SUNDOWN CROSSING- Lynne Wilding

I was given this book by my sister last Christmas. As I opened it, she said, "I thought it would be an easy, relaxing book for the New Year." She was correct. It has a naturally flowing plot with a few twists and turns to keep the pages turning.

The story is based in a vineyard in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, well known as one of the world's greatest wine regions. First settled in the mid 1800s by English and German immigrants, the valley is a mere 25km long but with its hot, dry summers and cool, moderate winters, it manages to produce 21% of Australia's wine. 

Carla, who was born and still lives in New Zealand inherits her father's vineyard when he suddenly dies. Estranged from his wealthy wine making family in the Barossa Valley, her father had left the country and never returned so Carla had no idea that he owned the vineyard.

Carla, her young son and Angie, partner of her father and vigneron make the difficult decision to bring the vineyard back to life and make it profitable.

This is not easy because of the ruinous state of the vineyard and the vendetta that is mounted by her estranged relatives in an attempt to cause it to fail. The family want her to sell the land to them and will stop at little to achieve this. 

Of course, true grit, hard work and love win over and we have a "happily ever after" story. The large wealthy family grow to love Carla after realising that she had nothing to do with events that occurred before she was born. The aunt who believes that murder is the best option is safely relocated to Spain to avoid arrest and Carla gets married to a lovely gentleman after a few dinners and some architecture advise. 

This is an easy read and is difficult to put down at times. 
What have I learnt from it? Time can heal wounds and persistence can pay off. 

Lynne Wilding, born and bred in Sydney, Australia is the author of several novels and the inaugural president of Romance Writers of Australia inc. 

   
Photo courtesy of The Book Depository.

Quick Vanilla Fudge

There are times when what you really need is something sweet and delicious. Fruit and vegetables are "great" but just don't do the job when it's Sunday evening, tomorrow is the start of another working week and you feel more tired than you did when the weekend started.

Today is one of those days so a batch of quick vanilla fudge would be absolutely perfect. 

INGREDIENTS
400g white chocolate
250g butter, chopped
3 cups icing sugar
1/3 cup cream
vanilla essence to taste

Topping of choice such as:
   hundreds and thousands
   grated dark chocolate 

METHOD

1. Place chopped chocolate, butter, sugar and cream into a heavy bottom saucepan.

2. Stir over gentle heat until chocolate and butter have melted and mixture is smooth.

3. Simmer for 1 minute.

4. Beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes.

5. Add vanilla.

6. Pour into foil lined tin. Suitable sizes are 20cm square or 28cm x 18cm.

7. If decorating with hundreds and thousands, sprinkle over and refrigerate until firm. 

    If decorating with grated chocolate (I used dark chocolate for this batch) wait until fudge cools to warm then sprinkle over.

8. Refrigerate until firm.

9. Cut and store in airtight container in the refrigerator.  

Makes about 36 pieces. 

 

Roses are Beautiful

There is something about roses that is truly magical. 

I am now the custodian of Mum's two rose bushes since she passed away recently and I feel a sense of responsibility and attachment. We used to talk about them every time I visited Mum.  

They are the same variety of an unknown miniature in terracotta pots. I am always concerned about plants in terracotta because they dry out so quickly. We are currently experiencing extremely hot weather in Brisbane so the plants are watered at least daily and I check them morning and evening to make sure they are OK. 

Plenty of water, deadheading the spent blooms and a dose of slow release fertiliser and they seem to be settling in well. 

Coffee Cream Pots

This started out as a low-fat dessert recipe but I couldn't resist the temptation to add a bit of cream. It is made with low-fat ricotta cheese which I have always thought had bit of a sandy texture but this dessert is still worth the minimal effort required to make it. 

In keeping with the healthy, low-fat theme, I have teamed it with some beautiful fresh fruit. Mangoes and stone fruit have been divine this year and they are hard to resist. 

This cream would also be delicious with a biscuit such as biscotti or even a brandy snap. 

INGREDIENTS
500g low-fat ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon instant coffee dissolved in 1 teaspoon warm water
3 teaspoons Kahlua or similar liqueur
1/4 cup castor sugar
pinch cinnamon
1/2 cream thickened cream, lightly whipped (optional.)
   
note: If you don't have Kahlua or don't want to use liquor, use 2 teaspoons of instant coffee instead of one. 

METHOD
1. Using an electric mixer, combine all ingredients except cream.
2. Whip until very smooth.
3. Fold in cream.
4. Place in 6 small individual dishes and refrigerate for at least one hour.
5. Serve with fruit, biscuits or maybe chocolate sticks. 

This antique china is Shelley "Daffodil Time" trio demitasse cup, saucer and plate. 

  

A great dessert for a 
hot summer evening.  

