GARDENING APRON
Despite looking like a faded grey apron it is actually black!
This gardening apron is my new favourite thing. I first saw them on Instagram and wanted to buy one but twice I got to ‘checkout’ and nothing happened. I was attracted to the canvas aprons initially because of the phone pocket. If I take my phone out into the garden I forget where I put it. Hours later, when I realise it’s missing I have to ask my husband to ring me so I can work out where I’ve left it. Sometimes I leave it inside, because I’m ‘only going to be a minute’ but I get distracted and spend ages out there. When I come in I have missed calls and texts and spend ages catching up.
This canvas apron has a phone pocket. My phone fits snugly in it and is easy to pull out when necessary. It also has two large, deep pockets for secateurs, ties, gloves, whatever you need. It is a great length and I like the faux leather detail, too. I found it on Ebay. I went looking because I realised I actually really wanted it.
My non consuming side reminded me I had a denim apron in the drawer; I could sew a pocket onto to hold the phone. My sensible side then reminded me I use that apron many times a week, especially for making bread. i don’t think a multi purpose apron would work. Garden, kitchen, garden. No.
LEMON SLICE
I really like Nagi’s recipetineats recipes and I’ve never been disappointed with the outcome. I often use recipes from her DINNER cookbook and flick through, looking for inspiration.
It is the citrus fruit season here now. Beautiful citrus fruit is available in the shops but also many homes, especially in old suburbs like the one I live in. I have a lime tree and access to lemons and kumquat. Citrus can be used in sweet and savoury dishes. Great scent and great flavour. Lovely colours.
If you’re a fan of citron tarts, you’ll like this slice. Quicker as you make a shortbread base, not a pastry base and then almost a lemon butter filling. Beautiful flavour, easy, very popular. The contrast of the shortbread base with the sharp lemon layer is delicious. ( recipe nagim@recipetineats.com and search for Easy Lemon Bars)
Also made Chicken Meat Balls. Just mix the chicken mince with spring onions and bread crumbs. Search online, many great recipes, some including spices I will use next time.
Really enthusiastic reviews for cabbage casseroles on American sites where apparently cabbage casseroles are very popular, especially in the south. Beautiful cabbages this time of the year, so I decided on one of the recipes and got to work. Thinly sliced cabbage and onions fried in a pan plus a bechamel sauce and cheese on top. All in the oven. Looked good, but not my favourite ever cabbage recipe. Look online for cabbage casseroles if you’re overwhelmed by lots of cabbages and want to try something new.
READING
WE SHALL BE MISSED, Donna Leon, a Commissano Guido Brunetti novel.
There’s an Italian theme to the first two books I’ve just finished. The first, by Donna Leon, was a lovely surprise in the library. We both enjoyed her many books for years and were disappointed when she said she wasn’t writing any more. Now, we have a new book, her 32nd. Actually, she is also publishing her autobiography this year called ‘Wandering Through Life: The Memoir’.
As always, this murder investigation is set in Venice where Leon lived for many years. Her stories reveal her great affection for every aspect of Venice and Venetian life. This is a typical Commissano Brunetti story. We learn about the impact of politics, tourists and undocumented workers have on Venice, whilst reading how Brunetti gently and skillfully solves another murder. I really enjoyed it.
The second book on an Italian theme was Dominic Smith’s RETURN TO VALETTO. The author is an Australlian now living in Seattle.
The main protagonist, a historian, is documenting vanishing and abandoned towns in Italy. He regularly spends holidays in Italy with his grandmother and aunts, his mother’s sisters, in a small almost abandoned town. They are all about to discover a terrible secret from WW2 which will unite the aunts and a now elderly woman who stayed with them when they were all children.
The revelation shatters but then strengthens the family and they decide to denounce the wrong doer, now in his mid 90s, at the Grandmother’s 100th birthday party. As much as I enjoyed this story I think the ending was clever but not very satisfying!