Into Australia

New Children's book

Actually, I don't think it is that new, but I'd never seen it before.  It is listed on my children's book list on the left.  It is Nativity by Julie Vivas.  Vivas is actually the illustrator.  The words are exactly those of the King James version found in Luke.  The pictures are beautiful watercolors and give a very touching and human portrayal of the birth of the Christ.  My favorite shows Joseph straining under the weight of a very pregnant Mary while she tries to hoist herself up onto a very small donkey.  While some might balk at it's seeming irreverence, I thought it wonderfully portrayed a God that works through typical women and men to bring about miracles.

All this work. It better be good.

Today we walked the two blocks down to the lift, over the walking bridge that connects to King street, across the walking and bike path to the Prymont bridge, across Prymont bridge, then down Prymont Bridge Road to the Fish Market that sits on Blackwattle Bay.  In short--it's a haul.  And it started raining.  But I was not to be deterred.  Rations were running low.  We had three cookies from a variety pack (of the variety that no one liked) and about half a cup of rice.  And once again we were running low on coffee.

It is a great fish market.  Lots of fish at good prices especially if the fish still has it's eyes.  There is also a produce stand that is somewhat cheaper than the grocery store (it sells eggs from chickens that just sit as opposed to those that roam), a gourmet food store, and a bakery. 

When I go to the market I consider the following:  Can we go the distance?  Sometimes Caleb's little legs just flat play out.  Is my list long enough to keep me from having to walk to the store tomorrow, but short enough to fit along with the diaper bag in the bottom of the stroller?  I also need to plan to make adjustments--what if they run a huge sale on apples!  What if bananas are no longer $2.00 apiece?  What can I fix with just a broiler (the oven part of the oven doesn't work).  And this is just the thinking part.  Throw in the physical labor and--well, the idea of overcooking the main dish just burns me up.

That being said, the book I've just included in my reading list has been a great help.  Last night when I didn't think I had anything to eat we were able to have broiled kangaroo given to us by friends (broiling and grilling are essentially the same if you are using a gas grill--who knew?)  and pasta and toasted garlic in olive oil.  The latter was an actual recipe in the book.  The kids loved it.  a piece of fruit added on the side completed the meal. 

Bittman's argues you can cook from scratch (which greatly cuts down on the number of ingredients I have to have lying around), that good food comes from quality ingredients, and that fast food isn't that fast and, well, it is just barely food.  His recipes are simple, calling for little more than salt and pepper for seasoning.  And there are lots of tips-- like how to cut a roasted chicken and how to fillet a fish--that come with illustrations. 

I've learned, without Bittman's help that filleting is easier and safer when there is a distinguishable difference between the butter knife and fillet knife in the serviced apartment.  Otherwise I'd have bought one of the fish that was looking at me--they are cheaper.