1. Slow Cooker Bread
Are you baking bread? There was such a shortage of flour and yeast until recently I wondered if everyone was making their own bread.
When I saw this Slow Cooker Bread recipe from Jack Monroe I knew I’d be trying it! Pragmatic and practical, Jack’s recipes are always good. The ultimate frugal cook, Jack utilises every day, affordable pantry staples to create tasty, nutritious and interesting food. Great recipes and some droll comments at http://www.cookingonabootstrap.com
Using only 260gm of flour ( I used strong bread making flour, but Jack makes it clear any flour or combination of flours would do), yeast, water, salt and a little oil on your hands to knead the dough, this is a simple and great tasting bread.
Delicious!
2. Autumn in the Garden
Big Red geranium and red violas. Still some colour in the garden.
Brushing against this spearmint scented lavender releases the loveliest smell.
The umbrella stand petunias continue to thrive.
Arum lilies under planted with violets. The lilies are lush, green and they bloom for months. We can see them from our bedroom window. These lilies are considered a weed in Western Australia but I really like the elegant, white bloom with its egg yolk yellow stamen and the large, green leaves. They are planted in a separate bed and cannot escape. Originally found in marshy areas of South Africa, these plants have adapted too well to Australian conditions.
3. Walking
Out walking before Easter and saw this bird’s nest on the ground. No sign of birds. Used it in an Easter decoration now just enjoying it for the clever construction. Can you see the layers of soft leaves lining the bottom of the nest?
I walk alone, then with a neighbour and later, with my husband and the dog. One of the many pleasure of walking is looking into the neighbourhood gardens, watching the birds in all the trees and watching the sky change. These days there are so many people in isolation at home and I often chat to them in their gardens or when they are also walking. Our other walk is taking the dog to the dog park where he has a wonderful time and we walk too with views of trees, the river and boats. It’s lovely.
4. Reading and Watching
More sitting time than usual in this household! I’ve read my haul of magazines including Country Style, UK Country Living and Australian Country, so a bit of a theme there, all topped off by The English Home. And some essential nutrition.
Also read Caroline Baum’s ” Only, A Singular Memoir”, an Australian journalist’s account of a rather unusual childhood in London. Her adult relationship with her parents reflects her need for independence and her need for approval. Hard path to follow! Interesting book.
Currently reading Ian McEwan’s “Amsterdam” and enjoying it. Other books of his I’ve read are “Atonement” made into a film with Keira Knightley,”On Chisel Beach” and “The Children Act” also turned into a film with Emma Thompson. Great book, great film. Also reading favourite gardening books, gathering ideas and shortcuts.
Watching “Escape To The Country” on YouTube. These are more recent episodes rather than the older ones on free to air TV. Part tourism, part real estate curiosity, always interesting and in my case, part envy, this program is “before going to bed” relaxation after the murder, trial and retribution series we have been watching.
Decided not to watch every news program or online account of the spread and destruction of C-V 19 as it is exhausting and we are doing everything possible to stay well and safe. Initially grateful when the country closed down, I now think we need to be more moderate and build up some immunity as a vaccine is a long way off being available. Should the vulnerable be careful and the rest get on with it? Seems to have worked well in Sweden. I wonder if more people die of the flu each year in Australia than will die of C-V 19? Should we all be tested to determine asymptomatic carriers and existing immunity then make a decision? This is a rapidly evolving situation, requiring some long term strategies.
5. ANZAC DAY
On April 25th Australians and New Zealanders commemorate ANZAC Day. We remember those who have participated in all armed conflicts and peace keeping missions since WW1.
Traditionally, there were dawn services and later in the morning, parades, often followed by community breakfasts. This year everything will be different. We are being encouraged to stand at the top of our driveways at 6AM with a candle, a torch or a phone light and with our neighbours, observe one minute of silence, broken by random buglers playing the Last Post.
Snipped long but not too stiff rosemary pieces from the bush. Bent and tied the base circle with green gardening wire, then wove extra pieces in the make a stronger wreath.
I have made a rosemary wreath to hang on the fence. Rosemary is the plant of remembrance. If I make this again I will make a smaller wreath based on a deformed wire clothes hanger. I cannot go to the floral supplier for a round base for the wreath but it still looks fine. I cut pieces of rosemary which are still whippy, not too long and hard and using green garden wire, joined them at regular intervals to make a circle. Added two poppies, symbols of the red poppies growing on Flanders Field and a red bow.
I have also made boxes of ANZAC biscuits to give to our close neighbours. The recipe is derived from the recipe used to make long lasting and nutritious biscuits to send to the troops in the Middle East and France, a months sea voyage from Australia, beginning during WW1. ( Lots of recipes online if you’d like to try these delicious biscuits )
Trays of cooked and waiting to be cooked ANZAC biscuits.
Printed labels, cut and glued to tags, punched holes, filled the boxes and added labels and rosemary. Off to distribute them soon.
ANZAC the acronym for AUSTRALIAN and NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS
Searching through the pantry for biscuit making ingredients I came across this forgotten Christmas Pudding. Only seemed right to heat it and eat it. Glad we did, it was very good.
EARTH DAY
Earth Day was first celebrated fifty years ago. The focus is on reducing your environmental impact. For me, this particularly means using less plastic!
The reduction in pollution since the onset of CV-19 is sobering. I think the message is use less, buy once and buy the best and always consider the place of origin of everything you buy.