by Krista | Oct 29, 2010 | Fabulous Friday
Happy Friday, luvs! 🙂 I’m not feeling so well today, so I’m dressing cozily in sweater and jeans, keeping myself warm with lots of herbal tea, and looking forward to a weekend of resting and reading a jolly good book I found at a thrift store.
Last night I wrote a Master List of all the projects I’m working on and responsible for and realized with certainty that I am a nincompoop. Here I’ve been patting myself on the back for getting better at saying no, but one look at this list made me wonder if there was ANYTHING I’ve said no to! Heavens. No wonder I’m tired! 🙂
So I’ve taken my schedule in hand and am fine tuning it, organizing things by importance and assigning times to get them done. I feel better already. Important things first. Isn’t it amazing how that one little practice makes everything easier?
Once again I am slowing down, evaluating the mantras in my head that make me feel I’m not good enough unless I’m working like a whirling dervish. I don’t want to feel this incessant need to prove myself worthy of respect or love. I AM worthy of those things. So are you. Today I’m going to bask in that knowledge and let go, again, of these ridiculous expectations.
This week I’ve started adding beautiful things into my life that yank me out of work mode and help me settle.
- Reading back issues of Victoria magazine for a few minutes before work. This never, ever fails to cheer, calm and inspire me.
- Looking out the window whilst sipping a cup of tea.
- Going for 15 minute walks on my breaks at work. How good it feels to amble through town, crunching fallen leaves, enjoying all the fall decorations on the darling houses that fill the Dutch town where I live.
Do you ever struggle with this sort of thing? How do you bring yourself back from feeling your value is in what you do rather than who you are? Do you have little mantras that help you think rightly? I’d sure love to hear them. 🙂
I hope you have a GORGEOUS weekend, dear ones! A big hug to you across the miles and a reminder that you are worthy of much love, respect and kindness simply because you’re you. 🙂
by Krista | Oct 28, 2010 | Autumn
There’s something quite lovely about exploring someone else’s garden.There is no work to be done, no weeds I must pull, nothing I need to water or prune. It is pure enjoyment.
Last October my friend Amy and I entered the doors of the Museum Willet-Holthuysen in Amsterdam. The stunning 17th Century canal house was once the home of Abraham Willet and his wife Louisa Willet-Holthuysen.
After her husband died, Louisa stipulated in her will that upon her death, the home and all its contents were to be given to the city of Amsterdam. Since 1895 her wishes have been followed. The home has been turned into a museum showcasing Abraham’s vast collection of paintings, weapons, glass, and other treasures. Click here for a virtual tour.
The house provides a fascinating glimpse into Dutch life for the wealthy in the 1800’s. As much as I enjoyed the opulent bedrooms, marvelous ballroom, and cozy scullery, the garden was my favorite spot. Quiet, peaceful and beautifully laid out, it was an oasis of calm and artistry in the heart of Amsterdam.
What is your favorite garden you’ve ever visited?
by Krista | Oct 27, 2010 | Plucky Thursday
Eating at my Mum’s table is always a wonderful experience. Guests are greeted with warm hugs and beaming smiles and ushered into her beautifully decorated living room where they’re regaled with jokes from my Dad as Mums bustles about getting everything ready.
Last week was no exception. Our cold weather made its first appearance and when I arrived just moments before our friends Art and Donna, I made a beeline for the heater in the corner. Mmm, the house smelled so good! We took our seats around the table and started on a fresh green salad topped with candied almonds, dried cranberries, mandarin orange segments and a Raspberry Pecan vinaigrette.
Next Mum brought out steamy bowls of Red Lentil Dal and a basket of grainy bread that we slathered with butter and dipped into our soup. It warmed us up beautifully and we happily chit-chatted through second helpings.
Dessert was a marvelous rum-drizzled Hot Fudge Pudding Cake and we tucked into it whilst watching the delightful A Month By The Lake that had us positively DYING to go to Italy!!! If you haven’t seen pictures of Lake Como, click here to be whisked away to a place of stunning vistas, welcoming villas, and, well, George Clooney. That guy shows up everywhere! 😉
Does your Mom like cooking? If yes, what is your favorite thing that she makes?
Mum’s Dal Soup
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp butter
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp.turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
4 cans diced tomatoes
1 cup dry red lentils
2 tsp lemon juice
2 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1 1/4 cup coconut milk
Sea salt and ground pepper
Garnish: cilantro and lemon wedges
Directions:
- In a saucepan saute butter, garlic and onion until onion is transparent. Add spices and coo, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes.
- Add lentils, lemon juice, vegetable stock, coconut milk and bring to boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25-30 min. until lentils are tender. Season with sea salt and pepper.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges.
