This story is a tribute to my father, Petar Salečić (also known as Peter Salecich), who was born in a small Croatian village on this day, October 16, 99 years ago. It’s an abridged version of the eulogy I delivered at his funeral service that was held in Brisbane (Queensland, Australia), on April 17, 2009. […] Read more…
The Easter lamb cake (in German “Osterlammkuchen”) is one of Germany’s enduring Easter symbols. Baking or purchasing a lamb cake and serving it on Easter Sunday is a tradition many German families have passed down from generation to generation. * * * Up until several years ago, I had never heard of an Easter lamb […] Read more…
Lucas and Dida (that’s Granddad in Croatian dialect) love cricket. Dida introduced Lucas to the rudiments of the game about 6 years ago. At every opportunity, they play cricket together. For more than a year now, cricket’s become the subject of an elaborate charade, enacted by just two persons: Lucas and Dida. If you don’t […] Read more…
This post is about my Grandma’s Easy Lemon Meringue Pie, an easy-to-make version of an old favourite dessert. But more than that, it’s a story about the relationship I had with my Grandma. Lemon Meringue Pie remains one of my best-loved desserts. I make it quite often for my family and when I entertain guests. […] Read more…
In 2011 I had a revelation. It was Saturday 29 January. I knew I would be preoccupied the next day, so I decided to do Sunday’s Bible reading on Saturday evening. The set passage was Psalm 116. As I read the psalm, the following words jumped out at me: “Precious in the sight of the […] Read more…
This story is about grandparenting. It’s a compilation of strategies and examples of activities my husband Tony and I have found helpful in building strong loving relationships with our grandchildren. The examples cover what I call face-to-face and long-distant grandparenting. If you are a parent or grandparent, our ideas and practical examples may be of […] Read more…
Last year, around this time, my husband Tony and our grandchildren made caramel slice. Given that our grandchildren were coming to stay with us for a couple of weeks in the school holidays, Tony planned a cooking activity for them. He chose to make caramel slice. He found a recipe for caramel slice in a […] Read more…
Family traditions are important. They help build family identity, unity and connectedness – in the immediate family, extended family and across generations. For my family, one such tradition concerns birthday celebrations – and the ubiquitous carrot cake. Families may be the building blocks of society, but they are neither static nor predictable. They are […] Read more…
Joy came into my life when I was three. She was so pretty – fine features, blue eyes, clear olive complexion and long dark brown hair. She was dressed beautifully, in her white voile dress with hand-embroidered bodice and Peter Pan collar edged with lace, pleated skirt, pink taffeta petticoat and matching bonnet. Her outfit […] Read more…