READING
Finished Latika Bourke’s “From India With Love”, her account of being adopted from India and growing up in Australia. One of many children in a devout Catholic family, her story is joyful and her account of visiting India, which was deeply personal, sometimes harrowing and always interesting. Now a political reporter in Canberra, Bourke has written a lovely tribute to her family, to Australia and to India, as well. A good read.
Also read the very popular “Where The Crawdads Sing”, by Delia Owens. Beautiful descriptions of the north Carolina coast, but I found it unbelievable and the story almost predictable. I finished it, but didn’t find it remarkable at all, but lots of people did, so you must make up your own mind!
My new favourite book was a Mother’s Day gift. It is Alan Marshall’s “The Illustrated Garden”, the perfect gift for someone who paints botanicals and loves gardens and gardening. This book is a collection of garden themed paintings and prints. A celebration of natural beauty but also a showcase for the work of many modern artists in the UK. I find something fabulous on every page.
Paul Torday’s The Girl On The Landing is my bookclub book this month. Utterly reliable, decent and dull, Michael is attractive to Elizabeth for these characteristics, so different from her father. After ten years of boring, predicitable marriage, Michael stops taking his medication and life begins to change for this couple. A rather unremarkable story slowly becomes very gripping! I read this thriller in two sittings and really enjoyed it. Thought provoking, informative ( about schizophrenia) and totally engaging.
MAKING SOURDOUGH
Within hours of arriving back in Perth from Bali I had taken the mother/starter for sourdough out of the fridge to “wake up”. I started the bread making process the next day and finally baked this loaf a day later. I used to make lovely, rustic looking round loaves in a dutch oven but find the rectangular shape easier to fit in the toaster and easier to predict how much I’m eating and when I need when to start the process again. Making sourdough does not happen quickly!
I have reduced the use of single use plastics and was trying instead beeswax covers but they never sealed properly for me and often fell off in the fridge which rather defeated the purpose of covering things anyway. I have ordered a set of silicone stretchy lids but for now I use clear, hotel shower caps to cover the rising bread and a lot of other things in the fridge, too. I can fit them over a number of bowls and plates, wipe them clean and re-use them and I can still see what they’re covering!
WINTER FOODS
This afternoon we have had rain. Apart from the relief that farmers and the garden have had rain, my thoughts turn towards soups, casseroles and, of course, citrus fruit. It is cool enough to roast vegetables and slow cook thick, hearty meals, to throw a rug over our knees in the evening and to put an extra blanket on the bed.
Vegetables for roasting, citrus fruit for jam making and tomatoes and avocados to make salsas to drizzle on roasted vegetables. The rain, which is so welcome, turns our focus on indoor activities.
What do you do differently in winter?
World Environment Day 05/06/2019
This day is about worldwide awareness and protection of the environment. The theme this year is Air Polution and what needs to be done to reduce it in industry, transport, agriculture, wastes disposal and households. Search online for detailed information.