Not a creature was stirring

little house: Dille & Kamille 

Here in Belgium we start to deck the halls right after Saint Nicholas’ visit on December 6th.

But it’s never too early for adding little wintery touches to your home (candles everywhere!).

Have you started your Holiday decorating yet?

Love,
Sara

homemade apple butter

If you still haven’t got a hostess gift for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving gatherings or if you don’t know what to do with your leftover apple cider that was on sale these last few days, I suggest making apple butter.

While the apples are turning into autumn awesomeness on the stove, you’ll have plenty of time to decorate, prep food,… for the upcoming feast.

I also found these adorable apple butter tags over at Money Saving Mom.

Homemade Apple Cider Butter by Baking Bites

6 large apples peeled and cut into large pieces
4 cups apple cider
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar

Combine apples and apple cider in a stockpot or a dutch oven. Cider should almost cover the apples. Bring to a boil and cook until apples are very tender. Use an immersion blender (or work in small batches in a blender/food processor) to puree the apples until mixture is very smooth. Add sugar to the apple puree in the stockpot and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat to medium and cook until mixture has thickened and reduced by 40-50%.

The apple butter will bubble thickly and splatter as it reduces, so I recommend keeping a splatter screen on top of your pot to minimize the cleanup. The butter should be thicker than most jams, with an almost honey-like quality to it when it is finished.
Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

Makes about 3 cups.
Recipe can be doubled or tripled or larger batches.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,
Sara

with the last red berries

November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.
- Clyde Watson

Yesterday, for the first time this autumn, I was muttering and grumping under my breath as I was leaving my house. The cold came unexpectedly. I should have brought my gloves with me…

During the cold months we easily get lost in the darkness around us.
It is still dark when we leave our home in the mornings and it is dark when we return.
Christmas ads are already playing on the television but secretly we are thinking “bah humbug”.
Instead of choosing the seasonally bright orange tangerines, we indulge in (Christmas) chocolate.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Thanksgiving is around the corner. What better way to brighten up this gloomy month than by surrounding yourself with bright orange hues, candle lights and your loved ones around a cozy table!

I believe the floral arrangement in the picture above would look lovely on any Thanksgiving table. Don’t you think?

Love,
Sara

october gave a party

October gave a party,
The leaves by hundreds came-
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand. 

The most delicious pizza and a homemade apple galette?Yes, please!

Love,
Sara

be still

Early in summer I got myself a new-to-me bike. While roaming around the area, I found this little wooden bench at a nearby farm. It’s the ideal place to watch the sunset and to pet the farm animals. Time seems to stand still there.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,
Sara

PS: if you live in Europe, don’t forget to put your clocks back by an hour on Sunday. Winter is coming!

falling for fall

After noticing my desktop was still rocking Oana Befort’s September calendar, I had a small panic attack.

How can it be October already?

September was absolutely glorious. I wouldn’t call it an autumnal Indian Summer because even though I was desperately trying to make autumn happen (baking everything with pumpkin, cinnamon scented candles, …. you get the idea) it felt more like the summer we never had. Finally.

Unfortunately, I believe now has come the time to say goodbye to my saltwater sandals and hello to my rain boots.

Happy weekend, friends!

Love,
Sara

travelogue: Toledo

If you are planning a trip to Madrid (you should!) make sure to add an extra day to visit Toledo.

After a short train journey from Spain’s capital you will find yourself submerged in Moorish and Spanish historical culture. The city is absolutely breathtaking.

Love,
Sara

travelogue: Madrid Part 2

After spending the entire morning at the Prado Museum, we prepared a picnic and headed out to the Buen Retiro Park for some boating, ice creams and naps in the shade.

Love,
Sara