That Kind of Day...

Looking out the window today, you really feel like doing this...

However I'm off to my hairdresser for some pampering, which is kind of neat too. I'm even bringing a piece of this with me - hopefully she doesn't read this beforehand... - chocolate raspberry chili truffle cake. Which turned out to be a veritable taste-explosion, subtle yet distinct, of chocolate, raspberry and heat. Divine... If you like raspberries, chocolate, nuts and a bit of oomf that is.

Goodie Bag

The second time I met Anne was at a small garden party I held for some friends and acquaintances some years ago. If my memory serves me right they all bought nice little gifts for the hostess, but one of those gifts really was a bit extra.

And from someone I barely knew at that time, but whom I've come to call a friend - and not only because of that mind reading gift of some extraordinarily lovely soaps back then - namely Anne.

One of the interests we have in common are that of cosmetics and beauty products - for some strange reason I have *very* few other friends who care for this essential stuff... - and we are completely unanimous about the excellence of products from Bath & Body Works.

Especially their outstanding body splashes, which I simply adore and yearn for all the time - for some unknown stupid reason the products aren't available in Europe anymore and when I ask the BBW customer service why, I get some neither rhyme nor reason silly answer...

So you can imagine my surprise and happiness when I got this goodie bag for my birthday, with some nice Japanese food stuff including tea - which I'm looking forward to try out - and the sweet Stay Healthy. Be Lazy. detox booklet by lovely company innocent, but most of all the bag contained not only one, but three fantastic splashes from BBW!! One of them being my favourite cucumber-melon scent.

Don't you just love it when people actually make an effort - whether it being something homemade, handmade or something that will take a bit of work to obtain - to get a gift that'll really very much delight the gift receiver? As opposed to swing by a department store and get something without much thought to it...

So thanks again for this thoughtful gift, Anne, I thoroughly enjoyed and enjoy it!

This Is Not A Food Blog, But...

This is not a food blog, well at least not a food blog with lots of more or less inventive and exciting recipes, but I do like to experiment with veggies and since I got the ultimate vegetarian cookbook, which I'm kind of trying out almost every recipe from - although very much changing, adding, experimenting along the way - I certainly spend a whole lot more time in the kitchen department than I used to. Even though, admittedly, the best thing with cooking is probably not eating it, but to try and take a mouthwatering picture of it...

The things I did find a bit odd to add in a recipe can make wonders and give me incentives to dare venture myself where I haven't spiced before. I'm thrilled to say that a definite majority of the recipes in this darling cookbook are absolutely wonderful in flavour, the spices work so very well together, and you get to discover new - at least for us non-food-bloggers - lovely veggies. And herbs. And spices. And combinations. And savours.

Lately I haven't felt very inclined to make desserts - believe it or not, I'm probably coming down with something... - so this will simply be a photo cavalcade of main courses or sidedishes. That'll perhaps give you some vegetarian cooking inspiration for bleak autumn dinners.

Fried potatoes & mushrooms with herb tomatoes - simple!

Clear asparagus soup - yes it is nice to use fresh asparagus in food, it's a delicious veggie, but personally I'm no fan of clear soups. I like my soups creamy. So the next time I make my own asparagus soup it'll be a whole other kind.

Grilled root veggies - this really is the perfect autumnal dinner! Well, any dinner with carrots is perfect of course, all year round. Seasoned with garlic and basil, delicious.

Spinach/ricotta tortelloni with tomatoes, basil & sunflowerseeds - simple, but well, not really my kind of neither pasta nor sauce. Although I should remember to use sunflowerseeds much more in cooking, not just in smoothies, cereals or dessert.

Fried rice Asian style with grilled halloumi - leftover rice, paprika, leek, red onion, garlic and herbs, ta-da, delicious and would go well as a maindish all on its own even though IMHO almost any dish goes very well with a bit of grilled halloumi...

Potatoes & black bean salad with peanutdressing - this was absolutely amazing, the flavour of the dressing, so simple to mix in a food processor, really added something extra. Another new favourite!

And as usual, if you'd like a recipe you only have to ask. Nicely.

