Update on what's happening at Friends in the kitchen

Hi,
The past few weeks have really been a bit quiet here at Friends in the Kitchen - other than our Indian cooking class I've been trying to process the death of my father Ellie. Although this is not a topic that I would generally delve into on my blog it is a part of life and one that has affected my mood and activity here in the kitchen.

My dad was a wonderful, funny and loving person. He very much enjoyed living in Sydney with our extended family and especially his kids and his grandchildren. I can only hope that time will heal the gaping hole that his passing has left in my life.

 He lived to laugh, eat, cook and also made a host of special food that he was quite well know for across the globe. He also spent much of his time in Australia meeting new friends, cultivating herb gardens, growing plants, passion fruit vines, tomatoes, celery, spring onions, lemon trees, beets, rocket and orchids to mention but only a few of his favourites. Another one of his specialties was making smoked fish - all this at his house in the suburbs.

He had a great relationship with Woody the owners of a gem of a fruit and vegetable shop in Bondi Junction called "Good Fruits" (380 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction) where he bought loads of cucumbers for pickling as well as strawberries and apricots from which he and my mum made the most delicious jams and sold it for charity. Of course Woody always has exceptionally good prices and that was always a priority for dad - to get a good deal!

Food, eating, celebrating and planning our next meal is always the topic of conversation in our home. As soon as one meal has been consumed, plans, ideas, recipes, new food products, food producers, restaurants, menu's and who is making what becomes the new topic of conversation. It is my sincere hope that those of you reading this blog will continue to follow Friends in the kitchen as we plan, cook, review and enjoy this wonderful subject that is feeding our soul and nourishing our mind and spirit.

On the day that my dad passed away a very special friend and rabbi in Sydney came to see my dad. Jeffrey Kamins often visited my dad in hospital as he does for so many other people on a daily basis.  My father looked at Jeffrey and said the following:     " Live everyday as if it's your last, because one day you may be right."  It is one of the last things that he said to us.

Thank you all for spending your time reading this blog and I encourage you to join us in future for a lot more news, both happy and exciting as I continue my exploration into a subject that brings light and happiness to so many of us.