by Krista | Sep 24, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
“There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris.”
Ernest Hemmingway
“That Paris exists and anyone could choose to live anywhere else in the world will always be a mystery to me.”
Adriana in “Midnight in Paris”
“Paris is a place in which we can forget ourselves, reinvent, expunge the dead weight of our past.”
Michael Simkins
“Paris is the city in which one loves to live.
Sometimes I think this is because it is the only city in the world
where you can step out of a railway station—the Gare D’Orsay—and see, simultaneously, the chief enchantments:
the Seine with its bridges and bookstalls,
the Louvre,
Notre Dame,
the Tuileries Gardens,
the Place de la Concorde,
the beginning of the Champs Elysees—
nearly everything except the Luxembourg Gardens and the Palais Royal.
But what other city offers as much as you leave a train?”
― Margaret Anderson
“There is but one Paris and however hard living may be here, and if it became worse and harder even—the French air clears up the brain and does good—a world of good.”
Vincent van Gogh
xo
by Krista | Sep 21, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It’s a stormy Spring morning on the Darling Downs and I couldn’t be happier. After a particularly long dry spell it is pure bliss to hear rain drops clattering on my tin roof and drenching my garden with much-needed moisture.
I love days like this, quiet, peaceful ones that give me every excuse to stay inside and do quiet, peaceful things like read my new books from the library, mend clothing while watching Poirot mysteries, and take pictures of eggs because they look so pretty sitting there in an antique blue bowl. 🙂
It’s also the sort of day for making soup, like a hearty Black Bean Soup with Homemade Sausage.
For years I have bought sausage from the shop or the butcher, not realizing how easy it was to make my own. Now, unless it’s a particularly delectable imported European sausage, I will choose homemade over store bought any day.
This week I made Hungarian sausage, savory with garlic, onion, smoked paprika, allspice and a bit of liquid smoke.
Instead of putting it in skins, I left the sausage ground and used it all sorts of things. I made browned patties for breakfast, and fried some up and added it to rice with onion, Swiss chard, and sweet nuggets of corn for a fast and oh-so-delicious dinner.
Today I’m enjoying it in the Black Bean Soup I made in the crockpot. It’s so easy, and the hint of smokiness adds a wonderful richness to an otherwise simple dish. I like it best topped with crispy fried onions and served with thick slices of onion poppyseed bread.
Have you ever made sausage before?
Homemade Hungarian Sausage
Ingredients:
1 onion, cored, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/4-1/2 cup water, beef broth or red wine
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp allspice
1 Tbsp liquid smoke
1 tsp ground sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
Directions:
- Add onion and liquid (water, beef broth or red wine) to blender and blend until mixture is slushy and there are no chunks of onion left.
- Pour into bowl and add remaining ingredients, mixing well with spoon or hands until well-incorporated.
- If using skins, press mixture into skins now, then chill or freeze until ready to use. If not using skins, cover sausage and chill at least 12 hours (to let flavors meld) or until ready to use. Wrap well and freeze if you aren’t going to use it right away.
Crockpot Black Bean Soup with Homemade Sausage
Ingredients:
1 pound homemade sausage
1 large onion, diced
2 cups dried black beans (or three cans)
2 cups dried lentils (or three cans)
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 cup mild salsa verde
4 beef bouillon cubes
1 large carrot, quartered and sliced
1 large bunch Swiss chard, core removed, chopped into small pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
crispy fried onions for garnish
Directions:
- If using dried beans/lentils, pour into pot, add 6-8 cups of water and cover. Bring to boil and simmer 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered until ready to use.
- In saucepan fry and crumble sausage until browned and nearly cooked. Add onion and cook until onion is soft and sausage is cooked through.
- Place in crockpot, add remaining ingredients, add water to cover. Cook on high for 4-6 hours until beans are soft.
- Taste for seasoning, ladle into bowls and top with crispy fried onions.
by Krista | Sep 18, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
After our jaunt through the vineyards of the Black Forest in Germany yesterday, today we’re going to meander through the ruins of a medieval castle.
I love how this German castle, like so many others, is perched atop the highest hill, providing commanding views and protection (once upon a time) from invaders.
Although at one time it must’ve been abuzz with activity, now it is a peaceful oasis of leaf-strewn pathways that wend between crumbling walls and deep wells, around dilapidated outbuildings and soaring towers.
