Q&A with Michelle Crawford
Our resident foodie Chris Gordon chats with Michelle Crawford about her gorgeous memoir / recipe book, A Table in the Orchard: My Delicious Life.
Your book is a sweet parcel of family adventures and recipes – I love it! – and the move from Sydney to Tasmania with little kids on tow must have been huge. Were you scared? Do you have any advice for others dreaming of greener fields?
People often asked if we were scared, but you know, we were so excited about the move that we had little time to be scared. It was something we really wanted to do for so long and the timing was right. We were so keen to be in the country. In terms of advice, I should be sensible and say research the area, find a job before you go, have lots of savings and a back-up plan. We, however, didn’t do any of that. We visited Tasmania, fell in love and just took a leap of faith. That worked for us. It might work for you too!
I know the book is shaped a little by your terrific blog (find it here). How long have you been writing and sharing stories of your family life?
I started the blog in 2006, so that’s quite a while now. I can’t quite believe how far we’ve come since then, how much the children have grown and how much the house has changed. It’s wonderful to have documented the changes and now be able to look back and reflect on all we’ve achieved and the fun times we’ve had.
Do you write every week, every season or every harvest?
I vary in the regularity. Ideally once a week, but life’s been pretty busy lately and finding the time to blog regularly is tricky. That said, if we something happens and the words flutter around in my head then I can’t do anything else until I write them down.
The images used in your book are simply beautiful. The garden is obviously a continual work in progress. Do you have a preferred time to be outside?
It depends on the time of year. In summer, early morning or late in the evenings are truly lovely times to be outside as the air is milder and the sun has lost its fierce sting. In midwinter though, it is best to be out in the middle of the day when it’s sunny and warm, and the frost has melted.
Do you have a favourite season, and therefore a beloved meal to serve at that time?
I’m a huge fan of comfort food – hearty stews, slowly cooked roasts, fruity puddings – so that means winter to me! I love winter because of this kind of food and I spend a lot of time indoors by the stove, keeping warm.
I’m positive that the images in your book would make even the most city-centric person want to run to your place. But do you ever dream of running back to the city?
I get the occasional pang for sure. I miss the diversity of the city, the culture, the beautiful parks and the well-dressed people. Our town is pretty daggy! But after a couple of days of visiting the city I really do yearn to get back to the country to my friends with their holey jumpers and scruffy boots.
Will you continue to write your blog now that you have a solid wonderful tangible book?
Of course! The great thing about blogging is that it is relatively instant – a post only takes a few hours to put together and a book can take years. I still love writing and taking photographs and blogging is the best way to set those words free into the world.
