Spring!!

 Well, thank goodness that winter is over! Near enough, anyway. Getting sick of freezing temperatures, wind, grey skies.... Cant say I'm unhappy about rain though. And it has rained, quite a bit. Things are looking green, and soggy.
A couple of sunny days and blue skies have helped getting into a spring mood. My personal gargoyle - a starling is perched every morning on my studio roof, enjoying the warm rays.
Otherwise, things are just clopping along. We enjoyed a Yum Cha lunch in town yesterday, the food at Crystal Jade was delicious as usual. And on the way back we dropped into my fave cafe, Brunetti's, at Myers, for coffee and gelato. Must

 go in on my own one day soon, since DH isn't very mobile, poor thing. Getting old ain't for sissies! Bette Davies had that right!
On Friday, Edwina brought in some books she wanted to recycle, and I put my hand up for some Kaffe Fassett ones. They are beautiful books, with lovely quilts and fabric ideas. Thanks, Edwina! On the quilt front, I'm just about to finish the second last panel of my Kim McLean quilt. That went quicker than I thought. Only started it about a year ago.
I'm still crocheting another Sawyer scarf, and can see the end. Must slow down though, my hands are sore. Went into Lincraft the other day, dropping off Kogo items, and had no intention of buying anything, when I saw they had re-stocked the wool shelves with my favourite wool! AND there was a 30% off sale! AND there were new colour combinations! Well, that was the end of my good intentions... Came home with this luscious bundle, cant wait to start another Sawyer scarf, my favourite crochet pattern atm.
When Chris and I went to the Paperific show,

they had some lovely bags for sale. I managed to walk past them, but then Chris surprised me with this gorgeous owl bag! My new goodies bag for Friday sewing. Chris treated herself to a bag with a whimsical kitty on it.
I've started to collect for a charity, which involves filling a ladies' handbag (can be new or used) with essentials such as shampoo, toothpaste, comb etc. and other useful items. Once completed, the bags can be dropped off at Bunnings in October, and they'll go to the homeless, and other people in need. I think that's a good idea.

More happiness

Among the things that make me happy are flowers. DH used to bring me gorgeous Singapore orchids for years, which were kindly given to him when he worked at the airport. That finished when he retired, although he does occasionally come home with a bunch. So unless dear friends drop by with lovely blooms, I buy my own. This week it's been sunflowers, such cheerful things, gorgeous big yellow suns smiling at me when I enter the kitchen. Lovely!
And more happiness - I finally found my sashing fabric for my Kim McLean quilt! It appears to be a new-ish one by Kaffe Fassett, so I 

got onto it quickly. It has a rainbow of colours and will go well with my blocks, I believe. I've decided to make only the inner part of the quilt, not the borders, as it's huge (89x90"), and I'd rather it was a wall hanging than a bed quilt. This is block No. 10, 14 to go. Woohoo!
After several weeks of mooching around at home, I was heartily sick of it and decided to go out for lunch with DH. We went to Canteena and enjoyed their fare as always. I'm still in pain when walking or standing for any time, so will be interested to hear what the surgeon will say about that next week.
At least I've had time to read some amazing books. I especially enjoyed "We care for you" by Paul Kitcatt. One of those book you start and then can't put down! It's about a nursing home, its residents,  and a new concept in care giving. Fiction, but scarily pertinent.
Another good one was one of the latest Elizabeth George "Inspector Lynley" novels, called "A banquet of consequences". It's a door stopper, but kept me hooked. George is brilliant in creating a character who is mentally ill, highly disturbed, and manipulating everyone around her. One feels quite claustrophobic. The only criticism I had was a very unkind portrayal of DC Havers, more so than usual.
Lastly, I very much enjoyed delving into Phil Rickman's latest "Merrily" novel, "All of a winter's night". He's back on form here after a mediocre offering last time. I just wish Merrily and her bloke would finally get it together. You just want to bang their heads together! Do you get involved with the characters of the books you read? Maybe I need to get out more, haha!
Oh, and I read another Donna Leon mystery, "The waters of eternal youth". As usual, Inspector Brunetti is on the case, this time an old (cold) case. And as usual, the private Brunetti and his family are almost more interesting than the crime. I really think Brunetti needs a cat.

Beginnings

Okay, so Blogger is doing weird things today. and yesterday. Would be too good to start the year with something actually working.... Nevermind. So here we are again, halfway through January already - do you get the feeling of the wind in your hair as you get older?!

