IT'S A JOLLY HOLIDAY

I have just spent a week in Sweden were I visited a small town called Norberg. It's an old mining town from the 15th century with lots of pretty Scandinavian red wooden houses. I'm lucky to have parents who own a summer house out in the middle of Sweden as it makes for a great break from life in Oxford. 

While there I started on one of my most stereotypical crochet projects - a granny square blanket for a friend's baby. It's nice to get into the swing of crocheting again as I have been too busy writing my second book to make things with wool. 

ELDERFLOWER

Elderflower trees are absolutely everywhere in Oxford and I mean everywhere - in the parks, in people's gardens, along the roads. I went to one of the nature reserves to pick the elderflowers I've used to make this summer cordial. 

Elderflower Cordial is one of those things that are so simple to make and taste so awesome. I have become a bit inspired. I think I will try my hand at some Elderflower Champagne next - if you have ever done it let me know what your result was. Did your bottle explode? Was it fizzy enough? Did it taste nice/awful? Any feedback appreciated. :) 

Food gifts: flower decor

DECORATION home-cooked meals - meat dish

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Decorating meat slicing

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Photo:@supercook.ru

Roses for valentines and parties: Rose Ice Cubes

This DIY project created by Jonathan Fong Style is a gorgeous way to decorate the bar on your wedding day!

What you’ll need:
(per ice tray)
- 12 spray roses (the small ones) – Tip: spray roses can be pricey if you’re making many ice cubes. Consider using small silk flowers from the Dollar Tree.
- 12 twist ties
- 2 wooden skewers
- 1 ice tray
- Floral tape

Step 1: To keep the roses submerged in the ice trays, we have to build a framework that will weigh them down. Cut the spray roses, leaving about 2 inches of stem, and use twist ties to attach the stems to the skewers.
Step 2: Place the roses, which are attached to the skewers, upside down in their individual ice compartments of the tray.
Step 3: Tape down the skewers at the ends of the ice tray to keep everything from floating when you add water. Your ice tray should look like the one in the photo.
Step 4: Add water to the ice tray and freeze overnight.

Remember roses are edible, but many growers use pesticides on the roses, so I would avoid putting these ice cubes in drinks unless you are sure there were no chemicals used. Just use the ice to cool drinks. You can also substitute fresh roses to plastic or silk ones.

Source: ruffledblog.com

Food gifts: Decorating ideas salads

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