Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Better Homes and Gardens Australia

Heartening how we are coming together – figuratively – to support each other. Just now, as I was writing this letter, there was a knock on the door and there was my neighbour, checking if I was okay. This and other acts of kindness are being repeated across our nation. This month, the brilliant BHG team is working from home and, tech issues aside, we’ve coped well with our new ‘workplace’. And so I thought I’d share how we are all dealing with home isolation while continuing to bring you the magazine we all love. Julia has a pot of soup going non-stop, her secret ingredient – Vegemite. Siobhan is busy distraction baking, as she calls it, making cakes to share with friends. Joseph is a character and true to…

SPRING ONION PANCAKES Preparation time 25 mins Cooking time 25 mins Serves 2-4 250g plain flour250g self-raising flour½ tsp salt 370ml boiling water80ml toasted sesame oil2 tsp sea-salt flakes, plus extra for sprinkling5 Tbsp sesame seeds, toasted2 bunches green shallots, finely chopped plus extra, to garnish½ bunch coriander, finely chopped400ml rice bran oilSriracha chilli sauce or black vinegar, to serve STEP 1 Put flours and salt in a stand mixer with a dough hook. With mixer on medium speed, add water and 20ml sesame oil in a constant stream and continue to mix for about 8 minutes. The dough should be light and soft but not very sticky. Press your finger in dough and the indentation should remain. STEP 2 Briefly knead dough with your hands to make a smooth…

There are flowers, and then there are roses – their folding and unfolding petals releasing perfumes that match their beauty. Bring them indoors and create this pretty posie to fill your rooms with a sweet fragrance and your eyes with all their loveliness. A VERY SPECIAL BLOOM The yellow rose in this bouquet is called ‘Mother and Daughter’. Its long-flowering blooms have rose, citrus and fruit fragrances, and the bush flowers from late October to late May. It was bred by Melissa King and rose grower Brad Alden-Brown of Rankins Roses (rankinsroses.com.au) in Victoria to help Motor Neurone Disease. A portion of the sale price of the bush goes to support MND research. EASY STEPS TO MAKING YOUR BOUQUET OF ROSES Gather your supplies • Your favourite roses (or other…

Ferns love the humidity, density and shade of a forest, which often means the exquisite nature of these plants are hidden from view. With this easy fern stump project, you can bring a little piece of the forest floor into your home without also dragging along its unwelcome surprises and cluttered mess. EASY STEPS TO BUILDING YOUR FERNERY Gather your supplies • Tree trunk slice (slab), about 5cm thick, 45cm in diameter • Assorted small, shade-loving plants, such as Necklace fern (Asplenium flabellifolium), Heart leaf or strawberry fern (Hemionitis arifolia), various Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum spp.), spike moss (Selaginella spp.) or any other small ferns that take your fancy, silver squill (Ledebouria socialis), Emerald Ripple (Peperomia caperata), moss, and Reindeer lichen (Cladonia rangiferina) You’ll also need Garden gloves; moisture-plus potting mix;…

JUNE 2020 Times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time, AEST. This applies to NSW, the ACT, Qld, Vic and Tas. For SA and NT, deduct half an hour. For WA, deduct two hours. During Daylight Saving Time, add 1 hour ZODIAC SIGNS The 12 signs of the zodiac are divided into four groups – fire, air, earth and water. Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius are in harmony with all fruit. Leo is in harmony with nuts and all seed-producing crops. Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus are in harmony with all root vegetables that produce crops below the ground, including garlic. Virgo is in harmony with all herbs. Air signs Libra, Aquarius and Gemini are in harmony with plants that produce flowers and perfumes. Water signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces are…

