In My Kitchen – August 2012
I think I may have missed quite a few of your IMK posts last month due to the internet problems we were having, if so, sorry about that. I am crossing fingers and holding thumbs that the cold weather will soon be behind us as come next month it will officially be Spring – YAY! So let’s get straight into what’s in my kitchen this month.
In my kitchen…
Is a lovely gift from my ever loving Pete. He brought home some much loved Vanilla from Mauritius – I know, can you believe he went back without me. I could at least have kept the beach company while he was in meetings. I have only ever lived there so would love to experience it from a tourists perspective.
In my kitchen…
Is another scrumity pressie from my Pete, a touch of sea salt Lindt dark chocolate.
In my kitchen…
Is a photo of Pete and I from our wedding day. I should probably put it into a nicer frame.
In my kitchen…
Are 3 new icing nozzles, which I have been wanting for the longest time.
In my kitchen…
Is a second icing bag. The other one I bought works so well that I thought it best to buy it a friend to chat to in the cupboard.
In my kitchen…
Thanks to my genius husband are 2 homemade serving rings. I have been trying to buy a set for quite some time now and they are either pathetically expensive (quite insulting to my intelligence) or they are cheap and nasty. Pete took two stainless steel cups and cut off the bottoms – perfect! So much better than my makeshift job of using a tuna can or the likes.
What’s in your kitchen this month? Please remember to link back to Celia’s blog Fig Jam and Lime Cordial if you partake in the fun.
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Your kitchen looks very ready for a sea salt chocolate cake
Love this!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
By: Choc Chip Uru on August 2, 2012
at 08:16
Thanks CCU! Hmm, never thought about the salt chocolate cake… Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 10:26
Yay…roll on Spring! I am so over winter. Lovely IMK, that pic definitely deserves a nicer frame
By: Sous Chef on August 2, 2012
at 09:07
I am over winter before it even starts! Have a happy day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 10:27
Oh Mandy, your wedding photo is so nice! I agree with you about looking forward to the weather change. The heat for us and the cold for you are almost over! Yay!
By: Spoon Feast on August 2, 2012
at 13:04
Thanks so much! I would love warm weather all year around – like when we lived in Mauritius, that would be fantastic. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 13:30
Mandy, you look so gorgeous in your wedding dress
You guys are such a beautiful couple 
By: Tesney Ap on August 2, 2012
at 13:09
Tes, thank you so much! Wish I was still that slim! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 13:31
The touch of sea salt Lindt dark chocolate is calling my name. Clever idea with the homemade serving rings, Pete.
By: Norma Chang on August 2, 2012
at 13:14
The touch of salt is lovely! I love using my serving rings. Have a lovely day Norma.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 13:32
I just love your wedding photo. You were a stunning bride. What a gorgeous dress and you wear it well. Your husband sounds very special. I have never been to Mauritius but would love to go there. I’ve heard it’s stunning xx
By: hotlyspiced on August 2, 2012
at 14:12
Thanks Charlie! My mom made my wedding dress.
My Pete is an incredible man! I am sure you would enjoy Mauritius. I have just put a booklet together with a few photos of our time there – just waiting for Pete to give it the once over before I share it with everybody. Have a super day. 
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 14:59
Your wedding photo is a knock-out! I love that your mother made your dress.
And your vanilla and chocolate are wonderful gifts- your husband may have gone without you- but he brought you back fitting tributes that he thought of you whilst away!
I feel the same way about decorating tips- I can’t go by them in the cooking stores without buying at least one more.
Thanks for sharing- I enjoyed the visit in your kitchen.
By: Heidi on August 2, 2012
at 15:51
Hi Heidi, thank you so much! I would also love to go on a course on house to ice cupcakes and the like better. Have a happy month ahead.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 16:40
wow, that is one of the sexiest wedding photos i have ever seen.. how beautiful you two are together.. and also chocolate with a touch of salt is FANTASTIC.. c
By: ceciliag on August 2, 2012
at 16:07
Aah C, thank you! *big hug* Lets just pretend that I am still so slim. Have a beautiful day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 16:42
Very nice Mandy!
