A DELICIOUS SPRING TREAT...

Good morning!

I'm not sure where the last week vanished to, but I do hope you all had a lovely long Easter weekend?

Ours was a particularly relaxing one, with no large scale entertaining this year, so a chance to get some projects done, take things easy and of course, prepare some delicious food!

When I shared on Instagram that I was making a 'Baked cheesecake with rhubarb', I received so many messages requesting the recipe, that I promised to post it here on the blog, so here it is finally!

Taken from the March edition of 'Waitrose' magazine, I would highly recommend this delicious desert...less rich than a classic cheesecake and with the addition of tangy Spring rhubarb it is fresh and absolutely delicous.  Perfect for this time of year when the first forced rhubarb is appearing.

BAKED CHEESECAKE WITH RHUBARB

SERVES 8-10

PREP: 15 MINUTES PLUS COOLING

COOK: 1 HOUR 15 MINS.

ROASTED RHUBARB

400g rhubarb, cut into 5cm lengths

75g caster sugar

3 cardamom pods, crushed

1tsp finely julienned fresh root ginger

BISCUIT BASE

125g amaretti biscuits

125g digestive biscuits

125g unsalted butter, melted and cooled 

plus extra for greasing

FILLING

4 eggs

115g caster sugar

600g ricotta

15g mascarpone

50g plain flour

1tsp vanilla extract

1 lemon, zest of all, plus a squeeze of juice

Preheat the oven to 160 C, gas mark 3.  For the roasted rhubarb, put all the ingredients in a roasting tin.  Stir in 3 tbsp water and toss together.  Bake, uncovered, for 15-20 mins until the rhubarb is just tender. Take out of the oven and set aside to cool in the tin.

Turn the oven up to 180 C (gas mark 4), lightly grease a 23cm springform cake tin and line the base with baking parchment.  For the biscuit base, put the amaretti and digestives in a large, sealable bag and crush with a rolling pin into fine crumbs.  Tip into a bowl, add the melted butter and mix until the crumbs are coated.  Transfer to the prepared tin, spread evenly over the base.  Bake for 10 mins then set aside to cool  Reduce the oven temp to 160C (gas mark 3).

For the filling, lightly beat the eggs and sugar umtil the sugar has dissolved.  Add the remaining ingredients and beat until well combined.  Pour over the base, then bake for 45 mins or until just set with a slight wobble in the middle.  Switch off the oven, open the door a little and leave the cheesecake to cool completely in the oven.  Serve with the rhubarb and some creme fraiche, if liked.

Bon appétit!

***

Sophia xx

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME 

OF THE YEAR....

Hello everyone and happy Christmas!

As I write this very belated blog post this Friday late afternoon, there is that wonderful anticipation for the imminent festivities that start this weekend!

With two out of three of our brood coming home from London for the celebrations (sadly eldest son is not home from Singapore this year, but we shall see him soon!), like all us Mums, I can't wait to have my chicks under one roof.

We shall have our usual 'Swenglish celebrations'....Swedish smorgasbord and presents on Christmas Eve and English Christmas on Christmas Day.  With a Swedish mother and English father, this lovely mix is something we celebrated when I was a child, and have since carried on with our own children.

Decorating the house is always a highlight for me. I start early on December 1st. (which happens to be my birthday!) with two fresh trees....

...and plenty of bulbs and fresh flowers around the house.

This is Delilah's first Christmas, and I'm relieved to see that she hasn't decided to demolish the trees....could have something to do with not being able to reach? Ha ha!

Fairy lights are a must...

...and plenty of bubbles!  Any of you who follow my Instagram (@sophiahomeandlifestyle) will know that this is Mr. W's Christmas styling input! I think he was rather chuffed with all the kind comments he received!

So with candles and fire lit this evening, and a glass of bubbles poured, may I wish all of you and your families a very happy Christmas!

Lots of love, 

Sophia xx

THE OPTIMISM OF SPRING...

ALL PHOTOS: SOPHIA HOME

This morning the sun came out, and although a little chilly, there was a definite change in the air.  Birds singing, bulbs popping through, and a freshness in the atmosphere. It was a treat to be outside for a morning, before returning to my desk.

Spring is such a positive and optimistic season of new beginnings.   A time to clear out the debris of Winter both inside and out.  A good Spring clean in our homes is called for, and what a joy it is to fling open those windows and let in that fresh new air.  

