All posts filed under: home & garden

Pink Inspirational Thoughts

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The first eight days of October are a rush of memories, dreams and thoughts for me. For everyday from the first to the eighth someone I know celebrates a birthday. I have to admit I’ve fallen into the jaws of modern technology, and in the rush opted to send electronic messages by phone and social networking sites, but with inspirational comments this week and visual boards that I created today, I’ve been inspired to make my own cards, write in them, create a little something special  in each and send them to everyone of my friends and family. Written, signed, sealed and delivered!   We all know that giving or sending greeting cards is a simple and effective way of staying in touch, adding a truly personal touch and reaching out to those we care about, but where did the greeting card come from? The first civilization to employ the use of greeting cards was the ancient Chinese, who used them for the purpose of conveying New Year’s wishes. The earliest paper greeting card in …

Italian Almond Cupcakes

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On visiting Tandy’s blog, Lavender and Lime her challenge for this week was to bake something sweet using almonds. Looking through some new acquired cookbook magazines, my Mum asked if I had tried a  recipe  – Italian Almond Cupcakes….on the same day visiting Tandy’s blog. Coincidence –  I decided to try the recipe and link back to join Tandy and her baking challenge. On further research of the recipe…the advertisement in the magazine was saying Italian Almond Cupcakes and the main ingredient  –  Dilmah’s Exceptional Tea. An adventure begins…

A Circle of friends

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  Sometimes life gets so busy, we change, things change us. Sometimes directions in life are easy, sometimes a little harder. We all set ourselves goals, day by day, week by week…month by month…and even next year. Every week I set myself some weekly goals to visit my circle of friends. Those whose blogs I adore to look at, read, comment and get inspired from. Our circles of friends are all different. We all have different passions. Those who write poems, who create in their kitchens, who paint, who make tea, who capture things through the lens…and you my friend, are part of my circle, and how lonely my life would be without you. Today, I wanted to share with you, a reflective corner of blue and white. The changing blue skies and those soft romantic white clouds, are finally appearing and reflecting a new Spring/ Summer . “The whole earth was brimming sunshine that morning. She tripped along, the clear sky pouring liquid blue into her soul”  Theodore Dreiser Blue and White china mugs…can’t …

Baking Vanilla Apple Cake

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My goodness, its been a while since I’ve baked something, so I’m happy to share this moment with you. The sun was shining through the windows and the kitchen had a warming magnetism, and in my head I could hear a voice saying come on Yvette, get creative and make something delicious for morning tea.   So not resisting, I made something that I know the children love as well. The fruit bowl had an overload of apples, so the choice was easy Vanilla Apple Cake. This my friends is a little something, petite isn’t it. It’s a Royal Albert petite china Christmas decoration. Design ‘Old Country Roses’. The little cup is actually joined to the saucer and has a beautiful ribbon with embossed gold calligraphy. Can you imagine your Christmas tree decorated with these and full of fairy lights. I know you won’t be able to resist this apple cake, so read on for the recipe…

Black Beauty

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If there’s one thing that I can’t resist its a rose, her beauty and her perfume. This week saw the last of the rose blooms in the garden, and the scent of black beauty just had to be brought inside to perfume the whole house for the last time before Spring blooms again. Hope you have some special time on the weekend, some leisure time to walk around your garden, and maybe smell the roses. Yvette…x

Chocolate custard cream horns

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Life in the kitchen has been missed. However, this week we had an opportunity to make something to satisfy our sweet tooth desires. Chocolate custard and cream filled pastry horns. What a mouth full, I can assure you the title is long but the recipe is simple.   I recommend this treat to anyone who doesn’t have much time to spare, if your planning a dinner time treat. Simplicity as it’s highest! Read on for the recipe.

Texture Tuesday:Breathe

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Inspirational photo sharing today with Kim Klassen’s Texture Tuesday, our photo project for this week was to add words to one of our chosen photo’s, add some texture, and c r e a t e . “Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by it’s breathtaking moments” Michael Vance I created this image by: Base Photo + Texture: Just Cause KK + Texture: Sweetart KK + Texture: Pourvous KK + adjustments on film grain and soft focus. Added text and colour. Lilies are another one of my favourites next to roses, a regal beauty with it’s silken petals and refined beauty.In full bloom  or even tightly closed buds I love these stunning and fragrant flowers. Find more inspirational photo’s by visiting Kim Klassen’s Cafe Have a great day Yvette…x Related articles Texture Tuesday – Light(yvettesblogs.com) Texture Tuesday – Vintage (yvettesblogs.com)

Principles of Motherhood

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If it was going to be easy, it never would have started with something called ‘labor’ The best way to keep kids at home is to make the home a pleasant atmosphere – and to let the air out of the tires. The joy of motherhood: What a woman experiences when all the children are finally in bed. Life’s golden age is when the kids are too old to need baby-sitters and too young to borrow the family car. Any child can tell that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble. Grandparents are similar to a piece of string – handy to have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of grandchildren. There are three ways to get something done:Do it yourself,hire someone to do it, or forbid your children to do it. Adolescence is the age when children try to bring up their parents. Oh to be only half as wonderful as my child thought I was when he was small, and half as …

Egg-static!

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What a lovely way to celebrate Spring, combined with a touch of Easter. Another Spring theme teaset  from my sister’s collectables. Royal Worcester – Arcadia. Tiny petite pastel flowers. Accompanied by my handmade salted encrusted eggs –tutorial found here. Sprinkle a little light in your day…read on for more…