by Krista | May 22, 2012 | Bootstrap Monday
Pardon me if I moan and groan a bit today. Ayiyi. I am scratched, bruised, battered and sore, but it’s SO worth it. 🙂
Last week I was feeling quite overwhelmed with all the work that needs to be done on this beautiful goat farm I live on. So I sat down with Bear and came up with a Dream List comprised of all the things we’d LOVE to see done around here.
Since then, bit by bit, I’ve been doing one thing at a time.
Pick up all the dog bones in the yard. Check.
Tidy up gardens for winter plantings. Check.
Yesterday I tackled a HUGE one. Before I got to Australia they went through a twenty-year drought. Needless to say it had a less than desirable effect on the trees, and we lost quite a few that toppled over and have been laying there ever since. I decided to surprise Bear by clearing them all. By hand. By myself.
Note to self: let’s not do that ever again. 🙂
With the dogs, Luna and Fletcher, keeping me company, I hauled and dragged and rolled and tipped and shimmied and shoved until I had all of those blasted 30-foot trees in one massive pile ready to be chopped up and used for cozy bonfires.
I was cut and scraped and turning blue in all sorts of places but BOY did it feel good! I collapsed my wheezing, red-faced self onto an obliging tree stump and gazed down the lane, pleased as punch with how neat and tidy it looked.
Bear made his own contribution this weekend, stacking SIXTY bales of hay on the trailer then removing them and re-stacking them all in the barn in PITCH DARK. I was impressed. 🙂
With all this hard work we’ve both been ravenous. Such hearty appetites were amply satisfied with slice after slice of maple-glazed pork roast.
Simply salt and pepper a pork roast and pour over a mixture of real maple syrup, grainy mustard, minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary and thyme, and you’re set. Add a bit of water in the pan to keep the sauce from burning, then roast until the crackling is crispy and the pork tender (1.5-2 hours). Heavenly.
What is your favorite hearty meal when you’ve been working outside?
Maple-Glazed Pork Roast
Ingredients:
1 pork roast (with rind if you like crackling)
1/2 cup real maple syrup
salt and pepper
2-3 Tbsp grain mustard
1-2 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp each fresh rosemary and fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 cup-1 cup water
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Salt and pepper pork roast and place in roasting pan.
- Combine remaining ingredients and pour over roast.
- Add water to keep sauce from burning.
- Roast at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350-375 degrees F and roast a further 1.5 to 2 hours. Check occasionally to see if pan needs more water.
- Remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes.
- Slice and serve with sauce.
by Krista | May 16, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
The first stop on our sunny boat ride around the Isle of Capri was the Blue Grotto.
Our boat stopped in the small harbor filled with numerous rowboats navigated by roguish Italian fellows who rowed standing up.
We were directed to a stationary boat manned by several fierce-looking chaps who looked like they were on a break from their day jobs as Italian hit men. A little nervously we handed over our money then settled back into our wobbly craft, thankful to have a cheerful rower who not only smiled but sang!
We joined a queue in front of the narrow entrance to the cave and when it was our turn our rower instructed us to lie flat in the bottom of the boat so we wouldn’t knock our heads whilst an obliging wave lifted us up and into the grotto. With much laughter and hilarity we somehow managed to shimmy about in our most inconvenient skirts and sundresses until we were wedged along the bottom like giggling sardines.
With a swish we were through the cave entrance and into the luminescent beauty of the Blue Grotto.
With the jostling of waves and rocking of the boat, it was nearly impossible to get a clear shot of the Blue Grotto, much less capture the ethereal wonder of floating atop a sea that glowed vivid turquoise. But I shall never forget the feeling of awe I experienced as we dipped and twirled our way round the cave, serenaded by various rowers singing lustily at the tops of their lungs, all of us bathed in a dancing azure light.
I know there are some who dismiss the Blue Grotto as a tourist gimmick, a scam perpetrated by Italians eager to strip visitors of every last euro. But I can’t see it like that.
It is exquisitely beautiful, a place straight out of an old European fairytale, a delicious escape from the ordinary.
And seriously, being ferried about in a magical grotto by a handsome Italian man singing opera is worth ten bucks ANY day of the week.
What is the best “touristy” thing you’ve ever done?
by Krista | May 15, 2012 | Compatriot Wednesday
It was an exquisitely beautiful spring morning in Italy when my friends and I boarded a ferry to the Isle of Capri.
We pulled out of the harbor at Sorrento and headed to the open sea.
Sunlight dazzled our eyes as it danced across the waves, illuminating the brilliant turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Whenever I travel, I try to find ways to get out on the water. Whether it’s a ferry, a fishing boat, or even a paddle boat, I love being in the sun and the wind, bobbing along watching the world go by.
Our ferry pulled into the Marina Grande and tied up at the Via Cristoforo Columbo.
