A Poem for Mornings
Mornings at my kitchen table have taken on a fresh meaning with my new coffee cup and saucer set. The brilliant apple green sits beautifully alongside a vase of cheery flowers. With the warm spring sunshine streaming in through our French doors, a double shot macchiato at hand — and in the background, soft bird song from the fairy wrens in the garden — I can sip my coffee and wake up in peaceful contemplation.
In her book, The Call of Solitude, Ester Buchholz, Ph.D says that quiet and solitude is an important route to creativity. And that "the natural creativity in all of us — insights, bursts and bubbles of imagination — are found as a result of solitude", or what I like to call 'quiet time'. It's true in my case, for I do much of my creative thinking (and problem solving) in solitude, mostly first thing in the morning, and sometimes in the middle of the night. Well, I try. My beloved, on the other hand — who has a new coffee cup too, the same, but in burnt orange — loves to chatter, and dissect the morning news. Bless! On that note, a friend shared the above Poem for Mornings recently and somehow it resonated with me. Know what I mean? ♥‿♥ ◔ ⌣ ◔
Since arriving home from overseas, life is busy and the days are whizzing by. We've been catching up with family and friends — both entertaining and visiting. We've made a couple of trips to the coast. Once for a South Coast Food dinner and to visit Peter's mam. And, this week, for a whale watching adventure. More on those trips in a later snippet.
There's been springtime gardening, cycling by the duck ponds, cinema and reading. Lots of reading! Peter and I have both been preoccupied with family history. His and mine. I found my father's handwritten life story, safely tucked away behind the glass doors on one of my bookshelves. Using a magnifying sheet, I've been painstakingly translating his precious words from Magyar to English, for inclusion on the family memoir/cookbook I'm working on. There's been laughter, melancholy and tears, but I have managed to draft the Prologue! In my kitchen...
So anyway, it's October and time to take a peek into my kitchen. Among the goodies we've discovered are these frozen snow-skin moon cakes, an impulse buy from our local Costco. We had bought some similar frozen snacks from an ice creamery in Stockholm a couple of months ago, and loved them. In this Canton Road range, there's vanilla choc-chip, cookie 'n' coconut milk cream, matcha with red bean, and strawberry with 'real strawberry pieces'. Perfect bite sized, non-dairy morsels. An occasional indulgence.
Books...
There are books galore in my kitchen — cook books, travel books and food books, from one end of the kitchen to the other. Some are pre-loved bargains picked up at the Lifeline ACT Book Fair, others purchased from the UK Book Depository. And, there's a pile of books borrowed from my local library, too. If that's not enough, among the piles are these delicious new titles awaiting my review. Please stay tuned for my write ups, as some of these will be the perfect Christmas gifts for your loved ones.
Food news...
And finally, I'm road testing these Greensaver produce keepers from OXO, the brand recognised for innovative kitchenware and clever solutions. The containers are designed to prolong the life of fresh produce and thereby help reduce food wastage. The good folks at OXO kindly sent me a 4.0 litre produce keeper, as well as a 4.7 litre produce keeper to trial in my kitchen. Thank you! A head of lettuce fits perfectly in the 4.0 litre unit, while more than a dozen good sized lemons went into the other. In the top of the lid there's a crisper insert with an activated carbon filter that absorbs ethylene gas, slowing down the ageing process and keeping produce fresh for longer. The filters are made from coconut husks, thus they're all natural and non-toxic, too. It's worth noting that the filters need to be replaced every 90 days and a four-pack costs $9.99. I'll report back in the fullness of time.
In closing, my dear friend, Celia, from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial has moon cakes (proper ones) and OXO products in her kitchen this month too. Pop in and say hello to Celia and my fellow bloggers and cooks from around the world who participate in the In My Kitchen round up.
Now tell me dear readers, are you a chatterbox first thing in the morning, or do you need quiet contemplative time, too? And what's happening in your kitchen this season?
63 Comments
1/10/2015 06:58:30 am
Great poem and new cup and saucer. I have to have my coffee in the morning, but I'm usually a bit talkative. My cup (I use a photo of it for my avatar) is quite huge, but I have been known to have a second cup. Looking forward to your thoughts on the OXO products.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:18:13 am
Thanks for sharing your mornings too... the OXO products are proving to be excellent!
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1/10/2015 09:45:40 am
Don't tell me it's time for October already?!!! Eeekk! I'm not ready!
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:18:23 am
Eek, I know!!!
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1/10/2015 10:13:17 am
Would love to hear your opinions on the Oxo greensaver
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:18:46 am
Dhanya, the OXO greensaver is excellent... well worthwhile investment!
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:19:04 am
Sigh, I know... my library is ever expanding x
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How did October jump up on us all so quickly! LOVE the colour of your cup and saucer Lizzy and such a beautiful photo with your flowers.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:19:44 am
Hi Mandy... the OXO food keepers are excellent! And I hear you, we can have so many cookbooks, but I LOVE them all! Have a fab weekend xx
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:19:59 am
Sounds like bliss, Zsuzsa xx
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:20:17 am
'Tis important for one's sanity, no?
