PASTA AFTERNOON!

We are making the most of having our 'little chef' at home (daughter Georgie) before she jets off to the French alps for the winter season to start a fabulous new job as a chef in a beautiful private chalet.

Tonight it is fresh pasta on the menu, and such was her enthusiasm, we now have gorgeous home made pasta for many yummy meals to come!

A CELEBRATORY 'PINK' WEEKEND!

This past weekend has been a full on celebratory 'pink' weekend!  The house filled with my daughter's closest girlfriends, all staying to belatedly celebrate her 21st birthday which was back in March.  She didn't want the BIG party on this occasion, although she is very much a party kind of girl, but to have a more intimate celebration with her best girl friends, her brothers and grandmother and us. What fun we had!

When we designed and built this house four years ago,  it was always with the intention for it to be enjoyed by everyone.  A place to relax and unwind and enjoy the peace and tranquility, but also a place to fill with family and friends and to party! Although our three children have almost all 'flown the nest', it is still and always will be their home, and a place for their friends to always feel welcome too.

The house has been filled with much girlie laughter and chatting, and I have loved it.  The energy, spark and enthusiasm that these girls had was infectious.....and the noise level high!

Georgie is my talented little chef, with a true passion for cooking and food. Having spent the last two years cooking for private clients in England and around Europe, and about to go off to Val d'Isere in the French Alps to cook in a beautiful private chalet for the winter season.  It was therefore no surprise that her birthday weekend was to involve good food!

Saturday started with a welcome tea party here for the girls with Georgie's beautiful home made cupcakes!

With everyone glammed up for the evening, champagne followed and then on to The Swan at Chapel Down Winery, for a fabulous dinner for 12 at the 'chef's table' - delicious and highly recommended.  Home afterwards for dancing, where the ones with the most stamina were still  partying at 5 am........

Happy, happy birthday darling Georgie! xxx

A WINTER TABLE DECORATION.

'Callum Vulgaris'

At this time of year I love 'Callum Vulgaris' or as I call them, Winter Heathers.  They come in an array of beautiful 'highland' colours and also plain white which I love, but this year it is the mauve and lavender hues that I am drawn to. To be brought in to the house and placed in lavender coloured Kew pots on the dining room table.  I adore these pots and seem to be collecting quite any array of sizes and colours!  Others will be filled with bulbs, being forced to bring in for Christmas. What are your favourite houseplants at this time of year?

Sophia x

A STUNNING NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN THE GARDEN.

This was the view from the kitchen deck this afternoon - a perfect blue sky.............

We have been busy putting the 'potager' to bed for the winter, feeding the raised beds with compost and well rotted manure, in anticipation of a bumper crop of delicious organic vegetables next year.  

Leeks are one of a few winter crops which we are still enjoying harvesting......

My love and obsession with hearts has even made it's way to my new shed......!

Pond in front of the glass dining-room link.......

Our first almonds, almost ready to harvest!

Last of the artichokes.......

Stunning cobwebs on the lawn, illuminated by the winter sunshine.......

Ornamental cabbages are one of my favourites for pots at this time......

Our 'perfect' Oak tree, still holding on to it's beautiful autumn colour for a little longer......

I hope you have also enjoyed your winter Wednesday afternoon, wherever you are?

Sophia x

CHILLI HARVEST!

Chilli  'Basket of Fire'

This year, I am pleased to report, was a very successful year for growing chillies in the greenhouse!  The two main varieties I grew from seed were 'Ring of Fire' and 'Basket of Fire' and as the names suggest - should be handled with caution!

The plants survived one frost recently and although under glass,  I am taking no chances now and have brought them inside.  The better looking ones shall stay as 'houseplants' for now in the kitchen and bootroom and used as and when a fresh chilli is required, and the others shall be picked and dried and should last right through until this time next year. A favourite here at home for cooking in curries and pastas, I also like to make a good winter's stock of  Chilli Jam with them to enjoy over the coming months - delicious with cold meats and cheese, roasts and especially good with sausages.

Below is a favourite recipe from the 'Nigella Christmas' book, which she describes more as a 'chelly', as  it is a combination between jam and jelly, without all the fuss of traditional jelly making with all that straining etc.  Equal quantities of chillies and sweet red pepper are used, but you can increase the ratio of chilli if you like a little more heat!

CHILLI JAM

(makes about 1.5 litres)

150g fresh chillies, deseeded and cut into about 4 pieces

150g red pepper, cored, deseeded and cut into rough chunks

1kg jam sugar

600g cider vinegar

6 x 250ml sealable jars 

• Sterilize your jars and leave to cool.
• Put the cut up chillies into a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped.  Add the chunks of red pepper and pulse again.
• Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar in a wide, medium sized pan over a low heat without stirring.
• Scrape the chilli pepper mixture out of the bowl and add to the pan.  Bring the pan to the boil, then continue to boil at high heat for 10 minutes.
• Take the pan off the heat and allow it to cool.  The liquid will become more syrupy and gradually more jelly like as it cools.
• After about 40 minutes, ladle in to jars and stir gently to disperse the flecks of chilli through the jelly. 
• 
  

 Voila!  The jam can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year, although here at home it vanishes rather quickly!  Once opened, store in the fridge and use within 1 month.

BEAUTIFUL SKY!

A stunning sky - view from my kitchen this dusk!