CHANTICLEER - gorgeous containers spilling over with flowers

Chanticleer Gardens in Wayne, Pennsylvania has the most exquisite collection of container gardens - there is something tucked into every little nook and cranny, stunning color combinations, this garden is like walking around an art gallery of flowers and plants.  There are so many, this is only half of the best I picked, so watch this space for the next gorgeous bunch.

The SEAGULLS OF KEY WEST

In the bird world, seagulls just seem so blah!!!  They are always there, flocks of them, you don't have to hunt them down and search for them, armed with binoculars.  They are flying around in great numbers, strutting up and down every beach, crying their cry, trying to steal snacks, scrapping over scraps.  But, when you stop and look at them, they are beautiful, full of character.   On my last trip down to Key West, we did a sunset cruise and these exquisite birds entertained us, posed for some evening light photos.

CHANTICLEER GARDENS in Wayne, Pennsylvania

I LOVE vegetable gardens.  I'm creating my own fenced in area with 4 8x8 raised vegetable boxes - creepers and vines growing around - well they will be growing one day, at the moment, they are newly planted or about to be planted.  I get my inspiration from visiting gardens like Chanticleer which has the most beautiful veg garden ever.  

To quote the Chanticleer website, the "Cut Flower and Vegetable Garden"

A potager, enclosed by paling, contains a mix of vegetables grown for taste and ornament. A rustic fence is walled with tomatoes in summer, Serpent garlic raises its head while thyme passes. Rustic benches are well-placed under the shade of the two katsura trees.

I will post a few of the cutting garden in another post.  Enjoy the veges.

CHEESE PUFFS for breakfast

A typical Sunday morning breakfast in South Africa, with a cup of hot tea, Cheese Puffs.  My mom made them, this is her recipe and I'll love them always.  If you're around when they are hot out of the oven, don't hesitate to eat, otherwise I will inhale the entire dozen.

CHEESE PUFFS

1 cup Flour

2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Coleman's Mustard Powder*

1 cup grated mature cheddar cheese

1 T chopped chives/parsley

1 Egg - whisked in measuring cup

Milk added to egg to make up 1 cup liquid

Method:

Sieve flour and Baking Powder, mustard powder, add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper

Add grated cheese (I sometimes add half grated Parmesan for extra cheesy flavor),

fluff in with a fork.

For a kick, add a 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, but not necessary

Mix in egg/milk with a fork, do not over mix.

Spoon into a sprayed non-stick muffin pan - makes 12.

Bake about 12 mins at 400F till golden brown.

These can be served as is, or cut open and smear liberally with butter.

YUM

* If you cannot find the Coleman's Mustard powder in the Spice Aisle at the supermarket, you can use regular mustard, add it to the egg, whisk in before adding and mixing in the milk.