In My Kitchen – October 2013

Posted on October 1, 2013 by thecompletebook

Doing Celia’s IMK posts are always such fun and also serve as a reminder of how quickly the year passes by. Winter seems to be a distant memory now and Spring leading into Summer is a very happy time.

In my kitchen…

Is the newest edition to our family – a Nespresso coffee machine. Coffee takes on a whole new meaning with this fancy machine – if it’s good enough for George Clooney, well then it’s good enough for us. 😀 We are busy working our way through the various coffees to decide which are our favourite so we can order just those. Seems just after we bought our machine and phoned to register it, there are 5 new coffees which we missed out on. So in total there are 21 coffee blends to enjoy.

In my kitchen…

Are my new teabag and teaspoon holders which sit on my tea tray at the kettle. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my others, I just felt like a wee change and all it cost me was reaching into the back of a cupboard.

In my kitchen…

Is the nuniest gift from Pete’s nephew Simon and his lovely wife Elaine. They know all too well how cat crazy I am and I am in love with this little hanging kitty who is currently keeping my arum lilies company. Isn’t he just too adorable!

In my kitchen…

Is another gift from Simon and Elaine. I forgot to share this adorable tea towel with you months ago – oops!

In my kitchen…

Are two watering frogs. You pop them into an indoor pot plant and fill them with water and they slowly release water into the soil, all the while looking cute.

In my kitchen…

Finally, something food related – is a jar of tomato jam which Pete and I bought in Graaf Reinet on our drive home from Johannesburg last month. We also bought the best lamb chops I have ever eaten. I was so impressed with the chops I phoned the owner of the butchery the following morning to thank him.

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.

66 thoughts on “In My Kitchen – October 2013”

Lisa the Gourmet Wog on October 1, 2013 at 07:09 said:

You’ve reminded me to buy tea bag holders. My husband is notorious for leaving them around the house and it drives me mental!! Love the idea of slow release water drippers, how great are they?!! Great IMK post Mandy, thanks for the tour xx

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 08:44 said:
  
  The watering frogs are too adorable! Thanks for popping into my kitchen Lisa. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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hotlyspiced on October 1, 2013 at 07:49 said:

I love your hanging cat and your garden frogs. Too cute! And that’s so nice of you to thank the butcher. I bet they hardly ever get phone calls like that. Xx

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 08:46 said:
  
  I have been contemplating asking Pete’s nephew where he got the hanging cat so I can get more. 😀 The butcher has promised that when he passes our way he will gladly bring more for me – how awesome is that! Have a happy day Charlie. 🙂 xo
  
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lizzygoodthings on October 1, 2013 at 08:27 said:

Ah, the Nespresso… I have used them at work… such delicious coffee!

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 08:46 said:
  
  We are still trying to figure out which “flavour” coffee is our favourite Lizzy. Which do you prefer? 🙂 xo
  
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cquek on October 1, 2013 at 10:04 said:

i love that cat

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 12:06 said:
  
  Thanks so much cquek! Have a super day. 🙂
  
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theonlycin on October 1, 2013 at 10:20 said:

I love all your October things, but especially your hanging kitty; just adorable 🙂

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theonlycin on October 1, 2013 at 10:20 said:

I love all your October things, but especially your hanging kitty; just adorable

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 10:38 said:
  
  Thanks so much Cindy. Have a happy day. 🙂 xo
  
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Promenade Claire on October 1, 2013 at 10:42 said:

I want watering frogs!!!
And how lovely you phoned the butcher, I’m sure it made his day

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 10:54 said:
  
  Right, now how to source more frogs to send to you Claire! No, no, I insist, I will have to bring them myself. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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  - Promenade Claire on October 1, 2013 at 10:55 said:
    
    🙂
    
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Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on October 1, 2013 at 12:49 said:

There’s something very special about getting a really good piece of meat, isn’t there? I bet the butchers appreciated your phone call! Your hanging cat is adorable, and my Pete will laugh – he grew up with Burmese cats, and they were always getting into brown paper bags for some reason! Enjoy your Nespresso, but be warned, I’ve known friends who’ve ended up with cupboards full of pods! 😀

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 14:28 said:
  
  Even better is a good piece of meat at a good price, just as these chops were. I hope we don’t land up with cupboards full of pods Celia. Guess a good way is to go through the process of finding out which are our favourites and only buying those. Pete loves his coffee so reckon we should be okay. Have a super day and looking forward to the other IMK instalments. 🙂 xo
  
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Misky on October 1, 2013 at 13:59 said:

Cute frogs. Love those.

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 14:29 said:
  
  Thanks Misky! Hope you having a good break. 🙂 xo
  
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Jacqui Kruzewski on October 1, 2013 at 14:08 said:

We saw a Tassimo machine in France (on our way back from Poland) and ordred one off ebay. My husband got so impatient (it was a little delayed!) he bought one on his way home from work! So now we have one in the kitchen and one in his office! We are slowly working our way through the flavours (coffee – but also hot chocolate and tea)…..and love it (them!).

