Coatesville Gardens visit

Recently I had a lovely day out with

friends visiting the 

country gardens of

Coatesville.

We managed to see six or seven gardens

and the best by far was

'Woodbridge'

a garden of national significance.

It has been lovingly created over 21 years

with an artist's eye for colour and design.

A charming garden shed...

I love the title bestowed upon the

creator of this garden!

Some corrugated iron chooks

to keep Christine company!

...and some real ones too!

The woodland garden was so peaceful

and calming.

I felt the stress of city life disappear

 as I wandered along the pathways

enjoying the inspiring vistas.

Some pretty Alstromerias - I have to

have some of these in my new garden...

A favourite cranesbill of mine,

blue in the garden
has such a calming effect!

I'm pretty sure it's botanical name is

Geranium Pratense - Meadow Cranesbill.

Can someone enlighten me please?

Thank you dear friends for visiting

my blog and leaving a comment.

Most of you are American or Canadian

I thought you might appreciate a

little reminder of gardens in

Summer to carry you through

the depths of Winter!

I would love you to visit

Sandy at

http://aquillcottagechristmas.blogspot.com/

she has created this special blog

to inspire us to make Christmas 2012

full of beauty!

Thank you dear Sandy.

WELCOME

to my new followers,

I'm so happy to meet you - thank you!

Take care dear friends and

be kind to one another!

Joyeux Noël

Shane ♥

Christmas came early for me....

Dear friends, I feel so lucky...

I was one of the winners of 

Marie's  divine 'French Christmas'

Giveaway!

Every time I've visited her blog

Lost Bird Studio

 I've been inspired by

her dreamy creations .

... but when her magical parcel arrived

it was much much more than I imagined.

I couldn't believe how beautifully

everything was presented...

the exquisite angels wings tied on

top of the parcel with ribbon...

this is Marie to a T

the detail is breathtaking.

Also tied to the parcel was such a sweet card

(French inspired - just what I love)

with a lovely message...

The lace detail on the top of the stocking

so beautifully finished with a pearl and rhinestone brooch.

Marie included one of her trademark

soldered embellishments too

it's so delicate

and this sweet wire heart

with a soldered 'Noel' tied with delicate lace

... and these lovely vintage tree decorations

all in silver and white

my favourite colours for Christmas.

Merci Marie

I feel very spoilt!!!

I'm linking to Becky at

Blissful Whites Wednesday

WELCOME

to my new followers and thank you
you to everyone for popping in and
leaving such lovely  comments.

Take care and be kind to one another
hugs 
Shane ♥

Joyeux Noel

Delicious - Rolled Pavlova Recipe

Rosewater, pistachio and raspberry Rolled Pavlova 

Hello dear friends

here at last is Jennie's Pavlova recipe I promised!

Rosewater, Pistachio & Raspberry rolled Pavlova
(A quintessential New Zealand dessert)

Ingredients

• Sunflower or vegetable oil for greasing
• 4 egg whites
• 225g caster sugar
• 2 tsp cornflour
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1-2 Tbsp rosewater. plus an extra 2 tsp
• ⅓ cup chopped raw pistachios
• 300ml cream
• 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

Method

1. Preheat oven to 150˚C. Grease the base of a 36cm x 26cm Swiss roll tin. Line with tin foil, brushing lightly with the oil. 
2. Place the egg whites into a spotlessly clean bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in the sugar a couple of dessertspoons at a time, until the meringue is stiff and glossy.
3. In a separate small bowl mix together the cornflour, vinegar and rosewater to form a runny paste and lightly whisk into the beaten meringue mixture. 
4. Spread the meringue mixture into the prepared tin, making sure it is spread evenly into the corners. Sprinkle the top with the pistachios. Bake in pre-heated oven for 20-25 minutes until firm but still soft in the centre. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely.
5. When completely cold, whip cream and extra rosewater to a thick but not too stiff consistency. Turn meringue out onto a large fresh sheet of tinfoil. Gently peel away the original tinfoil from the meringue. Spread meringue with whipped cream, avoiding the edges and scatter evenly with the raspberries. With the help of the tin foil roll up the meringue. Wrap rolled meringue in the tin foil and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 
6. To serve, cut into thick slices and serve with extra raspberries on the side.     

Bon appétit mon amis!

Last Saturday I joined friends on a garden tour

of country houses and gardens dressed for

Christmas.

I'll be back in a couple of days to tell you all about it!

Please check out the four beautiful
"GIVEAWAYS"
on my sidebar.
Patty's beautiful white brush Christmas Trees here
Mariette's lovely Cross Stitch Kit here
Rhonda's sweet Inspiration Bundle here and
Suzy's exquisite Christmas Celebration collage here
Bonne Chance

WELCOME
to my new followers and thank you
you to everyone for popping in and
leaving such lovely comments.

Take care and be kind to one another
hugs 

Shane ♥