Amongst the busyness of life and celebrating family togetherness, there is nothing more comforting and tasty than a beautifully glazed ham.
As is customary, many Australians have Christmas at home and then spend early January away going to the beach and staying somewhere like The Bavarian Hut. After Boxing Day, we cut up the ham and pack it between paper in plastic containers ready for an assortment of meals to take away on holiday or to freeze and add to last minute meals.
For breakfasts, we love thick slices of ham on toast/English muffins with a poached egg balanced on the top. Creamy scrambled eggs with roughly cut pieces of ham liberally added or try your favourite leafy salad with chunks of ham added. Potato salad reaches new levels with chunks of ham and piccalilli gently stirred through. Tiny sandwiches with mustard, watercress and thin slices of ham make an interesting light meal.
There are many glazes we have enjoyed over the years. This is one of my favourites;
Cranberry-Currant Glaze
340 g redcurrant jelly
290 g jar cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup brandy
Combine jelly and sauce in a medium pan; stir over low heat; Stir in juice and brandy, strain. Brush the ham well with the glaze after removing rind/ scoring the ham according to the directions on the package of the ham. We like a diamond scoring pattern with whole cloves and cherries for decoration/colour. Bake according to ham's instructions! We usually bake the ham in a moderate oven for 1 hour. Check that the glaze doesn't burn to keep happiness to the optimum in the kitchen! Enjoy.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Foraging where I really shouldn't
If anyone has been to the property, there are so many sheds and quaint outbuildings, it is confusing to say the least. It is no wonder husband Bruce and myself frequently forget where we put things. Also I am known to be fairly clumsy and my last attempts to retrieve something, meant that I bruised my arm for weeks.
For ages I had been asking Bruce to get down a rustic, old handmade ladder that was mounted high in one of the garages. Being a pragmatic sort of person, I had immediately located what I could do with it. In reading glossy country magazines for my new life, I came across a delightful idea for a bathroom or guest bedroom.
Mounted against a wall, I could imagine thick soft towels on each rung, welcoming guests as they arrived.
While in France, we bought cotton quilts and posted them back to Australia such was my penchant for linen. I could also imagine my printed quilts softly folded on the rungs of the ladder in a guest bedroom.
Once the ladder was taken down from the shed, 4 coats of timber polish were applied and because Christmas was coming I joked that I would buy a blow up Santa and prop him on the side of the house on the ladder. Adult children did not find this amusing so I went back to plan A!
It is good to shake things up a bit, don't you think!
For ages I had been asking Bruce to get down a rustic, old handmade ladder that was mounted high in one of the garages. Being a pragmatic sort of person, I had immediately located what I could do with it. In reading glossy country magazines for my new life, I came across a delightful idea for a bathroom or guest bedroom.
Mounted against a wall, I could imagine thick soft towels on each rung, welcoming guests as they arrived.
While in France, we bought cotton quilts and posted them back to Australia such was my penchant for linen. I could also imagine my printed quilts softly folded on the rungs of the ladder in a guest bedroom.
Once the ladder was taken down from the shed, 4 coats of timber polish were applied and because Christmas was coming I joked that I would buy a blow up Santa and prop him on the side of the house on the ladder. Adult children did not find this amusing so I went back to plan A!
It is good to shake things up a bit, don't you think!
Hail stones, birds and cream tea
Last weekend saw our first hail storm. Large hail stones spread like confetti all over the green lawns as they struck the roof noisily. Celebrating our full rain water tanks and nourishment for our garden, we planted shrubs and watched them begin to shoot in the rich, volcanic soil and warm weather that is Queensland.
Lorikeets, King parrots and cockatoos cheekily looked on us as they wiped out the sunflower seeds, prompting a second breakfast! Our daughter, Natalie managed to coach a king parrot to eat seeds from close to where she was standing.
The previous day I had woken up at 5 in the morning with sunlight streaming through the curtains and had startled two wallabies munching. They stared at me for a while before hopping away.
