First swim

It's a holiday weekend in New South Wales.

 Labour Day, commemorating the eight-hour working day for Australians. 

It also recognises workers' contributions to the local economy.
It's an annual public holiday and its date varies across our states and territories.

I celebrated my contribution to the economy this week by having an early swim yesterday afternoon.

By this I mean my first dip for the summer season in the harbour at Balmoral.

The Rotunda at Balmoral, a favourite landmark

I can't recall getting into the water in Sydney in September -  ever!  

I usually swim through to April- so I am optimistic for a long swimming season this year.

Outside temperature was unseasonably warm and humid - 31C or 92F.

I wasn't the only one

It was bracing and refreshing at 18.1C or 67 F when I dived in and it really cleared the end of work week cobwebs away.

The extra warmth in the air as I walked back to my towel quickly took the chill away.

I believe there are two types of swimmers - those that swim when the temperature of the water equals or is greater than the temperature of the air.

Or people like me - who swim to cool off!

If it's your turn - dive in and have a great long weekend.

It's politics.

A non-typical citylife night for me .

Politics

An  intimate gathering hosted by the North Sydney Forum  for Joe Hockey ( Federal Shadow Treasurer).  Joe has been a great friend of tourism in Australia.

I didn't like to take photos or look like I was recording anything ( Mitt Romneys nightmare).

So as a non-partisan blogger I have one comment.

You have to admire  the confidence and optimism of politicians - whatever party and whenever it maybe.

How do they do that? Everyday.

That's politics, I suppose.

Another Bloomin' Birthday

It used to be that this blossom always bloomed around my birthday.

With the wacky weather of the last decade it hasn't seemed to coincide.

This year it did.

Just in time to celebrate my double nickel.

City Bread

As much as I enjoy making bread on the farm it is much easier in my busy city life to buy my bread. Have you noticed that bakeries are the latest food mecca?
 They are everywhere. I know people that travel miles to get their favourite loaf.

Today I dropped into The Bourke Street Bakery in Alexandria after a meeting at the airport.   I have driven past on several occasions and noticed a crowd and thought it must be good.

They make everything by hand including organic sourdough and pastries and cakes.

The coffee was excellent - smooth and full bodied
(sadly something which is hard to find in the US,  particularly outside of the bigger cities).

The staff were friendly 

And I'm looking forward to trying these loaves- particularly the fennel, cherry and raisin loaf on the left.

 A baker's life is a hard one, with its long and antisocial hours creating the staff of life for a demanding audience.

I do hope they earn a good crust (excuse the pun) for their effort!

Back in Sydney again

And it seems nothing has changed since I left in June- the Gillard and Rudd challenge continues to make headlines. I wish they'd just get it over with.

Makes a change though from the US election hype.

Arrived back without luggage, although I have been assured that it is en route and will be delivered today.

I hope so - I have two very full suitcases of clothing and Christmas presents.

The favourable exchange rate and low prices stateside meant that there was really no reason to not shop. Clothing prices in Australia are ridiculously high.  I am not sure why we continue to be gutted at the cash register- but it means I don't and won't buy anything here.  

I do without until I get back to the mid west.

Spring has sprung here and all around me are vibrant azaleas in full bloom.

They always remind me of my Mum. It is still strange to come back after being away and find her not here.

 She would have loved seeing these blooms outside her window.

Farewell Dinner

My last night here for now.

We usually plan a "farewell to the farm for now" dinner for just the two of us and last night was one of the best.

Smoked salmon as we watched the sun go down

Duck Confit that we bought in France in May last year. 

We were curious  to try this canned version from the supermarket, to see how it rated compared to the ones we had eaten in France or had bought on line here in cryovac.

It was excellent - and perfectly cooked by Mark. Crispy skinned, moist and meaty.

The potatoes from our garden I cooked in the duck fat - they were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The walnut oil dressing on our salad with apples and walnuts had enough acid to cut the fattiness of the duck - so that each mouthful was perfectly balanced. 

Gluttons that we are we didn't stop there and why would we? 

There were 2 apple crumbles waiting for us to eat with the last of our homemade vanilla ice cream

 When I started this blog I didn't realise how much I would end up writing about food and what we grow, prepare and eat. 

 In our city life a good meal is also something we relish - but here, when we often are planning meals around the produce from our garden and when we have more time to spend putting a delicious meal together it is a passion.

It is always sad to leave here. I often wish the farm was closer to Sydney - but if it was it wouldn't be the same.  These two different countries gives us two completely different lives.

Farewell to my farmlife for now-will see you in Sydney next week!

Eating Well again

The last six weeks here has seen us enjoy tomatoes, pears, apples and potatoes from our garden prepared in a variety of ways.

Our favourite salad for this summer was the Hot and Hot Fish Club Tomato Salad.

 This was served to most of guests during August. When you are on a winner....

Our presentation got better each time.

Layers of a variety of heirloom tomatoes which had been  bathed in a balsamic dressing, sitting on top of blacked eyed peas and sauteed corn, drizzled with a lemon chive dressing and garnished with cherry tomatoes and basil and a rasher of crisp bacon placed strategically on its crown.

