Mood: Winter
MOOD
WINTER
June 25, 2020
There is so much to love and loathe about winter. On one hand you have the chill and rain to contend with, the daily struggle of rising from a cosy warm bed and the dreary commutes to and from work in the dark - a reminder of how depressingly short the days have become. But on the other hand, winter titillates all our senses, the weather forcing us to slow down (as we’ve been doing so much of already) and helping us to appreciate and look forward to warmer, brighter days ahead.
For me, winter is the sound of rain on a tin roof, howling wind, frightening cracks of thunder and the crackling of a log fire.
The sight of foreboding, deep grey clouds threatening to pour down at any moment, sheets of rain streaking your windows and bare trees swaying violently in the wind.
The smell of an approaching rain storm, burning wood, and candles burning. The wonderful aromas of a slow cooked meal that’s been simmering away for hours, and the promise it brings of a good meal to come.
The taste of deliciously rich and hearty dishes, baked pasta and desserts, red wine and hot tea and Milo.
And it’s the sensation of hot water running over your skin and keeping warm by a fire or heater. Rugging up in cosy knits and sheepskin boots and snuggling up close to loved ones and furry friends. The fiery feeling of whisky going down your throat, warming you up from the inside out.
This is what I’m looking forward to most this winter, the things that can only be properly enjoyed when it’s cold and wet. And whilst I’d prefer not to get caught in the rain or the middle of a storm, I’m quite happy to appreciate it from the comfort of indoors, if only for a short period of time.
To help you get ready for winter and embrace the chilly times ahead I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite tunes, books, recipes and products that to me, embody the spirit of this season…
WINTER PLAYLIST
In the cooler months, I find myself turning to a mixture of soul, funk, blues and classics – mood lifting music we can groove and sing along to at home, music that I’d listen to whilst sipping on a cocktail, if it weren’t for the fact I’m pregnant. It also happens to be music my 21 month daughter loves, in particular screeching along to Etta James and James Brown.
My Baby Just Cares For Me, Nina Simone
2. Orange Colored Sky, Nat King Cole
3. I Just Want to Make Love to You, Etta James
4. Hallelujah, I Love Her So, Ray Charles
5. The (Is Going Up in Flames), Charles Bradley, Menahan Street Band
6. You Send Me, Aretha Franklin
7. Move on Up, Curtis Mayfield
8. She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked), Carl Carlton
9. Get Up Offa That Thing, James Brown
10. Stand by Me, Otis Redding
11. Son of a Preacher Man, Aretha Franklin
12. Rack ‘Em Up, Jonny Lang
13. Living in a Ghost Town, The Rolling Stones
14. Coming Home, Leon Bridges
15. Into the Mystic, Van Morrison
16. If I Ever Needed Someone, Van Morrison, Mavis Staples
WINTER READS
There’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book on a cold and rainy day. Below are some recommendations that reflect the mood of this time of year including a few darker options and some compelling reads to transport you to another place.
All the Light We Cannot See, Anthony Doerr
One of my favourite books ever. I loved everything about it: the characters, the story and the writing - it’s richly detailed and some of the most beautiful prose I’ve ever read. I savoured this book, attempting to read it as slowly as possible because I didn’t want it to end.
A Little Life, Hanya Yanigihara
A heavy undertaking in both size and subject matter, this book is harrowing, heartbreaking and downright depressing at times. And yet, I loved it. It’s filled with so much raw emotion and is as much a tale of love and friendship as it is of tragedy and sorrow. It’s beautifully and brilliantly written with complex characters that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.
The Cuckoo’s Calling, Robert Galbraith
A clever crime story told in J K Rowling’s signature masterful and addictive style. This is the first and my favourite of the Cormoron Strike strike series.
The Language of Flowers, Vanessa Diffenbaugh
A sensitively written story of family, hope, love and redemption centred on a flawed and troubled teenager with a mysterious past who communicates her feelings through flowers. As a lover of flowers, I adored how they were celebrated and interwoven throughout the story and found their meanings and history fascinating.
In Wilderness, Diane Thomas
A haunting and suspenseful tale of obsession, passion and isolation, centred on two broken souls in the sixties. Thomas’ evocative prose will transport you right into the heart of the Appalachian mountain wilderness where this intriguing and disturbing story is set.
WINTER RECIPES
We are a family of gluttons and hardly need an excuse to indulge in rich dishes, copious amounts of carbs and sweet treats, but it’s certainly one of the things we look forward to most about winter. Slow cooked dishes that will warm our house and our bellies: ragus blipping away on the stove for hours; shanks cooked until falling apart; rich stews with mash; baked pastas; thick pureed soups and pies. Another great pleasure is a hot drink on a chilly morning and slice of warm, freshly baked cake (always impossible to wait until completely cooled) in the afternoon.
