by Krista | May 19, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
Hello dear ones! We’ve had two whole days of glorious sunshine in Washington after record-breaking rains. Needless to say we’re just a wee bit ecstatic over here.
The sidewalks are filled with Moms and Dads pushing strollers, elderly couples holding hands, and kids laughing and jostling one another.
The squirrels in my yard are practically giddy! I’ve never seen them so animated, chasing each other up tree trunks, skidding through the pine needles, chattering a mile a minute.
I’ve spent many a happy moment sipping blueberry juice, nibbling spiced cookies shaped like windmills (have I mentioned I live in a Dutch town?), and soaking up sunshine.
On my breaks at work I stroll through nearby neighborhoods, smiling and nodding at folks who wonder why a sundress-clad girl is wandering through their back alley. For the record, neighborhoods are MUCH more interesting when viewed from a back alley. Here you get to see real life: cute old men planting their gardens, kids on their tummies coloring on the pavement, and white-haired ladies gossiping animatedly in the church parking lot.
The yard below is one of my favorites. It’s wilder and more free-spirited than most places, with vines twisting through the white-picket fence and a bright red door that makes me happy.
I made myself a window seat yesterday, a rather splendid perch from which I can look out at my sunshiny, green world and be at rest. Even when I’m not sitting in it I like to see it there waiting for me.
What are you up to this weekend? I’ve been invited to an End of the World Party and that makes me smile. What better way to face prophesied doomsday than an evening with dear friends eating scrumptious food, watching great movies, and having all sorts of good talks?
Wherever you are and whatever you’re up to, I wish you good sleeps and sunny days.
xo
by Krista | May 18, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
by Krista | May 17, 2011 | Compatriot Wednesday
For the first time in cooking club history, I arrived this week bearing absolutely nothing save my bedraggled self.
You know you’re among friends when they tell you to “come and just sit with us” when you’re so tired you can’t come up with a Japanese recipe to save your life.
Thankfully my contribution was not missed for Darren’s house was positively buzzing with activity as old friends and new friends bustled about cooking platter after platter of scrumptious Japanese food.
Don and Jen brought sushi drizzled with fresh lemon, Robin made steam buns filled with sweet bean paste, Kat made potstickers, and someone brought more sweet nibbles and a box of Pocky sticks.
Jenny made absolutely delectable Japanese pancakes – crisp and buttery on the outside, savory and tender inside.
Sarah made a beautiful pan of Yaki Soba studded with mini-corn, water chestnuts, broccoli and peppers.
Cameron decided we needed street food and grilled us up a pile of succulent skewered meat in a sweet, smoky sauce.
Toby brought sake and we all crowded into the living room, our plates piled high with deliciousness as we visited.
I couldn’t help but smile as I looked around the room at all those dear faces, hearing them laugh and tell outrageous stories, seeing the compassion in their eyes as they listen to the hard things some are going through.
I’m so grateful for these people. For their good cooking, yes, but mostly for their friendship, their love, and the myriad ways they inspire and delight me each week.
by Krista | May 16, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
There is something so magical about tramping through the snow in Germany at twilight.
The world seems quieter and everything takes on an ethereal glow.
My family had just met at a local shopping mall in Boblingen for coffee, cookies and a visit, happy to be out of the house after being snowed in for several days. Not eager to drive home through slushy streets filled with Christmas shoppers, my brother Ryan, his girlfriend Melissa and me decided to walk.
We had such a jolly time laughing and talking as we trudged and slid our way through deep drifts and uncleared roads. We linked arms on the slippery parts and waved cheerily at Germans staring at us as we skidded our way through their neighborhood.
Somehow we managed to get good and lost and decided to sneakily follow a random German through a maze of alleys and neighborhoods to see if they could lead us to familiar surroundings. Much to our delight – they did!! The lights of my brother Evan’s house glowed warmly as we stamped up the steps and entered blessed warmth.
The house smelled perfectly heavenly for Mums had been hard at work making us a Danish feast. We sat down to plates laden with frikkadeller (meatballs made with pork and beef), egurkesalat (tangy cucumber salad), red cabbage stewed with brown sugar and currant jelly, and boiled potatoes slathered with rich gravy.
It was delicious!! The perfect hearty fare to warm a body up after a cold, snowy trek. I promise to share all the recipes with you in my cookbook. (Click here to read about this exciting new project!)
After dinner was eaten and dishes done, we sat down for rousing games of Spades, groaning with disgust and cheering wildly as the situation warranted. 🙂
What is your favorite warming dinner on a cold winter night?
PS — If you signed for the Rambling Tart newsletter and did not receive a confirmation email, be sure to check your spam or junk folder. 🙂
by Krista | May 15, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning, dear ones! How was your weekend?
I stuck close to home, taking time to tidy and clean and organize – those things that got set aside while I was so sick. It feels wonderful to look around me now and see clear counters and laundry folded and put away. It does my heart good.
As I continue getting better, I’m eager to tackle various projects that I’ve been quietly mulling over the last while.
This month was the beginning of one such project that I am SO excited about! My dear friend and brilliant photographer Rebekah Chapman asked me if I would collaborate on a cookbook with her. Would I??? Yes, yes, and YES!! Click here to see her beautiful portfolio and blog.
I am developing/cooking the recipes and writing the book, and Rebekah is photographing and editing it. I cannot wait to tell you more about it!
We’ve already done our first photo shoot and are having such a marvelous time tasting, experimenting, and making my house a complete and utter mess. One of the perks of doing all the cooking is getting to keep the leftovers such as these scrumptious Raspberry Tarts with Vanilla Cream.
Another project is the start of my Rambling Tart Newsletter: Ideas and Inspiration for a Beautiful Life.
It will be a monthly collection of great tips, inspiring stories, and gorgeous images to encourage each of us as we build our own version of a beautiful life. I’d love to share them with you!
If you’d like to receive these monthly newsletters, please click on the banner below or go to www.ramblingtart.com and click on the banner on the right side of the page. Simply enter your name and email address and you will be added to the newsletter list. You will receive your first Rambling Tart Newsletter in June!
I would love to hear what things are inspiring you this spring. What projects are you working on that make you happy?
xo
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