If we were having coffee I would ask you if you were going to watch either football grand final this week. In Australia, we have two main codes of football. The AFL ( Australian Football League ) and The NRL (Rugby League). Personally, I follow both codes, but neither of my teams made the grand final this year. Last night Richmond Tigers 81 beat Geelong Cats 50. This game was held in Queensland for the first time because of COVID. Tonight the Rugby League grand final is being played in Sydney, its usual venue. In this game I am supporting Penrith Panthers, a local team against the Melbourne Storm. May the best team win!
If we were having coffee I would ask you if you saw the kite surfers at the beach over the last few weeks. The flat surf has been perfect for them. I was mesmerized watching them jump the waves moving in and out.
If we were having coffee I would tell you how happy I was with the gluten- free short crust pastry I made last weekend. I have never made it before. Actually I’m not a confident pastry maker. My last attempt at regular pastry was probably 10 years ago. But necessity is the mother of invention so I am on a mission.
The GF pastry was much softer than regular pastry, which meant it was harder to handle. Initially, this caused me some concern. However, I quickly realized if I cut it to the appropriate size I could hand mold the pastry into the pie maker. Fortunately, this rustic method resulted perfectly shaped pies with an amazing taste. Interestingly, the GF variety also had less fat coming out in the pie maker. Therefore to simplify my life once I have used up my shop bought regular pastry I will used GF for everyone. Simpler and cheaper. All I need now is a GF puff pastry recipe.
If we were having coffee I would tell you my getting organized strategy is working. I have been working on my blog more, although not as much as I would like. I also now write a weekly meal plan. This keeps me accountable and makes life easier by ensuring we have the food needed in the house. I am also walking to work again 2 days a week which I enjoy.
If we were having coffee I would tell you about the purple sweet potatoes my husband harvested a few weeks ago. I roasted them and have enjoyed them with varies meals. It is the first time we have grown sweet potatoes and we were surprised at how many came from one plant. Some could definitely enter a weird shaped vegetable competition.
If we were having coffee I would tell you I was surprised at how much I enjoyed being able to touch my mother for the first time since March recently. She is in residential aged are and to keep everyone safe we have been restricted to window visits. However, recently due to low COVID numbers we are now allowed limited access with permission. Hugging is out, but due to her physical condition she requires help to stand. It was by giving her support in this way, I realised how much I had missed her physical touch. I’m a hugger from way back. So I will be very happy when hugging is on the can do list again.
If we were having coffee I would ask you what is happening in your world. Let me know in the comments.
Love the picture of the kites surfers. Would be something I’d love to try as well as growing sweet potatoes! Thanks for coffee
It does look like fun but I found wind surfing tricky enough when I was younger. The kite would add a new dimension.
So glad you were able to see your mom! I have a family member in a care facility too. We weren’t allowed to visit from March to June. Then we could visit outside only, 6 feet apart. Now no visits at all due to Covid spikes. Strange times!
Oh and your pastries look wonderful!
See you soon 😊
Fortunately in Australia we have it contained at present. Hopefully it stays that way.
Funny – around here, if there is flatter surf, I never see kite surfers, but the bigger the waves and the stronger the wind,the more that show up. Tropical storm? I’ve counted 30 or 40 of them at one time. Cool that you got to touch your mom – I think we all are looking forward to being able to return to normal!
I wonder what our new normal will look like. Here they don’t seem to play in the bigger surf. They leave that to the surfers or often no-one as it is too dangerous.
Nice photo of the kite surfers. Well done with making your GF pastry and growing sweet potatoes. Glad to hear you got to touch your mom while the pandemic is still on. #weekendcoffeeshare
Thanks for stopping by.
Have not yet found a gluten-free pastry recipe that I have regular success with. Your pies look great!
Mine is from The Easiest Pie Maker Book Ever by Kim McCosker.
8 tbsp. butter room temperature
100 grams cream cheese room temperature
1/2 cup thickened cream
1 1/2 cups GF plain flour – I used Red Mill All Purpose Flour
1/2 tsp course salt.
Method
Using hand held beater, beat butter, cream cheese and cream to thoroughly combine. Add flour and salt and blend until smooth. Wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours. the dough will be firm. Roll out using a sprinkling of GF flour and pound if necessary. I didn’t need to pound mine as it rolled out easily.
I use to windsurf in my stronger days, and have longed to have the stregth and courage to kitesurf. I do love to watch it.
That is so wonderful you were once again able to touch your mom. It would have been very special for both you and your mom. In Canada COVID numbers are increasing so there are more restrictions coming in place.
I think one of the benefits of being physically isolated in the world is that COVID has been easier to control.
The pies look wonderful! I saw a kite surfer once here on Lake Erie.. It looks like a blast!! So glad you got to see your mom.. <3
early during the year I remember laughing when I saw an “invention” which allowed people to hug and it was basically a plastic sheet with sleeves… but months down the line realising what they mean when they say sometimes we dont really appreciate the human touch
have an awesome week
~B
Sometimes it is the simple things.