I’ve been making this simple recipe for over a decade. The cooked egg noodles are stir-fried with meat and vegetables, then seasoned with oyster sauce.
When I made it last week, I used egg noodles that I’d bought from Ray and Barbara at Harkola. The dish included locally grown enoki mushrooms from Mary, ham offcuts from the cheese shop, garlic scapes from Diana, and zucchinis from our neighbour Mark. The cooking oil was pressed from olives grown by Pete’s cousin Andrew, the three eggs were laid by our beloved chooks, and the leeks, onion and garlic were grown in our backyard garden.
We are on a journey, Pete and I, and we’re taking our boys along for the ride.
We now have more knowledge and awareness of where our food comes from than ever before. Over the past few years, we’ve become friends with the folks who supply our ingredients – we’ve visited Diana and Ian on their garlic farm, watched Johnny grow his business to a national level, and laughed with Mark when he found zucchinis growing in his pumpkin patch.
These days, our food feels real. We eat eggs laid by chickens we know, occasionally manage an entire salad bowl sourced from our backyard, go on quests to find hormone-free grassfed beef, and bake all our sourdough bread from scratch.
None of this would have been possible without Fig Jam and Lime Cordial, and all of you who have been kind enough to read my occasionally demented ravings. I’ve made new friendships and rekindled old ones, and been constantly inspired by my fellow bloggers. Discovering new mushrooms or perfecting a recipe for fudge is infinitely more rewarding when I can share the excitement with kindred spirits.
A friend asked me recently why I was still blogging.
“It’s been nearly three years”, she pointed out, “and you haven’t made any money out of it.”
I explained to her that it doesn’t actually have anything to do with making money, although we’re certainly living more frugally than we used to. We started this blog with the aim of recording our adventures, but we’ve found that it does a great deal more than that. Thanks to all of you, it now motivates and inspires the ongoing journey! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Ah noodles, how I love noodles and I am honoured by your friendship and everything you have shared so generously since you first got in touch with me. Thank you for reaching out across the world, darling Celia – keep feeding the chickens ! xx
Joanna, you are like a lifeline to me from over the seas, and you’ve rescued me from stormy waters a few times this year. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Truly, this blog was worth the effort, if only to have made friends with you. xxx
Blogging has meant that I have made friends with you without even meeting you ( which I would love to do by the way). I love it!
Deb, I’m counting on meeting up in person one day! Please, please, let me know if you’re ever in Sydney. I’m unlikely to be in Brisbane or Italy anytime soon.. ;-)
It’s an amazing trip, isn’t it Celia?!
Blogging has introduced me to some truly remarkable people, some of whom have become friends, all of whom have been an inspiration, informed the way we eat at home and actually made my kids think twice about where their food comes from.
And all the time I’m having fun. It really doesn’t get much better.
Thanks Amanda, I know you understand what I was trying to say! It’s really amazing how lifechanging the blogging experience has been!
Great recipe, thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks Lizzy! :)
And I agree, you don’t need to be making money out of blogging.
I’m so glad you are out there Blogging, it’s been enjoyable to read your posts, like this one today:) It isn’t about the money, is it.. How fantastic is it that you can source your food like this… I love that you have chooks!!
Thank you, Smidge! It’s incredibly rewarding to have a real handle on where so much of our food comes from!
Here here. Right there with you on the tracking an amazing journey and learning so much along the way. ;)
It’s a pleasure to spend time in your garden and read your rants. I’ve learnt so much from you, been inspired and created using your recipes and taste combos. Love the noodles. It’s a good standby dish in our household too.
Hello darling, what an exciting year you’ve been having! Thanks for always being so supportive!
There’s so much more to blogging than making money, isn’t there? Thanks for being a constant source of inspiration and enjoyment to your fellow travelers.
Hi Nancy! It’s been a real journey we’ve both been on, hasn’t it? It’s been lovely following yours, thank you..
