Hello there friends, how are you spending your holidays? Are you tackling all those unfinished chores at home - or lounging by a poolside somewhere in the world? Perhaps you are back at work already - refreshed and ready to face the challenges that 2016 will bring? Whatever you're doing, I hope that you're taking time out to catch your breath and enjoy yourself. Go for a walk outside, and stop and smell the proverbial roses, darlings. It's important that you do so, particularly in this era when so many of us focus on other stuff. One's health and wellbeing are more important than any job, methinks! I know, it's easy for me to say, given that I have retired. But remember, I have spent the last 24 months getting myself back on track after being terribly unwell as I wound down to retirement. All those years of working my butt off (like a crazy woman) came back to bite me. Anyhoo, I shall stop nagging you now. Just please know that I have your best interests at heart. Me? I'm still technically in 'holiday' mode, which is a little bit hilarious given that I no longer work full time. I've just celebrated my 57th birthday (on Boxing Day) and am looking forward to taking things a little bit slower. Incidentally, the Phalaenopsis orchid at the top of this post was my sister's surprise birthday gift to me. We don't get to see much of each other these days, so it meant a great deal to me to receive this gift from my sibling. Isn't it lovely? A new month means it's time to take a peek at what good things I have in my kitchen. Let's start with some books. Being a bibliophile, I feel blessed to have so many books in my library. I love going to the shelves and finding treasures that I haven't read (or seen) for years. My holiday reading pile includes these delicious titles: Apricots on the Nile, a memoir by Colette Rossant; Just Enough French, a travel journal by my friend Sally Hammond; The Discovery of Chocolate by James Runcie; and The Breadmaker's Carnival by Andrew Lindsay. Peter surprised me on my birthday with this vintage magnifying glass. What a gem he is! We were browsing in an antique store when he saw me admiring it. It's been a wonderful asset the family history research I'm undertaking for the memoir with recipes that I am working on. I can never say 'no' to these dark chocolate enrobed figs from Willabrand in South Australia. If you see them in your travels, make sure you treat yourself. My little faux vintage radio sits next to the kitchen table, enabling me to listen to my favourite programs on ABC Radio National. There are so many fascinating things one can learn. For instance, did you know that Beatrix Potter was an amateur pioneer mycologist?! My niece thought we might enjoy these sea salt caramel chocolates from Lindt. She was correct. They did not last too long. This shabby chic wooden duck on my kitchen window sill was the only souvenir I bought for myself in Stockholm. I think he's rather cute. I have yet to give him a name. Any thoughts? A few of the birthday cards I received, including the one with the blue birds which was hand made for me by my daughter. My long time friend, Christine, knows that I adore Fairy wrens. This pretty pot holder was in a surprise parcel that arrived before Christmas. I'm reluctant to use it, lest it becomes stained with oil. A jar of Hollandaise was included in the parcel of goodies that I received from Maille recently. Peter loves eggs Benedict, so I suspect he will enjoy this. I'm excited to bring you news from my friends at Solidteknics, who have launched the new AUS-ION range on Kickstarter. It's the only commercial cookware made from one seamless piece of iron, providing far greater durability and hygiene. The carefully designed handle shape reduces fatigue, no matter your grip style. And the vented neck on the handle reduces heat transfer. I recommend you consider investing in these pans, fellow cooks, and get rid of your synthetic imported non-stick pans. The AUS-ION 28cm Sauteuse Bombée/Wok is pictured below. There is also a 24cm Griddle/Crêpe pan. The Kickstarter campaign is live until Australia Day, 26 January 2016. My friend Maureen a.k.a Orgasmic Chef is now hosting the In my Kitchen series. Do pop in at her place and say hello. Tell me, how have you been spending your holiday. What's on the agenda for 2016? And what good things do you have in your kitchen this month? Thank you for taking the time to pop in and comment. I really appreciate hearing from you, my friends.
50 Comments
4/1/2016 10:59:22 pm
Your Orchid is stunning. I would hang the wrens up to prevent oil stains. Love your magnifying glass and belated birthday blessings xoxo
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:29:28 pm
Thanks so much, Tandy x
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:29:48 pm
Krista, thank you x
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Someone should lobby the government to give us retirees paid annual leave, don't you think, so we can sit around eating chocolates and reading cookbooks! How's the book coming along? I sure could have used a magnifying glass when I was decyphering historical documents, it's a beauty
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:30:36 pm
Hi Sandra... the magnifying glass is wonderful! And yes, I agree about paid leave for retirees! Will you approach the PM, or shall I? ; )
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5/1/2016 05:45:13 am
Happy New Year and a belated happy birthday. Your orchid is stunning and I do like your Stockholm Swan very cute
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:30:56 pm
Happy new year to you also, Vicki x
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5/1/2016 07:18:37 am
Delighted that my present made it into your list of good things for January! What a lovely lot of cute things in your kitchen this month :-)
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:31:27 pm
I was very chuffed by your lovely surprise, Christine. Thank you again x
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:31:45 pm
Thank you Glenda. You too xx
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Happy New Year Lizzy! Your ABC Radio National must be like our CBC 1! I mostly listen to it in my car, it annoys Jim, he says its just talk talk and more talk. But yes I learn a lot from it. I love that potholder Lizzy!! I would not use it either. You should see my oven mitts, they truly are a disgrace! The most momentous things I am doing at the moment are reading the latest Margaret Atwood novel, munching on my Christmas chocolates and coping with the snow that befallen our lives. My blogging is nearing its end, I am close to 1000 recipes and before the year is out I will put out the word to my readers to save the recipe they may rely on. I will delete the blog, I don't want to tend it perpetually or to be ill used as the e-mail address associated with it was recently. I am not an envious kind of person, but the one thing I wish for is the summer's light, your photos are always so sunny Lizzy -- I almost ache for the light sometimes.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:32:25 pm
Dearest friend... please please please let me know before you take the blog down... if you have an e book of any kind, I would LOVE to buy one! Keep in touch please xxxx
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5/1/2016 12:37:42 pm
That orchid is simply stunning. The Lindt Lindor would not last 5 minutes in our house. Hope you have a rested and well 2016 - happy new year.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:32:44 pm
Thanks so much, Sally, you too! xx
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5/1/2016 04:53:37 pm
Your kitchen is filled with much fun this month Liz. I love the radio, it's so darn cute, and I didn't know that Beatrix Potter was an amateur pioneer mycologist. :)
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:33:00 pm
Go Anna! xx
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:33:24 pm
Thank you Amanda, and to you also! Stay cool. x
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5/1/2016 06:18:00 pm
Lizzy,
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:34:29 pm
Hi Penny, lovely to hear from you. And, WOW, thank you for those very kind words and the shout out. Coming from a writer of your calibre, I feel honoured! I'm looking forward to having lunch at the winery soon with you and our mutual friend, C. xx
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5/1/2016 06:34:27 pm
You DID find time! Thanks so much for being part of In My Kitchen.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:34:58 pm
With you hosting IMK, my dear, I wouldn't have missed it! Big hugs xx
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Eha
5/1/2016 06:52:16 pm
Happy belated birthday - that orchid is beyond beautiful! Just love the radio and am old enough to remember when all looked like that, and the duck and the magnifying glass! Name for Mr Duck: well, they say 'quack' in whichever country they are born, so I guess a Swedish one would spell it 'Kvak' :D !!
