Hope of the Hopeless

Thinking. I have been doing a lot of it lately. There are so many people in my life that are going through hard things and I am trying to keep up with the questions that come with the problems but I find myself more often than not just turning to Him and crying 'I don't know, help them Jesus'. Because at the end of the day? I just don't know why some people have to go through intense pain and suffering and others seem to glide through life with only a scratch or two. And I don't know how to solve the problems that confront and are confided to me. I may have an inkling of truth to offer or some small bit of encouragement but after that I feel so helpless. There is so much pain it overwhelms me and that is just in my own acquaintances and friends. So I cry to Him, my God and Savior. Redeemer. Healer. Lover of the broken people. And I know He will be answer my cry.

Blue Eyed Hayley

Last week I took some photos of my darling little God-daughter. She is such a delight, I feel so special when I walk in the room and she starts laughing and smiling at me. There is nothing like a baby to brighten up your day!

Coffee and Sour Cream Cake

My brother Ben first made this recipe years ago, one of the rare times he baked. I remembered it today as I was given some sour cream last week and needed to use it. So I made one for us and one for Ben and his flatmates. Yesterday they moved to a new house so I went around tonight to see it with the cake. It's such a cute little house, very old and with a lot of the original fittings. I liked it. And they liked the cake.

Clothesline Grapes

Growing along the fence and into the fir tree up above our clothesline is a big grapevine. In March when they ripen hanging out the washing is a real treat! But it definitely takes longer when there are delicious grapes distracting you from the task, as I found out this morning.

Courgette and Carrot Bread

I love Linda Collister's bread book, it has so many lovely recipes I want to try. This afternoon I made her courgette and carrot bread for work. It will be a nice change from the bought bread we usually have!

A Delicious Dinner

Briar decided this afternoon that she was going to cook dinner. She came out with an apron on and got out her little cookbook and after much discussion she decided to make macaroni cheese. So apart from Mum and I helping a little she did it all. We used some artistic license with the recipe of course, I can see a great chef in the making.

Highest Aspirations

I reread a quote tonight that I absolutely love. It's by one of my favorite authors.

"There in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.

I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty,

believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."

Louisa May Alcott.

I need to remember that aspirations are just that. Aspirations! It's so hard not to sometimes...especially when you don't ever seem to come close. So this was an encouragement tonight.

Raindrops on Windowpanes

Rain is so refreshing. After a summer of hot weather it's lovely to have cool rain once again. And it looks like it is going to continue for some days yet.

Things I Am Enjoying This Evening

This gorgeous cookbook that I spied in the 'just returned section' at the library today. It's written by a Parisian and it makes me long to go back to France more than ever.




An almost finished essay for my Suzuki Piano teacher training!


Soft candlelight on top of my desk.


It's been a grey and windy day today. Autumn is definitely on it's way!

"Super" Tiramisu

Two years ago I travelled to Switzerland with a Swiss friend of mine and her family. Early on in my time there we were staying in their cousin's gorgeous old farmhouse turned apartment. On this particular afternoon there were people coming for dinner. It was freezing cold and dark outside but inside it was cosy and warm and they decided to make Tiramisu for dessert with the intent of showing me how to make it the proper Italian way! It is such a wonderful memory, they were chatting away half the time in Swiss-German and mixing up a storm. Of course it was scrumptious. "Super" as they would say! I made it for the first time today. Yes I know, it's taken me a while.

Here is their recipe:
(I double it and so did they! )

Tiramisu

2 eggs -separated
50 grams sugar
Rind of one lemon
300 grams marscarpone
l tablespoon sugar-extra
200 mls strong coffee
3 tablespoons amaretto
150 grams savoiardi bicuits (Italian ladyfinger biscuits)

Beat the egg yolks with the sugar until thick and glossy.
Mix in the mascarpone and lemon rind and stir well.
In a separate bowl beat the eggwhites with a pinch of salt and extra sugar till stiff. Fold these into mascarpone mixture.
Dip savoiardi into cool coffee (into which amaretto has been added) on both sides and then layer with the mascarpone mixture into a dish, starting with the biscuits and finishing with the mascarpone. Place in fridge for at least 3 hours and serve chilled with a dusting of cocoa. Bellisimo!

(This can also be frozen, just thaw shortly before serving.)

Rosemary Beside a Red Wall

I looked out the window of my studio this afternoon while attempting (I wasn't succeeding) to practice a sonatina and what I saw was so pretty; rosemary and lemon verbena in the late summer sunshine with white butterflies fluttering about here and there. So I grabbed the camera and snapped away, distracted by beauty.