In My Kitchen – April 2014

Posted on April 1, 2014 by thecompletebook

I am amazed at how quickly the year is passing by. April has arrived and I am no closer to achieving writing a chapter a month on my book as I had hoped. Missing an IMK post however won’t happen. So…

In my kitchen…

Is the most beautiful Batik tablecloth which Pete brought back from Nigeria. I love the shades of blue.

In my kitchen…

Is Kenyan tea which Pete brought home for me. I said to Pete I could move to Kenya for their fabulous tea. I would love to share some with you all.

In my kitchen…

Is a soy moisturising body candle which I was gifted as a thank you for baking cupcakes. The candle has the most wonderful smell, a mixture of rose, geranium and jasmine essential oils.

In my kitchen…

Are kitty treats waiting to be decanted. Our little boy will not settle at night until he has had his fishy treat. He often wakes me up in the middle of the night with a head-butt while kneading my pillow purring loudly in my ear and won’t stop until I give him another treat.

In my kitchen…

Are tick and flea treatments. A reminder it’s the beginning of the month and the fur babies need their next dose. Quite a traumatic experience for us all! Wish I could make them understand it is for their own good.

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.

58 thoughts on “In My Kitchen – April 2014”

{Main St. Cuisine} on April 1, 2014 at 01:16 said:

Love your list, especially that beautiful batik table cloth. There’s something about interesting textiles that always catch my eye. Is there more than one kitty in your home? My boys were so close to convincing their mamma to adopt a beautiful tabby that needed a new home (and we were just picking up Miss Abby from the vet!).

Have a wonderful week!
Allison

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:48 said:
  
  Thanks for your lovely comment Allison. We have 3 kitties. One old girl and two youngsters who we brought back from Mauritius. All of them came to us and never left. Have a wonderful week too. 🙂 xo
  
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Liz Posmyk of Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things on April 1, 2014 at 01:24 said:

Hi there and happy April! That tablecloth is gorgeous! : )

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:49 said:
  
  Happy April to you too Lizzy. 🙂 xo
  
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My Inner Chick on April 1, 2014 at 01:37 said:

Mandy,
I Love peeking inside your kitchen! Fabulous. Interesting. I’m so nosy.
Love your cat stuff, candle, & the cover of your tea bag w/ the leopard!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX LUV from MN.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:50 said:
  
  I am also nosy Kim and usually open the fridge at my mom or aunts house to see what they have. 😀 Have a beautiful day friend and love to you. 🙂 xoxoxo
  
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hocuspocus13 on April 1, 2014 at 02:11 said:

Reblogged this on hocuspocus13.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:50 said:
  
  Brilliant! Thanks for the reblog hocuspocus. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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  - hocuspocus13 on April 1, 2014 at 13:47 said:
    
    Your Welcome
    
    jinxx
    
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    - thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:58 said:
      
      🙂 xo
      
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dianeskitchentable on April 1, 2014 at 03:38 said:

That is indeed a beautiful tablecloth and Pete’s so thoughtful with his terrific gifts. I’m laughing about the kitty treats since I’ve got The Moe needing the pillow beside me as I type. Little devil is so spoiled that he just eats his treats off the top of his food and then comes screaming to me that he’s sooo hungry.
Do you get a lot of ticks where you are? We get a little relief in the winter but it only takes 1 mild day for them to start up and we just pulled one off Lola’s head yesterday (and this is with snow still on the ground!).

