Several sorts of chillis growing in the garden. Above are Numex Twilight Rainbow. They are so pretty but quite feisty!
Gathering cayenne peppers to make chilli jam.
Our son split the peppers and scraped out the seeds, then put the chillis into the food processor.
Processed to a pulp.
Then cooked with apple cider vinegar, sugar, water and pectin, following Nigella’s Chilli Jam recipe.
Pouring the jam into sterilised jars. Strong chilli aroma!
The finished chilli jam. Very pretty, very strong.
Our son adds the jam to “pep up” lots of dishes.
Picked spinach which I chopped and steamed for dinner, adding it to baby beans and diced bacon. Stirred in a jar of pasta sauce and poured it over tortellini.
Picked some baby beetroot, then oven roasted them for salad.
The roasted beetroot with roasted kumara (sweet potato), cos lettuce, thin slices of Camembert, sage from my Mother’s garden and traditional oil and vinegar dressing. A delicious salad and worth getting stained fingers preparing the beetroot.
Not edible, but also from the garden, the pink and red Pierre de Ronsard roses are in full bloom.
January is BRAIN TEASER month, so enjoy a cryptic crossword, play a game of cards, complete the quick crossword in the paper or settle to an online strategy game. I find keeping the rats off the tomatoes sufficiently brain teasing. Let me know what is successful, please.
The Yule Log made by my sister in law. It was part of the Christmas feast we enjoyed in Beverley, about two hours from Perth. It was a lovely day.
Cheese, cherries and chutney, perfect. My husband buys me a china pot of Stilton every Christmas and it is delicious!
PROJECT
We had ten for Boxing Day Lunch and I made HAPPY NEW YEAR Rosemary Laurels.
To make
1. Make a circle from a piece of rosemary and glue the overlapping ends. Secure with a peg until it dries.
2. Print off and cut out your message. I glued a scrap sheet of A4 paper to the back to make it stronger, then cut.
3. Put a dab of glue on each end of the message, press onto laurel.
4. When the glue is dry ( I left it overnight ) add a piece of ribbon.
These laurels looked pretty and smelt great.
SURPRISES
A Gingerbread House Gift. Such a lovely surprise from special friends. Thankyou!
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PRESENTS
We all like books for Christmas! My mother has gone home, we are living off leftovers, things have been put away and now we have settled to some reading.
This enormous pile belongs to my husband. He is very pleased with it . He haunts second hand book sites online for titles he wants after he’s seen them in the bibliography of other books.
Books about painting Australian flora and fauna, Paris and cooking…..must be my pile.
Louis found Monkey in his stocking and is very pleased with him. Determined to get to the squeak he has already chewed his side seam.
We’ve just had Fruit Cake Day. Very convenient straight after Christmas when so many of us make Christmas Cake. Yesterday was Card Playing Day which is also handy when so many of us are on holidays. So, cut the cake and deal the cards and enjoy it all today.
To begin making the gingerbread dough, I melted the butter and mixed it with sugar and golden syrup. Looks unattractive, smelt wonderful.
The dough coming together. The recipe is Mary Berry’s from a BBC TV site and includes the templates to make the house.
Ginger was first cultivated in China and was used as medicine. It arrived in Europe via the Silk Road, and the biscuits became so popular in England, it became the staple of Medieval Fairs, spreading to Holland, France and Germany.
Queen Elizabeth Ist had her gingerbread biscuits cut and decorated to represent certain characters in her court, a fashion which quickly became widespread.
Gingerbread Houses originated in Germany during the 16th century and became very popular when the Brothers Grimm wrote the story of Hansel and Gretel, where the main characters stumble upon a house deep in the forest, decorated entirely in sweets.
To make the house pieces, I divided the dough into five balls and began rolling, before placing the templates on the dough and cutting them out.
The house pieces ready to put in the oven.
Used the leftover dough to make biscuits. They were very popular with the family and visitors.
Made royal icing and began constructing the house, using jars to support pieces until the icing dried.
