Okay, so I’ve been in pain from this calf injury for most of the week and feeling mighty sorry for myself. At the time of writing (Sunday morning) I think I’m on the mend and reckon I’ll be back walking this week.
Which brings me to:
1.An update on the leg situation.
It got worse before it got better, but an ultrasound on Thursday has cleared me of anything nasty in there. I have, it appears, just done an exceptionally good job of ripping a calf muscle. I hope to be easing back into my walks during the week.
2. Launch Day
I Want You Back is now out in the wild. If you’ve bought a copy, thank you, I hope you enjoy it. If you haven’t bought a copy, but want one, you can get it here; and if you read it and liked it, I’d really appreciate you leaving a review on Goodreads or Amazon…
If you still haven’t read Baby, It’s You, the first book in the series, it’s available on Amazon for a ridiculously low price.
3. In the News and other bits and pieces
Some of Australia flicked over to daylight savings on the weekend. Queensland, where I live, did not. That means 6 months of operating under a Sydney time zone for work and a Queensland one outside of the day job. Sigh. It could be worse – we could live on the border. Thanks to my sister for posting this explanation.
This lovely feel-good story about a Hervey Bay couple doing it hard, but spreading cheer (and music) from their Good Vibes Kombi.
This ruling by the Irish Supreme Court that Subway bread isn’t really bread as it contains way too much sugar. It contains, in fact, 10% sugar to flour weight or 5 times the amount that would have it defined as bread.
During the week Helen Reddy passed away. That song has always meant something to me – even when I was young and before I knew why it was important. Anyways, I love this version by Aussie comedian Judith Lucy and other fabulous Aussie women.
Sarah has been showing me TikTok videos of people trying to guess paint colours from those machines that create paint colours. It’s actually strangely almost addictive.
Author Angela Savage has been busy crafting literary critters – critters inspired by books. Now she’s joined forces with other crafters to help launch Animals Make Us Human, edited by Leah Kaminsky & Meg Keneally – “A fundraiser for our wildlife, from land, sea and sky. Proceeds go to the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Australian Wildlife Conservancy.” You can find the critters on Instagram at @literarycritters.
4. On the river
I’ve been meaning to photograph the boathouses along the Maroochy River for what seems like ages – and on the way back from Nambour the other day I stopped and hobbled out to do just that.
5. In the Kitchen
The Noosa Red tomato man was back at the markets after an absence of a couple of months (he told us that winter had not been kind to his tomatoes). As well as stocking up on tomatoes for the week I also bought another couple of kilos of “seconds” to make more chutney.
Destination Kitchen this Saturday was Cairns – or, more specifically, me trying to replicate the dinner Sarah and I had at Dundee’s when we were there.
On the menu was duck spring rolls with a Thai dipping sauce and barramundi with roasted sweet potato, spinach and lemon beurre blanc. No pics, but I managed to make it look (and taste) pretty much like the original.
My recipe of the week, however, is a salad dressing. Yes, you heard it here first. This has become a bit of a favourite for lunch during the week. I have it with whatever vegies are in the fridge. Sometimes I have it on its own, sometimes with whatever protein is left over from dinner.
Tom Yum Salad Dressing
What you need:
- 2 teaspoons tom yum paste (I use Life’s Good paste, but any good commercial one would work)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (or less if, like me, you don’t like it sweet)
- 2 tablespoons canola (or other neutral) oil
- Salt flakes – say a pinch
What you do with it
Put all the ingredients in a jar and shake it about.
In case you missed it
On the blog this week:
- Our 2018 road trip around France continues. This week we were in Burgundy or, more specifically, Beaune. The link is here.
- A rundown of my reading during September. The post is here, but I also published it on my author site.
- Speaking of which, over on the author site is the second post in my get ready for Nanowrimo series. If you’re considering having a go at putting some words to paper in November, duck over to see my 15 tips.
And Anyways... 
I’ve read and enjoyed ‘I Want You Back’. I’ve been in withdrawal waiting to read the next book in this series. (no pressure)! 😀 I’ll pop a review on Amazon and Goodreads today.
I’m happy to hear that your calf is starting to feel better. Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.
And yummo to the Noosa Red Tomatoes and the Tom Yum Salad Dressing.
Glad to hear your calf is feeling better and I still get to view your morning photos 🙂 I have eight tomatoes ready and waiting to be planted soon.
