That Storm.

As most would know here on the East Coast of Australia the area in which we live was inundated with flooding rain a few weeks ago. The storm hit on the Monday night and what a storm! It sounded like an A380 was about to land on our roof! The wind noise with the driving rain, thunder and lightening had me hiding under the covers! Mark was at work on night shift and the next morning there was a very real chance he'd be cut off from home. Thank goodness he got through  as just half an hour later the road was cut when the river broke its banks and we were flooded in for a week.
 We lost electricity around 6 am Tuesday morning and it was a week before we got it back on. So no cooking, TV, phones, Internet or hot water. The first day wasn't too bad. Unfortunately our garbage was due to be picked up that morning but the truck couldn't get through- it was to be a week later and garbage overflowing before it could be taken. We had 2 gas cylinders full so knew we could cook on the barbeque. My laptop was fully charged so we could watch a DVD.
The first night Mark cooked the roast on the barbie out on the deck - he'd never done that before and he did a great job. Between that and some steamed veggies it was a great dinner. There was enough hot water left to have a warm (albeit very quick) shower each and then we settled down to watch a DVD.
Although the news had said the storm would be here for a few days we really thought the worst was over.
 I have a small battery operated radio so next day we were able to find out what was happening. The news was dreadful; communities were trashed, lives were lost and the storm was set to continue. We felt incredibly lucky to be so safe. Our home is on a hill so there was no chance of our home being washed  away which was what happened to some houses in other communities.
The second day we ate what we could from the fridge and I used up the fresh milk and eggs to make custard but now knew we were going to lose it all if the electricity didn't come back on very soon - and so we did. Everything in the fridge freezer and our large upright freezer. :( All the meat, the years worth of homemade stock, our frozen veggies from the garden - all gone. Having said that and yes it was difficult throwing out the "fruits of our labour" not to mention all that meat etc I was struck again at how very lucky we were to be warm, dry and above all safe! It was a long very quiet week but we read, we talked and I wrote while Mark pottered in the shed - when he could get there!
After a week of unusual food combinations from the pantry, boiling water to have a wash in the sink, and sleepless nights terrified all the street's septic systems were going to explode and shower us all with unmentionable gross stuff ( they are run by electricity) the rain stopped. The damage was unbelievable, the storms ferocity was unprecedented in our area and it will be months before things are back to normal.
We lost a huge gum tree that hit the back fence but that was the only real damage.
It was a pain losing my fridge and freezer stuff but that can be replaced. It was a nuisance not being able to shower daily, watch TV, go on the internet or get some fresh food. But that was all it was. In real terms it was just a nuisance.
People lost their homes, their livelihood, their stock and some their lives.
My daughter told me one lass complained on the Ausgrid website (our electricity company) that she had been without power for 7 hours. You have to be kidding!!
The Ausgrid people, SES, police, ambulance, firies and all who helped during this dreadful time deserve medals. They continually risked their lives going out into the storm to help others. Where I live is full on Australian bush  - the amount of trees down is unbelievable - but these guys were out day and night trying to clear the trees to restore power.The roads were impassable but asap the council was working to put it back to normal. Amazing people!!!

I didn't take this photo. it was posted on FB many times by various people. so I'm not sure who to attribute it to. This is the road on the way to my place. It was only finished a matter of a few weeks before the rain event hit.

Back to Normal.

Or should I have said back to reality?  We had let the garden go a little before we went away as we knew we wouldn't be here to tend it so it needed a bit of sorting out this morning.

Its still quite warm even though it's officially Autumn. For some reason I always expect the weather to cool the day I turn the calendar page over on the 1st of March. Invariably I'm disappointed. :)

We were able to pick the first of the butternut pumpkin, some rainbow chard, beetroot, a few straggling strawberries, a mass of onions as well as a few tomatoes, zucchini, and potatoes. We won't be putting potatoes in anymore as we've stopped eating them, so no point.

One of the trays of onions ready for the freezer. Once frozen they go into containers. They don't defrost crisp of course but are perfect for soups or casseroles. The chard will be done the same. I use the leafy bits of the chard as if spinach.

The beetroot have been cooked, diced, sliced and preserved. There's a couple in the fridge and 3 for the pantry.

And may I say they are beautiful. Nailed the liquid!!

Bula.

Bula. (pronounced boo-lah) is the greeting you hear everywhere in Fiji.

We've just had a wonderful holiday there and fell in love with both the place and the people. Fijians have the reputation of being the friendliest people on earth and I have to say I agree. They are so genuinely happy and in love with life!

