FLYING FEASTS

 

Today is Anzac Day and we pay tribute to all those who gave their lives to serve their country. Today my family will remember our Great Uncle Michael who was killed in the Battle of Bullecourt in the french countryside. Michael had falsified his application papers to join the Army. His mother had not given her permission and he gave a false name. Within months he was shipped over seas to France as part of the AIF, 5th Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade, Two weeks later he died in the mud filled trenches along with 2,422 other soldiers. It was the 10th of May, 1917 and he was just 18 years old.

ANZAC DAY


Military Bands maintain the beat
Of now-tired arms and worn-out feet
Rows of old diggers marching by
And in the crowd – hardly a dry eye
On their chests, proud medals displayed
Some are rusty and ribbons - a bit frayed.

Each year the numbers are markedly depleted
But the remaining few – wont be defeated
They’ll come again next year without fail
Even if they’re old and frail
A bus will drive them along the route
And a grateful nation will proudly salute.

Then off to the RSL for a beer
Where old mates reminisce and shed a tear
So let’s salute the fallen once more
The ones who sleep on some distant shore
And to those who returned to tell the tale
Your courage and valour will always prevail.


MPC

CHOCOLATE

You either adore it or dont care two hoots for it. I adore it. There isnt an occasion that doesn't call for chocolate in some form or other. To my mind...any time is chocolate time. There's always an excuse for it.
Cold winter nights beg for a large pot of hot chocolate drunk from large heavy mugs. A birthday cake is always a chocolate cake in our family. Chocolate Mud Cake was chosen for our daughters Wedding Cake. Everytime my son comes home on leave from the Army, I bake his favourite....Chocolate Self Saucing Pudding ! A box of special hand made chocolates is my favourite Mothers Day or Birthday gift from my children. And when spirits are low....what is better than a good quality chocolate icecream eaten with a spoon straight from the carton?

There are so many ways to enjoy chocolate....even at the movies. Aside from the chocolate topped icecream cone, two of my favourite films are about chocolate. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" was so loved by our children "when they were wee" and the newest version is just great too! "Chocolat" with the lovely Vianne and her chocolate shop in France, was so charming, Ive watched it over and over. Its no co-incidence that my favourite actor Johnny Depp is in both movies either. He's a chocolate feast for the eyes anytime !!

Chocolate Fudge, Chocolate Gateaux, Chocolate BonBons, Chocolate Souffle, White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Bittersweet Chocolate, Milk Chocolate ! There isnt a chocolate I ever met that I didnt like.

Its been called the ultimate aphrodisiac and the quintessential seducer. Its been referred to as sinful and luscious. Whatever you call it.........I know only one thing. I HAVE A CHOCOLATE DEPENDANCY !!!

When you marry him, love him.
After you marry him, study him.
If he is secretive, trust him.
If he is sad, cheer him.
When he is talkative, listen to him.
When he is quarrelsome, ignore him.
If he is jealous, cure him.
If he cares naught for pleasure, coax him.
If he favors society, accompany him.
Let him think how well you understand him --
But never let him know that you manage him.

(The Australian Woman's Mirror, February 1926)

When you marry her, love her.
After you marry her, study her.
When she is blue, cheer her.
When she is talkative, by all means listen to her.
If she dresses well, compliment her.
When she is cross, humor her.
If she does you a favor, kiss her.
When she is jealous, cure her.
If dinner is cold, eat it, not her.
When she looks pretty, tell her so.
Let her feel how well you understand her---
But never let her know she isn't boss.


(The Australian Woman's Mirror, February 1925)

When we were wee

Life was very simple when we were wee! My brother and I played together in our backyard digging in the dirt and making mud pies. There was no television back then and we didnt have many toys.
The milkman delivered the milk from a horse-drawn cart and in the early hours of the morning you could hear the clip clop of the horse's hooves on the road and the sound of the bottles rattling as the milkman ran from house to house.
The baker also delivered fresh bread every day and he also had a horse drawn cart. All the neighbourhood kids waited anxiously for him to appear at the top of our street and we all gathered around his cart just in case he had some bread rolls left over which he happily gave us to eat.
My father drove an old car which had yellow coloured perspex type windows. It had a canvas hood and a wide running board down each side. In the back was a "dicky seat"....enough room for two people to sit out in the open and facing the back. Sometimes he had to start the car by cranking it with a handle at the front.
There was no running hot water in our house and the bedrooms upstairs had no electric light and we were put to bed by candlelight. The toilet was out the back of the house and in winter we crowded around a small heater which ran on kerosene. Sometimes it smelled really bad too.
We didnt have many "modern" conveniences in our home but we always ate well and laughed a lot. We were much loved and nurtured by our wonderful parents.

I wish you all a very Happy Easter !




  

  

Today is the most important day on the Christian Calender. Its a day to be quiet and reflective. A time to think about our FAITH and what we believe in. A time to HOPE for the future of the global community. And a time to give CHARITY, not just financial but to give of ourselves.

There has been a great deal of baking going on this week. It was so much fun making Easter Cookies...especially the decorating part. We had flour and pink icing all over the kitchen but Im really happy with the way they turned out. What do you think?
I also made a gorgeous chocolate cake and tiny speckled chocolate eggs were wrapped up to give as favours on Easter Sunday. Have a happy holiday time everyone!



 
 
 
  

Raspberry, strawberry, blackberry jam, tell me the name of your young man.
(Old Rhyme)

REAL LIFE

Real life is hard ! Its difficult at times and for some, even impossible. Real life is also a joy. It can be wonderful. Real life is pain, hurt and sorrow. We get sick and sometimes dont get well again. Some of us get hurt....physically and emotionally. Our loved ones even die and grief is hard. Thats real life !

Real life is happiness. Its falling in love. Its getting married and having families. Some of us just fall in love and thats heavenly....divine even. Real life is raising children. In real life some of us have difficult children. Some of us have "perfect" children. Most of us have "somewhere in between" children.

In real life people have good loving parents. In real life some have neglectful parents. Real life parents do their best and still make mistakes. And real life children forgive them for it.

A real life means working hard and making a difference to our world. A real life is respecting our environment and loving our neighbours... both near and far. A real life is being understanding and compassionate to others.

In real life we get old. But we are grateful for a long life. A real life is lived authentically, passionately, and lovingly. Real Life is a gift!

 
 
 
  

At last Winter is upon us. Well here in Melbourne at least! The nights have been really cold and its been raining on and off since yesterday. Today I pulled out the winter throw rugs and began changing the feel of the house with little touches here and there. Summery tea cups were put away and replaced with more chunky, pottery type ones...(ideal for drinking hot chocolate on freezing nights). Deep bowls are ready and waiting for hot steaming soups. Tomorrow I will browse through the recipe books in search of some ideas for hearty comfort food. Im so looking forward to a snuggly, cozy Winter. How about you ?