The melting clock painting by Salvador Dali became the “logo” of 2020 in my mind. What was a year that has probably had more adjectives and descriptions than can be captured, will eventually/maybe, become iconic.  Not saying whether it will be recalled in a good or bad way – but it sure has left its mark !!
 
I wrote a lot of ‘stuff’ during last year but did not post on my blog at all …. Not one single post.  I have no recollection that that was a deliberate decision, but reading my last post of 2019 and thinking about this one today has really been quite a personal epiphany.
 
http://www.ploughcreek.com.au/pch-blog/2019-move-over-bring-it-on-2020
 
When I said bring it on – what ended up rolling out was not what I expected. That is an obvious understatement. I am not sure why the Dali painting that was created in 1931, always came to mind when I was navigating the year that has been. But it did. Time was bizarre as it dragged soooo slowly, while at the same time everything was on fast forward.
 
Dali’s painting is called “The persistence of Memory” and I understand that it is representative of Dali’s theory of softness and hardness.  Many experts from numerous sources will explain all that better than I ever can. But for me it reflects perfectly the opposites of slow- and fast-moving time in 2020.
 
I am no philosopher and I certainly am not an academic, so I can offer no clever theory or wisdom to sum up 2020.  What I do know is that I, just like everyone else, had quite a year.

​Whether 2021 continues like 2020 or sets a whole new scene for us all to navigate – I do hope for all, that we have peace and kindness in abundance.
 
#allyouneedislove

DC

There are days when I stop in my tracks to take a breath because I cannot believe that I have been around long enough to remember the beginning of the Beatles, watched the moon landing and now reminisce that the ‘80s were my halcyon days.

Although I take pride in my reputation for being very BIG on celebrations, acknowledgments and ceremonies … the festive season and particularly NYE, don’t rate very high on the DC scale of immense over joy.
However, the click out of one year and the rollover into a new one, does prompt me to spend some time reflecting, to consider what has been and spend some energy thinking what may be in the next year.

2019 has been a year of amazing highs and heart aching lows.

The usual joy of births, the pain of deaths and the celebration of weddings. The ever-changing, sometimes overwhelming, regularly mundane, unpredictable and sweet cycle of life. Maybe it is a little indulgent but here are some of my thoughts and emotions of this year’s circle of living.

Achievement; Celebrated another birthday, ticked over the 20-year anniversary of my first cancer diagnosis and still sharing married life with the husband …. Tezza Ed 

Challenges; personal, professional and psychological … there have been a few !  Dealing with whatever life thrashes at me, responding with the guts, determination and resilience that seems to be the expected standard from me by “the universe”

Pure Joy; #gaplpal tribute in NYC, sleeping around the corner from my Nonna’s house in Lucca, Italy for 3 weeks, cheeses I have never tasted before and 20/20 vision in my left eye after surgery 

Disappointments; there were a few, but the thing I learnt was that I can’t control the events that cause the disappointment, but I can control how I manage my emotions and react to the emotion

Weddings; the privilege of being invited and included to officiate in the celebration of love, with 7 couples who committed to each other in marriage

Births; I am still totally amazed by the biology of conception, that the magic of pregnancy does happen for many people and the purest love of all – unlike any other love, is that love that happens at the first hello to a newborn baby

Deaths; never able to make sense of when and why, the unexpected and sudden death of someone who you love and care about is always an rough emotional roller coaster. The anniversary and memories that we are so grateful we have so that we can hold them close to our heart, that at the same time still break our heart

Friendship and Families; when friends become family and family who are some of your besties – they are the folk who are there for you …. reliable, caring and nurturing – all sharing in my life in unique and special ways; is something I never take for granted

Travel; trip to New York City, a 4-day weekend in Singapore and amazing 4 ½ weeks in Italy together with 1000s of kilometres across Australia to so many places I have never visited before. What a year of geographical splendour
Anxiety; climate change …. drought, bush fires and mother nature making my garden a bit crazy with mixed up seasons crazy – not only in my neighbourhood, but around the globe), adjusting to the reality of Terry’s retirement and the sense of running out of time

the Unexpected; connecting with people who come into your life so randomly and make a huge impression, significant contribution and a surprising difference

So on that note, I wish you a happy new year.

