 Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul. In the last few weeks I seem to have spent more time sleeping than anything else, thanks to this mystery illness that's taken hold of me. I have a mixture of good days as well as not so good ones... such as when I can barely wake up before about 10am, and then I feel as though I've been hit by the proverbial truck. Gah! I'm inclined to erect a banner in my doctor's surgery.... 'Dr X sponsored by Bizzy Lizzy'. Seriously though, my doctor has been caring and thorough, and is determined to get to the bottom of whatever it is that's going on with my blessed immune system. Peter and my daughter, Lauren, and some dear, dear friends near and afar have been great support. My CEO and work colleagues have also been very understanding. Thank you! This arrangement of lilies (above) arrived with a lovely 'get well and hurry back' note. I'm certainly doing all I can to get back on track, sticking to a very 'clean' eating regime (no grains, no potatoes, small meals etc), resting, taking gentle walks, getting warmth onto my body and staying mentally cheerful, all the while bearing in mind an old Irish proverb that says a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book! In my kitchen this month are the lovely lilies above, and Jill Mure's Bruny Island Cookbook, a gift from my Peter on his return from a work trip to Tasmania... I'm pretty sure that one of our Tassie friends (who owns a shack on Bruny) has a recipe in the book and her feet are featured beside a photo of a camp oven too!  Also in my kitchen are button mushrooms, fresh from the farmer's market... Another gift from my Peter is Hickory smoked sea salt flakes made in Cyprus but found in a gourmet store in Hobart... Apples or oranges are on the kitchen bench... they make for a light lunch these days... Peter has a thing for Bagels, we buy them fresh from the baker and snap freeze them so that they're always on hand... And finally...Just through the French doors off the kitchen my eye caught this image on a rainy day... I was awe struck by the contrast of colours and so grabbed a plastic poncho and headed outdoors with my camera (in my pjs) to capture the shot... do you like it?  My friend, Celia, at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial hosts a monthly series titled In My Kitchen, where you can meet food enthusiasts, cooks and bloggers from all around the world. Pop in and visit, say hello to Celia, and a whole bunch of others who join in. Tell me, what good things are in your kitchen this month? Subscriptions and Google Reader...And a reminder about Google Reader... it's winding up soon, so head over to Feedly or BlogLovin' and migrate your Google Reader stuff. I don't want you to miss out on any of my posts if you subscribe via Google Reader. Or, subscribe to Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things via email and have my delicious updates delivered to your IN box.
35 Comments
Louis D'Cruz
25/6/2013 05:58:11 pm
Very sorry to hear that you have been feeling unwell, Liz. My best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery.... 26/6/2013 09:42:25 am
What an adventure your mention of feedily took me on... blog lovin is much nicer - have you seen it? I am now linked to both, thanks to you!
Lizzy
26/6/2013 11:14:18 am
Hi Valerie... good point re Blog Lovin'. I've added that now so that readers have a choice. There is hope indeed and light at the end of the illness tunnel. I just hate being unwell, but am reminded that it could be worse. Have a great day. I look forward to chatting with you someday, my friend. ; ) 26/6/2013 11:48:48 am
all the best lizzie on getting to the bottom of your health problems. an interested, caring doctor is the very best start, and a good ally to have.
Lizzy
27/6/2013 05:49:41 am
Hi there! Thank you for your kind words... both in terms of your best wishes and also re the photo with the Buddah. Black soot salt sounds interesting too, doesn't it! We are hardly using any salt these days, but the ones with this added flavour are lovely. 26/6/2013 01:47:18 pm
Hi Liz, been thinking of you while I've been away, so good to hear how you are travelling. You've obviously decided that a positive attitude is going to help you along your way ~ I'm sure it will. I hope that sharing helps too. Sorry to hear you can't have potatoes:( We too have loads of mushrooms as my daughter in law works at a Mushroom Farm, and their recent visit brought a huge haul of mushrooms! Thinking may have to change the dehydrator from potato jewellery maker to mushroom drier, just to save their lives. Love your photos and the last one so precious. Keep smiling and I know you will get to the bottom of this thing and feel better soon. Cheers Jane x
Lizzy
27/6/2013 05:51:56 am
Hello there Jane... thank you for your kind words. My father always taught me to maintain a sense of humour, no matter what... and I think it helps to keep a positive attitude. It certainly does wonder for one's resilience through difficult times in life. I didn't know your daughter in law worked at a mushroom farm! How about that! I love exploring mushroom farms. What are you going to do with all the mushies? Thanks for stopping by xo
Eha
26/6/2013 04:22:41 pm
Am not an apple person, but otherwise love everything in your kitchen, Lizzy, especially that beautiful lily . . . Now, please do not get me wrong: reading your medical story actually makes me quietly happy for you . . . Huh? You see I thought I had guessed what ailed and it was nowhere as 'nice' as this 'non-diagnosis' which will ultimately become a diagnosis . . . Patience . . .
