Ginger Sugar Cookies...


Cream:  
150 grams soft butter 
and 1/2 cup each of white caster sugar and brown sugar.
When light and fluffy add 1 egg,
 1/4 cup golden syrup,
 mix well.
Sift into this:
2 1/2 cups plain flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 
1 teaspoon ground cloves 
and 2  teaspoons of ground ginger.
(add another teaspoon if you prefer a stronger hit of ginger)
1 teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt.
Mix into a dough.
Form small balls.
 Boy this cookie dough is sooooo scrumptious....
I'm surprised there was any left to bake!  :)
                                   Roll the balls into white caster sugar. 
                                         And press down with a fork.
                                          Bake at 350 degrees Celsius 
                                          for 10-12 minutes until golden.
                                                  


Pink Japanese Anemones...

 I think that Japanese Anemones are a beautiful flower...
These darlings are also known as windflowers.
 Available in single and double blooms
 in white, soft pinks, darker pinks and mauve shades.
New hybrids in dwarf form are being developed.
Some gardeners love them as I do....
others loathe them!
 The original white variety in particular can be quite invasive.  
So beware if you like to be in complete control of your garden beds. 
 There are three varieties of Japanese Anemone at Mia Bella Gardens, 
where I just let them do their thing, they spread as they wish, 
as I don't find it difficult to do an end of season cull to keep them in order.
 Each season a rosette of dark green leaves
 is topped by graceful stems that reach 1/2 to 1.8 metres in height.
The delicate flowers of up to 6cm across 
nod in their beautiful hues 
with round seed heads once the blooms have finished.
They will grow in sun or part shade.
 The Japanese Anemone is from the Ranunculaceae family.
It was grown in Japanese gardens for centuries,
 but was in fact of Chinese origin.
In New Zealand they flower from February, March to the end of April.
Although not a long lasting picking flower, 
you can get a day or two from them in a vase.
They don't wilt, and the buds will open.




French Country Masculine Bedroom Reveal...


At last I can show you the French Country Masculine Bedroom...
Yes it has taken forever!!!
But this is what happens when one bedroom makeover turns into two!
The pink bedroom has also had an update, but that is another blog post!
So...this is how it looked
before...
And here is is after...
Unpainted wood, and a neutral colour palette..
with black accents.
The first thing chosen was the quilt and cushion.
 the duvet...
then the curtains.
The crown cushion, and quilt are from Wallace Cotton.
The curtains from Briscoes.
An extra curtain was purchased to make a Roman blind for the window above the bed.
 The etching (top picture) is one I have had for many years,  
but the French word picture is from the Etsy.
This etching is so old it has watermarks, 
but I think it just adds to the character of the picture.
 These French place names are inspiration...
For me to visit France one day!
Initially I put this orchid on the side table...
But changed it to another orchid in a cream pot with black detail,
because it had more of a masculine feel.
And moved the flying pig from the Red Lounge...
The black and white framed photos are above each side table...
And if you want to print them just go to:
 Other accessories in the room were all things I had...
 And the funniest thing is,
this French Country Masculine room has décor pieces from other countries...
 Some gorgeous old English books...
 A French crown and metal filigree ball...
A black and white clock...
And pieces from travels to Indonesia...
 The neutral colours and wood theme continues into the ensuite shower room. 
With more of a beach feel with this original artwork I created many years ago.
 Arabella approves!
In fact, she thinks it's quite a nice place for a nap!
                             Before....                                       And after...
I am very pleased with the way it has turned out.



Gorgeousness...


Today it is all about simply sharing some gorgeousness
Enjoy!





Olive Oil & White Vinegar Furniture Polish...

I am still muddling away
on the French country masculine bedroom makeover.
Patch and repairs of previous botched painting session are now complete...
Ensuite bathroom window now painted...
and the floor polished.
The drapes are hemmed, pressed and hung.
All that remains to do is sew a new blind for the small window.

The furniture in this room makeover is to remain unpainted 
in all it's natural wood glory...
and it was well time for a lick of polish,
so today I whipped up a home-made DIY Furniture polish...
Simply made from two ingredients.
Olive oil & white vinegar...

3/4 cup Olive Oil
and
1/4 cup White Vinegar


So as I was mixing this up I thought, wow what a great gift idea...
Hence I got a wee bit side tracked from 
polishing the bedroom furniture!



So here is the polish...
looking pretty 
with label, gauze ribbon, flowers and pearls...
ready to gift!



Anyway, back to the task at hand,
Which was mix the polish and polish up the furniture...

Side tables have scratches...

And now you can hardly see them!



I am having a whoohoo moment!



And it just kept on getting better!
As you can see:
Tall boy chest of drawers,
with water marks, sun damage, and scratches...



Rescued by my DIY olive oil & white vinegar furniture polish 
that quite kindly rehydrated that thirsty wood.


And it was an instant result!
Miraculously blending all those marks and scratches to almost nothingness.
And what was even more pleasing was there was no sticky or oily residue.

How did I not know about this wonderful DIY polish before...

I have always had a love hate relationship 
with this Balinese rosewood vase:
so I brushed my polish on to it, 
and thought...
you are actually quite beautiful!

But can you believe the difference here....



I just don't know how many times I muttered, 
"This is AMAZING!".



And now the carved vase has a place to call home
 in the French country masculine bedroom makeover!

Guess what I'm doing for the rest of today...
polishing all the wood in my house!
:)








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