Author: Yvette

Ocean Table Bliss

Published by

The Summer weather is here, and believe me I’m enjoying every minute of it. The ocean blues,fine white beach sand, shells, and candlelight set the mood for a great Summer feeling to a table setting. Easy entertaining… A photo of a ocean scene or a memorable holiday photo,gives that personal touch to an easy conversation – fun holiday memories… I added a glass vase with mixed sized shells… A white linen tea towel makes a great centre table runner, I used as a base white plates, that way any colour scheme can be immerged into the setting. I added blue and white side plates and blue glassware… I had scallop shells saved away,and these are a great ocean theme accessory, place one facedown, and rest the other on top, place a small tea lamp candle inside. These are also great accessories for outside partying, lighting a pathway or around the table at ground level. Using blue napkins…now here’s a personal choice..yes I love white linen “real napkins” but  with the unlimited use of paper napkins with their colors and …

Color My World

Published by

One of those fun memories,popped into my head, an image,a song and there  it stayed for the rest of the day. Maybe,it had greater meaning? It’s a vivid and clear image of when I was younger,visiting my grandparents on their farm, I’m standing around the piano with my cousins singing while my aunty is playing the piano. I still remember the music sheet, with it’s purple cover…”Colour My World” a Petula Clark song. Do you remember it? Oh, you can color my world with sunshine yellow each day. Oh, you can color my world with happiness all the way Just take the green from the grass and the blue from the sky up above! And if you color my world just paint it with your love! Just Color my World. Sunshine yellow Orange blossoms Laughing faces Everywhere Just Color my World. It’s fitting today as I reach another passing year, another 40 something birthday that this song and image came into my mind book of memories. It was a time, fun and happy and though …

Carole…a colourful visit

Published by

Carole is a city of ancient history. It’s a beautiful, historical sea – side tourist and holiday spot. The cathedral and the bell tower are of the year 1000, two important monuments in Carole, and the  history of Carole follows an evolution the same as Venice. The historical centre, closed to traffic is a buzz, filled with tourists and locals, street cafe’s, bar’s,restaurants and fabulous shopping. A relaxed Summer vacation spot. The shops sell their local goods from ceramics, linen,wines,chocolates,and ice-cream. It’s one of those special spots where you can sit outside along the cafe strip,on relaxed chairs,red and white checked tablecloths an espresso or a glass of prosecco in hand and watch the world go by. Today, the beach of Carole offers to the tourists who come to visit this part of Italy, all it’s beauty,with it’s fine sand, colourful beach fronts and a view of the Adriatic Sea. The two coasts, the West and East are pleasantly interrupted by a huge stone wall. A beautiful scenic walk along the Adriatic from the beachfront …

Salmon & Prawn Pie

Published by

This pie is light and crunchy at the same time, with it’s unique combination of flavours its truly one to put in your recipe log book. The zest and juice of an orange gives this pie a citrus light flavour and the crunch of filo pastry is a sheer delight. Recipe:Salmon & Prawn Pie 6 sheets of filo pastry 2 leeks 400 grams prawns 1 salmon filet 200 ml fresh liquid cream 2 eggs 60 grams butter salt, pepper 1 orange (zest and juice)   Preparation: Pre – heat oven 180°C Clean and wash prawns, wash orange,peel and slice finely the zest of the orange and juice. Slice leeks finely, heat 30 grams of butter in pan and cook leeks until transparent, about 5 minutes.Add the zest and juice of orange.Turn the heat up, and cook for 5 minutes. Add the prawns and sliced salmon. Season with salt and pepper.Turn off heat. Beat 2 eggs, add the liquid cream, season with salt and pepper. Add the prawn mixture to the egg mixture and stir lightly. …

Il Contadino

Published by

The Farmer. This week in our wheel of agricultural life, harvesting canola started. It’s a whirlwind when harvesting crops, our courtyard is a swirl of green machine harvesters, tractors and trailers. Early starts, packed lunches,bottles of fresh water, ice bricks and an energy supply of cereal bars and chocolate. Canola is our first crop ready for the season. The fields of vibrant yellow earlier in the year when the crop’s in flower is just breathtaking. A little close up… The “farm boys” are grown men with little toys when it comes to the heavy machinery, they look after them, clean and maintain them, and take real pride in them when they’re on the road.Security is the number one factor. The harvester is so big for the small winding roads here,that anyone on the road has to stop to let them pass. Yes, this is rural Italy. The harvester has it’s own permit and escort to transfer around on the road. The end result at this stage are very fine,tiny granules,canola seeds. This harvest of canola …

Remember When

Published by

  An Italian friend of mine asked me to translate this song for him, he loved the melody and wanted to know the meaning of the words, as he had discovered a new country sound of Alan Jackson…after the first time listening to it, the second, the third it became also one of my favourites…there’s  a real message. Reading Buttercups blog today, her link can be found in my blogroll…she asked, “whats your song”, for the moment this is my song,Remember When a few minutes of quiet and serenity,to reflect on the little precious things in our life, the people close to us, and those not within arms reach…. hope you enjoy!