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

That's Tom of course, the ex-feral, who literally has come in from the cold.  He knows that there's a winter chill in the air and has swapped the outdoors that he generally favours for a snuggle into his bean bag in front of the fire. Good choice Tom.

What a great time was had at the Derwent Valley Autumn Festival! There's lots of preparation beforehand for all the stallholders of course. Early one morning last week Stephanie and I went to pick grapes at Derwent Valley Estate - these went into her pinot paste and jelly and riesling grapes into a wonderful raspberry … Continue reading Derwent Valley Autumn Festival

For those who requested the recipes from the ABC segment last Saturday:  Vicki's Chocolate Birthday Cake, Jennifer's Empire Puffs, Colleen's Dutch Honey Cake and a recipe of mine for a delicious stuffing for chicken. Vicki’s Chocolate Birthday Cake A recipe belonging to Vicki’s grandmother. Apparently, the birthday boy or girl would get a circle cut … Continue reading Recipe from ABC segment last Saturday