Isolation according to Leunig

Hi there  

Maybe isolation will help us to be thoughtful and come up with other things we haven't done for a while.  Happy "singing in the trees".  I would really appreciate it if you have a fun singing link that I could put on my blog in order to have some songs for us to sing in the trees.

Cheers Claire     

KISSING V TOUCH re spreading germs?

A Mosman Book Discussion Group has been studying the book 'THE BODY - A GUIDE FOR OCCUPANTS'  by Bill Bryson; an extraordinary exploration of the human body.  The book is taking us on a head-to-toe tour which reveals some surprising facts.

Below I've summarised his research re 'Surprisingly, the least effective way to spread germs (according to yet another study) is kissing', apparently not as infectious as TOUCHING.

A sneeze, as referred by some authorities, is an 'autosomal dominant compelling helio-ophthalmic outburst' which makes the acronym ACHOO (sort of).  

Only recently has it been discovered that sneezes are a much more drenching experience than anyone thought.  A close study by a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that sneeze droplets can travel up to eight meters and drift in suspension in the air for ten minutes before gently settling on to nearby surfaces.  

Through ultra-slow filming, they also discovered that a sneeze isn't a bolus of droplets as had always been thought, but more like a sheet - a kind of liquid cling film.  Still unexplained is why infections droplets are more infectious to us when we pick them up by touch rather than when we breathe (or kiss) them in.

St George Hospital Virus Detection 'When the virus is on hard surfaces, it survives about 12 hours, therefore when hard surfaces such as doors, appliances, railings, etc. are touched, hands should be washed thoroughly and/or disinfected with alcoholic gel. The virus can live nested in clothes and tissues between 6 and 12 hours.'  Good case for handwashing or gloves!

Mosman VIEW Club ready to sponsor a LFL child

The new Mosman VIEW Club members are enjoying being involved in this women's volunteer organisation.

Our first 2020 meeting began with great energy created by a full turn-up of members to thank our guests, Jeanette and Francie, who have patiently nurtured us through to being an independent club.
We were happy to be able to welcome some new members to our friendly group and we extend an invitation to other women who would enjoy meeting like-minded women to join us.

Various issues were raised, including the common purpose ie the Smith Family's largest community sponsor of Learning for Life students. (LFL).   VIEW supports the educational outcomes of disadvantaged children and young people in Australia.

Mosman VIEW Club is now in the exciting position of being able to go through the procedure of sponsoring a child.  We have chosen to begin by supporting a Kindergarten child in order to be able to follow his / her education outcome right from the start.

On another note, our first speaker of the year was one of our current members, Sandra Berrick. Recently back in Sydney after living with the Chinese community overseas,  Sandra gave us a fascinating overview of Chinese Artwork, how it is presented and how it differs from other artwork.  As well as a powerpoint presentation, she even brought along examples of paints and brushes.  

Thanks, Sandra - we all want to have a go at creating a beautiful image.

Tools of the trade

Next month's speaker will be Jane Eales, author of 'Secrets, Spies & Spotted Dogs'
This is a fascinating story, I believe.  Can't wait!

Cheers Claire
Publicity Officer

Picknicking is being in the moment

Out to Lunch
Words by Terry Durack

"I FELL ASLEEP halfway through lunch the other day.  It's not something I'm proud of, but at least I was lying down at the time.  The sun was warm, the picnic blanket was soft, the wine was working its magic and suddenly I was zzzzzzzzz."

Picnicking should be greatly encouraged - it's good for us.  It gets us out in the fresh air, breaks our routine and brings us back to basics.  Picnicking means drifting off to the cry of children on the swings or in the surf.  In its own way, it is practicing mindfulness, being in the moment while letting your mind drift like a cloud.

Really a picnic can be anything you want it to be.  Chicken sandwiches and a bottle of bubbly;  cheese and crackers with hummus; a baguette with jambon and fromage and a bag of cherries.  

Summarised from GoodWeekend

Mosman View Club Christmas party.

A great time was had by all at our first Christmas party. Great venue, food, and atmosphere. 
A special thanks to Sandra for making spectacular table decorations and our beautiful headdresses.

