Autumn lunch

Our good friends J and W's home is a beautiful property on Coolangatta Mountain near Berry, 

2 and 1/2 hours drive south of Sydney.

With the recent rain it was brilliantly lush and verdant - can you believe only a month earlier it was a dry, brown landscape?

We have spent many relaxing weekends here over the years and we always enjoy fabulous food and wine, overlooking this stunning panorama.

Their outdoor living room has been the scene of many a raucous dinner with course after course served from the wood-fired oven.

Last weekend was no exception.

Saturday night, we ate tapas style from the oven- a melted greek cheese with roasted red pepper,  chorizo and potatoes, skewered quails wrapped in proscuitto with braised fennel and leek. 

You will just have to imagine how these dishes looked - it was all hands on and no time to take photos.

Next morning after a walk we were ready to prepare the next meal. 

The Chinese style pulled pork neck was in the wood fired oven early to cook slowly for 4 hours.

The pork had been marinated in hoisin sauce, soy, rice wine, ginger, honey and five spice.

J and I pottered leisurely around the kitchen, catching up, chatting about food, recipes, health, travel and life. As we have done so many times before.

The pork was pulled out of the oven to rest, butternut pumpkin roasted and a fennel salad with mint. coriander and chilli tossed.

Wine poured.

Time to eat!

A late lunch in the autumn sun, overlooking the farm, with great friends, food and wine.

Nothing better!

Country Trader

There is no better way to spend a grey Saturday afternoon than wandering around

  The Country Trader, in Waterloo, Sydney.

My love of french antiques can only be sated by immersing myself from time to time in these beautiful rooms, where tantalising vignettes of decorative items are surrounded by authentic French furniture. 

The price tags are mostly way out of my league - but it is a very satisfying experience and less tempting to purchase than if they were closer to what I could afford -  if that makes sense.

Three times around the store I was still finding items I hadn't seen before.

M would love these I know.

This collection of Portugese green majolica (not antique)  reminded me of my growing collection on the farm.  This is great value and I use it all the time. 

There is even a pic of a piece on my blog header.

Not sure this would be comfortable for TV watching

Another pretty display.

My living room?

For our farm patio perhaps?  Pity I can't freight it!

This armoire would go beautifully in our farmhouse dining room - including the champagne of course.

Have always loved blue and white pottery.

Thou shalt not covet...

But I can look, can't I?

A blog hiatus

Did you notice that Farmlife Citylife has been on hold for the last 8 weeks?

Real life just got in the way.

A family trip mid January to Waikehe Island in New Zealand to celebrate my sister A's significant birthday was eventful. 

She had to fly back to Australia with my nephew L - who was extremely ill - before the party started.   

We celebrated somewhat flatly without her.

L's subsequent hospitalisation has been of course very worrying. 

On the work front,  this is always a very busy time in the lead-up to the event I manage - this year particularly so. I seemed to have been hunched over my computer and phone for 12 hours a day since New Year. 

No time or desire to blog.

The good news is L is on the road to recovery after surgery and six weeks in hospital.

It has been a long road for him - but it has been a joy to see him getting stronger in the last week particularly. I am in awe of this gorgeous young man who has managed to keep his good nature and  humour intact throughout some very stressful and painful times.

Work-wise the awards event went very well. Have had some great feedback- which makes it worthwhile.

In any case I  have finally been able to think about something else, catching up on sleep and with friends, sorting my business admin out, thinking about new projects, walking, doing yoga, reading, watching TV, cooking again and letting the tension of the last couple of months ebb out of my body.

Am looking forward to being  a blogger again!