Not that 2018 started off all the badly, the worst was a quick stint in hospital to get a hernia repaired. Quick being the operative word - on the table at 8am and back home at 3:30pm! How's that for efficiency? Now to make the most of the recuperation period....
Sherman provides us with giggles on a regular basis. I saw him sitting next to the BBQ, or rather, I saw a tiny fluff of tail twitching ever to slightly, while he watched three ducks amble past, about 3 meters away. All over sudden, there were about two dozen of them waddling across the paddock. Next I see Sherman 'stalking' them. Yeah right. They've seen you coming a mile off, mate! Nowhere to hide... So, sitting there contemplating his quicker, more ambitious younger days, I wonder if he is wanting to make friends or sizing up his dinner. One can always dream... He does that with the kangaroos sometimes too, and he's got them bluffed; they prefer to move off when he's coming near. Silly cat.
I was all prepared to read while in hospital, but never got the chance until I got home again. I had borrowed "Longbourn" from our local library (and saved myself $11 Kindle costs in the process), and looked forward to reading it, being quite the Jane Austen fan. Jo Baker's story is told from the perspective of the Bennett's serving staff, Sarah and Polly (maids), Mrs. Hill and her husband (housekeeper), and the newly arrived footman, James Smith. I've read a few 'new' P&P stories, but I was quite impressed with this one. Well written, from a very different viewpoint. Great book for a book club. It treats the Bennetts quite well, unlike "Death comes to Pemberton", which I always thought was unkind to Lizzie. And it's not as raunchy (or funny) as Linda Berdoll's books. It certainly gives Wickham a whole new unpleasant dimension. And you thought Mr. Collins was vile...
I've also been amusing myself watching "Berlin Station" on SBS on Demand. That got me when I saw Richard Armitage in the cast list. Woohoo! I watched series one and two and thankfully the third season is being made now. Basically, it describes the workings of the CIA in Berlin just before the PfD managed to get themselves elected into the German Parliament. Nasty little secrets and nasty little secret agents abound. Armitage is one of the good guys, at least relatively good. The best character is Hector, a washed-out, disillusioned CIA agent played to perfection by Rhys Ifans (he was Luna's slightly nutty dad in Harry Potter). I don't usually like American series, but this one is compulsive watching. Highly recommended. Now I shall go and find myself some more nordic noir....

Books - again

I think I was an Indian in my former life (of the subcontinental variety). I love everything about India, enjoyed every minute I spent there some years ago, and am always on the lookout for books about India. There is nothing more flattering or comfortable to wear than a salwar kameez, and don't get me started on curries...
I have quite a few books about India, from fiction to cookbooks to other non-fiction. For several years, I read books about the British Raj in India, in particular about women's experiences during that time, gained from diaries etc. It makes for fascinating reading. Far from being fainting Victorian damsels, these women were fearless, intrepid travellers in far flung outposts of the British empire. One such lady comes to mind, Harriet Tytler, a brave soul who was the last white woman who remained during the Delhi siege of 1857. She was living in the armory with her young child, and survived to tell the tale.
I could ramble on for quite a while about this topic, but today I wanted to point out a few books of fiction that I've enjoyed reading, relating to India.
At the moment, I'm reading "Tell a thousand lies" by Rasana Atreya. It's about a young girl raised in rural India by her grandmother, and how her and her family's life is affected by a corrupt and ruthless politician. It's a good read, and very believable. It depicts the daily life of thousands of Indian women, whose lives are laid out along predictable paths from birth - school (not too much though), arranged marriage, babies, supporting the in-laws and husband. And heaven help you if your family can't provide sufficient dowry. On my trip to India I met very highly educated men, who also had highly educated wives, but the wives still needed permission from the in-laws to pursue a profession. Producing an heir is much more important.
Another book I enjoyed is called "Saree" by Su Dharmapala. In this book, six stories are intertwined about a saree maker in Sri Lanka. I never knew that sarees are such amazing social devices, for want of a better description. One learns about sarees as well as the gods and goddesses that govern so much of life in these parts. The six stories come together beautifully at the end,
I think it was M. M. Kaye's "The Far Pavillions" that got me started on the Indian subcontinent. I can read that book again and again, and I also have the old video with Ben Cross and Amy Irwin. The other M.M. Kaye book about India is "Shadow of the Moon", another good read about the British Raj. Both books are fiction and could be called historical romance. And who could forget "The Raj Quartet" by Paul Scott. These are four books set in the latter days of the Raj and follow the lives of a number of different characters. The books are called "The Jewel in the Crown", "The Day of the Scorpion", "The Towers of Silence", and "A Division of the Spoils". Some might remember the excellent drama series of "Jewel in the Crown". I recommend these to lovers of historial fiction.
Finally, there are some rather more 'fluffy' books about India with which you can while away an afternoon. One is Thalassa Ali's 'Paradise Trilogy, "A Singular Hostage", "A Beggar at the Gate", and "Companions of Paradise". The books are about a young Englishwoman who travels to India in the 1850s, and her adventures in the Punjab and Afghanistan. Good read about the "fishing fleet" during the Raj (young women sent to India to find eligible husbands). An oldie but goodie is "When the Rains came" by Louis Bromfield. It's basically about a minor scandal in the town of Ranchipur, before the monsoon arrives. The book was also made into a movie with Tyrone Power and Myrna Loy -loooong ago!

