Remember Terry the rooster? He is becoming a real companion. He loves to be with Robert in the garden - likes to chat to him man to man, follows him everywhere. This morning is just such an example - as Robert picks the last of the tomatoes and pumpkins before any more frosts strike, Terry … Continue reading Remember Terry?

Anyone else have a ton of rhubarb in their garden that needs using? I decided today to trial two rhubarb sauces. Rhubarb chilli sauce? Yes, that worked and I will try this with salmon for dinner this evening. The colour was boosted a little in some of the mixture with a pinch of beetroot powder; … Continue reading So much rhubarb!

I've recently commenced writing for a website that features recipes for those with allergies and food intolerances. The website is called Health for Life Kitchen. My first blog on the site contains a recipe for gluten free bread with many variations. Here is the link: http://healthforlifekitchen.com.au/sally-wises-blog/

I guess that everyone knows by now that I have a new book out this month, "Family Favourites". It's based on my old red hand-written recipe book, the one that I've used for decades to feed a growing family. There were predecessors of course, recipes that were invented even earlier, but those were transcribed into … Continue reading Family Favourites and Super Food Ideas

Yes, there's been a touch of frost here in the valley this morning. It's so cold that even the dog's water bowl froze over (Robert punched a hole in it to prove the point). It still is frozen for that matter. I'd love to still be a child sometimes.  I used to truly believe that … Continue reading A Touch of Frost

This morning we went, for the first time in ages, to Hobart Farmers Market. We've been so busy with the farm and cooking school that we'd just not had the time. It's grown a great deal and changed location since we last went along. Lots of lovely produce and baked goods. This product I particularly … Continue reading What manner of quince?

Meanwhile, Robert has decided to dig up the last of the potatoes before the frosts strike hard. On such occasions he is never without the help of his farmyard companions. Mother chicken, still very attentive to her brood, brings the chicks over to snap up any worms and tasty bugs that might be turned to … Continue reading Last of the Potato Crop

I've noticed since we've lived in the Derwent Valley these last two years that there's one day in April when all the poplar leaves fall - it's almost a synchronised phenomenon. Last year I promised myself I would capture photos of the brilliant yellowing of the leaves, but in one single night, almost every leaf … Continue reading One Day Each April

Young Jacob had decided to stay with his Grandad rather than come grape picking with us. His favourite spot is the bean bag. Trouble is, it's also Tom's - and Rosie is pretty fond of it too. This is the sight we came home to. Pretty cute I think.

This morning Stephanie, granddaughter Charly and I went to Derwent Estate Vineyard to pick some of the gleanings from the grape harvest. The morning could not have been more idyllic - brilliant sunshine with the vineyard resplendent with the leaves of the grapevines changing with the onset of autumn. As we picked the riesling, pinot … Continue reading Grape Picking in the Valley in Autumn