The View Club is affiliated to the Smith family and our aim is to help educate underprivileged children.

If you would like to meet a great bunch of ladies, have fun and find out about our club, enquire by emailing  diaboutme@gmail.com.  Dianne Malloch   President.

Happy New Year to everyone.  

Thoughts for our NSW drought stricken farmers

4 posts to thank our farmers for being our amazing produce providers
and to acknowledge the unique challenges they face in doing so.

Dry clay bed

Recurrent natural cycle of droughts, floods and bushfires in rural Australia in the early 20th Century as seen through the eyes of ‘Hanrahan’, a pessimist farmer of Irish descent.

SAID HANRAHAN (Abridged version)

"We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan,

In accents most forlorn,

Outside the church, ere Mass began,

One frosty Sunday morn.

The congregation stood about,

Coat-collars to the ears,

And talked of stock, and crops, and drought

As it had done for years.

“It’s lookin’ crook,” said Daniel Croke;

“Bedad, it’s cruke, me lad,

For never since the banks went broke

Has seasons been so bad.”…

And so around the chorus ran

“It’s keepin’ dry, no doubt.”

We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan,

“Before the year is out.”…

In God’s good time down came the rain;

And all the afternoon

On iron roof and window-pane

It drummed a homely tune…

It pelted, pelted all day long,

A-singing at its work,

Till every heart took up the song

Way out to Back-o’Bourke.

And every creek a banker ran,

And dams filled overtop;

“We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan,

“If this rain doesn’t stop.”…

And stop it did, in God’s good time;

And spring came in to fold

A mantle o’er the hills sublime

Of green and pink and gold.

And days went by on dancing feet,

With harvest-hopes immense,

And laughing eyes beheld the wheat

Nid-nodding o’er the fence.

And, oh, the smiles on every face,

As happy lad and lass

Through grass knee-deep on Casey’s place

Went riding down to Mass.

While round the church in clothes genteel

Discoursed the men of mark,

And each man squatted on his heel,

And chewed his piece of bark.

“There’ll be bush-fires for sure, me man,

There will, without a doubt;

We’ll all be rooned,” said Hanrahan,

“Before the year is out.”

John O’Brian  1919

Extract from 'Alfreshco - foreshore flavour' 
Eat   Talk   Share
WITH THANKS TO
The ‘produce providers’of yesterday and today,
and innovators who have refreshed
the Australian cuisine. 
Without Great Produce,There Can’t Be Great Food.

To be released in November 2018

JOIN US AT MOSMAN VIEW CLUB

“I believe that VIEW’s success is founded in friendship. Australian women coming together and doing what they know best: caring for each other and for society.” Ita Buttrose in her address at the 1999 Melbourne Convention

Mosman Daily 31/10/2019

Why A 'New Chapter?

In 1960 a VIEW Club was established which closed in 2004 - a period of 44 years.

The inauguration of the new Mosman VIEW Club was held on the 18th October at Boronia House and was attended by Mosman Mayor, Carolyn Corrigan. 

President - Dianne Malloch

Members of the new club enjoying the moment.

.

COME AND JOIN US 

MEETS:  3rd Friday of each month

WHEN: 12-30

VENUE:   Mosman Club,  719 Military Road, Mosman

VIEW provides women with the opportunity  to:

• Meet other women in the area and establish lasting friendships.
• Support the children's charity, the Smith Family, helping young Australians in need to get the most out of their education.  

For further information and to book please contact 
Dianne on 0421 162 757 or Paula on 0415 697 357

'To Spring' - Leunig "The Mind becomes a flower bed"

Leunig's spirit continues to delight as in 'To Spring'; at other times, we are amused or saddened by his insights, but never bored.  I want to bring out my crayons and draw 'a nest is being built upon my head' but...

Instead, I'll remind you of all the wonderful walks around our foreshores and the many opportunities for ALFRESCO dining.  

Claire  

A personal tribute to our Margaret Fulton

Jul 24, 2019 - Celebrated food writer Margaret Fulton, OAM, has died at the age of 94. ... She was known as “the woman who taught Australia to cook.” Indeed ...