I’ve heard the same comments- “Why keep doing it if you aren’t making any money?” I didn’t intend to make money! I’ve made friends and learned so much about SO many things- and a lot about myself!
Thanks for your faithfulness in writing, Celia!
I’m so glad you are out there!
Heidi, I have learnt so much from you, about porch dances, pizzelles, family and faith. Thank you for having such a fabulous blog!
No, thank YOU!
Em, it’s been such a pleasure to find your blog! :)
Beautiful post Celia and thank you for taking us all along for the ride, we all learn so much from you and are certainly “richer” for knowing you even though only in the blogosphere.
:-) Mandy
Mandy, I often tell Pete about my blogger friends in South Africa – I’m always learning something new from you! Love it, thank you!
Celia, what a great post!
I don’t necessarily criticize those who “monetize” their blogs, but I have to say that I enjoy a lot more a blog that is not concerned with gains.
Sometimes, there’s so much ‘clutter’ to go through in a food blog, you have ads, you have giveaways that force you to click on a bunch of irrelevant sites and “be friends with them’ – I find myself slowly moving away, visiting those types of blogs less often.
I am glad you are still here after 3 years, and hope you will go on and on. Your posts are refreshing, thoughtful, varied, and the way you live your life a great inspiration!
Sally, thanks for being such a good friend! I wanted to let you know I cooked the picanha – in the oven, and it stayed quite rare in the middle – it was absolutely amazing! I love that I can email you in the US and ask how to cook a traditional Brazilian cut of beef! :)
Great! I am so glad it turned out delicious! It is a very nice cut of meat, one that I miss a lot here in the US. I will tell my folks that their advice hit the spot!
well that is dinner sorted!! Clever girl! c
Thanks Celi! Noodles are usually a no-brainer for us, but this bowl gave me an epiphany! :)
There is nothing better than ‘those’ meals where you can pinpoint where it has all come from. Incredibly satisfying.
As for your blogging journey Ms C, I’m tickled pink I’ve met you. Having a connection with bloggers like you make it all so worthwhile :-)
Brydie, I can’t tell you what a joy it is to have a kindred spirit like you in my own home town! You’re constantly inspiring me – last week I went out and bought pastry horns.. ;-)
There are so many ways of being rich, aren’t there Celia? I think you are a zillionaire in all the important ways, don’t you? Thanks for sharing the wealth of your experience, generosity, and boundless love sweetie- I know for sure I’m richer for having you in my life. Thankyou.
Hey girlfriend, you really understand, I know you do. :) One of these days I’m going to arrive in Canberra on your doorstep.. ;-)
celia..your philosophy regarding the provenance of your food resonates with me and it’s great to know there are other food warriors out there..
Jane, are we food warriors? I didn’t know that, but it’s kinda cool.. :) As I type, I’m eating a slice of my sourdough, with roasted cherry tomatoes from the garden and nitrate-free San Danielle prosciutto. It all gets a little obsessive sometimes, but I love it! :)
Celia, as a new-ish follower I can tell you that your journey parallels mine and it’s been a delight to find you.
Rose, likewise! It’s a fun road to be travelling on, isn’t it? :)
It’s a one way street from my end Celia. Even though I don’t have a blog and can’t share my creations (let’s face it, some things should never see the light of day anyway), I find your blog a never ending source of inspiration and creativity – so many thanks. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Meaghan, it really isn’t one way, you know, I get so much from all of you who are kind enough to read and comment and try out things. Thank you! :)
You have really inspired me this year since I found your blog. I have made some great friends from reading blogs – it really cant be about the money. Its about sharing knowledge and experiences and finding like minded people to share them with.
We will meet up one day – and I will have a go at making some bread soon!!
Vita, it really is a wonderful community, I love it! Thanks for reading, can’t wait to see your bready adventures.. :)
I’m not a blogger but I do love reading them. I have learned such a lot, particularly about bread baking, from you and Joanna, and you really feel like friends. Keep up the good work and continue to inspire us all, not only with your culinary expertise but also with your philosophy of life.
