For the Love of Dogs

This morning I instagrammed two photos I snapped this morning of my dear little pooch soaking up the sun. As some of you don't Instagram I thought I'd share here.

Her aim in life is to keep warm and so she toddles around the house following the sun even climbing a stack of cushions for the best position. I suppose when you're a 12 year old pooch the simple things in life are the most perfect.
As I sat looking at her I reminisced about the joy and unconditional love she has brought my family. Her needs are few other than to be fed, given shelter and loved. This I am proud to say we provide in abundance. I have no time for folk who buy a pet then grow weary of it only to mistreat, harm or dump the animal.

Tessa is sitting beside me as I type...my constant beloved calming companion.


Annie xx

Scrumptious Baked Brie

Here is the recipe for Baked Brie after receiving requests from lovely readers.
Seriously it is so easy it's kind of ridiculous. This appetizer is a crowd pleaser and goes down well with pre-dinner drinks.

I buy a larger size wheel to share amongst six guests. Place the Brie on baking paper on oven tray, place in 180C oven for approximately 15 minutes.
Remove to serving plate.
And that's it! Too easy.

I prefer to serve the Brie with accompaniments of quince paste, cranberry sauce and flaked almonds and thin slices of sourdough bread crisped on a baking tray in the oven while the cheese is cooking.

The first slice of Baked Brie is wonderful to witness as it oozes onto the plate. Divine and best enjoyed while still warm.

Bon Appetit !

A Bon Voyage Soirée

I had the pleasure of hosting a little gathering of blog friends to raise a glass and farewell our friend A-M who is venturing to New York next week to attend a blog conference and take in the sites of this grand city along with a side trip to the Hampton's...swoon.
So...between myself, Faux Fuchsia, The Distressed Mother and A-M of The House that A-M Built (these beautiful ladies are on my blog roll over yonder) we ate for the nation, sipped mellow French bubbles and chatted and laughed until long after the cows came home.

I love to entertain family and friends in my home. Plus it gives me the chance to serve tasty/naughty delectables. A sure fire winner is Baked Brie served with toasted sourdough bread, quince paste, cranberry sauce and flaked almonds. To die for!

I dashed off a few quick photos on my phone during festivities and here they are. Even my precious little pooch likes to participate and glam up.

A truly lovely evening....

Annie xx

New Shoes

Do you approve?
I need to purchase shoes which offer good support and the option of inserting orthotics. No heels for this little black duck I'm afraid. Of course this makes me sad but I have to be sensible nowadays.
On sale which is always attractive, mind you 'On Sale' around these here parts is still expensive compared to other countries.
These new leopard flats were introduced to my shoe collection yesterday and given a hearty welcome.
Happy days!

Annie xx

But I Have Nothing To Wear...

Well yes I do have outfits to choose from for an evening of dining out and a performance in the city, however, after flicking through a Grazia magazine looking at sublime young creatures in gorgeous fashionable gear I really have the urge to vamp up my wardrobe.
Easier said than done. My conservative tastes stem from growing up in the era of all pieces matchy matchy with no mixing of patterns etc etc etc.
I suspect Conservative is in my DNA.
Conservative comes into its own when packing for trips..black, white, grey is a no brainer and I can set foot on the plane knowing the contents of my luggage will speak to each other throughout the journey. No hissy fits allowed amongst my apparel thank you.

The first two pics from the magazine caught my eye but probably more suited to hip young things who can wear towering heels. Like my daughter.
The third pic is more my DNA. Safe, predictable, neutral.
Do you ever have the urge to break out and reinvent the contents of your wardrobe?

Annie xx

A Quick Tidy Up

My house has a little nook under the stairs which is one of those little nooks that often ends up in the too hard category when deciding how to fill in a space. After much debate and consultation with our cabinet maker (the banister and stairs have a slight curve making it problematic to fill in) we decided to, for the time being at least, erect some Ikea tables with several cane baskets which hold odds and bods like my sewing, the dog's stuff and sun hats. Instinctively I knew if this space was left without a semblance of order it would become a dumping ground for everyone's junk.
Yesterday I had a little tidy up and declutter. After one year in the house I couldn't believe how crammed the baskets were becoming.




While sorting through my vast collection of cottons from the sewing pile I rediscovered many which were passed to me from my mother who was a beautiful sewer. I have about eight containers of different colours.




Some of the reels are decades old. I'm not a hoarder and I declutter regularly but when it comes to cotton reels and buttons I find it difficult to let go. One never knows when one will need bright red thread or an odd shaped button.




During the tidy up I was reminded of an intricate cross stitch I started twenty five years ago. What are the chances of me ever completing it?
A new pair of eyes would help!

Annie xx

Vive La France!

Bastille Day is drawing to a close in my country but I could not let the day pass without showing my appreciation for all things French.  At the time of writing this post the world clock at the bottom of my blog tells me it is the morning of July 14th in Paris and I imagine the festivities are in full swing in this glorious city.

I give thanks in particular for two of my favourite French beauties.. 

The first goes without saying....

...the second involves bubbles!
(Oh and Mr red roses and darling son give thanks every year for the telecast of the Tour de France)

Vive La France 

Another Test Run

My clever son has helped me connect Blog press app for iPad so I can draft and publish posts from the iPad. I really am winging it with all these techy gizmos but I'm kind of having a ball learning how to use these apps.
I just took a quick snap of the pooch for this test.




Annie xx

Action Aplenty...weather permitting

Just so you don't have the impression my life is all glamour and fabulousness here are a few pics of what's happening around the house.
Mr red roses borrowed painters trestles to paint the extremely high side of the house but of course it's done nothing but rain on this block of leave he's taken off work. Not to be deterred (only minor grumblings under his breath) he's doing man stuff instead under the house. This requires concrete. I tell you men just love playing with concrete mixers!
Plans are being finalized for submission to council for two exciting additions to our piece of paradise.
Fingers are crossed but I'm not holding my breath...council approval takes time.
Apparently.
xx

A Test Run

Hello all. This short post is a test of the Blogging app I have installed on my iPhone. Increasingly I'm getting lazy about switching on the computer so if this app works for me it will be great for those days i wish to get a post up quickly and maybe to use when travelling.

A Creative Moment

Hello all, winter here and it's cold. The dog and I are chasing the sun around the house to warm our bones.

Thought I would share this little assignment I gave myself recently. My daughter has a huge collection of fashion magazines so I commandeered one issue of Harpers Bazaar to make a simple layout of cards for my mother's care home. Many stylish ladies of advanced years still appreciate gazing at pictures of pretty clothes and I felt some flash cards would be nice for the residents to peruse.

I enjoyed myself immensely and may do a series for the residents if I can gather more visuals of shoots which are appropriate for the mature lady. Luckily this edition contained pics which were not risque.

The effort reinvigorated a creative side of my personality I should nurture.

Unfortunately this photo would not load correctly so the models are standing on their heads which is kind of funny. Why do some iPhone photos do this I wonder? For love nor money I couldn't get those gals standing on their feet.
Anyway I hope you get the idea...

Cutting (I use a mini guillotine contraption), spacing, layout and laminating is therapeutic and not to be underestimated.
If the opportunity to be creative comes your way embrace it, for it matters not how big or small the task... just Enjoy.

Annie xx