First of all my apologies for neglecting my blog for such a long time.

 In the meantime I've had the necessary eye surgery, 
with -besides some side effects which will hopefully be temporary- good results.

 Although I'm still in the middle of my recovery,  

I really felt the need to put a small post on here before another year is over.

The last few months I mainly spent at home and in my garden.

This past period has taught me even more how important my home is

 and how it contributes to my well being.

It has been a safe haven and embraced me when I couldn't go out that much.

Due to my eye problems, our plans (and renovations) for a holiday let in our annexe were postponed, 
but hopefully will be continued next year. 

Instead my husband full filled a longstanding wish of mine, restoring the -en suite- doors in our living room.

But also built an alcove around the new stove in our kitchen.  

Our living room as it was before ...

and how it is now ...

  

You can find the Butterfly Print here

With the separation we're now having a cosy snug and a kitchen diner ...

I'm so very happy with the end result and so very proud of my husband.
I was used to have a dad who could make and repair almost everything. 
This must have put a strain on my husband 😜 but not any more! 
I'm sure my dad would have approved 💓

I guess it doesn't need much explanation why I couldn't wait to
 put those fairy lights up there ...

You can find the Fairy lights, Angel and Tea Towel Robin here 

And from there, much more was creeping in ...

You can find the Christmas Car and Christmas Guest Towel here

And also in my 'new' kitchen diner ...

You can find the Angel here

You can find the Hanging Photo Frame here

and in my living room aka snug ...

You can find the Candle Holder here

You can find the Christmas Bauble Reindeer here

You can find the Glass Dome Display here

You can find the Christmas Bell Reindeer here

You can find the Paper Winter Scene here

You can find the Wooden Trug here

I also did some test baking for my Christmas Cake.

Because my sister-in-law recently developed a lactose intolerance, 
I had to try a new version of the Frangipane Cake with Pears I baked before,
 but now with a lactose free crust. 

Here's the recipe: 

Ingredients:

Filling:

• 150 gram almond flour
• 150 gram powdered sugar
• 120 gram lactose-free baking butter at room temperature
• 100 gram apricot jam 
• 50 gram flour
• 3 eggs
• 3 pears (conference)

Crust:

• 260 gram LU Bastogne Cookies
• 90 gram lactose-free baking butter

You will need a metal cake/quiche base with
with a loose bottom (28cm)



Mix the almond flour, eggs, powdered sugar and the flour.
Leave the batter (the frangipane) rest for at least 3 hours in a cool place.

Start crumbling the cookies by putting them in a plastic bag and
using a rolling pin or other tool. But maybe even better, use a food processor.

Put them in a bowl and mix them with the melted butter.
When both have been mixed, put them aside for a moment.

Grease the edge of the quiche base and use baking paper for the bottom.
Divide the cookie crumbs on the bottom and edge of the base,
using a wet spoon to press the crumble a little.
Put it in the fridge for an hour before continuing the cake.

Divide the apricot jam on the crumble base and then add the frangipane.

Peel and cut the pears in halve. Remove the core and cut the pears in slices
with leaving the top together.

Divide the pears over the frangipane and bake the cake
in about 35 minutes in a preheated oven at 160 degrees.




Doesn't she (Bambino) look fab as a showstopper on my Christmas cake!

To end this year with a positive note, I decided to have a
little giveaway on my Instagram account
where you can have a chance to win Bambino.
So hop over here and have a go!
If you don't want to take any chances of having this beauty also on
your Christmas Cake, you can also find her here on our website.

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!


Anita
~xo~

Autumnal days are here ....

Don't know how it's with you, but over here there's a definite nip of Autumn in the air.
Though I've still got some (french) sunshine coming my way,
 I'm quite ready to embrace it.
I'm sure this has a lot to do with the wonderful Summer we've had so far.

Eating every possible meal in the garden was almost a rule.