To dear Margaret 

Thanks for teaching me how to polish up my cooking.  My mum set a fine example,  but you took us way up and beyond meat and three overcooked vegetables (vege).  

With love, Claire.  

The first Margaret Fulton Cookbook was published in

1968.  This image is of one of the early editions.

Australian food has changed dramatically since World war 11 with the increase in overseas travel in the 1950s and the1960s. Another factor was the great number of recipe books which had begun to be published. overcooked(The early books have lengthy sections on baking with more than half of the recipes being puddings and cakes.)

In 1966, both Epicurean and Australian Gourmet were founded. Epicurean, the official magazine of the Wine and Food Society of Australia, was the first magazine which, because of contributors, was devoted to food and wine.

Margaret Fulton was the first of the Australian celebrity cookery writers. She taught generations of Australian families how to cook and entertain.

Margaret:  “I was travelling a lot. I would go to a country and would be introduced to the best cooks and dishes… so I was really bringing the world to Australia. It had been starved, of the international feeling about food because of a world war and a world depression.”

Prawn Cocktail - circa the early 1970s for 4
Combine 1/2 cup tomato puree, 2 drops tabasco sauce,
1/2 tsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp cream.
Place shredded lettuce in 4 individual dishes;
divide and arrange on top - 1 kg cooked prawns (shelled and deveined);
spoon sauce over and serve with triangles
of thin buttered brown bread and wedges of lemon.

Germane Greer was writing ‘The Female Eunuch’, published in 1970 but while she was suggesting that women throw out their bras and learn about women’s liberation, many apron-clad women were practicing to be ‘Domestic Goddesses’.

I had a foot in both camps!
Being the proud owners of a new project home, much of our family's entertainment consisted of impromptu BBQs or hosting dinner parties, often with a culinary theme, which required cooking up a storm for several days before.

Armed with ‘The Margaret Fulton Cookbook’, we produced French influenced dishes featuring entrees such as Prawn Cocktail or Mushroom Pate; mains of Beef Burgundy and Coq a Vin, and desserts like Chocolate Mouse, Pavlova or even Avocado Crème.

In the late 70s in the USA, I bequeathed my copy of Margaret’s book to a friend when she begged me to teach her how to cook vegetables from ‘scratch’.

Footnote - At this time, a large proportion of the diet of many Americans consisted of convenience and fast food.

'God be with the Mother' - a dedication by Leunig

Photo credit: Michael Leunig   

A dedication to all who engage in the art of mothering, be they biological mothers, foster mothers, step-mothers, grandmothers, lesbian mothers, straight mothers, gay dads, straight dads, teachers, artists, activists, peacemakers, community organisers... Anyone and everyone who has ever brought forth and nurtured, in one way or another, life and love into the world.

God be with the mother. Michael Leunig

As she carried her child may she carry her soul.
As her child was born, may she give birth and life and form
to her own, higher truth. As she nourished and protected her child,
may she nourish and protect her inner life and her independence.
For her soul shall be her most painful birth,
her most difficult child and the dearest sister to her other children.

Amen.

Photo credit: Michael Leunig

   

Happy Mother’s Year to all!

At Last! A photo of an ANZAC tile

Finally I found a photo of an ANZAC TILE looking just as it was described!
I've never actually seen one before.

Extract from ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavours

WORLD WAR 1— Mothers’ love

The ANZAC biscuit epitomises the link between food and WWI in national remembrance, and it is an expression of maternal care, having reportedly been devised to withstand the long journey to the front in ‘comfort packages’. In WWI food was the most potent means for mothers to convey their love to sons at the front.

“When we look at experiences of wartime through the prism of food, we are constantly reminded of its power to divide us, but also to bring people together. So famously a ‘weapon’ of WWI, food can also occupy a central role in the bridging of national, ethnic and religious divides.”
Heather Merle Benbow University of Melbourne

So what did they eat? Bully beef (canned corned beef), rice, jam, cocoa, tea, some bread and above all ‘hardtack’ fed the Australian soldiers at Gallipoli.  Hardtack, also known as ‘ANZAC Wafer’, or ‘ANZAC Tile, has a very long shelf life, and continued to be eaten during the Second World War. 