Later that morning, we took photographs of a country tea with chocolate cake, lemon tart, banana and carrot cake to load on my Facebook page. Wild flowers picked from the garden, made a colourful display. I was reminded of the heritage of the building which was originally a diary and then a tearoom. The diary farmer used his cream for tea and cream scones which they served up to the public. I was reminded of all the empty plastic containers of strawberry jam that I originally found in my clean up when I first arrived at the Hut. There is a lot you can tell from people's rubbish and what they don't discard!
The story of the Bavarian Hut has quickly unfolded and it will take time before its history is revealed...
Thursday, October 31, 2013
A blast from the past
Suzie's beautiful biscuits
250 grams margarine or butter
3/4 cup icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence (or your choice of essence)
2 1/2 - 2 3/4 cups of flour
optional - cherries or nuts to decorate
Cream margarine or butter and icing sugar together
Add essence
Mix in the flour well
I use a cookie press and press onto baking paper
Otherwise you can roll into a ball and flatten the middle to put the cherry on top.
Bake at 350 F or 180 C for 10 minutes until just golden brown.
I never get tired of these biscuits and their presentation is so good. Take these on holiday with you when you visit the Bavarian Hut. Just layer in a sealed plastic container with baking paper between layers.
Make yourself a well deserved pot of tea in your choice of tea. I like intense flavoured black tea with these biscuits but try Earl Grey or even Rooibos (red bush) tea from South Africa. The latter has particularly many health benefits. Sigh...
See photograph
Treasured moments including a hand made embroidered cloth completed by my mother, Royal Doulton tea service bought in 1972 at Harrods by my father and the two oval plates from grandmother's blue willow design dinner service.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Spring is in the air, everywhere I look around
Arriving at the Hut a few days ago, I was struck by the sunny skies, lush grass, flowering azaleas and daisies. Opening the guest book, I saw that the previous guests, 4 ladies from Singapore had left us wonderfully positive comments including, 'Best.Trip.Ever.' Thanks girls, it was a pleasure! You can come any time!
Rather than this making me relax on my laurels, it fired me up to do some gardening and tidy up the pantry. Dozens of cups/saucers, plates, cutlery were finally tidied up while I stocked up on disposables including toilet paper,soap, dish washing liquid, paper towels and cleaning products ready for when the cleaner came.
The day finished perfectly with the glow of the sunset. I laughed when I saw two ducks waddling up the driveway, husband dutifully keeping behind his wife all the way up past the house. A wallaby who initially was startled by me, gazed quietly at me while munching before springing off again in the opposite direction.
Sunday saw Bruce and I visiting the country markets. For a change, I used restraint while eyeing some bright yellow cups and saucers remembering my stock take earlier in the weekend. Having not seen any of the local people for a while, it was invigorating to stop, chat and have a good laugh often at my own expense.
Generously we were given some cupcakes and slices to try out at the Bavarian Hut. We were keen on getting a sample plate of goodies to welcome our guests on arrival. When we arrived back, I found a colourful plate, doily and placed the muffins and cupcakes ready for the next arrivals. Somehow it looked more cheerful than an empty refrigerator.
From the garden, I picked grevillea flowers to put in a vase on the dining room table while Bruce removed some of the cobwebs which seemed to suddenly appear in the days we arrived.
Satisfied, we left our holiday home for our life in the city. How long, I wondered would our lives be spilt between two worlds?
Rather than this making me relax on my laurels, it fired me up to do some gardening and tidy up the pantry. Dozens of cups/saucers, plates, cutlery were finally tidied up while I stocked up on disposables including toilet paper,soap, dish washing liquid, paper towels and cleaning products ready for when the cleaner came.
The day finished perfectly with the glow of the sunset. I laughed when I saw two ducks waddling up the driveway, husband dutifully keeping behind his wife all the way up past the house. A wallaby who initially was startled by me, gazed quietly at me while munching before springing off again in the opposite direction.
Sunday saw Bruce and I visiting the country markets. For a change, I used restraint while eyeing some bright yellow cups and saucers remembering my stock take earlier in the weekend. Having not seen any of the local people for a while, it was invigorating to stop, chat and have a good laugh often at my own expense.
