I am on a mission to collect as much vintage china ware as I can for my wedding next year. I want to make the day as personal as possible, and feel a lovely afternoon tea will do the trick. Who can beat tea and cakes on a summer afternoon.

I am hoping to turn my collect into a business venture in the future, hiring out to people for birthdays parties and summer teas.

This has to be one of the best chocolate brownie recipes I have ever tasted, and I have made quite a few. They are always to runny, to set or just plain crunchy. This is perfect bitter sweet goodness!!!!

Its easy to make and only slightly messy, you’ll need;

150g Butter

150g Dark Chocolate

2 Eggs

1tsp Vanilla

175g Caster Sugar

100g Plain Flour

1 large spoon of powdered chocolate

Tiny bit of salt.

White chocolate chips (Optional)

Ok, this is what you need to do;

On a low heat melt the butter and chocolate and set aside to cool slightly. Next beat the eggs, vanilla and sugar until creamy. Sift the flour, chocolate and salt into the sugar and eggs, and lastly mix in the chocolate and butter (Don’t beat it).

Scrape it all into a low tin and bake on Gas 4 for 20 mins. Making sure you check it after 10. It is done when the top is pale and cracks have started to form. Now let it cool before cutting into squares and enjoying.

This is my recipe, so I hope you like it?

225g Flour

75g Castor Sugar

200g Butter

25g Coco or Chocolate Melted

50g Cornflakes

All you need to do is soften the butter and add the sugar, flour and coco. Mix well and add the cornflakes.

Place them in rough blobs on a tray and bake for 10/15mins at 180c or Gas Mark 4. I like to take them out while they are still sticky in the centre.

Top them with icing or frosting of your choice, and enjoy.

My second recipe is Filo Parcels filled with mushroom, red onion, tomato and ricotta;

Easy to make, you layer you filo alternate ways in a baking tray or cake papers, then brush the edges with a little oil. Next fry the onion, mushroom, and add salt & pepper, before mixing the tomatoes in and removing from the heat. Mix all with ricotta cheese and add the the centre of each case and cook for 30 minutes of Gas mark 4. It is important to keep checking the pastry!!!

After looking through many sites I have decided on a English Country Summer theme for my summer wedding next year. I love the idea of wildflowers and growing my own, though this could be hit or miss with my past successes.

I love these pinks, purples, blues and touches of white. (Not reds) I want to place them in mismatched pots, jugs and glasses on the tables. Small but perfect arrangements.

I love the following mood boards; with a few more touches of purple and less blue I think I may have decided on our wedding colours.

I am now awaiting for bridesmaid dress colour samples from http://www.luellasboudoir.co.uk/ bridal shop in Wimbledon village. They have lovely dresses in many shades of green.

Walks along the beach and cliffs, surfing and cream teas are what summer is about.

I often dream of being able to live in Cornwall, inspiration on your doorstep and an endless sense of relaxation.

I now have a few more weeks off work and plan on creating some Cornish inspired art, maybe branch into a few small paintings. Watch this space!

]]> http://www.justineberry.co.uk/blog/2008/07/cornwall/feed/ http://www.justineberry.co.uk/blog/2008/06/busy-of-late/ http://www.justineberry.co.uk/blog/2008/06/busy-of-late/#comments Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:10:03 +0000 Justine http://www.justineberry.co.uk/?p=83 I’ve been a bit busy of late, I got a wonderful marriage proposal. So I’ve had lots of madness! Now things have calmed down slightly and the weather is better, I though it was about time I listed some of my card designs on etsy. I have only posted up a few, but there are many more to come.

For anyone who might be interested follow the link in the side panel. (veryberries)

They are by a company called yoyo ceramics. All of the products are lovely, and I’ll be adding some to my Christmas & birthday lists.