A New Pot Plant Standard...

Do you ever go into the garden centre,

 and see a plant that is screaming at you 'make me into a standard?'

Well that is what happened with this Ficus.

The main trunk is so straight.

How more perfect is that!

I bought it with no idea where in the house it would go.

But once home decided it was time for a change in the French Masculine Bedroom.

I have had black wrought iron pieces on the side table for too long.

Time for something new.

Time for a pot plant!

So I just repotted the ficus into a bigger plastic pot that would fit inside the display planter.

Then trimmed the plant into a standard by removing the lower leaves.

A slight prune to round it a little was needed.

As the plant grows the shape will improve with regular trimming.
I always like to do this as a gentle slow process.

This fiscus variety is called 'Baby Ben'.

It's a variety that is great for topiary.

They like part shade, so the filtered light in the bedroom,

 and no draughts means it should thrive.

If you like the black & white photographs that are framed above the Ficus, 

they are available HERE on the Mia Bella Passions Photography page for your free personal use.

Choc Chip & Banana Brownie...

It seems I have an overabundance of very ripe bananas in my fruit bowl!

Now that is a great excuse to make brownie don't ya think?

 Chocolate Chip & Banana Brownie to be precise!

 Serve warmed or cold.

With or without cream.

Too make it extra special add some custard.

 It's a very nice lunchbox treat too!

 You'll find the recipe HERE.

To make the stencil for the icing sugar I  printed a butterfly template from the net and cut it out.
Place on each brownie segment, sieve icing sugar over the top, and carefully remove the stencil.
(My gorgeous daughter came up with this idea and it really works!)

Chocolate Chip & Banana Brownie 

Nom Nom!

.

Note: An ingredient conversion chart can be found HERE

Visit My Saatchi Art Print store HERE

#brownie #chocolate #banana #baking #homemade  #cakedecorating

Chocolate Dipped Peanut Cookies

So this is the cookie that is definitely the most moreish of moreish!

Is that even possible?

Believe me - it is!!

And they are SO SIMPLE to make, bake and dip.

 Three ingredients:

A 500 gram pot of crunchy peanut butter

1 Cup of caster sugar

and

1 egg

Mix together.

Roll into balls and press down slightly.

Bake for 8 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.

Remove from oven and cool.

 Melt milk chocoalte.

 Dip each biscuit in the chocolate.

Leave to set.

(These are half dipped, but if you want a little more decadence - chocolate coat the entire top of each biscuit!)

Serve with coffee and devour!

Printable recipe HERE.

#baking #homemade #peanutbutter #chocolate #cookies

New Photographic Inspirational For YOU...

Have you got a mood or dream board?

I have two!

One in my office and one in my art studio...

The boards are covered in photographs and inspirationals - 

from quotes, art ideas,  garden and decor dreams.

If you are a regular to Mia Bella Passions blog,

you have probably worked out I am quite fond of photographic inspirationals.

This is the latest...a pretty peach dahlia,

with the words that 'Passion Changes Everything'.

Because I believe it does!

#quote #quotes #flowerquote #dahlia