The original biscuits were made by Arnotts’s, resembling SAOs and the recipe (below) has been provided by them.

HARDTACK RECIPE   Makes six biscuits

Preheat the oven to 180C. Mix 1½ cups self-raising white flour, 3 cups self-raising wholemeal flour, 5 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp milk powder, pinch salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add 1 cup water. Mix together until an even dough is formed. Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead for a few minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball and let rest for half an hour.

Divide the dough into 3 and then roll each ball into thick 1cm sheets. Cut the rolled sheet of dough into 9 cm squares then make a regular pattern of holes in each biscuit, 5 holes across by 5 holes down (25 holes in all). Place on a slightly greased baking tray; bake on the centre shelf for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown. Place on a cooling rack until they harden.

Gallipoli, 1915 ANZACs

"For supper, we had nothing more than those tough, square biscuits given to us as rations - they were so hard, a man could break his teeth on them.  Someone offered me the bottom of a can of tea, which helped to wash those tough biscuits down."  To Hell & Back: The banned Account of Gallipoli, Gunner - Sydney Loch. at last

Extract from ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavours

Fresh salads perfect for eating alfresco

Wherever you were enjoying our glorious Sydney weather this Easter, 
good friends and fresh salads were the order of the day 

with a few delights cooked on the Barbie, of course.

A few recipes from 'ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour' were included.

Enjoying Alfresco dining at Balmoral

Caprese Skewers 
Page 90 - as a starter. 
Baby bocconcini marinated in a white wine dressing, threaded onto skewers
 then basil and grape tomatoes added.
Seasoned with sea-salt and freshly ground pepper. 

Avocado Dip  Page 85.- the quickest and healthiest of all.Smash 1 large avocado, with a fork, add a good squeeze of lemon juice or vinaigrette dressing and 1/2 cup Danish feta cheese, crumbled,
dried chilli flakes or freshly ground pepper and sprinkle with chopped mint or herbs in season. Serve with crudites or crackers.

Pear, rocket & walnut salad
A version of this simple, elegant salad from
ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour P 142

Choose firm but ripe pears like Beurre Bosc, Packham or Williams.  Transport rocket and pears to the picnic in separate containers with the pears tossed in a little dressing to prevent oxidisation. At the picnic combine 1 bunch rocket, trimmed; 2 firm pears peeled of unpeeled, quartered, cored then each quarter sliced into 3 or 4;  125g piece Parmesan, shaved.  Toss gently with a little extra dressing and add a handful of toasted walnuts.

Dressing: Combine 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp cider, white wine or balsamic vinegar and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.

For an elegant variation - Witlof, pear and hazelnut salad with Roquefort - Add witlof and rocket, seasoned with sea-salt and ground pepper. Finish with the crumbled cheese and a sprinkling of chives.

Colourful tomato & onion salad 
combines a selection of different coloured tomatoes, with thinly sliced Spanish Onion, served on mixed salad leaves with the addition of English Spinach drizzled with an olive oil citrus dressing and tossed with feta cheese.

Preserve the planet with Fancy Work

Mosman Markets

Why making things yourself is joyously cool again:
I love markets!!   Richard Glover does too. His article, 'Preserve the Planet with Fancy Work'  in Spectrum, March 9-10 2019 has inspired this post.

'Joyously cool' - resonates with me.  I'm a serial artisan, beginning on my first day of  Kindergarten when I created the  "Best pig the teacher had ever seen!"  I can still recall the musky aroma of the pink plasticine.   Since then I've dabbled in many crafts; pottery, silkscreening, weaving and now writing, so I'm familiar with the enormous satisfaction of the creative process.  

Richard speaks about: "A small southern Tablelands town of Taralga's, 133rd annual Agricultural Show - where you can enter your jams and preserves, your homebrew, or even your 'Fancy Work', a category that embraces everything from beanie to best cushion.

There's also a poetry competition, a gardening festival, a cooking contest plus the 'Dog Jump'.