Peanut and Pepper Chicken

This is a favourite recipe that Mum used to cook.
It is a type of satay chicken but Mum always called it peanut chicken and I haven't changed it's name. The dish doesn't have lots of creamy satay sauce like some so I suppose it is appropriate. 
Originally it was a microwave recipe but Mum changed it and cooked in on the stove top. I like it both ways. 
Here is the recipe for the stove top version.
It makes a quick and healthy meal for mid-week or a family get together on the weekend. 

INGREDIENTS
500g skinless chicken fillets- breast or thigh
1 tablespoon plain flour
1 teaspoon oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion sliced
1 clove of garlic crushed.
1 medium red capsicum sliced
1 medium green capsicum sliced
2 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lime juice.
Rice to accompany. 

METHOD
1. Cut chicken into slices or cubes.
2. Place chicken in plastic bag with flour and shake to coat chicken.
3. Heat oil and butter in heavy based pan or wok until butter melted and combined and pan is hot. 
4. Add onion and garlic and cook for 1 minute.   
5. Increase heat and add chicken. 
6. Stir fry until chicken is browned. 
7. Add capsicum and stir fry for 2 minutes until cooked but still crisp.
8. Mix together peanut paste, spices, soy sauce, honey and lime juice.
9. Add to the pan and mix through.
10. Continue stirring over medium heat until chicken is cooked.  
11. Serve with rice. 


Serves 4.

Vanilla Lattice Squares

This is one of those old fashioned favourites that I forget about for ages and then remember when I need to make a dessert or afternoon treat in a hurry and don't require baking. We became reacquainted when I was going through Mum's old exercise books filled with handwritten recipes. 

Arnott's Lattice Biscuits are sweet and flaky with a sugar coating on one side.  

Ingredients
125g butter- softened slightly
125g castor sugar
125g cream cheese- softened
1 heaped teaspoon gelatine
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 1/2 packets of lattice biscuits. 

Method
1. Line a 25x30 cm (10 x 15 inches) tray with biscuits, coating side down. I line the tray with cling film first so the slice is easier to remove and there is less washing up.


2. Cream butter in sugar with electric mixer.
3. Add cream cheese and vanilla essence and beat.
4. Dissolve gelatine in 1/4 cup hot water. If granules remain, zap it in the microwave on high, 10 seconds at a time until all is dissolved.
5. Gradually pour gelatine into mix while mixer is running.
6. Mix until well combined.
7. Pour over biscuits.
8. Gently cover with remaining biscuits, coating side up.
9. Place in refrigerator and allow to set.  
10. Cut into squares and store in an airtight
container in the refrigerator. 

2017 will be called "Slim 17."

If you have followed my advice, you will not have written resolutions for the New Year. If the conversations I have had with friends in the last few weeks are any indication, most don't believe that they would carry them out if they actually make them. 

I have however, decided to call the year of 2017, "Slim 17." My intention is to slim down my life so that I enjoy it more and get less hung up on things that don't matter or are too complex to manage everyday. There is not a set of resolutions, actions or goals attached to this; just make life simpler by slimming down the chunky bits. 

Some examples. I am sure you can relate to at least one of these.

• Get rid of all the little, weedy pot plants and keep just a few that with love and care will grow to be big and beautiful.
  
• Take the neglected plant out of the second bathroom. You only notice it when it is need of serious resuscitation. A plant is not necessary in a bathroom. 
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• Don't buy another hat. One 'wear anywhere' hat that you feel comfortable and attractive in is enough.
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• Keep your phone charger in one place. There is enough time in your life to allow your phone to charge in private and it will save time looking every time your phone needs charging.
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• Declutter. Even one drawer or shelf will give you more space to think.
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• Write down the good stuff so that your brain has less time to think about the difficult stuff. Every day, write a good thought or something good that happened on a little piece of paper and put it in a jar. Empty the jar at the end of 2017 and read what a wonderful year it has been.   
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• Read one book at a time. Unless you are one of those lucky readers who can keep up with the plot of several books at once.
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• Say 'no.' Think about whether or not you are able to do what is asked and then if you are willing before you say 'yes.' 
  
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• Take time to enjoy your world. Spend 10 minutes a day looking at the plants, flowers, clouds and moon. There are magnificent sights to be seen every day. This is what the world looks like if you open your eyes.
  
• Courtesy of Nora's nature walk
• Move! Anything is great. My current exercise is watering the garden. 

Thank you Malathar for the dragon.

• Check out other's ideas for 10 Simple Ways to Live Happy, Wild and Free
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• Connect with friends in real life rather than clicking an emoji on their Facebook posts. My great friend Di, meets with one friend each month that she doesn't see regularly. I am Miss January and I am really looking forward to catching up with her. 
  
  Best wishes for 2017. It can be great. Try something different. Believe in yourself. 

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