The November Edition
Willow Loves, escape to Cape Town, DIY doughnuts & it's time for Amaryllis...
(please note - this is a long edition, read in app or web if email cuts off)
Welcome to our November edition of The Seedling. Can you believe it’s November?! We’ve had a busy week at Daylesford for our Christmas pop-up - so lovely to meet some of you there and introduce our winter wares; it was so fun seeing so many of you wandering around with our splattered planters and velvet bows under your arms off to deck your halls! (Thank goodness we held some back for the online store).
There's lots to be excited for this month - with bonfires and fireworks quieting down, it’s full speed ahead to ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. But pace yourselves, this is a marathon not a race, and one we don’t want to arrive frazzled and exhausted for…
In this issue, I share a happy-making and super simple way to bring amaryllis bulbs to life at home or to give to a friend (hint: wrap a velvet bow around the jar for added winter cheer); we escape to sunny Cape Town with the chic Kate Kindersley from Hadeda; share a delicious DIY doughnut recipe from Thomasina Miers inspired by Ballerina Farm making hers at home; I share my Willow Loves for this month; and we round up some wonderful things to do and book, in an arts and culture round up.
This is all for free for my non-paid subscribers. Those signed up as paid subscribers get extra Willow Loves and of course, my weekly emails, and much more. Do consider joining us - it’s a happy, growing community, inspired to live our best lives - with ideas to create and nurture, lots of flowers, fashion, food & more…
Happy November!
Lots of Love,
November Flowery How-To
Amaryllis in a Glass Jar
Before I started playing with flowers for a living, one Christmas, a florist friend gave me a beautiful, old glass jar with an amaryllis bulb sitting at the bottom of it. There it sat in our kitchen like a museum specimen, growing more alive and more beautiful each day; I was transfixed. This magic duo – jar and bulb – have since become one of my favourite presents to give a friend at this time of year. I love how they thrive with no soil; they are seriously low maintenance so make a brilliant gift for everyone, green-fingered or not.
A very easy joyful update to bring colour and life indoors - you could also use paper whites, hyacinths and our everyday recycled glass jar is perfect.
You will need:
Clean large glass jar (sometimes they’re called pickle or bell jars; it needs to be at least 30cm/12in to support the height of the amaryllis)
Amaryllis bulbs – I love ‘Alfresco’, ‘Mandela’, ‘Marilyn’ and ‘Magic Green’. Use an odd number of bulbs. For a 30cm (12in) jar I would use three bulbs
Moss to nestle around the bulbs
This magic duo – jar and bulb – have since become one of my favourite presents to give a friend at this time of year
How to:
1. Place the bulbs at the bottom of the jar.
2. Trickle in enough water just so that the roots are wet. The bulb itself should not be in contact with water.
3. Sit back and watch the magic unfold…
You should start to see growth after a few weeks. Once the flower bud has appeared, it will shoot up very quickly. If you want to slow the growth down, keep it somewhere cool and to speed it up, move it somewhere warmer.
Tip: You can add gravel or decorative stones for the bulbs to sit on; for the amaryllis, I just prefer it aesthetically without and only with moss for company… Add a velvet bow to wrap around the glass jar, et voila - a very lovely festive present…
Recipe - Orange Ricotta Doughnuts
Inspired by Ballerina Farm’s doughnut making at home using seasonal apples (I mean, if she can do it, we can try it), we’re sharing a doughnut recipe from the wonderful Tommy Miers, swapping apples for orange. A fruitful Sunday activity for wintery days at home…
Thomasina Miers' Orange Ricotta Doughnuts with Hibiscus Sugar
Recipe makes 12 so you may want to double as they tend to vanish fast…
These light, ethereal, Italian-inspired doughnuts are fragrant with the scent of orange and look gorgeous tossed in the violet-coloured hibiscus sugar. They are a total treat for the end of a meal – a sure way to win in any popularity stakes.
MAKES 12 DOUGHNUTS
2 eggs
80g (3oz) caster (superfine) sugar
zest of 1 orange
250g (9oz) ricotta
115g (4oz) plain (all-purpose) flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
10g (1/4oz) dried hibiscus flowers
vegetable or sunflower oil, for frying
Whisk the eggs in a bowl, then whisk in 40g (11/2oz) of sugar and the orange zest. Add the ricotta and fold gently to combine – don’t overmix – you need to keep some of the lumps to make the dough hold. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt, then fold into the ricotta mixture.
Blitz the hibiscus flowers to a fine powder in a small food processor and then sift into a small bowl. Mix them with the remaining 40g (11/2oz) of sugar and set aside.
