Friday, 28 February 2014

Spicy Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup

I mentioned a couple of days ago I'm in the middle of a rebranding process towards lifestyle photo stories. Today I start with a new weekly recipe for the weekend, I hope you like it...



Have you ever had one of days when you don't have many ingredients in the kitchen cupboard and try and come up with an inventive recipe? It happens to me often, sometimes it is not successful and other times is a pleasant surprise!  Today I had one of those days. I had one butternut squash one sweet potato,  one red chili and a carton of coconut cream I thought to give it a try combining all these ingredients for a winter hearty soup which it turned out to be a delicious combo, so here I'm sharing my recipe with you-I hope you like it.

Recipe :

Serves 3 to 4 people
Duration 30-40 mins

 2 tbs olive oil
 1 large onion
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 1 small red chili
 1/2 tsp salt
 1/2 tsp pepper
 400 g butternut squash, diced
 400 g sweet potato, diced
 900 ml vegetable Stock
 3 tbs coconut cream


1. In a large pan heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion, chili and garlic with a pinch of salt and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until soft and translucent but make sure they do not go brown.

2. Add the diced sweet potato and butternut squash and cook for about 5 minutes before adding the vegetable stock. Cover the pan and cook for 20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. 

3. Season with salt and pepper to personal taste and add the coconut cream.

4. Puree the soup in a blender and can also leave it a little bit chunky.

5. Garnish with a dollop of coconut cream and herbs or your choice such as coriander.

Tuesday, 25 February 2014

New Year a New Chapter!





Well they do say there is nothing like a new year to close chapters and bring in new ones! Well so far this applies to me as this year there are going to be so many changes with work and life that I don't know where to start ( hence my silence here and with many of you- you know who you are )

With my work I'm slowly rebranding and going towards the direction my heart has always taken me, which has been to take photographs of what life surrounds me with; be it friends and family, home cooked food, still life to travel. I have many projects I would like to document for future books or exhibitions, but this will be a long process in the making - nevertheless my images will still be available as prints and wall decor to private customers and licensing companies


At present I'm working towards opening for business with outdoor lifestyle portraits and studio for those that wish to, this coming summer. I'm also in the process of expanding my studio so I'll keep you updated with this news too!
In the meantime you will gradually see some changes through my blog with weekly vegetarian and vegan recipes and updates on my new projects ** note -Blog name has also changed from beechgrovestudio to rossananovellajournals.blogspot.com**


As this is not enough, Matt and I (as many of you know) have been in a very long process for adoption and hopefully I shall have some exciting news to share with you all very soon!

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

New Inspiring Prints

New Fine Art Prints


These new prints have been an instant hit in my shop with constant orders very day, which has been lovely to have a great response! You can see them in my shop  here -Not on the High Street 
 8 x10" £14 with free postage to UK orders.

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Happy New Year! 20% Off on Full Prices


 Dear friends, I hope you all have a magical 2014 year ahead! 
As a thank you for your support and encouragement throughout the year I'm offering a 20% discount on my two shops plus free postage to all UK orders.
For the special offers visit my 'Not on the High Street' shop here or Etsy shop here ( please use the discount code HAPPY2014 on your checkout)
Have a lovely week :-)


Saturday, 21 December 2013

Happy Holidays to Everyone


Hello my lovely friends. I know I haven't been here for over six weeks, but I had to take time of due to an unexpected very bad back injury. I'm glad to say I'm now 90% better and finishing with last minute orders to you all out there that have been purchasing from my online shops, also I would like to say a big thank you!!

There are so many new exciting work projects and personal in the process that I can't wait to tell you all in the new year! In the meantime you can have a peek at my new online portfolio website here www.rossananovella.com. 

**New 2014 wholesale price list will be available in January. Own a gallery, boutique, stationary or home interiors shop you think should offer my prints, canvas or cards?
Contact me for details- info@rossananovella.com

I hope you all have a wonderful and restful Christmas with your loved ones wherever you are in the world. XOX

Monday, 4 November 2013

My Sunday Movie...

