In My Kitchen - December 2018

I know, I know, your heart is pounding, your palms are sweating 'cos it's only a few weeks till Christmas and you forgot to make that pudding in October, and order that ham and turkey in November, and you just want to sit by the pool with a large G & T in hand, but you can't because the rellies are due to stay soon, and the tree needs to go up, and you need to spend days untangling the lights, and decorating the tree, and making the fruit mince for the tarts, and getting some Sherry (who, me?)  in for Santa, and glugging down a whole bottle of your fave tipple before collapsing in a huge, sweaty heap on the kitchen floor, nearly-empty bottle in hand, wiping the melted chocolate for the handmade truffles you just managed to get done in a 35C kitchen from your greasy, unwashed hair ('cos who has time to wash?), singing carols while you sway to the music - la, la, la, la, oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree ...

Nope, of course that's not me or you!  We are all serene, having calmly ordered gifts and turkey and ham weeks ago.  La, la, la ....  And anyway, Mr P. and I aren't doing Christmas this year.  Yep Grinch, Scrooge and the Kranks all in one.  Gifts for kids only is our mantra.  And no puddings or parties or Xmas lights ... Well, let's see how that goes. 

Anyway, here in my preternaturally calm pre-Christmas kitchen:

soy sauce??:-)

Well, you know my predilection for things Japanese, and my complete ignorance of their script, so we may have some soy sauce here:-)  This is supposedly some super-duper handmade in wooden vats etc. version - as you can see by the drawing on the label.  Here's hoping it's great.

a couple more Martin Boyd ramekins

It's a bit weird lately that I keep coming across all these Martin Boyd ceramics, mysteriously ranging in price from $10 each (as above) to $38 each.  Huh?  What the?  I've mentioned before that Martin Boyd was an australian ceramics factory, named after one of the famous Boyd family of artists.  I just adore these little beauties, so perfect for dessert servings.

more cookbooks?!!

I bought the school one as I like to support local endeavours, and a friend gave me the Latvian one after her European trip earlier this year.  Yep, definitely looking forward to making sauerkraut soup:-)

another tea-towel

I love tea-towels (and I do use them all); Princess Pia came back from New Zealand recently with this lovely one for me.  Who can resist a colourful Kiwi?

yep, more ceramics

A new store has popped up near us lately, full of local artists' work.  I saw a set of these, and thought they would make great gifts for Christmas.  So if you see this post my friends, know I was thinking of you if you get one for Christmas.

gin is so in these days, isn't it?

Guess what we're having chez Pickings at Christmas time?  Gin and more gin!  Four Pillars distillery makes this gin and the puddings only at this time of year (natch) and it sells out like hotcakes, so I scooped up one of each pronto.

gifts from the lovely Lorraine

Lorraine from Not Quite Nigella was up in Brisbane the other week, bearing gifts.  She knows of my love for spoons, as you can see.  And that dulce de leche was so good I hoed in with a spoon straight out of the jar.    

Mel's book

Our mate Mel from Vanilla Zulu Culinary Adventures has published her Culinary Quickies at last:-)  Lots of great recipes and tips here.  That lavosh bread you see on the cover is a winner, especially for this time of year.

gorgeous little tumbler

This is another beautiful piece from Magnolia Mountain, who make the loveliest ceramics.  I just cannot resist!  The beautiful pink represents cherry blossoms in Japan.


Well, that's about it for now.  Just wait till January, when I bet I bombard you with the culinary gifts I've received.  And please join in this month, my friends.  Can't wait to see what's in your kitchen.


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