CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS TREES, OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS, DO IT YOURSELF GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS AND MORE!
Well, here we are with Christmas Day almost upon us. Although they say its a time for the children, my favourite quote is 'Never Lose Your Childish Enthusiasm' and so we are just big kids here, enjoying the excitement and fun of the season.
The showroom is just bursting with all things Christmas, including our new contemporary Christmas Trees in white. We have medium and large.
Loving our gold acorns in various sizes....lets see the chipmunks try to store these in their cheeks!
We bring back the romance of another era with our hand crafted danish baubles in an array of shapes and sizes.
Our Rudolph.....
Our stunning black urn filled with festive silver branches, surrounded by French Handcrafted Limoges dinnerware.
A French Christmas...?
Here's our biggest secret for the year...Our 'Cosmo' Clock is just over a metre squared in size and fully functioning, with rustic style frame, hands and patina - only...wait for it...$125!
We have two available and they will go!...be quick.
We have so many beautiful decorations for your Christmas Table...pop in and have a browse.
Also check out our range of Gourmet Provisions and hampers. We have your last minute Christmas shopping all wrapped up...literally! Our hamper packs start at just $20!..and all wrapped and ready for giving.
Looking for something special yet affordable for Dad? Look no further than 'The Dad Pack' which includes a bottle of quality Sth Australian Red Wine by Bremerton and our scrumptious Chilli Almonds...a great prezzie for the Dad who likes to kick back and watch the cricket with a tipple and a snack!
Or...our Chilli Lovers pack with Matchetts Chilli Jam, Chilli Fire Chutney and Chilli Almonds, once again all wrapped up and ready to give to the loved one who likes things hot!
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After all the inspiration last week from the team at Inside Out mag, Jen got stuck into some creative gift wrapping. Using butchers paper, ribbons and cut outs from pieces of recycled card, she came up with something a bit different.
Butchers Paper and some cutouts from recycled card...then with string tied around the box...but the kids all want to know...Who's Joy?? hehe
Gift tags made from recycled card and cutouts.
Heres one for our neighbours son, who incidentally has been knocking on our front door for the last 2 weeks since he found out we had bought him a gift...so we thought we should make it special for him...down to the wrapping paper :-)
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ONE SPOILT POOCH....
This week, our lovely customer Sandrine popped in with a gift...for Brian the dog!
Sandrine frequents the showroom weekly for her Gourmet Provisions, but really we think its to see Brian.
Pop into the showroom anytime for you free pat!
Here he is receiving his gift from Sandrine...a 'Chop' squeaky toy!
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....ALFRESCO CHRISTMAS FEAST....
To compliment our Alfresco menu from last week, we have a great salad and potato recipe. This is easy, delicious food that can be made in a snap, and will be devoured in seconds.
BARBECUED PUMPKIN, RED ONION AND SPINACH SALAD
Ingredients (serves 12)
- 1 (about 1.5kg) butternut pumpkin, quartered lengthways, peeled, seeded, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 3 red onions, cut into wedges
- 300g baby spinach leaves
- 200g feta, crumbled
- 1 tbs wholegrain mustard
- 2 tbs red wine vinegar
Ingredients (serves 12)
- 1 (about 1.5kg) butternut pumpkin, quartered lengthways, peeled, seeded, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 3 red onions, cut into wedges
- 300g baby spinach leaves
- 200g feta, crumbled
- 1 tbs wholegrain mustard
- 2 tbs red wine vinegar
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CUMIN SALTED 'SMASHED' POTATOES
Ingredients (serves 12)
- 4kg chat (baby coliban) potatoes
- 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
- 1 tbs cumin seeds
- 2 tsp sea salt flakes - we used Port Willunga Fine Foods Sea Salt with Desert Lime and Rosemary...sooo good!
Method
- Preheat oven to 220°C. Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Place over high heat and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes or until almost tender. Drain well.
- Reserve one-third of the potatoes and set aside (see note). Place remaining potatoes in a large roasting pan. Use the back of a wooden spoon to gently crush the potatoes. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with cumin and salt. Season well with pepper. Roast in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Place on a serving platter and serve immediately.
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!...AND HAPPY NEW CHEER!
OK, so you have had one of those Christmas lunches where the top pants button is now undone and you just want to lie down somewhere and have a snooze....so we need something light and zingy to pep you up in readiness for the next round of food.
We bring to you....the Pimms Cocktail, with refreshing lemonade, ginger ale and lemon and just that hint of alcohol will give you the zing and stamina needed to carry on into the Christmas evening fray!
PIMM'S COCKTAIL
Makes
1 litre
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4 cups ice cubes
- 1 lemon, cut into thin slices
- 160ml Pimm's No. 1
- 125ml lemonade, chilled
- 125ml ginger ale, chilled
- 1/2 Lebanese cucumber, cut into thin strips
Method
- Place 1/2 the ice into a 1-litre capacity jug. Add lemon slices. Pour in Pimm's, followed by lemonade and ginger ale. Stir with a swizzle stick to combine.
- Divide remaining ice among four tall glasses. Place a piece of cucumber in each glass then fill with cocktail. Serve.
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And so, this is the last blog for the year. It's been a big year for all of us, and I suppose on reflection the amount of achievements, friends and experiences gained is pretty surprising. Theres been a lot of travel, a new Gourmet Provisions section added to the showroom...heck..even a new showroom (that just seems like years ago now...)..Brian the dog...a wedding...loss of a beloved pet...Caths camel riding experience another highlight (did I mention I will never let her forget that...?)...the familiarity of our regular customers and the welcoming of the new into the showroom and as design clients. It truly has been a great year...exhausting, but great! And so, we are off to have a well deserved break starting this Saturday afternoon the 24th through to Monday the 9th January.
Stay tuned next year....we cant wait to get into your space again :-)
Happy Christmas, Love and Light to you all.
The Charcoal Team
Colette, Cathie, Jen and Brian the Dog
xxxx
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