Living by the Seasons

Last week I ran into a good friend of Mr Beach Houes' in the village.  He usually comes over for the State of Origin Football, which was on last night.  Now watching this football game is like watching paint dry for me but they love  it, so I thought lets make a night of it.  I asked our friend to come for dinner this time.  Usually he just turns up with a bottle of red and some dark chocolate after we've had dinner. 

So this time, why not dinner?  Now this guy is a sail maker and a great sewer as well, so I am guessing you know what's coming.  I asked if he would do some sewing for me. It's not that I can't sew, but I don't have a machine. I bought some tops at a closing down sale and one parted at the seams within a week.  I now have this lovely guy doing some mending for me.  Love it!!!!!  It's not the first time he has gone beyond the call for me.  He has fixed beach bag straps as well and he does it all with such willingness.

So in appreciation of his kindness, the Beach House Brat and I got to work preparing dinner.  It just had to be orange cake for desert, as we are up to pussy's bow with oranges here at the Beach House this week.  I used a Stephanie Alexander recipe and doubled the quantity.  Although it looks pretty, lets just say I won't be making it again.  It turned out like bread rather than a cake.  It was yummy, but  the result was unexpected and a little too heavy for me.  Not to worry, Mr Beach House has taken off with  the remainder of the cake this morning, to give the lads at work a thrill for smoko.

While the cake was cooking I set the table for dinner.  A simple affair as these lads are primarily interested in the game.  No table clothes here, as even though one of our guests will be doing my sewing this week, I have no intention of spending time getting his red wine stains out of my  grandmother's vintage table cloth.

I think the best feature of this tablescape it the centrepiece.  Yes more oranges I know, but these jonquils are hanging in there.  They must have been really fresh.  They needed something to hold them up in the vase and the oranges worked beautifully I think.

This liitle French tin bread basket is a new favourite which I purchased from Leah at My Home Atelier.  Leah has just opened her online store and has some wonderful pieces that you can view here.

 And what do you do whilst the cake is in the oven and you have the camera out?  You run around the back garden getting very excited about your first arum lily of the season, that's what.  This plant was nearly dead in a pot last year.  We built a new garden around our deck, a photo of which you can see at the top of my side bar. I was in need of some free plants to fill it up.  I planted the remains of the arum lily and it has taken off.  There are more buds so it looks like it's going to be a good season in more ways than one.

As for the main course it was a simple but popular affair.  This is the easiest meal ever.  To retain maximum moisture in the chook,  I cut a lime in half and place it in the cavity with three smashed cloves of garlic.  I salt the bird well and sprinkle over dried herbs.  I cook this for one hour and then add the vegetables for another 45 mins or until crisp.  Here I have potatoes, carrots, pumpkin cauliflower and eggplant.  I never add extra oil, I just roll the vegies in the pan juices.

This is one time when I always use orgainc.  It just tastes fantastic.  Even Mr Beach House notices the difference.

I promise no more posts about oranges or jonquils, but this is a blog about what is going on at the Beach House and surrounds.  Oranges and jonquils are in high season and so I am giving you what I've got.

Today I am linked up to
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com
http://www.atthepicketfence.com

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com
http://www.katiesnestingspot.com
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2011