Linaria at Mia Bella Gardens...

Don't you just LOVE the colours of these sweet flowers...
It's early summer and day by day 
 Mia Bella Gardens is changing as the plants begin to bloom.
These darling flowers are called Linaria
and they are wonderful self-seeders...
They just flower, and flower for such a long time,
with dainty little snap-dragon like flowers. 
So lovely to pick for posies too...
                                                          

Coconut Pavlovas...

Do you know what a pavlova is?
Well here is a history lesson on this most delicious dessert...
Pavlova is a dessert named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova.
Source: http://www.russianballethistory.com/annapavlovathelegend.htm

It is a meringue dessert with a crisp crust and marshmallow inside.
The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer during one of her tours to New Zealand and Australia in the 1920's...
It has been a source of argument as to which country was the first to create it ever since!
The pavlova is an important part of the national cuisine of both countries and is often served at Christmas.
This is what a traditional pavlova looks like:
Source: http://www.theinternetchef.biz/2009/04/how-to-make-pavlova-new-zealand-style/
But today I am sharing a recipe with you that has a twist...
but is equally delicious.
This recipe is from the cookbook of 'Annabel Langbein'
which you can purchase here:
http://www.annabel-langbein.com/
COCONUT PAVLOVAS....
Preheat oven to 160 Celsius
Line a tray with baking paper.
Beat in bowl with electric mixer:
6 egg whites (room Temperature)
a pinch of salt 
When thick and fluffy, add 1 1/2 cups caster sugar.
Beat 10 ,minutes until glossy and thick.
Add 2 teaspoons cornflour and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar
Beat a few seconds. Then very quickly fold in:
1 teaspoon vanilla essence and 1 cup coarse thread coconut.
Drop big spoonfuls onto prepared tray.
The thicker you make them, the more marshmallowy they will be.
Bake 10 minutes, then turn oven down to 130 Celsius.
Bake a further 1 hour until shell is crisp.
Turn off oven and leave to cool.
If you don't use the same day, they store up to a week in an airtight container.
Serve with whipped cream and tropical fruit salad.
Crisp, crunchy outside...
 Soft marshmallow inside...
Topped with whipped cream, 
peaches  and passion-fruit syrup.
YUM!!!





An Iris picture just for you...

Here's a bit of photo shop fun for you...
This is a photograph of a pretty iris in Mia Bella Gardens...
I have made the print look like artwork using photoshop.
Enjoy!

DIY Strawberry Planter Stand....

What a great idea this Strawberry planter stand is....
found this idea on Pinterest 
and whipped it up last weekend!
What do you think?
I'm very happy with it....
 and I can't wait 
to start picking those delicious red strawberries!



KNOBS & a wee bit of shopping..


 My most favourite shop is 'Bed, Bath and Beyond' 
And that is because
I find a bargain EVERY time I visit...
  And look what I found!
Gorgeous knobs to up do a side table and a small chest of drawers...
and the prettiest aqua blue jar.
Love the French Country tone to it...
Love even more the bird on the lid!
So the jar went on the white shelf with the other aqua pieces...
 And the aqua knobs went on the the little chest of drawers.
 Here's a before and after pic...
The bedroom is styled in lavender and white, 
so the aqua just gives it an extra pop of pretty colour!
 I thought the Paris knob would look perfect on this little side table...
so I sawed the old wooden knob off, and attached the new knob...
What do you think? 
Mia Bella Gardens is full of gorgeous spring flowers...
There's scented stock in pinks, mauves and white...
Single and double blooms...

 Clea (Burmese cats are another Mia Bella Passion!)

decided she'd join the photo shoot...


Maybe Clea was after the birds...
No, she just wanted to smell the beautiful flowers!
Isn't she just the sweetest?
Wishing you all a beautiful day today...













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