The decoration was a joint effort and took two days, leaving the icing to dry before doing the next stage. Aesthetics took second place to fun in this project.
The house is wrapped in cellophane and is on display. We’ll declare it open for eating on Christmas Eve.
As we head towards Christmas Day, commemorating the birth of Jesus, many of us in Australia observe festive traditions, such as singing carols and lighting candles, visiting family and friends, decorating our houses, cooking special food, wrapping and exchanging gifts and attending church services.
Wishing you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Write Christmas cards. I really enjoy receiving cards from family and friends here and in the east and overseas and hearing their news and finding out what their children are doing. I know lots of people send an email now, but I love personal, hand written news in a card.
2. Making trays of shortbread to put into gift boxes. These little sweet treats go into cellophane packs which are sealed and put into the boxes I’ve already made. Then a ribbon and a card. Done. Delicious.
3. Fresh linen on the guestroom bed and everything ready for my mother arriving for Christmas.
4. Cherries mean Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere. Start eating them now!
5. Hang the stockings in the sitting room and begin filling them. Louis, our dog, sniffs his several times a day.
6. Decorate the fountain in the portico. Looks pretty.
7. Get in supplies of champagne and other Christmas drinks.
8. Hang a wreath on the front door. The string of lights comes on at night.
9. Watching series two of The Crown. So good, so added Her Majesty to the decorations. Try the Tattler magazine site for these.
10. Massive clean out of the fridge so there’s room for the Christmas cooking.
11. Start eating Christmas cake. This one has been drizzled with brandy several times since it was made. And it’s nearly gone.
12. TO DO lists! Do you have lists of food shopping, of cooking, of house jobs and also presents which still need to be bought? And wrapped.
Today is International Tea Day. Celebrated since 2005, the aim is to draw attention to the impact of the global tea trade on workers and growers and has been linked to fair trade goals. And you thought it was about enjoying a nice cup of tea!
Every year in October I get out the family Christmas Cake recipe and make a list of what I need to buy. I soak the dried fruit in brandy until the first week of December when I make the cake.
We invert the jar regularly and slowly most of the brandy is absorbed.
I make two cakes as we are all keen Christmas Cake eaters and I love serving it to visitors during the festive season. I use half the soaked fruit in each cake. The other ingredients are eggs, milk, butter, raw sugar, ground cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, ground ginger, essence of almond, pure vanilla, some salt and some bi carb soda. Add sieved plain flour and then some of the brandy strained off the dried fruit and mix.
Blanched almonds for the decoration. Pour hot water over the almonds and minutes later the skins will peel off.
Cherries for decorating the top, too. I wash the syrup off so they don’t sink to the bottom of the batter.
Everyone stirs the cake and makes a wish.
The cakes ready for baking. They take about three and a half hours to cook in a slow oven.
Christmas Cakes. I’ll drizzle the remaining brandy over them for the next two weeks. They smell very, very good.
Today is Lost and Found Day. The idea is to encourage you to return anything you’ve found or to make an extra effort to find something you have lost. Did you know Napoleon Bonaparte opened the first Lost and Found Office, in Paris?
A fish fillet arranged on a sliced, roasted potato. Pretty, delicious. Like so many modern Asian cities, it is very easy to eat well in Singapore, from Hawker stalls to five star restaurants. This one had a view over Marina Bay, now the financial centre of Singapore. In the 19th century it was where the British and Chinese settlers established their businesses.
Singapore is a thriving, bustling city. If you’ve already done the night zoo, the bird park, breakfast with the animals, Gardens by the Bay and Sentosa, there’s many gardens to visit, art galleries and museums, historical buildings and breathtaking new ones, plus masses of shopping opportunities and, of course, eating! We like the bum boat trip from Clarke Quay because you really can see how things have evolved in older areas.
The buildings go up, up, up.
Restored shop houses.
It’s hot and humid in Singapore. Cooling down treats.