Lizzy
27/6/2013 05:53:33 am
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts.... yes, when the doctor first said to me 'Of course, I cannot rule out cancer...' I was shocked... but it seems I may be safe from that diagnosis thankfully. Patience indeed! And thanks for the compliment re the lily. 26/6/2013 10:31:12 pm
It must be incredibly frustrating not knowing what is ailing you at the moment Liz, here's to your doctor getting down to the bottom of it soon and hope you are feeling better even sooner than that.
Lizzy
27/6/2013 05:54:07 am
Thank you Mandy, so very kind of you to say. Yes, hope to get to the bottom of things soon. Thanks for stopping by xo 27/6/2013 02:29:51 am
What beautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing and I hope you get well soon.
Lizzy
27/6/2013 05:55:34 am
Thank you Pat, so very kind of you.... ; ) 27/6/2013 08:39:21 am
I hope the doctor finds out what is causing you to feel so bad very soon. Between the lily and your beautiful last photo, you have brightened my day. Just lovely.
Lizzy
27/6/2013 01:03:43 pm
Thank you for your very kind words, Karen! You have brightened my day too xo
Lizzy
27/6/2013 01:04:59 pm
Hello Misky, Thank you sooooooo much! The salt is quite interesting indeed. 27/6/2013 11:40:39 am
So sorry you haven't been feeling well, I hope your doctor is able to help you soon! Your flowers are lovely!
Lizzy
27/6/2013 01:05:45 pm
Thank you Laura... very kind of you. I like the look of that smoked salt. The colour tells me there's heaps of flavour. The flat, flaky pieces are particularly pleasing to the eye. I've collected a bit of salt in my travels and I'm always sorry when I finish a bag or box. I've only a few grains left of some salt from Slovenia but the, I'm on to some from a salt mine in Austria!
Lizzy
27/6/2013 08:17:45 pm
Hi Fiona, it is full of flavour. We hardly use much salt these days, so I am loving things like this one and also those from The Mushroom Man at Central Market. So yummy. Slovenia and Austria! Wow! Oh darling, you really have had a rough trot these last few months. I hope you're fully mended soon - do take it gently on yourself! Lovely to see what's in your kitchen this month, thanks for sharing it with us. The cookbook sounds lovely, and I have a wild garlic version of that brand of salt! xx
Lizzy
29/6/2013 12:51:35 pm
I promise I am taking things gently, Celia. Love the sound of the wild garlic salt! xox 29/6/2013 11:45:44 pm
Lizzy, I love that last photo. You should frame it and in 6 months look back at how far you've come! I hope you feel better soon.
Lizzy
30/6/2013 12:01:56 am
Thank you, Maureen xo 30/6/2013 08:51:31 pm
G'day Lizzy! Thanks for inviting me into your kitchen too!
Lizzy
2/7/2013 11:04:52 pm
Thanks so much Joanne! It was indeed worth popping out in the rain. Thanks for dropping in.
So sorry about feeling unwell- I am an insomniac- so i am on the other side of long sleeps- but either way - it is hard to function.
Lizzy
2/7/2013 11:05:58 pm
Dear Heidi, thank you for popping in... isn't it lovely to have gifts brought home for you when loved ones travel. You are very kind to have mentioned the last photo, thank you... and I am sending warm wishes and happy smiles your way. xox 3/7/2013 01:50:50 am
Oh how terrible to be ill and not find the problem!! I hate it when I am sick and can't do things. I hope you get better soon.
Lizzy
9/7/2013 04:12:52 pm
Hi GG.... yes, I must admit I am at the stage now where I am 'a bit over it!. The salt is wonderful! 4/7/2013 05:32:49 am
I've been wondering about you and how you are getting along, thanks for the update, though I wish it was better for you.
Lizzy
9/7/2013 04:13:30 pm
Thank you Judy for your very kind words! 8/7/2013 04:52:25 pm
I covet your sea salt. Is the smoke prominent? I love bagels. You have reminded me I should make some more. I too love having them in the freeze but find it hard to buy good ones.
Lizzy
9/7/2013 04:13:58 pm
Hi Tania, the smoke scent is there.... quite interesting! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Photo Jay Cranon, The Canberra Times
Hello. I'm Liz, a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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