Put a deep pan over medium heat and pour in enough oil to come 4cm (11/2 inches) up the sides. Warm to 160–170°C (320–340°F). A sugar thermometer is a big help here or test the dough by dropping in a little to see if it sizzles and floats.
Using two tablespoons, carefully drop tablespoons of the batter into the oil and fry for 2–3 minutes until golden on all sides. They should turn themselves over after a minute or so but if not, turn with a slotted spoon.
Using the same slotted spoon, lift out the doughnuts when they are golden and transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Once all the doughnuts are cooked, toss in the hibiscus sugar and serve at once.
These invariably vanish moments after they have been tossed in the sugar but if in doubt, they are best eaten straight away in any case. You can keep warm in an oven if necessary.
recipe from Meat-Free Mexican - Vibrant Vegetarian Recipes
by Thomasina Miers
Insiders Guide to… Cape Town
The Insider - Kate Kindersley from lifestyle brand, Hadeda
Your connection with Cape Town?
My Mother was born here in Cape Town so we spent a large part of my childhood here.
When did you first visit?
I think when I was 4 months old! I then moved to Cape Town and met my husband Alex aged 25.
Best time to visit as a tourist?
I love February and March. The weather is beautiful and there are less windy days.
Where to Stay?
I love The Dorp Hotel. It is set in the Cape Malay quarter overlooking the city with the most unbelievable views of Table Mountain. Or Airbnb for a great spot on the rocks in Bakoven. Or a little out of Cape Town stay at Sterrekopje for a fully immersive experience. We live near Groot Constantia which is one of the oldest wine farms in Cape Town.
Where to Shop?
I always pop into Chandler House, which is a treasure trove of beautiful artisan products curated by the fabulous artist Michael Chandler.
Where to Dine?
Our favourite place is Beau Constantia. Set just near our home on a beautiful vineyard. The food is incredible. A fave for girls dinner is Ouzeri and for a ‘cool kids’ hangout for brunch head to Clarkes or Cafe Du Cap.
Where to Spa?
For a pampering day I would head to Babylonstoren a little out of Cape Town, and book a whole day to potter around the gardens and spa.
Local market/vintage haunts?
Our fave Saturday morning hang is a morning on Llandudno Beach surfing or a visit to Oranjezicht Farmers Market..
Fun vintage pottering in Kalk Bay and lunch at Harbour House watching the seals and whales.
Best place for a morning coffee?
I love popping into Black box for a coffee on my morning walk on the mountain. Or Clarkes for coffee and the best eggs.
Best spot for a sundowner?
Pre dinner drinks always at The Mount Nelson Hotel. And for sundowners we go to Bungalow.
Local delicacy?
Biltong. It’s a family stable for us now. Great source of protein for the kids.
A local tradition and must-do in Cape Town?
A must do is the Hot Huts sauna at Dalebrook and a cold swim in the sea. We do this every Friday after school drop off.
Be a polite tourist and…tip the car guards
Don’t leave home without…. Suncream and a hat - the sun is strong!
Don’t leave Cape Town without…going up Table Mountain. Walking or take the cable car. It’s a must!
Best outfit to wear sightseeing? Always take layers the weather can be changeable.
Anything else?
The water is very cold but worth a dip of you can bear it…
Kate Kindersley is the founder of Hadeda. Follow @hadeda_co
Hadeda is a collective of unique home and lifestyle collections sourced from talented artisans and co-ops across many disciplines including fashion, ceramics, art, weaving, beading and carpentry from Africa and around the globe.
November Arts & Culture
What to watch, visit & plan this month…
Anya Hindmarch X Uniqlo collaboration launches 21 November - get your baskets ready!
Book to join me at a wreath making masterclass with Jigsaw at their King’s Road store on 28th November
Book a festive wreath workshop - Willow Crossley for Create Academy at Thyme in the Cotswolds on 5th December
Watch the newly released Paddington in Peru film, in cinemas everywhere
Discover the world of Tim Burton at The Design Museum
Book to see Ballet Shoes at The National Theatre from 26 November
Visit The 80s Photographing Britain exhibition at The Tate
Have an early night and binge-watch Nobody Wants This on Netflix
Visit Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers exhibition at The National Gallery
Download our Christmas decorating tutorials to inspire you to deck your halls (tables, mantles & doors)
Willow Loves…
This month I am…
Getting party ready with my sister-in-law Sarah Corbett Winder’s new party wear collab with Monsoon
Arranging any flowers I can find in our cherry loving cup - love it!
Living in Me&Em super-soft double espresso joggers
Returning to my nail colour of winter with some DIY nail care
Loving these super chic triangle neck scarves as the days get colder
Enjoying wearing a cropped cardigan unbuttoned with relaxed jeans - one in every colour please Boden!