September 2017 – MakeCookGrow.com

Emma Bridgewater

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When we lived in China we’d go to Hong Kong frequently on business and I’d go shopping for things we couldn’t buy in Guangzhou, like icing sugar. ( this was 20 years ago! ) I’d always buy a haul of English decorator magazines, too, and discovered Emma Bridgewater china. My favourite design is Toast and Marmalade in black. I collect earthenware, tinware and some textiles.

Black Toast is cream earthenware with bold black typeface printing. These are pieces intended for everyday use and enjoyment. The mugs are generously sized, the bowls are big and wide, the butter dish is meant for a decent sized block of butter.

Emma Bridgewater and her husband Matthew Rice began their pottery in 1985 at a time when other potteries in Stoke-on-Trent were beginning to close. Most of the products continue to be manufactured there.

Last year we took a cottage in the Cotswolds and one day, in heavy rain, we drove to Stoke-on- Trent to visit the pottery. Thank goodness for GPS. Gorgeous displays of all the designs ( Black Toast is just one of them ), welcoming, well informed staff in the manufacturing, catering and retail areas and a lovely garden out the back with chooks! (Australian for chickens) A wonderful morning….and two unplanned carrier bags of hand luggage to haul back to Perth, via Singapore.

Today is World Heart Day, intended to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke prevention. Apparently, heart disease and strokes are the world’s leading causes of death, killing 17.1 million people every year. The intention is to educate people about good heart health habits and to encourage people to make lifestyle changes that are good for their hearts. Love your heart today!

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Waterford Crystal

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Last Saturday I went with my friend to a presentation by Tom Brennan, Craftsman and Spokesman for Waterford Crystal. As well as showing us Waterford Crystal pieces currently available, he talked about their history in Ireland, the raw materials used, the process, the designers and his life with Waterford, following in his Father’s footsteps.

One of the best known Waterford pieces is probably the iconic “ball drop” in Times Square, New York, where, since 1907, a Crystal ball has descended a flagpole at midnight, marking the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. The integrity of the crystal became apparent when Tom Brennan talked about summer temperatures of 38° – 40° C and winter temperatures of -15° C in New York. Strong and beautiful.

Looking at the way these pieces reflected the light and thinking about how strong crystal is reminds us to use these lovely pieces everyday and to enjoy them rather than keep them in a cupboard for “best”.

Chicken and Leek pies. I’d like to say we froze some for later but we ended up eating them all this week. When I saw the beautiful, fresh leeks I knew I’d make chicken pies. So chicken, leek, thyme and a white sauce, plus a Granny Smith apple chopped up because I remembered seeing that in a recipe once. We were very pleased with our pies.

This is Louis, looking like a little woolly sheep BEFORE he went to the groomer.

This is Louis AFTER he’d been to the groomer. Hot and sunny weather before he went to the groomer, cold, wet and windy since he was shorn!

Planning a trip to Malaysia, so off to a Malaysian Restaurant for dinner. This is our starter, a Tasting Plate. It featured a selection of beef and chicken satays, spring rolls, cucur udang ( prawn and chive fritters), tuna cutlets and a kerabu salad garnish. Along with Nasi Jasmine (rice) we had Mee Goreng Mamak (seafood and noodles) Daging Masak Kicap ( beef and potato) plus Lamb Curry. All very good! And all eaten before I thought to take photos.

This is Farm Animal Awareness Week. People in Perth are lucky because the Perth Royal Show is about to start so everyone has the opportunity to see, touch and admire beautiful farm animals up close.

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Spring Has Come!

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September marks the beginning of Spring in the southern hemisphere. We have had a very wet winter in Western Australia so I’ve been a bit late planting out annuals, but the petunia seedlings above, Dreams White, have been planted under the lime tree in the front courtyard. They have settled in well and are growing.

These violas are in the portico so I have to take them in and out but once they are in bloom they last for months.

We are off on another trip in a few weeks so have begun collecting books. My pile is on the left. I’ve been sick in bed for two days this week, so raided my pile and read Janine Marsh’s My Good Life In France. Really enjoyed it. She has a blog, too and talks about moving to France, buying property, renovating, dealing with bureaucracy, eating, travelling and generally enjoying every aspect of “La Belle France”. A good read.

Kirstie Clements, author of The Vogue Factor, rose from the reception desk at Australian Vogue to the Editor’s chair. This is an account of that journey. Along the way she meets famous designers and celebrities, visits exotic places, becomes the mother of twins and learns everything there is to know about publishing an iconic fashion magazine. I’m really enjoying it.