To die for.

Can't wait to go to the restaurant in Birmingham Alabama - Mark swears that their shrimp and grits are the best.

An apple a day

 Our two apple trees have been keeping us well supplied - and although these organic apples look somewhat spotty they are truly delicious.

Apple crumble to Australians or apple crisp to Americans is an easy dessert that gets great accolades including an empty plate - even though our friends may have been feeling they'd eaten enough already.

Peeling these unsprayed apples takes a little more time as I cut out the dark bits (no bugs) - and for every two apples I get about one whole.

The apples are simmered until just tender in a some water, brown sugar, lemon rind, a cinnamon stick and a dob of butter.

The crumble is created by mixing butter into plain or all purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and a pinch of salt with your finger tips.

Sprinkle thickly on top of the apples and bake until brown.

I use the individual one cup dishes - but it is also excellent in a large dish.

If you don't have this recipe let me know and I will email it to you.

Last time things

Sadly I am booked on a flight to leave for Sydney on Saturday.

So now I am doing things for the "last time" this trip.

This morning it was yoga with Lindsay,  the other ladies and Bob.

I usually go twice a week while I am here and I absolutely love it.

The classes are varied, quite strenuous but balanced.  

Glad I had the chance today to stretch a bit before the flight back.

Farm life yoga is friendlier and chattier than city life yoga.

 I will  do a separate city v country post on this soon.

I also took my "last" walk across the Carlyle Dam. 

Not many people out today -  but the breeze was gentle, the water was calm and the sun was trying to peek out from behind those soft clouds.

A time to reflect on what I have done over the past nearly three months and how quickly it has gone.

Lots to think about!

City vs Country - Shoes

My country shoes - perfect for tramping through the wet grass in the mornings or around the yard  on muddy rainy afternoons

My city shoes - a new pair that are still to hit the pavements of Sydney.

Another of the differences between my two lives.

Exercising the farmlife way

In my city life I try to exercise daily - walking, running, swimming or yoga - sometimes a combination and usually squeezed into a busy work day. 

On the farm I try to take a long walk sometime in the day, go to yoga twice a week or fit in a swim when the pool is open.

However, some days here exercise takes on a different form.  Manual labour!

Today was "raking up the grass" cardio.

Bending forward and raking back

 60 minutes later there are about 30 piles of grass ready to be moved to the compost pile.

I can feel tingling in my shoulder muscles already.

A great farmlife workout.  

Happy Anniversary

It's our 9th wedding anniversary today.

We both feel like our life is a continual celebration.

Tonight a  bottle of champagne and some smoked salmon and scallops was on the menu.

Simple, sensual and delicious

You can't go wrong.

And we had a beautiful sunset.

Sunday birthday lunch

We love a good long Sunday lunch on the farm.

We love them in Sydney too - but we are not as limited in space here and we can move  in and outside depending on the weather.

It was a significant birthday week for Chrissy,  so we gathered some friends here to help her celebrate on this side of the world.

On the menu

Photo by Steve Adams

Some sparkling brut rose from California to start accompanied by smoked salmon blinis 

outside on the patio

A goat cheese salad

Rack of lamb in the dining room

 

Accompanied by potato gratin, green beans and almonds and this corn and tomato salad

The gorgeous guest of honour with her signature Summer Pudding

Photo by Steve Adams

A group photo outside, between storms and sunshine

Photo by Steve Adams

And finally, the sign of a good party

Too many glasses to wash.

New York Highlights - Part 1

I have been incredibly slack in getting this post together - but between a new renovation project starting on the farm, getting ready for our good friends Chrissy and James to arrive from Australia and then having a fabulous time while they were here - ie eating, drinking, shopping and just generally being merry- it just wasn't blog time for me.

I sometimes find it hard to be in the moment, take photos and and write a post.
I need more practise I suppose.

Anyway, we had an amazing but too brief trip to Connecticut and New York and the memories are still fresh. 

Some highlights from our weekend in Westport (CT) and Larchmont (NY)

1. Catching up with Mark's cousin Jim and his wife Dana and seeing their beautiful home.

2. Enjoying a delicious dinner at The Dressing Room - originally established by Paul Newman and  attached to the legendary Westport County Playhouse. 

3. Driving by the beautiful mansions in Greenwich and Westport

4. Taking a photo of  Joanne Woodward's garage doors so that we could copy them for our new garage.

5. Tooling around Long Island Sound in Jim's new boat on a misty Saturday morning

6. Making a mess eating lobster for lunch

7. Walking around Mark's cousin Lu Ann's and husband Matt's pretty neighbourhood

8. Eating grilled artichokes  at Tarry Lodge  - a new Mario Batali restaurant in Port Chester NY

 9. Sailing around the Sound in Jim's other boat and swimming in the Atlantic ocean

10. Browsing the antique market in Westport

What can I say, we were incredibly well looked after by our generous hosts.

Even being dropped off at our NYC hotel on Sunday afternoon.