​#allyouneedislove

#newyear #family #besties #friends #galpals #memories #circleoflife #weddings #births #deaths #travel #newplaces 

DC

2019 photo  #debandtez
​photo credit @madelinekatephotography

This post is dedicated to one of my goddaughters – Matilda “Tilley” Wilson, with love.
 
Some have suggested over the years that the meaning of the name Debra, is actually “lover of shoes”.  The truth is that shoes are in my DNA – on my mother’s side ….. Her father, my grandfather, was a bootmaker and later had a shoe repair shop. Pop Wood then progressed to having shoe stalls at many of the markets around Melbourne. My uncle took over his business and my first after school job (at a very young age) was working in the shoe shops. Yes, I do love shoes.
 
This introduction leads to another tale related to my early nursing career.  In a particular decade of my career – arguably the halcyon days of my health professional and personal life, I was employed at Prince Henry’s Hospital. Sadly, that institution has long been bull dozed and ritzy apartments now stand on that ground. In those days when you commenced at a new hospital you were offered a weeklong hospital orientation/induction program. Orientation was intended to introduce one to the policy and procedures of that particular organisation. Of course, one was also advised of the uniform code and what was acceptable. The uniform at PHH was a white uniform for RN’s, with white “regulation” nursing shoes.
 
From day 1 there was a glamazon sitting opposite me. She had a sophistication and an aura that from the first moment I saw her told me “I was not in her league”. I was not sure I would be able to relate to her. Even in her nurses uniform she looked like she stepped from a glossy mag.
 
Mid way through day 3 of the orientation week, she walked straight up to me, pointed into my face and said “You have worn 3 different pair of work shoes in three days – and none of them are regulation nursing shoes. I think we will be friends!”
 
So begun a #galpal love and friendship that is stronger today than it ever was. Nearly 4 decades later – we still get the shoe thing that is a special connection between us.
 
Belinda “Bella” Henkel is one of my besties.
 
#galpals #loveofshoes #besties #challengingregulations #memories #friendshipbeginnings
 
DC

After more that 43 years as a Paramedic and Intensive Care Paramedic, including nearly a decade as a Flight Paramedic, the husband has decided it is time to commence the next chapter of his life.  This is what I shared on his retirement at a celebration of his career recently.

Firstly, I need to acknowledge and offer thanks to an unlikely suspect and that is Jeff Kennettt. You see, he became premier of Victoria in early October 1992 and as a result ..... I - a nurse and midwife, unimaginably, was effectively sacked ....
 
Long story short - this led me to a short-term role at the Ambulance Officers Training Centre (AOTC) .... where I stayed for 6 years 
 
Approximately 26 years ago, in my role as an educator at the AOTC I had an appointment with Kenny Laycock, branch manager, Ambulance Airwing, Essendon airport.  [Who by the way sent a very cheeky email to me – but genuinely was sorry to not be able to attend today].  I walked into the building and had to walk through the staff room.  There was a dude in his flight suit putting his pasta dinner into the fridge and he turned around and looked at me .....  Terry Chessells you fell hard ... Yes Tezza, I know the moment you laid eyes on me, you were a goner!! 
 
And what a story it has been since .....  initially, we became great mates working together at AOTC, which eventually led to romance and marriage.
 
Of course, it did not take me long to realise that as a born and bred Carlton boy, all you ever wanted to be was to be an Italiano ... so marrying me has kinda’ helped you realise that dream.  Actually because you are such a wanna be Italiano, now that you don’t need to keep your professional name of Terry “Chess” Chessells, you could easily became Mr Terry Cerasa, male version of my sister Ms Terri Cerasa. 
 
Those of you close to us, including our two surrogate sons, Ross and Timmy, know that Tezza Ed and I, often have a banter going that could be easily misunderstood.   You, Terry “Chess, Tezza, Tezza Ed” Chessells are often irrational, opinionated, going off the deep end, quite assertive and rather loud. You very easily get stirred up and pay out on whoever is standing on the other side of the kitchen bench ..... Of course, as is so obvious to all,  I am the quiet, measured, reserved and very kind, forgiving one in our home  and I often have to calm you down by taking your face in your hands  and reminding you “you’re exciting when ya mad Pearl” [pronounced; P-oil]!!!
 