Sirocco, Penguins & Good Hope

Previous post on South Africa can be found here

The drive from Stellenbosch to Cape Town takes about one hour if you don't make any detours or stops along the way. But of course you can't just drive straight there if you're on holiday! There are just so many detours to take, so many must-sees, must-dos in that area. For example, if you like a bit of tan - responsibly obtained of course - perhaps a slight case of sunbathing at Sunrise Beach?

Enjoying the atmosphere, with many interesting antique and craftsman shops, in the absolutely charming town/fishing village of Kalk Bay and having lunch at one of many tempting cafés and restaurants there. Like the wonderful open air restaurant Sirocco with a delightful, fresh menu including a dessert that's definitely one of the top five on my cheesecake-list. One of my best overall restaurant experience while in SA, if not THE best actually. Simply lovely with great music playing in the background. This is how life should be. Bliss.

If you find gemstones to be completely fascinating and alluring must-haves, by all means do not miss Mineralworld and Scratchpatch in Simonstown. The prices are just peanuts compared to what you have to pay for these kind of stones in Sweden...

Another definite must is of course a visit to the penguin colony at Boulder's Beach. Amazing experience, just inches away from all these guys. It was just such a treat in many ways.

And no, I just can't get over the fact that there are actually baboons roaming around freely, a wildlife so completely different to ours up here in the very north. Fascinating indeed.

And well, as I've said before Cape of Good Hope isn't the southernmost place of the African continent, but I suppose - despite the *slightly* over touristy and very crowded feel of it... - it is a must too. It is a World Heritage Site, it is a vast national park and yes it also offers a plethora of amazing natural sceneries. So, now I can say I've been there, to the most south-western point of Africa too and yes, the faithful travel companion Elvira even got her picture taken when there was a brief second of noone else posing.

By next post we will have landed safely in Cape Town, despite the scary roads a k a scenic route we took to get there, *somewhat* similar to the Swartberg Pass experience...

Amsterdamian Encounters

Having breakfast at a really sweet slightly offside situated café in Amsterdam - with a freshly squeezed orange juice that was simply amazing! The name of the café is "de sneeker pan", at Kerkstraat 46-48 -, I saw this lovely Weimaraner outside the window. Just look at that adorable face! Non visible in the picture was his Siberian Husky type of friend who wasn't equally keen on trying to get a morning snack.

Apart from these two we didn't see very many of them in Amsterdam. Though obviously they were around since there was a whole lot of dog poo to be found, and stepped in, on the pavements. Everywhere. Disgusting. Uncivilized. Oh how these dog owners who completely lack common sense and manners makes me mad, use a dog poo bag for X's sake!! I like the polite, although far too timid, sidewalk request though...

I met a little pigeon, who at first was quite reluctantly interested - I suppose she/he thought I had a mean hidden human agenda - but then warmed to me when I shared a cookie with her/him.

I bet these fellows didn't share any cookies with the pigeons - and look who's all petrified, in chains and well, frankly having a Sisyphus job as a ginormous pigeon toilet. Goes to show, you should share with those lesser fortunate...

I wasn't the only one who had a bit of a fling with the pigeons of Amsterdam. What is it with these grey and worn, sad looking men and women on a bench feeding the birds that makes, at least, me want to take them home with me, wash them, feed them and hear them tell their life's story... I hope they're much appreciated by the birds and that maybe, hopefully, the first impression of a sad, lonely bird-feeder is completely wrong...

My newfound pigeon friend had obviously spread the rumour that there was a new woman, of foreign origin, in town who shared a cookie or two - which wasn't completely true. Something these rather upset family of swans learnt the hard way - after having eagerly begged for some treats in vain, they refused to pose for the camera, sniffed and turned their back floating down the canal.

At least they didn't make any fierce and sudden attempt to steal the handbag, like this pack of dangerously looking lizards that was roaming a park in the city centre. I mean really, keep them on a leash or teach them some manners! Just look at poor Elvira fighting for her life and freedom. I managed to bravely - if I may say so - save her from the jaws of that sinister looking creature. I bet that hearty breakfast played an important role there. I actually think I even scared him quite a bit, doesn't he seem a bit stiffen?

But in the end, one of his *friends*, claiming to be a completely innocent and very apologetic viewer of the whole ordeal offered some refreshments. So I guess you shouldn't completely judge a lizard by the company it keeps...

