LIFESTYLE

The weather is warming

SUMMER and COVID restrictions are lifting, and getting

ENTERTAINING together with friends and family is more II LOVE to cook and inviting friends over to eat has always been one of my favorite things to do. However, dinner parties and BBQs can stress me to the point where, once the last pot is washed and the dishwasher has been loaded, I have been known to exhale a passionate “never again!” SHOULD BE CHILL ACCEPT FAILURES (and serve them anyway) We all have failures, but does it really matter if it looks like it’s already been eaten? No. My Steamed Orange pudding incident of 2018 has gone down important than ever. Neighbourhood Media’s own Robert Everett shares his thoughts on opening your heart and pantry and achieving simple success.

That’s why I have some hard and fast rules when it comes to in the annals of dinner party infamy amongst my friends and still hosting dinner parties, and they have held me in good stead and causes mirth to this day. I may never live down serving something made life much easier. that looked like a steaming pile of something

KEEP IT SIMPLE. else, but the laughter it caused made it worth-

My first rule is simple: keep it simple. Beans on toast is maybe too simple, but unless DINNER PARTIES CAN while. Embarrassing? Yes. you’re cooking for your boss or Nigella Lawson AND OFTEN ARE A STRESSFUL Tasty? Absolutely. the food at any dinner party is and always should MINEFIELD, SO LESSEN THE STRESS IT’S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION be secondary; it is the conduit, the excuse for conversation, friendship and a good evening. Sweating away in the kitchen for the day only AND RUSTLE UP AN OLD FAVORITE YOU ABSOLUTELY KNOW Setting a table, or decorating the garden or terrace makes the simplest of servings something special. I have a tendency to go a bit far to be too tired or frustrated to enjoy some good YOU CAN NAIL. when I’m setting my table for friends, but for me company is no fun for anyone, so keeping things that’s the fun part. Candles in jam jars, swathes as simple as possible leaves you free to enjoy the of Rosemary in terra-cotta pots from the Reject reasons for inviting friends over in the first place. Shop (if not the shed), a dozen vases and mis-

And this brings me to my second rule: matched teacups from Vinnies with a few flowers and tea-lights.

TRIED AND TESTED It is a chance to really set a mood for the evening’s entertainment

Whether it is the traditional BBQ in the garden or a sit-down and conversation. at home, now is not the time for experimentation. Just because I have repurposed pretty much everything in the house at one

Nigella can do it with one eye closed while writing her latest best time or another in the pursuit of knocking up a centrepiece that seller doesn’t mean us mere mortals can as well. makes the table look inviting. There is no right or wrong way to

Do what you know. achieve this. Whether pauper or prince, using one’s creativity to

Dinner parties can and often are a stressful minefield, so lessen garnish the table and the food is such a fun way to delight guests the stress and rustle up an old favorite you absolutely know you and welcome them. can nail. Bon appetite!

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The natural bushland surrounding Lane Cove offers beauty and serenity, but it is also filled with danger, not the least being the threat of bushfire. As we approach the peak of fire season, here are some tips on how you can help reduce the risk to yourself and your home.

DMAKE A PLAN DECIDE NOW what you will do if a fire threatens your home. You have two main options: stay and fight or leave.

If you plan to stay and fight the fire, be sure you are well equipped to do so.

Install heat-resistant hoses with wide-spray nozzles. Make sure you can reach every part of the house and that your water pressure is strong enough to be effective. It’s also advisable to have roof sprinklers and a pool pump.

Educate yourself on how to fight a fire. Ensure that you are fit and healthy. Do not stay if you suffer from any condition that will be exacerbated by smoke, heat, stress or physical exertion.

Ensure that your phone is charged and handy. Keep track of the fire’s progress and current alerts. Make sure someone knows where you are and how you are.

It is extremely dangerous to leave once the fire is close, so think hard about whether you will stay and fight and only do so if you are prepared.

If you plan to leave, then leave early. Have everything you need packed and ready at the first sign of any threat.

Plan optional escape routes depending on the location of the fire. Know where you will go and inform someone that you have left your home and arrived safely elsewhere. STAY INFORMED

Clean leaves and debris from your roof and gutters. Clear any potential fire hazard and fuel from around your house and garden.

Keep the lawn mowed and trim overgrown tree branches and bushes.

Store flammable and incendiary items in a protected, cool environment.

Replace old wooden fences and outdoor furniture with ones made of metal or fire-resistant materials.

Pay attention to fire danger ratings in weather forecasts.

Know the fire alert levels and what they mean.

Check websites and apps for fires near you, listen to ABC radio for official reports. Download the Fires Near Me NSW app.

For more information: Visit the Lane Cove Council website and search “bushfire protection”. www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au Download resources and find links to apps at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au