It is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon.
My German friends and I had such fun moseying along, peering around corners and over walls and craning our necks to see the tops of towers almost disappearing into the trees.
There are perfectly placed benches ideal for resting, looking out over the tree-covered hills, or feeding a hungry baby.
At times we wandered off by ourselves, the thick stone walls and dense forest blotting out the laughter from a nearby cafe.
It felt so restful there, and I would’ve happily spread a blanket on the ground and spent a happy hour stretched out on my back, gazing up at the interplay of ancient stone and new growth.
As the late afternoon sun filtered down through the trees, we packed up our belongings and headed back down the mountain, hoping to have just enough daylight to explore another nearby castle.
Do you like to explore old ruins? If so, which ones are your favorite?
by Krista | Sep 16, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
Over the past ten years, I have spent a lot of time in Germany visiting relatives and dear friends.
I love so many things about this country: the food, the beer, the music, the people, and the absolutely stunning countryside.
One of my favorite places in Germany is the Black Forest where my dear friend Rita lives with her husband Slawik and little girl Emma.
Last year I was able to spend nearly two weeks with them, and we had such fun taking day trips up into the mountains and to neighboring villages.
One day Slawik came home early and took us for a sunset drive through acres of vineyards and up into the hills for some rather spectacular vistas.
We explored several picturesque ruined castles perched atop imposing cliffs (I’ll show you those another day), wandered along forested paths and leaned out over parapets and stone walls to peer down into the valley.
On one side were rolling hills looking like they were carpeted with fine lines of grapevines that curved around red-roofed villages.
On the other the hills remained covered with acres and acres of dense forest, stretching far off to the horizon.
As the sun disappeared behind those hills, we got back in our car and drove down curving mountain roads, stopping to get a closer look at the vineyards, admiring the succulent clusters of plump grapes.
It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day in the Black Forest.
Have you ever been to Germany? If so, what is your favorite part?
by Krista | Sep 12, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
There are few things are more relaxing to me than being close to the water, bobbing along in a sturdy craft or cruising along the coast, soaking up sunshine and beautiful views.
One of my favorite places to do that is Malta.
While inland Malta can be dry as a bone, dusty and rocky, the coast is stunningly beautiful, lined with harbors dotted with innumerable yachts and brightly-colored fishing boats.
I love the contrast of pristine vessels against old limestone buildings.
Somehow even the working vessels look nice in this setting with their brilliant colors reflecting on the glistening water.
My favorite ones of all are the traditional Maltese wooden boats. Their curvy lines and cheerful paint colors make me happy.
Do you like being on the water? If so, what is your favorite place to take a boat ride?
by Krista | Sep 10, 2012 | Bits 'n' Bobs
It’s supposed to be Spring in Queensland, but today it is dark, cloudy, blustery and cold. Just like a perfect Autumn day. 🙂
So instead of being out in my garden, I’m staying cozy and warm inside, drinking Berry Sensation tea and nibbling on coconut shortbreadas I work my way through my to-do list.
Since I’m in such an Autumnal mood, I thought we’d escape to Europe for a bit, and wander the streets of a few places that are exquisitely beautiful this time of year.
Such as Paris.
I love Paris in Autumn. Love the thrill of steaming coffee and croissants first thing in the morning. Love how cozy the cafes look with their golden lights streaming out into the cold streets.
Mostly I love dressing warmly in comfy boots, woolens and a cozy scarf to spend hours crunching through leaves as I wander up stone steps, down cobbled alleyways, and along the wide avenues of the Jardin des Tuileries or Jardin du Luxembourg.
Amsterdam is another favorite city to explore in Autumn.
There is something about the light in the Netherlands at this time of year that is eminently serene and quieting. It is conducive to restful naps and long contemplative walks along deserted canals, over ancient bridges, and into charming neighborhoods.
Perhaps my favorite place of all is England, especially the countryside near Salisbury in the New Forest.
My friend Katy took me exploring there one chilly Autumn day last year. What fun we had rambling through the woods, discovering wild ponies and the most delicious little thatched English cottages that made me want to move in immediately and stay forever.
If you’ve been to Europe, where is your favorite place in Autumn? If you haven’t, where would you love to explore one day?
