The Wisdom of Jacarandas... It's time!

For those who have university experience in Australia, 

the appearance of the Jacaranda trees' clusters of purple blossoms means;

It's time ... to buckle down and study for the exams.

 In Sydney, you can witness the bursts of purple line the skies from late October to early November and if your university days are well behind you, you can enjoy Mother Nature's spectacular display without stress.  

A native of South America, a legend was spread about the spirit of this tree, which continues to inspire a new generation of artists and entrepreneurs around the world. 

According to the Amazon myth, one day a bird of great beauty, carrying the priestess of the moon, descended upon the Jacaranda Tree.  The lovely priestess was on a mission to teach the villagers wisdom, ethics and how to live in harmony, with all of nature.  When she taught mortals all she knew, she returned to the adorned in Jacaranda blossoms and ascended to the heavens to be with her lover, the son of sun.

It may be that the tree is associated with wisdom that many Australian campuses have a Jacaranda tree growing on them.  The intention may be that in striving for passing marks on their exams, the students don't forget about ethics and use all that they learned to realise a fairer world for all of nature's living things.

This is the hope, as passing marks in theoretical classes may no longer be what the world requires of humanity, but greater compassion for all living things to keep our world alive.

Summarised from an article  by "Eda Utku" <eda.utku.writer@gmail.com>

For a great song - with fabulous images go to the link below. 

https://youtu.be/3Ins0EesFYc    Jacarandas in November

Trick or Treating in NSW - ABC News informs

 

New South Wales says trick or treating is OK, but there are some caveats

Providing the level of community transmission remains low, NSW Health said it was "supportive" of Halloween festivities going ahead, but "with some caveats", as limits on gatherings across the state are being increased to 30 people.

To keep Halloween celebrations outdoors, it should be a front-yard rather than a front-door event. For trick-or-treat outings, a supervising adult is advised to join children from the same household, instead of having groups of children moving about together.

"Keep it local and put effort into decorating the front yard, rather than focusing on well-known 'treat streets'," a NSW Health spokesperson said.

"Provide closed packaging for treats and instead of communal lolly bowls, consider other ways of distributing treats, like strewn along the front fence.

"And have hand sanitiser at the front gate."

Maintaining a 1.5-metre distance between people from different households is recommended and children "should not share costume face masks".

American Style Pork Ribs hit the spot

I was served these 'finger-lickin' ribs by an American friend and I have to say they were superb!

The method calls for boiling then cooling the ribs and finishing off by grilling or in the oven.  This sounds like a bit of a fiddle, but it actually works well especially for plan ahead meals. 

For 4 hungry people,  you'll need 4 x 500g racks pork ribs; in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add plenty of roughly chopped garlic and 1 chilli, bring to the boil then reduce heat and simmer for about an hour, drain and set aside until ready to finish off. 

For the sauce place in a saucepan, 3/4 cup tomato puree; 1/4 cup each Worcestershire sauce and vinegar; 2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1/4 cup golden syrup or brown sugar (less for Australian taste) 1 red chilli, chopped; salt and pepper; 2 cups water then simmer for 10 minutes.  Reserve 1/4 cup of the sauce to baste the ribs while cooking for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned.  Serve with the sauce on the side.

Men and their BBQs

 "Australian men aren't known for their ease at social chat.  Beyond the footy scores and house prices, even a soulless electric grill appears to have the ability to stir genuine yarning and conversation in the way a camp fire might once have done."  Richard White, historian.       

Excerpt from  ALFRESHCO - foreshore flavour

 https://clairemitchell.com.au

'BBQ transformation 2020 ?? Research only

Are these the BBQs of the past?

 

 I know that this is male territory and perhaps I shouldn't go there but...

This is not a 'takeover' tactic - it's RESEARCH.  Why do I need to know! 

 'ALFRESHCO - foreshore flavour'  is a historical and elusive search for an Australian Cuisine, given that we have access to wonderful local produce.  

Picnics are featured and BBQ's of course; it is acknowledged that Aussies try to claim the BBQ as our own, where it is considered traditional, if not sacred.  Therefore, I need to keep up with trends  -  will this more portable trend create more balcony space and perhaps more taste???  

A recent article by Richard Cornish, informed how "The great Aussie barbie is undergoing a transformation.  Those hefty, hooded gas-burning behemoths?? are being pushed aside by a wave of charcoal-fuelled grills, mostly portable."  

 Jumbuck Mini Spit Society

A charcoal barbeque that has a fan page with 12,000 Facebook followers.   Jumbuck society founder, Matt "Crackleman" Jackson says   "There is something about smoke, fire and cooking meat that brings people together."
There's too much to research in one post and there are important tips such as "You do not want lots of white smoke coming off the charcoal.  that is unburned fat that will form a bitter, sooty layer on your food."
So, I'll continue to document my research and pass it on.  Your thoughts on this would be valued.  
Cheers Clara