Thursday, April 8, 2010

C&R Book Review and a recipe...

Firstly I wanted to say thank you all for your lovely comments and emails about our $5 sideboard. It was very nice of you all.
Next I wanted to tell you about this as I cant contain it any longer.
I have been asked to do a book review for Christina Strutt's amazing new book...
The photo at the top of the post is a sneak peek at the book...it looks amazing and I am now awaiting my hard copy in the mail. Every day I have been checking the mailbox in anticipation of this book. I have Christina's other books and they are just beautiful. If you don't know who Christina is or have never seen any of the Cabbages and Roses fabrics, you are in for a treat. They are all based on vintage prints and have a faded quality to them which is so pretty. Christina's outdoor area which looks like a huge canvas tent has been in my favourites file forever and the interior of this space is superb.
While I wait on the postie to deliver this gem I have been looking through the Cabbages & Roses website, and found these...

This French grey set of drawers is circa 1870 and is just perfect. There are so many beautiful pieces on the C&R website and if I was able to, I would have them all!
Especially this stunning Armoire which is circa 1890. It looks wonderful filled with Christina's fabrics which are also on the site.
But, I would be happy with one of her deckchairs to remind me of Summer. As soon as I have the book I will be sure to give it a thorough going over and will tell you all about it...I cant wait!
After yesterdays post I have had lots of emails about the recipe for these Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins I made, so here it is....I never put all of the following in, especially the butter and sugar, I always use less and put loads more raspberries and white choc in instead =0)

170gms (about 1/2 cup) of Caster Sugar
2 eggs
200gms Butter
2 cups of sifted self raising flour
80 mls of milk
1/2 cup of Raspberries
1/4 cup of white chocolate chips
Method
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1. Whisk eggs and sugar until thick
2.Add butter, flour and milk
3. add raspberries and chocolate
4. Stir gently until just combined
5. Spoon into muffin trays and press extra choc and raspberries into top.
6. Bake in moderate oven (about 180 C) for about 30 minutes or until golden.
Easy! Enjoy.
Ness xx

34 comments:

  1. Oh Ness, that's sooo exciting! Who asked you to do the review? That first pic is beautiful...sigh.
    Kristine
    xxx

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  2. Miss Ness, if you received my emails earlier...I repeat for emphasis 'eeeek!!!!' You lucky girl:) I LOVE Cabbages and Roses fabric and that is the only time in my life where I have really splurged on fabric! They are gorgeous handblocked fabrics and I love Christina's books:) Can't wait to hear what you think about the new one. ~ Txx

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  3. Kristina, It was actually the PR from the publishing house for Christinas book...forgot to mention that in the excitement!
    Ness xx

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  4. Yes I did Tina...and yes, eeeek! I am So excited to be doing this =0)
    I cant wait to see it.
    Ness xx

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  5. Wow - I love that first picture. Need to add this book my wish-list! Your muffins look divine. Guess what I'm making on the weekend!!!

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  6. aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU I HAVE A JOB TO TYPE THIS AND MAKE ANY SENSE. I would be checking the mailbox too if it was me.....why are these things so slow when you are waiting for them!!!! Murphy's law perhaps. You made no mention of this in your email today, I think our Ness is a bit of a dark horse!!!!hahahaha Well done Ness, proud of ya.
    Take care

    Janine
    XXOO
    N.W. Coast Tassie

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  7. Hey Ness - thanks for the inspiration: I must again order books and then I can also order new living books. Only for me ;)

    Have a perfect day and beso

    VINTAGE

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  8. Ness, I have never heard of Christina but just looking at that cover I know I will have to look for it here in Canada.

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  9. What a wunderful book!
    I love the beautiful things on the pictures.
    And i wil try to make your cake but i don't no what a cup is in the netherlands
    A i'm going to loock on google
    Have a nice day
    Yolanda

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  10. Wow, just gorgeous i have some of Christinas books coming into store but not this one; i think it looks great.....i would be excited too.

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  11. I love Cabbages and Roses fabrics!!! Several of their images are in my inspiration folder - ever since I got out one of their books from the library I've been hooked :) How great that you have been asked to do a review - that first picture looks wonderful. Can't wait to try your muffins - thanks for sharing the recipe. Hope you have a lovely end to your week x

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  12. They picked the perfect person to review this book! I am so happy for you and can't wait to see it!

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  13. Congrats!!!! I can't wait to check out that site...

    and, thanks for the recipe!

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  14. What an honour to be asked. I adore cabbages and roses fabric and used to make things from their Hatley fabric to sell in my shop (with their permission). I am dying to use their aqua french toile somewhere in my house as I just adore it.
    Can't wait to see the book!
    ~Sam

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  15. How thrilling to be asked to review her book! You have such a gift, Ness.
    I too, love Christina Strutt and all things Cabbages and Roses. I just ordered my copy of this book a few days ago. I am waiting
    (im)patiently! :-)

    Congratulations!

    xo,
    Melanie

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  16. congrats Ness! such an amazing work. your muffins look delicious. I'll have to try the recipe! xo

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  17. Wow what an honor and a fun thing to do!!

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  18. I'm so excited for you Ness, what an honor, such a gorgeous book!
    XO
    Kristin

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  19. Love the first image and color combination from the book!

    And, thanks for the receipe...can't wait to try it!

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  20. WOnderful Ness, and thanks for sharing your delicious recipe!!!
    The book looks awesome and I heard about her...but with so many things in our minds, I will go to the website and DREAM more...
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Li :-)

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  21. congratulations, it's a great honour. Thank you for sharing the recipe of the muffins, maybe I will try to make them this weekend!
    XX

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  22. yay ness!!!!
    thanks for the scoop
    i would love to see!

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  23. How fun Ness! It's a very good thing it's a dreamy book, else you'd be in a sticky situation! Whew!

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  24. Than you for the link to her gorgeous website - I have two of her classic red and white fabric flowery cushions on my couch - they came by accident with the couch (which was a reject order from someone else) so are the ONLY feminine floral item in my home - I love them and interestingly so does my anti-flower husband! Look forward to your review...

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  25. Well done Ness! That is fabulous!

    Rachael

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  26. Yay Ness!! Sounds like a cool gig to me!! Lovely images - it looks like its going to be a great read. julesxx

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  27. Congratulations Ness! I just adore those fabrics, they are so pretty. I love how it just takes one small piece of that fabric, like a pillow, to make such a big statement.

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  28. congrats!!! i'm sure you're super excited... have a nice almost weekend!

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  29. In my excitement yesterday, I forgot to mention the images for the C&R post. Love them all. Wish I could come across something like the furniture here. Will have to keep looking!! Will call in again later.
    Take care
    Janine
    XXOO
    N.W. Coast

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  30. Ness,
    Congratulations!!!
    I just discovered Cabbages and Roses myself. I love her style. Can't wait to see your review!!!!
    Take Care,
    Maria
    p.s. Have been working on my project for you : ))))

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  31. Thank you so much lovelies for your just as excited comments. I am glad you are all looking forward to the review. I hope the book will arrive this week =0)
    Ness xx

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  32. Congratulation for the job, i love Cabbages & Roses and the french grey set is favoulose!!!
    Hugs Annamaria

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  33. Ness how exciting, congrats on doing the review.
    Ooh what yummy muffins
    Alison

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  34. Thats wonderful news, I will have to put an order in for that book it looks gorgeous, of to go take a peek at her web site now, thanks for the info I am always on the look out for great fabric will try out the recipe to they look yummy thanks Ness! :)

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