 Gifts to celebrate new beginnings, 'not the end of an era, but a new phase of the friendship' 'Darling, every day is a gift,' my father always said. I am reminded of his poignant words daily in so many ways, as every new day brings with it gifts in many forms. Being reunited with my beloved partner after a long absence. A telephone call or visit with my dearly loved son or daughter. A quiet moment and cup of tea with a close colleague. A family of wrens darting about my garden. Lunch with a dear friend. Parcels on my doorstep. Bartering jam for eggs and lemons. A farewell party that brings tears of joy, laughter and smiles. A bargain found at the local op shop. Gifts from friends. And the serenity that follows prolonged stress sometimes delivered as a curved ball by life. Good things and gifts in my kitchen this month... A beautiful table cloth bought at an op shop, given to me as a gift by a friend. And bone handled knives I bought recently at an op shop.  Another op shop find is my 'woman feeding chickens' ornament and the little floral chicken on the left. The brown chickens are actually whistles bought at a market stall somewhere in the Hungarian countryside.  Yes, I have a thing for chickens. My chook platter and tea towel.  Exquisite lemons, gifts from my Lemon Fairy; and a vintage citrus juicer found at an antique store in Adelaide  A pretty parcel arrives on my doorstep...  Jane Grover's lovely book 'Naked Food' Click the image for more information and watch for my interview and review  Baby eggplants bought from the grower at our farmer's markets  Treasured gifts from my dear friends The Dog and MB, who are leaving soon for a post overseas  Green prawns fresh from the markets  A copy of issue number ten of 'back yard farmer'. Click the image for more information.  My article on growing cauliflowers in my kitchen garden appears on pages 14-17  Just a few of the pre-loved gems I picked up at the Lifeline Book Fair recently  And finally, fresh asparagus, kindly sent to me by the Australian Asparagus Council. Delicious! My friend, Celia, at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, hosts this monthly series titled In My Kitchen, where you can meet food enthusiasts, cooks and bloggers from Australia and around the world. Pop in and visit, and say hello.
Tell me, what's happening in your kitchen this month? And do you approach each new day as a gift?
38 Comments
30/9/2012 03:53:31 pm
I totally agree with your first paragraph. It is important to enjoy every moment if we can......
Lizzy
30/9/2012 08:51:26 pm
Thank you, Tania. It is indeed. We can be here one minute and dead the next. The books came from the Lifeline Book Fair. Brilliant event and a great cause too! Thanks for stopping by.
Jane @ The Shady Baker
30/9/2012 04:03:12 pm
So many lovely things Lizzy! I especially love the old juicer and the asparagus. Your article in Back Yard Farmer looks very informative! There is always something special about a pretty parcel.
Lizzy
30/9/2012 08:52:23 pm
Jane, thank you. I agree. The parcel was so beautifully wrapped! Every day is a gift. Think of my dad. 30/9/2012 04:09:09 pm
What a lovely post - I love your second hand purchases - just lovely - my other loves everything with chickens on them too. Love your asparagus - it always makes spring such a joy
Lizzy
30/9/2012 08:54:03 pm
Hi Johanna! Ah, good to hear it. I am not wishing to start collecting chicken things, but I do wish we could keep them. However, we only have an enclosed courtyard garden. The rest of the lawn and kitchen gardens are outside the main fence. Spring is joyful, isn't it! Thanks for visiting.
Lizzy
30/9/2012 08:54:22 pm
Hi Glenda, me too! 30/9/2012 09:43:45 pm
Another gorgeous post Lizzy - I love your new knives - and all of your little chickens!
Lizzy
30/9/2012 09:52:24 pm
Thanks so much. Those little knives were about 50c each! They are so pretty. I love the chickens too! Thanks for stopping by ; D
Karen Rush
1/10/2012 10:28:47 am
What a charming post. I enjoyed it so much. Photography is terrific as well. A spring gift to us all. Thank you.
Lizzy
1/10/2012 11:00:10 pm
Thank you Karen for your very kind words.
Just gorgeous, Lizzy! I love all the chickens, especially that beautiful woman feeding ornament. And how magnificent are those bonehandled knives! Just so much treasure there this month, thank you for sharing it with us.