We spent two days in Denarau at a 4.5 star resort - gorgeous. Then 5 days on an island resort and then back to Denarau for another two days before flying home. The resorts had to be seen to be believed!

The first place had a lovely atmosphere and was a great intro to the country. An hour and half super-cat ride to the island was fun, stopping at various places on the way to pick up and drop off guests at the other islands. We reached our island and were greeted by beautiful singing at the jetty. A short walk to check in where we were given a cool and fragrant flannel to freshen up with and an iced tea. Our bure was thatched and air-conditioned, king size bed and outdoor shower lol. The bathroom has a large glass sliding door and you walk outside into a semi-circle area with a stone wall about 7' high. It was magic showering outside of an evening with palm trees swaying above. Fresh flowers every day on the coffee table and a bowl of fresh water with a red hibiscus floating in it on the verandah each morning to rinse the sand off before going inside. Oh and no TV. Believe you me if you were bored you only had yourself to blame; there was plenty to do if you wanted to do something and masses of places to hang if you were just wanting to relax.

This was my favourite resort. So relaxing and beautiful. The staff were brilliant and nothing was too much trouble.

The final place we stayed at in Denarau was beautiful as well but lacked the atmosphere of the first two places. It was a 4.5 star too but it could have been on the Gold Coast for all its Fijian flavour. If I'm going to another country I don't want to feel like I'm in the next state. I want to experience something new. Meh  - nice but boring.

                 




            Beginning of the day.

             

                    Another perfect day.

"Just sayin' "

I noticed a post on a forum that ended with "just sayin' ".  It was obvious they were saying something, why the need to point that out?

I've seen it written quite a few times and find it a real source of bemusement. You have just said something - did you think I missed that and so needed an explanation?
It's like they're letting you know "Yes I have strung words together to express a thought or opinion but just in case anyone missed that, I'll clarify it  by letting you all know I was  "just sayin' "

It occurred to me that it seemed to be a disclaimer; you know the kind  - someone is as rude as hell then ends their comment with "just joking." That's the disclaimer that says you have no right to be offended or annoyed because I have tacked on the disclaimer and that makes everything that has gone before it OK.
 So you're "just sayin'? " Well say the damn thing and leave it at that!!

                                                ..................................................................  

We have a bridge near us. The road either side is two way but the bridge is only one lane. There's a give way sign at one end and for the most part people are polite and sensible. However you always get the one who ignores the sign, wants to beat you across no matter what and comes barreling toward you at breakneck speed. You of course have no option but to stop or face a head-on accident.

You wait, murmuring obscenities under your breath at the oncoming vehicle, when suddenly ..... yes there it is................. the wave. Often accompanied by a half apologetic smile "the wave"  says " I know, I know, but truly this car has a mind of its own. I saw the give way sign but I just couldn't stop. Yes I'm sorry but you noticed I waved???  Oh good, we're alright then."

Admittedly it is a bit of light entertainment whilst sitting at the end of the bridge as we try to guess if we'll get the disclaimer, the embarrassed/ aggressive glance or the "eyes front" thing where the other driver tries to ignore our presence even though he's driving right at us. :) 90% of the time it's "the wave.' Ah the disclaimer .............................. it covers a multitude of sins.

                                                 .............................................................



WARNING: I cannot be held responsible for the above, as apparently my chickens have learned how to type.




                                                     

Apricot Chicken - Moroccan Style.

My pantry warranted a good decluttering and so I've been trying to use up some of the stockpile I have. This is an easy one.

Moroccan Apricot Chicken.
1 kg Chicken thighs
1 large onion
2 cloves garlic
oil for cooking
2 tablespoons Moroccan Seasoning
405 g tin apricot nectar
1 cup of Couscous


Rub chicken thighs with the spice mix, gently cook in minimal oil in frying pan until almost done. Set aside.
Cook onion and garlic, add apricot nectar, chicken and a bit more Moroccan spice. A few chilli flakes if you like it a bit spicier.
Cook slowly until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened.
Cook couscous as per directions on packet.
Serve chicken on a bed of couscous and spoon over sauce.
Top with chopped coriander leaves.

* You can of course add apricots but we don't like them in this dish so didn't bother.

* I didn't have any Moroccan Seasoning but had all the ingredients, so made up a batch.

* For us there was plenty of left over chicken and sauce so that got popped in the freezer for Mark for work.

