The reward of physical exhaustion

 Savoring simple daily pleasures

I am delighted we seem to be enjoying an Indian Summer now we are officially in Autumn! Dawn offers blood red skies and the warmth builds through the day to the crescendo of cicadas. 

Today was such a wonderFUL Saturday. We enjoyed an early peaceful coffee on a still and fresh morning. After my usual morning exercise,  (my husband and our eldest took a quick trip to the local beach for some early wakeboarding with the high tide) a friend brought an incredible piece of machinery round - a petrol powered log splitter- and we all got stuck in splitting, loading, transporting and stacking wood for the winter. It was very hot - we were all dripping in the heat and very thankful for the iced water delivered by my girls periodically. 

The sense of achievement when they drove away to have that spot on our driveway free and clear again and to know we had a ample pile of quality wood stored away was fabulous. 

After a simple bite, I then embarked on mowing the lawns, followed by a local neighborhood walk and a cool drink on the deck. 

Filtered light just past dawn

I then mustered the energy to bring in and fold the multiple loads of clean dry laundry off the line and start dinner. As I type, the "Marry Me Chicken" (Recipe at the end) is baking in the oven, the rice is almost done, I'm utterly exhausted but the anticipation of a hot shower with favorite products and sinking onto the bed in my nightgown in a cool clean bedroom to watch the last of a must see French series LUPIN, is as delicious as dinner will be.

So forgive the shortened post. I ache, happily, and am spent in the satisfying and fulfilling way that can only come from a full day well lived, sprinkled with sun, friends and hard labor! 

The stroll I took earlier while accompanied by our youngest on a scooter- whizzing ahead and doubling back, offered some time for refection and to notice the busy insects who endure such arduous hard work each and every day. Much to learn from the bees. 

Marry Me Chicken

There are multiple recipes available for this dish and I tweak mine regularly depending on what I have to hand so feel free to make it your own. It truly is a huge hit with my family of picky eaters. 

Chicken Breast diced, preferably free range organic (allow 1/2 per person)

Garlic, 4 cloves crushed

Fresh cream- around 3/4 cup

Freshly grated parmesan 1/2 cup

Chicken broth 3/4 cup

Splash of white wine- if you have it

Fresh or dried thyme and parsley- dried 1/2 teaspoon of each, fresh- to taste, but washed and finely minced

Sundried tomatoes in oil, 1/3-1/2 a jar, around 4 table spoons, with most oil drained off.

Salt and pepper, splash of olive oil, knob of butter

In a cast iron skillet or good heavy oven proof frying pan, brown the diced and seasoned chicken in a little olive oil, when coloured all over, remove from pan. Add minced garlic, a knob of butter and the tomatoes. Allow to simmer for a minute or two then add stock, wine, cream and broth. 

Stir chicken back through and sprinkle parmesan on top. Season to taste. 

Place pan directly into hot oven at 180 for around 20 minutes or until chicken cooked through and browned and bubbling on top. 

Serve immediately over rice, quinoa, noodles, mashed potatoes or cauliflower rice, with a fresh salad or steamed greens.