by Krista | Jun 22, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
A cold wind is howling around my little house, evidence that winter is alive and well in Queensland. I love it because I’m warm and cozy indoors and don’t have to be out in the bluster and blow, dodging flying tree branches and other detritus from the farmyard.
I’ve been sick as can be this week, and still am, but in spite of that, it’s been a good week.
The weather has been scrumptious with sunshine and brilliant blue skies.
I’ve spotted all sorts of signs that Spring is on its way: tiny flowers peeping up in cheery yellow and purple, lime green blades of new grass pushing up through brown earth and rocks, orange blossoms on one of my seedlings, and animals strolling and napping in the sunshine.
My friend Ann surprised me with a drive in the country, heading out to the rolling hills of Killarney. It was so good to get out of the house and be cozy and warm in her truck as we motored past tidy little farms and cute towns with names like Tannymorel, Yangan and Emu Vale.
We stopped at her friends house and while they had their meeting, I got to sit on a sun-drenched porch in a comfy yellow chair, so deliciously warm as I rested and looked out at the hills and gardens and trees.
I had a small stack of library books with me, and happily passed the time reading and thinking. I perused an art book and decided that while Art Deco is interesting, it is Art Nouveau that really sets my heart aflutter. I do love reading in the sunshine.
Today I am hunkering down in my big, green chair, weathering this storm with copious amounts of hot tea, warm bran muffins slathered with butter and steamy dollops of this admittedly ugly but oh so delicious Ginger Lentil stew with Swiss Chard (silver beet). Simmered with fresh ginger, turmeric, coriander, and cumin, it is savory, hearty, spicy, and oh-so-comforting.
What is the best book you’ve read recently? I’d love your recommendations. 🙂
Gingery Lentils with Swiss Chard
Ingredients:
1 package red lentils (sorted and rinsed)
enough water to cover by 2-3 inches
1/4 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced thinly
1 1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
2-3 Tbsp vegetable oil or ghee
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 bunch Swiss chard (remove and discard cores) washed, and chopped (silver beet, kale or spinach work well too)
(NOTE: if you want this dish less spicy, halve the amount of fresh ginger you use)
Directions:
- Pour rinsed red lentils into heavy-bottomed saucepan and cover with water 2-3 inches. Bring to boil and remove any scum.
- Stir in turmeric and first amount of fresh ginger, cumin and coriander.
- Return to boil then lower heat and simmer with lid slightly askew for 30-45 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.
- At the 25 minute mark, pour vegetable oil (or ghee) into heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. After oil heats (about one minute), add second amount of cumin, coriander and fresh ginger. Stir until fragrant, then add chopped silver beet, stirring to coat leaves.
- Cover and heat until leaves have wilted, stirring occasionally.
- Remove sliced ginger from cooked lentils then pour over silver beet, stirring well to incorporate. Cook over medium-high heat for 20-30 minutes.
- I served this with hot roasted chicken for a simple, hearty dinner.
by Krista | May 31, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
Winter is just around the corner here in Australia, and already the mornings are frosty and bone-chillingly cold.
One morning I was rousted out of a sound sleep by Bear who instructed me to dress warmly and meet him in the kitchen of the farmhouse because we were going to watch the sunrise.
Bleary-eyed, groaning and still half-asleep I stumbled around my room collecting woollies and jumpers, hat and scarf, warm socks and Ugg boot slippers and followed the light to the kitchen where Bear was grinning like a little boy and handing me a steaming cup of very strong sweet tea.
I wrapped my numb fingers around the piping hot cup and sipped tentatively, waiting for the warm brew to bring some life to my frigid limbs.
It was pitch black outside, but slowly a glow appeared over the neighboring hills and we decided to be very brave indeed, and head out into the frosty morning to watch the sun come up.
One breath of that icy air and I was wide awake! We shuffled across the yard in our slippers, making the dogs and chooks wonder what on earth we were up to, and took up a spot near the front gate which gave us an unimpeded view of the lightening sky.
All at once the sun was there in a burst of golden light. It danced along the fence lines, illuminating the waving grasses as if they were candles.
It was glorious.
The sun hit the tree tops first, turning the fading blossoms and drying leaves into richer, deeper colored versions of themselves.
Even my half-completed greenhouse was rendered sublime in the glow of the sun.
We strolled around the property, greeting the animals and feeling incredibly, wondrously alive.
By the time we reached the backyard it was awash in golden light, so achingly beautiful I could’ve watched it for hours.
It was definitely worth being woken up for.