Need storage but you are short on floor space? This simple wall rack is the answer! Using handy hooks that you can move anywhere, it’s as versatile as it is attractive. Use it outside for your barbecue tools or a hanging garden display, in the bedroom for jewellery or scarves, or in the kitchen for utensils, pots and pans. EASY STEPS TO A WALL STORAGE RACK Gather your supplies • Slats 64 x 19mm x 2.4m dressed pine (6) • Rails 18 x 18mm x 1.8m dressed pine (2) You’ll also need Measuring tape; quick square; circular saw; clamps; straightedge; black spray paint; drill; countersinking drill bit; 30mm wood screws; clear varnish; painting equipment; fixings to suit wall type; round hooks Here’s how STEP 1 Lay out 64 x 19mm…

at Vinnies, you’ll often find vintage tablecloths that have been patched by hand, a charming sign of the item’s long, happy life. These days, as we think more about sustainability, we’re coming back to the idea of mending – and making it visible with high-impact patches and stitches. With the techniques on these pages, you’ll not only extend the usefulness of a piece, but also give it a custom look entirely your own. STITCH TYPES As you mend, don’t worry about every stitch being identical. Freestyle results in a more handmade effect. RUNNING STITCH This stitch is so easy – you may have learnt it as a kid. Poke a needle through the fabric from back to front, then down again about5mm away; repeat in a line. CROSSED STRAIGHT STITCH…

1 THE CRAVING IS REAL There’s no solid proof that it’s addictive, but part of chocolate’s health boost is that it contains a number of chemicals that improve your mood and even simulate the feeling of being in love, which can make you crave it. These include serotonin, which helps you relax; phenylethylamine, which prompts your brain to release the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine; and anandamide, the bliss molecule that targets the brain’s pleasure receptors. 2 IT MIGHT BOOST BRAIN HEALTH A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2016 found eating chocolate might be protective against cognitive decline in older people. In the two-year study, people over 65 who snacked on a little chocolate a couple of times a week lowered their risk by 40 per cent. 3…

AT EVERY AGE IN YOUR 20s &30s Now’s the time to assess your heart disease risk factors by taking an honest look at your diet and lifestyle. The younger you are when you establish good habits, the easier it is to stick to them. Your advantages LOTS OF ENERGY! Regular exercise will protect your heart by keeping cholesterol low and blood pressure within optimum range. Aim for a combination of cardio and resistance training to strengthen your heart and build muscle. This will also help you avoid weight gain and its associated risks for heart attack and stroke. HORMONES You’ve got a good supply of estrogen, which helps increase HDL (good cholesterol), reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and relax blood vessels for strong circulation. Keep an eye on YOUR STATS Check…

YOUR SHOPPING DIRECTORY Adairs adairs.com.au Art Shed Online artshedonline.com.au Austchilli Group austchilli.com.au Australian Native Landscapes anlscape.com.au Bunnings bunnings.com.au Burt’s Bees 1800 813 661 Cangshan cangshancutlery.com.au Chilli Seed Bank chilliseedbank.com.au Chilli Seedz chilli-seedz.com Essie 1300 369 327 Etsy etsy.com.au Fern Acres Nursery fernacres.com.au Koch & Co koch.com.au Leif leifproducts.com Manicare manicare.com.au Mavala mavala.com.au My Felt Lady myfeltlady.com OPI 1800 812 663 Revlon 1800 025 488 Robert Gordon robertgordonaustralia.com Sally Hansen 1800 812 663 Spotlight spotlightstores.com.au Tara Dennis Store taradennisstore.com The Body Shop thebodyshop.com.au The Chilli Factory thechillifactory.com Water Tiger watertiger.com.au Fall for ferns all over again, p62 Project supplies Art Shed Online Mont Marte Professional Series Oval Canvas 10 x 14in (25.4 x 35.6cm). My Felt Lady Similar wool felt colours. Spotlight Stranded embroidery cotton. Turn up the heat, p94 Project…

GREEK-STYLE LAMB, SPINACH AND FETA PIES Preparation time 20 mins plus 10 mins cooling Cooking time 35 mins Makes 6 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil500g lamb mince1 red onion, thinly sliced1 Tbsp dried oregano250g frozen chopped spinach, thawed250g smooth ricotta200g Greek-style feta, crumbled3 free-range eggs, lightly beaten2 Tbsp roughly chopped dill2 Tbsp roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves1 lemonSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season Butter, for greasing, plus100g melted12 sheets chilled filo pastry Sesame seeds, to garnish STEP 1 Heat oil in a large, deep, non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add lamb, onion and dried oregano. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes, breaking up mince as you stir. Increase heat to high and cook for a further 4 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Transfer…