Seriously, I am proud to let Mr Kenny Laycock and one of our besties, Miss Belinda “Bella” Henkel call me Mrs Chessells.  I am proud to be your wife, friend and travel companion.  As I said once on a Facebook post a couple of years ago when the 40th anniversary of commencing your career in ambulance slipped quietly passed, with very little fanfare ..... ‘you have had an extraordinary career that is actually worthy of being envied by the 'young-unnns’ ....  I know you have lamented over the last few years that you became a “dinosaur”. Therefore, I take this opportunity to just share with you, that is something all you Paramedics who have worked with my Tezza should know; when he came home, he often spent time reflecting, caring and even worrying about many of you.  The job has meant so much to him and the moment you were in the AV uniform working alongside him, you meant so much to him.   
 
All of you know he frequently retells many of his better ‘work action stories’. Many of them so familiar to some of us, we could tell them as our own stories.  But Tezza, you also remind us when we take that mickey out of you, that we should consider those stories just like we are listening to our favourite Beatles, Paul McCartney  or Stevie  Wonder song ..... over and over and over and ......OVER again.   I do suggest to you all, that in time, there will be moments when someone will say … “remember Chess and those stories – it would be kinda’ nice to hear one of them right now”.
 
As said in that aforementioned FaceBook post .... Tezza, I think you are to be admired and congratulated. I can’t begin to imagine how many people are still telling their own stories, because you happened to be doing your job and took care of them. 
 
In fact - here is one of my action stories ..... the first time I went on the road with you, long before we were an item, you the MICA paramedic and I the observer.  I recall it was a call out to a suspected drug overdose in a toilet block in the CBD .... probably a familiar story to every ambo here today and everywhere else. What I recall is how you gave the young woman dignity by first making sure she was respectfully positioned, and her clothing not dishevelled.  You injected stuff  into her that bought her back to life and you spoke to her softly, kindly and genuinely with care.  I hope that she is somewhere right now, planning a festive season with her family this year because you did your job with professionalism, kindness and respect.
 
To finish I am going to quote myself ..... again, from that FB post  ..... “On behalf of every person you saved, every parent you comforted and reassured, every old person you respected, every scene you managed, every new paramedic you supported and every nurse you have every given cheek to; I say well done, be proud and know that you made a difference".
 
So my darling husband, on behalf of Mick (who is here today), Shane, Dave and I, we celebrate your amazing, extraordinary career. As you transition into this next phase of your life that you have aspired too, for so long .... that is to be my house husband, I am proud to say that we still love each other, still in love with each other, and most days, still really like each other. 
 
May the next chapter allow you to achieve your desires, which I know you have the talents to achieve. Take those photos, write those lyrics, learn that language, walk the path not walked yet and may my wage be enough to support us both!
 
Finally, I love you and I am so proud of what you have achieved in your career. I hope you are proud also.
 

                                                                                         Reflective DC 

If you have hung around this blog for a while you will have heard me talk about one of my favourite happy places on earth and that is the Copper Beech Glade in the gardens of Markington Hall. Over the hills in North Yorkshire, England.
https://www.facebook.com/The-Copper-Beech-Glade-467305646704221/

You will also know how I like to travel as much as possible. AND, you will know how much I adore celebrations and festivities.  So, how happy was I when some of my favourite things all came together recently? Very happy, VERY happy indeed.

A group of the “chosen family” (you know those friends who have become “family” and I don’t mean in a creepy cult way – just many years of shared life experiences and a whole lot of love) rendezvoused a few weeks ago to celebrate 3 x significant birthdays.

The night before the official celebration, many of us gathered down in the glade for a game of Kubb, a few drinks and to enjoy a nosh-up of Goulash. All sitting around the campfire in front of the gypsy vans. Even the non-meat eating folk had their own bubbling pot of vego goulash!!
 
