My sister leaves in two days and in many ways I’m not ready for her to leave. I know she has to go. She’s putting on a 3-week music camp starting next Monday in New York and I know I need to get back to work but I don’t want the visit to end.
We’ve been busy playing tourist and buying souvenirs for her to take home. I’ve told you before that shopping for me is as much fun as watching belly button lint accumulate. While Carole’s been shopping, I’ve been doing some shopping too. I know I’m a failure as a shopper but when you’re with someone who’s shopping, you shop.
I’m getting my In My Kitchen post for July done earlier this month. Everyone else has it done by the first and I’m usually lagging behind.
The In My Kitchen series was started by my friend Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. It’s an opportunity to have a peek in other bloggers kitchens. I’m always worried that I don’t have enough stuff in my kitchen worthy of writing about but figured what the heck.
Here’s a peek at some goodies in my kitchen. The first is a china mug my sister brought me that belonged to my mother. She died a few years ago and Carole brought me something of mom’s to keep. It’s not very pretty and it’s not worth anything but it’s really special to me.
Ever heard of lime shrub cordial? Me either but a little bit of this syrup in a glass with some sparkling water and you’ve got a very refreshing drink.
Like jam? Imagine this in a turnover or on the bottom of a strawberry tart! How does it taste? I have no idea but I’m dying to find out. I’m going to make the tart, spread this jam on the bottom, add some sweetened ricotta and then the strawberries.
Now for all of you less than windy people we have Chilli Salsa from the Bum Hummers people. It’s made from tomatoes, onions, capsicum (bell peppers) and chilli. Perfect to eat with corn chips or to dollop on top of tacos. If you need some fart starters, this one’s for you. Silly name, good product.
This one is pretty self-explanatory and I’m going to smear it on a ham. Or eat it with a spoon. I’ll keep you informed if it lasts long enough to get on a ham.
…and the final photo – it’s my favourite. One of the bottles of homemade maple syrup that Carole brought from New York. Sadly one bottle is all gone already!
Tomorrow is the Australia Zoo day and then it’s off to the airport on Thursday morning. I’ll be sad but so happy that they came to visit.
If you aren’t already doing an In My Kitchen post, why not consider it? I’d really like to know what’s going on over at your place. All you have to do is let Celia know you’ve done an In My Kitchen post and she’ll link to it.
See ALL the other In My Kitchens by clicking the link to Celia’s list!
I love that your sister brought you a mug of memory- it doesn’t have to be worth anything to be priceless, does it?
Maple syrup always goes so fast- I buy it by the jug and run out way before I thought I would. I like to bake with it as a flavoring and sweetener and then it goes even faster!
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Heidi and thanks so much for coming by. When I lived in the states I thought nothing about buying those big jugs of maple syrup but here in Australia I’m a bit more careful. No sugar maples here 🙂
Lovely post! too bad about your sister leaving, but at least you could have her around and enjoy everything, including shopping 😉
I had no idea that we are supposed to post on the first of the month… I am never that efficient! I intend to join this party soon, making a post IMK for July. We shall see… life is pretty hectic these days
that maple syrup made my heart miss a beat… love the stuff!
I’m really grateful that she came all the way over here to visit. I’m pretty lucky. 🙂
Oh Sally I want you to make an IMK post because I want to see what’s at your place! LOL
Awwww……I know it’s hard to let go…..especially when you live continents apart. But time flies, always!
I would love to be a part of What’s in my Kitchen…but like you, I am kind of shy, not sure if I have anything special to share…….Or maybe I have, just don’t appreciate it. Bum Hummers…..LOL!!!!
I know you understand, Minnie! 🙂
I think your mom’s china mug is absolutely beautiful Maureen and it’s fun seeing products I don’t usually see here at home.
Have a super day and thanks again for the link.
🙂 Mandy xo
It’s a lovely reminder of my mother and I’m grateful to have it, Mandy. Australian food is a bit different. I need to spend more time with you learning South African food. 🙂
Enjoy your sister as much as you can, Maureen! All the rest can wait. Nothing like having family objects that bring great memories. I fortunately have some and keep them close especially because they remind me of people who have already gone. Wishing you a great week!
Thanks, Denise and we’ve soaked up every minute. We’ve even played quite a bit of cribbage and I’ve lost every single game. Only by a peg or two each time. Maybe she cheated?
oh you so dont want to have a peek into my kitchen at this very moment, Maureen, as it is all covered in flour dust and what not! I love your collection, the mug is such a gorgeous keepsake, thats so sweet of your sister. Hope you two have fun for the remaining time she is there x
I actually do know about shrub cordials – nice stuff. And so nice to get that mug! You’ve got a good sister (funny thing, I’ll bet she says the same!). Nice to get a peek in your kitchen – one of these days I need to get it together enough to do one of these! They’re total fun. Thanks.
