Sometimes life gets a bit topsy-turvy. In those moments it’s lovely to slip away for awhile and hang out with good friends in the fresh air, laughing, talking, and working together.
That’s what Bear and I did on this sultry Summer day, meeting up with Oma and Opa at their place for cold drinks and a visit before heading to the plum orchard for some serious picking.
Their trees are covered with gorgeously fat plums in dusky shades of purple and magenta. While flying foxes and birds have feasted royally on the upper branches, the netted ones below hung heavy with juicy jewels for us to gather.
We visited as we worked, swapping ideas for what to do with our bounty: Hungarian plum soup, jam, cobbler, juice, cordial, slivovitz (plum brand), and plum wine. Mmm, just thinking about such things kept us in fine picking fettle.
Before too long we had four buckets filled to the brim and it was high time for another drink and a sit down in the cool basement. We made plans to glean in the Stanthorpe vineyards this Autumn so we can make and bottle our own wine. Bear has been tasked with making a press while Oma and I will collect bottles and Opa will taste test to make sure we do things properly. Methinks Opa has scored the best job of all.
Such good memories with good friends.
My other happy thing today is the publication of my second book: “portals.” It’s a collection of door photographs from around Europe, and is very dear to my heart. It was my dream this year to publish this book, and I’m overjoyed to see it come to pass. Click here for a preview at my bookstore, and let me know what you think.
Now it’s time to cozy in for the evening. I’ve made two batches of plum juice, a stack of banana oat muffins, an apricot raisin pie, and now I’m ready for a big glass of red wine and some lasagna.
Gnite xo
You have been busy Krista. Lots of lovely looking plums there 🙂 Well done with finishing book 2 as well. I hope you enjoyed the red wine and lasagna 🙂
I sure did enjoy it, @wanderingsheila:disqus 🙂 Australia sure does make some good wine. 🙂
oh those plums! amazing! and the book – such a lovely surprise to see your work in black and white – who knew? gorgeous textures and mood. congrats! much success with both books!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, paradis XO Black and white has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but not something I’ve been able to utilize much here. I’m so excited to have an outlet now. 🙂
Oh you’ve had a busy day in the kitchen!! Those banana oat muffins sound divine. As does the wine and lasagna. I’ve actually never had plum juice, but I’m intrigued! Love, love your plums and I’m completely envious here on the other side of the world with your bounty. Enjoy! Our plum season is kind of short.
Plum juice is delicious if the plums are ripe and not sour, @kimlivlife:disqus 🙂 Thankfully, if they are sour, you can add some sweetener and make it more of a cordial than a juice. 🙂
How delicious, Krista, and such wonderful news! Tell me, are you self publishing lovely?
The history book was a commissioned work with a grant from the government, @liz_posmyk:disqus , the other two are self-published. 🙂
Congratulations! xox
Thank you, @liz_posmyk:disqus xo
You are so busy! A second book! Portals looks very interesting. I grew up with plum trees in my backyard. It was always fun watching them grow then ripen and be ready to pick. Organic plums that are freshly picked taste so much better than what’s on offer at the supermarket. I can’t wait to see what you do with all your plums xx
I’m so excited, Charlie. Yesterday Bear and I found a prune plum tree, those gorgeous Italian plums that are freestone and taste like heaven. 🙂
Wow, what a lot of plums. I could help Opa anytime. 🙂
Congratulations on the book, Krista!
Yes, Opa definitely has the CEO spot of plum work, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂
Spending time with loved ones and getting your plum picking on sound like the perfect ways to relax!
It did us both much good, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus 🙂
What a wonderful day! And what beautiful plums! Congratulations on your book. You must be thrilled!
Thanks so much, @adribarrcrocetti:disqus 🙂 I am truly happy and thankful. 🙂
Those plums look gorgeous! I would love to tackle them as a weekend project 🙂
They were so delicious, @tandysinclair:disqus 🙂 I made heaps of juice and froze a heap more for cobblers. 🙂
Gorgeous gal you are! And yummo… how fantastic are plums?! Although… In my mind, plums always feel like a speciality fruit. 🙂 Looking forward to hearing about your wine. Sounds delicious. 🙂 Gorgeous photos, thanks for the visit to your neck of the woods. Hope you are well, you sure look well. Hugs and loves.
That’s amazing to me, @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus Plums were so prolific where I grew up. Your pawpaws, mangoes, and passionfruit are the specialties to me. 🙂 XO
Those plums look gorgeous. I would have never thought to make soup out of them – I usually just hoard the few we get from the market and eat them raw. I’ll have to look it up. Congratulations on book #2!
It’s an Eastern European dish, @rachelfriesen:disqus , and is so delicious. Especially cold in Summer. 🙂