All posts filed under: family

Still Going Strong

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Some things are just too valuable   to throw away. Some might think this tractor is one of those things, it’s not used anymore for work,its… Full of rust and  broken bits, let’s just get rid of this rust bucket. But this tractor will never leave  the hearts of our family, and will never be thrown to that steel yard. These are all the original parts. Don’t you just love the hexagon shaped key. There’s something about Black and White photo’s that give that vintage, old look, but friends this old motor is still running, and has been running since Nineteen Sixty Three – 1963. One of hubby’s comments was that this motors been ticking as long as his heartbeat…this tractor was bought by his father in the same year he  was born… A true family treasure.

Roasting chestnuts

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Nothing like a change of weather. With a continuous drizzle, windy and overcast grey day we decided to warm our stomachs with fresh roasted chestnuts. Roasting until the skins charcoal and split… An afternoon spent with family, roasting chestnuts a chat and some laughter…   Yvette…x

Sharing Love and Laughter

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Back from a very busy ten days in Australia, visiting family and friends. What an extreme cool change from the weather here in Italy. Had a wonderful time having lunch with a couple of friends and seeing family and celebrating my nephews birthday. My Aunty made that delicious cake above, it’s called “Never fail” cake and as you see just  looks divine, and tasted even better. Hope it’s been written out for me and posted soon so I can share it with you all. Nothing surprised me more than all the wonderful new kitchen chic products available now in Australia, the range is unbelievable. I just couldn’t resist buying some new products and of course purchasing those favourites like Vegemite, Whittaker’s Bittersweet Dark Block, and Hazelnut chocolate and then being gifted with Cadbury’s Macadamia and Marble chocolate. A new product to me Pashmak persian fairy floss in rose and chocolate flavours, I feel an adventurous recipe coming up as I’ve never used this product, but my sister gave me some tips. Ward’s gelatine setting agent …

Sisterhood

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  In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips. I was over the moon, when my sister finally arrived from Australia to help me with my wedding plans. I was missing something, and  when she arrived everything was easier,she made the long trip even 5 months pregnant. There’s a four year difference between us, me being the eldest, but we have always been close. Sure I remember the childhood screaming and the pigtail pulling and scratching to get the attention. But we’ve grown a lot closer, now more than ever when “parent” family decisions have to be made. She has her own loving family now, two children growing up fast, we mightn’t see each other , as we’re now living miles apart …but we speak to each other often. We’ve shared good and hard times…laughed together, cried together, felt heartache together… She helped make my wedding day beautiful with all her talented works,and I thank her for sharing this wonderful day with me… My niece was flower girl, and just a little princess… …

Handwritten Recipes

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I don’t know about you, but I haven’t received a handwritten letter in ages.  The computer world of clicking has taken over from the personal notes and letters I once received. The quick flash notes that I’ve written while connecting to friends have never had  that same personal touch as  receiving in the mail a handwritten letter.  The emotion and enthusiasm of going out to check the postal box, reaching for that envelope, looking at the handwriting and instantly knowing who’s it from. Our memory never fails us, a quick glance at the hand written address and instantaneously we recognise the handwriting. In a heart beat we open that letter and enjoy the feeling of that connection with the person who hand wrote that letter.  The last thing I received through the post was an Easter card from my mum. Mum’s part of the old school ways, and never forgets to pop in the post that Birthday card, anniversary of Christmas wish.  Apart from the quick one page grocery and the things to do list, there is one thing that I write and …

Running through my veins…..

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I have fond memories when I was younger,growing up with the influence of my Nonno and Nonna (Italian grandparents) on their farm in the bush.Keeping the Italian family tradition going. Gathering for  Sunday lunch after church enjoying the pleasurable foods of fresh produce from the farm and that special meal my Nonna would prepare for her large extended family.  Times we would get together to make Italian sausages down in the shed…after of course my Nonno had studied the movement of the moon if it was the right time to slay that fattened pig or not.The recipe no one really knows it,it was a secret  just what spices and quantities to use but us grandchildren always shared the work of tying the strings around the sausages…and then taking them to the drying shed….I remember the perfume of the cheese my Nonna had made several months before and waiting for it to be ready to eat with that crusty homemade bread.  The making of ricotta and eating the curds, boiling hot from the swinging cauldren.The roasted chickens,slow cooked duck in sugo (tomatoes) roasted …