Nurturing my inner... aussie

G'day.  Early last spring, while browsing titles in Netflix, they suggested an Australian TV series called, "McLeod's Daughters."  The recommendation was based on other shows I rated highly, so I gave it a shot.  I turned on the first episode and began to watch it and it was okay.  Had a slow start of cattle mustering.  I'm pretty sure something interrupted me, I paused it and didn't get back to it that day.  A couple weeks later I decided to give it another shot because of its high rating.  Six episodes in and I was HOOKED for life!  If I had my choice, Australia would be my number one vacation destination for 2011.  (Considering last year I only managed to get to St. Louis, MO, I hope this argument manages to hold some weight with you.)

Soundtrack features one singer and I grew
to love it. When I listen to it now, it reminds
me of the adventures on Drover's Run.

McLeod's Daughters was a drama series from 2001 - 2009.  A story about two sisters who were separated when they were little.  The older one, Claire, stayed on the family farm, Drover's Run, with the father and was more of the tough, independent type.  The younger, more free-spirited girly one, Tess, went to the city with the mother.  Years later, both parents die within a short time of one another and Tess inherits part of the farm, so she goes there to check it out.  The first season walks you through the adjustment of Claire letting someone in, physically and emotionally, and Tess abandoning her citified luxuries and learning the ways of country life through many failed, but well meaning, attempts.  That balance of affection and tension really kept me coming back for more.

Though the cast changed over the eight years (and I boo-hooed when they killed off one of the main characters in Season Three as if I lost a real friend - ridiculous!), they maintained a constant theme of strong women taking care of each other, good men to love them, neighbors lending a hand, hard work that comes with farm living, appreciation of simple pleasures, lack of need for technology, loyal friends who work out their problems and a general code of decency and ethics.  Not to mention that no matter the hardship (sick livestock, boyfriend heartbreak, drought, rape, thieves, crop contamination, shifty drifters, friend betrayals, devastating storms, car crashes, cattle rustlers, local ne'er-do-wells) the good girl ultimately wins in the end!  Triumphs were celebrated with joyous gusto and tragedy was supported with tender compassion. It's encouraging that quality television shows are still being made amongst all the trash and reality junk that seems to be on.

I truly fell in love with these characters, the music, the simplicity of the bush (farmlands), kangaroos/wallabies, R.M. Williams boots and various other quirky little Australian things.  Like, Cooper's beer.  (Which I was able to find at Total Wine in Sterling.  They carry the sparkling ale which is excellent.)

It is fun to crack one open and
watch the show while they are
drinking them at the same time.

And one day, I'm SO getting an Akubra hat!  (Just because.)  Everyone in the series had one that suited their unique personality.  There are so many different types and colors to choose from, and it just calls out to my inner jillaroo.


The Stockman in fawn. Oh yes, one day.


One fun thing about working my way through a series that was on for eight seasons was that I started watching episodes on my old tube TV and now that I'm into Season Seven, I have a new purchase.

36" tube TV. Yes, we had some good times
together over 12 years. You were good to me.
But it was time to move on.

When everyone was out buying flat screen TVs three to four years ago, I was trying to be patient.  I was saving up.  (Crazy idea, I know.)  I refused to buy it on credit, insisting on paying cash.  (Well, cash through my credit card because I wanted the points.)  Though I spent those years seeing the wonder of HDTV at everyone else's house and returning to my tube of inferior antiquity, I didn't waiver.  I researched, I planned, I saved credit card points, I shopped online sales.  So when I finally did take the plunge last September I got the best deal I could, didn't go into debt one cent and was very appreciative for my delayed gratification.  I recommend we readopt that philosophy that our parents and grandparents had.  Now I can enjoy my HDTV with no guilt.  Check it out!

What a beauty! 46" Sony Bravia LCD that
was Netflix ready.

Hello incredible picture quality upgrade!  How did I survive that long with out you, sweet high clarity portal to the land down under!

But my learning of all things Aussie was just beginning.  Running class gave me a lot of things: 1.) rediscovered endurance, 2.) a reliable workout schedule, 3.) great new friends.  One happened to be from Australia, of all convenient places for my blogging purposes.  In part through Angela, I developed an appreciation for yet another culture.

Angela told me about these treats called ANZAC biscuits.  (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.)  She gave me the recipe and she converted the measurements, thank goodness.  Plus she came over to bake them with me so I wouldn't mess them up.  Such a good, sweet friend she is!

