Tuesday 25 June
La la la la still feeling low-energy. My friend, do not recommend chronic illness. Not at all. Nope.
Breakfast was toast (the day-old sourdough I bought yesterday) with the favourite dip and several cups of tea. I did a little bit of Love Island catching up, then put some laundry on and tidied the kitchen a l’il bit.
For lunch I made a Bombay Sandwich based on this recipe and it was … delicious! Of course India are the long-reigning monarchs of jaffles! Of course they are. How did I not realise this much sooner.
A couple of people have asked me about the granny striped jumper I am making. I am using a very good YouTube tutorial (with a very bad translation … when the translation says ‘handrails’ it means trebles (UK/AU) … so note that). Apart from the hiccup-y translation, it’s super easy to make. The sleeves are a bit slower due to the frequent colour changes, so I’m taking my time with those.
Dinner was leftover spaghetti from yesterday. A little softer than I would like, but still very good and very comforting. I ate it over the most recent episode of Masterchef (where they are in Hong Kong) and immediately wished I was eating Asian food because it all looked pretty delicious.
Good things
These pens are so cute! Found via Katie Considers
Amazing green rice looks amazing!
How to appreciate your life more, according to science.
This pretty fruit pastry could easily be mixed up, seasonally speaking.
A mini profile of Asma Khan.
How gorgeous are these paint chart artworks by Rachel Spelling? Found via
A simple and delicious-looking pasta to try.
A bunch of French country kitchens to snaffle inspiration from.
Chicken soup recipes for wintery days …
Gosh!
These bird sculptures are so interesting.
There are some great interiors features in this post. (The pegboard wall! The slide! The dining table and chairs!)
A gorgeous Spanish villa.
The birth of a rare white bison calf is steeped in meaning.
Wednesday 26 June
It’s my sister’s birthday today, so I sent here a celebratory message (I sent her prezzie last week) and then organised a family dinner for my little family. (My sister lives in Sydney).
Breakfast was the same as yesterday – the favourite Wattle Valley dip on Noisette sourdough (bought day-old at the Pentridge IGA). I watched a little bit of crap TV while I had brekky and sipped tea. After that I put some washing on and tidied a bit. Then I put a pot of pumpkin soup on to simmer away. We can have that for lunch with some fresh rolls from the shops. Speaking of which … To the shop!
Getting dressed: Old op shop jeans, grey long sleeved tee, blue jumper, UGG boots.
Lunch was that very soup. Then it was last minute tidying for our rental inspection (which took all of 5 minutes … the inspection I mean). I made some freestyle noodles for dinner with rice noodles, a premixed thai basil sauce (Valcom brand), broccoli, egg, tofu, oyster sauce and soy sauce (below). It turned out great. Just the comforting bowl I needed after being inspected.
Thursday 27 June
One big pre-breakfast cup of tea while watching this video … and then on to breakfast. I’m going to see the rheumatologist today, so I’m going to have a quiet morning and gather my energy for that. ME/CFS is all about making trade-offs with your energy levels. I’m used to it after several years of being sick, but I don’t LIKE it at all. The tea in the pot was not quite hot, so I’m going to make another pot right this minute …
I wrote in my Woolfy journal for a little while. (I had not written for a few days, so I had things to say.)
I also watched this video and bookmarked some episodes of Frontier House to watch.
Getting dressed: Red plaid dress (a bit like this one), black leggings, Kmart fitted tank, Fair Isle socks, pink Merry People Boots
Today was not really worth writing home about … a trip to Saver’s before a trip to the rheumatology clinic at the Austin Hospital. I found a few books at Saver’s (rescued a copy of When Life is Not Peachy, a copy of Indira Naidoo’s book, a copy of Shirley and a cute vintage craft book too.) After the hospital I nicked over to Leo’s in Heidelberg and bought some smoked trout dip, a loaf of Bromley’s bread, a Fry’s coconut bar to eat on the way home in the car (it was ok … didnt’ love it), some semi-dried tomatoes and some salami. When I got home a message arrived to say that they’d forgotten to do one particular x-ray while I was there, so I have to go back again in the morning. Darn it.
