5 things – Monday 21 September 2020

Okay so the week has been okay – some highs, some lows.

Anyways, without further ado, let’s get into the 5:

1.A manky leg

So I did something to my leg. I have no idea if the problem is with the top of my calf, the bottom of my hamstring or the ligament behind my knee with the really technical name. All I know is that it hurts too bend my knee and I’m hobbling about complaining.

While I didn’t feel it at the time I think I did something to it when I was doing an on-line Body Combat class and didn’t set up a round-house kick properly. Do you like how that just rolled off my tongue? The problem is, I haven’t done a Body Combat class for about 10 years. At least. So I have no idea what made me think I could still do things at the same level. Plus I’d remembered how much I enjoyed those choreographed classes – even though I detest going to a gym.

I actually didn’t walk on Friday morning – the first weekday morning I’ve missed this year – although we still got up at the same time & went down for coffee. I did walk this morning so will see how it goes.

2. Things other than manky legs that brought tears to my eyes

This visit by Guy Sebastian to a primary school. I heard the audio and my eyes leaked & I’ve watched the footage and they’ve leaked some more. You can see it here. As an aside, I love this song.

3. Smoothie ingredients

Frozen cauliflower as a smoothie ingredient? Sarah reckons it’s a thing. ‘You just need a few of the little bushy bits,’ she said. ‘It thickens it without you being able to taste it,’ she said. Yet another example of why cauliflower has the world’s best publicist. And yes, she really did refer to the florets as “bushy bits”.

4. My new novel

I actually posted something on my author site – about my new book. It’s available for preorder now – the links are here. It defaults to the US site so if you’re in Australia you’ll need to navigate over to the Australian site. Print copies will be available in a few weeks.

Also in author news, I was honoured to be a guest on Sue’s Women Living Well After 50 podcast. You can find it here. Amongst other things, I talk about how to get started and just, well, write.

5. In the kitchen

This week in the kitchen was all about pumpkin scones.

I feature the recipe in my upcoming novel Escape To Curlew Cottage so had to write it up for the book. I tried 2 recipes during the week: Lady Flo Bjelke-Petersen’s iconic pumpkin scones and another using more traditional methods. The former was judged as being too cakey in texture and the latter was a winner. You can find the post – and the recipe – here.

It was also another opportunity to use my vintage china. This one even has a handpainted glaze that matches the scones.

That was my week…how was yours?

Author: Jo

Author, baker, sunrise chaser

28 thoughts

  1. Hope you’re ‘manky’ leg heals quickly Jo. I caused myself many injuries for a couple of years until I realised that I was getting older and should modify things. Cauliflower? I love it but never would of thought of putting it in a smoothie. Exciting news about your new book. I’m reading Happy Ever After and loving it.

    2. Cauliflower is just popping up everywhere! Thanks for buying Happy Ever After. This next one is more chicklit/contemporary romance with a whole new set of characters.

  2. Hi Jo, I’m sorry to hear that your leg hasn’t improved you might need to take it easy and if it doesn’t improve a visit to a physio might help. The pumpkin scones are on my list to bake – I might even make them with the grandsons this week to keep them occupied during school holidays. Thank you again for being my guest on the podcast and also for the shout-out. I’m really looking forward to your next book as I’m up to date with all the others! Have a great week and take care #lifethisweek

    1. Thanks Sue, I’m off to the osteo today. I’m that person who loses fitness (and routine) very quickly so need to get it fixed. Have a lovely week.

  3. All good news for you, apart from you joining me with a manky leg!! Hope it heals quicker than mine seems to be doing. I agree with you cauliflower seems to have had the best publicist in recent years, it just keeps popping up everywhere, but a smoothie?? Those scones look great and I love how you take your job so seriously, trying out recipes and deciding which to use in your books, that’s something i would never have thought of. As you know I loved the podcast and have your books on pre-order already :). I’m off to look at the video and will let you know if my eyes leak. #lifethisweek

  4. Jo, I hope you have your leg injury checked and feel better soon. I watched the podcast that Sue and you did together 1 or 2 days ago. It was fabulous. First time I hear your voice I think. Congrats on the release of your new book! Have a wonderful week. #lifethisweek

  6. Manky is a new adjective for me. I love it!! My husband is suffering with 2 manky legs right now and a back to match. Hope you are feeling back to normal very soon. I am sore in places I didn’t know I could get sore. And wind up with bruises in the strangest places. Just more perks of being 62.

    Those scones look delicious. Would like one tomorrow for breakfast with coffee. That plate makes for a very pretty presentation.

  8. Hi Jo – I love Guy Sebastian – he’s such a nice bloke isn’t he? I also love pumpkin scones and discovered some that Woolies sell that have pepitas and a few other grated bits and pieces in them – they were actually really delicious and a lot less trouble to prepare than when I’ve made pumpkin scones in the past. Congrats on the new book and on the interview with that famous podcaster xx

  9. Oh Jo, that sucks about your leg! Injuries suck and it’s so much harder when it’s part of your routine and something that keeps you going. I hope you recover soon. Cauliflower as a smoothie ingredient? I’m not sold! 😛 Congrats about the new book! Hope your week ahead is a good one!

    1. Yeah I’m not sold on the cauli either… Off to the osteo today as it’s all too easy to fall out of routine…

  10. Hope your leg is feeling better soon. I had not taken a Body Pump class for 6 months during the worst of the pandemic. When I started back a few weeks ago, I was astonished to realize how much strength I lost in only a few months. Sigh! I guess we’re not in our 20s anymore, Jo!

    I don’t think I could do a cauliflower smoothie. My son has been trying for months to get me to try kale in my smoothies and I have been resisting.

    Congrats on the new book!

    1. I’m definitely a non-starter on the cauliflower smoothie, but I’m not a massive smoothie fan anyway. Sarah has spinach in hers most morning, but probably would go kale. I’m off to the osteo today so fingers crossed he has the magic answer.

  11. Oh no, hope your leg feels better soon! Those pumpkin scones look the business but I’m still not sure about the cauliflower in smoothies theory! Very excited about your new book, incidentally I lent Wish You Were Here to my neighbour and she can’t put it down!

    1. It’s a big no to the cauliflower in smoothies from me! And thanks for passing around the Wish You Were Here love.

  12. I am sorry about your leg and hope by the time my comment is published you have had some help. Why oh why do people want to spoil good food with some vegetables?? I went to a TED event at The Opera House a few years back and the cost included food. The food LOOKED great and I could not wait to have a cupcake…which was disguised as some veggies thingy with more raw thingies and I went hungry. Very hungry.

    Thanks for linking up this week, next week, the optional prompt is 39/51 Healthy. 28.9.2020 Hope to see you there too. Denyse.

  13. Hi Jo, I never noticed your tagline before today- author, baker, sunrise chaser! I love it!
    I hope your leg is feeling better. The cauliflower thing- really? I suppose. Cauliflower DOES have a good publicist! I’m not sure I will try it anytime soon. The pumpkin scones however- yum!

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