Christmas Baking Time

I hope that even in the midst of December rush you can find an afternoon off to spend with someone you love - your children, your lover, your friends. Let's do some cooking together - it is not only useful and necessary at this time of the year, but it can be fun, too. Try out a new recepie - or you can stick to the old and loved ones, and who said Christmas cookies can not be eaten BEFORE Christmas?

Why Autumn is Good

Winter is coming. (If you are a GoT-fan, now you are smiling. If you do not even what GoT is for, then Google it. And start watching.) November is that month before Christmas that used to be cold, grey and boring. Now these days when Christmas season begins at the end of October (it should not, if you ask me), November is just another Christmas month. (Even writing it down seems so ridicoulous and wrong.) Why can not we enjoy November for what it is? The last month of Autumn, with cold rain and humidity, against which we can stay in, watch GoT, eat chocolate while watching GoT, make hot chocolate and cookie baking evening with your friends, all the while having that snug feeling that you are safe and cozy. Christmas rush is just around the corner, we need these calm moments. So let's enjoy it!

Just a Fall Afternoon

There is nothing quite like a fall day. I spent the afternoon outside, collecting leaves and walnuts, chasing the cat around the garden (and also chasing the neighbour's cat who was also chasing my cat) so I can say business as usual. 

By the time I finished collecting and chasing, the garden looked like as if no work had been done there - the tree is big, has too many leaves and drops one every ten seconds, so I can start again tomorrow. Yeah, this is autumn for you. 

The air cools down quickly, so after a day like this I could really do with a blanket and a cup of nice tea warming me up. Luckily the cat has also calmed down, and curled up in my lap. 

What else do you need in a fall day like this?

It's Tea Time

I can really feel autumn now. Not only did the temperature dropped low enough to make me shiver in the morning, but the leaves are turning yellow very quickly. Even if it is not raining, when it is so humid and cold like today, it feels so much better to be inside, with a lovely cup of tea and a good book. Normally I am a coffee person, but in cold seasons a cup of tea - with honey, cinnamon and spices - just feels so right. Especially when it is accompanied by some biscuits. Mmmm...

Pie, Pie, American Pie

As I mentioned previously, among all the things made from apples are the pies. My favourite taste is sour cherry mixed with vanilla. It would be perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon, like now. 

Autumn Spiced Cider

Fall is the ultimate apple season. Only good things come from this fruit: pies, drinks, cider. The latter is one of my favourite alcoholic drink, I prefer it way above beer, but never tasted it hot. Well, autumn seems to be a perfect occassion to try something new. The recepie is not mine, I found it here. All you need is cider, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, spices, orange, and about 20 minutes to mix it and boil it. Interestingly, honey is not on the list, but adding some probably does not do any harm.

Mmm... I think I am in the spirit of an autumn picnic now. 

Farmers' Market

Let's enjoy the beginning of the new season with shopping at the local farmers's market. What would you buy? :)

Weekend Brunch

After a hard week you deserve to wake up late on Saturday. It calls for a lazy weekend brunch - the smell of fresh toast, eggs on the sunny side up, café au lait and waffles. 

I put these all into a streamlined, minimalist interior, with glossy surfaces, steel and black and white colours. Enjoy!