Catherine Greer's Blog, page 3
June 1, 2019
How To Make An Apple Pie
In our family, apple pie equals Love.
And it always signals that it’s time for a Family Meeting. I started this tradition years ago: if we had something to discuss as a family, we did it on a Sunday night with an apple pie and a pot of tea (mostly made of hot milk and honey when the boys were little).
For me, for some reason, traditions like ‘Family Meeting and Apple Pie’ are hugely important. When we became immigrants 23 years ago, I wanted some way to feel at home. Rituals and traditions helped me feel grounded.
So, pie.
In Australia, most pies are savoury: beef, steak and mushroom, chicken. In Canada, all pies are sweet: pumpkin, apple, peach, Saskatoon berry, ‘bumbleberry.’ For our family, old fashioned apple pie brings a little bit of Canada into Sydney.
Here’s how I make mine. I kind of shocked myself to realise that, after years of practice, I can make a pie in under twenty minutes. I’ve been making apple pies for 34 years, since I was a teenager.
You’ll need 6-8 apples, butter, plain flour, white sugar and cinnamon.
Preheat oven to 180 C /350 F.
The most delicious crust
Soften 3/4 cup butter (cut in small cubes).
Sift together 2 cups plain flour and 1/4 cup icing sugar.
Mix butter into the flour mixture, until it crumbles. Use your hands or a pastry blending tool.
Add 1/4 cup water and mix.
Divide pastry in half and roll out two rounds on baking paper! This makes it easy to flip into your pie plate.
The filling
Peel, core and slice 6 large - 8 small apples
Layer apples on the crust.
Sprinkle with 1/2 cup white sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon
Add 2 tablespoons of butter, dotted on top of apples
Cover with top crust, crimp edges.
Bake for around 50-60 minutes.
Pies are best when the apples are soft, so start checking your pie at 45 minutes. I poke a knife into the apples peeking through the ‘vents’ on the top crust. The apples should be soft when the pie is done.
That’s it!
Over to you, friends. And trust me: when there’s a family meeting on the cards, a home baked apple pie makes it so much better.
Enjoy your weekend. Have some fun (or some pie!), and be fun to live with!
Love, Catherine x
PS.
Remember those excellent posture exercises? I’m still doing them.
Some (realistic) beauty hacks for you.
The set up from my library book talk last week…take a peek. Loved catching up with a few blog readers there, too!
May 25, 2019
About dragons and your destiny
This weekend, I was invited to a party by my friend, Sharon. Think beautiful dresses, candles, the dark sea stretching ahead of us, a balcony set for sixty people, wine and laughter.
So much fun. And something amazing happened. Sharon leaned toward me, with absolute confidence, and told me that someone she loved was overseas.
“He’s off slaying dragons,” she said. “But he’ll be home soon.”
I can’t describe what I learned in that moment, but I want to try. Because all of us — every single one — we all have dragons.
Mine are probably different from yours.
Maybe it’s confidence, and you need more but you don’t know where you’re going to get it. Or a tough time at work. Kids you love who are breaking your heart with their sadness. Someone is unwell. Maybe that ‘someone’ is you.
Money dragons. Fear dragons. Dragons of desire for something you can’t have, and the dragon is eating you up with worry and need.
I decided, in that moment, that I would think of myself as a dragon slayer.
Strong. Brave. Alive.
I want to live from a place of courage and strength. I want to choose the kind of person I’ll be…no matter what life hands me.
We can’t control the dragons. But this week, we can decide to go off and try to slay them.
And get back home soon.
Enjoy your Sunday, everyone. Have some fun, and be fun to live with.
Love Catherine x
PS.
In Sydney? Want to say hello on Thursday night at Gordon Library? I’m in conversation with my dear friend and clinical psychologist, Mary Arlington-Watt. Love to see you there! Register here - free book chat!
And if you’d like to support me, my books are available at bookshops in Australia, Target and Big W or online here with free worldwide delivery.
May 18, 2019
And suddenly, it's time to start...
If you’ve been in my kitchen, you’ve seen this: my favourite stanza from Wallace Stevens’ poem, “Thirteen Ways of Looking At A Blackbird.”
I love how Stevens twists the cliche and makes a beautiful, new truth.
I don’t know how you’re travelling, but lately I’ve been of THREE minds…wondering what project I should start now, wondering where to go from here.
Because isn’t this the truth?
Everything you want requires you to grow. It’s outside your comfort zone.
And it’s far too easy to become paralysed by confusion.
So we follow people who seem to know it all, and who can do it all. We consume information and compare ourselves with experts on Instagram and Facebook, or the friends we know in real life who have already done it.
But like I tell my writing students over and over: you can only learn to do a thing by doing it. You teach yourself, one step at a time.
Because this is also the truth. Whatever it is, whatever you’re dreaming about learning or doing…
It’s not a dumb idea. It’s YOUR idea.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Time to start.
Enjoy your weekend. Have some fun outside your comfort zone. That’s where I’m heading.
Love, Catherine x
PS.
I cracked the code of making exceptionally good pizza. I know. It’s so easy. Smitten Kitchen’s dough recipe (double the yeast if you’re in Australia), a pizza stone and voila.
