December 2018 started off with a bang! Work was hectic and I was still at my desk on Saturday the 22nd. On the 23rd we had my family over for lunch and that marked the start of our festive season. I hope that 2019 hold all that you need. I do not make resolutions and this year I will try to set myself attainable goals.
Caramel Flavouring
I only used the caramel flavouring once before gifting it to my friend Nadia. I have been working on a recipe using chocolate and she mentioned she would make her version caramel flavour if she could. So I gave her the bottle. Like many things purchased for the blog, it was only going to get used once.
December 2018 FOMO Box
The December 2018 Food On Monthly Order box contained a lot of Christmas themed goodies. There was no ways I would have time to attempt the Christmas tree so that has been set aside for this year! We crushed the dark chocolate and almond biscuits over ice cream. The panettoncino was enjoyed on Christmas day. I saved the alcohol free G&T for that day as well deciding to making a slower start knowing what was ahead of me.
Boland Cellar
Kholofelo Mokgata from Hatch Communication sent me three bottles of wine from Boland Cellar to enjoy. These formed part of their best achievements for 2018 and I can see why. The One Formation Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc 2018 blend won the trophy for Best White Wine at the Paarl Wine Challenge. It was awarded 4 stars from Platter’s and won gold at the Veritas Awards. At the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards, the Talent & Terroir Sauvignon Blanc 2018 was awarded gold. It has also won the tender to be served on all South African Airways international business class flights and in SAA Premium Lounges from May. My favourite of the 3, The Reserve No 1 Chenin Unwooded 2017 was awarded gold at the Veritas Awards and 4 starts from Platter’s.
Wooden Spoon
Last but not least is a wooden spoon. Dave and I stayed at an apartment in Ortigia which did not have one. Dave likes using a wooden spoon when he cooks so I went out and bought one for him. I find it slightly too large but it is being used.
This post is part of the #IMK series, hosted by Sherry. Pop on over to see who else has showcased what is new in their kitchens this month.
Dave and I are still on leave. I will pop into my blog every now and then to read and reply to comments. Today is tweede nuwe jaar’s dag (second new year’s day) in the Western Cape, a day full of celebration!
Inspiration published on Lavender and Lime January 2:
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- 2017 – Rose Water Marshmallows
- 2012 – 2011 In Review
- 2011 – 2010 In Review
That’s a lovely spoon. I was given a pair by a lovely blogger friend and I really love that round shape. Happy New Year Tandy!
Dave loves the shape as well.
You have had a busy time, Tandy. I hope you get some down time now. Happy new year.
No down time for me till we go on holiday.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2019, dear Tandy.
Amalia
xo
Thank you Amalia, and the same to you 🙂
You’re a busy lady, Tandy. First time this Christmas NO COOKING. We are both over eighty, so youngest son took us out on Christmas Eve (delicious!) and he had Open Day on the 25th. Sorted! And very nice it all was too. (I cooked for five of us for 47 years, so don’t feel too lazy…& husband now does the cooking so I have time to write. How lucky is that! We both love food and experimenting with sauces and different dishes.All power to your elbow …..Have a healthy, lucky and happy 2019. Cheers!
So nice to not have to cook! And so glad you had a good Christmas. Thanks for the wishes, and the same to you 🙂
Wooden spoons are indeed essential to good cooking! I like the cheap ones that you can wear out in the dishwasher without regrets, though I admire the artisanal hand-made ones.
Have a glorious New Year!
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae, I think I am going to adopt your attitude and wash mine in the dishwasher! Thanks for the wishes, and the same for you 🙂
You asked for the details on our new probe thermometer. We ordered from
https://www.thermoworks.com/
And it’s called the SMOKE, still on sale. We also have the ThermoPOP.
Note that they don’t sell on amazon.com because of copycats that are not as good quality, but masquerade as their product.
Best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thanks so much.
Happy New Year to you Tandy!!!!!! I hope 2019 yields many blessing and bounties for your family! And yes, I laughed out loud at the caramel comment, oh how often that is so true! You buy something for the blog that you are only going to use once and then throw out. Always a bummer!
Thank you so much for your kind wishes! I try and pass things along rather than throw away if possible 🙂
Tandy, I’m with Dave, one needs a good wooden spoon to cook. I have an assortment of bamboo utensils that I use all the time.
I love the bamboo utensils and would buy them over wooden any day 🙂
I’m with Dave about a wooden spoon. I have several bamboo ones but my favorite is wooden and I’ve had it for years. It seems to fit my hand perfectly.
It is amazing how that happens 🙂
Your caramel flavouring reminds me that I received a couple of small bottles of syrup which I am unlikely to use. Maybe in a cake? Anyway, I’ll have to hunt them out. I went to the op shop in Tassie to buy things for various Air BnBs we stayed in. Tongs, small bowls etc They were well equipped but not well enough for me! Happy New Year.
My late addition: http://www.tiffinbitesized.com.au/2019/01/07/in-my-kitchen-january-2019/
I would also use them in a cake if it were a syrup 🙂
that’s funny about the caramel flavouring. i bought a bottle of caramel essence about a year ago or more and still haven’t made the cake that i had planned to…maybe this year. i laughed when i saw your wooden spoon:) you know me and wooden spoons … cheers and happy new year. sherry x
Take the essence out of the drawer and maybe that will prompt you to make the cake?
i think it’s just the cake recipe itself that puts me off. the cookbook tends to have complicated recipes and this cake has too many steps for me:)
Tandy, like you I do not make new year resolutions either. Goals feel more attainable. I too have bought items just for the blog… happy new year 🙂
My blog expenses are sometimes out of control 😉
Tandy, I’d rather pass along something I’m not using to someone who’ll use it, too. Although “re-gifting” sounds like an impersonal term, it’s not. A lot of thought goes into where things can best be utilized — in your kitchen or theirs. Waste not, want not! Loved your FOMO box items, wine recommendations, and wooden spoon. I have a dozen or so of them, but my favorites are the ones that fit the task at hand. 🙂
I am so with you on that, waste not want not for sure!
Hope my previous comment came through, Tandy. Will check back later. Happy New Year!
HI, just to let you know I usually moderate comments the morning after they are posted – as long as I am at work 🙂
Happy New Year Tandy! Blogging is an expensive business. I spent time after the holidays cleaning out my pantry and discarding outdated food items. It was eye opening how many of them were ones I had purchased for the blog.
It is very scary!
Happy belated 2019, Tandy! (I don’t think I could live without a wooden spoon either.)
I need to get more 🙂