Hanna’s daughter is my new book club book, so I have only read the blurb on the back. I only got it this afternoon. Let me know if you’ve read it and tell me what you thought!

Gathering the ingredients to make Coriander Beef Curry. It was very good and lasted two meals. Aromatic with layers of flavour, we will make it again.

Went out to pick some lettuce and found them eaten to the soil. Not happy and not sure what has eaten them. Our limes are growing well and taste very good. I’ve begun planting tomatoes. Picking spinach, chilies and spring onions.

Today is Concussion Awareness Day. Concussion can be a serious issue, usually happens during sport and can have serious repercussions. The best treatment is to rest but if someone loses consciousness, even for a moment, you need to seek medical advice.

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How to Hygge

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Hygge ( I think its pronounced hue guh ) is the Danish philosophy of comfort, togetherness and well being. According to that great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, ” You don’t spell it, you feel it.” You feel hygge.

Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen defines hygge as being “… about an atmosphere and an experience.” He explains, “It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling we are safe.”

It is a feeling of cosy contentment and well being.

It seems to be a Nordic concept. Last year in Norway I liked to go walking at dusk as all the houses were lit up with their windows uncovered and I could see cosy interiors with glowing fires, lanterns, flowers and simple, warm interiors. Norwegians also seem to value beautiful design, slowed down living and families gathered together.

Some easy to adopt elements of hygge are……

1. White walls so you start with a clean canvas to add your imprint.

2. Glowing candles, scented or plain.

3. A warm throw blanket or two, cuddly socks for comfortable feet.

4. Warm, aromatic drinks: tea, coffee, chocolate, mulled wine.

5. Baked goods, best homemade from quality ingredients. Good to share.

6. Board games and books. Lots of family time together. Fun, engaging activities and lovely memories.

7. Fresh flowers in simple, unstructured arrangements.

8. Natural fibres and materials.

9. Photos of family.

10. Enjoying friends and family.

So many resources online and interior decorating ideas in recently published books, but adopting the slowed down, focused approach to living is a bit more challenging in our technological, social media driven world where many of us have long work hours. Try eating dinner together at the table tonight. Talk, relax, hear about the day, enjoy each others screen free company.

Today is International Literacy Day. An estimated 800 million people throughout the world lack basic literacy skills. International Literacy Day highlights the importance of increasing literacy.

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A Steamboat, Some Crepes, a Coffee Machine and A New Fitbit

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On a wet and wintry night recently we enjoyed a lovely evening with friends who served a traditional Chinese dinner, a Steamboat (huo guo). This is a simmering “steamboat” or pot of stock also known as a Chinese Hot Pot. It sits on the table over its own gas fire. We sat around the table, each with a bowl for our cooked food, a bowl of rice and little bowls of dipping sauces and using our own small net, cooked our morsels in the stock. The hostess had set pork, chicken, beef, scallops, prawns, quail eggs, fish and fish balls for us to cook. She stirred Chinese vegetables into the pot, too. Everything looked so attractive and enticing.

Delicious, fresh and fun. Great conversation while our food cooked and lots of laughter as nets tipped over. Trawling the bottom of the pot was very tasty!

The lemons are still abundant. We like to eat them on crepes with sugar. Old fashioned food, so good.

We finally joined the coffee pod machine owners of the world. We drink very strong black double espressos or long blacks and I’d never really liked coffee from these machines until a demonstrator made me an espresso using a Dharkan and then a Kazaar pod. We’re hooked!

I have used a Fitbit since 2013. It took a while to consistently get to 10 000 steps a day and then, when I was easily achieving that, I aimed at 11 000+ steps. It was a habit to check my Fitbit regularly and get a bit more active when necessary. Unfortunately, the device needed charging more and more frequently, until it was almost every day rather than a weekly event. Wondering if I needed a new battery I wrote to Fitbit who monitored my device and then, despite it being out of warranty, replaced it free of charge! Dealing with them was so easy and the outcome amazing. Well done, Fitbit! (This is not a sponsored comment, either, I was just really impressed by their prompt replies and great outcome)

Today is Letter Writing Day. My Mother is computer adept but writes many, many letters. Receiving a hand written letter is a treat and shows the author made a special effort in this flick off an email, dash off a text era. Beautiful cards and textural writing paper are lovely to use and lovely to receive. Write a letter today!

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