Thursday, 9 February 2012
Pink Valentine & A Giveaway Winner!
A delightful blog which I recently discovered, at Beverley's Pink Saturday gathering, is Over the Rainebeau. A wonderful place where talented artist Lorraine showcases her gorgeous altered art creations and shares vintage images every Friday.
I saw these beautiful vintage Valentines there and knew they would be perfect for a scrapbook page I had planned.
I used them in my take on the February Sketch Challenge layout over at The Scrapbook Haven and I'm chuffed to say that it has been chosen to feature in the gallery this week.
Now, drum roll please..................... it's time to announce the winner of The World of Downton Abbey giveaway!! Everyone who answered the question "How did Pamuk die" answered C - which is correct, so give yourselves a pat on the back! but there can be only one winner and that is Riet @ Riet's photoblog
Riet is a very talented photographer who lives in the Netherlands where she finds inspiration all around for the beautiful mosaics which she creates. If you haven't already met Riet then do take a few minutes to check out her blog, I'm sure you'll be glad that you did. Linking this post to the mega Valentine's Par-tay @ Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie and sweet Beverley @ How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday. The Tablescaper just stopped by and asked me to link this post to Seasonal Sundays. too.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
L is for Lego Liberty Bell
In November 2010 heading back home after our Hilton Head vacation we were on our way to catch a connecting flight to Paris CDG when we passed this amazing sight situated between gates A15 and A16 at PHL, Philadelphia PA.
A life size Liberty Bell created from white lego,
perfect in every detail including the crack!
I don't know if it's still there
but if you ever find yourself in Terminal A at PHL
you really should go and take a look.
It is amazing.
Joining Jenny @ off on my tangent for Alphabe-Thursday
where the letter L is lording it today.
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Saturday, 4 February 2012
The World of Downton Abbey - a Giveaway!
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Jessica Fellowes the author of The World of Downton Abbey is an established writer and editor. She has worked for the Mail on Sunday and for four years was Deputy Editor of Country Life magazine.
"Downton Abbey portrays a world of elegance and decadence, a world of duty and obedience and a world of romance and rivalry: this companion book, full of rich historical detail, takes fans deeper into that period than ever before.
Step inside one of the most beautiful houses in Britain, past Carson the butler at the front door and into the grand hallway. Catch a glimpse of the family having drinks in the drawing room before dinner, dressed in their evening finery, whilst Lord Grantham finishes writing a letter in his study. Then climb the grand sweeping staircase to the maze of rooms upstairs and peak through Lady Mary’s open door to see Anna, her maid, tidying scent bottles and jewellery on the ornate dressing table. Follow Anna down the servants’ stairs and into the kitchens to watch Mrs Patmore frantically preparing dinner. Mrs Hughes keeps a watchful eye from her study and the world of Downton comes alive before you.
Experience the inner workings of the downstairs life and be dazzled by the glamour of upstairs life with profiles of all the major characters, interviews with the actors, behind the scenes insights and in-depth information on costumes and props."
Amazon review.
When Downton Abbey first appeared on British TV screens on Sunday evenings during the autumn of 2010 it was a huge success and received many awards and nominations and I was hooked!
The second series which aired last autumn and the Christmas special that followed were even better (no spoilers but who doesn't love a happy ending?) and I’m very happy that a third series has been commissioned and will be shown later this year.
To receive this beautiful book on Christmas morning was the icing on the cake.
The photographs throughout are wonderful and it is packed with historical facts and information about life in England before, during and after the First World War, and the changes wrought as a result of it.
“Before the First World War, 1.4 million people were employed as domestic servants. It was one of the largest single employment groups – just outnumbering agricultural workers and coal miners – and was largely made up of women. Around 15 – 20 per cent of this number would have been working in the houses of the nobility and the landed gentry”.
To win a brand new copy of The World of Downton Abbey (I’m keeping mine!) all you have to do is answer this question correctly.
In series one Kemal Pamuk, the son of a Turkish Diplomat, was a guest at Downton - how did he die?
Was it:
a) He was thrown from his horse whilst out riding with the Hunt
b) He choked on a fish bone during dinner
c) He suffered a heart attack whilst making love to Lady Mary
To receive 1 chance to win just leave a comment, answer the question correctly and your name will be entered into the draw twice.
The winners name will be picked at random and announced in my post when I join Laurie's Valentine's par-tay on Friday, February 10th.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Pinterest pinks
I just signed up today and although I'm still a nervous pinner I am getting the hang of things, I think!
Sharing some pinks,
that I discovered whilst finding my way around Pinterest,
with Beverley @ How Sweet The Sound
and all the other Pink Saturday participants.
Tomorrow I'll be posting my Downton Abbey giveaway, be sure to come back then.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
Alphabe- Thursday - K is for Kedgeree
For Alphabe - Thursday this week with Mrs Matlock a dish you might not have tried - Kedgeree.
