FRANCE...A Dream Comes True!!

I have been to Paris thirty years ago but have dreamt for years and years about visiting the French countryside... Little did I know that my dream would come true in July 2010...! I have a very special friend that lives in the Loire Valley and great was my excitement when the opportunity arose for me to visit her. I flew to Paris on July 5th with a few butterflies in my stomach. I have been married for sixteen years and realised how dependant I became on my husband since being married. The idea to catch a train all by myself at Charles de Gaulle airport to the french countryside made me nervous and therefore I couldn't help to pray for an angel to assist me. The lady sitting next to me on the plane was very friendly and we immediately hit it off. She had to meet her friend who left the States a few weeks earlier at the train station at Charles de Gaulle. Great was my relief when she invited me to go with her to meet her friend at the train station. We laughed a lot at the airport looking for the right way to go...it was like the blind leading the blind! It didn't matter to me because just having my new friend Diane next to me was very comforting.....

Finally Diane found her friend Mary and when she asked Mary to what train station they were going to I couldn't believe my ears....St. Pierre-des-Corps....the exact same train station I was going to! Now I had two angels to assist me!

My first angel Diane waiting for our train to St. Pierre-des-Corps on the platform.

Myself and Mary, my second angel waiting for the train to St. Pierre-des-Corps.

My first glimpse of the french countryside....

Another view from the train of the french countryside.

At St. Pierre-des-Corps I said goodbye to my two angels when I saw my friend R's smiling face amongst all the people. Everything was like a dream....

Arriving at her beautiful home with the prettiest garden we were greeted by three french ladies. They were friends of R and waited for an important package to arrive at R's home while she fetched me at the train station. I wish I had a video camera because these petite french ladies were laughing, smiling and talking in french to R while I stood there in total amazement, understanding nothing and enjoying the moment!

R's pretty garden with birds singing and the soothing sound of water dripping from a fountain that greeted me upon arrival!

R and her husband's beautiful home in the middle to the right....

What a lovely home....!

....and what a warm welcome....a beautiful room, card, gifts, fresh white french linen and white towels awaiting me!

The gorgeous view from my lovely bedroom onto the Loire river...

My bathroom above....with the best bathroom view in the world below!!

I have so much more to share with you but will have to leave it till the next few posts to be able to tell it all!

All images taken by me except image 3 taken by my friend Diane.

Hartford House In The Natal Midlands, South Africa

I love nature, open spaces, delicious food and gorgeous interiors! All this can be found at Hartford House in the Natal Midlands in South Africa.

At the foothills of the Kwazulu-Natal Drakensberg mountains lies Hartford Country House on Summerhill farm. It is a four and a half hour drive from Johannesburg International Airport and an hour and a half drive from Durban International Airport. The closest town to this beautiful estate is Mooi River.

The estate is the largest thoroughbred horse stud in the region.

Activities at Hartford House include walking, fishing, horse riding, photography, swimming, birding, wildlife, cuisine, spa, sport, etc.

Hartford House has fourteen incomparably-styled luxury suites which are beautifully decorated with color, style and texture!

The Ezulweni Lake Suites are situated on a picturesque trout lake.

The pool area and Wellness Center.

The restaurant has received many awards as one of the "Best Restaurants". Head chef is talented Jackie Cameron and the team is one of culinary excellence!

Hartford House is also the perfect venue for a romantic wedding. Their services include the complete co-ordination and arrangement of your wedding, the accompanying banquet, floral, photographic and make-up arrangements, the supply of marquees, etc. They have a large selection of the most beautiful and delicious wedding cakes created in their own kitchen.

...........and for those magical winter wonderland days they offer a romantic crackling log fire with some sherry to warm you up!

For more information contact the friendly staff of Hartford House at http://www.hartford.co.za/?contact_us

All images by Hartford House - Tarryn Liebenberg and Annet Becker


I WILL NOT BE BLOGGING FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS SEEING THAT I AM GOING TO THE FRENCH COUNTRY SIDE AND HOLLAND TO VISIT SOME FRIENDS!!
BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!
LOVE INGRIDXX

Hot And Sunny Florida!

It is so hot and sunny here in Naples, Florida.....we have degrees in the 90's!!! My family tells me that it is snowing on the mountains in the Cape in South Africa where the World Football (Soccer) Cup is hosted. We really have the two extremes between the northern and southern hemisphere. It feels to me that hardly anything growing outside right now can survive this Florida sun and heat. My poor lavender plant couldn't survive but I will share some photographs with you this week of plants that have survived and still thrive in this humidity and heat!


Bloom where you are planted...even though you might feel you are in the fiery furnace!!

All images taken by me

Moist Chocolate Cake

This is probably the best chocolate cake I have ever tasted! I love a moist chocolate cake. I believe it is the freshly brewed coffee in this recipe that keeps the cake so moist.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for the pans
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup freshly brewed coffee
one 340g (12 oz) bag of frozen dark sweet cherries (optional)
chocolate sprinkles
chocolate frosting (I use Betty Crocker ready made rich and creamy chocolate frosting)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8 X 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans. Thaw the bag of dark sweet cherries (optional).
Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With the mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
Place one layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Add the dark sweet cherries and spread evenly on the frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles on the top of the cake.

Brew some fresh coffee and enjoy it with this delicious chocolate cake!


All images taken by me.