Apparently, according to Richard Glover,  "Making your own stuff is suddenly the new thing."  He questions why things have turned around after a few decades of a somewhat throwaway society attitude gradually evolved to the extent where it seemed eccentric to darn our socks or try to fix things.

His idea is that the turning point is a revulsion with the waste of the throw-out world we created.  A new generation sees the art of making, fixing and growing as part of the central project of their lives ie the effort to save the planet.  Observing his son showing interest and competence in growing and fixing etc, Glover expresses cheerful admiration while admitting that 'Being good with your hands' somehow skipped a generation for some.

The Easter Show showcases the amazing handicrafts and produce although this year, apparently the fewer displays demonstrate that the country is in drought.

Mosman Market is a quality art and craft market with approx 140 art and craft stalls, with gourmet food, musical entertainment, and a lively atmosphere, showing that there are still many city folk who "are good with their hands".

The Mosman Market is held on the first Saturday of the month from 8am to 3pm on the Mosman Square ; Village Green at Spit Junction.

There is no January Market. There is an EasterFeast Night Market held in March, a WinterFeast Night Market held in July, an OctoberFeast Night Market held in October and an Evening Christmas Market held in December.

For the love of Pumpkins & Picnics

PUMPKIN DIP WITH CHILLI & GINGER

A lovely Autumn starter for an Easter picnic or BBQ, equally good warm or cold    

Drizzle pumpkin / sweet potato & crushed garlic, with olive oil, season with salt & pepper in a preheated oven (200c) and roast for about 20 minutes, turning once until tender. 
Process with (to taste), chopped ginger, seeded red chilli and juice of lime until just blended. 
Serve with crackers or French baguette that's been sliced and toasted after being drizzled with olive oil and rubbed with garlic.

A word on DIPS
A dip or dipping sauce is specific to being able to be scooped up with a cracker or likewise, so needs to be more substantial and less liquid, but not too chunky. Unlike other sauces, instead of applying the sauce to the food, the food is typically dipped, or added into the dipping sauce. 

"No Woolies DA, yet" Mosman Mayor speaks

Extract from Mosman Daily - 28/3/2019 - Your Say

Military Rd heritage streetscape 

No Woolies DA, yet

I need to inform John Geismar (“Rumours ramp up”, Your Say, MD, March 14) and the Mosman community that from a risk and governance perspective, I need to remain impartial to the possibility of Woolworths developing a supermarket and residential complex on Military Rd because Mosman Council has yet to receive a development application.

Our local environmental plans and the accompanying development controls for our business centres are strong and robust and clearly articulate that Mosman Junction maintains the Military Rd heritage streetscape as one of Australia’s most significant Federation streetscapes. Be 100 percent confident that if a development application by Woolworths is received by council, as your mayor I will do everything within my power to preserve and protect our village amenity.

It is important for the community to know that if this development application does proceed, the determining body is likely to not be your local council, but a five-member Sydney Planning Panel, which has only one councillor and the current chair of the Mosman Local Planning Panel as our local representatives, but three State Government appointed members. If the development is approved by the Sydney Planning Panel, council and residents have no right to a merits based legal appeal of the decision.

Carolyn Corrigan,

Mayor of Mosman

Cost of big business

My sympathy is extended to the residents in Mosman regarding the proposed Woolworths development. As a long-term resident of Kirribilli, I’m sorry to say that we now have a Woolworths Metro in a prime position in Kirribilli village.

This will no doubt impact on the many small businesses that have catered well for the local community and the many visitors to the village. Already we have lost our fruit shop. At last count we have approximately 16 coffee outlets and now we also have a “hole in the wall” selling takeaway coffees at Woolworths.

Who knows how many more local businesses will fail due to this totally inappropriate development.

Geraldine Gibson, Kirribilli

Alfresco - pasta with tuna for these summer evenings

Equally good hot or cold but for picnics, either prepare at home
or add grilled tuna to a prepared penne salad.

TUNA:  Heart Friendly, Lowers Blood Pressure, Improves the Immune System, Helps with Weight Loss, Strengthens Your Bones, Improves Skin Health, etc; is delicious and quick to prepare.

