FREEDOM: Freedom for over 100 dogs and cats

Sad news from Adelaide, Australia.

I like to stick my head in the sand sometimes...... I am so affected when I hear about cruelty to animals, I love animals - especially domestic dogs and cats.

About three days ago our Adelaide branch of the RSPCA raided a "puppy and kitten farm" which has been operating in the rural outskirts of Adelaide. The long and the short of it is..... about 100 animals (mainly dogs and pups) were removed from this property which has been operating for some time by "an elderly woman". The local residents of a nearly country town were "shocked and dismayed" that this type of operation was being run right "under their noses" and nothing was known about it.

Pictures of the appalling conditions were shown on the news and on internet sites. The RSPCA called for temporary foster carers as well as supplies such as blankets, towels, food and called out to any vets who can jump in and help. One dog gave birth to her pups in the RSPCA van on the way to the shelter.

There are about 10 mini schnauzers in the group, and one news picture showed a RSPCA officer carrying out a very heavily pregnant salt and pepper mini schnauzer. This really tugged at my heart strings.

I for one (and my views are shared by many) cannot understand how anybody can sleep at night knowing that they run an operation that is based on making these dependent animals miserable. My mini schnauzer will "freak out" if there is a microscopic bit of poop on or around her backside - and will happily let me help her out with a warm wash off. These "farmed" animals don't get the luxury of sleeping or living in areas that are clean.... and not to mention ..... are given diets that are of poor and cheap quality.

These animals are intelligent and are basically being trampled by filth and neglect. Not to mention the psychological torture. Those of us who live and love our domestic animals know that they love to communicate their needs and can show us how much they love us.

The good news is that the call for foster carers has worked..... and loads of lovely people have come forward to offer their home and help for this case. In fact, the RSPCA has said that they do not require any more foster homes as they have enough people registered now.

We heard last night that 40 dogs have already gone home with foster families and the others are being kept because they have to: receive medial attention, or are close to giving birth, or have behavioural issues that need to be assessed. You can only imagine how many warm baths are being run in those 40 homes!!

I myself would love to have helped, but my husband is frightened that any dogs I might foster would actually end up as part of our family, after I form the unbreakable attachment!! He had only agreed to allow me to buy my mini schnauzer after MUCH pleading by me, as he didn't want to have a dog.

Once a week - I make my mini schnauzers life a misery - yea really! I put her in a warm bath and soap her all over with expensive dog shampoo. She is convinced that THIS is the definition of MISERY! Oh how spoiled she is. She has even made it into our queen sized bed after 6 months of making me miserable by making her sleep in a comfy pen in the family room. She made sure we knew how sad she was by crying for about 20 minutes every night for someone to come and get her. It eventually worked after we had a very loud stormy night, and she was so scared - I went and collected her and put her in our bed - and there she has stayed ever since.

Back to the RSPCA situation. What I will do is take some warm bedding and food down to the shelter to add a little support direct from me.

This morning's update on the radio was an interview by a RSPCA representative. He is leading the legislative push to have all domestic dog and cat breeders become "licensed and monitored" which will prevent another situation like this one. I'm sure he will get all the necessary support from the public to help make this happen. Let's pray that it does happen. Once our state can get this done, it is hoped all other Australian states will follow.

He also mentioned that he took a female 10 year Cocker Spaniel and had to bathe her 3 times to get the "muck-off". She was currently lying on his couch watching the man on the phone. What a lovely picture that gave me.... and I couldn't help but smile.

Now there will be more dogs who will be able to go out for walks and "smell the flowers (and grass)" for the first time.

Bless their little furry paws.

NB: I've just heard something that has really made my day. The Schnauzer Club of South Australia has just posted an update on their Facebook page.... they confirm that they will offer assistance to all the schnauzers involved in this farm and provide whatever care they need.... grooming, puppy raising, fostering, homes etc etc.

Rest assured that it is going to be a great outcome for ALL the animals. I have deliberately not posted any images of the farm or the animals while there. But I have found an image gallery link if you want to see - totally up to you. LINK: Image Gallery

COOKING: "English" Scones

I was asked to make a huge batch of Scones for my friend Lynn to take to her work for "Harmony Day". Lynn was born and educated in the U.K. - but is a firm proud Aussie now. Albeit with an English accent!!

