flowers and produce at the farmer's market in the Derwent Valley!

It is a perfect, I mean absolutely perfect day in the Derwent Valley today, if a little warm (38 degrees Celsius). So I thought I would stop at the farmer's market on my way to opening the store this morning. And I have a feeling the "magic" ice tea stall will sell out!

Although this farmer's market is very small, it is packed with goodies such as field tomatoes and freshly picked zucchinis with flowers attached.

One can also find treats such as these homemade flat breads made by Devilish Delish. As well as jams, relishes and wild herb pesto. The pesto I bought on my last visit to the market has definitely made my chicken sandwiches a lot more exciting.

The Devilish Delish stall also sells fresh produce such as roman zucchini, squash and herbs.

And prepackaged herbs for your favourite Indian curries. This is a great way to have the fresh herbs and spices you need without waste. Very clever!

The busker's dog was taking a break in the shade, whilst guarding the hard earned money in the hat.

Flowers and nectarines on another great stall from which I bought some free range eggs and apples...

And a large bunch of hydrangeas.

I placed the hydrangeas in our French iron urn at the entrance to our shop. I love these flowers as the blooms last for a long time. Hydrangeas like water right up their stems.

Look at the colour variations, the pinks and purples are gorgeous. In the cool of the shop I am standing at the counter admiring the display. In fact, is it possible for a bunch of flowers to make one's day?

This market is held every Saturday at 9am at the Oast House, New Norfolk.

weekend foraging at Hobart's Salamanca market, bottega rotolo and pigeon hole cafe

Saturday morning I visited the famous Salamanca market in Hobart in order to gather goodies for a special birthday dinner party I was to host that evening. Firstly I picked up a few bunches of one of my favourite flowers, tulips. I love the simplicity of tulips, the fact that you can just pop them in a simple jug or vase and they instantly look great... The menu was planned during the week. A good friend is responsible for the dessert and birthday cake, the Gateau Opera. Thank goodness! As I wouldn't have a clue how to make such a complicated layered cake. But this particular friend just so happens to have completed the "Tortes and Gateaux" masterclass at the Agrarian Kitchen cooking school. In this class she learned pastry tricks from Sweet Envy's Alistair Wise. Lucky gal!

At Salamanca market I also bought some fresh vegetables including rocket, garlic, pinkeye potatoes and green beans.

Look at the vibrant colour of these carrots!

Next stop was the recently opened Bottega Rotolo, located in Bathurst Street. It has its very own cheese room in which we bought some French cheese for the entree, twice cooked gruyere cheese souffle. They do not stock gruyere and we were supplied with comte cheese, the French equivalent instead. Sounds fine to me.

A bike at the entrance to Bottega Rotolo conjures images of Italian food markets and sunny days. Well, it does for me, anyway. Anyone else?

Look at the neat shelves! And at the range of yummy supplies. I spied bags of dried mixed forest mushrooms, perfect for winter soups as well as authentic Italian pasta, olive oils and sauces. And much more. We left with more than just cheese!

As it was nearing lunch time and we were after a guaranteed delicious meal, we headed to the Pigeon Hole next. We also bought some of Jay's now famous Pigeon Hole bread for dinner, to serve with the souffle. The fruit and seed sourdough is a special bread, it is only available on Tuesdays and Saturdays...I love it with a little bit of honey but is great with a nice cheese too.

Back home I started sorting the kitchen out to prepare for cooking. I found these vintage scoops at Salamanca market and was tempted to keep them for myself but I think they will make great pieces for prop hire available at The Drill Hall Emporium. I am drawn to their simple function and form.

The large soup tureen is French and I have only just unpacked it since its arrival in our latest shipment. It will keep my small French soupiere company on the bench. It is no secret that I am quite partial to white French porcelain.

Which is why I also bought this large French cake stand on my last buying trip. It has only just been unwrapped too! It goes perfectly with my French glass cloche that I already owned. On my next free day I will make some muffins or friands to place under the cloche.

I potted some hyacinth for the dinner table, an alternative to flowers and low enough not to block vision between diners across the table.

And a potted hyacinth for the birthday girl! In an antique French terracotta pot, of course...

a visit to a peony farm in Tasmania with olive oil tasting

How beautiful are these images of flowers? They are of peonies, in various stages of bloom. I particularly love the last image of the peony buds. And the colours of the flowers are simply wonderful. Donna and a friend were lucky enough to visit this peony farm in Brighton, Tasmania last weekend. The visit to the farm was organised by Karen Wagner garden consultant owner of Karen Wagner Design Studio and Garden Store which I mentioned in my previous post. The day included a tour of the farm and information on growing peonies as well as olive oil tasting made from olives grown on the farm. The group also enjoyed focaccia cooked in the outside wood fired oven.

The farm had the most wonderful potager (above). Oh, to have the space, the time, the know-how, the patience...in the mean time I will have to be content with drooling over these images.

Please note: Whilst I am happy and flattered for my own images from my other posts to be copied, I must ask please do not copy these images as they are not my own. I thank you for your understanding.

flowers in vintage cups

Image via www.mysparrowblog.com

Images via www.brabournefarm.blogspot.com

Image source unknown

Who needs tea when you can have flowers? I am looking around at our vintage tea cups in store with a whole new light! My favourite image is the first one, I think it is because of the plainness of the cup against the berries...

Flowers now at the Drill Hall Emporium!

We are making use of a few of our vintage tin flower buckets out the front of the store with some fresh flowers available for sale. We are starting with a variety of coloured tulips and also some stunning oriental lillies...