Pockets of rest

What I'm reading, cooking, and growing into November

We’re four days into November, the weeks ahead brimming with good things. It’s just there’s so many things! I’m wedging rest into the pockets of the week. Taking opportunities to go slow, even if it’s just for 5 minutes.

What I’m reading…

I’ve been tracking my reading this year, for the first time ever. To start with I kept a list in a note on my phone. Now, I’m trying out Storygraph (like Goodreads). I’m slowly but surely replacing scrolling with reading. My current goal: to read, or discard, all the books on my bedside table. I’m sure it’ll take me until the end of next year! I still can’t help myself ordering books from the library (to pick up from my local book nook, which I LOVE). So it’s slow progress. But there’s progress. Which brings me to what I’m reading right now.

Uprooted was lent to me by a couple from church. They’re into fantasy, while I’m not, and they convinced me this would be my gateway. I’ve been slow to get to it. It’s possible it’s been sitting beside my bed for 5 years now, or more! But once I opened it, I was in. I’m still just getting going, but I want to go to bed so I can read, which is what you want, right? There’s a magical wood, a wizard (who, confusingly, is named dragon), and a feisty, young, female protagonist. And not too much world building, which, let’s be honest, is one of the things which puts me off fantasy (sorry, not sorry!) Last month I watched all three of the Lord of the Rings movies (my very first introduction to LOTRs), so who knows, maybe I’ll become a fantasy nerd one day after all.

I’m also reading Turn the Ship Around. I read a chapter now and then on the train into the office. My reason for reading is to help me in my ministry role, but it’s been super enjoyable as a memoir. It’s not a memoir! It’s an American-style leadership book. But I’m loving its memoir-esque style. Not all the leadership tools have been relevant, but there’s lots to tuck away.

Next up is The Man who Planted Canberra, just collected from the book nook, and Caleb’s Crossing, on audiobook (also from the library!)

What I’m cooking…

Anything interesting I’ve cooked in the last few months has been inspired by Julia Busuttil Nishimura. In the past year or two I’ve borrowed all of her recipe books from the library, but this year I’ve bought two! High praise, given I basically don’t buy cookbooks anymore. Her recipes are a mix of Italian and Japanese (her family is from Malta, and her husband is Japanese). The flavours are simple and delicious, and the recipes just complex enough to keep it interesting (and make it worth the book).

Last weekend I made this orange, olive oil and ricotta cake. I didn’t take a picture, but it won over my 3 year old guest, and her family. I also tried Julia’s milk bun recipe. They transformed my Friday-night homemade burger experience. Worth the low-key effort! Tonight I made this Pumpkin and Sage Soup. Delish.

What I’m growing…

I had two weeks off in early October. Perfect timing for the winter-summer switch. Out with the coriander, garlic, and (some of) the sweet peas, and in with corn, beans, pumpkin, tomatoes, cucumbers and basil.

I’m trialling the “three sisters” growing method for the corn, beans and pumpkin for the second year. I didn’t have much success last year, largely due to my laziness, so I’m giving it another crack. The idea is the beans climb the corn, while the pumpkin provides cover for the soil. We’ll see!

The tomatoes, cucumbers and basil are yet to make it far past germination. I’m not really sure if the culprit is slaters, slugs or mice (it’s not snails, thanks to my snail-devouring pup). There are now multiple pest strategies in play, and we seem to be making progress.

I’ve still got posies of flowers every week. The ranunculus are finished, but there are still anemones (the MVP of the season), cornflowers, white sweet peas, roses, and lavender, and the dahlias have just starting poking their heads through the soil. Plus the flowering herbs. It’s been my flowery-est winter yet, much to my delight.

Bring on January!

I might not be able to control much in the busyness of this season, but I’m thankful for these daily and weekly rhythms of rest. And I look forward to that glorious season just over the horizon when the clock stops for a few weeks, and the days are filled with beach and books.