Dinner was toast and trout dip, which is really not super nutritious but do you know what? It was delicious. I did a little bit of knitting but I was absolutely knackered after a long day out and decided not to risk exhaustedly buggering it up/not following the pattern. Early to bed.
Friday 28 June
Early to rise. It feels like there’s rain coming? I just checked the app and I am right. So pleased for the garden. People associate Melbourne with rainy weather, but really we don’t get a lot of rain. Sunny Sydney gets so much more than us – double the rainfall, in fact.
I was wondering … in the wake of cleaning for a house inspection … how do you handle your cleaning maintenance? Do you do a little each day? Have specific jobs you do on certain days? What works for non-stressful upkeep? I am thinking it’s best to allocate certain things to certain days? Also why am asking these questions when I’m meant to be a grown up?! I guess because I was mostly in bed for two years and now I’m less in bed I am having to relearn all these things. Tell me what to do!!!
Getting dressed: Old green floral dress ( a bit like this one), black leggings, Kmart tank, socks with flowers on them, pink Merry People boots, cream ribbed cardigan from Savers.
Max came with me to get my Xray and then we drove over to our old haunts in Balwyn and Kew, doing a quick drive by to (my favourite supermarket) Boccaccio and Leo’s for old times sake, then nipping back home.
We bought a kilo of mussels at Leo’s and I made those for dinner with a tomato and white wine broth and thick slices of sourdough to dip. It was just what the doctor ordered. Such an easy and luxurious dinner. High recommend!
On our travels we also bought some dips, another loaf of bread (it’s hard to find good bread in Fawkner, so we are clearly stocking up!), orange juice, a tin of anchovies, a bottle of cleanskin riesling for the mussels, a small wedge of blue cheese (for Max) and a couple of rashers of bacon.
When we arrived home, I had some toast and then settled in to watch the whole first season of Ladies in Black (good, but that accent!) and tinker with some crochet. Very early to bed, after two too-busy days.
Saturday 29 June
So darned cold! We are at the start of a cold-for-Melbourne snap here.
Getting Dressed: Op shop jeans, a pink skivvy, blue jumper from the op, socks with flowers, Merry People boots.
I did a quick run to Saver’s and Cheaper Buy Miles first thing and now I’m back home, waiting for my bagel dough to rise. I’m making onion bagels. The house smells like caramelised onions at the moment, which is a bonus. They’re cooling and waiting to be folded into the onion dough in half an hour or so. I used THIS recipe.
I found a few good books at Saver’s:
The Vegetarian Cookbook by Nicola Graimes
A Taste of Provence by Leslie Forbes
Domestic Bliss by Molly Dye
Vogue Entertaining Simply Summer Cookbook
And a hardback copy of Bill’s Sydney Food, just for old times sake.
In the afternoon I finished off the bagels (so delicious, but nto quite as dense as bagels usually are … to their detriment according to me … to their credit according to Max.) After the bagels, I watched some rubbish TV, did some crochet, made a batch of Anzac biscuits and basically tried to stay warm. I also started watching a funny and silly older show called Raising Hope. It felt nice to have a giggle, for a change. Have you seen it?
Early night, pals. You can’t beat ‘em.
Sunday 30 June
Hot tea and a bagel breakfast. It’s 5 degrees out there so a day for rugging up and doing cosy things.
I watched some cosy clips on YouTube and then started a new-to-me show on Prime – Jinny’s Kitchen. It reminds me a little bit of Hyori’s Bed and Breakfast, which long-time readers will know I loved. Basically there are two seasons and it’s about Korean stars working at a pop-up restaurant … and the food and escapades involved. Very cute and cosy.
Getting dressed: Jeans, grey skivvy, blue jumper (all op shopped), flowery socks, Merry People pink boots.
I am planning on making some dumplings today, but I need to go and get a few bits and bobs – a handful of prawns, spring onions, a head of garlic. I might go do that now, actually.
It was so rainy out, but it didn’t seem to stop anyone getting their Sunday provisions. I saw many a trolley with lamb roast tucked in among the veggies and things. I was in and out pretty quickly, then home and straight into the dumpling making.