Generously we were given some cupcakes and slices to try out at the Bavarian Hut. We were keen on getting a sample plate of goodies to welcome our guests on arrival. When we arrived back, I found a colourful plate, doily and placed the muffins and cupcakes ready for the next arrivals. Somehow it looked more cheerful than an empty refrigerator.
From the garden, I picked grevillea flowers to put in a vase on the dining room table while Bruce removed some of the cobwebs which seemed to suddenly appear in the days we arrived.
Satisfied, we left our holiday home for our life in the city. How long, I wondered would our lives be spilt between two worlds?
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Joie de vivre
How I have enjoyed reading 'My French Affair' which is a story of a kiwi woman who buys two guest houses in the south of France. She renovates the eighteenth century houses and has people to stay from all over the world introducing them to French cuisine and a different way of life from what they are used to. Sometimes the consequences are hilarious and the author, Amanda Taylor-Ace certainly seems to tell it like it is. Renovating the Bavarian Hut and cottages helps me see some similarities.
I have revelled in cooking some of the recipes from the book and remembering our own European
adventures. Here is one of her best friend's recipes from the book.
Luce's famous Tart
1 sheet pastry
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 courgette-chopped
1 tomato-chopped
1 eggplant,chopped
2 onions,chopped
4 eggs
300 mls cream
cheese to your liking (Luce uses goats cheese but any cheese works well)
parsley, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 180 C
Prepare pastry to fit pie dish (I use store bought puff pastry)
Spread the mustard over the pastry base
Saute' the vegetables for 10 minutes in oil
Beat eggs and cream. Add cooked vegetables and cheese either sliced, grated or crumbled.
Pur into the prepared pastry shell.
Sprinkle a little parsley.
Bake for 30 minutes.
If you want to do what the French do, shop and fill a basket at the local fresh markets daily. Who says you have to be in France to get this joie de vivre experience?
Bon Appetit!
I have revelled in cooking some of the recipes from the book and remembering our own European
adventures. Here is one of her best friend's recipes from the book.
Luce's famous Tart
1 sheet pastry
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 courgette-chopped
1 tomato-chopped
1 eggplant,chopped
2 onions,chopped
4 eggs
300 mls cream
cheese to your liking (Luce uses goats cheese but any cheese works well)
parsley, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 180 C
Prepare pastry to fit pie dish (I use store bought puff pastry)
Spread the mustard over the pastry base
Saute' the vegetables for 10 minutes in oil
Beat eggs and cream. Add cooked vegetables and cheese either sliced, grated or crumbled.
Pur into the prepared pastry shell.
Sprinkle a little parsley.
Bake for 30 minutes.
If you want to do what the French do, shop and fill a basket at the local fresh markets daily. Who says you have to be in France to get this joie de vivre experience?
Bon Appetit!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Pattern for Crazy teacozy
A dead easy way of knitting quick gifts. (see photograph of my teacozies on previous blog titled 'Crazy teacozies') If you would rather knit complicated patterns, this one is not for you. I love colours and using up all sorts of leftover wool. My temperament means that I don't like being dictated to as far as which colours to use and I am impatient to finish it quickly so I can start the next one.
Make 2 squares for each cosy. I use 8 ply acrylic wool. One 100 grm acrylic will knit a tea cosy. It will knit a couple if you make the smallest size. Sizes are small,medium and large.
1-2 cup pot,4-6 pot and large for at least 8 cups.
Use 4.5 mm knitting needles and cast on 38 (48,54) stitches.
PATTERN
Row 1 Knit
Row 2 Purl
Row 3 Knit
Row 4 Purl
NEXT Knit 10 rows (GARTER STITCH)
Keep repeating these 14 rows until your work measures 14 (18,20) cms or length desired.
SHAPE TOP
Row 1 Knit1*Yarn over,Knit 2 together* repeat *to* to the last stitch (knit 1)
Row 2 Knit
Row 3 Knit
Row 4 Knit
CAST OFF LOOSELY (make 2)
Place the pieces right sides together and stitch the top section and the bottom section of each side. Use the spout and handle of your pot as a guide. Turn the cosy right side out and thread your choice of ribbon,cord or braid through the eyelet holes. Pull tightly and make a bow.
