Life

In this column, I offer something more practical at this busy time by sharing my list for a cook's carefree Christmas catering.

For well over a month now in shops and on television, in newspapers, magazines and junk mail I have been exhorted to get my act together for Christmas. Here we are less than a month away and I am still not ready for it.

I still like the idea of carving at the Christmas table; I think it adds to the sense of occasion with everybody there and waiting to enjoy the meal together.

If you're thinking of taking a holiday this festive season with the family, here are a few quick tips about how you can make the holiday time as stress-free as possible.

Sometimes when I see those little jars and packets of dull and dusty dried herbs, like parsley flakes and basil, dill and chives, rubbed sage and mint or the little plastic packs of fresh herbs in the shops, I wonder why more people don't grow their own.

I hadn't really dedicated much time to stop and think about how youth were affected by the recession, until I got an e-mail from a magazine in Sydney, asking what I thought on the matter.

"If Naples had managed to patent pizza it would now be among the world's wealthiest cities…" wrote Burton Anderson in "Treasures of the Italian Table".

As I write this, Labour Weekend looms large and that means but one thing in this house…

Have you ever sparked conflict with a young person? They're quite easy to start. But what many people don't realize, is the small things you can do to help build a better relationship with a young person.

We've reached that time of year when I find that the wonderful comfort food of winter is no longer as wonderful or comforting as it was.