Sunday morning dumplings & improvised laksa
I used 200g of fresh peeled Australian prawns, 500g of pork mince, a handful of chopped bok choy, a tablespoon of diced garlic, a tablespoon of grated ginger, a big slosh of oyster sauce, a big slosh of dark soy, a big slosh of sesame oil, white pepper. I just whizzed it all up in the food processor until well processed and then made dumplings with some round gyoza wrappers that I had in the fridge. I made a laksa soup with 3 tablespoons of laksa paste, 1 tablespoon of red curry paste, ½ tablespoon of curry powder, 2 tins of coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of turmeric and 500 ml of chicken stock. And then I steamed some plump hokkien noodles and green veggies, while the dumplings were boiling. After that it’s just a case of piling it all into a bowl with the soup. I garnished with some crispy onions and spring onions. And there is a heap of dumpling filling leftover. I will freeze half and use the rest for another batch of dumplings this week (I just made a dozen for the laksa).
Not to toot my own horn, but it turned out really great. I am so glad I still have Max to cook for. If I was living alone, I don’t know how it would be. Really, cooking for other people has been the central tenet of my life since I was 18. It’s a joy, a tangible way to think of others every day and an act of care in the doing of it. I suppose, when I do live on my own one day, I will adapt. Likely I will adapt by making food for my kids and taking it to their homes!I’m going to watch Blue Lights (season 2) for a while next, with a big cup of tea at my elbow and some crochet front and centre.
Hoping you are managing okay, dear reader. Thinking of you.
Pip xx
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I used to be an every thing in its place and a place for everything type girl . Then I had a horrible big terrible fall and have spent pretty much three years getting my arm and hand to work. Pile on homeless ness , menopause and terrible covid recovery and it’s frankly out the windows. I had no choice but declutter down to a storage unit so I have less now . I’m trying out phrases I tell myself “ put it away not down.” “ a small something is better than a perfect nothing .”
I have to outsource some things like oven and window cleaning . I’m also ok with not getting it all done . I’m lucky enough now not to have inspections but the landlords have become friends so they come for tea .
I’ve liked the look of Merry people boots especially for gardening. As to my absolute joy this cottage came with a garden.
I am so happy you are happy in your cottage, Donna. It was hard won. xxx
Thanks for the links to the chicken soup recipes Pip… I made Ottelenghi’s ‘Chicken and parmesan soup with pappardelle’ for lunch today, and can recommend it! It’s hard to get gluten free pappardelle so I just cut some Latina fresh lasagne sheets into thick strips and added that. Turned out great! I did add a bit of brown sugar to balance out the salt and add a bit of sweetness. Oh and used parsley instead of basil which is a bit scarce at this time of year.
That soup looks incredible and rich and delicious! And also? Parsley is very good and green and bright. Good switch!
Not that I have ever stuck to it but Fly Lady is one cleaning schedule worth checking out, I find the the app easier to follow than the website/emails, I am going to try & stick to it again for once as I get stuck into cleaning things too much all at once & then loose energy/motivation & never stick to a good routine. The basic idea is zone cleaning, declutter first then deeper cleans but set a timer for 15mins & do what you can from the zone list for that weeks zone each day, then there are some morning, afternoon & evening tasks for things like dishes & washing clothing & then an extra hour a week for ‘home blessing hour’ including things like vacuuming (but you could break that up and do a bit daily if vacuuming is too exhausting with your health). You can customise the checklists on the app to suit your home.
Oh YES! Fly Lady. I remember her. I had forgotten. I will look again at her ideas and see how they might work for my house. Thanks, Katie! 🙂
I am no help on the cleaning front. I am not the best housekeeper, I hate housework but do love a clean house. I just do things when I have the time & inclination.
I think you must have the loveliest collection of dresses. I always click on those links to see what they look like. I wish I lived a more “dress-appropriate” life.
I have POY green rice dish saved too. I’m glad you shared that Bombay sambo recipe because last week we got Indian take away & I ordered the chicken. pakora. they came with a lovely little coriander sauce which I think is a lot like the chutney he made in the video.
I love making bagels. Did you boil them before baking? I find that gives the perfect chewy outside with a dense, but not TOO dense, crumb. Maybe I’ll make some over the weekend. they freeze so well too.