Your imagination knows no limits and if you would like help with basic knitting skills, there are various YouTube exercises that may help.
Tricky sweet treats
At our holiday home, I have a tea tray set up all the time complete with teapot/teacozy and cups/saucers. It is kept neatly in a shelf so that there is no excuse not to have visitors around for tea and scones. Being of English heritage, before living in Australia/New Zealand/South Africa and Tanzania, means that I am fussy about how tea is made.
Boil the water, and warm the pot with a little before throwing the water out. 1 teaspoon of tea leaves per person and add one for the pot. Now you may want to spend time in the kitchen making the scones, but I don't want the dirty surfaces and dishes afterwards. I have already frozen my scones (store bought) and defrosted them. In small jars, I serve up butter, (oh yes), jam (I like big chunks of fruit in mine) and thick cream (fresh from the cows of the next door diary farm) for visitors to help themselves. Sometimes I have home made lemon curd to pile up on my scone. Making jam seems to take a long time but curds are quick and easy. Some recipes insist that you sieve the fruit juice but we like the texture of a thicker not as smooth curd. It also saves time and washing up.
Lemon and lime Curd
115g /4 oz butter
3 eggs
grated rind and juice of 2 lemons
grated rind and juice of 2 limes
225g /8oz castor sugar (makes 2 X 450 grms/ 1 lb jars)
Set a heatproof mixing bowl over a large pan of simmering water. Add butter.
Lightly beat the eggs and add them to the butter.
Add the lemon and lime rinds and juices, then add the sugar.
Stir the mixture constantly until it thickens. Pour into sterilized jars. The curd will
keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks, not that it ever last that long before being eaten.
(see photograph on previous blog entry 'Inspired by our European adventures')
(see photograph on previous blog entry 'Inspired by our European adventures')
Spread on toast or muffins and scones and watch your popularity increase. I sent a small jar back to Melbourne with my older daughter to ensure she visits us again. ;)
Monday, July 22, 2013
Trickery in the kitchen
After my 40 something years in the kitchen, I think I have learned a few things to keep myself and my family happily fed while on holiday. We like gourmet food but not spending hours in the kitchen using piles of dishes!
My tips for a self catering holiday-
Where the budget allows eat out! You do not have to choose the most expensive places to eat. The Gold coast area has hundreds of places. Consider choosing different times of the day. Breakfast or lunch can be better value than dinner.
If you are a party of adults, consider having a counter lunch at the local pub. Our Canungra Hotel offer 5 or 6 variations with bountiful salads. With children, consider sharing a huge bowl of noodle soup or something like Nachos. Go to the local fresh markets (Nerang or Mudgeeraba//Beechmont/Canungra) and sample their produce. Bakeries are great for breads and pastries while taking advantage of Lamington Park or walks on the beach.
Benefit from the dozens of easily cooked meals at the chain grocery stores. They cater for every budget from the simple sausage roll/pies/fish to lamb shanks done in a red wine sauce slow cooked already for 11 hours! I take advantage of the ready made mash or even frozen mash which I microwave. I enthusiastically embrace holidays for relaxing and will be trying out the slow cooked pork belly also from our local chain grocery store this weekend.
With these pre prepared meals, buy a packet of green salad leaves or a bunch of spinach/broccolini to steam. Use fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season and remember variety is the spice of life.
Take pizza bases and any leftovers can be spread on to them with a minimum of fuss. Most children are happy to get involved and they can leave out what they don't like. Use leftovers from your picnics and be inventive.
Risotto is great for using up bits and pieces in the refrigerator. Mushrooms, pumpkin, capsicum, (don't tell my daughter) onion, spring onion or spinach. Use any combination and at the last minute throw in some frozen vegetable to add interest. Grated cheese on the top and you have an complete meal or a great accompaniment for barbecued meat.
Create a home made pasta sauce for your fresh pasta. Once again it can be made with virtually any fresh ingredients in your fridge. For a professional finish, pop some fresh herbs on the top.
Get creative and above all have fun. That is what holidays are for. Besides you have earned it with all those walks.
