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

Blue and White and a reminder of my Give away!

My favourite colours with my favourite old inherited pieces........

Just what I need for this cold day!

In a quiet reading corner of my tv room................

  Real mix 'n match......

Please don't forget about my give away!

See you soon!

linking to Lady Katherine for tea!

PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK BELOW TO SEE WHAT'S IN MY GIVEAWAY!!

THE BIG REVEAL!!

A South Africa Give-away!

I'm hitting my 200th post!
Thank you for all your inspiration and beautiful comments in the past!

A special little cake!

I found it here......it's an explosion of tastes.....

Here is the recipe.........

Strawberry Cream Cheese cake

Ingredients~

21/4 all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup cold butter

1/2 tsp b/powder and

1/2 tsp b/soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup sour cream

1 egg, beaten

Filling~

1 250g cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup strawberry jam (original says raspberry)

1/2 cup slivered almonds

Icing sugar for dusting if you like

Directions~

1. In a large bowl combine flour and sugar. Cut butter in until mixture crumbly. Remove  1 cup and set aside for topping.

To remaining, add baking powder and soda and salt..

Add sour cream, extract and egg. Mix well and spread in the bottom and 2" up the sides of a 9" springfoam pan.

2. To make the filling, beat cream cheese, sugar and egg in a small bowl until blended. Pour over the batter. Spoon jam over the top. Sprinkle with almonds and reserved crumbs.

3. Bake at 190 deg C for 55 to 60 mins. Let stand for 15 mins. Carefully run a knife around the sides to loosen. Remove the sides. Dust with icing sugar if necessary.

The recipe yeilds 8 pieces.

I served it warm with custard as a dessert.

Thank you Monique......delicious.

Enjoy your week!

Shel

I'm joining another party...WOW US WEDNESDAYS!

Such lovely idesa there for your homes...so come along!

Sunday! Food for the soul.

Whilst our rain was gratefully received and hopefully our water restrictions will be lifted....one has to spare a thought for some less fortunate people like the Missionvale area in Port Elizabeth.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

These photographs courtesy Weather Guru.