A Christmas Filled with Meaning and Mousse.

Here's the link to my recipe - December issue in the paper - it's delicious.
White Chocolate Mousse & Rum 'n Raisin Mousse

I probably won't blog again before Christmas. Like everyone, not enough done, lots to do, time is short.

So if you flit by, I'd like to wish you a - not a 'merry' christmas really - but a thoughtful one, with loads of appreciation and gratitude for the people you love and who love you.

A Christmas with laughs and memories, of people both present and passed. And pets too. We always bring up our long ago gone to doggy heaven "Rosie".

We all have 'heirloom' decorations that each of us has to put on the tree ourselves. I put up a cross for my Dad and a 'wreath' decoration for all the pets we've had. I'm so glad I started that tradition - it makes everyone feel connected.

I made a Christmas Day Menu for my lot and emailing it to them has left a smile on my face. I hadn't done that before - I hope it gets their juices flowing and makes them look forward to Christmas even more. And makes them gasp at all their mother does!! Truth is, I do more than is even listed and pictured too - but I love it and I don't get into a tizz with the pressure of it all. Wish I could say that's always been the case, but, sadly - it has got to me a few times. Happy to report, those days are over!!

And yes, mousse is on the menu!

I hope you have a meaningful Christmas.
Mariana x

Crazy or Angel...

This ham was the star of the show at our recent Friends of Numinbah Valley Xmas Party.
My glaze included fresh orange juice, brown sugar, mustard and the big secret!
My home-made orange & cumquat marmalade - Yummo!


Also made a huge Vegetarian Lasagne

Roasted Beetroot in dressing

Pan seared & roasted Mini Lamb Leg served with Roasted Capsicum Relish
on a bed of green lettuce with my tangy vinaigrette

What a great day -
happy, laughing faces, wonderful food, playing Bocce on the freshly mown grass.

People surrounded the dessert table ready and waiting to dive in - so -
 unfortunately no pics of  my

Home-made Mango Cheesecake

Rum 'n Raisin Mousse with freshly whipped cream & grated chocolate

Choc-Marble Sponge Cake brushed with Tia Maria Liqueur

Christmas Cake

Date & Walnut Loaf.

Let's not forget the MOT(Men Out There) 

High Tea at my friend Erica's House. 

What a brilliant day! Our councillor attended, Erica provided the magnificent venue 

and yours truly cooked absolutely everything -from scratch - holey moley!

All my vintage china - happy to be used. 

STAR OF THE HIGH TEA TABLE

I was just too busy to get around and take photos of everything. Sigh..
Someone called me 'crazy'
Another called me 'angel'. 

Happy Singing in the Hills.

WHAT A WEEK OF

TWO FUNCTIONS, 

PREPARATION, 

TRANSPORTATION,

 PLANNING,

 COOKING,

 SETTING UP 

AND HOSTING

 - took it out of me, but I did it!

Just in case you're wondering - I did it all for free. 

And everyone felt the love. 

Can't ask for anymore than that. 

The End. 

Swerve, Slide 'n Meringue

How silly can I be. I know that one of the cooking "no no's" in humid weather is to make meringue.

Still, I went ahead but this time I made an Italian Meringue - I had to take something to an afternoon tea and I rather fancied making my Lemon Meringue Slice.

I took instruction from the lovely Brydie with her Lemon Meringue Pie, well, at least for the Italian Meringue topping. I made my own base and filling and then set about with the meringue.

If it wasn't for the moisture in the air, I think it'd be pretty darn perfect.  It still did a 'slider' in the car as my friend Sue negotiated the corners with me yelling at her 'take it easy'. No matter. Upon arrival I asked the hostess for a knife and 'slid' the meringue squares that decided to go for a wander back onto their lemony foundations.  All good. Rave reviews.

So I reckon she's a keeper. Certainly appears to be far more stable than the regular meringue. Thanks Brydie for the Italian Meringue Recipe. I'm sure in ideal weather conditions it's bang on.

Grainy Days and Sundays

Last trip back from Gundy, Hubby brought home a bag of wheat grain.

A search on the net; a flour mill nabbed. It travelled half way round the country to get here - thanks Issy for bringing it up from Melbs.

The time had come. He set up the mill; fed it with grain and what do you know - whole wheat flour came out.

That's where I come in. Our bread maker was in Gundy; so yours truly had to use her hands.

Seems like it took nearly all day; proving, watching; knead; proving, watching; knead. Bake.

The truth? Taste wise not too bad except for that I added too much salt. It wasn't elastic enough and a bit gluey. If I ate too much I'd get indigestion for sure.

Next day it seemed better. Pieces plonked with some beetroot and pistachio dip and it was pretty darn nice actually.

There is however, room for improvement. Much more improvement. The net tells me there is oil in freshly milled whole wheat hence the need to refrigerate.

That was exactly two weeks ago. I really should have had another go by now; but; grrrrrr; I'm not a natural when it comes to bread. Still; another loaf is on the agenda; maybe next Sunday?

I sit here chuckling to myself as I think of Hubby, son and property manager out there harvesting the barley. I'll eat my hat if Hubby doesn't walk through the door with - you guessed it - a bag of barley.