- Serve with warm naan bread.
Mum’s Hot fudge Pudding Cake
(Serves 8)
Ingredients:
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp. oil
1 cup walnut pieces
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 3/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup rum (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sift together flour,baking powder, salt, sugar, and cocoa in a bowl.
- Stir in milk and oil. Add walnut pieces, stir well then spread in 9″ prepared square pan.
- In small bowl mix sugar and cocoa and sprinkle over batter.
- Over the whole thing pour hot water and bake 45 min. Cake rises to the top, sauce settles to the bottom.
- Drizzle with rum and serve warm with ice cream.
by Krista | Oct 26, 2010 | Gulliver Tuesday
Brrr!! It’s been cold, rainy and oh-so-blustery today. I’m huddled under three quilts with a heating pad in my lap to keep me nice and toasty as the storm rages.
On such a night it pleases me no end to go back through my photo albums, looking at pictures of warm, sunny places with dear friends. So today I’m going to do just that, and drag you along on a stroll through the back streets of Cozumel, Mexico.
As much as I love stunning monuments and historical buildings like the tower below, I am always drawn to the side streets, back alleys, and neighborhoods of the places I visit. This is where the real citizens of a place live, shop, and visit with their friends.
I explored Cozumel with my friend Amy and we stayed at the lovely Allegro Cozumel all-inclusive resort. We were both exhausted upon arrival and spent our first few days on the beach snoozing and soaking up healing sunshine. Then we were ready to explore!
We went to the main strip of Cozumel, wandering past jewelry vendors, eying the fabulous lacy white hammocks that swayed enticingly all over the island and deciding that no, we really did not need to take any back with us. Then we headed down a side street and meandered happily through town. Amy loves to look at local pharmacies and grocery stores to get a feel for a new country, and I’m a fiend for Farmer’s markets and restaurants. We found plenty to delight us both.
I was intrigued by the gates and bars guarding every home we saw. By themselves they could’ve been austere, stark, and decidedly unwelcoming, but the instead the inhabitants planted flowering vines that clambered everywhere softening hard edges and making even security look beautiful.
It was a great way to spend an afternoon. What things make you feel like you’re seeing the “real” side of a city or country?
by Krista | Oct 25, 2010 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning, dear ones! How was your weekend? Are you feeling rested and ready for a new week?
My weekend was just what I needed. It started with a delicious sleep-in Saturday morning, followed by cranberry orange scones and coffee with Mums, and a long walk in the country. There were so many beautiful things to see: storm clouds billowing over the mountains, leaves drifting on a lake smooth as glass, and these lovely berries. I’m delighted by the bright orange against those red leaves! 🙂
I was able to go to Seattle to meet up with a fabulous little group of food bloggers (Val, Sandy, Janelle, Sarah, and Don) for a great visit and delicious dinner at Poppy. I’ve never had a meal quite like it! They serve thalis-style, which is like a tasting menu all on one platter. You choose a list of 7 items or 10, and each item is only large enough to provide 2-3 bites, that’s it. I loved it!! I always wished that I could find a restaurant like this that would let me have a taste of everything instead of making me stick to one entree. 🙂 My favorite tastes were the Blue Cheese, Cherry and Sage Tart, exquisitely savory Pork Belly, and either the Nutter Butter bars or Salted Caramel Truffle for dessert.
While the food was great, it was the company that made the night beautiful for me. I loved our good visits and drove home that night smiling and feeling inspired and enriched.
I also cooked like a mad woman this weekend. 🙂 My fridge is now full of all sorts of yummy things, but I think my favorites are the slow-roasted garlicky tomatoes. Oh. My. The flavor of these beauties is like a soft, warm sun-dried tomato, absolutely packed with flavor. I confess I eat them like candy, popping them in my mouth right off the baking sheet.
They can be used in so many ways, but they’re so rich I like to keep my combinations simple. I add them to whole grain pasta and don’t even need sauce, or tuck them into a sandwich, layer in a tart, or toss into a salad.
What is your favorite taste from this weekend?
This is my contribution to Chaya’s Meatless Mondays.
Oven-Roasted Tomatoes
Ingredients:
8-10 Roma tomatoes, washed, hulled and halved
olive oil
1/2 to 1 bulb garlic, peeled and minced
sea salt
ground black pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Place tomatoes in medium size bowl and add olive oil, salt and pepper. Toss gently to coat.
- Arrange on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle with minced garlic and drizzle with a bit more olive oil.
- Roast 2-2 1/2 hours until tomatoes are half their size and garlic is nicely browned.
- Serve warm.
