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~

Winds of Spring ....

How did that happen, all of a sudden it feels like Spring.

I feel bad about neglecting this space for such a long time. 

It was a very long and busy Winter, with at the end exceptionally cold temperatures, several storms 

and even some snow.

It has been hard times for the birds in my garden. 

So the last days I've been very busy topping up feeders, 

putting out fresh water and providing shelter.

Luckily they still kept visiting my garden under these hard conditions.

While the blue tit is a regular visitor, this thrush certainly isn't. 

The cold weather must have made him expand his territory. 

And of course my little friend who never seems to fail my expectations of its presence.

I'm so very happy my Hellebore's survived the frost.
Still have to wait and see if my Wisteria and the buds of my Camellia also did,
though I covered them against the cold.

With the freezing temperatures we had, I'm so happy to have the possibility to light a fire. 

One of the features in this house that made me fall in love with it instantly.





Nothing so cosy as doing some stitching by the fire.
I've subscribed to The Stitchery, an initiative of the lovely Nicki.
Although I just started my January Kit, it's already so much fun.
Each month you will receive an exclusive embroidery pattern with full instructions,
the base linen on which to stitch and all of the threads required to complete the work.
There will be suggestions for beginner stitches, depending on your ability and personal taste. 

No lack of plans on this side because I also just registered for the free on line course
''how to grow my own flower cutting patch" given by the inspiring Emma of A bunch of Wild
I can't wait to get started in my little greenhouse again.
A rare photo of yours truly in front of my little sanctuary, which was taken as a product photo of the
 Linen Crossover Apron you can find on our website.

Also busy times updating the website with the following new (spring) items ....

Embroidered Tea Towel

Jane Hogben Mug Leaping Hare

Paper Rabbit

Doll Hare

Wooden Window Box

Porcelain Plate Ivy

Bird Silhouette Robin

Botanic Print Fern

With the sun out again and higher temperatures,
I felt like making something Spring to hang on my front door.
I used the Wooden Star, made from branches from the tree in my garden, as base.
With all other props, you can see in the next photo, I just had a go.

And this is the end result ....

I'm so very happy having a 'chat' with you here again, do hope you liked it too.

Have a lovely weekend all!

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~