Last weekend on a search to find an organic potato with which to start the yeast, we called in Bushy Park Market. No success with the potato, but on the shelf was a 6.5. litre slow cooker for a mere $12. It looked in good order, so bought it (later check showed it was fine electrically). … Continue reading Slow cookers and things

Last week I was extremely happy that an elderly friend gave me her generations-old family recipe for hop yeast for baking bread. I've followed the hand-written recipe painstakingly, watching and waiting and hoping for the requite bubbles to appear in the bottle. And this morning it's happened, great cause for rejoicing! On to the next step … Continue reading A new creature in the house – hop yeast for my bread

I know the weather is lovely everywhere today, but here in this idyllic little corner of the valley I'm happy to say that we now have 13 healthy lambs to 10 ewes, all enjoying the morning sunshine, along with Della the beagle who watches over them from her forever perch the front deck. Amongst these … Continue reading Sunny morning in the valley

After a busy afternoon, progress with the bread oven is significant… thanks to Nat and Stephanie for their assistance. Also to Della the dog and Rosie the kitten for their supervision….. Now just need to exercise some patience for the next four weeks until the dome can be constructed on the top.  THEN, it will … Continue reading Bread oven progress

I love to watch the mist creep up into this end of the valley in the mornings. We've had some variations in weather already today to be sure - heavy rain, then fog and now brilliant sunshine. Meanwhile, I'm baking. This morning there will be rye/spelt bread and pull apart loaves (pizza or ham/cheese flavoured). White … Continue reading Mist in the valley

I’ve decided that I hate lambing season. While ewe Myrtle has delivered twins that are now thriving, the hapless Tessa has once again given birth to twins that it seems she cannot feed, as indeed happened last year with her lamb Benji. One of her recently born twins soon died and, despite our best efforts … Continue reading Animals on the farm

For anyone who is gluten intolerant, the good news is that you can now buy gluten free Weet Bix. Truly. How good is that! Coles supermarkets stock them (at least the Bridgewater store does so I expect they all would). Not only can they be used as a decent breakfast cereal, but now it's easy to … Continue reading Gluten Free Weet Bix

Thought this afternoon I'd just sit down for a minute or two while I was waiting for some vegetables to roast in the oven, in preparation for a new-recipe roasted vegetable tart this evening. Good idea, thinks Miss Rosie the kitten, except that she made herself so comfortable that I hadn't the heart to move her … Continue reading Cat capers

Here is what we found this morning at Collinsvale, a mere 10 minutes from home. Absolutely beautiful.

First, here's the recipe for the rye bread. I'm very pleased with it I have to say. I cut the loaf in half while it was still hot, so the texture doesn't look great but really it's fine now it's cooled. We just couldn't wait to make it into a sandwich for our lunch. It … Continue reading Recipes for rye bread and preserved cumquats