Moroccan Seasoning.
5 teaspoons each of ground nutmeg, cumin, coriander
2.5 teaspoons each allspice and ground ginger
1.25 teaspoons each cayenne pepper and cinnamon

Yes - I know - there should be a photo;  but I often forget to take a photo when I'm in the kitchen. It's on the menu for the weekend so will hopefully remember to take a photo then.

Hello 2015.

Another year done and dusted. Mum was right - time does go faster the older we get!

No new revolutions (resolutions) this post. Mine are much the same most years lol. Get healthier, spend time with friends and family, learn all that I can about anything that takes my fancy, etc etc etc.

We had a wonderful Christmas - ten for lunch - and quite frankly who bothered with dinner that night! Two days later our daughter and boyfriend were back from seeing his parents and we had our second Christmas with the other kids here for dinner again. It doesn't get better than that.

A few weeks before we had a Christmas party with around 30 friends. It was a brilliant night. The house and outdoor area were decorated to within an inch of their lives lol and the tree was magical. I love Christmas and our daughter does too so we tend to go all out. Tables were set up, lights and lanterns strung, Kim organised the candy station, food was plentiful and the punch was a huge  (!!!!) success. Mark and the kids, including our wonderful daughter-in-law all pitched in to make it perfect!

Every year Kim and I have a colour theme for presents etc. lol yes I know ................ but I did tell you we love Christmas!!! Mine was brown wrapping paper and interesting bits and pieces. Below are some of the presents. Sadly the paper looks a bit insipid in the photos because it was really lovely

Shortbread was on the list to make this year and I used a traditional mold. Mrs.McCready made the absolute best shortbread in the street when I was growing up and was very generous when it came to sharing with the neighbourhood kids. I don't think mine was as good as Mrs.McCready's but it was quite nice all the same.

I hope your Christmas was full of love and laughter; and I hope the New Year is shaping up that way as well. There's so much that's good about this world - why not make that a resolution - to concentrate on the positive, be grateful for all the wonderful things in your life. Hey you woke up - that in itself is something to be happy about. :) Make this a year where your vocabulary is filled with positives and not  negatives. I know there's a lot of sadness and mayhem in the the world but maybe if we keep the positives in our sights rather than the awful stuff we might make a difference not only in our lives but in others as well. Now that's got to be good thing!

Happy 2015.

Be Proactive.

By about 5.30 this morning I had been up, taken the dog for her"wee" walk and thrown open the doors and windows. It's cool here today - 17 outside as opposed to the early mornings of 25 we've had through the week.

I made myself a coffee and sat in bed thinking how nice it was to feel a bit shivery in the cold wind blowing a gale through my bedroom windows. I had to shut them five minutes later as the rain began, but revelled in the sound of the wind whistling through one I had left open a crack. It's such a respite from the last few weeks of the stifling blanket of heat that has descended each day.

At 6 my phone dinged. Not altogether unusual; my daughter and I are both early risers and it's nothing for us to be texting before our day begins in earnest. This message was, however from B-Screen N.S.W, a reminder that my mammogram was due. In October 2013 I was sent off to a specialist by my doctor. It was a frightening time of scans, waiting, tests, examinations, more waiting. I was given the all clear thankfully but those weeks of not knowing were horrendous. To see the message at 6 am was sobering for a moment, remembering the shock and fear of finding a lump and then having a doctor say "Hmmmm, I don't like the look of this."

In this country, free breast screening is available to woman from 40 on, and is especially recommended for women aged between 50 -74 years.Why would you not?? It's not fail-safe, it's not perfect but it's the best we have at this point in time. Having seen a friend die a very long, and agonising death and knowing a number of friends who have won the battle I can't understand why women wouldn't take advantage of this FREE service. There aren't too many countries who offer this and we need to be grateful for a government that provides preventative services.

Our bodies have to last a long time. With advances in preventative medicine it's common sense to me to make use of the wonderful technology. And what about Pap smears? They're are a thing a lot of women have a problem with. Yes its uncomfortable, yes it's "damn! " when you realise it's due. And no I don't know anyone who thinks "oh yay, my pap smear is today." The thing is it needs to be done.

I have a friend - yes you know who you are - who is around my age and and told me a few years back that she had never; that's right NEVER had a pap smear!!!!! WHY? Well look out cause I'm afraid I'm going to bully you incessantly until you give up and go!! All women need to pull on their big girl panties and just do it!! Or in the case of a pap smear  - take them off!!

As parents,as wives, friends, hell as a woman - we need to be pro-active about such things. We live in a privileged society, be grateful for the advantages it affords us.

Book your pap smear, have a mammogram. Stop procrastinating.