More good reads

I've had a few more play dates with my Kindle; it's getting to be an addiction! And to think a few years back I truly thought e-books would never catch on. How wrong could I be?! I must admit, nothing beats having a brand new book in your hand, but if you read by the kilo and haven't much storage space, nothing beats an e-reader.
I've come across some more thrillers I like, among them the Black house trilogy by Peter May. It's about a detective in Scotland who is sent from the 'big smoke' to his home on the Hebridean island of Lewis, to investigate the death of a former school fellow. The books follow this and other investigations, and tell the story of an interesting protagonist and the island that is and was. The books are extremely well written, bringing the Scottish landscape, traditions, and communities to life. I had to read them all in one go, they were so gripping! I've also ordered Peter May's "Hebrides", a photo book of the area, as I hope there may be some shots of Barra and/or Colonsay, where my ancestors come from. More about that when it arrives.
The other book I've been reading is 'Tatiana' by Martin Cruz Smith. Smith's books follow the career of Arkady Renko, a Moscow-based senior investigator who has trouble fitting into the new Russia. He hasn't quite given up on his job and seems always to find a reason to solve just one more murder. This time, he investigates the suicide of a notorious journalist. The trail leads to Kaliningrad and an amber mine. I've read most of the Renko books, and believe Smith has not only captured some of the paradoxes of the  modern Russia, but some of the soul of its people. I read his 'Havana Bay' recently and really enjoyed it.
Not a thriller, but quite a thrilling read, was Elliot Perlman's 'The Street Sweeper'. Perlman is an Australian author and can spin a good yarn. In the "street sweeper" he brings together people from very different backgrounds and teases out the political, historical, and personal circumstances that bring these people together, all on the streets of NewYork. It's a great book to read over a rainy weekend, with a supply of hot chocolate and some cool music.

Good reads

This little spoof on "Downton Abbey" was definitely a hilarious read! Nothing is sacred, from the Dowager Catness to Mr. Matthmew Clowder and the scandalous behaviour of Lady Minxy. Special treats are the "uninvited but necessary words from the Dowager", who has a bonmot for every occasion.
Classic: "I have nothing against stage people. My great-aunt was the string of a cello."
And so it goes. Very funny.

That was just by-the-by, what I really wanted to write about was a couple of new mystery series I've come across recently. Since I've been having regular - and extended - play dates with my Kindle, I've been checking out the amazon offerings. One of the series I am busily reading my way through is John Lawton's 'Frederick Troy' detective series. I saw the author mentioned in a Sunday Australian newspaper, and thought I'd give him a go. Well, I was in for a treat! These are not your fluffy little detective novels, these juicy tomes pack in convoluted plots, an extensive, detailed knowledge of pre- and post-WW2 history, brilliant (and sometimes surgical) portrayals of the British, beautiful language, and a likable, multifaceted hero. Lawton's been criticised for 'too much history' in his novels, but it's what makes the era come alive. These are the sorts of books I never want to end. I do hope Lawton has a few more 'Troys' in store!
The other series I've started to read is the Inspector Gamache one. This amiable detective is a French Canadian who works at the Surete in Quebec. He finds himself drawn to a small village, Three Pines, by a series of murders. (A bit like Midsomer; soon there will be no villagers left to murder!). When I started reading Louise Penny's series, I wasn't so sure if I'd like her style, but now I'm hooked. The characters are interesting and I love reading about all the little Canadian things I encountered on my last trip to eastern Canada. Even Tim Horton's coffee and poutine get a mention! The books run to appx. 360 pages, so long enough to while away an afternoon.
Lastly, I just finished the latest Donna Leon 'Inspector Brunetti' novel. This is another series I can't get enough of. The inspector, a well-read (and well fed) family man, is a Commissario at the Venetian 'Questura', and solves murders with his sidekick Vianello and the mysterious - and slightly criminal - Elettra, always under the beady eye of their boss, Patta. I like how Leon brings Venice and its inhabitants to life, and the Brunetti characters are very believable. I just feel the inspector should have a cat.
If you haven't read these crime series, try them, you might just be entertained for a few hours.