My tips for a self catering holiday-
Where the budget allows eat out! You do not have to choose the most expensive places to eat. The Gold coast area has hundreds of places. Consider choosing different times of the day. Breakfast or lunch can be better value than dinner.
If you are a party of adults, consider having a counter lunch at the local pub. Our Canungra Hotel offer 5 or 6 variations with bountiful salads. With children, consider sharing a huge bowl of noodle soup or something like Nachos. Go to the local fresh markets (Nerang or Mudgeeraba//Beechmont/Canungra) and sample their produce. Bakeries are great for breads and pastries while taking advantage of Lamington Park or walks on the beach.
Benefit from the dozens of easily cooked meals at the chain grocery stores. They cater for every budget from the simple sausage roll/pies/fish to lamb shanks done in a red wine sauce slow cooked already for 11 hours! I take advantage of the ready made mash or even frozen mash which I microwave. I enthusiastically embrace holidays for relaxing and will be trying out the slow cooked pork belly also from our local chain grocery store this weekend.
With these pre prepared meals, buy a packet of green salad leaves or a bunch of spinach/broccolini to steam. Use fresh fruit and vegetables that are in season and remember variety is the spice of life.
Take pizza bases and any leftovers can be spread on to them with a minimum of fuss. Most children are happy to get involved and they can leave out what they don't like. Use leftovers from your picnics and be inventive.
Risotto is great for using up bits and pieces in the refrigerator. Mushrooms, pumpkin, capsicum, (don't tell my daughter) onion, spring onion or spinach. Use any combination and at the last minute throw in some frozen vegetable to add interest. Grated cheese on the top and you have an complete meal or a great accompaniment for barbecued meat.
Create a home made pasta sauce for your fresh pasta. Once again it can be made with virtually any fresh ingredients in your fridge. For a professional finish, pop some fresh herbs on the top.
Get creative and above all have fun. That is what holidays are for. Besides you have earned it with all those walks.
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Surrounded by twenty somethings
Back in Brisbane, we plan my younger daughter's 21st birthday party. I make sure we don't run out of food by packing the grocery cupboards and ordering in weeks before the actual event. Family is flying in from Melbourne and I have our spare bedrooms ready with new 1000 count sheets and soft luxury towels. New bath oils, pretty soap and bath washes line the vanity.
My thoughts regularly wander to Beechmont and I am reminded why we are successful having people to stay at the Bavarian Hut and why we are always fully booked in our peak winter season. I am grateful for the lawn mowing which gets done every two weeks and our cleaner who comes regularly.
At last the day comes when our older daughter and partner is picked up from the airport. A huge pot of rich Bolognese sauce simmers on the stove waiting to be eaten while we catch up with family matters. The next day Bruce puts up the indoor and outdoor lights and we place the many candles through the house and on the decks. We have a wonderful drinks fountain which lights up when we pour the brightly coloured cocktails. My ingenious idea of putting frozen berries clogs up the works and we abandon that idea!
The braziers fire up and the marshmallows are piled waiting to be skewered and roasted. The oven houses the hot snacks which come out every 15 minutes ready to be consumed. Young twenty something year olds pile in and surround the food before going out to chill on the decks.
I am reminded of the enquiry I have for a small, intimate wedding that I have quoted for at the Hut and wonder if that is an area we want to explore? Happy dreams...
My thoughts regularly wander to Beechmont and I am reminded why we are successful having people to stay at the Bavarian Hut and why we are always fully booked in our peak winter season. I am grateful for the lawn mowing which gets done every two weeks and our cleaner who comes regularly.
At last the day comes when our older daughter and partner is picked up from the airport. A huge pot of rich Bolognese sauce simmers on the stove waiting to be eaten while we catch up with family matters. The next day Bruce puts up the indoor and outdoor lights and we place the many candles through the house and on the decks. We have a wonderful drinks fountain which lights up when we pour the brightly coloured cocktails. My ingenious idea of putting frozen berries clogs up the works and we abandon that idea!