The garden is our main focus at this time of the year.  A busy time of weeding and mulching, greenhouse cleaning and seed sewing.  An investment of time and effort which pays back in abundance when everything is in full summer bloom and the kitchen garden is rewarding us with delicious organic vegetables and fruit. 

Days are getting longer, and thoughts turn to a change in routine.  I love the early evening ritual of watering my greenhouse and watching for new life.  

Seed and plant buying is always exciting.  This 

year I plan to add greatly to last year's planting of Dahlia tubers, and also Ranunculus in my cutting garden.  So lovely to have bunches and bunches of beautiful blooms to fill the house with all summer long until the first frosts.

Not just lighter days, but also the craving for lighter food, and trying some delicious new springtime recipes...

Lastly let's not forget lighter clothes too. (British weather permitting!)  As much as I love my cosy winter boots and jumpers, the opportunity for bare ankles and lightweight dresses and tops is so welcome!

What are you particularly enjoying at the start of this gorgeous fresh new Spring season?  I would love to hear....

Sophia xx

***

Ps.  I certainly didn't want to dwell on anything negative for this optimistic Spring post, but I just wanted to say a huge heartfelt thank you to so many of you who sent lovely messages to me with regards to the recent hacking of my Instagram.  The long and short of it is that both mine and Delilah my puppy's accounts were taken over, bombarded with obscene images and have now been removed by Instagram who inspite of numerous messages, have not responded.  I lost several years of a precious visual diary and over 6,000 followers.  I have no idea why this happened?  I like to think it was nothing personal and just for audience numbers and I may have been one of many who had our emails hacked.  What was a harmless, happy, creative place for me, my family and lovely like minded followers, was obscenely violated. 

To end on a positive (it is Spring after all!) I have taken a deep breath and started again.  Everyone has been so lovely and supportive, and as I say, this is so appreciated!  The little corner of Instagram that I know and love is incredibly kind and supportive and so full of talent and inspiration and I shall certainly not be giving up, just because there are such horrible low life people out there. I have now set up new Instagram accounts (with a very slight change in name) for myself and Delilah, and you can find them here if you would like to follow:

@sophiahomeandlifestyle

@delilahtheminidaxie

Wishing you a very happy rest of the week...

xxx

Christmas warmth and sparkle...

FESTIVE WHITES....
with a touch of sparkle and gold on my wishlist!

With Christmas just a little over six weeks away, my thoughts now turn to making list....gifts for family and friends, new recipe ideas, and of course my favourite...home decor. 

 I absolutely love decorating the house for the month of December.   Keeping it simple in my favourite tones of white and cream, and not too overdone, but with our two trees, a sprinkling of fairy lights, extra candles and votives, some favourite seasonal accessories and plenty of bulbs and fresh flowers, the house feels warm and magical and ready to welcome the family home.

Each year, I also love to see what's new, whether for myself or others, and here is a peek at some of the things that have caught my eye....

To start the month of December off, how charming is this wooden advent house from Gisella Graham?  With 24 little draws, what child or grown up for that matter, wouldn't love to find a small present or sweet treat inside each day on the countdown to the big day itself.

My personal preference for our home here in the Kent countryside is for a real tree, especially with a wonderful Christmas tree farm right on our doorstep, but if you can't face all the watering and the inevitable eventual needle drop, then this magnificent top quality artificial tree from House of Fraser (click for link) is your answer.  Artificial trees have come a long way in recent years, and almost hard to tell from the real thing!

Throws and cushions are essential for cosying up on the sofa with on cold Winter evenings and it's always nice to add a few new seasonal touches. I particularly love the texture of good faux fur to the touch.  Important also is for our homes to always smell good...this gorgeous 'Christmas wish' three-wicked candle from favourite organic brand Neom, will scent the air with a delicious aroma of mandarin, cinnamon and tonic bean.

Each year I like to add a little something new to our collection of tree decorations or something lovely for the table or mantlepiece. This rather splendid deer with fur ruff from Harrods would be perfect....and I love these delicate jewelled hanging snowflakes and glass baubles.  The latter can be personalised, which I think would be just perfect as table settings this year, with the names of each of our guests on.  They would make a lovely little memory to take home too.

Lastly, no Christmas decor would be complete without a beautiful wreath for the front door or perhaps on a mantle or used as a centrepiece for your Christmas table.  This lovely seasonal wreath from Oka is made of twigs covered in tiny white beads.  Simple and lovely. 

Happy countdown to the big day, and if any of these lovely items have caught your eye too, you can click on the images above....happy shopping!


Sophia xx