A Basket By The Door with Sophie Hansen & Alice!

What a delightfully warm month May has been, with the summery weather lingering on right throughout Autumn. Now, somewhat unbelievably we are just days away from Winter time, right on cue a cold wind arrived this morning as predicted and we've since had just a little, welcome rain falling on my garden. As I sit here at my kitchen table writing this newsletter, the wood fire crackling away in the living room, I'm so incredibly grateful how fortunate we were yesterday, to enjoy such brilliant sunshine for the Tea & Cake In My Garden with Sophie Hansen Event.

Forty five guests gathered in my front garden to hear Sophie share her story and the inspiration behind her writings and recipes for her new book A Basket By The Door. It was an extra bonus that she was accompanied by her gorgeous daughter Alice and we felt privileged to have them both with us for the afternoon. Cups of tea flowed and our guests delighted in devouring the savoury tarts; Hot Smoked Trout & Zucchini / Caramelised Onion with Feta, a platter of Quick Pickled Vegetables with goats cheese and crackers, a selection of delicious cakes; Wholemeal Marmalade & Apple Cake / Triple Ginger Loaf with lemon & passionfruit curd and a sweet dukah - all recipes cooked from A Basket By The Door.

As Sophie and I chatted in front of our guests, we were all fascinated to hear about her journey as a journalist, a food writer, a farmers wife in Orange, a mother of two, the creator of her very successful blog Local Is Lovely, winner of Rural Woman of the Year 2016, and author of two beautiful cookbooks written from the heart. When I asked Sophie 'Who Inspires you?' she answered without hesitation "Farmers - they inspire me because of their perseverance and their tenacity - they just keep going everyday!" She's also inspired by generosity and that is indeed the spirit of her new book. Her words and recipes instilling in others the thought of cooking something with love for another and then leaving it in a basket by their door. From the comments below received from some of our guests yesterday, there is no doubt she left us all feeling very inspired to cook and be generous to our family and friends who might be needing a bit of love, nourishment and cheering up.

"Thank you Jane for such a warm welcome this afternoon. Such a glorious and inspirational cake and tea listening in 'real life' to Sophie. How delightful you both are. My book 'A Basket By The Door' will always remind me of this wonderful afternoon" ~ Pam

"A wonderful afternoon listening to two inspirational women, a belly full of tasty treats and a take home delight of a beautiful book that I hope to share from in many ways. Thank you." ~ Bec

"Thank you Jane for your generous hospitality. Good food and good company. I feel inspired to get cooking and spread the love." ~ Lorraine