A crafty Christmas...........

In the past I have used brown postal paper to wrap presents, other years I used newspaper and sometimes I havent wrapped the gifts at all.  I have been so inspired by all of the talented bloggers out there that his year I decided why not make gift bags so that the bag is part of the gift.  Using up scrap fabric around the house............ I can see using this for fresh flowers or vegetables from the local market.  What a fashionable way to shop!

Here is my prototype..........hope you like it.

Have a good weekend everyone xo.

My latest project......

So, I have this upstairs room that I am working on with white and burlap as a theme.  It needed a coffee table so I made one out of some barn board and some old fence posts that I bought some time ago in an antique store.....I hope you like it!

These are the curtains for that room and more paper whites just cause they are pretty!

Have a fabulous day everyone! xo

Before and after.........

When we bought our little farmhouse in the country it was in need of some major TLC.  Here are few pics of the before and after in the kitchen......


                  

This is the other side of the kitchen before............

and now the after................

Here are a few more pics from the kichen...........

have a good day everyone xo

Dinner inspirations........

As you may know, I cook for a living as a caterer so between decorating etc,  I will be posting some of my favourite recipes.  Last nights dinner was so yummy and colourful I thought I would share it with you all.

Salade Niscoise pour Deux

2 salmon fillets
a bit of flour, seasalt and pepper for dusting
mixed greens
2 boiled eggs
1 large tomato
some cucumber slices
feta cheese
kalamata olives
blanched green beans (as many as you want)
6 or so small boiled new potatoes
your favourite vinaigrette

I tend to make things up as I go along as I dont follow any measurements, I just eyeball it.  So bear with me if I dont have specifics..........just make it up.

Lighly dust the top side of the salmon in flour.  Place flour side down pan fry in both olive oil and a bit of butter, 5 or so minutes on each side.  Should take about 10 to 15 minutes on medium heat.  Meanwhile, toss the greens in the vinaigrette with a bit of feta cheese and put on the plate.  Also toss the blanched beans and boiled potatoes in the vinaigrette while warm to absorb full flavour.  Place bean and potatoes over the greens, garnish with tomato, cucumber, sliced egg and few olives.  Gently place the fillet on top of it all and voila, you have dinner.  So yummy with a glass of wine........enjoy!

Tea time..........

I had baked some scones for a group here from England and thought, why not share the recipe with you all.

My Scone Recipe:

1 cup of cold butter
3 cups of flour
4 tbsp of sugar
6 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup of milk


pre heat oven to 375 preferably using convection bake. cut the butter into cubes and place in food processor with blade, add all of the dry ingredients and whiz about until it resembles an oatmeal like texture.  crack the egg in to a measuring cup and fill with milk until it measures one cup.  lightly wisk the egg into the milk.  pour the milk misture slowly into the dry while whizzing about until it forms a dough.  turn the dough out onto a floured surface and work lightly to form a dough ball patting down to form a flat top.  using biscuit cutter you should get about 8 biscuits from this recipe.  bake for 12 minutes and turn the pan around and bake for a further 10 to 12 minutes until lightly golden on top.  served with whipped butter and preserves..........ENJOY!

Oh yes, and make yourself a cup of tea and enjoy
while flipping through your favourite magazine like......Jean D'Arc perhaps!  For you Chrissy, since you dont bake, I will bring you scones to go with the tea that you will make me.......love ya!!

The beauty of white........

After visiting Jo's blog at the secret garden cottage secretgardencottage.blogspot.com I was inspired to follow her lead in White Wednesday.........enjoy!

This pillow......says everything about me!
xoxo

'tis the season

As gardening season winds down to an end it is time for paper whites and fresh flowers in the house.  As an avid gardener I keep fresh flowers in the house all winter to tide me over till gardening season comes around again.......also, as an experiment, I have planted some tulip bulbs that have been in the freezer since spring.  If all goes well they should come to life indoors.  They are not much to look at the moment but should they grace me with their presence I will take a picture and keep you posted:)