by Bonnie Garmus
Reviewed by Wendy Tucker
Bonnie Garmus was 65 years old when this, her first novel, was published in 2022 and this fact should give hope to all those procrastinating writers out there. She was a senior copy writer and the only woman at a meeting where she was yet again spoken over, interrupted, disregarded and her ideas usurped. That night she wrote the first chapter of Lessons in Chemistry while thinking of her mother, a nurse who … Read more »
by Mark Evans
Plants are the primary source of fuel for a bushfire and, even though all plants burn, the location, arrangement and maintenance of vegetation within a garden has a bigger impact on how a bushfire will spread rather than the flammability of individual plants. The aim of bushfire gardening is to reduce radiant heat, prevent flame contact and minimise ember attack on the house. This can increase the likelihood of the house surviving a … Read more »
Ingredients:
1¼ cups caster sugar
2 cups Corn Flakes
250 gms dark chocolate, chopped
2 cups self-raising flour, sifted
3 x 70 gm eggs
200 gm butter
125 gms pecans, chopped
Method:
Preheat oven to 180º deg C.
Place butter and chocolate in saucepan and melt over very low heat, stirring until the mixture becomes just smooth.
Place eggs and sugar in a bowl and beat until pale … Read more »
Ingredients:
7 long cucumbers
2 large onions
5 cups white vinegar
5 cups white sugar
1 tablespoon dry mustard seeds
2 teaspoons turmeric
1 teaspoon vegetable salt (optional)
½ cup salt
Method:
Slice cucumber and onion thinly,
sprinkle with ½ cup salt and stand
overnight.
Next day, drain off liquid from onion
and cucumber and discard brine.
Place drained cucumber and … Read more »
Ingredients:
500 gm grated beetroot
1 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds
1 cup white or brown sugar
1 chopped onion
¾ cup water
¼ teaspoon allspice
¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons salt
Method:
Grate beetroot, heat saucepan and put in mustard seeds, adding oil after they have started to pop.
Turn heat down to medium, add chopped onion … Read more »
by Deb Taylor
Natura is an online newsletter, written and published monthly by Deb Taylor. If you are interested in all things natural and learning more about our local ecosystems, then this is a must read. For anyone interested in learning more about the flora and fauna of Bermagui and Wallaga Lake forest and foreshores, contact Deb and she will add you to her email list by emailing deb_taylor142@hotmail.com. Here are some of her photos.
… Read more »