The braziers fire up and the marshmallows are piled waiting to be skewered and roasted. The oven houses the hot snacks which come out every 15 minutes ready to be consumed. Young twenty something year olds pile in and surround the food before going out to chill on the decks.
I am reminded of the enquiry I have for a small, intimate wedding that I have quoted for at the Hut and wonder if that is an area we want to explore? Happy dreams...
Monday, July 1, 2013
Wet days and full tanks
This is our peak season with sunny days and cold nights. Well, the cold nights sitting by the fire are a reality but we are having our wettest winter in a long time!
We cheer in the full tanks, being fully reliant on tank water and relish the opportunities for our new plants and shrubs to be nourished. The camellias are starting to flower while they continue their steady but slow growth.
Being fully booked mainly with families, we go off to the Lifeline Bookfest to find more games and books for those rainy days. Gigantic rows of books/games/DVD's line the Brisbane Convention Centre and before long we have collected our fill. Back to the car we trundle with our stash, knowing there will be weeks of blissful reading.
Fortunately with all our trees at the back of the property, I am able to collect many pine cones to stock pile.
The wood burner is used constantly while we settle in for the winter.
The little opportunity shop which opens a couple of times a week at the old school Hall in Beechmont is great for finding treasures. I have a collection of crockery, jam jars and sundries while chatting to the lovely local person I meet. Church services are next door and the local craft ladies meet regularly. Tea and scones are served on embroidered cloths near the old kitchen. Each table has a small vase of fresh flowers. How I love this country life.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Next project!
The old restaurant toilet block is looking very smart newly painted on the outside. I decide that we need to upgrade the interior and replace the old peach loo seats! A coat of paint will magically transform the inside of the two rooms and I look forward to the upgrade. Three toilets will be an improvement and the handyman promises to connect them to the water tank. Woo hoo!
Then I want to start painting all the outbuildings which are painted numerous different colours. The paw paw trees I have been nurturing need planting and another Avocado tree has been grown from seed.
I am sourcing having a sign made for the Bavarian Hut. The last one was blown down, helped by human intervention, I think. Genevieve had carefully sign written it a couple of years back before she went to Melbourne. I have not had the courage to tell her yet.
Then I want to start painting all the outbuildings which are painted numerous different colours. The paw paw trees I have been nurturing need planting and another Avocado tree has been grown from seed.
I am sourcing having a sign made for the Bavarian Hut. The last one was blown down, helped by human intervention, I think. Genevieve had carefully sign written it a couple of years back before she went to Melbourne. I have not had the courage to tell her yet.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Back in Brisbane
Booking enquiries for the Bavarian Hut grow, my phone rings and the washing and chores pile up. This working from home is proving challenging and others in the family haven't the time to help with the chores because they have jobs to go to! Oh, really?
I am reminded constantly of the treasures we found when renovating up at the Bavarian Hut. We have brought down a collection of vintage typewriters, desks, irons, sewing machines, mirror, commercial cookware, cuckoo clocks, ships lanterns, meat scale, bells, crockery and cutlery from the Hut to our home and it is consoling to be surrounded by some of the furniture.
I find a spotless record player in a storeroom and we add to our collection of vinyl records. Bits of material and wool find a creative channel for me as I cover the tops of marmalade jars and create more teacozies. Feeling generous one day, Natalie and I pile some in the car and set off for one of the local charity shops and they enthusiastically accept them.
Bruce and I catch up on conversation in the short winter evenings that lie ahead. We discuss all aspects of the business and find our list of future projects growing. There are phone calls and emails made to tradespeople and cleaners while we check the property ourselves before visitors arrive. I automatically run through the list in my head. Water tanks and gas cylinders full, lawn mown, house cleaned and linen and towels placed neatly, firewood ready, samples of tea/coffee/toilet paper/soap/dish clothes? Maintenance issues attended to and the letterbox emptied. Bills paid and queries followed up.
I am reminded constantly of the treasures we found when renovating up at the Bavarian Hut. We have brought down a collection of vintage typewriters, desks, irons, sewing machines, mirror, commercial cookware, cuckoo clocks, ships lanterns, meat scale, bells, crockery and cutlery from the Hut to our home and it is consoling to be surrounded by some of the furniture.
