Quote for the day:
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
by C.S. Lewis
Welcome to day 26. A day of anticipation regarding our current lockdown status. I’m currently listening the Government announcement regarding moving from level 4 to level 3 at 11.59 pm next Monday. That now means we are currently in day 26 of 33. As ANZAC day has been Mondayised I guess government don’t want people going away over this coming long weekend hence extending level 4 lockdown. How do you feel about this? What effects will this have on you or your business?
What concerns me is if we eliminate Covid-19, what happens when we open our borders again? Am I missing something here, the rest of the world isn’t eliminating the virus! Or do we keep our borders closed until there is a vaccination – wonder how long that will be?
We need to still keep our physical distancing until 11 May at least. A little time to go before we can have that big hug, drink that coffee and sip that prosecco!
In case you have missed day 25’s comments, check them out here.
Country Calendar is one of my favourite TV programmes, did you see last night’s episode? It was about Linnburn Station, situated on Maniototo Plain, Otago where they carry out regenerative farming practices. Before seeing this episode I didn’t understand the meaning of “regenerative farming practices” but now I do and find it very interesting. It’s all about protecting and creating soil health through the use of over crops/ companion planting, zero till, biological stimulants & high intensity grazing with zero use of artificial fertilisers etc. Peter Barrett’s (owner) believes Healthy Soil = Healthy Water = Healthy Animals = Healthy People. It was an inspiring episode and made me think about my own garden. Click here to view it. If you saw it, what were your thoughts – did it prompt you to think about and perhaps garden a little differently?
Lockdown loaf
Also known as Chelsea’s Beer Bread. One of my regular readers Sharon who loves to cook recommends this recipe, she says “it’s easy to make and tastes delicious.”
Click here to get the ingredients and instructions – happy baking.
Today’s feature image
Thank you “Susan of Hamilton East” for today’s feature image. The colour of the nareens is quite stunning.
Signs of autumn
Thank you “Susan of Hamilton East” and “I-Solution Wanaka” for our signs of autumn. Have you noticed that as autumn progresses the colours are becoming more vibrant and diverse?
Remember Paul Henry is hosting a TV series titled “Rebuilding Paradise“, starts tonight at 9.30 pm on TV 3. I’m looking forward to seeing the format and who he’ll interviews etc.
What did you do today, and what are your thoughts regarding extending level 4 lockdown until next week?
Remember to be patient and kind to yourself and everybody in your bubble. Take care Goldcard Gal 🙂
Lockdown day 26
Following on from yesterday:
“Celerius quam asparagi cocunter”.
Which I believe means “Faster than asparagus is cooked” (very fast)
I thought that as many of the postings over the last 25days have been about food and how to grow, prepare and preserve. I might add a little spice to the mix.
All cyclist love food and lots of it. I particularly like most european food and in that area I am rather spoilt. My bride is Hungarian and so for all of our married life I have had marvelous food both from her kitchen, her relatives and on OS trips to visit.
Well after all this time, today was my day. More accurately an invitation for me to use the kitchen.
Like my workshop, this is her Sactum Sactorum. I am very priveleged.
So Hungarian mixed meat Goulash. (For 2) You need:
1 or 2 chicken drum sticks
1 small chicken breast
Some left over pork, cut thin like snitzel, about 100gms
Half an onion
2 large button mushrooms
1 table spoon tomatoe paste (optional)
1 large potatoe
Half a large red capsicon
Garlic (flakes or fresh) to taste
Olive oil
Smoky dried papricka spice.
Cup of wine (any to your taste)
Some water to feed in as cooking takes place.
If you have it, a small green or yellow fresh pepper.
Clean and cut up everything into pieces about 2 -3 cm (not the drum sticks)
Cook Potatoes in microwave to be edible but not soft. Then drain and put aside.
In 1 large soucespan.
Chop up the onion into small peices and fry in scourcepan with a little oil until soft.
The process is to start the stove to heat up quickly and then turn down to cook through.
Add the meat/s and a small amount of water and cook till white.
Add wine and garlic and slowly cook.
Add capsicon and mushrooms.
Spoon in the tomatoe paste and add a heaped dining spoon of smoky papricka spice.
Make sure to add small lots of water so as not to dry and burn.
Add the flesh (not the seeds) of the fresh pepper in small strips. (This makes it just the right spiciness)
Once everything is bubbling away add the potatoes.
Now let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
Serve in bowls along with fresh crusty bread or rolls.
Compliment with the rest of the wine bottle.
Jó étvágyat!
Various wheat noodles can also be cooked and added if wanted.
Just the washing up to do now!
Unhurried in Hamilton
Thank you “Unhurried in Hamilton”. Your Hungarian mixed meat Goulash” sounds delicious must try it. Sounds like ideal dish for autumn and winter? 🙂
I agree with the others Country Calendar has always been a favourite in our household. I asked the boyfriend if he was using regenerative farming methods in his vegetable garden, appears he does, no artificial fertilizer at all these days, does use coffee grounds, and well turned compost from 3 bins recycled until they reach the time for the garden stage. I just cook and eat the produce and enjoy going to the garden with my little basket to gather what I need. This system works well for us. Another 3 weeks of isolation, we are OK with it in our little bubble. I just hope after all the pain for so many families and small business people it will be worth while. Not an easy decision for any country to make with so much at stake. I just wish less people would get on their high horses and feel they need to make negative comments when really we are all in this together keeping people safe. Bike ride this afternoon which is new for me I usually go in the morning, however with no wind I needed to get some exercise and quite enjoyed the ride. Collecting shopping tomorrow so an adventure in the car. I never thought a trip to the supermarket would hold such fascination. Strange times. Stay safe.
Thank you “Carly of Tamahere” and glad to read the boyfriend is using regenerative farming methods in his garden. He does have a productive garden eh? I guess it’s those small things like “going to supermarket” that take on a new meaning when one is in lockdown! Yes it was great to have no wind today while cycling 🙂
Such an appropriate quote for the TV drama I have been watching on Acorn TV via my computer. It is called “Relative Strangers” and stars Brenda Fricker, a superb Irish actress. It is one of the best series (four episodes) I have seen in a long while. The action takes place in Germany and mostly Dublin, and Bray, Ireland. It is about family relationships, Brenda plays the role of mother of two teenagers and the father is busy living and working in Germany. The story from then on is for you to experience. I sat through all four episodes in one evening!
Thank you Alison for your comments. I’ll try and watch “Relative Strangers, sounds an interesting series. 🙂
I have also been a longtime devotee to Country Calendar and agree that Sunday’s programme was truely inspirational! It seems a no brainer that every farmer in NZ should apply these ‘regenerative’ methods to farming practices to save soil erosion, improve water quality not to mention improving animal, insect and human life.
Thanks “Susan of Hamilton East”, agree. It would be interesting to know why more farmers are not doing regenerative farming, but then I heard on the “Country” radio programme yesterday that regenerative farming depends on the amount of rainfall and climatic conditions. 🙂
From the film ” The Best Marigold Hotel”
“It will all turn out well in the end! and if it does not. It is not the end”