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:52 said:
  
  Aah yes, spoilt would definitely describe our 3 too Diane. We do get ticks – we have loads of bush surrounding us and our younger 2 love gallivanting and exploring. Revolution really works well so is well worth it’s money. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Leah on April 1, 2014 at 03:55 said:

Love the batik fabric

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:53 said:
  
  Thanks Leah. I am looking forward to using it. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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kathryningrid on April 1, 2014 at 04:13 said:

Thank you for always making all of us feel so at home in your kitchen, my sweet!
xoxo,
Kath

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:53 said:
  
  Kath, thank you for such beautiful words. You fill my heart with joy. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Kelly on April 1, 2014 at 05:04 said:

I adore the table cloth.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:54 said:
  
  Hi Kelly, thanks for stopping by. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Angie@Angie's Recipes on April 1, 2014 at 05:27 said:

You have some awesome stuff in this month, Mandy. Tablecloth and the tea bag are my favourites.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:54 said:
  
  Thanks Angie, the tablecloth and tea are my favourite too. Have a happy day. 🙂 xo
  
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Tandy | Lavender and Lime on April 1, 2014 at 05:57 said:

I travel with a soy candle and have one outside to deter the mozzies. Lovely looking into your kitchen this month 🙂

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:55 said:
  
  I am looking forward to using the candle Tandy. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Francesca on April 1, 2014 at 06:19 said:

I love the Batik- anything with indigo dye in I love. F

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 09:55 said:
  
  Hi Francesca, thanks for popping in. Have a beautiful day. 🙂 xo
  
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My Kitchen Witch on April 1, 2014 at 09:58 said:

The batik is wonderful and I also covet the bag the tea came in. Lovely post – purring cat on the pillow and all!

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:36 said:
  
  Hi Debi, thanks for stopping by. I am not sure what to do with my lovely tea bag once the tea is finished. Will think of something special. Have a wonderful day. 🙂 xo
  
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Choc Chip Uru on April 1, 2014 at 10:57 said:

That tablecloth is simply STUNNING 😀

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:37 said:
  
  Thanks CCU! It is huge – think I should ask Pete about investing in a bigger dining table. 😀 Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Bam's Kitchen on April 1, 2014 at 11:28 said:

I love that beautiful tablecloth! Cherish the items from around the world.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:37 said:
  
  The tablecloth is so big, I am sure I could make two out of it. Have a wonderful day Bam. 🙂 xo
  
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hotlyspiced on April 1, 2014 at 11:47 said:

I love the candles; soy candles are my favourite. How lovely to be given a thank you gift for making cupcakes xx

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:38 said:
  
  Soy candles are my favourite too now. I was surprised to hear how expensive they are though. Have a super day Charlie. 🙂 xo
  
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Chica Andaluza on April 1, 2014 at 12:50 said:

Loving that tablecloth and candles! And had to laugh at the tick treatment – mine are the same, it’s just a couple of drops on the back of their necks but you would think I’m sending them to the guillotine with the way they glare at me when I do it!

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:39 said:
  
  I could handle a glare – mine run like I have just tried to throttle them. Breaks my heart! Have a wonderful day Tanya. 🙂 xo
  
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Karen on April 1, 2014 at 13:05 said:

Pete is so thoughtful, your gifts are lovely. I can’t believe a third of the year has passed so quickly.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:58 said:
  
  My Pete really is Karen. Such a wonderful man. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Jessica Maher (@kbelleicious) on April 1, 2014 at 14:47 said:

okay that table cloth is stunning and so artistic with the details!

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 15:59 said:
  
  I love my tablecloth Belle. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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ChgoJohn on April 1, 2014 at 20:40 said:

April already! Time is flying, Mandy, and your trip here is coming fast. When were you coming again? 🙂
Your cat and his nightly treat is so like Max and his. He will drive me nuts all evening until I give him his special treat. The problem is that if I give it to him too soon, he’ll start begging for another. I cannot win — and I swear he knows it.

