SCREAMING, NOT CRYING, OVER SPILLED MILK…

 

It was my smoke alarm doing the screaming, not me.  True is the saying “a watched pot/kettle never boils”.  Similar applies to a milk-filled saucepan sitting atop a hotplate. 

Minding my own business, I was heating milk in preparation of a mug of Milo.  It felt like I’d been watching the saucepan forever.  For a brief moment I turned my attention away from what was, or was not occurring, on the stove.  You can guess what happened next. 

Similar to Mt. Etna erupting, milk rose beyond the pot’s limit, and overflowed everywhere.  If that wasn’t enough excitement for one morning, highly agitated, my smoke alarm began screaming its lungs out.  I’m sure the folk down in Canungra, in the valley below, leapt out of their skin.

It’s moments like that my trusty broom comes in handy. After a few gentle jabs with said broomstick, and a few not so gentle words from me, the screaming ceased. Peace once again reigned supreme.

Brooms are very versatile having many aspects other than just being useful methods of transport.  Last week I considered using mine when my car battery died, but, instead, I opted to link up the charger.  It was far too chilly and foggy a morning to be flying around on my broomstick.

When I left Gympie early August, 1965 to live and work in Brisbane, a friend and I shared a flat in Toowong.  Our landlady had converted the upstairs’ level of her home into two flats. The landlady’s abode was the ground level.  After a small gathering my flat-mate and I hosted one night we christened our landlady, “The Broomstick Lady”. 

We revelers got a bit carried away, as one does during such occasions. While dancing and singing along to Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made for Walking”, our off-key back-up vocals to Ms Sinatra popular song didn’t sit well with our landlady.  With her broomstick, our normally mellow Lady of the Manor began banging on her ceiling (our floor), threateningly informing us our boots were made for walking, and if we didn’t shut up we’d soon be putting them to the use for which they were made.  Duly reprimanded, we pulled our heads in, removed our boots, lifted our feet, lowered the volume, and retired our dancing, singing group with not a hit to our name. Thereafter, we respected “The Broomstick Lady’s” decrees.  

On a sombre note, the recent passing of Judith Durham, closely followed by Olivia Newton-John caused a tsunami of sadness to engulf the world.  Grief spilled over, spreading far and wide.

Two strong hearts…both were wonderful, warm, talented, modest women, who were part of our Australian landscape.  Forever they will remain in our hearts. From the moment The Seekers’ music hit our air waves the pure beauty of Judith Durham’s voice captivated millions. 

Circa 1985, one day while taking care of business in my greengrocery-health food shop in Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, to my surprise, and delight, I had the pleasure of meeting Judith when she entered my shop to purchase goods.  She and I chatted at length. At the time, Judith and her husband lived in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. 

Judith Durham was as lovely a person, in person, as she appeared to be when on the world stage. A couple of months after our meeting I learned The Seekers were to perform at an ocean-side fair at Maroochydore. “Let me be there!” I yelled.  “It won’t be a concert without Georgy Girl!”

The carnival isn’t over. We’ll remain hopelessly devoted to Judith and Olivia. We love you, we honestly love you both. We’ll never find another you.

Olivia, with the looks of an angel, sang like an angel, was, and shall remain, an angel. She was a warrior, who bequeathed an everlasting legacy. Her generosity of spirit will live on, not only through her Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, which offers world-leading treatment and care, but through her many other the heartfelt, selfless endeavours.   

Olivia’s shining light will never fade…her generosity of spirit, her kindness and goodwill spill over throughout the world…..

 

Milo Lava Cakes: Preheat oven 180C.  Separate 2 eggs; store egg whites in fridge for other use. Melt 50g mini choc chips and 100g unsalted butter until smooth; remove from heat. Add in 40g caster sugar and 60g Milo powder; whisk until well combined. Ensure mixture is not too hot before adding 2 eggs, plus the extra 2 yolks, 1 by 1, after each is fully incorporated; don’t panic if mixture curdles…carry on. Sift flour; mix in until no visible lumps of flour. Don’t over-mix. Grease baking dishes (4xmini loaf pans…8x4.5x4cm OR 5-6oz ramekins; then ‘flour’ baking dishes with cocoa powder). Pour batter evenly into pans to about 80% full. Bake 10-15mins. At 8min mark, jiggle pans to check for doneness; centre should jiggle slightly. Cakes are done when sides are firm and set, and centres are still slightly jiggly.  Don’t over-bake. Cool slightly; remove from pans. Sift cocoa powder over before serving cakes warm.

Angel Food Cake: Preheat oven 175C. Grab 12 eggs. Measure egg whites to equal 1½ cups. Place in bowl; stand at room temp 30mins. Sift 155g icing sugar and 1c plain flour together; add 1-1/2tsp cream of tartar, 1-1/2tsp vanilla extract, 1/2tsp almond extract and 1/4tsp salt to egg whites; beat on high speed. Gradually add 1c sugar, beating until sugar dissolves, and stiff peaks form. Fold in flour, 1/4c at a time. Spoon into greased Angel Food cake pan; cut through batter with knife to remove air pockets.  Bake 40-45mins or until cake springs back when lightly touched. When removing from oven, place wire rack onto pan; immediately turn upside-down. Allow to cool completely before removing pan from over the cake.  Cool completely, then top with whipped cream and sliced strawberries.