Have a Piece of Chocolate

The latest science buzz is that chocolate is healthier than ever, far surpassing fruit and vegetables when it comes to the amount of antioxidants. Well, for some reason I think I've heard something like this before, until the next piece of groundbreaking research refute it that is...

So in the end I think I'll stick to gobble down a lot of wonderful, succulent, tempting fruit, and veggies, when possible. And then maybe, just maybe, have *a* piece of chocolate for dessert... Who said you can't, and shouldn't, have both?

Want to read more?

Glimpses of Amsterdam

Oh I wish the weather and light had been more cooperative in Amsterdam - and it was kind of difficult to avoid the sky and concentrate on the details all the time... Here are a few of my impressions of Amsterdam - in many ways a pretty city, in others just very dirty and very worn. Including a lot of nasty dog poo on the sidewalks and streets. I also noticed that my skin reacted pretty much the same way as it does when in London, impure, grey and unhappy. I suppose the Amsterdam air isn't what it should be...

Apart from the multitude of channels and bridges, large and small, it reminded me of so many European cities and somehow it never really got to me. It never distinguished itself in the way that a few others cities have done, where the ambiance is something really special, cities which I just love, which I return to regularly or at least long to return to, plan to return to. I somehow doubt I will return to Amsterdam. I just got a feeling of been there, done that and not a feeling of oh-how-I-want-to-return-and-explore-more. Despite the very nice shoes on offer...

Yes, nice shoes, not so interesting when it comes to other garments. Mostly just the same, old boring high street chains you'd find anywhere. The one time I went really excited from looking at a window display it turned out to be a Noa Noa-shop... The other really nice clothes shop I found was so unbelievably expensive I shudder at the thought actually. I would so have liked there to be more of the Copenhagen-style of shops, small designer and handicrafts-shops. I didn't find many of those, at all. Perhaps I was just in the wrong place of things, although it seemed like we walked pretty much all over the city...

The impression of the Amsterdamians where overall quite nice, like Dutch in general they speak English so very well and of course put most Swedes to shame in that area... Although their smoking habits are *slightly* too much for my liking. And well, I don't have to even mention my views on their infamous coffeeshops and red light districts...

On the other hand I do like the impression of the Dutch having an, in general, unpretentious way of living, looking at life. Seeing the opportunities rather than the problems perhaps. Much like my impression of the Danes. And very far from my view of Sweden, Swedes and certain areas of our legislation...

I do like the fact that Dutch, like Danes, cycle a lot. What I don't like is their complete rudeness and inconsiderate behaviour towards traffic rules and pedestrians - ah well, like in Stockholm I suppose... The many trams were quite intimidating, high speed and everywhere including swooshing down crowded pedestrian streets.

When it comes to food we had some really nice meals in different places, in different price ranges. The coffee was way below average in general, sometiems plain average, but never really, really good. What was really good though was the bread, everywhere, all the time. And the fruit juices and fruits, fresh, sweet, invigorating, lovely. I'll return to some of the food highlights of the trip in a later post.

Lots of museums, many lodged in simply amazing buildings, large and small. We visited a few, some really lovely and unusual, one more than rather disappointing. More of that later too.

And now, a few glimpses of a city on water that is not Stockholm - here are some random pictures of an alas gloomy Amsterdam. For more pics, have a look in my Flickr album. The official Amsterdam website you'll find here.

Poncha, Grump & Growl

This is Poncha, in my opinion a *quite* revolting honey, lemon, rhum beverage from Madeira. Got it when we spent a lovely Christmas there some years ago - a place of wonderful, fresh food and drinks, except coffee and then this grody thing.

However it is kind of handy to have as a cold remedy - but as might be visible from the still-after-years-remaining content of the bottle, it is also kind of difficult to gobble down, even in tiny doses. I can safely say I shudder just thinking of it... I can't imagine it being a cool drink ingredient, as it is said to be, well, perhaps if your only aim in a night on the town is to throw up it might just be the thing...

Right now though, I'm contemplating whether gulping down the last remaining cloudy fluid of that Poncha-bottle would be the thing or not for a good night's sleep. Since for nearly 24 hours, there has been a completely annoying, regular, medium-pitched noise coming from one of my neighbours - sounds travel easily through the thick walls in these atrium-houses here - which makes it almost impossible to sleep, since the sound is most audible in the bedroom...