To pay homage to her roots - she wanted to take an English Dish to her work, and decided that Scones were the way to go. I gladly agreed to make them. Any excuse for baking I say!

This is the EASIEST recipe and not traditional at all ..... but it's a winner.

The Objective.

One cup Cream, One cup Lemonade, Three cups Self-Raising Flour and a pinch of salt. I elected to add about 1/2 cup of sultanas to one batch...... so people could choose either with or without fruit.

Sift the flour and salt into the bowl.

Add in the sultanas (if using).

I love sultanas in scones...... but some people like my husband and brother are vehemently opposed.

Then tip in the cream and lemonade.

Mix lightly and gently with a knife - DO NOT OVERWORK.... this is the key!

Tip out onto floured bench. LIGHTLY knead just till flour is fully incorporated.

Pat out to a fat round - about an inch thick is good.

Pick your cutter size and start cutting.

Place onto a baking tray with either a silicone sheet or baking paper. Brush tops with a little milk.

While they are baking in the oven set to 220 degrees C (425 F)  pour yourself a lemonade - you deserve it. Marvel at how rare it is that you actually drink lemonade!!

Scones should only take about 10-12 minutes and should sound hollow when tapped from the bottom.

All done and cooling on the racks.

That's what mine looked like.

And it is only socially responsible for me to taste ONE (with strawberry jam and whipped cream) to make sure that they were good.

They were good.

And they went down a treat.

The official link to the recipe: CLICK HERE 

COOKING: Almond Macaron with Chocolate Filling

Yes I have got a bit caught up in the whole "Macaron Frenzy" that seems to have splashed over all the reality TV cooking programs and then mesmerised the masses.

I recently got my first cookbook dedicated to this lovely biscuit courtesy of my friend Lynn:

Aren't they PRETTY!

In Australia we have a lovely lady DONNA HAY who is known as a "Food Stylist" but she is also an awesome home cook/chef. She is VERY good at shortcuts to achieve an awesome result.

My brother who has also got a love of food.... bought this when he saw it on special in his supermarket:

It sat in his pantry for months before he gave it to me to make them.... because he thought it all sounded a bit tricky.

So yesterday he came over for dinner with his two mini schnauzers, and I baked them in the afternoon. This is how they turned out:

These appear much more yellow than what they really were..... I had to take the pictures at night without the benefits of natural light - hence the yellow tinge

Donna's

Mine

Almost identical I'd say (minus the colour issue LOL!)

And we can honestly say - really nice and delicious - and much less sugary than others we have tried. 

Well Done Donna !! Another really great product.

But I will be making mine from scratch (stretching my skills) from here on using my cookbook. 

No doubt you will hear all about my attempts. Wish me luck.

COOKING: Hot Cross Buns

I realised with horror that it was the day before Good Friday and I had not bought any Hot Cross Buns yet! So I jumped onto the ipad and did a search for an easy, foolproof recipe to try.

Yum Yum Yum!

I found this "5 star rated" recipe (the best kind) and was even more delighted to realise I could avoid most of the hard work and put my bread machine into use!

Here is the link:  www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/hot-cross-buns-L4760.html

I'll show you the steps.

First I put the dried yeast, plain flour, brown sugar, salt, nutmeg (and I added a teaspoon of cinnamon) sultanas, egg, margarine and water into the bread machine - then selected dough cycle. The dough really rose quite impressively - and this it it before I tipped it out onto the floured bench.

The recipe called for kneading until it is elastic and springs back when pressed. Only took about two minutes.

I tried to portion the dough evenly, but unless you weigh each portion - I think its hard to be exact.

Put them close but not touching on your tray/s.

Cover with clean tea towels and leave in a warm spot for 30 minutes. I chose my sunny outdoor table for the job.

After thirty minutes - they are now just touching.

The crosses are made with a paste of flour, sugar and water. Was like glue!

Pipe across all your buns, one way first,

Then the other.

Not a bad effort, a bit wonky - considering my piping bag was giving me a really hard time, and kept on exploding apart!!!

Baked and glazed.

Really happy - husband said they were very professional looking!

And they tasted really great too! This recipe is a keeper.

