February | 2012 | Two Becs in a Paddock

by Bec C

Spicy Pear Chutney

Whilst lying in bed this morning, I was startled to find myself smiling with genuine pleasure over a memory of something that happened 2 years ago. You may well raise your eyebrows at what you perceive to be a small, inconsequential event, but for me it was an Event that deserves nothing less than a title with capital letters – “The Day I Won the ‘Open’ Chutney Blue Ribbon At the Nabiac Show”.

In a fit of localism, I had entered my Yummy Runny Mango Chutney. No, it wasn’t a secret family recipe handed down from generation to generation in an original hand-written recipe book. I will say only – thank god for the Internet. I chose this particular recipe for the fact that every other recipe called for Green mangoes, and I only had Yellow ones at my disposal. I mean, who buys green mangoes? Continue reading →

In our local village (can you call it that? Village sounds so quaint England, not coastal / hinterland Australia. Anyway, it’s not a town, so village will suffice) we have an Op Shop which raises money for our longtime-coming public swimming pool, as well as a couple of shops that sell all things vintage and secondhand – furniture, clothes, kitchen wear, lamps, crockery, bits and pieces. Not bad for a small place.

There’s also a pub, a chemist, two doctor’s surgeries, two butchers, a baker, a rural supplies store, two small grocery stores, two cafes, three, yes three real estate agents, two mechanic’s workshops, a hairdressers / beauty salon, two pre-schools and a primary school. Gee, that makes it sound like a thriving metropolis, which it most definitely is not.

Anyway, I digress. Back to all things vintage. Browsing the racks of ‘vintage’, recycled and pre-loved clothes at the Vintage shop (Vintage Magnolia) on Monday, I came across a little green sundress. $20. Not bad. I slipped it on, comfortable and pretty and I reasoned that I only have one other summer dress and dresses are so easy, and practical, and cool in the hot summer. Done. Very happy with my purchase. Continue reading →