Torenia Wishbone Flowers

Let's talk about the allure of Torenia Wishbone Flowers!

And learn about their edibilty.

Torenia is a plant that produces distinctive blooms that are affectionately dubbed 'Wishbone' flowers.

They are delightful plants that infuse a burst of color and charm into any shady garden setting. Their distinctive shape, fragrance and mesmerising array of hues make these blossoms a favorite.

The plant hails from the lush, sub-tropical expanses of Africa and Asia, and prefers part or full shade conditions.

They don't tolerate full sun, but enjoy dappled light.

You can treat the plant as an annual and overwinter the potted plant inside the house.

Torenia plants are characterised by:

💜 Stunning green serrated edged foliage that beautifully accentuates the small delicate blooms.

💙A unique petal configuration that resembles a wishbone, lending the plant its whimsical name.

💚 A vibrant spectrum of colors, including shades of violet, deep blue, pink, yellow and pure white. Often with contrasting throats or spots.

 The versatility of Torenia Wishbone Flowers makes them a stunning choice for various landscaping endeavors:

💜 They enhance the beauty of flower beds and borders, creating a lush, colorful tapestry.

💙 They are ideal for hanging baskets or containers, as they will gracefully trail and spill over, adding elegance to vertical spaces.

💚 They attract a host of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity and the overall vitality of your garden.

Torenia is also non-toxic to children and animals.

In fact, you can eat the flowers!

The flavour is mild and slightly sweet.

You can use them as garnishes in desserts, cocktail drinks and salads, or to beautify a platter of hors d'oeuvres.

 

They also create lovely icy floral garnishes.

Frozen in ice using cube trays, to add to cold drinks.

Note: The Torenia variety I have featured in this blog post is 'Yellow Moon'

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Easy Mini Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts

Indulging in a delightful dessert doesn't have to be a complex task. These easy mini blueberry cheesecake tarts are the perfect solution for satisfying your sweet cravings without spending hours in the kitchen. 

With the vibrant berry taste of frozen and fresh blueberries  paired with the creamy texture of cheesecake, these treats are an exquisite fusion of flavours.

Why Use Premade Sweet Shortcake Tart Bases?

One of the best secrets to making this dessert easy and effortless is using premade sweet sweet shortcake tart bases. These little gems cut down on preparation time and allow you to focus on the fun part - creating the creamy cream cheese berry filling.!

Simply fill each tart base with your homemade cheesecake mixture and top with fresh blueberries. 

Using pre-made tart cases saves time, and ensures a perfect crust every time, freeing you from the worry and time required to bake them.

When you need a dessert in a hurry, or a platter for a function these Easy Mini Blueberry Tarts are your answer.

They taste amazing.

They look stunning.

Mini Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts

Ingredients

 12 premade sweet shortcake tart cases

 1 cup of cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup of sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup of soft butter

 2 Tablespoons of powdered icing sugar

1/3 cup frozen blueberries

 1 Tablespoon of fresh lemon or orange juice

1/3 cup fresh blueberries for topping

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, use electric beaters, to beat the softened cream cheese with the powdered sugar, lemon juice and sweetened condensed milk until creamy and thick.

2. Then add the frozen blueberries and beat again for one minute until the purple from the berries colours the mixture.

3. Spoon the thick cheesecake mixture into each tart base.

4. Top with fresh blueberries and sieve more powdered icing sugar over the tarts.

5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutritional Benefits of Fresh Blueberries

Beyond their delightful flavour, blueberries come packed with nutritional benefits. They are known as "brain food," blueberries and are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which can support cognitive function.

Incorporating blueberries into your diet can be a delicious way to boost your brain health and support your overall well-being.

They are also a superb addition to a smoothie health drink.

Decorate The Platter

  For a special occasion, decorate the platter with fresh flowers.

I used blue Lobelia sprigs from my garden.

Printable recipe is HERE.

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St Patrick's Day Home Decor Decorating

Our project today is to make the final two things for our St Patrick's day decor and create the mini vignette.

Over the past week, for St Patrick's Day, we have created:

A Beaded Garland

A Shamrock Art Frame

Today, we are crafting a flower vase by upcycling a tin can,

and making a mini pot of gold.

TO MAKE:

Beaded Can Vase

     

Can

Gold spray paint

Wire

Beads

Glue Gun

Fresh flowers and greenery

.

Spray paint the can gold.

Leave to dry.

Cut wire to fit around the can leaving enough extra to twist and tighten the two ends.

Thread the beads onto the wire.

Use the hot glue to position the centre bead. 

Put several dobs of glue around the can centre to hold the beads in place.

Carefully twist wire ends together at the back of the can.

Fill with water and add flowers of your choice.

.

Mini Pot of Gold

 Small glass pot without lid

(I used a honey taste test pot)

Gold spray paint

A gold gauze jewellery bag

Gold chains and jewellery bits

(I had the broken ones in my stash, but you could buy cheap Dollar Store gold jewellery)

.

Spray paint jar gold.

When the paint is dry, push the gold gauze bag into the pot.

Then take your chosen gold jewellery pieces and drape them over the gauze.

.

Now it is time to put all the St Patrick's Day elements together into one decor vignette.

The base of the St Patrick's vignette is a round rattan place mat.

I used a small wood slice to place under the can vase.

And filled it with golden, yellow and orange flowers, with sprays of foliage.

Then added the shamrock art frame, the little pot of gold and the beaded lucky garland.

The end result is a stylish St Patrick's Day mini vignette. 

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