Cook 2 cups penne in a large pan of lightly salted boiling water according to the packet instructions or until al dente. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add 500g tuna steak, cook, stirring occasionally, for 2—3 minutes until seared. Remove from the pan, cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Return the pan to high heat and cook  2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced; 2 long red chillies, seeded and finely chopped and 4 chopped anchovies.  Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.  Add a punnet of grape tomatoes and a handful of black olives and cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes, or until the tomatoes are slightly softened.

Add the hot pasta and tuna to the pan and gently toss. Add a handful of basil leaves and season with salt and pepper.

A Perfect Aussie BBQ

BBQ / grill at Hill End Caravan Park NSW

We have a tendency to use the terms ‘barbecue’ and ‘grill’ interchangeably but in the US the BBQ refers to cooking for a long period at a low temperature, where meats, particularly tough cuts, soak up the smoke and marinade flavours to become very tender and moist. We do favour cuts such as Butterflied Lamb which is served pink and therefore is in between the two. However, grilling which is the opposite approach is most commonly used for everyday backyard cookout fare in Australia: ‘the method of cooking food hot and fast on the grill. “We’ve probably been brought up with the burnt sausage and well-done steak cooked on the barbecue,” Australasian Barbecue Alliance Co-Founder, Adam Roberts, said. “Whoever was doing the barbecue probably said, "That’s the way I like them when in reality they’ve just buggered it up.” ...

The Aussie barbecue has evolved; these days tong-wielding enthusiasts are embracing global
influences, turning down the heat, and transforming the humble backyard barbie into another excuse to pit mate against mate in healthy competition. The final touch which remains however, is a
handful of gum leaves in the fire for that dinky di (authenic) outback flavour.
Less heat, more time — it’s part culinary movement, part sport.
Extract - ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour

On the other hand, Celebrity chef, Matt Moran, said a BBQ was about showcasing the best summer ingredients - a selection of Aussie beef, lamb and sausages, plus seafood.
"I think we're all pretty traditional on Australia Day.  Most Aussies like to keep it simple - I love the snag rolls with caramelised onions on freshly buttered baked bread roll - it's a memory and taste you can't beat.
 Daily Telegraph, Jan 20 - 'Australia Day 2019'

Caramelised onions 

These are wonderful served cold as an accompaniment to cold meats, pates and terrines or hot with grilled meats. They’re very easy to make at home – you simply cook the onions slowly to caramelise their natural sugars while the brown sugar and balsamic help the process along.

Heat 2 tbsp oil on a grill or in a large frypan over low heat. Add 3 large red or brown onions, sliced and a good pinch of salt and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent them from catching. Don’t be tempted to turn the heat up, as you don’t want the onions to burn. When onions are softened and tinged golden, add 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar.
Cook over low heat for a further 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until caramelised.
Recipe P170 - ALFRESHCO

A

'Man your Esky this Christmas!

Man Your  Esky!

What is the BBQ without the Esky?

Many countries have a long history of grilled meats, yet Aussies try to claim the BBQ as our own, where it’s considered traditional, if not sacred. The barbecue and sausage sizzle along with the truly Australian invention of the Esky, have become emblems of Australian hospitality with ‘Firing up the barbie’ practically a way of life... So what's the special role of the Esky?

Esky definition: 1. a brand name for a cool box (a box with a lid,
used for keeping food and drink cool) 

A common factor uniting the barbecuing world, public or private, whether born in Australia or elsewhere, is that it’s the men who do the cooking. And as they do so, they talk.

Richard White, Australian historian and author of ‘Inventing Australia’ says, “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 yearning and conversation in the way a camp fire might once have done.”

Mark Thompson in ‘Meat, Metal, & Fire: The Legendary Australian Barbecue’ believes Aussie men fulfil their hunting and creative instincts in the ritual. At the end of the day, it’s mateship, the sharing of good food and casual relaxed moments that is an intrinsic part of our lifestyle. 

We can create a gourmet meal with all the trimmings, cooked to perfection, or just have a few chops and snags (sausages) maybe a bit charred; with bread; throw in some beer/wine and enjoy the day.
Extract from ALFRESHCO: foreshore flavour