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Sunday, January 22, 2012

A delicious sponge~

I  have been enjoying viewing BBC Food and Lifestyle, in particular the series on the delicious Miss Dahl....
she embraces femininity and she is an excellent cook....I loved her recipes on Nostalgia.......
here is her delicious Victorian Sponge Cake ~ it is light and fluffy and easy peasy~


the recipe~
225g castor sugar
225g butter
225g self raising flour
zest of 1 orange
4 eggs

Blend together the castor sugar and  the butter 'til  light and fluffy. Add the sifted flour.
Whisk the 4 eggs together in a bowl and then add to the mixture.
Grease and flour 2 cake tins. Bake in the oven at 180deg C for 25 to 30 minutes.
Ice when cooled as desired.



Friday, January 20, 2012

Pink


Pink......a colour varying from light crimson to pale reddish purple.....

calm feelings............


  relaxation.....


Acceptance and contentment!
Have a great weekend!
Shel

I'm Joining Beverley for Pink Saturday

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Melancholy

Today I'll share with you some of my favourite foodie photos....

I'm feeling a wee bit of melancholy...probably because of missing a few important people that I love...

So these photos are "sort of" like comfort eating to me......

Come along and enjoy with me as I reminisce about where and why these were so so special......

Cocktails with my family at Caprice in Camp's Bay.......


and  breakfast at Arnolds' in Long Street


Then a little Christmas celebration at my son's home......



Christmas Eve brunch with my children and many of their friends that slept over.....


     Cooking with the very talented "Chef Devon" at the beach.............spaghetti 'a la Devon'......awesome!!



and in Bathurst at this special spot.....




   Onion  and Feta Tart shared with good friends on Roxy's gorgeous stoep .......


and this great salad....



Crumpets for 2 special kids......with bacon and maple syrup.......


   and avo ritz's at home with a good movie...........




I know what will do the trick.....this good cuppa hot chocolate and marshmallow......





“Melancholy is the pleasure of being sad.” ― Victor Hugo

This state, too, will pass!

Shel

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Oceana Beach Lodge ~

Whilst there is no place I'd rather be than in my own home, this beautiful beach lodge where the sky,sea and earth meet, takes quite something to beat.

It was a little gift to ourselves as we turn many pages this year as well as into
 our "golden" year!
To quote the owner, Rip Miller, an American....."after travelling the world, I have discovered the place closest to my heart, Oceana." ` and in my words, " A little bit of "heaven on earth"!

Enjoy the beauty of this exotic place as I share some of my photography with you.....



No attention to detail has been spared...... this was our Ocean Suite....






of course the highlight for Mr T was the TV screen that disappeared into the woodwork in front of the bed...ours seemed to be permanently out!!!!



My view from our bed...........


I love the touches of Africa in the shells, coral and beadwork











The suite comes complete with a shower room and a bathroom, a sitting area and generous wrap around deck......



She was an added bonus from my bathroom.....the only creature inquisitively staring at me ....


Some of the scrumptious dishes we indulged in....











    Their brownies have won awards....very scrummy.....


Served at these table settings........ in the dining room


in the lounge a romantic table set just for the two of us.......




in the bar area........



      or under the shade of old Milkwoods at the beach......



  
    I just loved this gorgeous turtle in a corner of the lounge......


   and  nowhere to squeeze the Christmas tree....so suspended from the ceiling above the bar.....



Game is always a highlight and although they do not have the Big 5, there's an abundance of different species of buck, White Rhino, Buffalo and Wildebeest not forgetting giraffe and zebra...


















And then just miles and miles of unspoilt beach to ourselves.....it doesn't get better than this......





Two Oyster Catches going for their morning stroll.....






     The tagiatelle of the sea.....




Truely a little gem perched in the hills overlooking the Indian Ocean.....
I am privileged to have spent time here.

Come visit us and fall in love with Africa!!
Shel

For more information on this piece of unspoilt beauty visit their website at Oceana Beach Lodge

I am joining Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea today.