebration needs, too.

I hope your Christmas plans, if you celebrate, are progressing well.

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NAPLAN, A Wreath, Curried Egg Sandwiches and Herbs

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NAPLAN

After abandoning teaching fads and adopting old style ‘direct instruction’ a cluster of Catholic schools (56 schools) in the ACT and Goulburn have shot to the top of NAPLAN this year. Catholic schools that have underperformed for years were directed in 2020 by the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn to adopt explicit teaching methods.

Explicit teaching requires the teacher to

1. Introduce a new concept,

2. Children practice or repeat concept,

3. The teacher tests for success, and

4. Reteaches where necessary.

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Within four years the schools have delivered their best ever NAPLAN outcomes. These schools are recognised by ACARA ( Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority) as making a difference in the ACT. ACARA compares schools where students come from households with similar incomes, education and occupations.

Based on an article written by Natasha Bita, 04/12/2024 the australian.com.au

making a gate wreath

I want to freshen up our Christmas decorations this year, but don’t have a lot of time to spare. I found a bag of Christmas bits and pieces in a cupboard when I was looking for something else and knew I could incorporate them on a very plain wreath I already had but hadn’t used in the past. The wreath had clusters of red berries and little lights run off batteries and could easily be attached to our front gate.

Arranged the decorations on the wreath and contemplated how I would secure them. The wreath had a wire frame and the decorations had wire stems, so I decided to twist the decorations onto the frame. Went to work on it. Poked the clusters in place, did a bit of rearranging and a lot of twisting and the decorations were secure. Finished. Added batteries to see if the lights worked. All good.

end of year yoga

I’ve been going to the same yoga class for about six years, although the sessions were patchy and sometimes on Zoom during the pandemic. We end each year with a Christmas party. Our class is made up of an eclectic group of people, some with dietary restrictions, so I took curried egg sandwiches to the first party. They disappeared in no time. Now, I am reminded frequently before the party each year that I’m expected to take curried egg sandwiches. So easy! And a lovely morning, too.

herbs

I frequently use herbs in cooking. Years ago I used to buy them from the supermarket or the green grocer but preparing food for two people meant there was a lot of waste. They either went limp in the fridge or slimy in a glass of water. Either outcome meant they were thrown out.

The solution was obvious! I needed to grow my own. Made a list of the herbs I commonly used and either planted seeds, or in the case of the mint and parsley, got some from my Mother. I grew spring onions from the cut off white bit on the end with roots attached and they have been providing us with fresh spring onions for about 20 years.

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I also grow chives (from seed) and basil, also from seeds collected at the end of the season. I have shallots, grown from seed, as I use them in a great David Lebovitz dressing, (not including the recipe as I’ve tweaked it to suit us but you can see similar by searching his name and FRENCH VINAGRETTE), plus perennial spinach. The spinach isn’t a herb but adds a dash of green and lovely flavour added to so many things. I have three plants which feed two people regularly.

The other flavours I rely on regularly are lemons and limes. The juice or zest adds to both sweet and savoury dishes. I have a lime tree in the courtyard at the front and lemons out the back. I really like passionfruit, too, but the vines never thrived and I eventually pulled them out. Disappointing.

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Retraining Teachers and Odd Jobs

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retraining teachers in south australia

One in three Australian students failed to meet the minimum level of achievement in NAPLAN testing this year. (National Assessment Program- Literacy and Numeracy.) The score and specific information regarding the areas the child did not meet expectations is then sent to the school and the classroom teacher to reteach. Sounds great, but what if the teacher doesn’t know how to teach that skill?

The University of Adelaide has launched a new microcredential course focussing on explicit teaching. The Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare is reported saying, “The reading wars are over. We know evidence based teaching methods work and this free short course will help teachers in the classroom” It’s all about teaching teachers how children actually learn to read, write and do maths. In recent times teachers have not been taught these teaching skills as part of their training.

