2011, Here we come.......

Cheers from Olivia........

May you start 2011 with REALISTIC RESOLUTIONS, such as by being:
creative......in the kitchen, home and garden......
green and organic....in the kitchen, home and garden.....
kind to the earth and all who live on it.......

Fill your garden, and your life with sunshine.........

Grow your own herbs and vegetables.................

Love nature and all that surrounds you................

Find a peaceful place to share special moments with family and friends..........

Find a reason to celebrate life every day...................

Cheers to 2011.........

May the year ahead be as pink and rosy as this Rose......
May you enjoy each and every day, and learn from each new experience....
May 2011 be just great!

And so this WAS Christmas......

This perfect setting, in Grabouw, is where we enjoyed a second Christmas feast on the 25 th December.

Now that the tempo has died down a bit, everyone can relax and contemplate on their plans for 2011.But, I have not finished with Christmas yet....a final few pictures, then I guess we can plan for Christmas 2011. If there can be all year round Christmas shops overseas, maybe I will become the all year round Christmas Planner?

Together as a family around the Christmas Tree in Grabouw.

A family feast by candle light.....oops no flash! ( But the feast looks good.)

A tempting dessert platter....who can resist?

 

 

 

 

 

How calm and tranquil is this setting with views over the dam in the early morning light? Paradise found........

And so this is Christmas.......................

My festive wreath....with the famous pate!

The festive, herbal wreath was used as a decoration around the pate dish........and as a garland around a dog!!!!!!!

Lady Lexi with her herbal garland!!!

Gifts from the kitchen are always welcomed.....especially when presented with love. Here my wholewheat bread was baked in a round baking tin, just to be different.

Who would expect this to be a simple loaf of wholewheat bread?

And finally another crafty way to present a gift for a handyman. Here a selection of tools were disguised in a used paint tin. Decorate ........and wait to see the reaction!
Sometimes it pays to hold on to items to be used for packaging....it pays to recycle.

Someone is going to have a fun time unpacking this one!

This German Christmas Pyramid always attracts attention.

Enjoy your evening with family and loved ones....hope you have had a Merry Christmas!

This beautiful cypress arrangement is decorating the entrance at The Cape Grace Hotel.....really magnificent.

 

Christmas memories......create new ones, and remember the old ones......

A special moment with my Dad at a Christmas market in Germany in 1989.......Just wish we could repeat this moment.

The memories of this trip to Germany will be with me forever......experiencing them with my Dad was just great. The fragrances, flavours, colours, sights and sounds of the markets were exciting......

Special memories are attached to these delightful decorations....thank you, Tina!

 

May the candles burn bright on your table tonight.....and always........

Create you fresh, green and organic wreath, just in time to decorate your festive table........
 

Start with a simple straw or vine base wreath.

Build on your wreath with a selection of herbs and greenery from the garden.

Finish off  with some ribbon.

A couple of red baubles in the centre of  the wreath is all you need.....ready for the Christmas table!

Have a wonderful, festive Christmas Evening tonight everyone......Until tomorrow with a final Christmas entry .

Still baking......Traditional German Biscuits.

Pfeffernusse, traditional Central European Christmas Cookies are loaded with spicy flavour from cardamon, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and of coarse a generous amount of black pepper!

The biscuit dough, once mixed is allowed to rest in the fridge overnight, then rolled into little balls ready for baking.

Once baked, allow to cool then sprinkle generously with icing sugar.

 

Some more gift ideas, should you still have time and energy to be creative!

Homemade gifts are always welcomed, especially when wrapped with love....and a bunch of herbs, presented on a useful tray.

Spicy Cinnamon, Apple and Raisin muffins.

 

 While you are busy with the festive baking, prepare a batch of these delightfully spicy apple, cinnamon and raisin muffins and store in the freezer for after the Christmas rush.
Soak the raisins in rum for added flavour and juiciness....It is a good idea to do as Austrian cooks do and keep a bottle of raisins soaking in rum ready for baking apple muffins, cakes, strudels......the combination of flavours is a great marriage.  


Back to the creative side and the sewing machine......Here are some easy, useful and fun gifts to make.

Using offcuts of interesting red fabric, this cracker was created and finished off with red ribbon.

Fabric gift bags and crackers make wonderful gifts to be placed at each guest's place setting.

 

 

 

Another great way of using up festive and the not so festive fabric scraps is to make these fabric wreaths. One simply cuts out circles of fabric.  Gather them at the top, using cottonwool or wadding as stuffing. 

Once you have prepared 12 puffed up circles, thread them all on a cord and tie securely.
Attach a ribbon and a bell at the bottom of the wreath for an extra festive touch.  Enjoy the pleasure this simple decoration will provide year after year! Merry Christmas  and Happy Holidays!

A festive toast to the holiday season and some more time to reflect on the year gone by.

How beautiful is the colour of this Rose......and how perfect is the reflection? Create memorable occassions with magical festive settings this year. Cheers!!!

Reflections.......at Christmas time.

Christmas and candles .....reminds me of the years gone by when we had a real pine christmas tree in the lounge with candles on, and no flashing lights. Now that is a real Christmas!!
The memory of the pine fragrance in the lounge is powerful and will linger on for years to come. A great way to recall the past with memorable fragrances and flavours.

Is it not true that children of all ages enjoy the splendour and excitement the the Christmas Spirit brings? And of course the Christmas tree and it's decorations collected from around the world.

Bring out the Bubbly and reflect some more on the year gone by, and contemplate on your plans for  the year ahead.......

A festive platter to satisfy all tastes....be creative and delight yourself and your guests!

Create long lasting memories by using items kept only for those 'special' occassions......but each and every day is special.....so do not wait, just use them!

Celebrate this Festive Season and take the inside out.

Decorate your table with baskets filled with herbs and christmas fragrances from the garden.

 

Since we are blessed with great weather, sunny skies and beautiful gardens, take the inside out and enjoy a festive Christmas outdoors. Our early mornings and evenings are calm, tranquil and peaceful. Make use of these special times outdoors and create an inviting festive settings outdoors. It is so easy, especially when you use the garden as your backdrop and colour palette.

Use colourful ingredients are decorations, as seen here with these ripe, festive and juicy tomatoes, fresh from the garden.

 

Do not forget your 4 legged friends...........

Being outdoors means that there are no restrictions for your special friends. Just remember to have a generous supply of Peanut Butter cookies on hand!

Using simple, everyday ingredients these Doggy treats are quick and easy to prepare. Your 4 legged friends will love you more with each morsel. Great Santa treats and stocking fillers!!

Look around your garden for inspiration and make use of the magical settings.

 

I even take my decorations outside......an absolute treat when the sun catches the crystal beads!

Add some creative touches to adorn your guests chairs. It is fun to use what you have available in your garden at the time of your function. Here I have used the ever available Bay Tree leaves.

So, the countdown has begun. One week to go to Christmas Eve......complete your shopping lists and plan your outdoor setting ....with all the detail it deserves. Go ahead and enjoy the festive preparations.
Until next time.....be merry!!!