Cookbooks

What is it about cookbooks? I'm sure there are quite a few of us out there who enjoy leafing through photos of scrumptious food, reading about chefs, and wondering whether we have the 25 ingredients listed in that amazing recipe in our pantry. What makes a good cookbook? I think, as with all books, a decent index is a good start. A good book can be ruined by a bad index. And then, as with food per se, the senses must be engaged; the eye, with beautiful images, and the sense of touch with crisp, new pages. Then there's the imagination which must be fired, both by photos, the names and provenance of the recipes, and the stories behind them. Then there's the art of writing recipes. It sounds easy, but believe me, there is an art to writing an instruction that will result in a delicious, and often complex dish. Try writing a recipe for poached eggs!
I have been collecting cookbooks over the years, and have many great chefs at my fingertips, sitting on my bookshelves. Some are old books, brought with me when I migrated to Australia. I keep them, now mainly for nostalgic reasons. Cooking has moved on from the 1970s! Even more so from the 1850s, when Mrs. Beeton was the Margaret Fulton of her time, when cooking was serious business, upstairs and downstairs. But books such as these are great to browse through, and can certainly teach one the basics, if you can work out the archaic measurements. So many great cooks have touched our lives - who can forget Floyd "One glass for the pot, one for me", or the two fat ladies "lets add butter, and lard just for the hell of it", or Delia Smith "this is how you boil an egg". Not to mention Gordon F...g Ramsay.....
Some of these people have produced fantastic cookbooks. And yes, I do try some of their recipes when I have a quiet afternoon to shop and prepare. Sometimes the ingredients are unobtainable here in Australia, but the challenge is to find an acceptable alternative, and adapt the recipe using our excellent local and seasonal produce.
I do have some favourites among my collection - Tessa Kiros' "Cloudberries falling on snow", and her Venetian cookbooks. They satisfy on all levels! Greg Malouf's "Saha", in which he takes us on a wonderful visual and culinary Middle Eastern journey, Antonio Carluccio's "Italia", highlighting the best of Italian regional cooking, "Jamie at Home" - Jamie Oliver's very down-to-earth recipe collection, and Maeve O'Meara's "Food Safari", exploring the food cultures of Australia, Stephanie Alexander's "Cooking and Travelling in South-West France", and my most recent addition, "Brunetti's Cookbook" by Donna Leon, the crime author. My "bibles" - cookbooks that will come to the rescue if you're stranded in the middle of cooking and need help - Margaret Fulton, of course, and for my German food, a Bavarian tome given to me at my wedding.
Wayne sometimes brings me a new one when he sees a recipe he'd like me to try - so considerate! Of course, there are several cookbooks on my wishlist, such as George Calombaris' "Greek cooking from the Hellenic heart", "Moroccan Cooking", and Abla's cookbook (Lebanese cuisine). I'm sure I can think of a few more. One I'd love to get my hands on is Mum's old cookbook, but my sister is keeping a beady eye on that! My American grandma gave it to Mum when she came to America, and it's got quite a few handwritten bits and pieces in it. So, tell me about your favourite cookbooks!

Readings

Just started "Empires of the Moghul" by Alex Rutherford. So far, it's keeping me entertained. I like historical fiction; if the research is done well, one can learn from it. This author seems to have done a good job with it. I love all things Indian - the history, the food, the people, the colours, architecture, art, fashion, music - maybe I lived there in a former life?! My passion for a while was reading about the Raj, a fascinating time in India's history. I was most interested in the experiences of women during that time, and there are some great collections of journal entries, interviews etc. to be found, as in "Daughters of Britannia", "Below the Peacock Fan", and "The Wicked Women of the Raj". Having had the pleasure of visiting India a few years ago, it's fun to read about places in books and recall seeing some of them. I also collect movies, both western and Indian, about Indian history. One of my all time favourites is "The Far Pavillions", based on a book by M.M. Kaye (another beloved author whose autobiography I can recommend). I also enjoyed "Jodha Akbar", a lush Bollywood production about one of Akbar's wives. It's highly entertaining, if you're prepared to watch 4 1/2 hours of it! Bring lots of popcorn...