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 14:32 said:
  
  Hi Jacqui, thanks for stopping by. I guess 2 is always better than 1. 😉 How nice that you can make hot chocolate and tea with the Tassimo machine. I’m sure Nespresso isn’t far behind. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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Glenda on October 1, 2013 at 15:06 said:

Hi Mandy, I too love the hanging cat, he is very cute.

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 15:14 said:
  
  Thanks very much Glenda. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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heidiannie on October 1, 2013 at 16:01 said:

Hanging cats and tea towels- you probably have a collection of cat memorabilia around. I have a whole bunch of teddy bear stuff that people gift me with and I love them although collectibles can take on a life and cupboard of their own!
Thanks for sharing your kitchen!

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 16:08 said:
  
  HI Heidi. You are quite right – I can’t bring myself to use the beautiful tea towels so they do just sit in a cupboard. I really should just use them. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen on October 1, 2013 at 16:21 said:

I love your new blog look! I hope it hasn’t been like this for too long.. that means I haven’t visited in much too long! It’s great to read and has nice big photos:) I love your nespresso.. I’ve been considering purchasing one, I’m a big coffee addict:D xx

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 17:02 said:
  
  Hi Smidge. The changes haven’t been around for too long, so please don’t feel bad. It is always a lovely treat to have you visit. In hindsight I think we should have got the Nespresso with the milk frothy attachment thingy, although I can’t warrant the additional cost. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on October 1, 2013 at 16:28 said:

I love your teabag and teaspoon holders!!

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 17:02 said:
  
  Thanks Angie. Have a happy day. 🙂 xo
  
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dianeskitchentable on October 1, 2013 at 18:18 said:

Very cool coffee machine & it sounds like a lot of fun trying all the different flavors. But oh is that hanging cat adorable! Isn’t it funny how we both mentioned how cats just have to get inside any box you bring in the house, or bags! And there you have a tea towel with a kitty in a bag. I love the idea of the watering frogs too & would love to find something like that for my pots of basil – I’m always forgetting to water them since they’re in the dining room where they’ll get some sun…alas, they also need water & Diane is forgetful.

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 20:42 said:
  
  Now you know why I have watering frogs Diane – seems you and I suffer from the same syndrome. 😉 Wouldn’t it be awesome if I could personally bring you a few watering frogs – tell you what I will wait until your renovation is complete and will bring them then. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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chef mimi on October 1, 2013 at 19:41 said:

Hi Mandy. Enjoy that Nespresso machine. I will never live without one, if possible. Great post!

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 20:43 said:
  
  HI Mimi, my Pete is very taken with the Nespresso – poor man has been talking about getting one for over a year now. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Ada ~ More Food, Please on October 1, 2013 at 19:55 said:

Yay Nespresso! I don’t have a Nespresso, but I do have a regular drip coffee machine, an espresso machine, and CBTL Kaldi machine 🙂
The teabag and teaspoon holders are cute!

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- thecompletebook on October 1, 2013 at 20:44 said:
  
  Ada, you must take your coffee drinking quite seriously with 3 machines, my Pete would be very proud . Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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  - Ada ~ More Food, Please on October 2, 2013 at 19:04 said:
    
    Haha I guess I do! Some people say 3 is too many, but I say each one is unique and useful for different reasons.
    
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    - thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 21:28 said:
      
      I agree and I am sure there is a 4th machine out there with your name on it too. 🙂 xo
      
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Chica Andaluza on October 1, 2013 at 22:50 said:

My best pals have those coffee machines – I like the purple capsules but so far George Clooney has not showed up for coffee. I will make do with Big Man who is like an XL version of George 🙂 (well, in my eyes, at least!)

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 08:43 said:
  
  Aawww, I love that Big Man is your George Clooney <3, that's just the way it should be. Right, I am off to the kitchen to see if there is a purple capsule left – there were a couple of purpleish ones. Have a beautiful day Tanya. 🙂 xo
  
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Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on October 2, 2013 at 04:01 said:

i need that tomato jam! It looks delicious and so sweet. That is one of my favorite things in the world about food- when people recreate something to use on someting you would never expect. Like tomato jam on a bagel or biscuit or waffles!

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 08:45 said:
  
  Ooo tomato jam on a waffle – must definitely try that Belle. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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kathryningrid on October 2, 2013 at 05:11 said:

I always enjoy the IMK posts, too, sensing as the items are identified that I’m being given gentle clues to know the kitchen’s owners better. What a pleasure! And that tomato jam looks particularly enticing. 😉
xoxo,
Kath

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 08:47 said:
  
  It is great fun learning more about each other through different mediums, like the IMP posts. I would love to share a few crackers and cheese with you so you can try out the tomato jam. Have a beautiful day Kath. 🙂 xo
  
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ChgoJohn on October 2, 2013 at 07:40 said:

A great IMK post, Mandy. Love the hanging cat and I’ve been looking at coffee machines lately, Nespresso being high on my list. I’ve cut back on my coffee consumption and fear that having easy access to really good coffee may reverse any progress I’ve made. Hmmm …
Have a great week!

