Early again

Guess whose grandparents are in the front row for Grandfriends Day???

Cousin Cuddles

When cousins meet up.

Lake Dryzabone

Although the sky was filled with menacing clouds this morning the weather report tells us that there's not much chance of rain this afternoon.

Today's forecast from http://www.bom.gov.au/nsw/forecasts/sydney.shtml

We haven't had rain here at Welwel for many a day. The grass is brown, the eucalypts are shedding leaves and the drought- hardy plants are struggling. The water tanks under our house are empty too.

As I came down our drive this morning I thought of the iconic Australian clothing range Driza-bone (Dry as a bone) because that would be a good name for our dam. As I don't want to breach copyright I am naming our dam Lake Dryzabone. The following snaps will show you why.

I wonder where the frogs and fish have gone

Dry dam bed

Some plants are still green

Trove Tuesday - Pumpkin Soup

As I sat down with my warm crusty bread and  big bowl of steaming pumpkin soup last night I felt  guilty as my soup was of the lazybones variety. It was store bought. I contemplated pumpkin soup and wondered how long it had been on Aussie menus.

The go-to place for my answer was a no brainer  - Trove of course.

The first recipe I found was in 1843. I thought Pumpkin soup was an Australian dish but it seems to have come from France.

1843 'ENGLISH EXTRACTS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 12 October, p. 3. , viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12408180

There were no onions in the recipe published in 1865.

1865 'HOUSEHOLD RECEIPTS.', Leader (Melbourne, Vic. : 1862 - 1918), 18 March, p. 20. , viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197036884

It's interesting to note the lack of precise measurements in this next recipe from 1885. That's how my grandmother cooked, I don't think she owned a set of scales or measuring spoons.

1885 'THE HOUSE.', The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), 11 March, p. 2. (Afternoon Edition.), viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208343944

One hundred years later in 1985 chef, Stephanie Alexander, discusses pumpkin soup and shares her recipe.

1985 'STEPHANIE'S FOOD', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 29 September, p. 60. (GOOD WEEKEND), viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128258205

Let's also share a thought for Geoff who had the ingredient for a bumper batch of pumpkin soup.

1999 'top grower', Times (Victor Harbor, SA : 1987 - 1999), 8 July, p. 14. , viewed 23 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196861628

Goodbye Dolphin Street

 7 May 2016

We closed a chapter in our family life today when we sold my parents' home. While I never lived in this property it was at the centre of our family activities and the site of many celebrations for the many years of my parents' residence. 

28 Dolphin Street

Mum and Dad purchased 28 Dolphin Street around 1979 when I was expecting my last child. After several years of apartment living and, as new retirees, they were tired of climbing the three flights of stairs to reach their home unit. They wanted a small home close to transport and with a garden to amuse Dad, they also wanted to have an outdoor space where their grandchildren could play. 

Dolphin Street served them well until Dad's dementia forced him into a nursing home.  Mum soldiered on in the family home for several years after Dad's death until she decided she wanted to move to a retirement complex. We rented out the home for several years until we realised that the land taxes on the large plot were quite excessive and that her money could be better invested elsewhere. 

After a short advertising campaign the auction day arrived. There had even been a short video advertisement on Youtube.

 

 As well as my husband some of our children and grandchildren came along to support me on auction day.

The Auction flag was flapping

Quite a crowd gathered in the backyard for the auction

I watched the action through the kitchen window

The spirited bidding brought a pleasing result

As I stood in the backyard for the last time I reflected on many happy memories

A Little Tart

We have a mini orchard containing a couple of dozen fruit trees at our house. We have citrus, stone fruit, apples and pears. It's always a battle to get to the fruit before the bats, birds and possums rip them off the trees.
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Orchard at Welwel

Mr GeniAus is getting smart in his old age so he now nets a few of the trees before the fruit ripens up. This week he netted a mandarin tree that is an early ripener. He just delivered one of the mandos to my desk, it was juicy with a bright orange skin but it was still a bit tart. It will benefit from more time on the tree.

Not quite sweet yet

I just wandered down to the orchard with my phone and took some snaps of what's in store for us in the next couple of months. Hopefully the local wildlife will leave some for us.