Autumn Sunrise and Slow Cooker Chicken with Olives and Red Wine

Autumn Sunrise and Slow Cooker Chicken with Olives and Red Wine

Winter is just around the corner here in Australia, and already the mornings are frosty and bone-chillingly cold.

One morning I was rousted out of a sound sleep by Bear who instructed me to dress warmly and meet him in the kitchen of the farmhouse because we were going to watch the sunrise.

Bleary-eyed, groaning and still half-asleep I stumbled around my room collecting woollies and jumpers, hat and scarf, warm socks and Ugg boot slippers and followed the light to the kitchen where Bear was grinning like a little boy and handing me a steaming cup of very strong sweet tea.

I wrapped my numb fingers around the piping hot cup and sipped tentatively, waiting for the warm brew to bring some life to my frigid limbs.

It was pitch black outside, but slowly a glow appeared over the neighboring hills and we decided to be very brave indeed, and head out into the frosty morning to watch the sun come up.

Autumn sunrise

One breath of that icy air and I was wide awake! We shuffled across the yard in our slippers, making the dogs and chooks wonder what on earth we were up to, and took up a spot near the front gate which gave us an unimpeded view of the lightening sky.

All at once the sun was there in a burst of golden light. It danced along the fence lines, illuminating the waving grasses as if they were candles.

It was glorious.

Fall sunrise

The sun hit the tree tops first, turning the fading blossoms and drying leaves into richer, deeper colored versions of themselves.

tree at sunrise

Even my half-completed greenhouse was rendered sublime in the glow of the sun.

 

sunrise through greenhouse

We strolled around the property, greeting the animals and feeling incredibly, wondrously alive.

By the time we reached the backyard it was awash in golden light, so achingly beautiful I could’ve watched it for hours.

It was definitely worth being woken up for.

Aussie sunrise

As the days get colder I’m drawn to hearty, warming, rib-sticking meals, and am a fan of anything I can make in the slow cooker (crockpot).

The other day I was craving boeuf bourguignon but didn’t have a bit of beef in the house. I did have chicken, however, so I made up my own version, rich with red wine, sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and earthy herbs like rosemary. It was so easy and the house smelled amazing by the time dinner rolled around. I poured the stew over garlicky mashed potatoes and served it with cold beer one day and red wine the next. Delicious.

Slow Cooker Chicken with Olives and Red Wine

When is the last time you watched the sun rise?

Slow Cooker Chicken with Olives and Red Wine

Ingredients:

3-4 chicken breasts cut into squares
1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
2-3 Tbsp bacon grease or olive oil
1 onion, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, quartered and sliced
1 sprig rosemary, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, chopped
2 cups red wine (Merlot or similar hearty red)
1/2 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper
1 bunch parsley, chopped

Directions:

  1. Place flour and seasoned salt in plastic bag, add chicken pieces and toss to coat.
  2. Melt bacon grease in saucepan, add chicken and cook, stirring regularly, until browned.
  3. Pour chicken pieces into slow cooker.
  4. Add onions, carrot and garlic to sauce pan. (Add more bacon grease if necessary) Cook until onion is softened. Add to chicken pieces.
  5. Add remaining ingredients except parsley and stir to combine.
  6. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
  7. Serve over warm polenta or garlic mashed potatoes and sprinkle with parsley.
A Bit of Hope and a Tropical Breakfast in Fiji

A Bit of Hope and a Tropical Breakfast in Fiji

I love how when I’m down or discouraged, a few words can come out of nowhere to settle, calm and restore.

Such a thing happened today when I was so very, very tired.

The inspiring women over at the Brave Girls Club sent through their daily email and this is what it said:

 

“You have plenty of time to figure it out….don’t put so much pressure on yourself.
Remember that most of us are alive for nearly 100 years…
and in those 100 years, we will have lots and lots of opportunities to get things right.
It is never too late……
and you can start over again every single day, for the rest of your life if that’s what it takes.
So sweet friend, cut yourself some slack…do better tomorrow….
count the victories you HAVE had….look how far you have come…..
and especially, look deep into that pure and beautiful heart of yours and see that THAT is who you are.
You are not your mistakes or your wrong turns or the weaknesses that you are STILL working on overcoming……
that is your human part……
you are the BIG BEAUTIFUL spirit part….
the one who keeps trying, every day.
So…keep it up…kiss yourself in the mirror
and tell your cute self that you are doing just fine.”
from the Brave Girls Club

 

I felt my whole being give a sigh of relief, even as tears of gratefulness sprang up. Isn’t it a wonderful thing to not have to go through hard times alone? Even if in that moment you can’t BE with a person who understands your heart and cheers you up, you can be with them in spirit through their words. I love that.