I know the sound - kind of what can emanate from a sound system that isn't completely shut down - from before summer. Then it was on and off regularly for about a week, we thought they might be renovating or something, and it wasn't on at night. Since I like late nights and not so early mornings though I didn't appreciate it being "turned on" in the wee hours of the morning... But just when I was going completely crazy from it and was ready to storm in - I'm not 100% sure which neighbour's causing it though - like a mad banshee, it stopped completely. Simple bliss.

I have no interest whatsoever in socializing with my neighbours more than a random hallo-how-are-you-nice-weather, I don't know half of the people who lives in this common land society of ours, and thus I'm not all that excited about having to thwack some strangers door in order to get some quiet. Especially since I'm not sure which exact stranger's door to pound. So right now I'm not in a good mood, I limp, it's raining and I just might look like some nasty creature that has come haunting pre-Halloween. I think I'll settle for some private grump and growling plus earplugs. For now.

Exception to the Rule in Stellenbosch

Previous post on South Africa, you'll find here

Myself I haven't the slightest interest in wine, but for those who do I suppose South Africa has quite a lot to offer also in that area. Therefore M had quite looked forward to the stay at a vineyard guesthouse in Stellenbosch, a charming old university town in the heart of South Africa's wineroute situated some miles east of Cape Town. Some nice wine sampling, for some, and a good dinner would be just the perfect end of a long day in the car. Little did we know...

We arrived at the Knoerhoek Vineyard late afternoon and was greeted in a way that can only be described as inhospitable and rude, by an elderly woman who could hardly speak English. The room we got was far from the nice ones as seen in the pictures, but more of a shabby hostel one. Since I very much take notice of details I didn't find it very appealing to see cheap soap filled in old bottles of more expensive brands for example... The fan in the room was making so much noise it couldn't stay switched on during the night, which was too bad considering the temperature that time of year...

The information about the fact that in order to eat at the inhouse restaurant you had to preorder well in advance hadn't been given... The place was fully booked - by unbelievably noisy and uncongenial golfplaying German seniors... I let it be unsaid which one of these attributes that made them so unpleasant... - and we had to look elsewhere for dinner. I can't help but using the words *of course* now, as in of course we were given the completely wrong driving directions for another restaurant...

We got lost, in the pretty much pitch dark surroundings of Stellenbosch. We ended up at a 7-11 shop in some strange neighbourhood, where I stayed in the car while M stocked up on *delicacies* - can't say it was all that comfortable... Although I got treated to a strange and rather entertaining mini-show when a drunken man suddenly appeared in the dark answering a call of nature, trying to relieve himself beside the building - right outside our car... -, and then frighten the hugest rat I've ever seen, who factually ran straight into the wall trying to get away from what he/she probably saw as a very daunting Nemesis. Myself I just counted the minutes until we could get back to the guesthouse with all that wonderful delicacies that the tummy ached for by then...

I suppose all is relative when it comes to what can be considered as culinary delights... But I'm pretty sure none of the above things can be considered first class delicacies... However, even if the great expectations of a lovely stay and great food at a vineyard came to naught, it was rather lovely to sit at that "balcony" outside the shabby room, having the non-five-star-picnic and looking up at an amazing pitch black yet star-spangled sky. The kind hardly ever visible when living in or close to a city or in a densely populated area.

Our room is the one with the open door on the upper floor. Outside my knapsack is waiting to leave...

The breakfast and its staff was really lovely - even though the roisters above had made quite a mess indoors... - and we had such distinguished company while eating.

Since we were on *a bit* of a tight schedule we didn't have much time strolling the streets of the town of Stellenbosch - which was a pity indeed - but I did get the first kind of fairly decent latte there anyway. At Mugg & Bean, by an employee/proprietor that must be one of the most, if not the most, accommodating ones I've ever met. Borderline servile really. Strange experience indeed.

So my one and only close encounter with a South African vineyard, and it's so much talked about hospitality was far from a pleasant one, unfortunately. I hope it was a complete and utter exception to a rule. At least it was a complete and utter abnormal experience compared to all the other lovely welcomes and stays we had at different guesthouses in South Africa.

Next post will be about our drive to Cape Town, including penguins, Sirocco and Good Hope, so stay tuned.