Valentine’s Day is a day that symbolises love and gratitude, and with this comes specialised gifts of flowers, chocolates and other goodies to make your loved one feel appreciated.

When it comes to choosing a floral arrangement for your Valentine, many do not know what types of flowers are best suited for the celebration. According to Mark Robson, the Granny Mouse Country House & Spa Gardener, the most common type of flowers used as a gift in the month of love are Roses, Carnations, Chrysanthemums, Sunflowers and Tulips, if they are available.

“Carnations express love for another, especially red and white ones. Red symbolises your admiration, while white symbolises love in its purest form. Sunflowers on the other hand are said to symbolise devotion and it helps that they are bright and beautiful as well. Tulips, which are my favourite, symbolise perfect love and look stunning in a bouquet, pot plant and even in the garden.

But most of all; nothing says I love you most of all, than a bunch of red roses or even a single stemmed rose from the garden  – which can give the impression that your love is natural and raw,” Robson says.

Apart from the gift, the date is also an important part of Valentine’s Day, which should be spent in an intimate manner.

A picnic in the garden is a great way to connect with that someone special, as it

creates an environment which sparks conversation, delights the senses and you get to choose what snacks you want to indulge in to accompany the champagne.

Granny Mouse Country House & Spa offers great picnic packages for anytime of the year. These packages can be ordered and collected for use off the property as well as on the property, either in our gardens, on the lawns next to the Lion’s river or anywhere you see fit.

For more information or to book a picnic package in the Granny Mouse Gardens contact (033) 234 4071.

Easter is almost here and it is time to start preparing the festive goodies and what better way than to get the kiddies involved.

Apart from a traditional Easter egg hunt in the garden, why not get the kids in the kitchen to try their hand at making their own sweet treats and spoil mom and dad this year.

Here is one of the simplest recipes for them to try and it doesn’t even involve the stove.

Ingredients:

• 4x Tablespoons of cake flour
• 4x Tablespoons of sugar
• 2x Tablespoons of cocoa
• 1x egg
• 3x Tablespoons milk
• 3 x Tablespoons canola oil
• Handful of chocolate chips

Method:

Grease a “microwave safe” large coffee cup with butter or cooking spray.

Step 1: Add flour, sugar, cocoa to the coffee mug.

Step 2: Stir together to combine.

Step 3: Add the egg, milk and oil.

Step 4: Sprinkle chocolate chips on top.

Step 5: Stir carefully and continue to stir until well blended.

Step 6: Cook on high in the microwave for 3 minutes.

Step 7: Top with ice cream or whipped cream and more chocolate chips or a sprinkle of cocoa and serve! However, in keeping with the Easter theme, kids can sprinkle a handful of speckled eggs onto the top of the whipped cream or ice cream to give it a festive Easter look or pipe a cute bunny face on top using a marshmallow cut into two thin disks (cut diagonally using kitchen scissors) and place on top as a pair of bunny ears.

Happy Easter!