Having been given much needed permission to rest a bit, I thought we’d head to the peace and tranquility of a tropical island for a hearty breakfast and a wander through the rain.

Sonaisali Island, Fiji.

The lush greenery of this place never fails to settle my anxious thoughts, and listening to the patter of raindrops on the lily pads made it perfect.

Sonaisali Island Resort

Although I wouldn’t normally choose to eat breakfast at 5:30 a.m., a cheap red-eye flight landed me in Fiji at 5 a.m., long before my room was ready, so an outrageously early breakfast it was.

The nice thing about being up so early is that you’re the ONLY one up that early, save for the cooks who are clattering away in the hidden kitchens, emerging in their immaculate uniforms wearing huge smiles and carrying platters filled with luscious tropical fruits and steaming sausages, bacon, and hashbrowned potatoes.

It made me smile that I got to have a full English breakfast on this tiny island in Fiji. Right down to the beans in tomato sauce and roasted tomatoes. Delicious.

The fruit was so ripe and juicy it was nearly falling apart: sweet paw-paw, tart passionfruit, and crisp watermelon drizzled with lime juice.

It was lovely to sit by myself on the veranda next to the pool and overlooking the sea. I sat just out of touch of the rain, but close enough to hear it dripping through the palm trees and spattering quietly on my table.

breakfast in Fiji

I lingered long over my coffee and returned for a second bowl of fruit. You just can’t get pawpaw that fresh and delicious in North America.

The stress of my achingly long red-eye flight eased away and I felt so peaceful and so very, very grateful.

When the rain eased up a bit I thanked my hosts and went for a stroll around the property of the Sonaisali Island Resort.

tropical island flowers

Somehow the rain enhanced the vivid colors of the numerous tropical flowers blooming profusely overhead and underfoot. I didn’t know what half of them were but that didn’t bother me in the least. Such beauty does not need a name to be appreciated.

tropical garden in Fiji

Everywhere I looked were flowers, each species so stunningly intricate and beautifully exotic.

flowers in Fiji

I heard the rumble of thunder and decided it was time to head to the deserted beach to watch the storm roll in.

Yes, I got drenched. Absolutely soaked to the skin. And it was worth it. 🙂

 

chair by the sea

Have you read any soul-strengthening words this week? If so, please share them in the comments. I’d love to read them too. 🙂

XO

Boating Through the Harbours of Malta

Boating Through the Harbours of Malta

After a madcap weekend of non-stop hustle and bustle, I’m in dire need of a little visual escape.

So I’m taking you with me. 🙂

Today we’re boarding one of the gorgeous brightly colored boats of Malta to putter through a few of the many harbours of this beautiful and historic island.

orange boat in Malta

The sun is blazing hot, but we’re tucked under the shade of a tarp, cooled by deliciously salty breezes billowing in off the sea.

We motor past limestone ruins and wonder what used to be here: shops? a wharf? a factory of some kind? And what happened to it?

ruins of Malta

Eager for closer looks at the magnificent old churches and shuttered homes towering on the cliffs above us, we head out to the railing, basking in sunshine and stunning views.

boating in Malta

Seeing the ramparts and turrets of numerous fortresses makes me wish I had pored over a few Maltese history books before getting on board.

Somehow watching “The Maltese Falcon” was not adequate preparation for such an adventure.

Maltese fortress

Thoroughly roasted by the afternoon sun, we seek refuge under the tarp, willingly forking over 2 Euros for bottles of water from the swarthy boatman.

We settle back in our plastic seats, resting feet that are weary from trekking all over the oven-like streets of Maltese towns.

boating in Malta

The cool breezes pick up as we motor past enormous cruise ships, tankers, and fishing boats lining the harbor and head out into open water.

Happy sigh. I feel better already. 🙂

“Why do we love the sea?
It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.”
– Robert Henri –

Where would you like to escape to after a busy weekend?

Coffee, Rainy Days and Thoughts on Friendship

Coffee, Rainy Days and Thoughts on Friendship

It is pouring rain today and I love it more than I can say.

