Happy May Day

The 1st of May is coming up on Sunday. Before dawn, on the eve of May First, the villagers would go in search of a tree that could become the village Maypole. The tree would be cut down, the boughs sawed off and dragged back to the village by oxen.


The original purpose of the May festival was to celebrate the fertility of the new season's crops. Over time, the meaning of May Day evolved and the emphasis on agriculture diminished.


When I think of May Day I think of the May Pole, decorating it, the dance around it and also a community coming together for a wonderful festive tradition.


However you celebrate this day... I hope you have a good one!

May Day Flower Cone

May Pole

May Day 1911

Cioccolato Caldo [Hot Chocolate]

Autumn is very brief in Durban. The leaves are turning the most beautiful rust & violet colours and that nip is in the air - which leads me to... Cioccolato Caldo.  I'm definitely craving some. Thinking I might experiment with a few different flavours this winter. 


While I sip my cioccolato caldo I will be watching one of my all time favourite movies 'Chocolat'. It has two of my best actors Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche.  I love the scenes where Vianne [Juliette] is making her chocolat creations in her tiny kitchen, in this rural french town set in the middle of nowhere. She also makes a decadent Mayan Hot Chocolate. So stock up on some good quality cioccolato, marshmallows, a dash of chilli and enjoy! For recipes click on link under the image. If you give them a try let me know how they turn out!

Mayan Hot Chocolate

'Chocolat'

Cioccolato Caldo [Italian hot chocolate]

Coconut Hot Chocolate

Ganache Hot Chocolate

Happy Easter

To me, from me

Yes, I decided to spoil myself with these gorgeous lilac tulips that are in season.  I'm surrounded by beautiful flowers in my home and garden - la dee da!

Too pretty to eat

After completing a marathon of Easter biscuits this week, I thought I would share some of my favourite pics of Easter biscuits that look too pretty to eat. Unfortunately I can't give credit where they came from, they've been in my inspiration folder for ages now, sorry about that.

Pillows of chocolate kisses

This weekend I got up to some baking (as usual).  These chocolate kisses are great as gifts; they are decadent to say the least.  These pillows of shortbread encase some chocolate inside. They are definitely fabulous to spoil someone special in your life or simply to treat yourself!

Who would have thought

I was just thinking the other day...  that I have never used so much butter, flour and eggs in all my life than the last 6 months (since I started Tin Bird). This weekend will entail more baking for orders due next week.  Easter is just around the corner, so lots of love bunnies will be around. 

Images courtesy of:

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tip_how_to_soften_butter_quickly/

http://www.etsy.com/listing/41359403/vintage-pyrex-bowl-2-cup-size-in

http://cookrice.psdfestival.com/2010/11/30/cooking-with-rice-flour/