I find a spotless record player in a storeroom and we add to our collection of vinyl records. Bits of material and wool find a creative channel for me as I cover the tops of marmalade jars and create more teacozies. Feeling generous one day, Natalie and I pile some in the car and set off for one of the local charity shops and they enthusiastically accept them.
Bruce and I catch up on conversation in the short winter evenings that lie ahead. We discuss all aspects of the business and find our list of future projects growing. There are phone calls and emails made to tradespeople and cleaners while we check the property ourselves before visitors arrive. I automatically run through the list in my head. Water tanks and gas cylinders full, lawn mown, house cleaned and linen and towels placed neatly, firewood ready, samples of tea/coffee/toilet paper/soap/dish clothes? Maintenance issues attended to and the letterbox emptied. Bills paid and queries followed up.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
More happenings
I wishfully think that renovations have some form of ending! We continue to work on the houses, more starting than stopping. There is the usual maintenance and because we have come off a low base of a neglected house and our multitude of jobs continue.
The bathroom in the front house is of the 40 year vintage with sloping floor and toilet that sits up awkwardly against the wall! We had put a new vanity in with our first lot of renovations but the old shower with the shower curtains was quickly losing its appeal.
The bathroom is gutted and new tiles, shower and toilet installed. We are amazed at the difference and I am able to sit on the toilet without the wall cramping my style!
We have a month before we hire someone to paint the outside of the house. I paint 5 colours on a piece of wood and take the opinions of family. The colour coordinator assures me that a few "shades of grey" were the up coming trend. We choose a blue grey with white trims. First are the multitude of jobs that have to be done before painting. Missing fascia boards and holes need to be repaired along with some roofing for the awnings. A tyre on the corner of an awning (to stop anyone bumping their heads)
is removed as well as some old notices on outside toilets reminding the diners which were the men and woman's.
The rain pours and I am reminded how the house is vulnerable against the elements. When sunshine returns, the painting begins. Natalie and I paint the extras like the farmhouse letterbox, a statue and a birdbath. We admire the colour while Bruce trims the camellias and shrubs away from the house.
The old mixture of orange, brick red, and green paint will soon be gone.
After 3 weeks, we round the corner slowly and look up at the house, rapt with the colour.
The old outbuilding are now looking as though they need work! When I comment on this I can feel Bruce's uncomfortable gaze. Everything can be negotiated and I have time on my side. Just buy the pot of paint I say to myself, pretending I am the patient one.
The bathroom in the front house is of the 40 year vintage with sloping floor and toilet that sits up awkwardly against the wall! We had put a new vanity in with our first lot of renovations but the old shower with the shower curtains was quickly losing its appeal.
The bathroom is gutted and new tiles, shower and toilet installed. We are amazed at the difference and I am able to sit on the toilet without the wall cramping my style!
We have a month before we hire someone to paint the outside of the house. I paint 5 colours on a piece of wood and take the opinions of family. The colour coordinator assures me that a few "shades of grey" were the up coming trend. We choose a blue grey with white trims. First are the multitude of jobs that have to be done before painting. Missing fascia boards and holes need to be repaired along with some roofing for the awnings. A tyre on the corner of an awning (to stop anyone bumping their heads)
The rain pours and I am reminded how the house is vulnerable against the elements. When sunshine returns, the painting begins. Natalie and I paint the extras like the farmhouse letterbox, a statue and a birdbath. We admire the colour while Bruce trims the camellias and shrubs away from the house.
After 3 weeks, we round the corner slowly and look up at the house, rapt with the colour.
These are a few of my favourite things
Every time we are up at the Bavarian Hut we stop in at a neighbouring farm to buy fresh, creamy milk. There is nothing like seeing happy cows and calves grazing in the green fields while stopping at the rustic diary! Thick cream rises to the top in the milk bottle, not at all like the milk bought from the large grocery stores which in comparison tastes watery.
A little further along the road is Rosins Point, which overlooks the picturesque Mount Warning.
Hang gliders gently soar riding the wind currents. This is our favourite place for a picnic, looking at the spectacular views while we sit on the benches made for us.