Loved the parquetry in our hotel and the room full of balloons. It was my birthday!
My husband ate his own weight in satay sticks at Lau Pa Sat Festival Pavilion across the road from our hotel.
Corridor, old Supreme Court, now the National Gallery.
This is the new National Gallery of Singapore, opened in 2015. It houses the largest collection of South East Asian art, consisting of over 8 000 artworks. The building is fabulous. There is a modern, central section amalgamating the original Supreme Court and the Town Hall. Clever, interesting and eye catching, the gallery offers guided tours of the building, featuring the history, the public selection of the French architect who designed the connection of the two buildings and many other points of interest. Allow two hours plus time to look at each gallery.
From the roof terrace of the gallery showing the very old, St Andrew’s Cathedral, and the new towers of Singapore.
Abalone, prawn and fish balls on spicy noodles, served with a bowl of clear soup.
A Paris moment in Singapore: coffee and passionfruit macaroons.
I was scared stiff by the prices here, too.
Some interesting furniture in our hotel. Quite funny watching people sit on the settee. Mainly appealed to children.
Amazing carpaccio of Hokkaido Sea Scallops, tarama (fish roe), chive oil and grated yuzu ( a tart citrus).
This tiramisu had banana bread, creme de cacao, mascarpone and cocoa nibs, plus fresh raspberries on top.
Hotel flowers. Very beautiful.
These babushka dolls in our hotel room represent the major ethnic groups in Singapore. Purple represents Indian, 9.1%, the green represent Malay, 13.3% and red represents Chinese, 74.2%.
Street art explaining Singapore’s history.
To the roof top bar for grapefruit martinis, well, because we’d never had them before!
I had dim sum for breakfast every day and this night, dim sum for dinner, too. Freshly made and steamed, it is irresistible! Food hall cuisine.
Tomorrow is World Petroleum Day. Petroleum is not just used in our cars, but is also the key ingredient in plastics, detergents, rubber, fertilizers, pesticides, paint, photographic processes, make-up, candles and many medicines. The supply of petroleum is finite, so Petroleum Day gives us the opportunity to consider alternatives.
We have just been to Georgetown, the capital city of the Malaysian State of Penang, named after King George III. It was once an important Straits of Malacca trading hub and is now popular for the British colonial buildings, Chinese shophouses, temples and great food.
Tiles in the entrance foyer Museum Hotel Georgetown.
We stayed at the beautifully restored Museum Hotel featuring antique furniture, a quiet but good location and the most wonderful, charming staff. So helpful, so pleasant.
Enfilade, front veranda of the Museum Hotel.
Little India, ornate temple.
Wonderful street art.
Beautiful tiles in the temple.
Reclining Buddha Temple ( Wat Chayamangkalaram) built in 1845.
Temple offerings
Visited the Botanical Gardens. Cool and calm area and a great waterfall. Lots of palms and monkeys. A nice rest from the hustle and bustle of this busy city.
To the renovated Eastern and Oriental Hotel and into Sarkie’s for lunch beginning with a double espresso after a morning touring the town. We hired a driver and told him the things we really wanted to see and asked for his ideas on other things we should see. Four really interesting hours. A busy city with diverse architecture and a multicultural society.
Hello lunch. A beautiful restoration of a grand old hotel, the Eastern and Oriental is on the waterfront. Lovely building, lovely lunch.
Many of the old buildings have tiled walkways. Some are original, some are restored.
Parking is at a premium.
Street food dim sum dinner. Variety and flavour. Yum cha and fish balls plus dipping sauces.
Crispy duck. Delicious.
Floral arrangement in the lift landing on our floor.
Some shophouses have been restored, some are falling apart. Acknowledging its cultural and historic heritage, the city was listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2008. Here contrasted against the streets of shop houses are the new, glass and steel towers.
Today is World Porridge Day, celebrating the history and health benefits of this flavoursome breakfast food which originated in Scotland. So start your day with this economical and warming breakfast favourite.
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.
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.
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.
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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