Breast Cancer Awareness Day...

A friend was coming to Mia Bella Gardens for afternoon tea,
and as yesterday was Breast Cancer Awareness day,
I thought the theme should be PINK!
Arabella agreed on PINK...

 and regally oversaw the preparations...
 Out came the pretty pink English 'Shelley' china...
  with delicate fluted teacups...
and gold rims...
A pink polka dot table runner graced the table,
and pink scented carnations were picked...
A pink bird with rosette wings...
And cupcakes were baked and iced!
 Delicious vanilla cupcakes...
 With buttercream frosting...
 And fondant flowers, hearts and butterflies...
Delicious!





Butterfly Fabric Table Runner...

Because I had soooo much butterfly fabric, 
I made up a couple of table runners for the dining table...
I just adore this fabric...
with the black butterflies and butterfly word in different languages.
I kept it a simple long rectangle to fit the table...
no embellishing needed, as I think the fabric says it all!
Don't you think it is gorgeous?
 The making of this runner
then called for a walk around Mia Bella Gardens 
to pick beautiful flowers to put on the table...
Put them all in a cute French style vintage basket...
 White cinerarias, double scented stock, and Irises...
with a touch of mauve and lemon yellow...
This iris is of the Dutch variety...
 Add a few French Country accessories...
And the tablescape is perfect!

Butterfly fabric...

Oh my!
I have found the most gorgeous French looking butterfly fabric!
The craziest thing is I was actually shopping for some fabric 
to make a new summer skirt...
and then I saw it...
AND I just had to HAVE it!
Sweet Butterflies...
 With the word butterfly... in different languages...
 I purchased 4 metres 
with absolutely no idea what I was to do with it.
Madness I know..
But that is what crazy crafters do!
This stool could do with a little makeover...
And I do need a new table runner...emmm...
So a sewing and reupholstering we will go!
 The little stool was first...
This darling piano stool belonged to my mother in law...
She used it as her dressing table stool.  
It's well and truly 'antique'!
 First I had to pull out a million staples and nails 
to get the original and second fabric covers off...
 Wasn't that old type of wadding revolting stuff!
On went new wadding...
 and the gorgeous butterfly fabric...
Arabella is checking my workwomanship!
Mia Bella Garden cats are big on quality control!
 Add a few more new staples...
Did I mention I am forever grateful to whomever invented the staple gun!
Staple gun = best invention EVER!
 And this is the end result...
 After this do-up, I sewed a lovely table runner to match....
Check out tomorrows post for the end result...
Until then, have a fabulously 'HAPPY' day.


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!!!





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