Hello my loves,

I have returned! Yes, I’m back from my second holiday of 2021, feeling inspired and refreshed and awakened and happy and excited for what is to come! In case it’s not obvious, I had a lovely time. My beloved and I jumped in our truck and streamed down the highways to the great state of Victoria, which has always been one of my favourite places to spend time in. You’ll be pleased to know that it continued this tradition with flair.

We began at our dear friends’ sheep farm in the Strathbogie ranges, where we immersed ourselves in gardens and sheep feed and farm dogs and love, fortified by some of the best cooking known to humankind (produced not by me but by our incredible hosts!). Yup, I laid back, relaxed, and ate my fill, and boy it was goooood. Stuffed full of love and the best conversation, we jumped back in the truck and zoomed away to the gorgeous region of Daylesford, where we snuggled up against the unseasonable cold and explored our happy hearts out. From crackling fires (the good, inside kind!), to rich red earth, rolling fields of pretty potato plants, and stalwart black Angus planted solidly in their pastures, it was a feast for the eyes, the heart, and of course the belly!

There is so much incredible produce in the area, alongside a huge focus on sustainable agriculture and food production, so as you can imagine, I was in seventh heaven. The esky was absolutely groaning by the time I’d made my way through the Saturday produce market. There was so much standout produce, but I would just like to note two extra-special producers: firstly, the amazing Oakwood Smallgoods who produce everything locally and make the best black pudding I’ve ever tased. Their Weiss Wurst white sausages are also second to none, and their smoked chicken blew my mind. If you're ever in the area, do yourself a favour and get some of their amazing produce, starting with 200 packets of that incredible black pudding!

It’s no secret that I’m a cheese fanatic, and while I was away I was fortunate enough to taste the best haloumi ever. It’s from by Dreaming Goat Dairy, and as their name might suggest, it’s made with goats’ milk. Haloumi isn’t usually my go-to cheese of choice, as I often find the flavour all salt and no substance, but Dreaming Goat Dairy have really set the bar with a beautiful cheese that is both soft enough and firm enough, with a gorgeously full flavour that had me wishing I’d bought more! They’re also another small, local producer doing lovely things, and you know how much I love that. Their fresh goat curd was no less amazing, and next time I’m there I’ll be stocking up on everything they have to offer.

It was an area that was hard to leave, but leave we did, heading for the wonderful city of Melbourne. I’ve always loved Melbourne, with its gorgeous architecture and broad, tree-lined streets. We also have very close friends and family there, so it’s always a love-in, and this time was no different. We had an incredible time, lolling about in all the love we always find down there, and then – it was time for home!

As places to land go, our home really is a wonderful one, and gloriana, you should have seen what happened to the garden while we were away! Victoria was super dry, but it seems Sydney was super wet, because the garden has exploded with growth and is literally about to eat the house alive. I love it. So here we are, back in our green jungle paradise, ready to step forth on whatever path is set for us in 2021. I missed you, and I’m so glad to be back, and I can’t wait to fill your inbox with much love and yumminess as the weeks roll on. But for now, it’s the weekend, and mine is looking amazing! It’s chock-full of catch-ups with some of my favourite-ever ladies, and a very special shopping trip too. I do hope yours is set to be equally magic. Wishing you much love until we meet again, next week, in your inbox 💛.

Love, Rachel xxx