Mia Bella Passions Lime & Blueberry Cake...

This is a wonderful to eat, and visually appealing cake...

Bake it for a special occasion...

Or just because you want to treat the family!


The basic cake mixture has lime juice and zest in it.


And frozen blueberries...


Once the cake mix is creamed together, and placed in 3 cake pans,


a handful of blueberries is placed on top.


By doing this the berries stay on the top of the cake when cooked, 
and also stops the cake rising into peaks.
What we want is three thin layers of cake.

Whip up the creamy buttery lime icing and layer the cakes.
If you are not so fond of slathers of icing,
you could just sprinkle the cake with icing sugar at this stage,
slice and serve.

Or you can cover the entire cake with the icing,
with lime curls placed atop.

Lime and blueberries are not a common flavour combination,

but I think it's a delicious one.

I'm pretty sure you will agree once you have tried this cake.

Pop over HERE for the recipe to print.

Rake Head Bird Or Butterfly Feeder...

Let's create a rustic upcycled bird feeder...

 I found an old rake head in the shed...
(you can source these at yard sales, or goodwill stores).

What better way to upcycle it than to use it as a bird feeder?
(Butterflies would enjoy this feeding station too...)

 I positioned the rake head on top of the old picket fence...

 Then used two large staple nails to attach it. 

Added some tangelo orange halves dripping with sweet juice...

The bird life instantly approved!

It turned out to be a most popular addition,

 to the many bird feeding areas in Mia Bella Gardens.

No butterflies yet as it's winter in Mia Bella Gardens...
but I hope they will come for a visit in summer.

#diy #rake #upcycle #birdfeeder

You are enough.

I'm quite fond of inspirationals...

there is nothing more inspiring than looking up at your mood board,

and reading your favourite quotes.

This one is extra special...

because we all have moments of self doubt.

You are enough.

Yes you are!

Just remember that my friends.

And to remind yourself of this,

print this floral pretty quote frame or pin to your mood board.

#flower #quote #inspirational 

DIY Coffee Table Succulent Bowl...

As y'all know it's winter here in the southern hemisphere,

so I'm always on the lookout for some greenery in the decor.

Succulents in a bowl are a much needed pop of nature during the cold, bleak wintery days.

I selected two baby succulent plants from the garden centre.

This fish bowl was in the blog bit's and pieces I might need one day cupboard.

I gathered some stones from the garden path...
and placed those in the base of the glass bowl

The next layer was a quality potting mix, 
into which the little succulents were planted.

This one is a baby plant off a succulent in the garden.

The next step once the plants were in the bowl was...

To add a layer of white decorative pot plant stones.
The bowl was placed on a wooden tray with a shabby green paper base.
(I got this from The Warehouse for $12 in a sale).
Just remember there is no drainage in a planter like this,
and the plants are succulents so minimal watering is required.
These plants get afternoon sun for 5 hours sited on this table, 
so you need to move them in a sunbath area regularly if sunlight limited. 

Some wonderful living decor for the winter months.

Dream Then Do It!

Oh, am I totally crushing on yellow roses at the moment.
Especially the beautiful 'David Austin' varieties.
I admit they are my ultimate favourite in rose varieties.
Scented, multi-petaled gorgeousness!
And beautiful to photograph.

Dream it - then do it...
The latest mood board inspirational features a yellow Austin rose.

This rose has been in the garden for years, but I am not sure of its name.
You might find it here on Wairere Nurseries list:
http://www.wairere.co.nz/Roses/Austin
I have bought mail order roses from them for many years,
with the rose plants arriving cocooned in wrap, ready to plant.
I would highly recommend Wairere online service to New Zealand gardeners.

Dream it - then do it...
I might create another rose garden!



#quotes #rosequote #quote #davidaustinroses

Posh Up A Pillow...

I saw this idea in one of those posh interior shops...

you know the ones that have cushion covers for sale at $40, 

and then the inner is another $50!

OUCH!

So I thought - I could make that.

My very good quality and stylish cushion was $12.

 A navy blue marl fabric is on one side...

And a wool handknit on the other side.

$12 for the whole thing!

We are talking cover and inner.

(Found at 'The Warehouse'.)

I had some creamy white wool.

So I simply made the wool lengths into 4 ply chunky.

 And crocheted a simple chain.

Crochet 101 have a video tutorial HERE.

They make the chain quite loose because it is the base start for a crochet project.

But because you are making the chain to use as is, 

you need to do it quite tight.

Once you have made the chain long enough to shape into a heart,

finish end.

Make a tassel for the bottom if desired.

Place the chain into the desired heart shape, and pin in place.

Hand stitch onto cover.

And there you go...

one posh pillow without the posh price tag.

I love the way it picks up the blues in this duvet cover

(sourced from Bed Bath & Beyond sale for $20!)

Your Own Kind Of Beautiful Inspirational...

A sweet macro shot of a daisy flower centre with a fabulous message:

Be your own kind of beautiful.

#quotes #quote #flowerquote

Super Sweet Caramel Lamingtons...

And when I say 'super sweet'

that is what I mean!

Super Sweet Caramel Lamingtons are not for the savoury fans...they are especially for those with a 'SUPER SWEET TOOTH'!

All you do is cut your homemade 
(I used the New Zealand Edmonds Cookbook sponge cake recipe)

or store bought sponge into pieces.

The caramel icing mixture uses a caramel topping in the ingredients.
I used Delmaine Caramel Topping.

All you do is make a runny icing:
25 grams melted butter, 1/4 cup caramel topping, 
4 tablespoons boiling water and 1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar.
Mix to smooth.
Dip your sponge portions quickly into this 
and roll in coconut.

Place on baking paper lined plates, and chill for an hour.

Slice in half and fill with whipped cream.
Drizzle with more caramel topping.

Or you can make mini fingers that have no cream filling.

Great party dessert treats.

Or simply to satisfy the sweet tooth craving.