The Yard Sale

Some people came from far, and others just happened to be strolling by. The day was sunny and warm beneath the dappled shade of the trees.  There were over twenty stalls, displaying their wares, and there were smiles all around.  It was a relaxed and happy day, with many people from the community and the surrounds enjoying the market.  

I bought the cutest vanity bag and a watch from 1961... all for a steal... ooh and the pelican egg cups.  I got to know people I pass often on the street, and met others for the first time, who live up the road.  And a new friend for Liv.  And it's amazing how many pennies can be made from selling stuff you no longer need or don't want.  And it felt nice being able to give people a lovely setting and the opportunity to sell their stuff, whether old, or homemade or food.

If you would like to be kept up to date with future markets... I want to do a kiddies market and a local gift market too, drop me a mail or 'like' our facebook page.

See you at the next market!

A week in The Kitchen

The Kitchen in Woodstock is one of my favourite eateries in Cape Town.  I often go with friends, but I love going on my own and finding a spot by the counter to dream.  I feel at home amongst the bric brac and all things vintage.   And the food...  It is honest and real, and just tastes delicious.  There are the love sandwiches and the salad selection, which you can top up with a  free range chicken breast or grilled pork sausages. And small selection of baked goodies.  I often have these or just a quick breakfast.   And it is all served on the prettiest array of vintage crockery.

Karen  Dudley is passionate about what she does, and she does it with such grace.  And when she pops out the kitchen to cook something up in the front of house, which is an extension of the kitchen itself, she is always smiling, and greeting her customers.  Oh, and go to the bathroom when you visit: you have to stroll through the kitchen... I love visiting the heart of a restaurant, with the chopping, and the chatting and the dish clothes hanging out the window to dry.

I am over the moon to find out that she has recently released her cook book, 'A week in The Kitchen,' published by Jacana Median.  I can now have a little bit of The Kitchen in my own kitchen... I love cook books.  I have too many.  I can have more.  And this one is on the top of my wish list.

Karen Dudley:
"The Kitchen is driven by these instincts:
Life is too short for the arbitrary, the mediocre, the “nice”. If you are going to eat something, however simple, it must be all that it is meant to be. It must be essentially good.
Contrast, colour, a riot of flavour – this is the stuff we live by, this is the stuff we celebrate!
Food made with generosity and attention has the power to grow a community and to  make people happy. There is reciprocity here. As we spend our love, so it comes back  to us threefold."


visit The Kitchen on Facebook

a little christmas box

O for owl

Cross stitch

i just can't stop cross stitching... think the husband may ban this at home soon...

squishy marshmallows made with love

lose yourself in these squishy delights.... we also pop one in our famous hot chocolates, perfect for this snuggling weather.  see you just now.

make a note

just a cute scribble book we made for you...

little rag bags

each little rag bag is an individual and made by cupcake for cupcake... just a cute everyday bag for all your bits and bobs...

my china

My dad, when i was a kid, would refer to all his friends as 'my china'....including my mom and i some days.  The term has petered (apt wording, my dad's name is peter) away over time, and i  can't remember the last time i heard my dad utter those words, but it sure warms my heart to see how they have become something quirky and beautiful in these lovely pieces.

I love everything Frances makes, and i just love getting new stock for the shop, because there is always a new product or design that you just have to have!  Most recent are these cute bunnies (there are also birds) and also the teeniest salt and pepper shakers with her distinctive animal and indigenous floral designs.

The cork stoppers are my absolute favourite.  All my friends and family have received one as a gift, and my pink giraffe is always keeping the bottle of wine on my kitchen counter company.  Though they also work well as stoppers for her vases, which then morph into a salad dressing dispenser.  There are also protea, more animal and heart designs to choose from. Visit 'my china' for more images, and a peek at her blog.