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1/10/2015 03:48:21 pm
I definitely need my quiet time each day too. :-) In fact, I'm having one right now as my hubs snores in the next room. It's lovely to have these moments before the hustle and bustle of the day starts. :-) What an incredible project transcribing your father's story. XOXO I hope it is a good, healing, and inspiring time for you. :-)
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:20:31 am
Thank you, lovely xx
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1/10/2015 04:18:17 pm
Beautiful flowers, it looks like spring has truly arrived!
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:20:43 am
It surely has, Laura xx
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Liz, I too source from the Book Depository, they are great! I look forward to some of my own solitude time to enjoy my reading stash.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:21:12 am
Hi Kirsty... OXO make a whole range of products... you should investigate them further! Have a lovely day too.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:21:25 am
I think so too, lovely Francesca xx
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celia
1/10/2015 06:07:35 pm
It didn't even occur to me that they might have mooncakes at Costco! They look so elegant, Lizzy! I'm so glad you're home and enjoying a peaceful time, love. And I adore that first photo - so beautiful! xxx
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:21:58 am
Celia, they were quite yummy! Thanks for your kind words and thanks for stopping by. Sending big hugs to you, the boys and your mum xx
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Fiona Ryan
1/10/2015 07:55:36 pm
Quite the coincidence re: moon cakes and OXO! I really like the sound of Fried Chicken and Friends.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:22:09 am
Thanks Fiona... indeed!
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1/10/2015 08:38:45 pm
I am most certainly in need of quiet in the mornings but that doesn't register with my seven and four year old! Those moon cakes are quite stunning aren't they? Perfect forms. x
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:22:21 am
Ah, your time will come, Kyrstie xx
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Doesn't drinking your morning tea/coffee with a pretty cup and saucer, just start your day off on the right foot? Love the fun color! And I hope OXO has those greensavers around here! I threw out some really nasty celery today! I need an intervention :) Love this feature each month.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:22:45 am
Thanks so much, Liz. Yes, do investigate the OXO greensavers! Work well!
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:22:57 am
Ah Maureen, same as me xx
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2/10/2015 02:20:56 am
I will look out for the produce keepers here Liz. I need quiet and coffee in the mornings :)
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:23:14 am
Yes, do, Tandy... OXO should sell them where you are, or online! xx
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2/10/2015 08:09:22 am
coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:23:31 am
It would be a worthwhile addition to your library Jen xx
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2/10/2015 10:55:07 am
Liz, your entire post was a peaceful contemplation, thank you -- and thank goodness for morning coffee and quiet time! (Same here.) Cute poem, too -- so true. I'd never heard of moon cakes until I read Celia's post and yours -- also smiled at your Oxo reference, too. Great minds and all that... :)
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:23:48 am
Thank you lovely, Kim. Hope this finds you well xx
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3/10/2015 12:36:07 pm
We're going the opposite way with our seasons but your spring flowers are lovely and you have a wonderful selection of books.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:24:09 am
I can imagine you are collecting autumn leaves right now, Kari xx
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3/10/2015 05:34:38 pm
I think I need some of those OXO products. I do love the colour of your cup and saucer. And those cookbooks would definitely make excellent Christmas gifts. Time to start thinking about that already! I have to confess to having never actually tried a moon cake! xx
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:24:39 am
Charlie, absolutely great products, the OXO... do invest! And yes, try the moon cakes when you can too xx
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:24:58 am
I'm definitely going to get these again, Maree! : )
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:25:23 am
Ah, good choice David... Naked Cakes is a gorgeous book! Review coming soon. The OXO is excellent too! Invest!
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4/10/2015 04:53:39 pm
Morning solitude is a treasured time indeed, best enjoyed with a full cup and comfortable surroundings. The cheery cup and saucer plus colorful flowers must certainly help ease into the day.
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:25:34 am
Dee, thank you so much!
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:25:52 am
Sandra, we are like minded... and the OXO is brilliant!
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5/10/2015 03:53:20 pm
Shhhhhh... Coffee... Wishing you many wonderful October mornings Liz to enjoy
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:26:03 am
Thank you Ania xx
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:26:17 am
Thank you, Moya, lovely to hear from you xx
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6/10/2015 11:55:33 am
What a quiet contemplative post, it would be lovely to be able to sit quietly for chai in the morning. How wonderful to find your father's memoirs, and it's so great that you are preserving your family history through a memoir/cookbook. :)
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Lizzy
7/10/2015 01:26:31 am
Emily, thank you for your very kind words!
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7/10/2015 02:42:07 am
What a beautiful cup and saucer to enjoy your coffee from each morning. Looking forward to seeing you at Eat.Drink.Blog.
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8/10/2015 02:38:33 am
Love your morning coffee & flowers photo - such the essence of Spring with those lovely, bright colours. Love it Liz. Great new cookbooks to ponder over - you know how much I love cookbooks! And looking forward to your review on the OXO storage solutions. Glad you're home safely from you well deserved holiday xx
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8/10/2015 07:43:15 pm
A lovely morning routine Liz, I can’t drink coffee these days, but a lovely cup of chai plays a similar role :)
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9/10/2015 01:22:58 am
Sorry I have been AWOL this past month, I have a lot to catch up on it seems. Look at all the marvellous goodies in your kitchen sweet Lizzy! I'd love to have a squiz at the naked cakes book. :)
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Peter
11/10/2015 07:50:28 pm
Shoooosh!
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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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