The movies would have us believe that childhood is a series of adorable and wacky Home Alone moments. That’s why it’s the movies. It’s fantasy. The reality is usually simpler, and less spectacularly Christmasy. Looking back now, I never realised…
poetry
Oranges and Sunsets Poems
Posting these purely for the love of oranges and sunsets. Brought to you by the colour orange. Oranges Come buy my fine oranges, sauce for your veal,And charming, when squeezed in a pot of brown ale;Well roasted, with sugar and…
Jelly Shots and A Poem
I’ve only made these once, and every time I see this photo, I’m reminded of Covid lockdowns. These red, white and blue jelly shots were a novelty treat, enjoyed in September, 2021, to mark a football match. Our city was…
The Old Apple Tree
Growing up, we had chickens, two apple trees, a pear tree, a mandarine tree, a lemon tree, onions, capsicums, carrots, an almond tree, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, corn … there was always something my mother was harvesting. She was a…
More [Cowbell] Strawberries
After writing about the strawberry yoghurt trifle, I went hunting for more strawberries. Found this lovely nature poem. My Strawberry O marvel, fruit of fruits, I pauseTo reckon thee. I ask what causeSet free so much of red from heatsAt…
Bread and Cherries
Is there anyone who doesn’t love cherries? That as a kid hasn’t hung cherries over their ears? Or on a warm day, sat munching through a bowl of the fruit? Cherries hold a duality I think – somehow managing to…
My Cowboy Toes – A Poem
As you may have seen, this site is full of recipes for my younger self. Which does imply a certain age. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. For some reason, even though we know it’s inevitable, getting older catches…
Sublime Thyme Time
I was slow-cooking this beef onion stew yesterday, when halfway through I realised what it needed most was more thyme. As you see, I threw in a big handful, and, later, even more. Lovely, heavenly thyme, so slender and delicate,…
Food Poems That Made Me Smile Today
American poet Arthur Macy seemed to have a sense of humour. The few poems of his I’ve read are neither grand nor long-winded, but quite touchingly simple, with a good-natured wink at life. Here are two food related poems I…
Memories, History and a Poem
I’ve written elsewhere about my mother, and her relationship to food growing up during hard times in Eastern Europe. I wrote this poem quite some time ago in honour of her memory, and memories. I think it sits well on…
Once, a Challenge – A Poem
(UPDATE: Speaking of Magritte, was fascinated to see one of his paintings “L’empire des lumières” sold for a record $US121 million in November, 2024. Was also fascinated to see that it was part of a PRIVATE collection.) It seems to…
The Moon and A Poem
While the primary purpose of the website’s about recipes, I have put “writing and life” in the description. That’s also part of what I’m hoping to pass on to my daughter. So, here’s some writing — a haiku. I enjoy…