Before I go any further, I hear you asking what is Kubb – unless of course you are Swedish, you know all about it.  It is a game. A team sport. Wikipedia descirbes as; 
 
Kubb (pronounced [kɵbː] in Swedish or [kubː] in Gutnish) is a lawn game where the objective is to knock over wooden blocks (kubbs) by throwing wooden batons (kastpinnar) at them. Kubb can be described as a combination of bowling and horseshoes.
 
Now as the most unlikely and least able sports orientated person in my family and friends network – it is not usual for me to be picked on anyone’s team.  But selected I was AND I was the first person to score in the game.  Now I would love to say it was extraordinary skill and ability but in reality it was pure LUCK !

As the night air became cooler and a few more bevvies were consumed we all gathered around the goulash pots and claimed a piece of log to sit and eat dinner.  ​

What a splendid evening. Food, friends and fire-pit. ​

The Copper Beech Glade is such a wonderful environment. Some of us even believe magic can happen there amongst the trees, beside the beck and listening to the sounds of the English countryside. After several years of operating the glamping gypsy vans,  Jules and Hank (owners & operators) are starting to recognise and welcome return visitors and many memories are being created there as their gypsy caravan dream, continues to expand. 

Well it is simply the perfect location for weddings, parties and celebrations.

If you call to make a reservation, make sure you tell Jules you read about the Copper Beech Glade here on the PCH Blog!

#happytastings #makingmemories

DC​

(this post was not sponsored) 

Many of you will know that I have been searching for my next employment opportunity – one that will have me leaping out of bed each morning, with anticipation. While I have been searching, I have been so fortunate to have had opportunities come my way to work on some incredible Locum roles, projects and consultancies. Such a variety of experiences. 
 
I continue to apply for roles that inspire me.
 
At an interview a while back, following all the professional and strategic questions that one expects during a job interview, I thought the panel Chair was winding up the process. Instead, they asked to talk about myself and who I was as a person ….. “tell us about the real you that was not presented in your CV”. 
 
After all the personality style evaluations, all the feedback loops, all the professional coaching and mentoring over the years that have told me that I am an extroverted, outgoing, creative, hard-working, practical, accountable (etc.) person, this particular question took me by surprise.
 
I was stumped by it and yes, I faltered with my response.  Firstly, it was asked in a way that was out of context to my usual expectation of an interview. It was not in the usual “professional framework of questions”. Or at least my perception of what that framework is. 
 
Secondly, as I thought the interview was being concluded and the Chair of the panel was about to say “thank you and good bye”, asking such an unexpected question felt  left of centre. On reflection I realized my response was not how I would like to have presented the “real me” story.
 
As time has passed, I have analyzed it over and over in my head and I wondered if it was a skillful maneuver, utilized to determine something about my personality. It was perhaps a strategy that was thought to be able to determine if I was  indeed a suitable person for the role. I will never know. I was not offered the role and yet I knew I met all the selection criteria. 
 
I have now concluded that recruitment and job hunting is a huge iceberg – so much more to who lands the job than what you see/present on the surface.
 
How would you talk about yourself and present a profile in less than one minute, that will leave a lasting and positive impression?

DC

There seems to be a pattern with my posts on my blogs. They are irregular – random and erratically timed. Some of my fave blogs that I read regularly are like clockwork. One of the features of those blogs is there constant presence in my daily routine – I know that once a fortnight or 3 times a week or a regular monthly update is how I remain “connected” to those folks/blogs. I admire their commitment, regularity and constant presence.

It is not as if I have nothing to say or write about. There has been plenty.  But to be honest over the last few months, I have been in a darker space the usual and most things I have written about have been dark, angry or just stressed. I need to do some edits!

I have just had the joy of a short holiday that had been planned for a long time and it has certainly afforded some much needed re-vitalisation. I am thinking that I may be back in a better space and have been re-energised. Still have a lot to say about what has been going on in the world, but maybe not quite as angry about it. And yes, the PCH kitchen is buzzing again.

After a Greek island get away laying in the sun, these minus 2 mornings back here at PCH are a definite contrast …. But that is what life is about isn’t it – the variety of the seasons.

