forward..and back...

I think the new year is always a time for

looking both forward, to what is yet to be, and

back, to what is now just a memory.

At this time of year I always remember James,

my partner who died four years ago - I remember him with 

both love and sadness, for the difficulty of his life

and the waste of his tragic death.

But, I also remember the good things, and

especially the fun we had cooking together - he

loved my food, especially my curries, although

unlike me he preferred less hot curries - I like curries

that are truly fiery!

And the other day I found my recipe/food journal

that I kept in 2015, the year after his death.

In it, right at the beginning, was my recipe for

Butter Chicken Curry, which he loved, 

and I still do.

So here it is, shared with love and 

fragrant memories of what time cannot

take from us.

The quote - from that beautiful

song 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was

one of James' favourite songs, and I 

had it played at his memorial service.

Offered with love and deliciousness

Gail

xoxox

a heartmade year...

It's the first day of 2019...and I want

to wish everyone a truly heartmade year of joy,

peace and abundance.

When we live a heartmade life, we

are open to so much more, to ourselves firstly and

then to others, and to the incredible world

we are blessed to live in.

It does take courage to live your life from the heart,

with authenticity and true belief in yourself...

but it is so absolutely worth it!

This picture shared from my

little bird journal, an ongoing record

of dreams, wishes and the endless gifts of nature.

Offered with love...

Gail

xoxox

a little more...

It's Christmas Eve, and I would like to wish

everyone a little more now and in the New Year.

More of what?

No, not more presents or parties or delicious food -

not that there's anything wrong with

any of those things!

More of ourselves, more time to just be still,

to remember who we are in a world that seems

determined to make us forget, sometimes!

More time to create, to breathe,

and to know we are really enough,

here and now, in this moment.

Above all, more time to watch sunrises

and sunsets, and to cherish all the beautiful

moments in between them -

for this is now, and and this is life.

Offered with love and

holiday wishes...

Gail xoxox

butterfly days...

Here on the Eastern Cape coast of South Africa

where I live it is high summer... hot and humid days...

and often exhausting days too, in the run

up to Christmas!

Frankly I sometimes find the rush and stress a

bit much - I just want to escape and be still,

and take some 'me time'.  

One way I do this is by taking a long,

cool bath - preferably with candles and something

cold to drink, although that isn't essential.

I often make and use these 'Butterfly Bath 

Sprinkles' - they are both relaxing and

detoxifying. You can of course use any of

your favourite fragrant essential oils - and they also

make a easy gift to put together in a lovely

jar or bottle.

Take time for yourself and your spirit...

this festive season, and always.

Offered with love

Gail xoxox

a little green magic...

Yesterday I decided to make some of my easy, sour cream flatbreads...

it's a recipe that still exists only in my head, but one day I

do intend to write it down with proper measurements and all, because

they are so delicious, and make a wonderful 

light meal to serve with dips, cheese, olives and pickles!

But, much to my chagrin, I discovered that I was out of my favorite

magic green salt (so I call it!) - the jar in the fridge was almost empty,

 which will never do. So today I am going to stock up on lots of fresh 

coriander (cilantro) as well as other herbs, because there are

so many delicious variations on this theme - and even better, 

with Christmas just a few days away, they make a beautiful (and

simple!) Christmas gift, especially if you present them in a lovely

jar tied up with colorful ribbons.

I really enjoy using herbs and other green wonders, both in

my cooking and for special bath and body treats - so much so that I

actually wrote and self-published a small book recently,

entitled 'Heartmade Herbal', which includes ideas for natural

recipes and remedies. However, it doesn't include the Magic Green

Salt recipe, so I am sharing it here!

Just one word of warning - because this salt is fairly moist, you need

to store it in the fridge - in glass jars preferably.

The salt does act as a natural preservative, and it should last for a

few months - but if you notice the mixture has developed mold, or a

funny odour, please discard it.

Offered with love

Gail xoxox

a (very) early morning baker...

I am one of those (annoying?) people who wake up very, very early.

By very early, I mean 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning!

Unfortunately, because I also suffer from an over-active imagination

and a tendency to extreme anxiety, I often used to find myself

lying in bed and becoming more and more stressed,

worrying about everything (and nothing!)

In order to stop doing this, which was certainly not

helpful to me on any level, I started getting up really early - and what

better to do than bake, when it's still dark and quiet,

and one has the kitchen all to oneself?

And, by the simple alchemy of flour, butter, sugar

and eggs, I find myself back on more peaceful and stable

ground. Nothing seems quite so daunting or fearful when one is

actively involved in the creation of something delicious!

Such is the alchemy of baking (and cooking in general!)

I leave you with these thoughts from my little book,

'Living a Simply Art-Full Life'

(Next time a recipe for the most delicious Christmas cookies!)

Offered with love

Gail xoxox

cake for breakfast...

Cake for breakfast? Why not, I ask - indeed, in my opinion,

there is no time of day that is not improved by cake!

I wake up pretty early, with the birds that surround my little

cottage, and love to sit on the deck with that first

cup of coffee - and maybe something delicious to nibble, but

a big traditional type breakfast has never been my thing.

Actually I was going to call this new blog 'tea and cake at the cottage',

but decided that since (wo)man does not live by cake alone,

that title might not be entirely appropriate, love cake and 

baking though I do.

The handwritten illustrated recipe below is just one of

my favourites from my ongoing scrapbook of recipes, thoughts

and creative ideas, here in my special little place by the sea.

And since it contains eggs, yoghurt and honey - 

all of which are often featured in more conventional breakfast

menus, I figure we might just get away with serving it

for breakfast. In any event, being conventional is not

always the way to be one's best self, or live the most authentic

life one can. I've pretty much never followed conventional

paths, and life has been a gift and exciting journey (well, most

of the time, anyway!)

Enjoy and be blessed!

Gail

xoxox