whimsicality

Moomin's taking tea, perhaps Baklava with Rose Water & Tea Granita. Just because Monday's can be a bit too serious sometimes.

neige et soleil

The sky above Grotte de Glace high above L'Alpe d'Huez, where snow particles blow around in the wind, sparkling in the sunlight like glitter.













A detail of stained glass within Notre-Dame des Neiges, L'Alpe d'Huez, by Arcabas. The church is modern with a striking organ created to form the palm of a hand.

A week away; more snow than I have ever experienced, a healthy dose of fear and rest and the ever changing mountains.

Banana and Cardamom Tarte Tatin, a recipe as a reminder of some of the amazing patisserie I have seen. Slices of Apricot Tarte Tatin caught my eye, each apricot arranged like jewels, shining with syrup, lined up in the window surrounded by other delicacies. This recipe was easier to find and sounds a great combination of flavours.

Returning home and opening up the pages of my favourite blogs it has been a treat to see the spring activity, so much creation. Now rested I can appreciate what is possible in a week and am excited by how much has happened.

carte postale

Snow show. I am off to a snowy place in France, something like this perhaps. Bon bon! Here's a Snowball treat.

current thread

Material World from the Guardian's Saturday magazine. An inspiring read featuring these wonderful designers, each interpreting fibres in an individual style.




























Ruth Cross.




































Laura McCafferty. Graduate of Nottingham Trent University.

































Eleanor Pritchard. Beautiful blankets as seen gently folded over the arm of a Scandinavian chair at the sadly closed hygge Islington shop.


















Anne Kyyrö Quinn.

I felt the heat of the sun at lunch time today, stirring thoughts of summertime. Strawberry and rhubarb almond yoghurt ice lollies from Nordljus.

green beginning

My window box which inspires me daily.

Thank you Stephanie of littlebirds, firstly for making me think deeply and secondly for introducing sew green. Good luck with the exhibition.

I am excited to read others with thoughts to make a positive change in our relentlessly destructive society. Looking forward to see how sew green develops with great interest.

I read in the paper tonight London's great old Plane trees are threatened because of insurance threat. It makes my blood boil to think ancient trees may be removed because they could possibly topple over and possibly hit something or someone and the only consequence considered is money. The high winds of January destroyed so many trees tragically that it confounds me to read such idiotic ideas, life is what risk offers.

The leading news tonight is both major political parties in England have been talking environmental policy today. Awareness and knowledge must be shared, so much damage occurs every day. I want to be a part of a lasting positive change.

Bye Bye Icecaps by howies.

olde fashioned

Antique Seed Packets, hand lithographed gems.

Watercress Salad with Blood Oranges, in a nod to these beautiful slices.

a needle & thread

Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Céline Dupuy arrived in a parcel today. A wonderful book of beautifully styled ideas and practical projects, I bought it from the look of the cover and I am so pleased.

Hazelnut Macaroon Sandwiches, a little more Parisian influence.

warbling

Louise Body Wallprint, here a wallpaper design and two of her luxurious cushions. I spotted this wallpaper adorning the counter at Oliver Bonas.

My lovely bloom print arrived in the post today, an exciting envelope to return home to. Reading more I have discovered this wonderful post by onegirl.

Tartiflette, inspiration for a grand potato dish from this recipe by Lucy's Kitchen Notebook.

simply delicious

Brand new simply breakfast, from simply photo. Looking forward to seeing this collection develop, so inspiring for the most important meal I never leave enough time for. There's a wonderful sense of peace, indulgence in time and occasion in these images.

Jen's most-delicious-oatmeal recipe.

paper parade

Egg Press


































































Hello! Lucky



































Snow & Graham

A luxurious indulgent bake Triple Chocolate Espresso Bean Cookies, sounds like a special treat.

floral outline

Notebooks, badges and a postcard from Jill Bliss. There is a lot more to see at Jill Bliss' website, including a blog and a link to her blissen shop. A beautifully whimsical style and full of floral inspiration.

Equally inspired by port2port's new photo & print project.

Herbs spring to mind from the botanical illustration and the photograph of the cold frame - Potato-parsley Scones. Once a favourite of mine when I could buy Parsley Scones from the Salisbury W.I. market. I need to compare this recipe to my memory of them.

green start

March, fresh lively greens from the earthiness of winter. New beginnings.

I was carried away today by reading 'onegirl = canadian hands designing and creating in melbourne, thrift shopping, glossy magazines, roasted almonds, green tea, muted colours (grey blue, pale pistachio green, dusty pink, soft dove grey, the creamiest cream, pale turquoise, rusty orange), crisp linen, wool felt, organic pottery, tiny seashells, bonsai, woodcut prints, chamomile, the patterns of wood, scandinavian design, japanese craft books, line drawings, dark chocolate, hand dying fabric...'

How perfect and lovely that colour hints can take you on a visual journey. I have bought the print bloom from onegirl. Beautiful colours combined.

Green is for spring, fresh green recipes for a new season from delicious:days, redesigned and reorganised.

green asparagus tart with potatoes
Recipe source: Genießen mit Gästen, Alastair Hendy, p.45, adapted
Prep time: 20min., baking: 25-30min.

serves 3-4:
a bunch of green asparagus (about 12 pieces)
2 large potatoes, sliced
3-4 tbsp olive oil
puff pastry, cut into shape
75g Gruyere, grated
2 eggs, lightly beaten
100ml Crème double
a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
sea salt & freshly ground pepper

Cut off the asparagus’ tougher stalk ends (about 1-2 inches/3-5 cm). Blanch the asparagus briefly for 1 to 2 minutes in boiling, lightly salted water, then transfer to a bowl with ice water (to preserve its fresh green color and overall quality).

Peel and thinly slice potatoes (3-4 mm) and add to a pot with a few spoons of olive oil. Carefully pan-fry potatoes over low to medium heat for about 5-8 minutes (don’t let them brown). Then remove the slices from the pot.

Grease a suitable rectangular tart (8 inch/20 cm) form with butter, arrange puff pastry and form a small rim. Using a fork, stab little holes all over the arranged puff pastry. On top, add a layer of potato slices and sprinkle with grated Gruyère.

Combine eggs and Crème double in a bowl, season with sea salt, freshly ground pepper and nutmeg and pour over the potatoes/Gruyère. Now arrange asparagus spears equally across the tart. You may want to brush the tart edges with melted butter or egg yolk to let it gain a nice golden color while baking.

Bake at 180°C (360°F) in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes.