Christmas Aga with Sarah Whitaker

Christmas Aga comes around again so quickly!

Sarah was here today, showing us some great new ideas and recipes for Christmas, whilst showing everyone around the Aga, how to use it efficiently and effectively.

We discussed what can be made ahead and frozen for the festive period.

Talked about pans, trays, dishes

Sarah shared tips galore and answered some great questions.

Here is just a small selection of what Sarah managed to cook in just 2 hours!

Shredded stir fried brussel sprouts, delicious!

Courgette and carrot bake, perfect for vegetarians or as a side dish

Banana and pecan pudding cake

Here's the glorious slow cooked turkey, along with smoked haddock tart, chicken & apricot casserole, cauliflower souffle and everyday sides such as roast potatoes, rice, beans and gravy!

Sarah will be back at Treetops in the New Year.

Immune Support AromaYoga

We had a very relaxing evening last night with Rachel at our Immune Support AromaYoga class.

We enjoyed a mix of yin and hatha yoga, with some gentle restorative, whilst Rachel shared and spoke about essential oils, in particular those good for our immune systems at this time of year.

I love this rollerball I bought from Rachel about a month ago, it smells so good.

After our class we enjoyed some nibbles and warm almond milk chai lattes whilst still wrapped up in our duvets.

I made sweet potato falafels and stuffed chestnut mushroom, both recipes from Deliciously Ella, the falafels included turmeric and cumin, both good for our immune systems.

To finish with we had brownies and clementines dipped in dark chocolate.

Rachel will return in the New Year with some new AromaYoga classes.

Festive Papercutting with Lucy

Lucy was back for another Festive Papercutting workshop today, helping create beautiful lanterns, cards and gift tags.

Using very sharp blades against a soft craft mat it required lots of concentration!

The tree lanterns are lovely with small birds and rabbits amongst the tree trunks.

When fingers needed a rest from using the knives, Lucy taught everyone how to make little origami stars.

Thanks to everyone for coming.

Venice Watercolour

Another great painting day this week

Yesterday we held a Venice Watercolour class, it's always been a popular subject over the years.  Click on the links below for past years' work.

2017

2011

2010

Claire demonstrates in a step by step style, explaining the layout, the paints required and helps everyone throughout the day.

She was delighted with everyone's drawings yesterday

Our days are always great fun, especially yesterday with the naming of our gondolier Giovanni!

Below is our gallery of Venice ....

At the end of the day, Claire mounts the artwork and we have an exhibition, it's always amazing to see everyone's different version of the painting.

We enjoyed a lunch of salmon, goats cheese & basil, served with sesame broccoli and this superfood salad of rice, red rice, black rice, wild rice (!) red and white quinoa, with mixed herbs and veg.

Followed by a delicious apple crumble

Stormy Seas & Stormy Skies Watercolour

We had a brilliant day with Claire today painting Stormy Seas & Stormy Skies

To start with we used a heayweight paper, 300lb Saunders Waterford from St Cuthbert's Mill in Somerset, we needed this for the amount of water we were using, the building up of rocks with texture paste and the scraping technique that was then used.

Here are some close ups of the textured areas

We also used toothbrushes to spray effect crashing waves

Luxury Christmas Wreath Workshop

Join us on Wednesday 4 December

for our Luxury Christmas Wreath Workshop

with Lindsey from The White Horse Flower Company

Lindsey will teach you how to make an eco-friendly moss base and will have an abundance of beautiful flowers, foliage, feathers, berries and ribbons to adorn your wreath.

The workshop runs from 9:45am - 1pm

Mulled wine and cake

£90

Email to book your place, just 3 places left.

Capturing the Light in Oils

Claire ran an Oils class yesterday; 'Capturing the Light' in the style of Sorolla

Sorolla (1863-1923) was a Spanish painter known as the Master of Light for his iridescent canvases

Claire demonstrated some ideas and techniques at her easel, there were many in our group today who hadn't tried Oils before

Oils are messy!

Here are the beautiful works of art created by our students today ....

Lunch was a delicious Scandi Salmon bake followed by pear and chocolate crumble

Claire returns next week on Tuesday and Wednesday for classes:

Stormy Seas & Stormy Skies

and

Venice

still a few places available if you would like to book

9:30am - 3pm

£75

all of your materials, a 2 course lunch and a glass of wine are included