Home cooking for example, has taken on a new popularity. Occasional cooks or those who have never tested their culinary skills before are immersing themselves in this cooking phenomenon that was previously lost to them.

For example, our Highland FM Facebook posted a couple of easy recipes and encouraged visitors to simply "give them a go".

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The response was extraordinary. Who would have thought a beer bread recipe would achieve thousands of readers.

So I diligently waded through my mum's favourite recipes and could not go past her special Cheese Balls that are truly delightful, particularly with a favourite beverage.

I had to declare that this recipe is no longer her secret as it has been shared with 19,000 readers. My explanation to console mum was that the recipe has given so many people pleasure.

Yesterday I needed a pan that was required for a recipe we were testing.

A visit to the homewares shop was fascinating, particularly the array of culinary aids designed to make cooking even easier and the experience more enjoyable. Considering the number of celebrity male chefs, it is no wonder that more of us males are stepping up to the mark and serving fare that would grace any table.

In fact, the number of blokes shopping for cookware left me wondering if homeware shops have overtaken hardware shops as their preferred venue for browsing.

The reason being too is that cookware and tableware are not the only treasures that you will find in these shops.

There is literally an Aladdin's cave of everything to adorn any style of home. You can't miss the huge variety of manchester including bedding, towels, baskets of all shapes and sizes, furniture pieces, floor rugs and I loved the small item collection pieces. Yes, I even bought a wooden life size replica of a magpie.

There are a number of locally owned homeware shops in the Southern Highlands, why not shop there first, and you'll enjoy the experience too.

Adam Stokeld

Highland FM