CRAFTS: Mosaic Possums

When I was helping out in a friends craft shop, I ordered a gorgeous ceramic tile of two POSSUMS. I'm a big fan of the Possum, I think they are furry and cute. However, if you ask others who have them destroy their veggie gardens or pot plants, then run over their house rooves all night long - with what sounds like army boots on - they will tell you that they hate them. I have only encountered them in nature ..... and I'm a fan. I've been known to tempt them to come close with fruit and vegetables as my bribery - here is one which came the closest while hubs and I were touring Tasmania. He/she even rested its paws on my leg!

Thanks for the memories - Tassie Friend!

I'll always remember another little possum sleeping on the window sill of the ladies' shower/toilet block in our caravan park in Hervey Bay, Queensland. It slept all day, and put a huge smile on the faces of ladies using the facilities throughout the day. Of course, at sunset it was off to source some food and check out the outdoors. I fed that one some banana.

Finished and hanging on the outside wall.

The beginning of the grouting process. I had to wait for a cool day otherwise the grout dries too fast.

Your grout must be toothpaste consistency then you squoosh it inbetween all the tiles with a worn sponge.

When it is all squooshed in, you wait a bit, then start to use a damp sponge to clean the surface off.

Hello Possum. My ceramics friend Sandy makes and fires the gum leaves, gum nuts, and yellow rounds for the wattles too. A great time saver instead of cutting them out by hand from tiles!

This project has taken me over 6 months to complete, at a very leisurely pace. 

This wall faces our hillside views and the entrance to the gazebo. This is often where I will sit with my first coffee of the day with my mini schnauzer on her outdoor bed to my left. 

The mosaic table was my very FIRST mosaic project I made while taking classes.

FREEDOM: "High Tea"

Today I had a really nice outing. I organised "High Tea" for 5 of my girlfriends from High School. I snapped up an internet offer and thought we should give it a go. (I am wary of these "offers" because sometimes they can be a surprise - but not in a good way!! LOL!)

The internet reviews of the High Tea venue were good..... so I was 90% confident that it was going to be OK.

First impression of the venue (Orchid Garden Tea Room) - really nice!

I loved looking at the display of pretty China .... I have a HUGE weakness for flowery, delicate, pretty china.

We could also purchase the special blends of tea if we wished. Not me - I'm a strict coffee girl!

First plate - prawns in a creamy sauce

Second plate - "Royal Duck with Mushroom"

Third plate - little mouthfuls of yummy things

Couldn't resist a close-up of these gorgeous little jellies!

And this - is a momentous occasion ..... my FIRST EVER FRENCH MACARON!!! It was orange flavoured and was simply divine! Now I know what all the fuss is about!

I must say that it was great catching up the girl talk and just have a little bit of delicate luxury for 2-3 hours (we lingered) before we had to return to normal life.

If we could put this kind of experience (Girl Talk and High Tea in a lovely place) into a little bottle and sell it ...... it would be worth thousands.

We must do it again girls. Love Ya lots!!!!

COOKING: More Christmas Goodies!

I tried a new recipe for the Almond Crescents...... they were an absolute triumph and tasted very much like the ones "mum used to make". I am yet to go through my late mothers recipe books.... many of them are written in one of three languages!!

These are the Lemon Polenta cookies. I was a little dubious of the use of polenta in cookies..... they were OK but not great.... so I won't be making them again.

Nut Clusters. These are gluten free and really good. When cold they are brushed with dark chocolate on the underside. These are made on request of my friends.

Finally - Hedgehog slice and the same mix was tipped into small patty cases. These are also Gluten Free as I used gluten free shortbread in the ingredients list.

This platter came with us when we went to my sister-in-laws for Christmas Day Lunch. The numerous kids LOVED it (and big kids too).

This was nothing to do with me..... but it was one of the desserts on offer at that Christmas Day Lunch. It was so pretty I had to photograph it. It was an ice-cream cake with frozen chocolate sponge and two layers of creamy gelato. I was TOTALLY AWESTRUCK with the pink layer (it was Turkish Delight flavoured) and I could have eaten a litre just of it. This green layer was mint and it had chocolate frosting with fresh raspberries and flaked chocolate. The hands in the picture belong to my husband's (naughty) niece. She was busy trying to take all credit for making it - when her sister-in-law actually made it. 

This is my table setting for the final "Christmas" event on my calendar.... dinner on Boxing Day for four. My good friend Lynn has all family in the UK..... so I like to throw a formal dinner for her. I invite my brother over to make it a nice easy four. 

Another Christmas over...... and I can put my feet up a bit now. Whew!!