“For after all,
the best thing one can do when it is raining
is let it rain.”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It has been pouring in Southern Queensland. Solid, steady rain turning sun-baked earth into black spongy mud, filling wheelbarrows and planters, causing every heat-withered plant to lift up vibrant leaves to the skies in unabashed joy.
Everywhere you look are signs of the storms: flooded fields and rivers, branches tossed higgledy-piggledy after fierce winds ripped through the area, new potholes along the highways.
It’s been wonderful. And wild. And scary. And shiveringly cold. But mostly wonderful. It’s like every bit of my world threw up its hands and said, “Let’s sit back and enjoy this.” So I joined in.
To-do lists were set aside, projects completely ignored, and we gave ourselves up to utter relaxation. Movies were watched and naps taken, popcorn popped and soup simmered. I made bread and curry and pasta, delicious comfort food while the farm turned into a giant puddle.
The rains returned this morning, so I brewed up a pot of Cherry Cider spiced with star anise. There’s something about the licorice flavor of star anise that goes beautifully with cherries, and the combo was deliciously warming as the temperature dropped.
Now it’s time to roast some veggies between storms – turnips with fresh thyme and Brussels sprouts with Balsamic Dijon dressing. Teamed up with Beef Garlic sausages from the butchers, this meal is going to warm our bones for sure.
What is your favorite drink on a stormy day? xo
Spiced Cherry Cider
Serves two
Ingredients:
3 cups cherry juice
1 star anise
Directions:
1. Simmer cherry juice and star anise over low heat for 5-10 minutes.
2. Serve hot.
Yes I’ve seen footage of how much water Queensland has had Krista. Wow. The weather is a bit wet here today too. Tea or hot chocolate would be my choice 🙂
It is a shocking amount, @wanderingsheila:disqus, and such sad loss of life. We’re very thankful to be safe. Hot chocolate would be an excellent addition to our rainy day. 🙂
Yummy cider, so comforting. Sending best wishes so that you can weather these storms safely my friend.
Thank you so much, @liz_posmyk:disqus XO Very grateful for clear skies and sunshine today, and that we were able to weather the storms from the safety of home.
Woah…. You guys are getting slammed up there with all this crazy weather. It was a wet ol week for us too, rather pleasant once the wind died down. Gosh your photos are fabulous, I feel like sniffing my computer screen looking at that picture of cider. Fave stormy weather drink, prob a nice cuppa tea or maybe a tall, dark and handsome glass of dark beer. 🙂
I just love how you describe beer, @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus 🙂 We did get slammed up here, that’s for sure. Very happy to report that the sun was out all day yesterday and absolutely gorgeous. 🙂
Glad to hear you are ok 🙂 Seen a couple of videos online and it really looked bad in some areas. I never had Cherry Cider…must be so good!
I have not heard of cherry cider and it sounds wonderful. Hope all is well with you.
We’ve had no end of rain here in Sydney as well. I’m glad your farm is well watered. I love the flavour of star anise as well xx
Hi Krista – it was scary, wasn’t it? Sydney copped it pretty badly too. I am glad you are ok. Now this is a drink that would help you weather “the storm”!