I have to say that you look stunning in that picture, like a magazine model
By: Bluejellybeans on August 2, 2012
at 17:10
Wow, thanks so much Giovanna! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 18:06
I was just knocked out by your wedding photo…so beautiful and so clearly in love and happy! Yes, it deserves a better frame, but it’s the photo that counts!
Love that chocolate with the sea salt.
By: bitsandbreadcrumbs on August 2, 2012
at 17:50
Aah, thanks so much Betsy! I want to redo all of our photos and create a photo wall. Have a super day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 18:07
The wedding picture is amazing, I love it! I didn’t even notice the frame, to be honest, the picture is just too pretty
So many fun things here Mandy, I’m partial to that Lindt Sea Salt bar, I’m addicted to those! Have you tried the one with chili pepper? So yummy. I’d love to try the icing tips, I always think I’d love to try cake decorating. Great post!
By: Sarah on August 2, 2012
at 18:10
Sarah, thank you so much! I haven’t tried the chilli chocolate yet – will add it to my list. I reckon a cake decorating course would be so much fun! Pity we don’t live closer to each other to go together. Have a beautiful day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 18:16
I would love that! Right now I’d move to your part of the world where it’s nice and cool
Happy to hear spring is so close! I know you’ve been waiting 
By: Sarah on August 2, 2012
at 18:21
I’m waiting at the door with our icing bags and nozzles in hand.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 18:22
YAY!
Oh how fun that would be! xo
By: Sarah on August 2, 2012
at 18:25
I know!
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 22:26
Your Pete is very smart making those serving rings. The photo is lovely.
By: Glenda on August 2, 2012
at 18:25
Hi Glenda, thanks very much! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 22:26
The wedding picture is AMAZING! These two stainless steel rings are pretty cool, Pete is a genius.
By: Angie@Angie's Recipes on August 2, 2012
at 18:33
Angie, thank you so much! Have a great day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 22:33
Mandy, what a gorgeous wedding photo! Just lovely, thank you for sharing that with us! Your Pete is just the nicest man, bringing you back all that treasure and making rings for you. Look forward to seeing what you do with them! And I only ever use disposable piping bags – how on earth do you get the cloth ones clean?
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on August 2, 2012
at 21:15
Hi Celia, I am new to the whole piping bag thing but the 2 I have, have a plastic coating on the inside which I must say makes for really easy cleaning – well so far anyway. The serving rings are great fun and I use them even when I’m on my own for rice, mashed potatoes, couscous and even stacking veggies. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 22:37
As much as I love these glimpses into your kitchen, Mandy, your wedding photo stole the show. You looked simply gorgeous in your dress and that picture is truly beautiful. I look forward to seeing more photos from that special day. And I promise to remain more focused when next you give us a glimpse into your kitchen.
By: ChgoJohn on August 2, 2012
at 21:32
Aah John, you are too kind, thank you! I always say to Pete, we should do it all over again. I loved our wedding day. Have a fabulous day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 22:38
Chocolate and sea salt is always in our kitchen…a necessary treat.
Oh btw I just reviewed another SA wine.
By: Jed Gray (sportsglutton) on August 2, 2012
at 21:33
I like the way you think Jed – a necessary treat – think I shall refer to my chocolate as such moving forward! I look forward to reading about what SA wine you did a review on. Have an awesome day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 2, 2012
at 22:40
love love love the photo of you and Peter. You are both VERY beautiful.
So beautiful that I did not notice the frame.
Ohhh, & I adore sea salt Lindt dark chocolate….it is like eating heaven. xxx
By: My Inner Chick on August 2, 2012
at 23:43
Kim, you are a honey, thank you! Pete and I are going to start feeling like super models
I will enjoy a piece of chocolate for you today. Have a beautiful weekend. 
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 3, 2012
at 09:41
Just love your wedding day photo! And we tried the same chocolate a while ago, it does split oppinions! Have you tried the one with Wasabi yet? That’s also another oppinion splitter !!
