a small gift fit for the queen

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and 

her grandmother Valerie Glassborow Middleton

The Middleton sisters have an “oh so very English” family recipe for their granny’s chutney that they love to share with the public and with the Queen! At Kate's first Christmas with the royal family, she gifted a jar of this special chutney to the Queen. “I was slightly worried about it, but I noticed the next day that it was on the table,” she stated. 

Sister Pippa has featured the heirloom recipe in her party book entitled Celebrations. It sounds quite yummy and can be best served with cheese and crackers. When I first read the recipe, I literally thought that it called for bone marrow, but soon found out that marrow is actually the British term for zucchini!

I've translated the recipe from grams and liters to American measurements, so here's an easier version of the recipe for us. I plan on making it this weekend, just for fun! 

KATE MIDDLETON’S GRANNY’S CHUTNEY

Ingredients (Makes 8 jars)

4 lbs. marrows/zucchini, peeled, deseeded and chopped into small chunks

4 medium onions, peeled and chopped into small chunks

3 apples, peeled, cored and chopped into small chunks

½ lb sultanas or raisins

½ lb pitted dates, roughly chopped

4 Tbsp malt vinegar

4 cups soft brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons ground ginger

2 tablespoons mixed pickling spices, secured in a piece of muslin

Directions:

Put the chopped zucchini/marrow, onions and apples into a large preserving pan, add the rest of the ingredients and the bag of spices and stir together, then place over a medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and simmer gently from 1½-2 hours or until well blended and thick.

Take the pan off the heat, cool and remove the muslin, squeezing the liquid from the bag. Spoon it into sterilized jars with vinegar-proof lids, filling them to within 1cm of the top. Ensure the rims are clean, screw on the sterilized lids and store in a cool place for up to 12 months. Once open, store in the fridge and use within 1 month.

What do you give the woman who has everything? Well, Kate made the right decision giving the Queen this special treat. "I thought back to what I would give my own grandparents," said Kate. "And I thought, 'I'll make her something,' which could have gone horribly wrong. But I decided to make my granny's recipe of chutney." Sounds like a fabulous idea, Kate!

ciao! fabiana

Available on Amazon

kate middleton visits downton abbey

Today looks like a fun day for all on the set of Downton Abbey

when the Duchess of Cambridge aka Kate Middleton came to visit.

Mrs. Patmore and Daisy presented the Duchess with a cake.

Kate toured all the behind the scenes departments as well,

 like the wardrobe department, where they ran into Mr. Carson.

Oh, I just love the the costumes!  This one on Mary is stunning!

Downton’s Little George is so cute!

The guy we all love to hate, Thomas with Kate. 
He can't be all that bad!

ciao! fabiana

Photos via Downton Abbey, Duchess Kate Blog and Getty Images

kate middleton style

Kate Middleton,

a Duchess with great style...

I just love her classic simple style 

and all the fun boots she wears!  

For more Kate fashion 

click here and here.

ciao! fabiana

monday musings

Over in England, they celebrate St. George’s Day on April 23rd, but the UK and the world were in for another special treat today! The birth of another royal baby…

💕

Yes, Kate Middleton and Prince William welcomed their third child, a second baby boy, into the world. So far the baby’s name hasn’t been announced yet.

And a little shout-out to my son Morgan who also celebrates his birthday today!   

Isn't it lovely how Kate Middleton pays homage to her mother-in-law the late Princess Diana with her choices in post-birth fashion?

Around here, the Sherman Library & Garden hosted their annual garden walk and tour this past weekend. Here’s a little peek at my friend Marion’s lovely garden that was on the tour.

Marion’s garden has so much charm!

It's inspired me to keep working in my garden, 

planting and beautify it as much as possible!

Here’s my wagon full of perennials that

I’m planting today and tomorrow.

I'm adding these amazing pinky-purple geraniums,

some ornamental cabbage,

more foxgloves and 

borage...

one of my all-time favorite herbs

which is an amazing cucumber scented plant that has 

gorgeous and edible bright blue flowers! 

And a little more inspo

from Mary McDonald’s garden!!

So when my garden is all zhushed up,

it’s such a treat to be able to go out and

have our morning coffee or evening dinner out

in a special spot.

This morning I acquired a new little

black wrought iron café set for next to nothing!

Actually, it was a free for the taking road-side find!!

So after a little paint and a little fabric, 

 it will be ready to join the garden!

Also, I’d love it if you checked me out on

 instagram too, for all the latest here at

 Ciao Newport  Beach !

 ciao! fabiana

princess Kate's favorite Christmas treats

Kate Middleton is known for her elegant and stylish fashion choices, especially during the festive season. For Christmas, she often opts for classic colors like reds and greens and sometimes incorporates plaid patterns into her outfits.

 

Tartan has a rich history and various connotations in fashion. Tartan plaid is deeply rooted in Scottish culture, often associated with clans and families.

 

I love how Princess Catherine wears plaid, as it can be dressed up or down, making it a versatile pattern that has stood the test of time.

 

During the holiday season, the royal family wears the most beautiful and stylish plaid patterns, especially in red and green to evoke a sense of warmth and festivity at Christmastime.

 

Now here's something I love just as mush as Kate does... Sticky toffee pudding!! It's a Christmas classic, and it’s no surprise that Kate enjoys it during the festive season. Here’s her simple recipe for you to try.

If you've never had Sticky Toffee Pudding, you're in for a real treat!

 

And here’s another traditional Christmas dessert…

 

King Charles also has a fondness for traditional Christmas desserts, including plum pudding. This rich, steamed pudding is packed with dried fruits, spices, and often a splash of brandy or rum, making it a festive favorite.

 

Prince William and the Princess of Wales have several cherished holiday traditions that they enjoy with their family. 

They make sure to spend quality time together as a family, often baking and decorating Christmas cookies, and watching holiday movies like "Elf," which is a favorite of Prince William.

 

Like all of us, they also hang stockings by the fireplace and leave out very British mince pies and milk for Santa and the reindeer.

 

They continue the tradition of attending a Christmas church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, a long-standing Windsor family custom.

 

I love that Kate and William have started creating their own separate holiday traditions, including hosting their own holiday party with Kate's family. This allows them to have a more private and relaxed celebration away from the larger royal family.

Plaid always brings out the true spirit of the holidays, whether it's adding a plaid pillow on your sofa or brightening up an outfit with a bit of tartan. 

ciao fabiana

 

 

For lots of fun extras, follow me on Instagram!

 

 

 

You can check out some of my favorites here at “Tablescaping Essentials” 

 Do you add a little plaid to your Christmas traditions?

Photos and recipes courtesy of People Magazine