The free course is offered online and can be completed at the teacher’s own pace. It will teach explicit instruction techniques, that is, a teacher explains a new concept to the students, directs the children to practice or repeat what they learnt, tests for success and reteaches where necessary. It is very specific teaching, directed by the teacher. Universities in South Australia will be required to include explicit teaching instruction in their teaching qualifications.

The first course, already available, teaches how to teach phonics, the sounding out of letters and words. I taught junior primary for most of my 40 years teaching and cannot believe phonics is not the basis of all reading skills taught. My friends, still in teaching, talk about children in their second and third year of education who cannot sound out or spell words phonetically.

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A course already offered online teaches teachers how to keep classrooms calm and under control. These skills are no longer assumed to be learnt at home. Children are taught to line up quietly, sit and to listen. Already 1280 teachers have completed the microcredential in classroom management.

Source : The Weekend Australian, November 23-24, 2024, by Natasha Bita, Education Editor.

odd jobs

Do you save buttons from old shirts? My Mother snipped the buttons off worn out shirts before they became cleaning cloths. The buttons were stored in old coffee jars, the white buttons separated into small for shirts and the bigger ones went into another jar. Every other colour was a mix of sizes. When I was working I also kept a jar of small white buttons in the laundry plus a needle threaded with white cotton. This meant I could replace a button within minutes and still get to work on time. Over the years I must have washed and ironed thousands of business shirts and school shirts and frequently needed to replaced buttons.

Luckily, I inherited my Mother’s button collection! An unusual but very useful inheritance. Just recently, I bought a pink linen shirt but really didn’t like the wintery, dark button at the front. Snip, and it was gone to be replaced by a large pink button from one of Mum’s button jars. The jars are stored in a cupboard where I can easily retrieve them, as they continue to be useful.

Snip, stitch, done.

The same day I had to repair three necklaces. Earlier in the year I’d restrung two of the necklaces, using a variety of pretty beads. I wore both regularly. I’d used clasps I bought in a local shop and within five or six times of wearing them, the clasps broke. Annoying. ( I used a large safety pin to connect each end of the necklaces for a few weeks. Not exactly ideal, but it worked!) So I went to a craft supplier and bought good quality clasps, took apart the two necklaces and a third which needed restringing and got to work. Really pleased with the quality of the fittings, now, and considering updating the catch on another necklace.

Repaired, back in service.

Then I decided to use up half a dozen large, super fresh golden yolked eggs a friend of my husband’s gave us. I made an egg and tomato pie, using up things I already had such as onions, tomatoes, spring onions and some yoghurt, plus the eggs and then some chives on top. Baked in the oven.

While the pie was cooking I peeled and quartered some apples. We really like fresh apples but this year they all seem to be a bit doughy. You know I hate wasting food, so I caramelised some caster sugar, swirled in some butter, then arranged the peeled, cored and quartered apples in the caramel. I’d cut the pastry to the size of the pan I’d used for making the caramel and had then stored it in the fridge. Quickly arranged it in the top of the apples, poked the sides down with a spoon and put it in the still hot oven. Smelt wonderful, tasted really good, too.

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Notre Dame, Jacarandas and Some Other Things

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notre dame

Some years ago we went to the midnight Christmas service at Notre Dame in Paris. I’d visited earlier to listen to a choral performance. I was not alone; apparently the 861 year old cathedral has more than twelve million visitors annually.

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A devastating fire five and a half years ago destroyed the roof and the spire. The exact cause of the fire has never been determined, but French officials focused on electrical malfunction or a poorly extinguished cigarette. Prosecutors and investigators say the fire was not caused by arson.

Intensive repairs, requiring the input of specialist restorers in many fields, will enable the cathedral to throw its doors open again in time for Christmas. There’s new stained glass, buffed stone walls and renewed frescoes. The opening will be marked by events to celebrate the work of the many engineers and artisans from all over France. The bells actually rang at the at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, the first time since the devastating fire.

