Sweet As.........

I'm always on a look-out for recipes for good choc chip cookies, this recipe is close to the best so far, yummy as! I like my choc chip cookies a bit chewy and moist, not hard, I love walnuts in them, I made a portion without nuts as one of our lovely family members doesn't like nuts. Different strokes for different folks, as the saying goes. This is the recipe, the secret is out!! I don't mind sharing though!Choc Chip Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp hot water 1/2 tsp salt
2 cups dark or milk choc chips
1 cup walnuts (optional) Directions:
(1) Preheat oven to 177C or 350F.
(2) Cream butter, white sugar and brown sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, choc chips and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto baking paper lined trays.
(3) Bake for 10 or 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are nicely browned.

Here are some "in-between deadheading and new blooms" roses, aren't they luscious? They fill the house with delicious scents as many of David Austin roses do.Some of you suggested I do reviews on my roses here, Funny how I've actually thought to do that even before; however I've tried not to be too technical with the roses information here on my blog, simply because I think you can get most information in roses' books and magazines; I follow those instructions and do my own trials and errors when it comes to growing roses. As for choosing which ones to suit your garden, THAT is always hard, I like most Austin roses. If I had to choose, I'd say all the ones I've got have been pretty good, some took longer to get established in the beginning; but don't give up just because they don't flourish in the first year, give them 3-4 years and you'll be able to tell whether they suit your area. Roses here:The Dark Lady(red), Jubilee Celebration(apricot/pink) and Jude the Obscure(apricot/yellow) Will share more tips on growing roses in another post.

Mixed Bunches

Haven't posted anything all week, it's about time I did! In the mood for mixed coloured roses today, when they are mixed bunches, they can appear so different from different angles. In the bedroom................ On the piano................ Small urns are great for floral arrangements! Take them to the en-suite bathroom?................... I love them in there! Roses used in bouquets: St. Cecilia, Jude the Obscure, Golden Years, Anne Boelyn, The Dark Lady, Sir Edward Elgar and Jubilee Celebration. Got this door bell quite a long time ago, put it away and forgot about it. Love the fleur-de-lis on it! Now I'll have to wait for hubby to put it up. Roses above: Pierre de Ronsard Have a ding dong dandy weekend, my dear friends.

Spring's First Flush...........

........is complete! All the roses that hadn't bloomed have now bloomed.

The Dark Lady

The Dark Lady turns purply with age, beautiful at all stages. St. Cecilia Jude the Obscure Anne BoelynAbraham Darby Jubilee Celebration Sir Edward Elgar Sharifa Asma Thanks for visting me here, hope you enjoyed that little stroll with me in the garden. Till next time!

Friday Show and Tell

Friday has come round again so quickly, Show and Tell always reminds me of the time when my kids were much younger, in the first few years of their schooling, they used to have to take something from home to school to show and tell. By the end of the school year, they would be scratching their heads trying to come up with something new and fresh to take and show the class. But Show and Tell is nonetheless a wonderful way kids learn public speaking, curb their stage fright, (if any) and show their thought processing skills. Well, fortunately with our Show and Tell, I'll have neither public speaking nor stage fright to worry about, and I don't think I'll run out of things to share either. Today I'd like to show you some vignettes I created with roses and some simple props I used from around the house. These oil and vinegar set and the white coffee mug are some of my favourite things. I just love the style! The candlesticks are old old ones which were painted white and distressed, excellent props for adding interest! This potpourri pouch is a gift from my sister, it usually hangs on one of our door knobs. So precious and pretty! These fabric hearts were given to me eons ago by a dear friend, I've since had to change the cord as the old one broke, I replaced it with a string of pearls. Little birdies like this one is simply gorgeous! And a Scabiosa for you to say adieu and happy weekend. Please visit Kelli at There's no place like home to see other show and tells, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Roses used here: Jude the Obscure (apricot), Radio Times (pink) and non rose Scabiosa (lilac perennial)