by Krista | Jan 29, 2015 | Bits 'n' Bobs
This weekend I get to host my very first guest from America when my dear friend Corrie arrives from Colorado. To say I am excited cannot encapsulate the utter delight I feel knowing that soon I will get to hug tight someone who inspires me every day, a true kindred spirit and free-souled woman.
The last time we were together was a few years ago when we met up in Prague. Looking through the pictures today put the biggest smile on my face as I remembered wandering all over that gorgeous city, eating far too much food, and sitting for hours in smoke-filled pubs talking, sipping cold beer, and nibbling all sorts of unknown local specialties.
In true hostess fashion I wanted to have everything perfect for her arrival, but then my body decided to get sick for four of the last six days, so instead of unusual perfection she gets to see us in all our normal glory. The lovely thing about Corrie is that she won’t mind one bit.
In the spirit of celebrating normal, I gave up on the dusting and window-washing, and instead made a Tomato Caramelized Onion Tart to nosh on while I make up a bed for Corrie in the Granny Flat, collect flowers from my garden for her bedside table, and grin happily at the prospect of having such a treasured person at our farm for the weekend.
Only one more day until we get to talk for hours, go for treks in the bush, and make the most of every minute.
What do you look forward to most when a dear friend comes to visit? xo
Tomato Caramelized Onion Tart
Ingredients:
1 par-baked tart crust
oil for cooking
1 large onion, sliced thinly
2-3 Tbsp pesto or Dijon mustard
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
4-5 ripe tomatoes, cored and sliced
2 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp dried coriander leaves
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 F (200 C).
Place sliced tomatoes in a colander to drain until ready to use.
Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat and cook onions until caramelized, stirring regularly so they don’t burn.
Spread tart crust with pesto or mustard.
Scatter caramelized onions evenly over mustard.
Scatter Parmesan cheese evenly over onions.
Layer tomatoes in an overlapping fashion over top of cheese.
Whisk together eggs, cream, and salt. Pour carefully over tomatoes.
Scatter coriander leaves over tart and place in oven. Bake for one hour until crust is browned, tomatoes are cooked, and custard is set.
Serve hot or at room temperature.
by Krista | Aug 15, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
My last trip to Europe consisted of grey skies and even greyer cities, so I was unprepared for the colorful display Prague had in store for me when I arrived last week.
It seemed that around every corner I found vivid vignettes of beauty that took me by surprise. The corner below looks right out of Spain or Mexico, but nope, it was a hidden entrance to a monastery that towered above stunning gardens.
Somehow I think the stone and brick of Prague make the bits of color really stand out. Like the gold toppers on these fellows.
I love these beautiful dogs resting in the courtyard of a massive church, so obedient and docile, watching the passersby as they awaited their master. Dogs are adored in the Czech Republic, and can be seen on trams, buses, and the metro. They are very well trained, however, and certain breeds and sizes must wear muzzles when out in public for even greater protection. Never once did I feel nervous.
After much delightful ambling through the market I told you about the other day, we were ravenous!! We wandered down this little street and found the perfect place to rest our bones and fill our bellies.
It was a cozy Czech bar with warm orange walls and glossy wood tables. The sort of place you want to linger in. So we did. 🙂
I was craving hearty Czech food, so I ordered a good, strong beer and what turned out to be a massive platter of local fare: two kinds of dumplings, sauerkraut, red cabbage, roast pork, smoked pork, and spicy pork sausage all slathered with gravy. Delicious!! Needless to say I was well-fortified for the remainder of our trekking that day.
Do you like to try new foods when you’re traveling, or do you like to stick to recognizable food?
by Krista | Aug 12, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
Few things make me happier than wandering a city with no destination in mind.
Prague is the perfect place for such aimless meanderings because it doesn’t matter what street you follow or what corner you turn, there is always something to delight and intrigue.
I love the rich colors on so many of the old hotels and buildings. They make me want to don silk evening gowns and wear ropes of pearls while a jazz piano plays in the lobby.
It’s so lovely to find gorgeous little gardens among the acres of grey cobbled streets and paved sidewalks.
The street cafes look so welcoming with their overflowing flower boxes and cheery red umbrellas. AND they provide perfect opportunities for people-watching.
There’s nothing quite like taking public transportation to make you feel part of a city. I have such fun taking trams, buses, and the metro, seeing parts of town I might never otherwise see. It’s also a great way to observe how the locals dress, shop, and interact with each other.
Perhaps the best part of such wanderings is finding the perfect coffee shop tucked away in a hidden courtyard. We spent a few cozy hours there sipping espresso, sharing Czech Honey Cake and warm apple strudel while we watched passersby, visited and looked at Czech food magazines.
What is your favorite way to explore a city?
by Krista | Aug 11, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
The sun is shining in Prague and it is beautiful!! I’ve been having such a lovely time with my friends – strolling amiably along cobbled streets, visiting for hours in cozy coffee shops, staying up late talking over glasses of Czech wine. It’s been marvelous.
Yesterday we spent a beautiful evening exploring Old Town Prague and found a marvy open-air market. Here are a few photos of what we saw. 🙂
by Krista | Aug 9, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
I have come to love chilly evenings in Amsterdam.
For I know that when my bro and sis-in-law get home from work we will get cozy in our pjs, bring coffees, wine, and nibbles up to the terrace, and snuggle under blankets on the comfy couches set around the outdoor fireplace.
It is truly a happy place for me, one of peaceful reflection, hearty laughter, and the best of memories with people I love to bits.
This weekend we got to share it with dear friends – a couple of jolly British expats living in Amsterdam, folks from Bulgaria and Holland, and an American friend who flew in from Tanzania. It was so wonderful to sit around for hours swapping stories over glasses of Italian wine and German beer, hearing all sorts of marvelous adventures and hilarious tales.
I love this place, these people. And I wish I could bring you all over to join us on these beautiful nights.
And now, dear ones, I must dash and start packing. Tonight I fly to Prague to visit my dear friend Corrie who is in Europe for a few weeks. I can’t wait to hug her tight and talk like mad for the next few days. 🙂
Where is your happy place this week?
In true hostess fashion I wanted to have everything perfect for her arrival, but then my body decided to get sick for four of the last six days, so instead of unusual perfection she gets to see us in all our normal glory. The lovely thing about Corrie is that she won’t mind one bit.
