Not a creature was stirring

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

neige2

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

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

butter2

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

Thursday, November 13, 2014

fleur

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

Friday, November 7, 2014

picnic3 Collage1 picnic2

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

Friday, October 24, 2014

photo velot1 photo(1) 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

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled Untitled 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

Friday, September 26, 2014

Madrid 79 Madrid 125 Madrid 96 Madrid 104 Madrid 95 Madrid 92 Madrid 94 Madrid 123 Madrid 122 Madrid 109 Madrid 115 Madrid 132 Madrid 135 Madrid 133 Madrid 130 Madrid 58 toledo2 Madrid 78 Madrid 57 Madrid 55 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

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Madrid 137 Madrid 28 Madrid 138 Madrid 37 Madrid 34 Madrid 48 Madrid 42 Madrid 40 Madrid 47 Madrid 49 Madrid 52 Madrid 51 Madrid 53 Madrid 54 Madrid 71 Madrid 60 Madrid 69 Madrid 65 Madrid 62 Madrid 73 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
Come a little bit closer, hear what I have to say. Just like children sleepin', we could dream this night away.
Harvest moon - Neil Young

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