Your page: readers’ emails and letters
THIS MONTH, COUNTRY STYLE READERS WRITE IN TO SAY THANKS FOR RENOVATING TIPS, RECIPES AND INSPIRING DECORATING IDEAS.
MODERN COUNTRY
The Modern Country theme of your November issue was inspired genius, from the front page to the very back. The colour palettes were drop-dead gorgeous (just what I was looking for) and all the tips helped cement the direction our renovation is going to take (definitely modern country with coastal elements). From my family to your editorial team, thank you. You have been a huge help. Hailey Mitchell, LENNOX HEAD, NSW
MAKE A DATE
As soon as I turned the page, I just knew — sweet, soft, crumbly and lashings of butter. I gasped — dates, no eggs or milk. My eyes widened — we had these staples in our pantry, which contains only the basics to avoid temptation. Before I knew it, the oven was preheating. During baking, the house filled with an aroma reminiscent of childhood memories of golden syrup pudding. While cooling in the tin, the seemingly unending five-minute wait enabled me to gather Mum’s handpainted teapot and China tea set not used for a long time. Finally freed from its tin, the date loaf was sliced and placed on a beautiful plate for all to enjoy. Honestly though... the five-minute wait was just long enough to get out the tea bags and drop them into the mugs, then we stood around the kitchen bench devouring the hot loaf and loving every bit of melting butter on each slice! The date loaf in the November issue is a divine recipe, whichever way you choose to eat it! Tracy Holtze, BLACKWOOD, SA
COMMUNITY SPIRIT
Thank you, Annabelle Hickson, for giving me a community spirit pep talk. After six years on school council (and all the fundraisers that go with it) and a full-on year with our new Traders Group, I was unenthusiastic about organising our third Farmers and Artists Market for the year. I’ve now taken a deep breath and am doing it for the town. So many amazing folk out there give over and above — our little towns wouldn’t be what they are without them! Nadine Pleydell, BRIAGOLONG, VICTORIA
FAMILY TIES
I just opened my November issue and was delighted to see my cousin Darren Palmer featured. Watching Darren grow into the amazing man he is today has been a pleasure. His designs include so much warmth, which I’m positive comes from his country upbringing. Darren deserves every success his hard work and determination have brought him. Mandy Baillie, TOOWOOMBA, QUEENSLAND
WINNER NOW AND THEN
I grew up in a Sydney unit block with my mother and stepfather. At school I spent lunchtime playing in the dirt, designing homes using sticks, pebbles and dirt. Years later, I retained a love of design and created my own places to live. I enjoyed reading Country Style, and yearned for fields, flowers and a ride-on mower, as well as chooks, a labrador and, of course, to get back in the dirt! I recently purchased a farm near Yarramalong Valley, NSW, where my dream will finally come true. Country Style will no doubt inspire me with creative ideas now and in the future. Sue Harris, ST IVES, NSW