I’m dying to see in your kitchen and what you two are getting up to!
I am sorry your sister is leaving my friend!
On a plus side, your kitchen looks full of beautiful objects – you are the queen of delicious conserves 😀
Cheers
CCU
oh let’s just shorten that phrase to queen and leave the rest of that off, shall we? LOL
She leaves in the morning. Not happy.
It sounds like you’re making good use of every single minute with your sister. My sisters and I all like to shop a little too much…and seem to have lots of fun while doing it. How lovely of her to bring you one of your mother’s mugs. I have a few things like that from my family home and just seeing them brings such joy. Fun to see what goodies are in your kitchen this month 🙂
I only have one sister and one brother and I never get enough time with them.
G’day Maureen! First of big hugs to you and your sister too!
I know people have to leave in order to return, but parting is sweet sorrow , true!
Your mum’s teacup is SO special to view!
Thank you for inviting me into your kitchen…love the ingredients from Little Box of Yum…have “played” with them recently too! 🙂
Cheers! Joanne
I wasn’t supposed to mention those because you blogged them. I’m going to blog about a different set apparently 🙂
I’m not so sure parting is sweet sorrow. It’s just plain sad and nothing sweet about it. LOL
Oh Maureen, I know how much that beautiful China mug must mean to you. You have some cracker goodies amongst your list there… love the maple syrup, never heard of the lime shrub cordial, nor the cranberry and orange sauce, which sound divine! Am a fan of the Bum Hummer products, what fun!… I give them to certain people as gifts : D
I bought some for Carole to bring to our brother Jim. He’ll love the idea 🙂
I’m glad your Sister’s visit went so wonderfully and hope it won’t be long before you two can be reunited/.
I enjoy a bit of citrus in my strawberry jam but whiskey!?!? If it were available here, I’d be sure to pick up a bottle … er … jar. 😉
I’d be happy to send you one, John 🙂
I am loving what is in your kitchen this month! That cup is beautiful and special and the goodies with lime in – well, I would really enjoy them! Have a super day and thanks for the link love 🙂
I’m so sad reading this post! It must be so difficult for you living so far from your family. I bet the holiday has whizzed by all too quickly. But you’ll have to get to NYC. In fact, I’ll have to come with you. I have a sister there too and I’ve never visited. Never been to NY. So sad. Enjoy your last night together and I hope the farewell at the airport will be more, ‘Until we meet again’, than, ‘Goodbye’ xx
At our ages, we wonder if we’ll see each other again. Sometimes the distance gets to me. I love where I live so I’ll learn to accept it. 🙂
I’ve seen that strawberry, lime and whisky spread and often wondered how it would taste – please tell us! And it seems like there are lots of great flavours in your kitchen…and a beautiful cup too.
My family just live up your way and I only get to see them every year or so! I love shopping in Montville and Maleny, there are so many hidden treasures. I’m sure your sister is leaving with her memory full of treasures too 🙂
I love Montville shopping. We did that yesterday along with lots of eating. Today fish n chips from the fish company where all the fisherman drop off their loads. Really fresh fish n chips.
I love Montville. I don’t know as I could live that far from the supermarket but it’s beautiful up there.
I can’t say ‘fart starter’ without giggling like a school girl. Oh dear..
I won’t begin to wonder what happens to you when you talk about bum hummers – or bottom burps as Lorraine Elliott calls them.
LOL just reading that made me blush!
I’m glad you had so much fun with your sister. I love the mug. So special to have something so meaningful you can use all the time.
I love anything from Roza’s!
I can’t wait to use the Roza’s sauce.
Well it seems some shopping did you some good, you collected a nice assortment of tasty things to try. Bum Hummers made me laugh out loud, explaining what I was laughing about made me laugh even harder. 😀 I am late with my IMK post, hope I can get it done today so I can catch-up to all of you!
LOVE the tea cup! I have one on my dresser that keeps my wedding ring when I’m not wearing it. Means nothing to anyone and it’s rather plain, but it brings memories of goodness.
I know just how you feel, Judy. The cup isn’t anything valuable but it means so much to me.
