Firstly, a plate of smoked salmon that some friends caught and then smoked themselves. The meat is very dense and smoky and tastes completely different from the smoked salmon that you would normally buy.
Tromboncino zucchinis, some small capsicums, cherry tomatoes and basil all from the garden. This summer is not proving to be my most successful vegetable season but I am still managing to pick something most days.
My grandmother has been baking this simple shortbread topped with almonds or glace cherries for as long as I can remember. We were lucky enough to receive a tin full of this buttery goodness for Christmas. I hope that when I am in my eighties I can still bake for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and make it look easy.
My mother in law gave me this cheerful vintage Willow picnic tin for Christmas. Just looking at it makes me want to go on a picnic! We snapped up this vintage chrome table from Lifeline recently for $20.00. It is now our official pizza making table positioned within easy reach of the wood oven.
A simple bunch of fluffy flowers from some carrots that have gone to seed in the vegetable garden.
Some new Christmas reading material. This book is American based and contains instructions on everything from dealing with common meat such as beef and lamb right through to raccoons, fish and other small game. A good read for anyone with an interest in home butchering.
What is happening in your kitchen this month?
Did you cook up a storm at Christmas?
Welcome to some new blog visitors who have called in recently, lovely to meet you.
Lizzy (Good Things)
Dear Jane, happy new year my friend! So many lovely things in your kitchen at the start of the year…. love the biscuits by your grandmother, how beautiful. And that vintage table… oh, I love it. Wishing you a great 2013, with many hugs, Lizzy
Jane S
Thanks Lizzy, best wishes for 2013 to you too!
Amy
oooh, that book has caught my eye! Happy New year to you too! Just got distracted by that butter in your earlier post – must get back to seeing what you've been up to. Love your simple Christmas. Looks like it was lovely. Best for 2013!
Jane S
Lovely to hear from you Amy, all the best for 2013 to you too!
Zara
The book looks like a good one. My other half was gifted the Gourmet Farmer deli book, which seems similar and it's full of great recipes.
The willow picnic tin is a lovely one.
x
Jane S
Thanks Zara, I would like the Gourmet Farmer book too…so many books on my list!
Kate @ Kate Writes
Love that shortbread! Kx
Jane S
Thanks Kate x
zirkie
Lovely thingies in your kitchen, Jane!! I love the shortbread!! I hope 2013 will be a wonderful and happy year for you!
Jane S
Thanks for calling in zirkie!
heidiannie
Hi Jane,
Happy New Year!
The carrot blossom looks like Queen Anne's Lace- I don't think I've ever seen a carrot bloom before.
Grandmother cookies must be better than all others. Both of my sets of grandparents died before I was born- and I've always mourned them- such a blessing to have Grandma AND her cookies!
Thanks for sharing.
Jane S
Thanks Heidiannie, yes grandparents are very special people aren't they?
Sarah Jane
I forgot how much I love carrot flowers – we'll be able to plant our vegie garden soon and hopefully we can have carrot flowers again!
Everything in your kitchen looks and sounds great at the moment!
xox
Jane S
Thanks Sarah Jane, I look forward to hearing about your vegie garden soon!
Missy Piggy
I'd love to try that homesmoked salmon – I adore smoked fish! Happy NY to you and your family. Hope 2013 is a ripper for you all! And your garden haul looks amazing – so jealous of those zucchinis and tomatoes.
Jane S
Thanks Miss Piggy, best wishes for 2013 to you too!
lucent imagery
Your grandmother sounds awesome! And those carrot flowers are beautiful. I'm not sure I've ever seen those before. Happy happy new year Jane!
Jane S
Thank you Lucent, I have only recently discovered carrot flowers too!
Kylie
Oh Jane, just look at that gorgeous esky/picnic tin. What a lovely Mum you have to give you something so special for Christmas. It's a beauty! Those biccies look delicious they are very similar to those my Godmother used to bake. (Her name was Kit, she was practically ancient when I was born so I didn't get to know her really, but I do remember those biscuits…) I am letting my parsley go to seed – for new parsley, yes, but mainly the flowers, which I love. Love and best wishes for the year ahead x
Jane S
Thanks Kylie, I might have to let some parsley go to seed too!
aj.bart
Oh Jane, I was immediately transported to my childhood/youth when I saw the vintage Willow picnic tin! Granny Crozier had one just the same. Now I am wondering what came in them if anything, and where those ladies got them in the 1960's. Mum's was also red. Happy New Year xox
Jane S
Thanks Annie, Mum remembered the tin too! x
passionfruitgarden.com
Hi Jane
Wow look at all those cherry tomatoes! Your shortbreads look great.They are quite similar to what my mum used to make.
Jane S
Thanks Glenda!
Mama Smith
I love seeing those fresh tomatoes and zucchini blossoms, I usually love winter but this year I'm already longing for spring! Looks delicious as always, happy new year!
xox Lilly
Jane S
Thanks Lilly, hard to believe it is winter in your part of the world when it is so hot here! x
e / dig in
happy new year jane! those carrot heads look like some queen anne's lace flowers i have in my front garden (as another reader has said). They are so delicate and pretty.
Your garden harvest looks good – better than mine at the moment. i don't think it's a good summer anywhere.
Jane S
Thanks e, happy new year to you too!
look see
Yum – love the look of that smoked salmon! 🙂
Jane S
Thanks for calling in Naomi!
celia
Happy New Year, Jane! Lovely things in your kitchen this month, thank you for sharing! Our trombies have taken off all of a sudden and I keep looking at them with big eyes, wondering what I'm going to do with all the fruit. I'm trying to pick them smaller, as you suggested.
The smoked salmon look fantastic, and I hope you're still baking cookies when you're in your eighties as well! 🙂 xx
Jane S
Thanks Celia, my latest way to use the monster zucchini is in chocolate cake! Happy zucchini days to you 🙂
tea with hazel
happy new year jane..i'm always love to see what goodies you have in your kitchen..your grandmother's shortbread are so sweet.i've not seen them made like that before but they are very pretty..x
Jane S
Thanks Jane, so good to see you back in blog land x
Benlovesting
Yummy!!:)
Jane S
Thanks for calling in Ben and Ting!
My Kitchen Stories
Happy New Year Jane
How lucky to have such an inspirational grand mother. I have seen those trombonchinis on Celias blog. very interesting vegetable that you wont find at the green grocers. we had one of those picnic tables when i was a kid. have a great blogging year , tania.
Jane @ Shady Baker
Thanks Tania! Yes, the tromboncinos are interesting…and very vigorous!
trishie
I love the look of the home-smoked salmon, so curious about the taste. I wouldn't mind having a go at smoking fish at home too.
Jane S
Thanks trishie, I would also like to try smoking fish at home one day!
Catherine Bedson
Happy New Year Jane. Your Grandmothers biscuits look so good and I also love the vintage picnic esky, fantastic gift! We have lots of berries and fruit in our kitchen at the moment. Trying to start of the year healthy, hopefully it'll last.
Jane S
Thanks Catherine, I am still dreaming about your ice cream!
Michelle
I always love visiting your kitchen Jane! So much deliciousness!
Jane S
You are very kind Michelle!
JJ - 84thand3rd
What a relaxed and lovely collection for a new year! Also, you said vintage picnic tin, vintage chrome table and wood oven in one paragraph – I am drooling with jealousy at all three! Best wishes for a very happy 2013 🙂
Jane S
Thanks JJ, really those 3 things just came together by accident! Happy 2013 to you too 🙂
Kate Norris
Those biscuits were the first thing I ever learned to cook Jane! But I swear Granny's version taste so much better than mine do.