Dad's MBE

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Marion has told more of the story at ABC New England Radio.

Poppy's day at the farm

A story in pictures

Backyard jam

Today Noel has made a very nice batch of jam. [Photo: with a couple of jars of jam]

It's backyard jam because the fruit grew in the backyard.
The recipe is based on the fig jam recipe from the 1976 Queensland WMU cookery book (they didn't include the 'P', which stands for Presbyterian, and the 'WMU' stands for Women's Missionary Union). Fig is the main fruit. Other fruit added are cumquats and peaches, so it has a citrus tang from the cumquats.

Here's the recipe:
Weigh the fruit. The ratio of fruit to sugar is 4:3
1.6 Kg fruit
1.2 Kg sugar

Cut stalks off the figs and halve or quarter them; cut any unripe ones into smaller pieces. Cut the other fruit to suitable sizes.
Put cut fruit into a large pot with about half the sugar sprinkled over the layers. Let them stand for about 12 hours, which will bring out juice.
Next day bring the fruit to the boil, then add the remainder of the sugar.
Boil until it jells.
Fill clean dry glass jars.
If you have metal lids for the jars, put the lids on while the jam is very hot, and invert them. This heat sterilises the lid and airspace. After a couple of hours stand the jars upright.
If you don't have lids for the jars, allow to cool without cover, then cover with suitable material (I use a piece of baking paper and rubber band).

Marion's new blog

[photo: Marion and Joy]

I would like to introduce any blog visitors to my sister Marion, and her new blog http://mychinamystery.blogspot.com/

The story Marion tells is also, to a certain extent, mine. Marion's memories go back a little further than mine do, and she had assumed the role of the oldest sister as far back as I can remember.

Thankyou Marion for recording your story, and our family's story.
Joy

Mount Tamborine

It's exhilarating to take in the magnificent views from this mountain.
Yes, we went through some craft shops, and had coffee in the village, but the moments captured in this picture are what made the visit memorable for me. (you can enlarge the picture with a left click)

Wilston and Windsor

Noel's father was minister at Wilston Presbyterian Church when he was born. We visited that church on Sunday.

The neighbouring church is Windsor, where we were married, so we went there as the next step in our walk down memory lane.

Family reunion

This past Saturday Noel, Mizz and I attended the White family reunion at Petrie. A reflection on Angelina White, who was mother to 11 children, can be found at http://villagemidwife.blogspot.com/.

In these photos above, you see
1. the 'Frank White' section of the family - ie those who are descendants of Frank, who is the son of James and Angelina White.
2. Aunty Ruth, Chris, Jess, Mizz





After the family reunion we stopped at Bald Hills, where my family and I lived for several years. Our father was minister at the church (pictured). Anna and I revisited our old school, Bald Hills Primary.