We have had the most exquisite Autumn in Queensland, Australia. One warm, sunny day after another. I feel spoiled rotten.

poplar tree

But after all that glorious sunshine it is a lovely change to stay inside, warm and cozy as the rain falls, watching Poirot and Midsummer Murders while I fold laundry and cook things like Spicy Feta Scones, Sausage Lentil Soup, and a Chocolate Port Trifle.

I love Fridays at home. Articles have all been written and submitted, websites built and honed, and I get to devote nearly the whole day to non-computerish things.

It’s the day where I get restored before the hustle and bustle of weekends on the farm.

And the day when I rest and reflect, think about the week, my life, and what’s going on in this heart and mind of mine.

Australia wellies

I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship recently. Moving to the other side of the world and starting a new life changed a lot of things for me, and friendship was a big one.

For a while I was floating between two worlds. I didn’t belong in the United States or Canada anymore, but felt like a visitor in Europe and then Australia. I was a woman without a country and it was unsettling. I can’t tell you how many times the theme song from Cheers provided the soundtrack for my feelings:

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they’re always glad you came.
by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

I remember vividly the day I went to the shopping center here in Warwick, Queensland and ran into three different people who not only knew me but LOVED me. Their faces lit up as soon as they saw me and seconds later I was enveloped in hugs. It was the most wonderful feeling of belonging, a treasured assurance that this place is steadily becoming home.

coffee drinks

Returning briefly to the United States a month or so ago was equally momentous. I LOVED seeing my dear ones, loved visiting and eating together and catching up over tea and coffee. But I also realized beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was no longer my home. From now on I will be a visitor there, and that’s OK.

It’s OK to change.

It’s OK to move.

It’s OK to start over.

I like this quote from Dr. Seuss:

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

puddle with flower

Finding your place in this world is an ever-changing adventure. Sometimes painful and scary, sometimes inspiring and beautiful. Tonight I feel so grateful for my true friends scattered all over the world. So thankful for emails, visits, phone calls and love that cheer and strengthen and build me up.

I’m also, well, maybe not grateful, but “something” for the false friends. Those who have betrayed and crushed and deceived me. Without them I would not know what true friendship is. Without their cruelty I wouldn’t treasure real and amazing love that isn’t altered by differences in faith, lifestyle or politics.

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Mother Teresa

Wishing you a beautiful weekend, dear ones, with real love and real friendship. XO

Girls Day Out in Bühl, Germany and Crispy Fried Potatoes

Girls Day Out in Bühl, Germany and Crispy Fried Potatoes

Germany has long had a special place in my heart. While I love hiking the gorgeous Black Forest, exploring fabulous Berlin, and visiting historical sites all across the country, my favorite aspect of all is the people.

Whenever I go to Europe I always try to get to Germany to visit my dear friend Rita. We met years ago as nannies in Portugal and have been as close as sisters ever since.

Last summer I was so excited to visit her again, this time in Bühlertal, a pristine mountain town where she lives with her husband Slawik and cute-as-a-bug little girl, Emma Joy. (Click here to view images of this pretty little town)

One brilliantly sunny morning, Slawik took care of Emma Joy so we could have a Girls Day Out. We drove down t0 Bühl, a larger town about 10 km south of Baden-Baden. (Click here for Baden-Baden in the rain or here for Baden-Baden in the snow)

It was a perfect sort of day for strolling, so stroll we did!

 

Buhl bridge

We wandered along a sun-drenched stream that would lazily through town.

 

Bühl stream

Laughed ourselves silly whilst posing ridiculously at the town park.

Bühl park

Searched through bins, old suitcases, and tattered boxes in search of treasures at the Bühl flea market.

 

Bühl flea market

And moseyed past several cheery cafes until we found what we really needed: ice cream.

Bühl cafe

It was fabulous.

All too soon it was time to head home for lunch. But much to our delight, good ol’ Slawik not only looked after Emma-girl, he also made us lunch! Herbed prawns and fantastic crispy fried potatoes dipped in mayonnaise. Absolutely delicious.

I was craving them yesterday, so even though I only had one potato left in my kitchen, I sliced it thinly, sprinkled the slices liberally with salt, paprika, and garlic, and fried them in olive oil until each side was crispy and beautifully browned. Wonderful.

Each bite brought back treasured memories of adventures in Germany with beloved friends.

German fried potatoes

Do you have a favorite food that brings back good memories for you?