Further up we drive, negotiating the steep drive up to Lamington National Park. Stopping at the information centre, we find our pathway and set on our walk past waterfalls, caves and Aboriginal drawings through luscious rainforest. Sometimes the pathway ascends rapidly as we climb up towards Binna Burra marvelling at the views.
Back at the Bavarian Hut, we watch the sunset and take photographs, silent in the orange glow and the darkening shadows.
Taking a sip of chilled wine, we stack our wood in the burner and watch the warm flames alight. Knitting quietly or playing cards makes me realise what a lovely retreat this is. I wonder if anyone uses the puzzles I have left as we do have visitors who stay for a week or longer.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Expanding our business
While I am in Brisbane, I think of the Bavarian Hut and spend time learning how to deal with social media. Facebook becomes my friend and I learn about using Wotif.com, Stayz and Takeabreak websites. Just when I think I have mastered the art, my brain freezes and I have to ask one of my adult daughters!
Booking enquiries are answered within a few minutes to a couple of hours and I learn the value of having a smart phone and go over my credit by a respectable amount! A good cleaner and handyman find their way to us, both New Zealanders which gives me a touch of nostalgia remembering we lived there for 7 years.
Summer storms break branches and dampen my mood and patience! I learn again the value of having to let others help us. Tenants come and go in the back cottage and gravel road gets laid after particularly hard summer rains.
My husband and I argue about rates of the holiday rental and eventually compromise on a deal. We wonder how long we will have the property for and if we will ever retire there.
We keep our eldest daughter, Genevieve informed of a progress and our problems and learn to listen to her comments. Natalie keeps us up to date and extends her friends to be our business friends on our Facebook page. I link with other businesses and learn to 'like' a whole heap more than I feel like doing!
We have a favourite site we order for any business cards or flyers and we leave them at information centres and local businesses. My favourite shop is still the only one on the mountain which sells a wide variety of goods from toothpaste to gas bottles, to renting videos and takeaways. There is still nothing more nourishing that a Brekkie burger from there!
Inspired by our European Adventure
Arriving back in Brisbane, we quickly plant grapefruit, orange, guava, mandarin trees. Shrubs which remind us of our home countries such as the Protea from South Africa and a Pohutakawa from New Zealand are carefully planted amongst the grevillas which grow so well in Queensland and encourage the cheeky lorikeets, rosellas, galahs and king parrots.
Camellias and rhodedendrums thrive in the rich, volcanic soil and remind me of my English roots. Soon we have created a rose garden and moved a small tank so we can water our garden without having to use watering cans!
Camellias and rhodedendrums thrive in the rich, volcanic soil and remind me of my English roots. Soon we have created a rose garden and moved a small tank so we can water our garden without having to use watering cans!
Another two new water tanks are added to the property and the guttering extended in places. Every time it rains, we get excited as the tanks fill. Steve, the water delivery man flies up up the mountain, when our visitors have dried up the tanks. Most weekends, we spend up at the Hut gardening and tidying up.
Sometimes we have same day turnaround as our visitors pour in at peak season. This is usually in our dry winters with cold nights and warm sunny days. Every guest now gets a welcome gift of an individually hand crafted teacozy. The firewood has to be replenished often and the tedious job of stacking the firewood falls to Bruce and I. We open our guest book and are delighted with our positive comments.
The camellias start flowering and we find that there are two different types of avocado trees. The macadamia nuts continue to fall and we collect them and put them into a large wooden bowls. Attempts at trying to crack the nuts prove impossible! I collect lemons, mandarins & oranges which are then used to make curd and marmalade. (see recipe under 'Tricky sweet treats')
Wild mint grows like a weed and I proudly cut off a sprig of rosemary for our barbecued lamb chops.
Wild mint grows like a weed and I proudly cut off a sprig of rosemary for our barbecued lamb chops.
I learn new customer services skills as I answer the telephone sometimes at odd times of the night. My patience grows thin when visitors lock themelves out and telephone us to find out what they can do! I learn the value of friends like Sam, the electrician who comes to our rescue when spare keys cannot be found.
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