Editor’s letter

If there’s one word that perfectly sums up the joys of winter cooking for me, it has to be ‘hearty’

You see, while summer can be all about the thrill of an outdoor grill, things slow down at this time of year, as we embrace casseroles, stews and succulent roasts – like the juicy Greek lamb on our cover. Meltin-the-mouth and marinated to perfection, it’s oh-so easy to cook — just prep and pop in the oven. It’s the perfect intro to our slowcooking recipes (page 64) – and yes, they include dessert! As for our table se€ing ideas (page 98), you’ll be inspired to serve your meals with contemporary flair — be it a formal or more casual affair. Of course, cool weather is also a prime time to turn up the heat in your garden, with proteas and pincushions in fiery shades of red and yellow (page 14), variegated plants pu€ing the hot in pink (page 28) and African violets hi€ing a purple patch (page 22). The colour craze continues inside, as classic grey decor gets glam (page 102). Prefer to be hands-on? This is also a season for revamps and renos that won’t break the bank, as you take your bathroom from blah to bliss (page 138), cra” an old-school skateboard (page 136), build a hanging garden (page 28), make a tropical bedhead (page 118) and let the kids camp indoors (page 158), complete with a fun felt fire. There’s so much to do, you’ll need to relax with a cuppa, which pairs perfectly with a spot of embroidery (page 166). However you warm up this winter, enjoy the issue!