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July 2026 started off slowly and calmly with me painting the guest bedrooms and passage. But, by the middle of the month, my social life had taken off full steam. I had friends visiting from Germany with their kids. We spent an afternoon catching up which was really wonderful. My friend came from the UK … Continue reading July 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
The text and photograph for the post on What to See and Do Along the Ayrshire Coast was provided to me. Sweeping beaches, clifftop castles, championship golf, and the birthplace of Robert Burns are all found along the picturesque Ayrshire coast in southwest Scotland. It's easy to get there, easy to love, and makes for … Continue reading What to See and Do Along the Ayrshire Coast
It is time for International Scone Week 2026! There are thirty three scone recipes on my blog, the most popular of which is now my courgette and and feta scones. 2026 International Scone Week A little bit about this For quite some time now, bloggers around the world have gathered to bake scones. To … Continue reading 2026 International Scone Week
Sometimes, only chocolate will do! This is a sentiment from Jamie Oliver that I totally agree with. Dave and I have chocolate every evening after dinner. And these chocolate orange pots from Eat Yourself Healthy were the perfect treat. They are sweet, tangy and utterly delicious according to both Jamie and Dave! Skip ahead to … Continue reading Chocolate Orange Pots
The Lover opening lines: She feels the blood before she opens her eyes. She's not sure if it's the jackhammering in her head or the pounding on the door that's woken her. My blurb: Hallie fell in love at nineteen and left everything she knew behind to make a life with Calvin. When everything fell … Continue reading The Lover, Mary Watson
This recipe for chicken and leek pie comes from Sarah Graham's Simple Suppers. It is super simple as you use chicken that has already been cooked. That you can buy or be like us and braai a chicken so we can get several meals from it. And it calls for store bought puff pastry. This … Continue reading Chicken And Leek Pie
When I left home, my aunt gave me her recipe for tzimmes. It never tasted as good as she made it, but I am sure that had to do with memory as much as anything else. I have made this numerous times over the years, adjusting it as I went along, so that what I … Continue reading Tzimmes
It Could Have Been Her opening lines: I liked the girl. She had a nice smile. She was friendly. I could tell she liked us. My blurb: Jane did not have the best start in life. Her parents were alcoholics, and her brother died of a drug addiction. She marries into wealth, not once, but … Continue reading It Could Have Been Her, Lisa Jewell
In Simple Suppers, Sarah Graham serves her lemon and herb spatchcock chicken with a chargrilled corn and chickpea salad. Dave prefers to do the butchering himself and so I buy a whole chicken. All you need to do is cut the backbone out of the chicken and the press it down firmly to flatten it. … Continue reading Lemon And Herb Spatchcock Chicken
This purple sweet potato soup was made from a local varietal of sweet potatoes that have a purple skin and white flesh. I did not peel the skin, to retain all the health benefits, and so the colour is quite dark. The recipe is simple to make and you can bulk this up to freeze … Continue reading Purple Sweet Potato Soup
The text for the post on Best Chef Wear Brands for Professional Kitchens was provided to me. Best Chef Wear Brands for Professional Kitchens In a professional kitchen, appearance, comfort, and durability are just as important as culinary skills. Chefs spend long hours working in demanding environments, making quality chef wear an essential investment. From … Continue reading Best Chef Wear Brands for Professional Kitchens
When Angie shared her recipe for sourdough German brötchen I knew I had to make them. I was not so happy with my shaping the first time I did so. But, I made these sourdough dinner rolls a second time and loved how they turned out. I buy rye flour from a plastic free grocer, … Continue reading Sourdough Dinner Rolls
Hot and sour prawn curry originates from Indonesia. The heat comes from the chillies, and as I tend to go for medium curries rather than hot, I have used less than the recipe calls for. Add more if you like your curries hot. Tamarind and tomatoes add the sour notes to this dish. Plan ahead … Continue reading Hot And Sour Prawn Curry | Udang Asam Pedas
What did June 2026 hold for you? Dave and I went to Almenkerk for a wine tasting and had an amazing cheese and charcuterie platter. The owner told us it is what they like to eat. I also went to the launch of Jenny Morris's new recipe book at Leopard's Leap Wine Estate. It was … Continue reading June 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
Simple Suppers is a celebration of fuss-free food, and a kitchen companion that is a simple, seasonal guide to feeding families throughout the year. Simple Suppers Simple Suppers is your new best friend in the kitchen for fuss-free, wholesome meals the whole family will love. Packed with easy-to-follow recipes, this book offers seasonal dishes that … Continue reading Simple Suppers, Sarah Graham
The Divorce opening lines: When the police arrive, how will I explain the dead bodies in the house? Only one dead body would be easier to explain. My blurb: On the surface of it, Naomi has it all. The perfect husband who manages a hedge fund. A beautiful house where she has made a home for her … Continue reading The Divorce, Freida McFadden
This recipe for a post-workout protein smoothie is from Jamie Oliver's latest book, Eat Yourself Healthy. This was a perfect recipe for me to test, as I make a smoothie every weekday morning. I would suggest adding some ginger to this recipe to make it less bland. Skip ahead to the recipe for Protein Smoothie … Continue reading Protein Smoothie
My version of serundeng is made with ingredients I could source in South Africa. Despite having a large East Indian community, we do not grow everything the original recipe called for. I have used this to add as a topping for a hot and sour prawn curry. And I have made flatbreads using the condiment … Continue reading Serundeng
Private Tokyo opening lines: Muchen Wang had been set on fire in Somalia, evaded grenade attacks in Congo, and dodged bullets in Sudan, but he'd never faced tachycardic danger like this. My blurb: Jack Morgan has no idea what he is walking into when he arrives in Tokyo. And it soon becomes clear to him … Continue reading Private Tokyo, James Patterson
The text and image for the post on 10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students was provided to me. 10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students Student life can be exciting, but it often comes with busy schedules, late-night study sessions, and limited budgets. Between attending lectures, completing assignments, and maintaining a social life, many college students … Continue reading 10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students