Champagne, T Zen and Orchids

We now have an interior fern garden which was once the orchid garden.  Recently, the orchid specialist came and said we have the perfect location and should grow them again.  He also offered his assistance.  Great.  So maybe now we can mix the ferns with the orchids.  Orchids, like people, are temperamental, and like to be left alone most of the time. 





The Orchid Garden

  

Orchids in bloom at home

White Orchids oil on canvas painting by Llewellyn Xavier

Champagne coloured cats

Now we come to the champagne coloured cat, once a feral now an imperial creature.  Who says you cannot tame animals?

Also known as Crystal or Champagne or her original name T Zen,  named by our wonderfully clever friend Zeno.  Or Paris Hilton.  Brilliant at times, a little vague and has a penchant for cat nip or dry herbs of the same family.   Her favourite pastimes are being pampered or sleeping or looking down at all the other cats. Apart from ourselves her only friend, in the whole wide world, is our white golden retriever.



T ZEN





T Zen aka Crystal or Champagne aka Paris Hilton having an afternoon rest on her favourite box with her favourite pillow lovingly made by Gabrielle





T Zen and the sugar apple tree



What to do with left over champagne - if you have any!

 (or any white or rose' wine)

Get melon seeds, grow melon.





OXO melon baller

 

I like to use the small melon-baller to scoop out pieces of melon.  And you can use the remainder of the melon.  Just whizz it up in the blender with milk, yoghurt, a soft drink like Sprite or wine.  Very refreshing.

If you don't have a melon-baller just chop with a knife.   Any type Canteloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon, or Papaya, large Mango; any combination, colour etc.  Add a few crushed fresh mint leaves, sugar to sweeten if necessary, then the left over champagne.  Cover and put in fridge for a few hours or overnight.  Serve in shot glasses with the liquid or in small bowls.

Our favourite champagne is DEUTZ  especially the Deutz Cuvée William Rosé but hard to find in the Caribbean.  One of the finest restaurants in Martinique, Cave a Vins,  has a great wine cellar and they receive a limited number of the Deutz Cuvee Rose per year.




Deutz by the pool........................specially served in a beautiful

Dartington Sharon Celebration Flute.

 

DARTINGTON Sharon Glasses - The Sharon collection is crystal drinkware of the highest order. It is of such quality that the Victoria and Albert Museum in London keep it in a display of the 100 greatest ever products. And this year marks Sharon’s 40th anniversary. So raise those glasses and join us in a toast to impeccable crystal design.  

The collection, which is defined by a unique teardrop shaped bubble in the stem of each glass, was first created by Dartington Crystal’s very own Frank Thrower in 1971. To this day the design remains the same, proof if it were needed that great design is timeless.

Victoria and Albert Museum, London  

The world’s greatest museum of art and design

Also at the V & A

Llewellyn Xavier's George Jackson series at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Llewellyn Xavier  - George Jackson series inspired by the Prison letters of George Jackson;   also contributing to the series : John Lennon , Yoko Ono , Jean Genet , James Baldwin , and the Rt. Hon. Peter Hain .