Thanks for all the clicky links Pip xx
Hello YOU! I also love those green sauces that India does so well. I DID boil the bagels first, but the crumb was more bread-y than I’d like. Not quite BREAD, but close enough. Quite far from bagel texture. Still good. Did enjoy. 🙂
I’ve been using a task scheduling app to schedule weekly, monthly etc cleaning tasks. I use Clickup but you could use any reminder system/ calendar.
I have three days a week that I have scheduled for cleaning – bathrooms Monday, kitchen Tues, vacuuming Thursday. Then I try and get it done before the day e.g. I start bathrooms on the weekend so I can cross them off the list before Monday!
I’ve literally struggled with this all my adult life so I am so pleased that I’ve found a system that works for me.
Hope you are having a good week x
Okay this is good to know. I bought a small whiteboard at the op shop last week, so I will add a cleaning task to each day, I think. See how that goes. I’m impressed that you have this so sorted, Rosie. 🙂
I always had ‘big effort day’ on Monday when we were 6, everyone went to work or school and i spent the day restoring order and cleaning. Now we are 2 it’s more as and when needed, I try to do something everyday so it doesn’t get too much. Until covid wiped me out last month I had embarked on an hour of deep cleaning each day, put on an hour long podcast and stop when it finished, I have mostly been washing walls and light fittiings, windows, skirting boards etc. I had done master bedroom, both bathrooms, hall and half of the stair case, must get myself back into it.
I’m so impressed with your progress on the cleaning front. It’s so boring, right? Honestly I would rather be making something or watching something or reading something, but life is not that way. Love to you, Kate. x
Pip that deep cleaning was loooong over due, I’m a very lick and promise kind of housekeeper, I’d rather be outside or reading or knitting or at the beach or pretty much anything that’s not cleaning. And can i confess I probably only wash the floor 3 or 4 times a year. I’d just rather be doing anything else, and I’m hoping when I die the conversation at my wake won’t be about the cleanliness or otherwise of my house.
I always feel like I could write paragraphs in response reading your blog posts!!! So much to discuss, pot of tea type situation.
Now I just want a Bombay sandwich!!!
Cleaning… hmmm I am a big cleaner and I really love it and I totally know I’m a weirdo for that but when I was quite sick I didn’t do anything for months and months and was a bit lost in catching up so it’s tricky yes!!?
I always think start with the kitchen and don’t even think of anywhere else. The kitchen is the best place in the world right so starting there is good then it might ripple out! Surely!
Decluttering helps maybe… like get a washing basket and fill it with things you have repeats of and don’t use… like 100000 spatulas! Not that I think you have 1000000 spatulas but you may have spatula love and I DO NOT JUDGE!
I think there are heaps of you tube videos on like 10 or 15 min daily cleaning so it doesn’t all get too much… I like these as it’s things like 30 seconds to wipe the sink etc rather than 6 hour deep clean because urghhhhhhh.
Gahhhh to radiology forgetting one of the scans sooooo annoying.
Also just wanted to say go you with how you are managing exactly when you need rest and when you can do stuff etc…. Skilz!!!
It’s a tricky one to navigate.
I’m so much better now but still things like going on holiday or having a very social week will wipe me out for at least 2 weeks after. I’ve worked on giving up the rage about that 🙂
Lovage darling xxx
Pip’s blogs posts are exactly a “pot of tea type situation”! Where you can sit around the kitchen table and the conversation bumbles along with twists and tangents and laughs and tea and a whole bunch of “Ooohs!” and “Yes!” exclamations over discovered gems and joys!
Haha! This makes me happy. They are longwinded and ordinary, but honestly we have enough of the drama in other mediums. I’m here to provide trusty okay-ish photos and everyday and repetitive kind of chatter. Those are my goals. That is my life. 🙂
Yes!!! They so are 🙂
You have been telling me about the Bombay Sandwich since the Ice Age and I finally listened. Did love.
Re the cleaning … my kitchen is ok, but I need to mop it more and also wipe down cupboards and backsplashes more routinely. I think I will strive to do this more with the rubber gloves and a sink full of soapy water.
It’s so counter-productive to rage against the low energy, isn’t it? It just triggers a flare and nobody wants that.
Hoping the pets and peoples are good.
xx
Ha! We could probs just live on Bombay sandwiches really and be quite happy about it 🙂
Yes the rage is not helpful 😉
All us well here. Lovage to you xx