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:35:22 pm
Kvak. I like it! Thank you, Eha! xx
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:36:03 pm
Thank you, Francesca. And isn't it amazing that retirement is so blessed busy! I almost need a PA nowadays! xx
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5/1/2016 09:00:04 pm
We're just getting over holiday mode -- so much fun to take some time off! Anyway, love peeking into your kitchen -- thanks!
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:36:20 pm
Happy holidays John! x
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6/1/2016 05:07:21 am
Happy New Year Liz. I certainly hear you about taking some "time out". My day isn't complete without some exercise. Your little vintage radio is charming (faux or no!) I use Maille mustard all the time, but haven't tried the Hollandaise yet. Must put it on my shopping list.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:36:41 pm
Happy new year to you also, Jen. xx
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6/1/2016 11:22:55 am
A very happy but belated birthday, Liz. I love the beautiful orchid that you sister gave you. Wishing you all the best in this new year.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:37:07 pm
Thanks so much, Karen. Happy new year to you also x
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Happy New Year and belated Happy Birthday! So glad you were able to enjoy the holidays and remain in "holiday mode". I am glad the boys are back in school so I can get to my yoga class Monday mornings! They went with me to the gym during the holidays since I need my 2 hours of me time and workout but couldn't fit in yoga too. Those Lindt chocolates wouldn't last long in my house either.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:37:46 pm
Hiya Gretchen and happy new year. Thank you for your kind wishes! Have a wonderful 2016!
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6/1/2016 08:30:16 pm
Those salted caramel Lindor balls are dangerous. I find all Lindor balls dangerous really :P Sally and Gordon Hammond are two of the loveliest people I've ever met too :)
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:38:07 pm
They are indeed! Sally and Gordon, I mean!
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:38:28 pm
Indeed, David. Peter is the best!
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8/1/2016 03:52:03 pm
Isn't retirement the best thing?! Almost as special as sisters who give you wonderful surprises like orchids.
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:39:08 pm
Thank you Anne... it is a good read so far... she has written others too.... I plan to borrow them from the library x
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Fiona Ryan
9/1/2016 08:52:16 pm
I have Apricots On The Nile and sought out Groppi as a result, when we were in Egypt. Sadly, it was not worth visiting with the dining room now gone and many tired pastries in the cases. Still, I enjoyed the book and the thrill of the hunt. I hadn't seen that particular flavour of Lindt before. Sounds divine!
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Lizzy
13/1/2016 03:39:46 pm
Hiya Fiona... oh, that is a disappointment! Yes, the Lindt was yummy, but so fattening!
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14/1/2016 10:14:31 am
Liz, I suppose "Jemimah Puddleduck" is out of the question since your duck is a 'he'... loved the suggestion to name him Kvak. :) The drawings by Beatrix Potter were spectacular! (And no, I didn't know that.) Her books were among my children's favorites. Belated birthday greetings, too -- such lovely gifts to celebrate YOU, xo. I've looked at that magnifying glass photo three times now (beautiful craftsmanship) and appreciated your thoughts on health and well-being. Here's to taking the BEST care of ourselves in 2016. Happy New Year!
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17/1/2016 02:54:05 am
well liz so many glorious things in your kitchen this month. Happy birthday btw. i adore that vintage radio, and your duck and oh my that orchid. i love apricots on the nile too. I bought myself a fab magnifying glass ifn Tassie some years ago. i use it regularly! happy new year.!
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20/1/2016 10:04:51 pm
Happy 2016 Liz & Happy belated birthday :) Hope your celebrations were beautiful. Love the sound of chocolate covered figs, I've never tried them but look forward to finding them now. Oh, I just love your orchids - stunning colours xx #IMK
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Happy Birthday and Happy New Year Lizzy, what a stunning Orchid and a beautiful present! I indulged in way too many of those sea salt chocolates over the holidays! I think we have about 4 packets at my house!
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Lizzy
26/1/2016 08:56:33 pm
Hi Elizabeth, thank you SO much for your very kind wishes... and I am delighted that you find the Solidteknics pan great... I do too!
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Welcome...Üdvözölöm
Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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