A knock on the door, and I was greeted by a neighbour, holding up a large whit plastic bag. “Can you use some apple cucumbers?” he asks. “Oh, yes please?” I reply. He then handed me the bag with 12 or so apple cucumbers inside. Another lady from across the road had told him that I cook, and she was sure that I could use them. I asked if he likes pickles, and promised to return some of his produce in a jar. Continue reading
The Pebble Church
The Pebble Church – A brief History
I hope that you find this little church as beautiful as we all did.
St Peter’s Anglican Church, known as the “Pebble Church”, is located at 367 Dunolly Rd, Carapooee, approximately thirteen kilometers south of St Arnaud in Western Victoria, Australia. During the gold rush the area was called ‘St Peter’s Diggings’, but known by the local Aborigines as ‘The Carapooee’, (“an earthly paradise”). It was to here that many miners and their families made their way in the 1800’s.
Victorian Heritage Plaque at The Pebble Church
The Pebble Church, Carapooee
Discovering Little Treasures
During our final visit to our family home, my sisters, Sonnie and Jan, and Gary and I took a half day away from the packing and cleaning to explore what used to be our greater back yard. The plan – to deliver more goods to St Vincent de Paul in St Arnaud, to have lunch at the cafe “Country Delights” which is housed in an historic building opposite the beautiful Botanical Gardens in St Arnaud, and finally a drive to the wineries in nearby Moonambel.
So with the morning’s work complete, we loaded up Jan’s car, climbed in, and headed off. First stop, and we unloaded yet another stash of goodies that hopefully will find a new home via the St Vincent de Paul Op Shop.
Next stop “Country Delights. What a beautiful old building, I think it used to be the offices of what was once the Kara Kara Shire, and was constructed in 1902 using locally made bricks. The interior was beautiful, the high timber ceilings, the windows and the artwork on the walls.
Country Delights Cafe, St Arunaud
The ceiling in Country Delights Cafe, St Arunaud
Country Delights Cafe, St Arunaud
Country Delights Cafe, St Arunaud
In the Garden – December 2021
With the final visit to our family home, Christmas, and a quick trip to visit with my beautiful sister, Jan, there was very little time for the garden in December… However, I did manage to sneak in a little time now and then – it’s my escape, it’s where I can relax, it’s my happy place and I love it, even if it is out of control!
At this time of year the lilies are in full bloom adding beautiful colour and height wherever they are in the garden – these are just two that I managed to snap – the yellow tiger was the best it has ever been. I saw them almost every day that I was at home, as I pass this little garden on my way to the compost!
Yellow tiger lily
Vicki’s lily
Yellow tiger lily
Lillies gifted to me by a friend.
Isn’t this white Agapanthus just stunning! Not only did I stop and take in its beauty, but as usual I spent way to much time watching as the bees collected pollen from the flowers.
A beautiful pairing – Apricot and Lavender
I’m know that I’ve said this before… I love pairing apricots with lavender!
This time I’ve paired the two in a delicious tart – I just couldn’t resist making it when I was given some absolutely beautiful apricots – the lavender picked from a plant at the front door just finished it off. I can assure you that it’s just as good served warm or cold, with or without cream or ice cream!
Apricot & Lavender Tart
This tart is a given each year, when the apricots are ripe and the lavender is flowering.
Category:
Dessert
Style:
French
Keyword:
Apricot Tart, Apricots, Gluten Free Option, Lavender
Quantity: 8
Ingredients
- 1 quantity of sweet shortcrust pastry (see below for gluten free sweet shortcrust pastry recipe link)
- 18 - 24 large apricots
- 1 tbsp of soft brown sugar
- 4 sprigs of lavender
FOR THE FRANGIPANE
- 20 g butter softened
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup ground almond meal
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- 1 tbsp plain flour (see below for gluten free option)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 175˚ (fan)
-
Roll out pastry and line a 25cm, loose bottomed, fluted tart tin, trimming and removing the excess. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
-
Wash the apricots, cut in half and remove the stone, and then cut each half into three wedges.
-
Make the frangipane.
-
Remove the uncooked tart shell from the refrigerator and spread the frangipane evenly over the base.
-
Remove the little flowers from each of the sprigs of lavender and sprinkle over the frangipane.
-
Arrange the apricots, standing them cut side up in concentric circles, beginning from the outer edge.
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Spinkle with brown sugar.
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Place the tart into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the pastry is cooked and the tips of the apricots begin to brown a little.
-
Allow the tart to cool before removing it from the tin.
For the Frangipane
-
Place the butter and sugar into a bowl and, using a handheld mixer, or a wooden spoon, and cream together.
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Add the almond meal and flour, and mix to combine.
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Finally add the egg yolk and vanilla and gently mix together.
Notes
- Recipe for Gluten Free Sweet Short Crust Pastry
- For gluten free frangipane, replace plain flour with gluten free flour
- Recipe for my Gluten Free Flour Blend
For another recipe pairing apricot with lavender, try my Apricot and Lavender Jam.
Until next time
Happy cooking and bon appétit !
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