Homemade

When browsing through my photo's, I came upon a few colourful ones taken in Bath gardens in Bakewell, a small but beautiful town in Derbyshire (UK). I thought I would share them with you. Bakewell has one of the most colourful communal gardens I have ever seen.

The town is famous for it's Bakewell tart. A real delicacy,  consisting of a shortcrust pastry shell beneath layers of jam, fragipane and a topping of lemon icing and toasted almonds. I used the recipe from, I believe the first Great British Bake off book, but you can also find it on the internet.  It's really tasty and very addictive.
  
In this post I would like to thank my friend Ilse, who made me the fabulous vintage roses style tea cosy. A warm thank you to Jenny as well, who sent me some amazing vintage textiles and an absolutely beautiful handmade bag. Which is a real eye catcher. Dear Ilse and Jenny, thank you so much. A big kiss to both of you.

If you like today's photo's and would like to see more, please have a look at Jenny's blog The Custards. Jenny makes the most fabulous things out of vintage linens, has a love for gardening and all things colourful and vintage. It's one of my favourite blogs.

I want to thank  you too for your kind suggestions on what  to plant in my garden this year. They are very useful!

Wishing you a happy week ahead.

Love,

Madelief x

A big kiss to my daughter M. Love the anemones! And to Carolyn for sending me the sweet snowman.

A must see destination

The New York Times published an article recently, rating Rotterdam as a must see destination for 2014. I couldn't agree more. To me, my home town is one of the most attractive cities I have seen. When you like the contrast between old and new architecture, Rotterdam is the place to be. 

Love the amazing new building De Rotterdam by Rem Koolhaas and the old warehouses with names of islands in the former Dutch colonies, on the other side of the road. The fact that you are always close to the river, there are many quirky shops and restaurants and an amazing harbour area, only add to it's attractiveness. 

Alongside one of the quays in an area of town called Katendrecht, a fabulous cruise ship, called the SS Rotterdam, is permanently moored. It was once a prestigious flagship of the Holland America Line, used for carrying passengers to 'The New World' and for cruises. It dates back to the 1950s and is really worth a visit. Enjoy the fantastic interior, which brings you straight back to the fifties and sixties and have a coffee in one of the stylish restaurants or on the lido deck.

Last week I showed my friends from Budapest around town. We had a fabulous time! The weather could not have been better. Blue skies all over. We had coffee in the Nhow restaurant, on the 7th floor of The Rotterdam building, lunch at the SS Rotterdam and finally a glass of cool lemonade at De Zeeuwse Meisjes on the Deliplein. Seeing it through my friends eyes, made me realise once more how fabulous Rotterdam is. So if you haven't been yet, do come and visit!

Dear Jane and Lance, Thank you for your kindness, your enthusiasm and humour. It was a joy to spent the days with you! Blowing a kiss to both of you. 

If you would like to see more photo's, please have a look at their blog. It's one of my favourites!! You can find the link in their names.
  

Wishing you all a lovely week ahead! Three more days to go and I will be on my way to the UK. Hurray!

Love,

Madelief x