Lizzy
1/10/2012 11:02:30 pm
Thank you, Celia. My little woman feeding the chickens was all of $1 at a St Vincent de Paul. I have two others. The knives are so pretty. The 'curved ball' is all good, lovely. As you know, being a carer can be difficult at times. Thank goodness for the good times! Lots of love too xox 2/10/2012 10:25:19 pm
Wow, what an impressive IMK post Lizzy. My favourite would have to be your magnificent bone handled knives! STUNNING!
Lizzy
5/10/2012 01:35:56 pm
Mandy, thank you... I thought they were so pretty and such a bargain. 3/10/2012 11:21:50 am
Your post made me laugh - food bloggers are so alike! I've also been op shopping for props and knives etc. And how good do those asparagus look? Heavenly!
Lizzy
3/10/2012 11:44:34 am
Gee, Christina, I'm surprised my post made you laugh, it wasn't meant to be funny. The knives weren't for use as props, lovely. I just thought they were so beautiful. The asparagus is divine.
Lizzy
5/10/2012 04:29:25 pm
And, with all due respect, I have to add that I honestly feel that food bloggers aren't all alike. 3/10/2012 03:13:15 pm
Wow- you have a very full kitchen this month!
Lizzy
3/10/2012 08:56:02 pm
Heidiannie, thank you for stopping by ; D 4/10/2012 11:06:18 pm
love the knives! I cannot wait for asparagus season to start here :)
Lizzy
5/10/2012 01:36:34 pm
Hi Tandy... wow, the knives are so popular. I should have bought the set and given them to you as gifts. 5/10/2012 06:01:29 am
Beautiful kitchen Lizzy! I especially like your vintage citrus juicer and those bone knives. Just gorgeous. And I almost forgot the asparagus!!! Looks so fresh :)
Lizzy
5/10/2012 01:36:56 pm
Hi there Emilie! Thank you.
Lizzy
5/10/2012 01:37:42 pm
Hi Amanda.... so true in all that you have said. Me too! Time to get a life. 5/10/2012 05:07:22 pm
Lovely treasures in your kitchen this month! Many sources of inspiration :).
Lizzy
5/10/2012 08:15:32 pm
Thank you Laura... many sources of pleasure and reminders of the little things in life that bring joy. 5/10/2012 07:11:32 pm
Hi Liz,
Lizzy
5/10/2012 08:16:23 pm
Hi there... thank you Christine. The knives are so pretty. I can't wait to use them for afternoon tea when I next make scones. Thanks also for the congrats on the article in Backyard Farmer. ; D 11/10/2012 07:54:49 am
Ooo...lots of good stuff. I like to collect vintage things too. What is an op shop? I just picked up 2 vintage glass juicers...they are both different and different from yours too. I figured living in Florida and having citrus trees of my own...it makes sense to collect them right? :) The asparagus is beautiful!! You got some really nice gifts! I am so happy I discovered this!
Lizzy
14/10/2012 09:52:38 pm
Hello Lyndsey! Welcome. An op shop is a second hand store, usually run by a charity.Oh yes you can never have too many decent citrus squeezers, especially when you have trees of your own! Thanks so much for stopping by ; D
Lizzy
14/10/2012 09:53:31 pm
Hi there! I could have bought the series by Ann Carr.... the Lifeline Book Fair is brilliant! Such lovely books for so cheap and to such a great charity. An op shop is a second hand store.
FiFi
16/10/2012 04:39:12 pm
Oh Liz, I sooooo loved your blurb "In My Kitchen 2012". I miss our chats and miss you - hope you are well and happy. :-)
Lizzy
16/10/2012 06:14:53 pm
Dearest Fi Fi... I miss seeing your happy face and our chats too! Wish you were at my farewell. The Doggie actually teared up... was so lovely (and funny)... of course, I had a cry before the event kicked off too. Miss you my friend. You look so rested after your big holiday! See you soon xoxo 31/10/2012 12:38:17 am
You have lovely thingies in your kitchen - I love the chickens! 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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