MEXICAN CHICKEN WITH ROASTED PUMPKIN AND AVOCADO AND TOMATO SALSA Preparation time 30 mins Cooking time 1½ hours Serves 4 1 butternut pumpkin (1.8–2kg), halved lengthways, deseeded2 Tbsp coconut oil or goodquality animal fat, meltedSea-salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to season1 green shallot, finely sliced1 handful coriander leaves3 Tbsp sliced pickled jalapeño chilliLime cheeks, to serve MEXICAN CHICKEN2 Tbsp coconut oil or animal fat 2 onions, finely chopped2 cloves garlic, finely chopped1 Tbsp chipotle chillies in adobo sauce, chopped, plus extra (if desired)700g skinless chicken thigh fillets, cut into 1cm-thick strips1 tsp smoked paprika, plus extra to serve1 tsp ground cumin½ tsp ground coriander1½ Tbsp tomato paste400g whole peeled tomatoes, crushed150ml brown chicken bone broth or water AVOCADO AND TOMATO SALSA1 avocado, halved and sliced2 tomatoes, deseeded and cut…

GOING GREEN Because ferns don’t need much light, they can be spread through a room for an immersive indoor garden. They can also make a decorative impact beyond the pot – here ferns inspired the gallery wall and paint colours. And we’re loving the two-tone scheme, a vibrant yet dark emerald for the panelling and a mid-green on the walls. Try Wattyl Irish Jig (dark green) and Wattyl Chopped Chive (lighter green). For fern care tips, see page 70 IN ALL THINGS OF NATURE THERE IS SOMETHING OF THE MARVELLOUSARISTOT LE, GREEK PHILOSOPHER GATHER ROUND This wreath is easy to make thanks to a jute-lined wire form made specifically for live plants. Fill the frame with potting mix, insert plants and their mix around the form, then work in some…

if you are reluctant to venture into your garden as the weather turns cold, rainy, blowy and nasty, then just sit indoors and watch as these winter specials put on command performances. They will have you outdoors in a heartbeat as you get up close and personal with their unique qualities. There’s no competition from summer’s abundance, but that doesn’t hold them back! 1 CORAL BELLS (Heuchera sp) You’ll love the profusion of bell-like flowers that come out in spikes in spring, but it’s the deeply lobed, colourful foliage with welldefined venations that is behind the resurgence of this plant. Orange, purple, golden, lime green, copper, black, variegated, multi-hued… the palette is diverse and divine! HOW YOU CAN GROW THIS Landscape Bed filler among taller plants, mass planting, groundcover, pots,…

1 COLOUR IN THE ARBOUR You may not have an estate, but planting deciduous and evergreen trees gives you a rich autumn leaf show and splendid green spreads in winter. Mix maple, magnolia, elm and birch with cedar, willow and wattle. 2 LIVE AMONG THE TREES The house is a relatively recent addition to the garden, but was built in the style of a French mansion to complement the surrounding gardens and trees. Such a mass of mature trees can be claustrophobic, so give yourself open space to sit back and enjoy the view. This park-like property in the Adelaide Hills sprawls over a hectare but looks larger because of the height of the mature trees – oak, liquidambar, redwood and cedar – and the dam turned into a lake.…

DRYING • Wash to remove any dirt, then pat dry. • Place on a wire rack or string them up in a well-ventilated area. Thread a piece of string or heavy thread through the stems, keeping the chillies well apart to allow air to circulate. • Place or hang chillies in a dry, warm and well-ventilated space. They’ll take from several days to several weeks to dry out, depending on your conditions. They should be dry to touch, but not desiccated. • Or use your oven on its lowest setting. Place chillies on a non-stick tray without them touching. Turn them every hour to even out the process. Depending on your oven and your chilli choice, it can take between 4 and 12 hours. Chillies should be completely dry but…

SEASON SPECIALS Some plants take advantage of quiet days to put on quite a show. Late bloomer Luculia’s pretty pink petticoats have a wonderful perfume. Great spot! Japanese laurel leaves bring sunshine back to your garden. Merry cherry All the glories of the Japanese cherry tree trunk are laid bare. PLANT NOW In each issue we give ideas, tips and planting advice for cooler, warmer, wetter and drier areas in each zone, so ask at your local nursery which zone best matches your conditions. FLOWERS ALL ZONES Ageratum, cornflower, geranium (top left), impatiens, pansy, poppy, salvia, verbena and viola. ZONES 1-3 Aster, carnation, coleus, cosmos (bottom left), gerbera, lupin, marigold, petunia, sunflower and zinnia. ZONES 4-6 Alyssum, begonia, erigeron, gazania and stock. VEGETABLES ALL ZONES Asparagus, broad beans, carrot, cauliflower,…