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This week the 14th century statue of Notre Dame de Paris, Our Lady of Paris, will return to Notre Dame. The statue was removed from the mantel at the south portal and kept in the church of Saint-Germain L’Auxerrois, near the Louvre. Thousands of people are expected to line the route along the Seine and across the river to the Ile de la Cité. The 1.8m (6ft) carving will be home again!

jacarandas

It’s that time of the year when the jacarandas are blooming everywhere. They are very beautiful and I like to go to areas where they were planted as street trees many, many years ago. I know when they were planted as my Mother was a school girl in our favourite area and used to tell us about afternoons spent planting street trees, many of which are jacarandas. They only bloom briefly but are gorgeous whilst in bloom.

Then this morning I read an article about how jacaranda trees can be very harmful. Jacarandas are not native to Australia ( they originated in South America). In Queensland and New South Wales they are considered an invasive weed, as they out compete native species. They flower heavily and produce a lot of seeds, which are wind and water dispersed, which means they enter ecosystems quite easily. They also grow quickly, about 2-3 metres a year in ideal situations. They quickly outgrow native species.

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Another problem is their invasive root system results in damage to foundations, retaining walls, swimming pools, fences, pathways and driveways. They also cause problems in stormwater drains. If you have jacarandas in your garden, Landcare suggests you suppress their growth by pruning. Most garden centres will suggest you plant native plants instead.

Interestingly, I cannot find any references to avoiding planting jacaranda trees in Western Australia. There’s many nurseries offering them for sale and information about caring for young trees. Our local council has planted several in our street recently to replace trees that have died.

and some other things

⊗ Christmas wrapping paper is on sale everywhere as Christmas draws near. The problem is it all becomes rubbish as soon as the big day is over. Consider buying paper which wrinkles and doesn’t resist scrunching as those papers treated with plastic or foil cannot be recycled. There’s lots of themed drawstring gift bags made from fabric available and these can be used and reused for years. If you’re adept at tying scarves, search online for the Japanese way of wrapping gifts with fabric, called Furoshiki, practiced in Japan since the Edo Era (1603-1867). Reuse the same squares of fabric year after year. Very pretty.

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⊗ Have you made a Christmas fruitcake? Usually I macerate the fruit early in October to make two cakes. This year was no ordinary year and no fruit was put to soak. A friend told me that business was no excuse and to make a boiled fruit cake. Went searching for information about ingredients, time taken to prepare and cook and how long will it last.

The ingredients are basically the same except a boiled fruitcake requires more butter, but it cooks for a similar amount of time, but most recipes advise the cake only lasts about two weeks. We were still eating the last of the Christmas 2023 cake a few weeks ago. I did make two and often forget about them for ages. The smell of the fruits and alcohol when I open the tin to cut some is amazing. I’ll probably make a boiled fruitcake soon.

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Bordallo Pinheiros, Carton Disposal and Inflation

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bordallo pinheiro

You may not know the name, but you’ll recognise these green ceramics! These pieces were originally designed by the Portuguese ceramics company founded by Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro in 1884. The design I like is based on a cabbage leaf, a metaphor for Portuguese rustic way of life. The brand mark is a frog in a circle with the brand name. There are many other designs but the Cabbage is my favourite.

My Mother gave me a Cabbage salad bowl years ago, probably because I adored hers, which I have now inherited. Over the years, my son has given me two other pieces. Then for my birthday, he surprised me with a box of Cabbage pieces! I now have two small bowls, two medium sized bowls and two larger bowls to add to the collection. It was a lovely surprise!

I’d admired a green leaf vase in Bali earlier this year. I was delighted when my husband bought me a similar vase when we returned home. He then gave me a smaller version of the vase as a birthday gift, too. I will be using all these pieces to create a red, white and green Christmas themed table this year. ( I have just realised Christmas is six weeks way, sorry to mention it, but I got a fright, too.)

Another birthday treat was the delivery of two boxes of macarons. Absolutely delicious and a lovely treat from our son.

