Spring vibes

With the soulful voice of the, always smart looking, Leon Bridges in the background, singing 'Pull Away',  I sit behind my laptop, contemplating what to write to you. Leon's voice distracts me.  Love the mellow sound...... It's the perfect music for a lazy Sunday afternoon.  

Just came home from a morning's work in the garden. I am running terribly behind. Lots of chores I still have to do.  I did some heavy work in the front part today (getting rid of a, partly dead, tree), which makes me feel about eighty. It's time to relax now, put my feet up, read a book and listen to some more music.  

Part of today's photo's were taken in Utrecht, a beautiful old town in the middle of my country, which I enjoy visiting: the canals running through the city centre, the many historic buildings and the lively atmosphere.

The amazing black and white graphic dress is a recent vintage find. It's very elegant. I found it in one of my favourite vintage shops in my home town, The Dearhunter vintage. 

The black and white photo's of Dali, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe and Alfred Hitchcock were made by Philippe Halsman. I saw a a retrospective of his work in De Kunsthal yesterday, which inspired me. The exhibition is called Astonish me, and it most certainly did.

The remaining photo's were taken in my home. It's covered in flowers. The spring vibe got me :-)

How about you, did you bring spring into your home?    

Wishing you a sun filled week!

Love,

Madelief x

Race you!

Things have changed in the garden. As my youngest daughter and I sit in the garden house, sipping tea, my eyes wander over the front part, with the huge pine tree, the lawn and the raised beds. I try to see what it is that makes it feel different: there are fat buds on the trees, the first blossoms and grape hyacinths appear, the daffodils are almost in bloom.....but I don't think that's all of it.......

As I remove several big branches out of a tree, tiny birds, I think they must be finches, race past me, missing me by an inch. It's like they play some sort of children's game. At that moment it hits me. It's the birds and the birdsong! When it's not there, somehow you don't really miss it, but once you can hear them sing again, you realise that you did, and very much so!

It's like they have all come out from their hiding places. Such a pleasure to have them in the garden once more. Although it's a cold and windy day, there is definite hint of spring in the air.

Have a good new week!

Love,

Madelief x

Stuck

Whenever I meet someone, and they ask me what I enjoy doing,  I tell them that, besides my other pastimes, I am a enthusiastic cook and baker, they often reply: 'how lucky your family is'.........  I am not so sure about that..... I don't think 'lucky' is the right word.

In today's post unfortunate and sticky are much more appropriate. I think I may have already told you, but to improve my baking skills, I did a patisserie course recently. I took some memorable bakes home, like shoe buns, a brioche, chocolate florentines and a hazelnut meringue pie, but the delicacy that will forever be 'stuck in our heads', is the nougat I made.

I have to say that it looked really good, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the taste (lots of nuts and blueberries inside), but what I hadn't foreseen was that it would be so incredibly sticky.  I didn't dare eat it, afraid one of my crowns would end up in there. I decided to just leave it on the kitchen table.

When I came home from choir rehearsal later that evening, I was met by my youngest daughter. She was mildly upset, but on the verge of laughter as well, as one can sometimes be. When trying to take a bite of one of the nougat cubes, it got stuck on her lips. You can probably guess what happened. When she tried to remove the nougat, she pulled part of the top layers of her lips with it....

I cannot tell you how horrible I felt.....My daughter is ok now, so please don't worry, but no more home made nougat for me and no recipe for you. Sorry!

Have a fun week!

Love,

Madelief x

* Thank you for you comments on last weeks post! They made me realise what a sissy I am. You are all much braver :-)