Anyone who’s ever had a cat knows they love boxes! But instead of a cardboard carton from the grocers cluttering up your home or buying a pricey piece of cat furniture, why not make your own kitty cubby? With just a sheet of plywood and a couple of power tools you can build a simple box with a cut-out. A pocket hole jig is easy to use and lets you create strong joints without any screw holes on the exterior. Finish with varnish and hairpin legs, and your kitty cave doubles as a mid-century modern side table. EASY STEPS TO YOUR CAT BOX Gather your supplies 1200 x 897 x 12mm plywood • 200mm hairpin steel table legs (4) Components Sides 350 x 350mm plywood Front and back 375 x…

EASY KNITTING Illusion throw Knit up a striking throw with a beautiful combo of warm and cool shades using Patons Sierra 8 ply in two variegated yarn colours. The throw is made up of squares, each consisting of four triangles sewn together with a flat seam and finished with a neat self-striping border. You’ll love the random stripes this yarn creates. Try it. You’ll find it easier than it looks. ILLUSION THROW Easy knitting Measurements Approx. 90W x 110cmL Gather your supplies Patons Sierra 8 ply (150g): 3 balls 1st Colour (C1) Nevada Shade 1367, and 2 balls 2nd Colour (C2) Niagara Shade 1383; 1 pair 4.5mm knitting needles and a 4.5mm circular knitting needle (80-100cm long); yarn needle KNITTING STITCH GUIDE CARRYING COLOUR AT SIDE EDGE FLAT SEAM GARTER…

BELLY GOOD A strong, healthy gut is key to boosting your immunity. Tummify is a probiotic formulated for the whole family and it will achieve the same performance as market-leading probiotic capsules with 35B CFU and 13 strains of beneficial bacteria. It’s packed into an all-natural, easy to drink shot. Five-pack available from Harris Farm, $8.49. For more details go to tummify.com. ZERO WASTE The THINC range was designed by an Aussie duo who want people to think about the everyday items they’re using and make better choices. It includes reusable kitchen, bathroom and lifestyle products such as silicone ziplock bags, cotton produce bags and bamboo lunch boxes. For details, go to thinceco.com. CLEAN MACHINE The best defence against the spread of germs is washing your hands with soap and…

1 START ON THE STREET An untidy streetscape sets the scene for passers-by. While you can’t rightly tell your neighbours to pick up their game, set the example by keeping your place in tip-top shape. Keep the lawns mowed and the garden trimmed, and hopefully others will follow suit. 2 CREATE A COMMUNITY The nature strip is a great place for neighbours to meet. One of mine set up a herb garden with an invite for everyone to help themselves. Whenever we need fresh herbs for cooking, we just head across the road and usually find someone else doing the same thing! 3 CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR Colorbond Steel comes in a wide range of colours you can coordinate to other parts of your home. Use it to match the gutters,…

The Book of Longings Sue Monk Kidd, $32.99 Ana is a rebellious young woman, a gifted writer with a curious, brilliant mind, who writes secret narratives about the neglected and silenced women around her. Raised in a wealthy family in Galilee, she is sheltered from the brutality of Rome’s occupation of Israel. Ana is expected to marry an elderly widower to further her father’s ambitions, but the prospect of this marriage horrifies her. A chance encounter with the 18-year-old Jesus changes everything: with his ideas and his passion, it all becomes intoxicating for Ana. This is a new book from the author of The Secret Life of Bees, which has sold over eight million copies. Moving, original and accomplishedJOANNA TROLLOPE A Good Neighbourhood Therese Anne Fowler, $32.99 Valerie Altson-Holt is…

