Blue and White and Love!

It was to be a tablescape with sprigs, birdnests and all the spring colours. We have a little family of birds in our garden who have just had chicks...so we awaken to much chirpy chatter each morning! This morning was no exception......

However, being such a perfect morning and having my youngest on holiday, I decided to set a table near the pool with everyday china that I have had for donkey years!

All the shell detail....

The menu!

Muesli, yogurt and blueberries.

Fruit platter.

Mini Blueberry Muffins and coffee.

And a poem by Grace Wolgemuth...

That Little Boy of Mine.

Two eyes that shine so bright

Two lips that kiss goodnite

Two arms that hold me tight

That little boy of mine.

No one could ever know how much your coming has meant.

To me you're everything. You're something heaven has sent.

You're all the world to me

You climb upon my knee

To me you'll always be

That little boy of mine.

Please join me over at Susan for Tablescape Thursday!http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Shel

Woodall Country House!

Breathtaking! Exquisite and only an hour from my home...lies this little gem.
Situated on the doorstep of the Addo Elephant Park, home of one of the greatest elephant sancturies.

Please enjoy these beautiful photos of  Woodall Country House and Spa!
PS: This is where they serve that delicious Lemon Syrup I posted a little while back! I bought their recipe book as they have won so many awards for their food.

It makes for the ideal place to have an intimate wedding gathering or honeymon as well!

Here's that sneak preview....enjoy!

I hope I've wet your appetite to visit the beautiful Eastern Cape in sunny South Africa!

See you soon!

Shel

Food for my Soul!

"Be Still, and know that I am God." ~ Psalm 46.40

Lord, remind her that You have power over every storm and You do not leave her to face them alone. Help her to be so at peace, resting by Your side, that just like You, she can sleep through even the heaviest seas!

Amen

Menu Plan: 27 - 1 October.

Another week! And it's a Spring Break for my youngest so there needs to be a constant supply of food...

Monday:
Lamb Knuckle Stew with Herby Dumplings in the Crock Pot! (I love this pot, as I can put everything in and know at the end of the day, there's a hearty meal waiting for everyone)...the ultimate comfort food!

Recipe. (for 4 - 6 people)

800g lamb knuckles

1 large onion sliced

fresh herbs (thyme and parsley)

salt and pepper to your taste

1 tin chopped Italian tomato  and onion

1 Tbsp tomato pasata

2 carrots roughly chopped

2 leeks chopped

5 potatoes

1 lt of chicken/vegetable stock.

Fry your meat dusted with flour and seasoning together with onions and leeks until browned.

Remove from pan. Add to cooking crock together with carrots, tomato  and onion and pasata, herbs and stock. After about an hour and half when meat tender add the carrots and potatoes. Cook until tender.

Mix together a cup of flour, 2 tsps baking powder, herbs, salt and pepper. Add a beaten egg and milk.water to form a wet dough. Drop spoon fuls on top of the stew. Steam with lid on until nicely risen then turn over just before serving!

Serve with veg and rice.

Tuesday!

Apricot Glazed Chicken.

Recipe!

You could either cut a whole chicken into pieces or by 2 pkts of thighs and drumbsticks.

Brown Onion seasoning.

a cup of mayonaise

a cup of chuctney or apricot jam.

Pour the sauce over the chicken rubbed in the brown onion seasoning.

Cover the casserole dish and bake for around an hour and half on 180 degree C. until nice and golden.

Serve with a fresh green salad and crusty bread to mop up the juices!

Quick and Delicious!

Wednesday!

Flat breads..

Quick and Easy mid week supper.

Rump steak

Olive oil

1 x plain wrap per person

1 pillow pack of lettuce, baby spinach and rocket

green, yellow and red sliced peppers

sliced cucumber

Onion rings

baby tomatoes

feta cheese

olive oil and balsamic vinegar as a dressing.

Pile all the ingredients on the wrap and top with slices of seared rump .

Dress with some olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Thursday!

A vegetable pie!

So simple and delicious.

For the crust....rub plain flour into butter in equal portions...then I add a little seasoning and a cup of grated cheddar. Form into a ball and let it rest about 1/2 hour. Press into quiche tin , prick and bake blind for about 15 minutes...sometimes I cheat and freeze raw until I'm ready to put the filling in.

For the filling, I make a rich cheddar sauce that has a fairly thick consistency, cool and beat in 2 eggs. Add your grilled meditterranean veg or you could add asparagus, bacon, fried onion or mushrooms for other suggestions.

My sons love it with bacon and fried onion and can make a meal of this tart on it's own.

Bake for about 45mins on 200 degree C until nicely brown.

I'm making a quick salad of greens, shavings of parmessan, fried croutons and sliced biltong with a balsamic vinegrette to accompany.

Friday!

Solomon's Mom- made Hamburgers . (Build your own!)

And for the mornings.....how about a batch of these exquisite Blueberry Muffins. Recipe, Merci Monique.~♥

Please browse her index for Blueberry Muffins..you can get the recipe here...

http://latabledenana.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-daughters-muffins.html

Here's one left over from this morning that I baked...

hmmm...

Bon Apetit!

Shel

Sunday!

"The only kind of love that lasts in spite of heartache and difficulty in tough circumstances is God's love."

A little chapel in Alicedale, Eastern Cape near my home.

Menu Plan: 21- 24 September - with a twist! ~♥

I just knew that this week  I wouldn't have time to prepare dinner every evening...after all I'm not Superwoman and have had other commitments...besides, there is lots going on in this home at the moment!

So even if I had prepared my weekly menu for myself, in reality it would never have been achieved...

Instead, my family need comfort food, so for tonight I am preparing my friend, Sharon's Roast Chicken with Thyme Stuffing, rice, a wonderful rich gravy and Mediterranean Roast Veg!

For tomorrow, if time permits, I might make this....

The Recipe:

Go here..http://justmeshel.blogspot.com/2010/07/pasta-creamy-leek-and-chicken.html to get the recipe!

It is a big hit in our home! Other than these two ideas for dinner, there is always Woollies, our wonderful food market as a quick alternative to cooking! 

Then for more comfort, I just baked this little cake , it has filled my home with the most warming aromas from the spices...ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg and oozing with a caramel sauce. The recipe can be found at Monique http://latabledenana.blogspot.com/2010/09/heaven-on-plate.html. Go there to see the most exquisite photos of her cake and the recipe. Merci Monique.~♥

This is my version and my family are well pleased! I had to just add the last of my heavenly poppies!

Whatever else you put in your recipe, you must put your heart into it.

Your heart is by far the most important ingredient.

Maria Floris ...Royal Cake maker.

Have a wonderful week!

Shel

Solomon's Iced Lemon Syrup!

Wonderfully refreshing for the weather we are supposed to be experiencing this time of the year!
Lemon Syrup!

Woodall Lemon Syrup!

Recipe.

Rind of 6 lemons

Juice of 12 lemons

6 cups of sugar

6 cups of boiling water

Boil everything together. Let it stand over night. Strain and dilute with water.

Serve chilled with sliced lemons and mint leaves.

Served on a beautiful dish with another favourite...koeksisters!

And what a combination, these beautiful orange and lemon poppies.

On my favourite chair in the sun...

 So refreshing!

Have a happy day!

Shel

I am linking to Susan at http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ for Tablescape Thursdays.

Please join me there..