Father's Day

A big thank you to Fraser and Summie for Jim's father's day present. Needless to say, he is eating his way through the chockies as I write!  The picture has come out well....he almost looks happy!!  This was obviously before the cold weather struck, as at the moment he can't seem to get warm....maybe this has something to do with sitting over a computer in a freezing shed.

Summie and Fra......he was dead chuffed with your gift.....so thank you from us both.

New York Times no-knead bread

This is the original New York Times bread.....see link....It is fair to say that it isn't quite as quick as the 5 minute bread, but I think it turned out a bit better. Maybe it is my expertise that helped!!  Made 2 loaves in the last week!  Some record for me. The good thing about it is that I only had ordinary plain flour (from Aldi), so next I shall experiment with different flour, and maybe seeds as well. Is there no end to my bread-making talent?   Yes...there probably is!  But it's nice to know it can be done with the minimum of know-how.
 We shall have to see how the family reacts!!

New Links

I have just added a couple of links, and I hope they work. The first is the link to the blog for all would-be self-sufficient fans. How to do practically anything. The second link is for the original recipe for 5 minute bread.....slightly different from the "down to earth" version. I am sure both are just as good. The original recipe was printed in the New York Times, so you can compare the two. My pic in my post, is the Down to Earth version. The other version is called "no knead bread".

5 minute bread

I found this recipe on the "down to earth" blog.....all about self sufficiency. It has been taken from a recipe printed in The New York Times"....easy to Google and get the recipe.  It literally only takes 5 minutes....a quick hand mix of the few ingredients...cover the bowl with cling film, and leave overnight.
It is cooked in a cast iron pot...with the lid on, and for my first attempt....not much to go wrong.
 Next time I will try different flour, or you can add grains, or practically anything.

My kind of cooking....no fuss and bother!!

Lovely weather

This is the first day that we could happily work outside without freezing. So.....washing out on the line instead of all hanging indoors, and out in the back garden for some serious raking. Haven't really had a chance....or inclination...to get out and do some gardening up to now, but today was the day.   So, the first step towards getting the garden in some sort of shape for Summer.....and let's hope we have a decent one this year.   Needless to say, lots more to do, but at least it's a start.
 Now, we just wait for the fish to wake up from their Winter sleep. Haven't seen hair nor hide of them since they went into hibernation, so don't even know how many we still have.
   Still.....a nice surprise...I hope...when they wake up!

At Long Last! No more shanty town!!

So this is the wobbly old 'edifice' at the top of the brick steps. For ages it has been gently leaning to one side, held up by the ferocious Banksia Rose, while the wood gradually rotted away. It was such a lovely sunny day yesterday, that Jim decided "now was the time". As usual, I was the 'man' on the ground, handing hammers and spanners, and catching falling wood.  But, it is gone, and Jim has a few extra pieces of wood to burn in his shed fire. So a good result all round, and it all looks much clearer and more open, with room for the Camellias and Rhododendrons to spread.