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 08:51 said:
  
  Hmm, well, lets think… the cost of the pods (in my opinion) are quite high so maybe that could be a helping hand in keeping your consumption down, or not, just a thought. 😉 I won’t mention how fun it is to put the little pod in and watch the coffee pour out the funnel thingy while the aromas hit your nose which quite honestly gives you a little lift -oh hang on, I am supposed to be talking you out of having too much coffee, not the other way around. Great friend I am! Have an awesome week too. 🙂 xo
  
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Tandy | Lavender and Lime on October 2, 2013 at 08:40 said:

I love the watering frogs! And that coffee machine – enjoy!!!

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 09:23 said:
  
  Thanks Tandy! Have an awesome day. 🙂 xo
  
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Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder) on October 2, 2013 at 11:20 said:

G’day Tandy! Love all things different and unique true!
The cat quirkiness attracted me right away and also learning a different name for Tomato Jam too!
Cheers! Joanne
Viewed as part of IMK

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 11:31 said:
  
  Thanks Joanne! Cats are so damn addictive aren’t they! Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Joanne T Ferguson (@mickeydownunder) on October 2, 2013 at 11:23 said:

Fire the typist who is BEYOND exhausted too! Apologies as KNOW your name is Mandy, but saw your comments to Tandy and decided to call you Tandy too! I am sure we call all laugh as we all have had these sort of days too! 🙂 Thx for understanding ! Joanne

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 11:32 said:
  
  Hee hee, no problem at all. Lets just say I am Tandy with an M. 😉 xo
  
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Kay / Pure + Complex on October 2, 2013 at 21:10 said:

I just LOVE your teabag and teaspoon holders. I remember my grandmother had an old one with her china set and it was absolutely perfect. You definitely brought back memories with this post 🙂

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- thecompletebook on October 2, 2013 at 21:30 said:
  
  Oh how lovely to bring back such a fond memory for you Kay. Have a beautiful day and I love your new gravatar. 🙂 xo
  
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Jas@AbsolutelyJas on October 4, 2013 at 12:06 said:

I’m so torn on the Nespresso machines! I have a 5 year old fully manual delonghi and love the control I have over the coffee I end up with (and I buy whole beans and only grind them just before I make a cup. BUT this comes at the cost of time (about 10 mins end to end if I’m frothing milk too), and incredible mess (it spits water everywhere, I think it needs a service). There are days when I love it to bits, and days where I walk past the Nespresso store and think “gosh, that would just be so easy!” Eh. First world problems 😀

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- thecompletebook on October 4, 2013 at 12:37 said:
  
  Hi Jas – I honestly think Nespresso just got the marketing right and that’s why they sell so well. As much as I love the idea of it all, I think they are very expensive as are the pods of coffee but hey, my Pete enjoys his coffee. 🙂 I also think the coffee could come out a bit hotter – maybe I am doing something wrong, will have to check. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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My Inner Chick on October 6, 2013 at 23:51 said:

ahhhhh, Sweet Kitty Kats 🙂 Xxx MEOWwwwwww from MN.

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- thecompletebook on October 7, 2013 at 08:42 said:
  
  Kitties are the BEST! Have a happy purry day. 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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Giulia Porro (@loveateverybite) on October 7, 2013 at 09:49 said:

those indoor watering frogs are sooo cute!

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- thecompletebook on October 7, 2013 at 10:15 said:
  
  Hi Giulia,thanks for stopping by. The little frogs are adorable and are quite the conversation piece. Have a lovely day. 🙂
  
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dedy oktavianus pardede on October 8, 2013 at 15:39 said:

the teaspoon holders will make a grat presentation for tiny food like pan seared scallop with roasted pepper sauce…..
good stuff!

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- thecompletebook on October 8, 2013 at 15:55 said:
  
  You always have the bes ideas Dedy! 🙂
  
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Kim Bultman on October 9, 2013 at 12:22 said:

Mandy, your coffee and tea-related goodies were a great way to start the morning here (thanks, I needed that!) and your dangling kitty is absolutely adorable. Never tried tomato jam, but I bet it’s yummy!

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- thecompletebook on October 9, 2013 at 14:51 said:
  
  Hi Kim. thanks for your lovely comment. Have a super day. 🙂
  
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TIFFIN bitesizedfood (@TIFFINbitesized) on October 18, 2013 at 08:20 said:

Goodness – that jam really is red! It’s great when you find a tasty accompaniment for grills and BBQs but even better when you find a decent butcher. I bet he was surprised with your phone call. How perfectly polite of you!

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- thecompletebook on October 18, 2013 at 09:59 said:
  
  Hi TIFFIN, thanks for stopping by. I have subsequently ordered more meat from the butcher which my husband picked up when he drove home last week. Happiness! Have a super weekend. 🙂
  
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ela@...it's better when I make it myself on November 2, 2013 at 07:59 said:

Wow, the hanging kitty is lovely! And the little kitten on the front cover looks exactly like ours, 4 years ago. All the best!

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- thecompletebook on November 3, 2013 at 15:53 said:
  
  I love all my kitty “stuff” Ela. Your kitty must be a beautiful specimen. I have all our 3 sleeping around me at the moment and the old girl is even snoring! Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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