#allyouneedislove

DC

Regulars who read my blog probably recognise that I write about stuff that is every day, not particularly extraordinary, things that happen in my life at or around PCH.  Lots of family, friends, food, travel and garden stuff in general. I have lots of interests and enjoy so many aspects of living. Occasionally, I talk about my professional life or work world. Generally my blog is my musings about life.
 
I tend to keep grim, dark thoughts and unpleasant reflections out of this space. However……
 
The recent #metoo campaign has stirred up plenty of conversation, dialogue, interest, denial and controversy.  People's perspectives are very different and there are plenty of varied and diverse reactions to the campaign. A few days ago I watched a video doing the rounds about a dude challenging the campaign and its purpose. In that clip he bullied a woman in his audience who questioned him. There is obviously still a long way to go.
 
Many people (courageous and vulnerable in many cases) have seen it as an opportunity to come forward and declare their story and/or situation.  Many other people have chosen that it's too painful, or they don't wish to revisit the memory, or they simply don't want to declare to others their story. ALL of these people have my respect.  Personally, my choice was my choice and made based on much reflection, soul searching and weighing up the consequences. I own my decision.
 
The #metoo campaign particularly focuses on (in no particular order) sexual harassment, sexual abuse, rape, sexual violation, inappropriate sexualisation of circumstances and many other forms of mental and physical violation. It seems to be focusing on exposing several specific sectors at the moment, however, I suspect that many other sectors will have spotlights shone upon them.
 
Reflecting on other professional environments where people have been harassed, victimized, disenfranchised, marginalized, treated unfairly and unequally, disadvantaged, or simply just treated poorly, took me down a thought journey about #metoo in the health sector which includes aged care, disability and community sectors. (To be clear, I am referring to the collective of health professionals here in all environments – not patients, clients or residents).
 
I've spent my career in the health sector working in many and varied roles/jobs. My career path has journeyed through clinical, education, management and executive roles. I have witnessed, observed and even myself, experienced circumstances when unacceptable behaviors have occurred. It seems only a few have ever been called out. It feels that the people that have stood up to be counted, don’t seem to be working in the health sector any more.
 
I'm not a researcher so I can't quote data or accurate percentages of female versus male genders in the health sector. What I do believe though, is that 51% of the world population is female. I also believe that 90% of nurses are female. Not sure about the figures in other Health Professional groups, but I suspect there is a relatively large representation of female in many of them.
 
So where am I going with this?  There are so many stories. I can’t help but ponder who will break the barriers and when will people start telling truths from this sector?
 
#timeforequality #respect
 
DC

When hanging out with some of the gang over the holiday season (family and friends) I had the “mickey taken” by some of the ‘younger’ ones, because of my love for a bold, honey coloured and tenacious Chardonnay.
 
Apparently, according to them, it was a rather old-fashioned drink and that there are more groovy wines to drink than a “Charddie”.
 
I have thought about that teasing and reflected on what it is about tastes and favourite drinks, that make us sink into a regular familiar pattern of sticking with what we always order.
 
When I first met Tezza I was not as fussy about wine, as I am these days. Maybe in some ways I have become a bit of a snob about such things – but I figure I work hard and in those times of relaxation and conviviality, I should be tasting what I like.  I like to think I am more discerning.
 
I am not a guzzler by any measure, but when I do partake in a wine either with dinner or sharing a glass during a late afternoon catch up with a #galpal, it needs to add to the total ambience and feeling of good times. 
 
Even with cocktails or spirits …. Can’t see the point in ordering a Scotch on the rocks, when what I like is an Aperol Spritz.
 
Actually the real problem is not that the young ones were taking the mickey, (I don’t mind some affectionate jibbing), the problem is that these days my tastebuds have developed to rather enjoy a limited selection of wines. Some of which are only consumed on special occasions as they tend to be a little costly. 

​No doubt about it, you do get what you pay for.
 
What is your fave grape variety and fave label?
 