As the days get colder I’m drawn to hearty, warming, rib-sticking meals, and am a fan of anything I can make in the slow cooker (crockpot).
The other day I was craving boeuf bourguignon but didn’t have a bit of beef in the house. I did have chicken, however, so I made up my own version, rich with red wine, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and earthy herbs like rosemary. It was so easy and the house smelled amazing by the time dinner rolled around. I poured the stew over garlicky mashed potatoes and served it with cold beer one day and red wine the next. Delicious.
When is the last time you watched the sun rise?
Slow Cooker Chicken with Olives and Red Wine
Ingredients:
3-4 chicken breasts cut into squares
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
2-3 Tbsp bacon grease or olive oil
1 onion, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, quartered and sliced
1 sprig rosemary, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
2 cups red wine (Merlot or similar hearty red)
1/2 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper
1 bunch parsley, chopped
Directions:
- Place flour and seasoned salt in plastic bag, add chicken pieces and toss to coat.
- Melt bacon grease in saucepan, add chicken and cook, stirring regularly, until browned.
- Pour chicken pieces into slow cooker.
- Add onions, carrot and garlic to sauce pan. (Add more bacon grease if necessary) Cook until onion is softened. Add to chicken pieces.
- Add remaining ingredients except parsley and stir to combine.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve over warm polenta or garlic mashed potatoes and sprinkle with parsley.
by Krista | May 25, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
It is pouring rain today and I love it more than I can say.
We have had the most exquisite Autumn in Queensland, Australia. One warm, sunny day after another. I feel spoiled rotten.
But after all that glorious sunshine it is a lovely change to stay inside, warm and cozy as the rain falls, watching Poirot and Midsummer Murders while I fold laundry and cook things like Spicy Feta Scones, Sausage Lentil Soup, and a Chocolate Port Trifle.
I love Fridays at home. Articles have all been written and submitted, websites built and honed, and I get to devote nearly the whole day to non-computerish things.
It’s the day where I get restored before the hustle and bustle of weekends on the farm.
And the day when I rest and reflect, think about the week, my life, and what’s going on in this heart and mind of mine.
I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship recently. Moving to the other side of the world and starting a new life changed a lot of things for me, and friendship was a big one.
For a while I was floating between two worlds. I didn’t belong in the United States or Canada anymore, but felt like a visitor in Europe and then Australia. I was a woman without a country and it was unsettling. I can’t tell you how many times the theme song from Cheers provided the soundtrack for my feelings:
“Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.”
by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo
I remember vividly the day I went to the shopping center here in Warwick, Queensland and ran into three different people who not only knew me but LOVED me. Their faces lit up as soon as they saw me and seconds later I was enveloped in hugs. It was the most wonderful feeling of belonging, a treasured assurance that this place is steadily becoming home.
Returning briefly to the United States a month or so ago was equally momentous. I LOVED seeing my dear ones, loved visiting and eating together and catching up over tea and coffee. But I also realized beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was no longer my home. From now on I will be a visitor there, and that’s OK.
It’s OK to change.
It’s OK to move.
It’s OK to start over.
I like this quote from Dr. Seuss:
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Finding your place in this world is an ever-changing adventure. Sometimes painful and scary, sometimes inspiring and beautiful. Tonight I feel so grateful for my true friends scattered all over the world. So thankful for emails, visits, phone calls and love that cheer and strengthen and build me up.
I’m also, well, maybe not grateful, but “something” for the false friends. Those who have betrayed and crushed and deceived me. Without them I would not know what true friendship is. Without their cruelty I wouldn’t treasure real and amazing love that isn’t altered by differences in faith, lifestyle or politics.
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Mother Teresa
Wishing you a beautiful weekend, dear ones, with real love and real friendship. XO
by Krista | May 16, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
The first stop on our sunny boat ride around the Isle of Capri was the Blue Grotto.
Our boat stopped in the small harbor filled with numerous rowboats navigated by roguish Italian fellows who rowed standing up.
We were directed to a stationary boat manned by several fierce-looking chaps who looked like they were on a break from their day jobs as Italian hit men. A little nervously we handed over our money then settled back into our wobbly craft, thankful to have a cheerful rower who not only smiled but sang!
We joined a queue in front of the narrow entrance to the cave and when it was our turn our rower instructed us to lie flat in the bottom of the boat so we wouldn’t knock our heads whilst an obliging wave lifted us up and into the grotto. With much laughter and hilarity we somehow managed to shimmy about in our most inconvenient skirts and sundresses until we were wedged along the bottom like giggling sardines.
With a swish we were through the cave entrance and into the luminescent beauty of the Blue Grotto.
