Our simple farmlife

After three busy days in Chicago we drove P&V (laden with champagne) down to the farm.

It had been 10 years since their last visit and we were looking forward to showing them the changes we had made and enjoying a bit of simple farm life.

But first we had to sample the champagne and caviar they had brought for afternoon tea.

P put together a tasting plate 

The champagne and vodka was poured

And within an hour of their arrival we were tucking into it

My usual restraint

We had a Labor day party on Monday afternoon to introduce P&V to our friends here and to enjoy an afternoon of boules, food and wine

This link to Steve Adams Studio will take you to some more Labor Day photos taken by our friend S (the real photographer).

Don't think we just sat around on land drinking champagne.
V and I did yoga and walked the dam,
P got to waterski at Lake Sarah with S&N (his first time in 25 years - luckily he didn't break anything), and we also had a lazy afternoon cruising on Lake Carlyle.

We did a bit of clay bird shooting

Followed by more champagne - just because.

Thanks for visiting P&V- it was a week of sparkling memories.

Citylife Chicago

Last week we spent some time with our good friends P&V from Australia in Chicago and on the farm.

What can I say - as always when we get together, there is lots of laughter, good food and fabulous champagne and wine.

Nothing unusual about that - except this time it was on the other side of the world. 

We spent a few days in Chicago first, the highlights being:

A visit to the floor of the CME (M's old trading patch)

Tours of the magnificent Chicago architecture - on foot and by boat 

P enjoying architectural tour

Lots of walking - the Mag Mile, Millenium Park and the Egg, a rain aborted trip to the Lincoln park area, downtown shopping, the Art Institute of Chicago to see Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity. We packed a lot in.

Can you spot us in the reflection

and of course dinner at Alinea for V's birthday- a once in a lifetime mind blowing dining experience.



Inside the restaurant it is dark and mysterious



The presentation is imaginative but the ingredients are real and recognisable



The meal is presented dramatically and with humour

Each mouthful is distinctive and evocative

A tasting plate of tiny morsels of duck was accompanied by 60 complementing tastes -we had fun trying to guess them

The final savoury was to die for.

V scored an extra birthday treat

And just when we thought we had finished they lay the table with another dessert,

An unforgettable experience!

Part Two continues on the farm.

Food on the Fourth

I have often been on the farm for 4th July, and our story was even immortalised a few years ago in St Louis Magazine AT HOME 

(with photos taken by our friend Steve Adams)

Due to different schedules, we haven't had an Independence Day party for a few years. 

This year we planned a celebration based around traditional American food with a multicultural twist that recognised our worldly appetites.

Most of our friends had driven over an hour to get here, so a Bellini - a puree of our white peaches dolloped into a cold flute of Prosecco  - was a very refreshing welcome on a 100+F day.

Appetisers included Manchego and red peppers on crostini, spicy Asian chicken wrapped in iceberg lettuce and garlic shrimp, sizzling from the wood fired oven (WFO).

Photo: Steve Adams

Our main was something we hadn't cooked before in the WFO - baby back ribs. 

I think these are so American and for me symbolise summer here and the 4th July.

We have always wanted to try making them.  I found 2 recipes,  one for a dry rub and one a marinade.

Both were excellent - with only a few bones left on the platter. 

Most people had a favourite- I enjoyed having the two tastes on my plate.

Marcia brought two delicious salads - a lightly pickled cucumber and a peach coleslaw,  I made Jamie Oliver's "mother ship" tomato salad and a basil pesto potato salad.

Photos: Steve Adams

Dessert was my mother-in-laws famous peach cobbler - which I made using our peaches and served with Mark's homemade vanilla ice cream.

Photo: Steve Adams

We could even see some local fireworks in the distance as the night ended.

I wonder if we will ever celebrate Australia's own Independence Day?

These brilliant photos were all taken by Steve Adams and while my post has focussed on the food, his blog has more photos of what we got up to between courses.

A pergola raising

A big weekend.  

A new addition to the homestead complete in one morning!  

Not without thorough planning by Mark and our friend Walt - who had previously constructed a pergola at his own home and came over with his detailed plans.

 Mark had pre-ordered the materials from a local supplier and they were prepared, ready to go on  Saturday at 6am. 

With forecast temps 106F (or 42C)  they wanted to get an early start, while there was a bit of shade .

By the time Marcia and I got up an hour later the first side was up. 

Our neighbour joined the build, bringing much needed tools.

Another friend came at the end to see what was going on and offer advice.

Q: How many men does it take to build a pergola
A: 2+2

By 2pm it was almost complete - with only the top cross beams to add.

It looks fantastic - beautiful cedar, which will fade to that wonderful grey.

With some landscaping, paving  and vines to be planted - in time we will have much needed shade
and another place to enjoy food and wine closer to our wood-fired oven.

Thank you Walter!

Walking and talking

A beautiful winter Sydney day.
Perfect for catching up with a good friend while we walk and talk.  

It's very relaxing and we cover a lot of ground in conversation and steps.

Today Deb and I enjoyed the sunshine along the harbour foreshore near home.
We talked travel, food, family, friends, health and work.
Our life, really. 

She couldn't resist a shot of the view half way through the walk - put me in it and sent the photo straight to Mark on the other side of the world.

The view, the harbour bridge and me
Photo by Deb Solomon

Hi Honey!