winter solstice, matariki and mussel chowder

Happy winter solstice and for us kiwis of course its Matariki and the arrival of Plaedes in our early morning sky signifying the start of the new year in the Maori calendar.
Its certainly different being a flower photographer in the winter,altho Roger has found some beautiful late roses even up to yesterday that are still waiting for their late winter pruning. Winter is a quiet time and as a sign of the times, we are having a quieter business winter than usual, but a good time to plan ahead and re-energise. Our flower canvas prints are on special for the months of July and August. Take a look -www.gardenartimages.co.nz/products/CanvasArtPrints We are offering a 10% saving on all sizes. They are quality prints,NZ made, which showcase Roger's gorgeous photography.

Its soup time at our place and I am loving our own tasty pumpkins especially, also gathering delicious green shelled mussels off therocks and turning them into Ngaio Bay mussel chowder. Here it is:
1 large onion diced
several cloves of garlic finely diced/minced
a celery stick or 2 diced
perhaps a leek diced
saute in butter (I know, but it tastes so good) on a medium-lowheat until soft. Add as many potatoes diced as you want, perhaps 2 -3 per person, and stir and continue sauteing, until partly cooked.Barely cover with fish stock or seafood stock or water . I also add a little of the water from the steamed mussels.
Add sea salt.Bring to the boil and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Mix either with a stick blender or roughly with a potato masher. Set aside
Steam open fresh mussels (Garlic, wine and fresh coriander in pan)
Dice some bacon and panfry or grill until crisp.
Add mussels roughly chopped (minus stalk and frill), and bacon to veges. Add a little wine, skinny milk and a generous dollop of cream, untilthe desired consistency (thick is good). I add a generous spoon of homemade pesto. Stir until near simmering. Do not boil!
Season to tast with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, fresh coriander, a few drops of tabasco.
Best prepared ahead then reheated to just under simmer for fuller flavour.

Enjoy and don't forget to look at our gift and greeting card range as well! www.gardenartimages.co.nz/products
cheers until next month
Jude
fab flower art
rogersonneland photography www.gardenartimages.co.nz

winter approachs brrrrr.....

jude here again.....Its almost the end of May, and winter is around the corner...how's that for stating the obvious.! Living in the Marlborough Sounds is special any time of the year. Watching the wind move over the water in a southerly squall picking up whirls of salt water like a tiny tornado and skidding it accross the surface. But when the sun shines its just gorgeous.
Flowers are a bit thin on the ground at this time of the year, altho Rog found a late Compassion rose and a Westerland rose and has some very moody gentle shots of these.
Firewood has been the job and now we are all stocked up for at least 2 winters, that feels so good. Now it is time to refocus on our business and persuade the world to come to our cyber door! www.gardenartimages.co.nz or to start planning a summer stay in the Sounds. Check out Ngaio Bay www.ngaiobay.co.nz
More soon, time for an Earl Grey!

learning the art of blogging

well, we are finally into autumn and the end of a fantastically busy hosting season. Our B&B has been full for months with great guests from all over the world, experiencing a bit of Kiwi magic at our special corner in the Marlborouigh Sounds. www.ngaiobay.co.nz
Actually I am Jude, rogers partner and I'm just kick-starting his/our blog. We are really just a couple of wrinklies having a good life producing great food and generous hospitality in a magic setting, growing organic food, plus gorgeous flowers for Rog to photograph then turn into gorgeous things for all sorts of uses.
today he "captured" a very late blooming peace rose....it will surely be one of the last. I picked a bunch of my favourite roses, Abraham Darby, a David Austin rose which is so fragrant it almost makes you swoon ....now there's an old fashioned word if ever I heard one. Everything seems more intense at this time of the year, perhaps before the almost-hibernati0n that accosts us in the winter as we slow down and pull in. The kitchen fire has begun its winterlong burn.
We are starting an email and website program to boost our product sales...trying to stick to the things that are affordable in what are becoming tight economic times. Beautiful cards are always needed, only cost a few dollars and give so much pleasure. Rogers images are there to see on our website and the cards are so reasonable . Check our website for a look www.gardenartimages.co.nz