#happytastings

DC

Sometimes, when I am thinking about things, my mind does this triple split thing. One part of my thinking is logical and coherent and I believe I problem solve in a rational manner. Another part of my thinking goes very ...... I am trying to find the right word - as it is spiced with emotion, anger, passion, loudness, outrageous and 'revved up' sentiments. In a way it is FFS thinking.  The  third type of thinking is very dreamy, fantasy, free flowing and imagining all sorts of perfect (well that is perfect according to my perceptions).

Can you image how busy inside my head becomes?  I have been told by others who observe my resting face or thinking face or dozing face, that I twitch and move constantly. I guess that is not surprising when I consider that inside my head is doing a wild dance to the beat of a very fast bongo drum !!

For quite a while now I have been going down this thought path of  'where am I at, at this point of my life?' I have to tell you the FFS thinking is pretty wild. At times, I feel that after all the experiences of my career, living and loving I am irrelevant, I do have a lot to contribute, but never before have I felt so invisible. I am trying to dissect why I am feeling like this and I have to tell you, it is not sitting easy ..... I feel like there is so much more to do, see, be and feel. But somehow I am in suspended animation. 

A recent conversation with a very beautiful friend took me down a path of thinking about rites of passage on life.  Amazing 24 hours of sharing thoughts, feelings and energy. It made me reflect about what is it, that is my essence.  In a bizarre twist of irony, a few days earlier I had had a deep conversation with someone else I am working with about my career and it went the same way. Only we were using language that was "corporate speak".

What I do know is that I feel that something is ready to shift and I don't know how, when, where or what - but, I am not ready to be invisible and irrelevant.

Happy thinking, my friends. 

#allyouneedislove #tripleheadspace

DC

The first time I realised the world is diverse and that not all people are heterosexual, I was still in primary school and not yet a teenager.
 
My mother had a group of friends who got together regularly on  Saturday afternoons. They talked, laughed and drank sparkling wine or brandy, lime and bitters. I am not sure if I had yet conceptualised what sexuality was, but I did observe friendship and caring for each other. It was the early 1960’s.
 
One of the friends in the group was a guy who I will call Charlie.  He did not want to hang out with the husbands, boyfriends and ‘uncles’.   Although I do have memory that the men all seemed to really like him,  just like the women did.
 
My recollection was that Charlie was always so groovy, his clothes were always funky, he was funny, he was a bit feminine, he was clever, he was handsome and he was kind. He was the brother of one of the other women.
 
I recall that I always enjoyed my limited time with him. Now of course I recognise that Charlie was gay. But he was just Charlie and what was important was that he was funny, kind, generous and smart. Why I recall this is because it is my first memory of homosexuality in my life …. No big deal. Charlie was just Charlie. I also recall so acutely, how I felt when I heard a few years ago, that he died. I was incredibly sad.  
 
Not long after my introduction to Charlie, my mother took me to see the stage show “HAIR”. To say that show had an impact on me is such an understatement. The fact that I recall so much detail, decades later, is indicative of the influence. I learnt so much more about life during that couple of hours, than I ever did at any of the mother/daughter education nights at school  and from the “girls becoming women” Johnson and Johnson books concealed in envelopes, that mother handed to me late at night!
 
In retrospect I now recognise that I always had an inquiring mind. I also now realise that there have always been gay people in my life. And de facto couples. And married people. And married people having affairs with other married people. And heterosexual couples.
 
My point is that they are who they are and they love who they love.
 
When I was recently handed two tokens in a workshop – one was a small multi coloured rubiks cube and the other was a rainbow flower – both objects made me think of the recent “public survey” here in Australia where the community was asked to vote on “same sex marriage”.
 
As a white straight female, being asked to validate the equality of other people who happened to be LGBTIQA by the survey, was so offensive to me.  I have advocated for equality for women, for immigrants, for people with disability and chronic diagnosis, for children, for culturally and linguistically diverse people and for all other marginalised people, as long as I can remember. At the same time I believed that I had to respond, to stand up and be counted for why I believe all people are equal.
 
In my mind the coloured objects linked my thoughts to the rainbow flag that had become the symbol of this public survey. The survey that I felt embarrassed and ashamed about – yet at the same time I needed my view to be counted – caused so much angst for so many people I love and care about. I am so regretful for this to have happened.
 
