The Easter Weekend That Was, part II

Just because she is one of the most lovable, adorable cats I've ever met plus the fact that I'm blessed to have welcomed her to the world three years ago and shared residence with her ever since, sunworshipping cuddleface Siri (another) post of her own. Apart from pansy and shoelace inspecting she's an avid and proud believer in tummy showing (and if I had such a sweet middle part of my body I would probably be too) ~

Happy birthday, Emil, this must clearly be your best birthday ever,
the sun and my tummy in good view ~

The Easter Weekend That Was, part I

As I have been feeling *a dash* under the weather this past plus week Easter was a rather uneventful - as far as hullabaloo, socializing, eating and so forth go - thing in this house and life. That said, it has been quite lovely and not feeling well and having a minimum sort of energy made for a lot of spotting for spring signs in the garden, teas on the terrace - having had no sense of taste nor smell for some days the eating of good food have been sorely non existing - reading and hanging out with hairy creatures (including one's birthday).

This blog will therefor consist of three concurrent posts, all on the Easter weekend that went - three because the moments are just too good to have to jostle one another in one post. First out is the fact that the garden is brimming with smallish yet wonderful signs of Spring and new or re-woken life ~

First sign of rhubarb!

From one day to the other, crocuses are thriving

Promising lilac shrubs...

Scillas overtaking (in a friendly way, I'm sure) the garden, flowerbeds and lawn alike. Green tulips popping up everywhere. Pearl hyacinths. Signs of peonies too. And of course, the pansies have been studiously planted. (And the ceramic ones most happily worn.) Ah, ain't spring grand ~

Shaved!

Now where's that green chewy thing as promised, eh?

Won't be winning any dog grooming style prizes this year either - except for possibly in the category "best caught in the lawn mower look" - nevermind, it's a practical rugged style fit for a sporty-perky house and cat guarding kind of loaf dog.

These Boots Were Made For Walking

...and, finally, that's what they're gonna do!

I got these sturdy, lovely - as in they make a perfect cherry on a sundae combination with a pretty feminine dress or skirt - boots in London mid 90ies. They were actually a size to big - the only one pair left at a bargain price - but soles are good. (Note had they been one size too small I wouldn't have gone down that path.) Wore them a few times initially, but since then they have been semi-forgotten in the back of my closet for shoes only (every gal should have one, I'm blessed).

When I did some spring cleaning - so far that includes shoes (out of which I'm a happy keeper of all but one pair, a few need to go for lasting but they will hopefully continue to be mine after that), books (can hardly grasp the notion of cleaning out books, let alone actually do the dirty work, but I did and I'm proud!), papers, old magazines, china, kitchen utensils (why did I have an espresso machine, I'm completely illiterate at making coffee. I make good tea), fabrics, some boxes and bags in the garden shed (mainly consisting of trinkets I have no idea why I got, myself or as gifts, or kept for so long) and so forth. Still a whole lot to be done, a procrastinator's job is never ending - a while back I found them, tried them on. And as my feet seem to have mysteriously grown a size or so, they fit quite well these days.

Though they sadly lacked a decent pair of shoe laces. While I searched in vain in some city shoe shops I also browsed Etsy - the answer to most prayers for useful and pretty things - and found a shop that offered old silk ties recycled into shoelaces. That sounded awfully nifty, and soon enough came these pretty ones in a mailbox close to undersigned. As did a pair of laces with golf motive for M, who is a golfer. And as we all know, golfers are always in desperate need of style tips.

I think my grey/wine red laces look really lovely with the boots, they're indeed creatively handmade and do fit perfectly the shoes they were made for. They also have the sniff and purr of approval from one distinguished pansy inspector. Not every shoelace gets that.

As I haven't had an opportunity to use the boots yet thus test the new shoe laces' excellence or durability when worn that (important) part of pretty shoelaces still remains a mystery. But when the boots have been out walking, I will be sure to update this post with the trial (and probably and hopefully very non error) result.

Wanna get your own pair of shoe laces formerly known as silk ties? Just hop on over to BetternBefore on Etsy

Easter Monday Morning

This isn't any ordinary Monday morning, this is a glorious Easter Monday, free from obligations and full of promise. If I may say so, I do think taking your teddy bear on a scooter drive makes for a perfect little sunny outing on this round off day of a long relaxed weekend. If anyone would demur to the perfectness of that they're just oozing silly self-denial. Go on, treat yourself, treat teddy.

Happy 18th ~

Today blue eyed boy Emil (seal colourpoint Persian) turned a whopping (in cat's) 18 years. It's not easy getting old, the different degrees of aches, moments of confusion, not being your completely usual and utterly lovable self. But at least you got to enjoy some well-deserved birthday sun on your pretty contemplating furface and yet another beautiful Spring in the Autumn of life. Happy birthday, sweetheart, we have shared so many wonderful times and both ups and downs together ~

Water Week - South African Water Moments

One the beach, Kenton-on-Sea

Addo Elephant Park

Hanging out with penguins at Boulder's Beach

Tranquility

On Robben Island

A few treasured South African water moments. Oh, do I need a holiday...

water week is a theme shared by the following blogs:

stockholm by pixels - The World According to Pia - Ystad Daily Photo

Saturday Treat - Stroopwafels

It was love at first bite with these deliciously decadent, or so they feel at least when added to your breakfast on the town, traditional Dutch Stroopwafels (syrup waffle cookies of sorts). I first met them in Amsterdam a couple of years ago, but the only one I have managed to found in Sweden was a package with a disgustingly poor imitation at Rosendal's garden which had very little but appearance to do with the real thing.

In order not to pine away longing to get a bite of them again I then put the whole taste sensation in a dusty ol' drawer deep down in the back of my mind. Until now. Because as it happened M did acquire a few packages of these waffle delights at his latest trip to Holland a while back - my stroopwafel-desperation must have made a seriously lasting impression. And yes, this supermarket version does taste at least as good as the more exclusive/expensive versions.

Due by date in May for the last package, it will be saved til then and every tiny bite of caramelly chewy crispy loveliness will be savoured the very last week. Apparently one can make them oneself, though somehow that would tarnish the magic I think. I also noticed that there's an Association of Stroopwafel Addicts, the truth is out there, I am not alone.

Purple Pansies & Green Flowers

Life is full of treats, as I was getting ready the other day to plant the thoroughly inspected purple, and yellow, pansies a lovely package arrived from overseas.

Since pansies, especially purple-violet, is one dear sign of spring to me I did adore these sweet earrings ones at first sight. And as they screamed with their wee ceramic voices, to Sweden we want to move!, who could resist?

Accompanied by an equally adorable pair of flowery hairpins - which also of course insisted on a move to these latitudes, so what can a poor woman with a soft spot for flowers and beutiful handmade things do... - the foursome truly made my snivelling, coughing day of sore throat cold. Oh soon they will get to see more of Stockholm, Sweden, Europe than a glimpse of my garden and bathroom, Easter inauguration to come ~

More of Jake & Noel Design's gifted and lovely work you'll find at the tempting Etsy shop

Water Week - Hamburg Glimpses

Watery glimpses from another lovely European city built on water, a city of many faces - Hamburg. Like a lot do I.

Refreshing, reviving fruitful drinks on a warm summer day can be had by lake Alster too. Meet melon. Watermelon.

water week is a theme shared by the following blogs:

stockholm by pixels - The World According to Pia - Ystad Daily Photo