Glad to hear you’re on the mend from your calf injury. Congrats on your book launch! Really awesome that you write your books while working full-time and managing RWA and life at home. I love your river and food photos. That’s a cool mug with the wave-like handle. Have a wonderful week! #lifethisweek
Hi Jo, I’ve finished ‘I Want You Back’ and loved it. I really feel with your writing that I know the characters and like Donna, I need your next book! Could that be the start of an addiction? LOL:) I made your chocolate brownie recipe last weekend which was a hit so thank you for the inspiration. I’m so pleased you have had your leg checked out and know exactly what the issue is. Take it easy and you will be back walking before you know it. At least you haven’t missed the sunrises. Enjoy your October, my friend. #lifethisweek
Hi Jo – I always love your Monday posts – they make me feel like I have an Instagram account and I’m scrolling through my feed. I was sooooo inspired by your Tom Yum dressing that I went straight to my pantry and hunted for the ingredients – I successfully located 1 teaspoon of honey – so it saved on washing up too – I just licked the spoon and the dishes were done. I feel like a Master Chef every time I complete one of your recipes 🤣🤣
Oh my goodness you make me laugh!
Just purchased your latest book. Thanks for the link.
I think you should do a whole photographic series of the boat houses. Can we see inside one, too??
Glad the leg is beginning to mend and allow you more mobility. I have several blogger buds who are dealing with leg or foot issues. Last year was my turn.
Had to look up tom yum paste. Wonder where I could find it here? Hmmm. This dressing sounds divine. Must try!!
Thanks so much for your support – I really do appreciate it. The dressing is fab and makes a lunchtime veg salad delicious.
Hu Jo, so pleased your leg might be on the mend but don’t rush into things too quickly is my only advice. I loved that Helen Reddy version too! I’ve been singing loudly along to Helen on my drives lately and love it. In other news I’m working on my Turning 60 Spotify playlist and she’s featured!
Thanks for the DLS images that’s a great help.my car clock is now the right time again! I’m currently reading your new book and loving it! Angela’s creations are fabulous, thanks for sharing them with us. Hope the week ahead is good to you x
Thanks Debbie. I’m doing half my usual distance in the morning and, 2 mornings in, it seems to be holding up. Have a lovely week.
Hi Jo good to hear your knee is on the mend, but my advice would be not to take it too quickly. This is what I did and it ended up keeping me out of action for longer. I’m a bit jealous that you can be lovely locally grown tomatoes at this time of the year. I can’t wait for tomato season to be here. I love making chutney. Your recipe looks lovely so I’ll give it a go this year.
Thanks, I’m trying so hard to be patient and ease back in. We sure are lucky up here with fruit and veg, although do miss out on some of the truly seasonal spring veg.
Hope that calf injury heals back to normal soon; it’s so frustrating to not feel 100%. What beautiful photos.
Thanks… it certainly is frustrating – and I’m not known for my patience. Have a lovely week.
I have just recently read the first 2 of the series and looking forward to the third (just clicked and bought). I’m very curious about the Tom Yum paste… will be seeing what else I might use it for before I invent in buying some! Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks for your support Pat. Re the tom yum paste, give tom yum soup a go – it’s super quick and super healthy and is the perfect looking after yourself lunch.
Looks like you took cuisine night to the next level this week – sounds delish. I do hope your leg feels better, great news re: the ultrasound but the best news will be when you’re up and about again. I had to laugh at the daylight savings thing, it does look super confusing when you see it on a map, It must be hell for those living on the border.
I had to laugh when the GP texted the results through: “unremarkable (L) knee joint”. Unremarkable indeed!
Oh, no! A torn calf muscle! That sounds so painful. I am glad to hear that it is getting better and you are going to be back to your usual walking routine.
Good luck on the new book! So exciting!!
Thanks for the news about Subway. I am trying to avoid sugar in my diet. I will be avoiding that chain. 10% sugar is crazy!
It certainly is crazy. It annoys me beyond belief how some of these companies add so much sugar to their product yet hold themselves up as being a healthy choice (or at least a healthier choice).
“Good” news re the leg. Knowing rather than not knowing is sooooo much easier on the mind…let alone the leg. How on earth we do this kind of thing to our body I will never know but I sure can imagine how much it hurt and restricted you. Oh, the good old DLS stuff up. The map is a good one!! Love your enthusiasm for all things food and cooking. So glad to know your book is going well.
Thank you for linking up this week. Next week on Life This Week, the optional prompt is 41/51 I Have Never. 12.10.2020. Hope to see you there! Denyse.