In Sydney and want to meet up? Come to Gordon Library on 30 May. Free - register here!
May 11, 2019
'Happy, Thank You, More Please' Day!
Today we celebrate our mums.
And here’s a twist: let’s also celebrate all the little things in our lives that exist but go unnoticed. Let’s say ‘Happy, Thank You, More Please’ about all the tiny miracles we get to enjoy.
I got to hold the sweetest baby last night at a dinner party.
I cooked a truly delicious recipe for some people I love.
I had three women in my living room whom I admire.
And there’s so much more: lilies leftover from my birthday perfuming the entire room, a mother’s day gift and card for me on the piano, (a piano! a miracle!), a full clean dishwasher, the carpet vacuumed, sunshine, a sleeping dog who loves our family.
I have a laptop. My fingers work to type. The coffee is hot. A friend sent an email that she loved my novel.
And yet — you know this, too: I could give you a list of the other sort.
I could just as easily tell you that there are always bills, that I have a stressful meeting at work on Monday morning, that I can’t run anymore because my foot is permanently injured. That I missed out on a job I wanted. That I’m worried. Sad. Unsure. All of it.
But I choose to say Thank You. I choose to give attention to what I want to grow in my life — and that one tiny shift in attitude has served me so well.
Wherever you are today, and whatever you are facing, I hope you take a moment to enjoy your day.
Thank you, mums everywhere, for all you do.
Thank you, world, for offering a series of tiny miracles for us to appreciate.
Happy. Thank You. More, please.
It’s my mantra.
Love Catherine x
Love Lie Repeat — have you read it yet? Just got another email calling it “gripping.” :)
The recipe that everyone loved last night is here.
And finally, this cute celebration of mothers from @cakemyers — whose cakes are beautiful, too!
May 4, 2019
You're doing better than you think you are...
If you were here with me right now (in pjs, with a morning coffee) while everyone in my house is still asleep, I would tell you this:
You’re doing better than you think you are.
All that hard work that seems to be for nothing?
The trying and falling short?
The worry that you’re not enough — not good enough, smart enough, talented enough, hard-working enough, pretty enough, young enough, thin enough?
You’re doing better than you think you are.
Sometimes, my friend, you just have to keep going. Yes, the cavalry is coming…but it’s you.
We are our own heroes.
So you have to be there for yourself. You have to catch yourself when you’re falling. And then you have to do this: keep going.
From me to you, on this sunny Sunday morning: You’re doing better than you think you are. A lot better.
Sending love today,
Catherine x
PS.
Emma, author & founder of Deedbags in Melbourne, just shared this instagram post about my question last week: What is the gift?
My new writers are one week in to the writing course — it’s not too late to write your book this year.
April 27, 2019
Hey, happy weekend!
Hello there!
Today is our 3 year blog anniversary — I hope you’ve loved getting a little happiness every week for 156 Sundays in a row, without fail (whew!). I appreciate ALL of you! Welcome to the new people, and thank you for reading!
This week, it’s time to celebrate. My birthday’s on Thursday and I love getting wiser! May is always a good month for me and I’m so glad it’s nearly here.
Because here’s the truth: April has been hard. Can you relate?
For me, a major project has finished up — my book is out in the world — and I need to figure out what’s next. I’m not sure where I’m headed with my new writing project. I’m not sleeping that well. I’m working a lot more now, too (one day a week in the city, some work from home, plus other freelance projects). And winter is coming…
I’ve found myself in a tailspin, overthinking everything, feeling stuck. Worrying.
So here’s what I learned this month thanks to my American friend, Kristen — and I thought it might help you, too.
When times are tough, Kristen told me, here’s the best question to ask ourselves:
When life hands you lemons, what is the gift?
When your kid is in pain, what is the gift?
When you’ve been disappointed, what is the gift?
When you’re worried about something, what is the gift?
I should tattoo this on my wrist. It’s such a great question. It’s helped me so much this month as I get myself back on track.
If you’re feeling a little down, if something has happened, if you have a deep worry that you haven’t shared with anyone, I hope it helps you, too. What is the gift inside your problem?
Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Have some fun — and be fun to live with!
Love Catherine x
Picture book writers — did you know about this e-book? It covers everything I learned about writing picture books and getting a book deal for Jacaranda Snow .
On sale today only for 50% off to celebrate my blog-anniversary! Learn more.
Want to write your novel or nonfiction book? My online class starts this week, 1 May. Learn more.
April 20, 2019
A super (easy) side dish for your Easter feast!
Hey, Happy Easter!
I hope your day is filled with chocolate, a long walk, sweet family, loyal dogs and lots of friends!
Just quickly, before I zoom off to the airport to pick up my favourite guy who has been away on a business trip, I wanted to share this amazing side dish with you. If you’re serving beef, lamb or pork for Easter dinner, you may want to try it.
It’s embarrassingly easy but oh-so-good!
Every time I serve this, my guests always ask for the recipe. It takes 30 seconds to make.
Drain a tin of baby beetroot.
Stir in enough horseradish cream to coat the beetroot generously.