With the jostling of waves and rocking of the boat, it was nearly impossible to get a clear shot of the Blue Grotto, much less capture the ethereal wonder of floating atop a sea that glowed vivid turquoise. But I shall never forget the feeling of awe I experienced as we dipped and twirled our way round the cave, serenaded by various rowers singing lustily at the tops of their lungs, all of us bathed in a dancing azure light.
I know there are some who dismiss the Blue Grotto as a tourist gimmick, a scam perpetrated by Italians eager to strip visitors of every last euro. But I can’t see it like that.
It is exquisitely beautiful, a place straight out of an old European fairytale, a delicious escape from the ordinary.
And seriously, being ferried about in a magical grotto by a handsome Italian man singing opera is worth ten bucks ANY day of the week.
What is the best “touristy” thing you’ve ever done?
by Krista | May 9, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
It’s awfully nice to return to a favorite restaurant or cafe and be remembered by the staff.
But it’s even nicer (and more amazing) when you return to a place you’ve only been to once and are not only remembered but welcomed like old friends.
Such was the case a few days ago when Bear and I drove up to beautiful Preston Peak Winery to celebrate his birthday.
We’d only been there once before, five months ago when we visited to celebrate my birthday, yet our Turkish host, Kor Ersoy, not only remembered us, he remembered where we lived, what we did for work AND what wines we preferred.
Amazing. 🙂
Needless to say, we were soon chatting away as if we actually were old friends. Sharing stories about family and travel and our mutual issue of Australian Immigration. Much to my delight we discovered that Kor has the same immigration lawyer I do and affirmed that she is fantastic. I love when things like that happen.
Eventually we got back to more serious matters such as wine-tasting. 🙂 We sampled new vintages and although they were good, we decided to stick with our old favorites. This time around we joined the Preston Peak Wine Society. This is an excellent way to keep beloved bottles on hand and save money by purchasing numerous bottles at once.
We went for the Wild Flower Selection. This means that for $110, eight of our favorite bottles will be set aside for us every six months. They’ll even ship anywhere in Australia for only $10. Perfect.
After making our selections we strolled over to the Preston Peak Winery Cafe and chose a table right next to the windows so we could enjoy the fabulous view. We placed our orders and then I wandered out to the rose garden which is still blooming even though it’s nearly winter.
Before too long our food arrived: creamy iced coffees, thin-crust pizza with chicken, pesto, feta and tomato sauce, and a to-go platter of various cheeses, sausage, ham, olives, caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, and crusty bread right out of the oven.
We lingered long, enjoying the warmth of the setting sun, the savory food, and good conversation.
Where is your favorite place to go for special occasions?
by Krista | May 4, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
The sun is shining gloriously today and I am glad. Sometimes rainy days are a comfort, but after a hard-fought emotional battle, the soul needs sunshine.
Thank you so much for your kind and supportive comments and emails on my last post. They meant a great deal to me and helped me through the inevitable crash that comes after sharing such things. XO My heart aches for those of you who have gone through similar and much worse abuses. I wish I could hug you tight and hope very much for your healing and peace and courage. I’m so glad that no matter what we’ve gone through, we are not alone. So glad that no matter what painful things happen to us, we can always make something beautiful and wonderful out of our lives. I love you dear, brave souls so much.
After writing that post I went for a long walk with my dogs, Fletcher and Luna. It was an exquisitely beautiful Autumn day with deliciously warm sunshine that illumined the rich colors of this season. Hope you like this stroll through the bush with us. 🙂
Prickly pears are ripe and prolific right now. We have one bush that is at least 30 feet high!!! I think they look like something out of a Dr. Seuss story with their fuchsia fruit and prickles everywhere. 🙂 My friend Ann is going to teach me how to make prickly pear jelly one of these days, and I can’t wait. 🙂
The grasses towered over Luna who stuck close to my heels instead of tearing off into the bush with Fletcher.
We passed a lot of kangaroos and they bounded away after we roused from their naps in the sun-warmed fields. No matter how many times I see them, they always make me grin.
I kept craning my neck to see the trees etched against the brilliant blue sky. I never tire of that sight.
I came across this bush covered in tiny orange fruits almost as hard as a nut. I have no idea what they are – any Aussies out there know? Whatever they are, they’re gorgeous and so cheery.
I have a few more discoveries to share with you, but I’ll save them for next time. It’s the start of a long weekend and time to get in cozy pjs, pour a glass of wine, and curl up on the couch to watch a movie.
What are you looking forward to this weekend?
xo