Happy for the two of you that you’ve had such a nice visit and what swag!! I want it all but especially some of that maple syrup. Jealous is the word. Yep.
yes, that maple syrup is DIVINE! 🙂
Maureen
What a wonderful opportunity you have had to spend so much time with your sister in such an enjoyable fashion. I have a sister, too… yet, sadly, we have rarely been able to have fun together. Here we are, all the way into our double f years (over 50) and though we can certainly laugh together, she just won’t spend any time with the family. I am so sad about this… but happy for you! My daughters are dramatically different and as tight as tight as far as sister love goes. For that I am thankful. I have a wonderful sister and miss having a sister almost daily.
XO
Valerie
Oh Valerie how sad. Carole and I are really close.. well, all 3 of us are. My brother and sister and I have the best time together. We just don’t get to be in the same room together very often. When we do, however, it’s laughs from beginning to end.
What a great visit and really cool products, that berry lime and whiskey conserve, WOW!
Bittersweet goodbyes, but such wonderful memories and food stuffs.
That lime shrub sounds divine.
Yeah, they left a few hours ago and I’m trying not to feel gloomy and homesick.
Great finds!
How wonderful that your sister brought your mother’s mug over for you. How precious it must be. It’s very pretty and value is not about money, how much more pleasure we get from memories than money and every time you use it there must be memories I’m sure. I’m still quite jealous of the maple syrup. I haven’t done an In My Kitchen looks like fun. GG
Like a previous comment said, the homey mug is beautiful because of the memories of your mom. I like the other items as they’re all so unique, even the maple syrup because it was home made.
Bum Hummers!! I can’t believe that name, M! 🙂 I’m so sorry your sis has to go, my sister lives in Singapore, and I miss her desperately all the time, so I understand how hard parting must be. And your china mug is absolutely precious.. xx
Looks like there are tons of yummy goodies Maureen! 🙂 Lucky you!
You love little condiments and sweet treats as much as I do! If you came into my kitchen you’d find little jars of goodness just like your kitchen. I’d really love to try that lime shrub! Glad to read that you’ve had such a wonderful visit with your sister!
Family time together is so precious when you live so far apart isn’t it but all the more sweet when it happens. I love the sound of all your purchases apart from the fart starter. We don’t need any more help in that department thank you very much! I hope you have lots planned the next few days to keep you busy x
Exactly. The Queensland Garden Expo is this weekend so that will keep me busy 🙂
Lots of interesting things in your kitchen, my mouth is watering with the thought of those sauces and jam. I am another lover of maple syrup and get annoyed with the small expensive bottles. Homemade would be interesting. Does it taste differently? The limes on the cordial bottle look like the little rainforest limes that I get on my hybrid lime. The last time I looked they were looking very yellow. Will have to check if they are still there.
Doesn’t taste different – just better.
I’ve never heard of lime shrub syrup! It sounds really interesting! 🙂 And lol at the Bum Hummers! I was given a jar of the onions by a dear friend and it makes me smile every time I see them.
I’ve been given the Bum Hummers too. I got them years ago when we lived in Victoria. Someone bought them at the Ettamogah Pub in Ettamogah. 🙂
Oh yes I know how you feel, I feel the same way when my relations come to visit me here. Time passes too quickly.
The event sounds like fun. wow lime shrub cordial!?
Oh I loved Australia Zoo! You got some amazing loot 🙂 Such quirky names too!
Your sister is so sweet to bring you that mug of your mother’s… what a treasure. That rose pattern always reminds me of my grandmother….I love it. 🙂
I love the way you shop too… you’re my kind of shopper. 🙂 Keep having fun with your sister. 🙂
Glad to hear you had a wonderful time with your sister. I’m home now and choosing some traditional Japanese bowls and cups that my grandparents kept. There are some cups that I remember my late grandpa was using, too. I always love this series being able to peak your kitchen. 🙂
That jam looks delicious, and what a great idea serving-wise. I bought some carrot and cardamom jam the other day and might do something similar… if it lasts that long (its pretty good on toast with lashings of butter ;))
carrot and cardamom sounds so good – and on toast!
Maureen, I so hear you on “shopping.” (More fun when you’re with someone who likes to shop, although I’ve been known to request a time out to “people watch.”) This is a wonderful idea — you inspired me enough to leave a comment on Celia’s blog. Enjoyed seeing what was in your kitchen!
Maureen – you are so funny! (love the fart starters!) I’m jealous, I don’t have a sister.
You have cool stuff in your kitchen. 🙂 I love the special mug! LOL–my post would be a cluster: kale, quinoa, chia seeds, wine, chocolate, Nutella, butter, pasta, and more chocolate. 😉 Everything in moderation!
I look forward to seeing your cluster!