Kedgeree is an Anglo – Indian dish of onions, basmati rice, cooked smoked haddock, peas, hard boiled eggs, curry powder, parsley, cream and butter which was introduced into Victorian Britain from colonial India.
It is a very simple dish to make and perfect for brunch or supper.
In series one of Downton Abbey kedgeree is one of the first dishes that Mrs Patmore prepares for Lord and Lady Grantham and "the girls".
Some people make kedgeree using leftover rice and fish but like Mrs Patmore I make it from scratch!
Using the ingredients mentioned above, this is what you do……………..
In a large pan poach 250g undyed smoked haddock (+ 2 bay leaves) in 250 ml of water for about 5 minutes, drain and reserve the cooking liquor.
Discard the bay leaves and flake the fish into bite size pieces.
Put 100g basmati rice in a small saucepan with the reserved cooking liquor, simmer until rice is cooked. Remove from the heat and allow to stand until all the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
Meanwhile place 2 (or 3 if you’re hungry) large, free range eggs in a saucepan of cold water, bring to the boil and cook for about 8 minutes.
Remove the eggs when cooked and plunge into a shallow bowl of ice water, when they are cool enough to handle peel the eggs and cut each one into quarters, set aside.
In a small saucepan cook 50g of frozen peas, whilst this is happening melt 20g of butter and 1 table sp sunflower oil in a large frying pan. Add a finely chopped onion and fry gently until cooked and slightly golden in colour. Add 1 tablesp of curry powder and fry for another couple of minutes.
Tip the cooked basmati rice and drained peas in with the curried onions.
Next add 2 table sp chopped parsley, 2 table sp crème fraiche, flaked haddock and quartered hard boiled eggs.
Pop a lid on the pan and cook gently until the eggs and fish are warmed through.
Transfer to a serving dish or dot some butter over the top of the kedgeree, cover with foil and place in a preheated oven to keep hot until needed.
Serves 2 if they’re hungry and 3 if they’re not.
Talking of Mrs Patmore…………….are you a Downton fan?
Do you prefer upstairs or downstairs?
Do you know which character asked:
“A weekend. What is a weekend”?
Or who said:
“Friends? Who does she think she’s fooling? We’re not friends.”
Whether you’ve only just met the Cawleys, or can find your way around Downton as easily as Thomas the footman, call back here at the weekend for a chance to win The World Of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes.
Joining Jenny Matlock @ off on my tangent
for Alphabe-Thursday
where the letter K is our subject this week.
Kedgeree is an Anglo – Indian dish of onions, basmati rice, cooked smoked haddock, peas, hard boiled eggs, curry powder, parsley, cream and butter which was introduced into Victorian Britain from colonial India.
It is a very simple dish to make and perfect for brunch or supper.
In series one of Downton Abbey kedgeree is one of the first dishes that Mrs Patmore prepares for Lord and Lady Grantham and "the girls".
Some people make kedgeree using leftover rice and fish but like Mrs Patmore I make it from scratch!
Using the ingredients mentioned above, this is what you do……………..
In a large pan poach 250g undyed smoked haddock (+ 2 bay leaves) in 250 ml of water for about 5 minutes, drain and reserve the cooking liquor.
Discard the bay leaves and flake the fish into bite size pieces.
Put 100g basmati rice in a small saucepan with the reserved cooking liquor, simmer until rice is cooked. Remove from the heat and allow to stand until all the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
Meanwhile place 2 (or 3 if you’re hungry) large, free range eggs in a saucepan of cold water, bring to the boil and cook for about 8 minutes.
Remove the eggs when cooked and plunge into a shallow bowl of ice water, when they are cool enough to handle peel the eggs and cut each one into quarters, set aside.
In a small saucepan cook 50g of frozen peas, whilst this is happening melt 20g of butter and 1 table sp sunflower oil in a large frying pan. Add a finely chopped onion and fry gently until cooked and slightly golden in colour. Add 1 tablesp of curry powder and fry for another couple of minutes.
Tip the cooked basmati rice and drained peas in with the curried onions.
Next add 2 table sp chopped parsley, 2 table sp crème fraiche, flaked haddock and quartered hard boiled eggs.
Transfer to a serving dish or dot some butter over the top of the kedgeree, cover with foil and place in a preheated oven to keep hot until needed.
Serves 2 if they’re hungry and 3 if they’re not.
Talking of Mrs Patmore…………….are you a Downton fan?
Do you prefer upstairs or downstairs?
Do you know which character asked:
“A weekend. What is a weekend”?
Or who said:
“Friends? Who does she think she’s fooling? We’re not friends.”
The Rivalry and Romance Revealed and the Secrets and History unlocked.
Joining Jenny Matlock @ off on my tangent
for Alphabe-Thursday
where the letter K is our subject this week.
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