The final birthday treat was a tart citron organised by my husband from a French bakery. I really like anything citrus and this was lovely.

recycling Cartons

“Gable” topped cartons generally contain fresh liquids, such as milk or orange juice. The cartons are usually 80% paper and 20% polyethylene. These are found in the chilled section and need to be kept in the fridge. These can be rinsed clean and put in your kerbside recycling bin. (Ours has a yellow lid.)

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Longlife or UHT cartons look like bricks and are made from liquid paperboard with a plastic exterior coating and the inner lining is aluminium (foil). These cartons often contain stock, long-life milk and long-life juice. They do not require refrigeration during transport or storage and are stocked on shelves in the supermarket. They have a long shelf life. They cannot be recycled due to the aluminium lining and go into landfill. (For us, the red lid bin).

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Bottled milk is harder to find and more expensive but the glass bottles can be recycled if you rinse the bottle and return it to where you bought it.

inflation

Interesting news item posted by the Australian Business Network (Dailytelegraph.com.au) revealing that Australians had been hit by creeping inflation since 2021. The Consumer Price Index figures, based on information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, have revealed that healthcare, cigarettes, education and utilities have increased in cost enormously since 1984.

As governments try to persuade people to give up smoking, cigarette prices have increased by 4 200%. This is ten times more than alcohol in the same period.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics, via the Consumer Price index also shows the following increases during the same period.

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Medical and Hospital Services 1 214%

Education 887%

Dental Services 522%

Spirits 416%

Beer 412%

Transport fares 394%

Lamb 387%

Childcare 365%

Fuel 305%

Interestingly, some things haven’t changed significantly over the last 40 years. Both telecommunications and computing costs have dropped, while household appliances and household textiles have hardly changed.

High energy costs and labour shortages create inflationary pressures. The government is attempting to reduce labour shortages by increasing immigration and increasing access to childcare. Unfortunately, all states and territories of Australia are experiencing housing shortages exacerbated by increasing the population.

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As we move towards a federal election, I’m sure we’ll hear numerous plans for improving the economy, but all government spending derives from tax payers money. We need longer term planning which extends beyond the parliamentary election cycle and a focus on obtaining value from money expended.

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Books and Reading

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reading

For months I have had a TO DO list for every day. Some of those things were pleasurable, like visitors or playing mahjong or going to yoga, but most days are less easy, involving banks, lawyers, phone companies and other jobs to do with my late Mother’s estate.

Although I had to soak a red wine stain out of a white tablecloth and do some other washing and water seedlings, I have sat to read a book. ( To remove a red wine stain, soak the mark in a mix of vinegar and washing detergent for about half an hour then put through the normal cycle you would use for the item. I left the tablecloth out on the line for most of the day as it was hot and helped whiten it.)

The stain on the right is now gone. Next, I’ll dip the tablecloth in starch and iron it. My Mother used to take my tablecloths and hers to the steam laundry in Bunbury, I need to look for a new steam laundry.

The red wine stain was a result of my husband hosting a bookclub meeting the night before. We didn’t have visitors except an electrician early this morning so I read a book, too. It was Nicci French’s Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter? Recently published (29th Feb 2024) this is a typically dark and tragic story. Cleverly crafted, like all her murder mysteries, this is the story of two families, long term friends,both shattered by a family member being murdered, only days apart. The resolution was a surprise. Great book.

Murder stories are a bit of a theme at the moment. I don’t know why I find them so easy to read before I go to sleep. Last week I read Andrea Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano Mystery, The Overnight Kidnapper, the 23rd in this series. This story is different from the usual books involving Inspector Montalbano as it isn’t based on a news story, like all the other books in this series. As in every Inspector Montalbano story, the inspector uses his intuition and logic to solve three kidnappings and two murders.

