24 Dec A Year-End Thank You from Scarecrow
The year end approaches and it is traditional to wish those dearest to us, family, neighbours, colleagues and friends a ‘merry’ or ‘peaceful’ Christmas and a ‘happy New Year’. This year, as we are assaulted again by the tragedy of conflict around the world, and notably in “The Holy Land”, venerated by the three Abrahamic religions, these words may sound hollow or difficult to say. Those with a broad and deep interest in the region will view the current traumatic conflict through the lens of their reading or experience, with a perspective filtered through history and their own biases – many will see this as yet another ugly chapter in the long and contested story of this tiny piece of land that many people call home. I want to say, that I hope the peoples of this region can work together to find strong and compassionate leadership who will move the region forward toward a more harmonious place. A place where all may live in dignity, with prosperity, security and peace, where their pain, grief and loss can be shared and each narrative heard. We must ask, when was the last time there was a military solution to a civil and political problem? I am proud of the work our son-in-law, Emad Kiyaei (Iranian) and his co-founder Sharon Dolev (Israeli) do with their colleagues in the Middle East Treaty Organisation (METO) to support new ways to catalyse action and peace in the region. It’s good to know that people like Emad and Sharon are not alone in their quest for a new regional order. I was impressed and inspired by the opinion piece in the New York Times by Samer Sinijlawi, a Palestinian political commentator from East Jerusalem. I hope 2024 brings success and attention to the work of these people and the many others who are working for a better future for all .
After such sobering thoughts I would like to turn to celebration! In particular to celebrate and acknowledge the amazing Scarecrow team – we are a diverse group indeed, from many cultures and backgrounds, and together we work to bring a warm, welcoming, delicious and creative experience to our regulars and to visitors alike. I am aways amazed that even those of our team who have left Scarecrow to start a new adventure, remain connected, and even come in to support our small team when we call for help! How fantastic it is to see the strength of the loyalty our team have to each other and to the vision of Scarecrow which they have helped to build over the years. You are all magnificent and we thank you. Scarecrow would be nothing without you.
Now, some thoughts about summer cooking and festive treats. It’s hard to ignore the sweet summer berries at this time of year. Recently I went to our book club end-of-year lunch where one of the women delighted us with her delicious Summer Berry Pudding. I well remember the magnificent Summer Puddings my mother-in-law made from the fresh berries they grew in their beautiful and bountiful garden in Orange, NSW. Buying fresh berries however is very expensive, so I wanted to say a few words about frozen berries. They are ideal for treats such as Summer Berry Pudding. I recommend you buy individual berry types rather than mixed berries. I think blueberries, cranberries, blackcurrants and blackberries are the best of the frozen berries. You can of course add fresh berries, strawberries and raspberries for instance, to any berry mix you make at home. There are many Summer Berry Pudding recipes online and I think you’ll enjoy exploring them and be inspired by the gorgeous images.
Lastly, I want to add that you can make a very festive pudding by making a mulled wine infusion using star anise, cinnamon, cloves and orange peel. This really adds a twist to the classic summer pudding and brings the warm ‘Christmas’ spices to a summer table.
A final foodie thought, our garden is now on its second crop of potatoes. I love new season potatoes just washed and scrubbed then simply boiled in salty water until tender. Cool them off quickly in a basin of icy water, just to stop the cooking process, drain thoroughly and put into your serving bowl. Make a dressing with a tablespoon each of chopped parsley and chopped fennel fronds, a tablespoon of roughly chopped caper berries (leave out if you don’t like them), a good sprinkling of flaky salt, a tablespoon of grainy Dijon mustard and a generous dollop of olive oil, mix well. Toss the dressing very gently through the potatoes so you don’t bruise them, serve at room temperature. A very simple accompaniment for most things on your summer table!
Wishing you all a glorious break. Sink into the folds of summer waves, fiercely competitive board games, extended walks and vibrant conversation. We look forward to seeing you in mid-January! Peace on Earth.
Bon appetit!
Alison
Thank you!
2023 has seen renewed vibrancy return to our beloved Auckland city. Welcoming tourists back with open arms has been a highlight, and witnessing the city come alive with cultural and sporting events has been truly heartwarming. The FIFA Women’s World Cup, in particular, was a spectacular occasion that brought joy and excitement to our community. We loved getting amongst the atmosphere!
Another highlight, though admittedly disruptive, has been watching the progress of Te Hā Noa, the Linear Park pathway—a project close to our hearts. Throughout the year, 
We want to thank you, both new customers and our regular Scarecrow ‘family’ for your unwavering support throughout the year. It’s your smiles, conversations, and shared moments that make our little urban oasis such a special place.
Lastly, a quick note about our holiday hours. We’ll be closing our doors at 2pm on Sunday, December 24th, giving our hard-working team a well-deserved break. We’ll be taking some time to reflect with friends and loved ones, then looking forward to your return when we reopen on Monday, January 15th, refreshed and ready to continue serving up the Scarecrow experience you’re used to.
From all of the team at Scarecrow, we wish you and your loved ones a happy and relaxing holiday period. We hope you find time to relax and enjoy the magic of what is looking to be a fabulous Kiwi summer! Once again, thank you for being a part of our Scarecrow family. We can’t wait to welcome you back in 2024!
We’ll leave you with a couple of recent photos from our garden – isn’t Mother Nature wonderful. 🙂
From all of the team at Scarecrow.