By: Promenade Claire on August 3, 2012
at 00:17
Thanks Claire. Wasabi is on the list – can’t say I have seen it but if we get all the other flavours, we must get the wasabi. Have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 3, 2012
at 09:44
Your kitchen is amazing, especially with your wedding photo. Very beautiful even in that frame. Although, I love natural wood frames more than any others.
By: Marina@Picnic at Marina on August 3, 2012
at 02:50
Thanks so much Marina! It’s great fun sharing a few goodies every month. Have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 3, 2012
at 09:46
those rings are amazing! I should get Dave to make me some as well
I love your wedding photo xox
By: Tandy on August 3, 2012
at 08:10
Thanks Tandy! I love the rings. Hope Dave can make you a set this weekend. Have a lovely weekend.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 3, 2012
at 09:48
Your Pete is a keeper, for sure. No wonder, you made a stunning bride
By: theonlycin on August 3, 2012
at 18:43
Aah Cindy, thank you so much! Have a beautiful weekend.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 3, 2012
at 20:12
Pete is so clever making your rings and thoughtful with his gifts. You made a lovely couple then and I sure you do now.
By: Karen on August 4, 2012
at 23:53
Hi Karen, thank you! My Pete is one in a trillion! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2012
at 10:58
Mandy, you look absolutely stunning in your wedding dress and the photo is so beautiful. You are a happy couple
By: Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking on August 5, 2012
at 03:09
Hi Roxana, thank you so much! Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2012
at 10:58
Mandiferous! You looked sooo beautiful on your wedding day and yes that gorgeous picture deserves a stunning frame! My fave Lindt at the moment is Intense blueberry, it used to be the Chilli one but then I ate too much and ugh! I put some vanilla sticks in the container when we shipped everything over and I have stuck all 5 of them in my sugar jar, it makes the sugar all vanilla-ery flavoured.
By: moi du toi photography on August 5, 2012
at 11:40
Aah you, thanks Honey! Save me a piece of the blueberry flavour to try K! Love vanilla sugar! Good for you being such a clever girl. xoxoxo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2012
at 13:00
Well.. I must concur.. your wedding photo blew me away!! My gosh it should be graced with a beautiful frame to go with the lovelies that are in it! I have to say.. new icing tips get me excited as well, I guess that’s why we’re food writers:D xx Smidge
ps Love that word “scrumity”.. may I use it one day?? xx
By: Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on August 5, 2012
at 18:08
Thanks Smidge! You are more than welcome to use the word scrumity! Have an awesome week ahead.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 5, 2012
at 20:04
I tried that Lindt with sea salt and its surprisingly good
By: rsmacaalay on August 6, 2012
at 09:46
I was also pleasantly surprised. Have a good day Raymund.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 6, 2012
at 09:59
I had some of that sea salt LIndt in France – it was divine.
By: Sally on August 6, 2012
at 10:05
Must say it is rather nice, especially with a cup of tea. Have a lovely day Sally.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 6, 2012
at 14:44
do you even realize how gorgeous you look in that wedding picture? Wow my friend! Gorgeous!
By: Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on August 6, 2012
at 21:02
Belle, thank you so much! Guess my earlier years of modelling paid of a little. Have a super day.
xo
By: thecompletecookbook on August 7, 2012
at 16:36
I love that sea salt chocolate. And how lovely to have a wedding photo in the kitchen. Those serving rings are clever, but tuna fish tins have their uses too — I like to use them as crumpet rings!
By: Garden Correspondent on August 18, 2012
at 18:23
Thanks for stopping by. Good thought to use the cans for crumpets. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 19, 2012
at 10:43
Ohhhhh you look gorgeous in your wedding gown! Love that picture… and yes you should put it in a special nice frame because that’s a great shot, too!
And I will have to look for sea salt flavor of Lindt dark chocolate. I know I’ll be addicted to it already!
By: Nami | Just One Cookbook on August 21, 2012
at 06:25
Nami, thank you so much! Hope you get to find the chocolate soon. Have a lovely day.
By: thecompletecookbook on August 21, 2012
at 08:53