White Chocolate Matcha Latte
I haven’t been able to tolerate coffee or black tea very well during this second pregnancy so I’ve been turning to matcha most mornings; it delivers both the satisfaction of a hot drink and the energy boost I’m after without the full caffeine hit. Typically, I have it mixed with hot water, honey and some warm milk (frothed, if I can be bothered), but this is the version I turn to when I feel like something a little more indulgent. It’s inspired by the latte I had at Streamer Coffee Co. in Tokyo which came in an oversized mug I had to hold with both my hands, very gratifying on a such a cold and wet morning.
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon matcha powder
60 millilitres boiling water
150 millilitres full cream milk
20 grams white chocolate (the equivalent of two squares of Lindt white chocolate)
Method:
In a small bowl add boiling water to matcha powder and whisk until well combined.
Heat milk over the stove or in the microwave (approx 40s) until hot but not boiling. Whisk in white chocolate until completely combined. Re-heat if milk has started to cool from mixing in the chocolate (approx 20s in microwave).
Pour matcha mixture and milk into a mug and whisk thoroughly to combine.
Claudia Roden’s Orange and Almond Cake
One of the best things about winter is the abundance of citrus fruit. The colour and zippiness of lemons, oranges, grapefruits and mandarins brightens up both our fruit bowl and our palate during these dreary months and is something we look forward to at this time of year. This cake is one of the first I learnt to make and is still one of our favourites. Besides needing to boil the orange, which to be honest, is really quite simple, it’s incredibly easy to make and very satisfying to eat. Excellent served with espresso and a dollop of cream, if, like my husband, your favourite thing about cake is the side of cream.
*Recipe via Rachel Eats (wording modified slightly) but was originally published in A Book of Middle Eastern Food in 1968
Ingredients
1 large orange (or two smaller ones) weighing approximately 350 grams
6 eggs
250 grams ground almonds (almond meal)
250 grams sugar (I usually reduce this to 175 grams to suit our palates)
1 teaspoon baking powder
Butter and flour for the cake tin
Method
Wash the orange(s), put it in a pan, cover with cold water, bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer for an hour and a half or until it is extremely soft when picked with a fork. Remove the orange from the pan, let it cool, then cut it open and remove any pips. Puree the oranges, including the peel, in a food processor or using a stick blender.
Prepare a cake tin - ideally with a loose base (although I actually like to use a bundt tin) - by rubbing it with butter and then dusting it with flour. Set the oven to 190° / 370F.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the pulped orange, beat again, then add the almonds, sugar and baking powder and beat again until you have a thick, even batter. Pour the batter into the tin and bake for between 40 – 60 minutes. Have a look at the cake after 40 minutes, it should be golden and set firm. An inserted skewer should come out almost clean (almost, this is a moist cake), as opposed to very sticky. If the cake requires further cooking, you may need to drape tin foil over to prevent it from getting too brown. Let it cool in the tin before turning it onto a plate.
WINTER FAVOURITES
A round up of some special things for your home and self this winter.
Emma Young Ramen Bowl from DEA Store
I take great comfort from a steaming bowl of noodle soup in winter; it’s the food equivalent of a big warm hug. These handmade bowls by Australian ceramicist, Emma Young, are works of art in their own right and will make even the humblest of broths feel truly special.
Cast Iron Pot (Dutch Oven) from Le Creuset
A good quality cast iron pot will last a lifetime and is so versatile; I use mine year round but particularly in winter for creating an array of slow cooked dishes, surely one of the best things about this time of year. They’re available in a range of colours and look great too so you can take your dish straight from the stove or oven to the table. Alternative brands include Staub and Chassuer, which is a more affordable option.
L’Occitane Shea Butter Intensive Hand Cream
A rich, nourishing and lightly fragranced balm perfect for rehydrating dry hands in winter. It’ll last for ages as you need only apply a small amount before bed and the simple cream and blue design is lovely to look at too.
Cashmere Socks in Sand from Bassike
My best friend’s grandfather used to have a sock factory in Milan and every year he’d send over a big box of new socks for her family to share. Every now and then I’d be fortunate enough to be passed on a pair which I always treasured and wore with much delight throughout winter.
Winterwares Latte Tumbler in Speckled White
A local WA brand, I love the speckled white range that Simone produces. All her ceramics are lovingly handmade, lending them a charm and special tactility. The latte tumblers are perfect for warming up your hands whilst you sip on a hot beverage.
Mayberry Sheepkin Slippers from Emu Australia
A cute option for keeping your feet warm around the house this winter.
Hunter Original Tall Gumboots
I first bought a pair 10 years ago and still wear them religiously every winter. A practical and stylish option for keeping your feet dry.
Linen/cotton blanket from Hale Mercantile and Co
Perfect for snuggling up under on the couch or as a throw on your bed. Linen feels luxurious and relaxed at the same time and a good quality linen will only better with age.
Japanese Ceramic Teapot from DEA Store
Take it slow and brew your tea in a beautiful ceramic teapot, one that is beautiful enough to keep on display This handmade, sculptural beauty from Kyoto will turn your everyday tea into a ceremonial ritual.
Lumira candle in No352 - Leather and Cedar
I bought this candle for a shoot last year and the warm, spicy fragrance reminds me of winter each time I smell it.