Thanks Ann, it’s nice to know you’re reading! I’ve learnt so much about from Joanna too!
Celia you have given me so much since I discovered your blog. I am one of those silent visitors (I revealed myself when Thomas came and Jesse & I were very excited) yet I eagerly check the site every day. Thank you and merry Christmas.
Lou, you made me laugh…”the day Thomas came..”.. it was a bit like that! :) Thanks for reading, people like you make it all worthwhile!
I don’t have a blog myself, but I love to read yours. I have learned a lot; I found my way here looking for a way to make homemade pectin and use it to make jam. Since then I’ve tried out so many good recipes, and ideas. Plus I’ve made new friends! I’m usually sharing something I’ve learned from your blog with my friends and family. I might not always comment, but I always read every post. Thank you for your inspiration and recipes.
Manuela
Manuela, it’s been a pleasure to get to know you a bit better, thank you for all your support! :)
I am so inspired by you – and thank you for this virtual friendship! May you have a blessed December :)
Tandy, likewise, I think you’re amazing! It’s been great to follow your adventures! Hope you’re enjoying the festive season too!
I LOVE your blog!!!! And I love to look of that pasta too. Could do with some for lunch now. xx
Anna, it’s been ages since we saw you, when are you here? Would love to catch up! Thanks for all your support! :)
Hi Celia,
I’ve been stalking your blog for quite a while now.
Your blog is an inspiration. Because of you I have learned how to bake my own bread, have a herb garden, make homemade yoghurt, vanilla extract, and will make vanilla sugar for Xmas pressies.
You have also taught me to be respectful. Respect towards environment, animals, other people, money and even self respect. Now I know how to eat better and make things that I never thought I could do with my two own hands.
Thank you for your contribution to making my life a better one.
Diana, I’m very touched by your comment, thank you so much! Sometimes it feels like I’m just rambling into cyberspace, so it’s incredibly rewarding and reaffirming to know that people are finding it useful. Thank you again!
Celia I have learned so much more about where my food comes from and try to be more conscious of it thanks to Fig Jam and Lime Cordial. You are an inspiration and I get excited every time I see a new email from you blog in my inbox! You have taught me so much and I am so thankful to you especially in giving me advice about my blog. I’m so glad I found Fig Jam and Lime Cordial!
Claire, you’re so lovely! Thanks for being such a great blogger and friend!
What a lovely post – I feel honoured that you are sharing your journey with us all out here. I for one am always inspired when I visit your blog – everything you make looks so good that I can’t help wanting to copy you! Thank you for sharing what you are doing and where you are going.
These noodles look delicious too – I should eat noodles more often, so I’ll have to remember this recipe.
C, you’re very kind, and haven’t we had fun! I love that this blog has led me to such wonderful friends like you whom I’d never have met otherwise!
Dear Celia
I love your blog. Being a fellow Sydney-sider I can relate to your perspective and love being able to actually go to the shops you recommend. I love reading about our life. Along with David Liebovitz’s and Heidi Swanson’s, yours is my favourite food blog. Have a great festive season.
Melissa
Melissa, thanks for stopping in to leave a comment, and for reading the blog! We really do live in the best city in the world, don’t we? :)
Best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season!
I used to make this, but I found a noodle place by our apartment and it’s so good I just go there now. Nice recipe by the way.
Thanks Norma. :)
Ah Celia, the other comments have already said it all so well. There is more to life and hapiness than money…as you well know! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, experience your food and inspiration, and share little snippets of your life.
Haven’t we had fun, SG? It’s been great exploring Sydney food with you, and getting to know you and your lovely family better.. :) xx
[…] part this post is inspired by one by the lovely Celia over at Fig Jam & Lime Cordial about how lovely it is to know where your food comes […]