ED HALMAGYI Roast, barbie and bake your way through these very tasty recipes this month on BHG TV, Fridays at 7pm on Channel 7. (Apologies, may be subject to change) Go to bhg.com.au for more food tips and tricks. HEALTHIER FAMILY BOLOGNESE Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 1 hour Serves 4 (with extra sauce) 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 2 brown onions, very finely diced2 sticks celery, very finely diced6 cloves garlic, minced2 dried bay leaves, crumbled500g beef mince2 Tbsp tomato paste1 tsp dried oregano½ cup olive brine (saved from a jar of olives) Rind of parmesan wedges1L beef stock¼ cup red split lentils, rinsed400g rigatoni pastaChopped olives, grated parmesan cheese and basil leaves, to serve STEP 1 Heat oil in a large, heavy-based pan and sauté onion,…

Gather your supplies • Freezer paper• Wool felt in assorted greens and blue-greens• Linen fabric• Oval canvas frame to suit embroidery size• Stranded embroidery cotton in colours to match felt• Embroidery hoop• Embroidery needle You’ll also need Pencil; scissors; iron; pins or fabric glue; staple gun and staples For you to note The diagram calls for seven different green and bluegreen wool felt colours, indicated by the letters A to G, but you can repeat a colour or two if you wish. Here’s how STEP 1 Enlarge the Fern appliqué template (right) to correct size, as instructed. STEP 2 Trace template onto non-shiny side of freezer paper in pencil. STEP 3 Cut out each leaf piece of the template and iron shiny-side down onto the various colours of felt. Cut…

dahlias bring such joy to a garden, with their flirty flowers coming in a dazzling array of shapes and colours all through summer and autumn, not just for a couple of weeks. Plant sizes vary from dwarfs to giants, and the flowers from buttons to dinner plates, with shapes ranging from balls and pompoms to simple daisy and anemone. If you have them in your garden now, it’s time to divide and double your display. If you haven’t, then spend winter deciding what dahlia colours and shapes will turn your patch into a party in summer. DIVIDING THE TUBERS ■ Dig up the tubers in winter with a garden fork. Throw out the squishy ones. Divide the firm ones so you can double your plants. ■ Divide healthy tubers with…

kitchens are traditionally the most expensive room in the home to renovate, starting from $10,000. However, if you want to bring your dated kitchen bang up to date on a budget, you can, with a fantastic facelift for less than $1500. The secret is to resurface and replace. You won’t believe what you can do with specialist paint. There is no demolition work, and no exxy tradies involved, just lots of clever DIY ideas and some simple styling tips. EASY STEPS TO YOUR INSTANT KITCHEN MAKEOVER Gather your supplies • Dulux Renovation Range Tiles and Benchtop Satin Paint in Flooded Gum (benchtop) and Lexicon (tiles)• Dulux Renovation Range Satin Clear Coat• Stain-blocking primer• Dulux Renovation Range Cabinet Doors in Lexicon• Primer for flooring• Senso Rustic vinyl flooring planks• Doorhandles• 6mm…

Components The corners of a room can become the forgotten space in your home. As you fill up the walls with furniture, the corners usually get left to last and can feel a bit unloved. Show those corners that you care and put them front and centre by building a striking corner desk. Made using budget-friendly plywood and fixed to the walls so it seems to float, the angular design will not only make the corner the focus of the room, it will also let you utilise every precious piece of space in your place. Gather your supplies • Desk 2400 x 1200 x 17mm plywood (1) • Veneer strips from 64 x 19mm x 1.8mm dressed pine (1) • Drawer box 64 x 19mm x 1.8m dressed pine (1)…

GEL MANI REMOVAL Salon gels last about two weeks without a chip, but they can leave the nail underneath thin and fragile if you peel or pick at them. When the polish is forced off, you take off layers of the nail plate, which weakens the nail. Soak nails in pure acetone for at least 15 minutes, or until the gel lifts, then flick it off. TOOLKIT ESSENTIALS Enjoy healthier nails and longer-lasting colour, Moisturising Hand and Nail Cream, $23, Enbacci. Choose polishes free of nasties, Good. Kind. Pure, $16.95, Sally Hansen. Use a more environmentally friendly polish remover, Crystal Nail Polish Remover, from $8.95, Mavala. Arm yourself with a good file, Crystal Nail File, $19.99, Manicare. Buff nails to smooth the surface, Nail Polishing Block, $9, The Body Shop.…