If there has ever been a time to sit back and realise the impact of the everyday Aussie, it sure was a few months ago. Flicking on the television in the morning to see the mud army rolling up their sleeves and sweeping the streets, knee high in slosh and a stench that only flood victims can fathom.
The endless amounts of batch cooking, the clothes, care packages and the essential supplies provided to not only mates but complete strangers. It gives a sense of pride to not only those front and centre but the ones that watch on in awe that these are normal people doing extraordinary things.
It’s hard to understand why a disaster can bring out the best in people, and why it becomes a clear observation that at times our biggest strengths are our kindness, connection and sense of community. Imagine if we practised these a little more regularly instead of being caught up in the busyness of life.
I have just returned from a weekend in my hometown, it’s fast becoming one of our favourite places to escape to with the kids, to give them a small taste of the childhood I was lucky to have growing up. On Sunday morning we had a small gathering for morning tea or as it’s affectionately referred to by the locals ‘Smoko.’ Everyone brings a plate because, well that’s what you do, arriving empty handed isn’t a thing.
One of my favourite pleasures in life is a cup of tea and something sweet so when I laid eyes on the sultana slice that had been freshly baked and bought along by a family friend that morning I had to indulge. It was as delicious as it looked and what made it even a little more special was that it was my late grandmothers’ recipe. The lovely friend who baked it, later sent through the original recipe written in my grandmothers’ handwriting.
So if I can leave you with a thought, give this recipe a crack and then drop by a neighbour, enjoy a cuppa and a good chat because let’s be honest that’s what life is all about, connection!
Thelma's Slice Recipe
Put in a saucepan 1/4 lb of butter
1 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of coconut
1 cup of mixed fruit
Vanilla
Heat all together, take off stove. Add beaten egg and 1 cup of self raising flour. Press in slice tin. Bake in moderate oven and ice while warm.