A lunch fit for a queen~

We have this very affordable home-store here in South Africa....I enjoyed playing with their dishes.....I love the textures and  ironstone rubbing....as detailed here....

 So relax for a minute or two and come along and enjoy with me.......

These roses are truely a statement on their own.....you can see more of them here..

While I was doing this...couldn't help dreaming of that island holiday...hint,hint!!!

And here's the "fit for a queen part".....

    It truely was a beautiful winter's day......

 

 Please don't forget about my giveaway closing the 30 June 2011 by following me on my sidebar!

I'm linking to Tablescape Thursdays and Pink Sarurday

Shel

Source: Mr Price Home Stores

Roses,tuile and a chair~

Just love these textures and colours..........

While I was photographing...I looked up to see this.....awesome sky...

Simply......a bunch of roses........and a little neighbour that inspired me......

AND DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW ME IN ORDER TO WIN THIS PRIZE...

Shel

Linking to Pink Saturday

Ginger and Strawberry Jam...

It's warm, aromatic and smacks of winter....just perfect for this cold snap.......

Ginger and Strawberry Jam............. easy to make....

The recipe....

500g strawberries, washed and hulled

zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon

400g castor sugar

2 tbsp fresh ginger, crushed

Place the strawberries, lemon juice and ginger in a large pot and stir over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Then increase the heat to medium and cook, stirring continuously for about 20 - 30 mins. Turn up the heat to between med and high and allow to boil rapidly for about 15 mins, stirring occasionally.

Spoon the jam into warm jars and let it cool before sealing.

   In a beautifully adorned "lemon" cup!

Don't forget the giveaway closing the 30th June 2011!

Shel

Food for my soul!

God's Nearness.

God comes closest to us when our souls are in repose............like petals dropping soundlessly from a full blown rose.

The Big Reveal....my give away!

Thread messages have been created by molo mimi to illuminate words which stimulate positive  thoughts,
 contributing to a world of light, as we shine together as one.
Made from recycled wedding dress off cuts and handmade with love!

And ....a tablerunner made by Beetle and Rhubarb in Knysna

          

All from me to you with love!

I'm joining Beverly at  Pink Saturday......
 and The Tablescaper
and don't forget to add your name to my followers on my sidebar......draw takes place on 30th June...

For another awesome blog and giveaway, hop along to American Honey and Home.
See you all

Croissants, strawberry and ginger jam and a give away!

First things first, don't forget my giveaway....closing 30th June 2011!  So hop along and follow or leave me a comment!

I have been challenged to try out croissants from scratch.....so here goes my attempt.....I'm serving mine with warm strawberry and ginger jam which I made today.....it's warm, aromatic and just perfect with croissants on these frosty mornings in South Africa....

I will show you from scratch...just in case you thought I bought  them at the bakery....

 The Recipe for Easy Croissants.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup warm milk

1 tsp sugar

1 tablespoon yeast

1 cup flour

3/4 cup milk at room temp.

1 1/2 tsps salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg beaten

1/2 cup melted butter that has cooled

4 cups flour

1 cup Cold Butter

1 egg beaten with cold water

PREPARATION:

Stir warm milk and sugar together. Add yeast. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir well. Add flour; beat well. Add milk, sugar and egg. Beat until smooth. Add butter; beat and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, place the 4 cups of flour and the chilled butter. Cut butter into flour until pieces are the size of beans (not too small). Pour the liquid batter into the flour mixture; stir until moistened.Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Remove from refrigerator. Press into a compact ball on a floured board and divide into 4 parts. Roll each into a circle 12" or 16".Cut each circle into 6 or 8 pie-shaped wedges. For each croissant roll a wedge towards the point.Shape into a crescent and place on ungreased baking sheet.

Let rise at room temperature until doubled.(May take 2 hours or more). Brush each with egg beaten with cold water. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Place croissants in oven. Lower temperature to 180 degrees C and bake for 15 - 20 minutes until golden.

Recipe yeilds 24 croissants.




    Shel