We clambered onto the stone quay, delighting in the morning sun shining on the brightly colored buildings clinging to the terraced hillside.
It was still early morning but already the sun was blazing, so we gratefully took seats under the shady awning of a nearby cafe.
Our first adventure was to be a boat ride around the island, but we had just enough time for a leisurely coffee and a salad in the style of Capri, the ubiquitous (and delicious!) Insalata Caprese. Made of sliced fresh buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, and seasoned with salt and olive oil, it was cool and refreshing. Just the fortification we needed before our 3-hour boat trip.
We slurped down the last of our coffees then boarded the little craft. Soon we were out of the harbour and motoring along the coast of Capri, staring up in awe at towering cliffs and rocky fortifications.
We weren’t the only ones out on the water. I loved the look of this beautiful wooden boat rocking gently just off shore. I would love to fall asleep on the deck under a sky full of stars.
Next time we’ll head to a few of the gorgeous grottoes tucked along the rocky coastline of Capri.
Do you like being out on the water, or would you rather stick close to dry ground?
by Krista | May 13, 2012 | Bootstrap Monday
I am bundled in numerous layers and parked right in front of the heater on this blustery Autumn day. For the first time I believe my Aussie friends who’ve been promising me for months that it really does get cold in Australia.
I love it.
It is so nice to plan steaming stews and hearty meat pies and actually be cold enough to want to eat them.
This weekend I got to go to my very favorite French bakery – Chouquette in New Farm – and get my two favorite pastries: Pain au Chocolat and Croissants des Amandes. Oh my. They were heavenly with cups of milky Italian espresso on a shivery morning.
Saturday morning I accompanied my dear friend Ann (from thisANNthat) to Brisbane where I got to do a photo shoot of her cheese demonstration. We had such a fun time and I got to taste test her delicious creations: mozzarella, labna, yoghurt, quark, and cottage cheese. I was so inspired that I immediately began writing a list of the things I need to start making my own cheese.
Saturday afternoon we got to visit with my dear friends Barbara (from Winos and Foodies) and Bryan for a gorgeous lunch overlooking the Brisbane River. It was so good to see them. 🙂
Sunday morning we woke to find three new baby goats!! They are so cute and, even better, strong and healthy. Three little boys who are already toddling about on wobbly legs. (Click here to see more pictures)
Sunday afternoon our Black Wolf medieval friends came over and, in spite of outrageously wild winds, managed to put up the incredible Bedouin tent they made themselves. Isn’t it beautiful! I love the striped fabric and gorgeous tapestry for the doorway, not to mention the golden ropes and multi-colored floor mats. I am staggered by the amount of work they put into this and I can’t wait to sleep in here at our next medieval shindig. 🙂
Now, dear ones, I must go make a pot of stew then feed my goats. In a little while Bear and I are off for a drive on this wondrously beautiful day and I’m really looking forward to it.
How was your weekend?
by Krista | May 9, 2012 | Fabulous Friday
It’s awfully nice to return to a favorite restaurant or cafe and be remembered by the staff.
But it’s even nicer (and more amazing) when you return to a place you’ve only been to once and are not only remembered but welcomed like old friends.
Such was the case a few days ago when Bear and I drove up to beautiful Preston Peak Winery to celebrate his birthday.
We’d only been there once before, five months ago when we visited to celebrate my birthday, yet our Turkish host, Kor Ersoy, not only remembered us, he remembered where we lived, what we did for work AND what wines we preferred.
Amazing. 🙂
Needless to say, we were soon chatting away as if we actually were old friends. Sharing stories about family and travel and our mutual issue of Australian Immigration. Much to my delight we discovered that Kor has the same immigration lawyer I do and affirmed that she is fantastic. I love when things like that happen.
Eventually we got back to more serious matters such as wine-tasting. 🙂 We sampled new vintages and although they were good, we decided to stick with our old favorites. This time around we joined the Preston Peak Wine Society. This is an excellent way to keep beloved bottles on hand and save money by purchasing numerous bottles at once.
We went for the Wild Flower Selection. This means that for $110, eight of our favorite bottles will be set aside for us every six months. They’ll even ship anywhere in Australia for only $10. Perfect.
After making our selections we strolled over to the Preston Peak Winery Cafe and chose a table right next to the windows so we could enjoy the fabulous view. We placed our orders and then I wandered out to the rose garden which is still blooming even though it’s nearly winter.
Before too long our food arrived: creamy iced coffees, thin-crust pizza with chicken, pesto, feta and tomato sauce, and a to-go platter of various cheeses, sausage, ham, olives, caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, and crusty bread right out of the oven.
We lingered long, enjoying the warmth of the setting sun, the savory food, and good conversation.
Where is your favorite place to go for special occasions?