All Camilleri’s Montalbano stories are based in two almost deserted Sicilian towns, Porto Empedolce and also Agrigento, now tourist destinations, but in the books known as Vigàta. If you’re a fan of the television series, you might like to rent Inspector Montalbano’s house on the waterfront. Look online for the details.

The other book I’ve read this week is not a murder story, it’s Liz Byrski’s The Woman Next Door. Byrski is the author of many novels and non fiction books. She began her writing career as a freelance journalist and a broadcaster. She lives locally and writes stories based in Western Australia. There aren’t many books written about streets and cafes I know, so it’s a pleasant change to read her books.

She also weaves wonderful stories. The Woman Next Door is typical Liz Byrski : it’s about older women and their choices and obligations, surrounded by families and often retirement, grandchildren and husbands developing new interests. The story deals with moving from large family homes, adult children moving away, an elderly neighbour developing dementia and meeting up again with old flames. A rich and engaging story.I really enjoyed reading this book.

I still have three murders, all written by Peters James. They are The Secret of Cold Hill, Picture You Dead and I Follow You. Have you read any of them?

All these books are from the library. I rarely buy books as we have so many. I only buy a book I’m sure I’ll reread or use as a reference.

We are blessed in Western Australia with an extensive public library system funded by State and Local Government. With free libraries throughout the suburbs managed by trained librarians and an extensive book stock books which may be unavailable at one library can be sourced and supplied by another anywhere in our state. Libraries with their meeting rooms also function as useful venues for local interest groups to meet, discuss, learn special skills or play games like bridge, chess or mahjong.

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Asparagus, So Long Maryanne and Halloween

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asparagus

Really pleased to find asparagus grown in Albany, an area down south in Western Australia. I’ve bought asparagus labelled Grown in Australia no area specified, which was an improvement on the asparagus more generally available in the past, grown in Mexico or Peru! Or Thailand. Locally grown, really fresh asparagus is lovely.

To prepare the spears for cooking, wash under running water then snap the ends off, they’ll come away where the woodiness ends. I usually cook them in the microwave. It’s easy, just dampen a length of paper towel ( I use three sheets folded in half) and wrap around the spears. Thin stalks need about two minutes, thicker ones need three minutes. Unwrap and serve. I often cut the cooked spears in half, so they fit well on the plate, then add a little dab of butter and a good squeeze of lemon. Delicious. (If the asparagus spears are quite long it’s probably easier to cook them in an asparagus steamer)

If you need to keep asparagus fresh for a few days, snap or cut the woody ends off and put them in a jar or glass with water. Best stored in the fridge. Drain, pat dry and steam or microwave as usual.

books

Do you remember Leonard Cohen singing So Long, Maryanne? I have just finished reading Kari Hesthamar’s book So Long Maryanne A Love Story. This biography begins when Maryanne, aged 22, travels to Hydra with her boyfriend, Axel Jensen. They have left Norway seeking a cheaper and more relaxed life, where Axel, an emerging author, can write.

They marry in 1958 and have a son Axel Joachim. They become part of an artist group of Westerners, including Australians Charmain Clift and George Johnson, both published authors. Axel has a book published and buys a house but believes he will find his purpose with other women and other places. He leaves Maryanne and new born son, Axel Joachim.

The island is inhabited by more than six thousand Greeks and six expats although others come and go. Maryanne and Axel had met Leonard Cohen within the expat group of artist and authors. When Axel abandons Maryanne and Axel Joachim, Cohen becomes close to Maryanne and eventually they live together. These are fluid times, fueled by drugs and alcohol. Maryanne goes back to Norway but cannot settle, then back to Hydra, then to Canada and France and America then Mexico, sometimes with Cohen, sometimes without. She seems to be always on the move, always restless. He gives up on writing books and becomes a singer, poet and song writer. He is very successful. Like Maryanne and Axel and others on the periphery of their group of artists, he is always ‘searching for himself.’