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- thecompletebook on April 1, 2014 at 21:15 said:
  
  When did you say the marathon was again – am I not supposed to be training for that…
  Seems your Max and my boy are in cahoots with each other!
  Have an awesome day John and yip, can you believe it’s April already! 🙂 xo
  
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Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on April 1, 2014 at 22:15 said:

Mandy, gorgeous batik tablecloth – how nice to see an African version – all the batiks I’ve seen have been Asian, with quite different designs. The tea sounds delicious, but I have to ask – how can a candle be body moisturising? Surely you don’t rub it on your skin? 😉

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- thecompletebook on April 2, 2014 at 09:58 said:
  
  I shall have to look out for an Asian batik Celia, they must be beautiful. Yip, you use the candle as a moisturiser. I also thought it was odd at first, but because it is made from soy, not sure how the whole thing works, you can use it to moisturise your skin. It feels beautifully silky soft. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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annajohnston0131 on April 2, 2014 at 11:12 said:

Ohhhh goodie. Tea, I love speciality tea, it’s the cheapest way to visit a foreign country I think, wish you could send me a leaf or two. 🙂

In my kitchen… Hmmmmm… Well this month just gone, not much at all sadly. March was one of the busiest I’ve experienced in for ever, pretty grateful for my toaster and microwave. Bad chef I am. Lol!

Thanks for sharing your goodies. Have a fabulous week lovely lady. Xxx

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- thecompletebook on April 2, 2014 at 11:15 said:
  
  What is your address Anna. Let’s see if I can get some tea to you – I shall send you our Rooibos to try. 😀
  Where would we be without a toaster and microwave some days hey.
  Have a fabulous week to dear. 🙂 xo
  
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Glenda on April 2, 2014 at 19:01 said:

Hi Mandy, I am with the others, I love your table cloth.

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- thecompletebook on April 3, 2014 at 13:41 said:
  
  Hi Glenda, thank so much! I have just read your lovely IMP post and can’t stop thinking about your beautiful spoons. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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Lisa the Gourmet Wog on April 3, 2014 at 08:59 said:

ok I must be weird because I saw the box of kitty treats and my first thought was…yum. LOL.
Great round up Mandy!!

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- thecompletebook on April 3, 2014 at 13:42 said:
  
  Hee hee. It must be your pregnancy Lisa. Wonder if I should venture into saying I will try one for you. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Beryl Joan Inglethorpe Healy on April 4, 2014 at 12:49 said:

Stunning tablecloth, Peteboy can shop for me anytime, with a cloth like this at the top of thelist. Scocrates will be glad you reminded me about the tick/flea stuff, I’ll do it as soon as the rain stops. LOL Beryl

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- thecompletebook on April 4, 2014 at 13:18 said:
  
  Best you know I will be checking with Socrates later to see if you did his tick/flea stuff… 🙂 xo
  
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Sally on April 5, 2014 at 13:29 said:

How interesting that cats don’t like the treatment – it’s a doddle with dogs! Lovely batik.

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- thecompletebook on April 7, 2014 at 21:45 said:
  
  I wish it wasn’t so traumatic for us all. Have a super day Sally. 🙂 xo
  
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tableofcolors on April 6, 2014 at 08:59 said:

I would love to try out Kenyan tea and the tablecloth is beautiful and unique. Lovely gifts you received.

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- thecompletebook on April 7, 2014 at 21:46 said:
  
  Hi Laila, the Kenyan tea is really lovely and I can’t wait to use my tablecloth. Have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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tiffinbitesized on April 14, 2014 at 12:17 said:

So I must know, ‘what is a body candle?’. Is it a candle you can also rub on your bodey as a moisturiser (as implied on the box)? Is the residual soy ‘wax’ used for something? Thanks for piqueing my interest!

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- thecompletebook on April 14, 2014 at 14:04 said:
  
  Hi Fiona, yip, you use the melted wax as a moisturiser – most amazing stuff! Leaves your skin beautifully silky smooth. The more you use it as a moisturiser, the more it burns away but it’s well worth it. I light my candle every evening when I have my bath. Thanks for stopping by and have a super day. 🙂 xo
  
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Mel Kettle on April 15, 2014 at 08:42 said:

Your tablecloth is stunning – I think I would have to hang it on the wall. Too gorgeous to risk messy eaters!

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- thecompletebook on April 15, 2014 at 10:54 said:
  
  Hi Mel, thanks for stopping by. I think you have a wonderful idea about hanging the tablecloth on the wall. Have a lovely day. 🙂 xo
  
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