Hubby emails with a pic of the barley - oooh exciting!

I haven't even come close to mastering the bread yet. Somehow I suspect it won't be long before I'll be on the journey to making whiskey next.  Bluddy Hell.  Yikes!!

Hubby's Faith

Can't believe it's almost 2 months since I last went to the big property.

I enjoyed walking along green paddocks every 
afternoon admiring our first ever barley crop.

Early days were looking wonderful with loads of promise.

Long paddocks of green

Unfortunately since that time, we've hardly had any rain. 

Signs of moisture stress were evident as yellowing emerged throughout.

Weeks without rain and Mitch had all but given up - 

he suggested the cows be allowed in to have a good feed of the barley. 

Hubby said no. Let's wait.

Last week a call to the agronomist to come and take a look.

The report? 

Astounding! 

Sections of the crop were some of the best the agronomist had seen in the district. 

What appears to be the case from the top is not necessarily 
the story with what's going on in the ground - lesson learned.

Oh that Hubby of mine - what faith!

A call two days ago - a kiss good-bye and wish for good luck from yours truly.

Off he goes to his big property - our first ever barley harvest.

Mitchell's excitement has been renewed - the team is on alert.

Silo's are ready, machinery in place.

As I type the paddocks are being harvested - no word yet. 

Too busy I guess.

Can't wait to hear.

Bunting, Trees & Gentle Breeze........

We had the most glorious time ever.....if that's even possible cos we've had some good times.

Yep. This one was special. Two days later and the sore jaws from all the laughter has finally subsided.

Good people, wonderful setting and of course - good food and a fine opportunity to bring out the vintage best (well maybe not the best) but beautiful fine bone china nonetheless.

We mustn't forget the star of the show! Tho that may be in question. Is it the 'yellow' car, is it the 'teapot' car or is it 'puppy'?

Let the pics do the talking and you decide who is the real star of the show.

High Tea Down On The Farm - feeling utterly blessed.

Get in Erica - you can do it!

You being a good guard doggy there "puppy"

A spot of driving in the country

Hang on to puppy Sharyn!

Nearly forgot the tweed cap Ken

Checking the dashboard there Julian

The 'motorcar' teapot - unbelievable Erica!
Barney whatever shall we do with you - is that a teabag!!

Wonderful looking pumpkin scones - thank you country neighbors

Dave - your apple cake was the star of the table!

June - you going for the home-made crisps - again!

My clever crafty friend Erica is the worlds worst cook - rubbish!
Your fritters were delish darling. x

Not those bluddy spinach and feta muffins - again!!

Teacups, teacups, teacups......

Erica's mothers' old tea set - too precious for words

I sipped from my latest addition to the collection -"Sunflowers"

Seated, scarf suitably wrapped, clutching puppy, ready for your spin up the valley!
What on earth was all that screaming for my dear - you sounded terrified!

Back, safe 'n sound.

Who's Next?????

I Kid You Not

My son emailed me this picture of his dinner. Caught and cooked by Mitch. 

 There are normal families and then there are normal families. Not sure what your normal is; but I scratch my head and I swear we ain't very normal.

A long overdue call to my son. One precious hour spent chatting with him about his world and then what's happening in my world.

Your beautiful Plymouth Rock chickens were killed by a fox last week. So sorry to tell you mate. He replies "it's okay Ma. They had a wonderful life living on acreage roaming wherever their hearts desired and I know you spoilt them with daily treats. Think of the other 99.9% of chickens who from the moment they're born are pumped with hormones and slaughtered 6 weeks later. Ours had a good life".

Phew. And I was stressed about telling him. He's become so pragmatic. Guess that's what working on a country property does. You see many things and life can become very fragile.

He tells me goats have started to invade the barley. Oh no! Only a week till harvest - tho it's an ongoing battle with roos, emus and pigs. Now goats too. Well one less now.

He spotted a herd of goats feasting on the barley - singled out a smaller one - on target. Mitch rarely takes a shot unless he's on target. He's amazingly sensitive to animals that way - be they feral or pest or whatever. If they're out of range he won't even take a punt. Full stop.

The casserole dish comes out and in goes the kid leg. A long description to me about what he did and I couldn't be more proud. Watching those episodes of "Feast Bazaar" came in handy. All that was missing was the couscous and the tagine.

So that's my son's "normal" - very unlike most of his former school friends.

I felt awful that he didn't know about his sister Nicka 'catching' those famous lights (prior post) - so a long in depth conversation right there.  That's our littlest girls' 'normal'. Living the fairy tale travel dream - and she does. Mitch is quick to remind me he's not surprised in the least she was there at the right time; after all; "remember Ma, that girl was born with a rainbow struck up her a-se."

His biggest sister has a different 'normal' yet again. She's dedicated to increasing and bettering the lives of the poor, the disabled, the minority groups. Volunteering now at the amazing food story that is "Lentil As Anything". Not much money but she's offered a job as Floor Manager working in the Convent. That's her 'normal'.

One thing's for sure. There is no such thing as 'normal'.  At least not with my lot. "No kidding" I hear you say. Well why not? Try some - I 'normally' wouldn't, but if it's anything like the picture, it just might taste alright.