LGBTIQA have always been part of the tapestry of my life, personally, professionally and creatively. Just like indigenous people and migrant people and old people and young people. ALL people actually.
 
So after all the public debate and the challenges that so many people have faced over recent times, law was passed today that now states it is legal for people to be equal – those people who in my mind and heart always were  …. Now are. The law states it so.
 
People are people. Love is love. Life is life.
 
#allyouneedislove
 
DC



 




 

John Lennon once said …….

I feel like I am always making plans and life keeps happening. And, happening at an astonishing speed. How did this year zip through the months so quickly? How did I have another birthday come, go and I missed my usual festival? How did we have births, death and marriages and days keep ticking by?
 
All this against each 24 hour time-slot when my brain doesn’t seem to stop. Even when I am asleep. In 2017, I have had some incredible, confronting, exhausting and spooky dreams.  Remembering them as soon as I wake up, is what starts off most days for me. Thinking about stuff is never-ending. People say I should relax, chill out, turn my brain off and stay calm.  If only I could find the switch that does that. Besides, there are so many things to think about and so many things that challenge me daily.
 
And talking. Oh my goodness, I feel like I have talked so much this year – “what about?” you may ask. “who knows?” is how I respond.
 
As we head toward the end of year festivities and my “annual reflection” phase commences, I can’t help but wonder – should I stop making plans?
 
#allyouneedislove
 
DC

For those who do not like posts about food it is a good time to stop reading now.  

Before the images, smells and tastes become fond distant memories it is time to start wrapping up the travel tales and this will be the last food theme post for this thread.

The art of conviviality, good food and food experiences are always a big feature of our travels.  We do love to eat and enjoy the beverages that accompany good food.

However, rather than sharing more great places, awesome restaurants with impressive menus and showing off about glamorous settings we ate at, I want to give a huge shout out to the wonderful food and meals shared with family and friends. It is easy to be caught up in the wonder of “eating out” – as we should, but I would be remiss to neglect the scrumptious food we shared that was prepared in home kitchens.

My cousin Maurizio and wife Antonella and two beautiful daughters shared their home table with us on numerous occasions in Lucca. Fine Italian (Tuscan) home cooking that was made even tastier (if that was possible) by the fact we were sharing the meal with family. Maurizio’s sister, my cousin Barbara, her husband Angelo and son Andrea opened up their home to welcome us to yummy home cooking at their home also. With the next generation of Cerasa kids speaking English and my limited Italian, it was not hard to share family stories, laughs and just really enjoy hanging out with the cousins.

More time with family in UK meant that quite a few meals were shared and with the finest quality produce provided by Webster Family Butchers is was a scrumptious shared table. I have talked about Kane and Carly before and their gourmet butcher in Bournemouth, England.  Their passion about good quality produce meant that the meals we were treated were simply mouth-watering. Even when cooked on a BBQ, standing under an umbrella in an English downpour!

On route to Wales we stopped off to have a sleep over at the home of very dear friends.  Along with the pleasure of both daughters being at home, we also were treated a super delectable vegetarian meal. I do love a well-cooked Dahl. The house was alive with great food, great company and great conversation (not to forget some awesome singing). I am sure the problems of the 21st century were solved during that evening.

Once we arrived in London we were treated again to a Sunday lunch at home with one of our favourite couples.  Two young people who are very dear to us and we just love any time we share catch ups with them. Our shared meal inspired me to attempt to re-create the meal back home at PCH. Roast chicken for Sunday lunch followed by apple crumble is always yummy …  in any country.

There is no doubt that we have been able to visit many wonderful eating places around the world and we do appreciate fine dining.  But the love, laughter and stories around a shared table, sharing a delicious home cooked meal, is very satisfying indeed.

So it is a huge thank you to our darling family and friends, for embracing and welcoming us to your tables.  We certainly look forward to returning the pleasure at Plough Creek Homestead sometime soon.

#happytastings #happyholidays #happylife #allyouneedislove #debandtez​

DC