Maryanne drifts around, always in his orbit, and the relationship is gentle and kind but not monogamous, and eventually in 1972 she goes back to Norway to provide stable schooling for twelve year old Axel Joachim. Her son is taken by his father to India when he is fifteen and given acid. As a consequence, he has been institutionalised most of his adult life. Maryanne becomes employed and settles in Norway. She eventually meets a partner and has lived with him for many years.

Maryanne collaborated closely with the author of So Long, Maryanne providing many letters and other mementos referred to in the story.

Maryanne is the subject of one of the most famous love songs ever written, So Long, Marianne*. Her story has been made into a series, of the same name, currently showing on SBS On Demand in Australia. The book tells the story from Maryanne’s point of view, the series is written from Leonard Cohen’s point of view. Interesting. Both are a real insight into the 60’s in the arts world.

* The book spells Maryanne with a ‘y’, the film spells her name with an ‘i’. Maryanne herself spells her name with a ‘y’.

halloween

Do you celebrate Halloween? Originally a Celtic pagan celebration going back more than 2000 years, it marked the end of the harvest and the end of the year. The crops had been harvested and the beginning of shorter days leading into winter. Halloween is also celebrated on the eve of the feast All Hallows Day.

Door handle hanger from our letter box. (Duet)

I understand the enthusiasm for sweet treats and lollies but despite reading more than I need to know about Halloween I’m not sure about the mass of plastic rubbish associated with the event. The shops are full of plastic, disposable Halloween decorations. Not good.

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Preserving Lemons and a Study About Rat Behaviour.

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preserving lemons

Are you a fan of lemons? I think almost everything I make is lemon scented or lemon flavoured at the moment. We have so many lemons! Today I am preserving lemons, so I’ve picked fresh ones, the jars are in the dishwasher and I’m about to start preparing the brine. The size of your jar dictates how many lemons you will need.

Glass jars for storing food can be used and re-used multiple times. They are strong, easy to see the contents and easily cleaned and reused. Of course, they are useful for storing many other things, too, but they are perfect for food.

sterilizing the jars

I’ve listed three common methods for sterilising jars. For each method you begin by washing the jars in hot soapy water, rinse but don’t towel dry. I wash them in the dishwasher although they have been stored after being cleaned previously.

1. Set the oven to 110°C, place the jars on an oven tray, place in the oven for 15 minutes, carefully remove and leave to cool.

2.Alternatively if you have a pot deep enough you can set the washed jars in it, cover with water and boil for 10 minutes. Remove carefully and leave to cool.

3. Or you could place washed jars in the microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove carefully and allow to cool. This is how I sterilised the jars when they came out of the dishwasher.

Preserved lemons are pickled in their own juice and salt for three weeks. Originating in Morocco and Middle Eastern recipes I find a little preserved lemon adds zing to everything from salads to stews. Select and sterilise the jar you want to use to preserve your lemons. A wide opening makes it easy to insert them. Cut off the tops and bottoms of each lemon after you have washed and dried them. Then cut your lemons into quarters leaving them joined at the base. Spoon two dessert spoons of salt into the jar and spoon more salt into the first lemon. Place it in the bottom of the jar.

Continue adding salted lemons, squashing them down and releasing juice. Finally, when the jar is full of salted lemons top up with extra lemon juice.

Leave in the fridge for four weeks before adding to salads, soups, stews and casseroles, or whatever takes your fancy! I turn the jars every few days during the process. Be sure to scrape the pulp from the skin before using the preserved lemon.

rats

Back in 1962 an experimental psychologist John Calhoun published an article in the Scientific American, after considerable research, on rat behaviour in growing populations. He observed that growing populations with increasing physical proximity induced stress and that the birth rate then decreased to reduce crowding.

However when he increased physical proximity by reducing rats personal space all sorts of other behaviours were triggered. Violence and homosexuality rocketed, females ceased to nurture and suckle their young which were then eaten by male rats. Some adults survived by avoiding social contact and spent their time grooming themselves. The population collapsed. The survivors with few social skills lived passively alone.