You can find the Rustic Hanging Bottles here 

You can find the Wooden Scandi House here 

This year I was very late sowing and the heath wasn't very helpful either,
 but there still were enough flowers to fill my Jugs.

Both Hogben Jugs are available on our website and can be find here

A lovely customer gave me the idea for this display, 'love in a mist' in an Espresso Mug

For the third year in a row my 'Cafe au Lait' is flourishing, 
even after I left the bulbs hibernate in my border during Winter

The pond was the most popular spot for all wildlife this year

But also my Buddleia

Trying to hang on that Summer feeling I like to preserve all its produce in a box

You can find the Wooden Window Box here

Now the days are drawing in, I like to cook meals that have to simmer
or bake cakes.
Any excuse will do and this time it was the youngest son
coming home from a holiday trip on Ibiza.

You can find the Wooden Cookbook Stand and Tea Towel here

I saw the recipe of this cake on Facebook at a friends profile 
and because the men around this house love coconut I gave it a go.

I dare say with success.

I already shared this photo on my Instagram and there were a lot of requests
 to share the recipe, so here it is.

This is what you need for the Coconut Cake:

       *For the Cake Base:

- Sponge Flan Base 200gr

*For the filling:

                                                    - 30 gram Cornflour

                                                  - 480 ml of Cream

                                          - 3 Egg Yolks

                                                - 150 gram Sugar

                                                             - 55 gram grated Coconut

                                                       - 2 tablespoons Butter

Put the 480 ml Cream in a saucepan and add the Cornflower. 

Whisk until the Cornflower has completely disappeared.

Then whisk the Egg Yolks and sugar in its total through.

Put the fire on medium heat and bring to boil while constant stirring.

Once it boils, take it off the heat and stir in the Coconut and Butter.  

Pour the mixture over the Cake Base, cover it with Cling Film
and put in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. 

     *For the Topping:

                                                     - 180 ml of Cream

                                                             - 3,5 tablespoons Sugar

                                                                       - 1,5 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

                                                                             - 40 gram grated Coconut roasted

Whisk the 180ml Whipped Cream, 3,5 tablespoon Sugar and 1,5 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
at medium speed and spread over the Cake.
Sprinkle the grated Coconut over the Cake and after being in the refrigerator
for at least two hours it's ready to serve.

The Cake can, provided it's covered, be kept for several days.

  

Right now I'm busy packing for our break in the Provence.
I'm still very behind with my monthly Embroidery subscription
so I made sure to pack the 'essentials' 😜

Basket available here

Leaving my garden in the capable hands of my lovely neighbor,
I can't wait to see my Wisteria (which is full of buds) flowering for the second time.

And of course meeting you here again!

Anita
~xo~



After a couple of very busy weekends, there was finally time for a so much needed walk. I saw on Facebook that there was a lot of new life to admire on the goat farm so the Amsterdam Forest was our destination.  

Where snowdrops lead us the way ....

Arriving at the goat farm there was a overload of cuteness ....

With Spring definitely on my mind I love to surround myself with that energetic feeling at home.

With soft toned bulbs and drinking coffee from an almost identical coloured Mug ....  

Fresh flowers ....

In a gorgeous Jug ....

And of course Muscari, not only the real ones but also with a print in a Photo Frame ....

The last few years a keep my garden "messy" for the birds and still amazed to discover new life after removing the fallen leaf ....

Just can't wait to get my seeds out of this Tin ....

 And spend more time in my little greenhouse .... 

While I was writing this post I heard on the radio - that according to this study - watching garden birds has a beneficial effect on your mental well being.
It will be no surprise that I so agree with this ....

And when I'm not watching the birds in my garden, I admire them indoors ....

Or have another coffee with them ....

With the arrival of March, the promise of Spring is just around the corner ....

Not only this gorgeous book of Edith Holden - the Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady - but all other items shown in this post you can find on the Website ....

Happy March everyone, happy (almost) Spring!

Anita

~xo~