ANZAC Biscuits

1 cup (90 g) rolled oats
1 cup (150 g) plain flour
1 cup (200 g) firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup (45 g) desiccated coconut
1 stick (125 g) butter
2 tbsps Lyle's Golden Syrup
1 tbsp water
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (aka, baking powder)

ANZAC biscuits were cookies (what we yanks would call them) that mothers and wives of enlisted service men sent to the soldiers while they were away at war.  There is no milk or eggs in them, so they have a long shelf life.  Australians continue to celebrate ANZAC day and make the biscuits to commemorate their service people.  I love that kind of patriotism.  Good on ya!

Some ingredients you recognize, others you
probably don't. Education coming right up.

Rolled oats are the kind you'll need.  They soften quickly.  I bought mine in the bulk section of Wegmans.  Throw those into a bowl.

These type of oats are used in instant oatmeal
because they cook so fast.

Add the other dry ingredients to the same bowl: flour, brown sugar and coconut.  But this is no ordinary dried coconut as we think of here in America.  Desiccated coconut is finer and drier.  You can find it in International food markets or sections.  Don't substitute regular dried coconut for this or it won't come out the same.

All dry.

In a saucepan on the stove, add the butter and golden syrup (also found in the International section) and heat it up slowly on medium until the butter is melted.

Don't turn the heat up too high. Go slow on
this one.

Now the next step I was warned about.  I've never cooked with baking soda in this way.  Think of it like a school science project.  Once the butter and golden syrup is melted, add the baking powder...

Currently peaceful.

... and watch it foam!  Like a raging volcano!  Make sure to use a deep enough pan.  And don't freak out.  Pull it from the heat if it boils too high.

Cooking is fun! Like science!

Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon.  You'll end up with a somewhat crumbly mixture that can be packed together.

I tried some raw. I had to stop myself from
eating it all before I baked it. So good.

Place rounded teaspoons of mixture about an inch apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet or I lined mine with parchment paper.  They will spread a little, but they don't completely flatten.

No need to be perfectly spherical.

After about 20 minutes in a 325 degree oven, they should be slightly firm, golden brown and ready to take out.  According to the notes from my friend, they harden when they cool so don't over cook them or "they become frisbees."  (I loved that part.)  She likes to slightly under cook hers to keep them on the softer side.  Makes approximately 25.

Go Army! Anything I can do to support
the troops.

I have these cute little snowmen plates that I thought they'd look great on.

I use them until spring arrives.

Now that is one delicious, and patriotic, cookie.  You can store them for a couple weeks in an airtight container or freeze for up to two months.  Trust me, they won't last that long.

They are filling. I could only eat two at a time.

Hot tea would be perfect with them, they are good for dunking, but it felt like an over the top kind of day.  (We walked 4 miles earlier.)  So we made some homemade hot chocolate to go with them.

Hot Chocolate

2 cups whole milk
2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
2-3 tsps sugar
A couple shots of Bailey's Irish Creme liquor or a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla or any other flavoring

Add milk to sauce pan, bring up to a simmer, not a boil, add cocoa powder and sugar and whisk until smooth.  Just for a couple minutes or until cocoa is nice and steamy hot.



Blend until smooth.


Pour half into each of two cute mugs, perhaps ones that match your cookie plates, add liquor or extra flavoring and stir with equally cute matching spoons.

Adorable little snow women and a
warm, full tummy.

We sat, sipped and shared.  There is so much left to learn about that amazing continent.

Public Service Announcement: I'd be self-centered and socially irresponsible if I didn't mention the recent massive flooding in Queensland, Australia.  Several people have died, many are missing, and tens of thousands have lost their homes and are currently misplaced.  Along with other disasters from recent years like New Orleans and Haiti, I hope that Americans are equally as generous with their donations to our mates in the Southern hemisphere.  When I hear a story like the one about young Jordan, who at 13 told rescue workers to save his 10 year old brother first and when they came back for him he had been washed away by the flood, I am especially moved.  And personally challenged.  How is it that I am so slow to part with so little, like money, when a child is willing to love with that kind of mature, nothing-held-back sacrifice?  How extraordinarily selfless to give up your life to save someone else.  The least I can do is open my wallet.  I hope you will consider lending a hand as well.

I'm certain I will be super sad when I get to the very last episode of "McLeod's Daughters," but I've enjoyed every minute of my time spent on Drover's Run from this side of the screen.  I'm glad I have lots of fun things I learned about Australia along the way that will remind me of all the wonderful characters and story lines.  Every time I have a Cooper's or eat an ANZAC biscuit, I will be transported back to the family farm to visit with my all my Aussie friends.

The women and men of McLeod's Daughters.
A terrific cast of characters.