As many of you know by know I'm a great fan of Woody Allen movies, so much so our cat is called Woody!
Last night we went to see Blue Jasmine, Woody Allen latest movie and all I can say is that I highly recommend it! The movie plot and the all the cast was outstanding but Cate Blanchett was amazing as Jasmine and I wouldn't be surprised if she is nominated for an oscar for the role.
I love Woody Allens movies as he doesn't need to spend big bucks with special effects, car chasing or violence..just good old fashioned story telling with interesting and complex characters that whisk you away for a good couple of hours to another world.

Friday, 1 November 2013

Back from Italy...


Hello my dear friends. It has been a long time since I wrote in my little journal, but life seems to get busier and busier somehow!
I'm back from an amazing week in Italy editing images in the studio, which I shall post here soon! In the meantime I hope you all have a lovely weekend, with Halloween witches and monsters or not.. :-)

Saturday, 14 September 2013

Monday, 9 September 2013

The Photo Man


The Photo Man from Ben Kitnick on Vimeo.

I hope you all had a great weekend. Here in England Autumn is showing its first signs already!
For those that love photography and a sweet story, I thought I'd share this short video of the Photo Man by Ben Kitnick. I might be very sentimental as towards the end I shed a couple of tears...

Saturday, 7 September 2013

Blog Feature

Thank you to California based blogger, Bonnie from Going Home to Roost for featuring my kitchen wall decor print in her fabulous blog for her September Gift guide feature. You can see the print here. 

 

Friday, 6 September 2013

Friday, 16 August 2013

They say working with animals is tricky.....

 They do say working with animals is tricky! Well those of you that have pets will know that they pull all sort of tricks on us to get our attention! This afternoon whilst I was taking photographs for my interior shots,  Kato's strategy was to get in my way no matter what! This is by far the funniest trick any of the two cats have pulled on me ;-))


Sunday, 4 August 2013

Happy August!

Image in my shop here 

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend wherever you are reading this in our little planet. For some August means vacation so I wish you the best of times! I'm away for a couple of days in the Suffolk coast, which I highly recommend! ;-)


Monday, 29 July 2013

A little peek into my workspace....


Today I have been updating my 'about ' pages in all my websites  which also includes an image of my studio. This is a little peak into my workspace where I usually sit and write my blog, edit photos and write emails to some of you out there.
There is a window on the left which I usually leave open to hear the birds melodies come through which I find very relaxing when  I need  a quiet time to reflect on errands. Various radio stations also filter through the day from Buenos Aires, Barcelona and UK and my collection of ITunes soundtracks when I need inspiration.
Above in the shelves is a collection of my diaries, ideas and sketch books. Bellow on the wall images is an eclectic mix of photographs; inspirational images, Woody Allen, childhood memories and some of my travel images from South Africa and Buenos Aires. Also a photograph of my father sits there as it is the closest I can have him since he passed away. I use the mug from NY everyday when I have my coffee to remind me I did visit the city and it wasn't all a dream!

Thursday, 25 July 2013

New Affordable Kitchen Wall Decor


As some of you might have read in my previous posts, lately, I have been cooking a lot for friends and family.
Having spent so much time  in the kitchen, it has inspired me to create a new collection of  affordable wall decor that can fit in any nook and cranny and brighten up the room.
These new set of photo cards can fit in any frame size 7 x 5" with a set of six cards  at $8 ( £5.35 ). There are also larger sizes 8 x 10"  $28 ( £18.70 ) and posters on request.
To view all the new kitchen wall decor click here.






Monday, 22 July 2013

Loving Our Summertime ...


What was your weekend like?

Lately I have...

*Enjoyed cooking for friends followed by dinner in our back yard
*Found time to chill under a tree to avoid full sun of 45'C and start reading my new book
*Got up at 6 am to go for a run and enjoyed it!
*Listened to old CD's I forgot I had
*Had a drink at my old pub in Notting Hill with good old Alex that is over visiting from NY 
*Laughed tons reminiscing old times with good friends over Pimm's
*Shopped in my local farmers market for lots of delicious fruit and veggies, took photos and then cooked them!

Friday, 19 July 2013

Happy Friday!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend with lots of sunshine wherever you are in this little planet of ours!
Image in my Etsy shop