My Canadian and American friends are asking right now, What is beetroot??? It’s the Aussie name for canned beets (not pickled). Yes, you could boil or steam your own fresh beets.
Trust me. So delicious.
Enjoy your long weekend. Wishing you all the happiness (& chocolate eggs) that you can find today!
Love, Catherine x
PS.
If you have Netflix…have you watched Brene Brown’s Call To Courage? If it’s time to be brave, say YES. You’re so worth it!
Ready to write YOUR book? I’ve loved writing mine! I’m teaching a new online class for beginner writers. Perfect if you’re new and need to learn how to start. Find all the details here! 5 Wednesdays in May.
April 13, 2019
When was the last time you said NO?
Wow. This stopped me in my tracks this week.
If you know me in real life, you know this: I am (mostly) a Yes Girl. I will take it on, make the leap, give it a try, have a go.
Often — far too often — I will be obliging and do what others want me to do, just because I like to be nice. I’m also a hard worker, so this means I have a huge capacity to help out.
So I do, and I do, and I do until … I get tired.
What about you? Are you any good at saying no?
I believe that — most of the time — our fear makes us say NO far too often. And truly, every single one of my blessings has come about when I’ve done things I was scared to do.
Write a book.
Move to Australia.
Get married.
Start a new job.
Yes, yes, yes, yes.
On the other side of every scared YES, I’ve always found a bigger, stronger, more capable version of myself. Saying YES has been good for me.
But sometimes it’s right to say no.
Are you feeling a little tired? Maybe it’s time for a break. Maybe it’s time for a NO to everyone else, so you can say YES to yourself.
If it’s time for you to rest today, please rest. Give yourself some time to fill up again. The best thing you can offer the world is a full tank and a willing heart.
Enjoy your weekend. Have some fun — rest, rest, rest — and be fun to live with!
Love Catherine
PS. I gave my first ABC radio interview! I got the chance to chat with radio celebrity, Rhianna Patrick, about my new book, Love Lie Repeat. You can listen to us here!
Love Lie Repeat is the ABC Radio April Book Club pick for Victoria and Queensland. Yay! It was so much fun being at the ABC studio in Sydney for the first time. My teenagers say I can talk to anybody, at any time, about anything. It’s true. I don’t get nervous; I get happy!
And…I promised recipes all April. I’m not sure if this exactly qualifies, but figs are in season and I want to try this. For dipping chocolate, I use Ghiradelli baking chips from Costco, but any good-quality chocolate (melted carefully) will work.
April 6, 2019
Love & Chocolate...
Happy weekend! Welcome, all the lovely new readers…
You probably have everything in your pantry to make this cake today. It’s the cake that debuts at every family birthday and celebration in our house.
It’s the cake that Ruby makes in my new novel, Love Lie Repeat. (Yes, out now!)
The scent of this cake — especially the chocolate glaze — will drift through your entire house. Have I sold you?
The recipe is here. (If you’re gf or df, make all your usual substitutions for flour and butter.)
The secret of this cake is olive oil, balsamic vinegar, no eggs, and coffee!
For a quick update on all things Aussie — autumn is here. It’s glorious.
Tibouchinas are blooming purple (also in my novel!) and the air smells like Orange Jessamine /Murraya blossom.
Time to rest a little today…agree?
Time to appreciate our beautiful autumn and bake for the people you love.
Enjoy your weekend!
Love Catherine x
PS.
ABC radio chose Love Lie Repeat as the April young adult book club pick for Queensland and Victoria! My interview goes live tonight. I’ll share next week.
Juicy book talk! Want me to drop by your book club (in real life or video overseas)? Let me know. Book deals, writing YOUR book, we can talk about all of it! All you need to do is pick Love Lie Repeat. Available at all bookshops in Australia and online overseas here.
March 30, 2019
Good Week, Tough Week?
Hello, everyone — and a huge welcome to all the new people!
I’m sharing two things with you today: a recipe and a conversation! First up, I was a guest on The Bubble Hour, a fantastic podcast all about recovery and sharing our stories. The Bubble Hour is hosted by my Canadian cousin, Jean Greer McCarthy. You’ve met Jean here before when I wrote about her blog, Unpickled. We talk about writing your own story, recovery, perfectionism and life. Jean is a wonderful person, wise and kind.
Here’s Jean, me and Alana (L to R) — the three cousins who used to curl our hair in those pink foam rollers and have sleepovers at our farm. Man oh man, being part of a big family is fun. Memories! (I didn’t get the Greer Girl hair, but we ALL got the smiles!)
Thanks, Jean, for helping so many people with their recovery journeys.
Enjoy your weekend, and hug the ones you love.
Love, Catherine x
PS.
Love Lie Repeat, my new novel, is perfect as a conversation starter for mothers and daughters. Authors love readers! You can buy a copy at your local shop or here with free worldwide delivery. Readers help writers create more books. Thank you.
Recipes! I told you I’d deliver all April long and here’s the first one. It’s the Love Lie Repeat fruitcake from my book launch made by Jules Van Mil. You can get the recipe here. Jules did a beautiful job decorating it, didn’t she? The cake is divine!
