Lately

The secret of a bloger is to blog. I haven't been to good about that and as always I am trying to catch up. Better later then never, right?

Updates: we've
been on vacation
moved on the other side of the country
fighting with paper work for a happy event
looking for an apartment and furniture
exploring the new surroundings

oh may, oh may....and many other little things!

Magic Summer Potion

I love summer and I love the things I can make with my own hands. So, I love Socata. That is elder flowers drink.

This elder drink is one of the best things I ever tasted. Every early summer my mom made this drink us and it was my dads duty to collect the flowers. So it was a family thing :)

4 simple ingredients are needed:

10 elderflowers

2 organic lemons

5 tbs sugar

5 liter water

Mix everything in a big jar and let it in the sun ferment for one day. 

I promise, it is to die for! 

Rhubarb Pie

Ooops I did it again. After my famous apple pie there's another simple, quick, seasonal fix for a spring rainy (again) Sunday.

This recipe is from my mom. The holly rule of 5:

5 eggs
5 tbs plain flour
5 tbs sugar
5 tbs oil
lemon zest
vanilla extract
pinch of salt
backing powder
+ rhubarb (can be replaced by any other juicy fruit: strawberries, peaches, plums...)

First you separate the eggs.
Mix the yolks, 3 tbs sugar, the lemon zest and the vanilla and stir until the sugar melts.
Separately beat the eggs whites with the remaining 2 tbs sugar and pinch of salt to a soft foam.
Gently add the foam to the yolks, add the oil and consecutively the flour. Each spoon at the time. It's really important that the dough stays fluffy. Last mix one tee spoon baking powder with lemon juice or vinegar and add it to the dough. Stir gently.

Pre-heat the oven.
Grease the backing form with butter or oil, tap with flour.
Pour the dough into the form and gently add the rhubarb.

Bake until it turns gold.

I can only say that I saved the half to photograph after a very very tight fight! Again it was suuuper lecker!

Berlin - My Love

Oooh my I love this city! I was lucky enough to go for a short trip to Berlin. Soooo inspiring, I could move there in a heart beat. Forever!!!

It always feels the right place to be :)

I love that's big, nosy, colorful, multi-culti, green, not always pretty (sight)

We rented a small apartment (actually it's bigger then ours) on airbnb. It was so cool, much different than what I would do in my own apartment but very inspiring through it's minimal, effortless style. The high light for me was definitely the bath tube! Luckily the weather was really good so we walked a lot, visited some museums and just chilled...

I can't wait to go back!

Neuköln Apartment via Airbnb

Easter Reloaded

My family is celebrating the orthodox Easter today. I miss them even more today knowing they are all together around painted eggs and my mom's delicious goodies... so I gave myself a treat: flea market and ice :)

Happy Sunday!

Sleeves up and roll!

Youn Sun Nah magic moments

We just got back from an excellent concert. The South Korean jazz singer Youn Sun Nah offered the most beautiful evening I could imagine. A sensitive, delicate appearance with an incredible strong and rich vocals. Moments like this get me back on track to stop fighting and just enjoy life. As it is!

.

Do check her Youtube Chanel to see her performing. Breakfast in Baghdad is my second fav

Easter

Last year I was so exited about Easter, I followed trends, I prepared everything for a long weekend with the family, l took pictures if my beautiful painted eggs in the sun...

Today is windy, snowy...perfect weather to spend the day in bed watching The Life of Brain. My exact cup of tea :)

Christmasy in March

There's still a wintery feeling in the air. It's almost as cold as on Christmas and just to hold on a bit more on these positive mood I had the brilliant idea to bake a pie that smells of cinnamon. I used this recipe. Clear and easy...a piece of cake ;)

As the light was so bad it took me more time to take the than to bake. And it was gone instantly  :)

That's always a good sign. It did another good deed today - I can go to bed in peace 

Tada

Martisor

There is a beautiful tradition back home in Romania on March, 1. 

On Martisor a little charm with white and red thread it's given to girls and women as symbol fertility and reviving of nature. Nowadays it is given more as a symbol of love, respect, appreciation.

These ones below are made by my mom and are quite traditional made with natural wool entirely hand processed and dyed by my grandmother. What can I say?! Amazing women!!!