Red Rhododendron Love...

This red rhododendron is always the first to flower each Spring...

With huge buds bursting open...

over the entire plant!

The variety is a mystery...
 as it was planted in 'Mia Bella Gardens' 20 years ago, 
well before the importance of keeping plant labels was understood!

But I am sure you will appreciate its beauty...

Even though it remains nameless!

It is loving a semi shaded position in Mia Bella Gardens....

And what a stunning display of red and green reminiscent of Christmas...

which reminds me...

I have a Christmas project list awaiting,

- have a wonderful day my friends!

Art Deco cabinet upcycle: from ugly to beautiful!

This old Art deco wooden china cabinet 

is yet another of my love/hate relationships!

I love the shape of it,

 and simply adore the lead light panels, 

but I sooooo hate the wood!!

In my minds eye I pictured this painted white.

But one day while looking at furniture on 'Trade Me', 

I came across this very cabinet that somebody had upcycled, 

by painting it-
 solid - shiny - white.
EEEEKKKKK!!!

It looked disgraceful!!!

And so my cabinet has remained to this day
in its ugly stained wood state.

But then I had seen 

 a painted dry brush technique 
on an upcycled old wooden ladder.

Rustic and interesting.

And so that was the new inspiration for my china cabinet.

Very slowly I dry brushed...

Layer upon layer of white paint...

 Until I was happy with the paint coverage...
It took 3 hours to get it just right!

Not too light,
and not too heavy.
(Note to self:  wear knee pads next time one attempts such a project!)

After 24 hours drying time, 
I used steel wool to distress the paintwork. 

A little here,
and a little there...
following the grain of the wood.

Very slowly I am falling in love with this cabinet.
And as I apply a layer of beeswax polish, 
I'm thinking 'You really are starting to look rather fine!'.

But what to do with these yucky old knobs?

Paint to the rescue again -
matt black in fact!

And what a difference that made!

I am so glad I decided to keep the original hardware.

Because there was a moment when I thought I might just change them!

And here is the end result!
The Art Deco cabinet upcycle: from Ugly to beautiful.

Now it no longer blends in with the dining room wooden wall panelling...
She simply says - 
"woohoo - LOOK AT ME!!!"

The 'Aqua collection' simply 'POPS' against the white.

The leadlight glass looks gorgeous!

And the distressing offers a little bit of detail but not too much.

The glass urn picks up on the gleam
 of the leadlight glass in the cabinet doors.

My original chalk artwork 

picks up all the colours displayed on and inside the cabinet.

Aqua, blue and white hues...
My favourites!

The mirror had a drybrushed makeover too...

It just could not remain natural wood.

So here it is again...

Which do you prefer?

Before 

Or

After?

My vote is definitely for after!

Apple Shortcake Heaven...

As a child I remember the joy 

when my mother made apple shortcake for dessert.  

And the next day,

there was a piece wrapped in wax paper in the school lunch box.

Either way, 

hot as a dessert served with vanilla ice cream, 

or cold as a cake slice,

apple shortcake is HEAVEN!

This a an adaption of my mothers recipe,

which has the addition of custard.

ENJOY...

Custard Apple Shortcake

Prepare Apple Pulp: 

6 large apples apples-

Peel, core and cut into wedges.

Place into a lidded microwave container.

Add 2 Tablespoons caster sugar

and 1/3 cup water.

Microwave on high until soft. 

(about 8 minutes)

Drain and cool.

Prepare Shortcake:

Cream 200 grams soft butter

3/4 cup caster sugar and

2 teaspoons pure vanilla essence.

When pale and creamy, 

add 1 egg.

Beat again to combine.

Add 1/4 cup custard powder,

 2 cups plain flour and 1 teaspoon baking powder.

Mix to combine.

Press half of the shortcake dough into a baking paper lined slice dish.

Top with cooled apple

Using your hands,

roll small balls of remaining dough. 

Press balls to flatten, 

and place these rosette on top of the apple.

(they do not have to meet perfectly, hints of apple should be visible).

Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of coffee sugar or raw sugar on top.

Bake at 180 degrees celsius for 25 - 30 minutes.

Serve warm with Ice Cream or cream.

Or serve as a cold as a slice.

In love with beautiful details...

Turn your face to the sun and all of the shadows fall behind you...