The Bag Lady

Wetherley’s closing down

I’ve spent many a happy half hour browsing in Wetherley’s at The Glen Shopping Centre and have purchased a few “small” items, such as vases, candle holders and cushions. When I was there last week I saw it is closing down. So sad, but to be honest it is an expensive store and although Southerners (some) have plenty of money, many go and shop in the North. I’m going to miss the store though and having a walk around from time to time, looking at what I wish I could afford!  I wonder what will be in its place, it’s a huge space to fill.

Feeling peachy

Peach, orange and coral shades are so “in” this season and I checked out a few “peachy” items.

At @HomeLiving (The Glen) treat yourself to a gorgeous Pomegrante Aromatic Candle, R65. Perfect for the bathroom, Mango and Papaya Millefiori Diffuser, R299 and this will give a divine fragrance. The refill is R249.  Coral cushion with zip effect, sixe 55 x 55 centimetres, R249 each.

Woolworths – Pale orange V neck (I love my Tee), all sizes R99.95. With summer holidays around the corner buy your flip flops now! Coral flip flops R120 and peach tekkies R250. Want to brighten up your bathroom for spring, coral towels from R59.95 (hand towel). Luscious Peach Blush Whisked Body Butter R45 and Hand and Body Wash R49.95. Men’s t-shirts in coral R99.95, also funky pale orange golf shirts from R99.95

Sorbet or Clicks – Hand and Body Lotion with Tangerine and Calendula + – R38.95.

Birthday shop – Wax Lyrical Mediterranean Orange Candle (from the UK) R139.

Peach Cobbler (taken from Jamie Oliver.com)

The combination of hot juicy peaches in their own gorgeous syrup with soft yet crisp little scone-like dumplings is just amazing.  One of the tastiest, easiest dessert recipes.

Ingredients
8 ripe peaches, halved, stoned and cut into wedges
1 vanilla pod, halved lengthways and seeds scraped out
zest of 1 lime
40 g soft brown sugar
zest and juice of 1 orange
2.5 cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
For the cobbler topping:
40 g pine nuts
100 g self-raising flour
50 g caster sugar
sea salt
100 g unsalted butter, chilled
icing sugar, to serve (optional)
good-quality vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method
Even though this recipe is dead easy, the results are so delicious it’s worthy of any occasion. The combination of hot juicy peaches in their own gorgeous syrup with soft yet crisp little scone-like dumplings is just amazing. You can assemble this, bake it ahead of time, then bring it back to life when you’re ready to serve it by adding a splash of water and warming it up in the oven. Best served hot, with a few spoonfuls of vanilla ice cream melting over the top.
Preheat your oven to full whack. In an earthenware cooking dish (approximately  25cm in diameter), toss your peaches gently with the vanilla seeds, lime zest, brown sugar, orange zest and juice and grated ginger. Put the dish into the oven and immediately turn the temperature down to 190°c. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes, until the peaches have softened slightly, the time it takes will depend on their ripeness.
Meanwhile, mix your cobbler topping. If you’re using a food processor, whiz up your pine nuts, then tip in your flour, sugar and salt. Cut your butter up into cubes, add to the processor and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Tip this mixture into a bowl. If working by hand, pop your pine nuts into a sandwich bag and bash them up with a rolling pin. Tip them into a bowl with the flour, sugar and a pinch of salt, then use a box grater to grate in your chilled butter. Using your fingertips, gently rub the butter into the mix until it starts to resemble fine breadcrumbs. At this point add two tablespoons of water to bring everything together, and when you have a firm dough put it to one side.
Remove your dish of peaches from the oven and pour in half a glass of water. Gently mix in and scrape around the edges to make sure nothing is catching, then use a tablespoon to dollop six big spoonfuls of dough on top of the peaches. Return the dish to the oven for around 20 minutes.

When it’s bubbling, golden on top and nearly perfect, get your ice cream out of the freezer.
Dust your cobbler with icing sugar, if using, then spoon a few scoops of ice cream on top and give it a minute to let the ice cream marble into the beautiful peach syrup. Take it to the table and don’t expect much to come back!
Sounds delicious doesn’t it! I’m going to make it this weekend for a family lunch.
Focus on Local

The Banyan Tree in Glenvista Shopping Centre (Shop L 3A, lower level, entrance 3) is owned by Naveen Ragoonanthun and has been open for over four years.

Primarily a picture framing and home décor business, Naveen believes in giving a really great service. “If I do a good job I know my customers will come back and tell their family and friends about the shop,” said Naveen.  His prices are very good and the shop is well set out, showing the beautiful gifts off perfectly.

I can personally vouch for his picture framing. I’ve had a couple done by him and the workmanship is superb and a friend of mine has had five of her large paintings framed here and they look amazing.

Naveen sells beautiful handmade gifts which are not mass produced and the brass items are treated so they won’t tarnish. He also sells aluminium and silver goods, vases, planters, candle holders, name boards and lots more.

The Banyan Tree is open Monday to Friday 09:30 to 17:30 and Saturday and Sunday 089:30 to 13:00. You can contact Naveen on 011 432 6756 or 083 502 2646.

I have a few lemons I’m addressing, so hopefully I’ll have answers soon.

Just a little reminder – 17 weeks to Christmas. There are still plenty of sales in the shops and it’s month end, so get buying now.

Email me: juliem@caxton.co.za or phone 011 724 7000. Have a wonderful week and shop till you drop!

Julie