In another experiment rats in a closed environment were never allowed to become ill or run out of food. Once they reached a certain population density vice wiped them out. Food for thought when you consider the pressure in Australia for people to adopt tower block living in apartments in preference to our traditional way of life of living in separate houses on separate blocks of land. We are not exactly running out of room, are we? Points to ponder!

Taken from a book review in the Spectator of a book written by Lee Dugatkin’s, Dr Calhoun’s Mousery; The Strange Tale of a Celebrated Scientist, a Rodent Dystopia, and the Future of Humanity, published October, 2024.

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Empress Josephine’s Garden

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To the Maritime Museum in Fremantle to see the remarkable ‘Empress Joséphine’s Garden’. This project tells the story of Empress Joséphine from her life as a child in Martinique, where she was known as Rose, through to her time as the most powerful style icon in Europe and further afield.

Empress Joséphine in an empire style gown. She and Napoleon epitomized the Empire style in furniture, clothing, crockery and cutlery and interior decoration. The style was popular throughout Europe and the United Kingdom, where it was known as Regency style.

Botanical illustrations on crockery and fabrics.

Joséphine was betrothed to a French aristocrat Alexandre de Beauhamais in 1779 and after the marriage, returned with him to France. They had a son and a daughter and later separated. They never divorced. She had custody of the daughter, he had custody of the son. Her husband was beheaded in the French revolution, she escaped the same event by a change in the course in French politics. She married Napoleon Bonaparte in March 1796.

Empress Joséphine purchased the rundown estate known of Malmaison in 1799, making it her primary home. She hired a Scots gardener, Alexander Hawatson, to assist with the planning and construction of the garden. Unlike typically formal French gardens of the time, Malmaison’s garden was based on English designs. The garden featured winding paths, bridges, temples, lakes and little cottages, mimicking a grand English garden.

As an amateur botanist, Empress Joséphine sought flora and fauna from all over the World. She was especially fascinated with the newly discovered plants and animals from New Holland. She was determined and competitive about acquiring botanical specimens. She collected Australian specimens from Nicholas Baudin, who explored Australia and the Pacific as well as many other sources.

Empress Joséphine collected exotic specimens from Western Australia taken back to France by Nicholas Baudin, including melaleuca, eucalyptus, plus kangaroos, emus and black swans.

Leaders in all things fashionable, Napoleon Bonaparte and Joséphine were leading figures during the Age of Enlightenment. Along with the exotic plants and animals she coveted, she dressed in light transparent fabrics, which also immediately became fashionable. She created the Empire style of furniture, which reflected symbols of war and victory, such as golden eagles, classical palm leaves and laurels. Symbols of power linked the regime to the glory of the ancient Roman Emperors. This style was widely adopted throughout Europe and the United Kingdom.

Empress Joséphine developed Malmaison, 12 kilometres out of Paris, from a run down estate to the most fashionable destination in France.

Adept at promoting their style and influence, Bonaparte and Josephine dictated the style of everything. They dispersed paintings of themselves in Empire styled clothes and dictated what was fashionable. They entertained lavishly and shamelessly promoted their own style.

Empress Joséphine employed the then unknown botanical artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté to make a record of the plants at Malmaison. His exquisite artworks were acclaimed throughout Europe. Books of his works are still considered the epitome of flora illustration. His paintings and engravings, particularly of roses, are iconic and still appear on address book covers, note book covers and writing paper.

Unable to provide Bonaparte with children he divorced Joséphine and married a younger woman, Marie Louise, who became the second Empress of France. They had four children.

This presentation runs until January. All these images are from the audiovisual presentation.

We went back down the port to a brewery for lunch. It was lovely sitting in the gentle breeze eating squid and chips. The only problem was the Leeuwin, moored along side. Once the magnificent barquentine pictured above, it was hit by an enormous container ship entering port on a stormy night.

The hull. It will be repaired but is a very sad sight now.

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